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CHMR-FM News Director Colleen Power departs following MUNSU budget cut

Drake Rose
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CHMR-FM News Director Colleen Power departs following MUNSU budget cut

After 15 years at the station, award-winning musician Colleen Power has made the difficult decision to step away from CHMR-FM. Power’s choice comes off the back of MUNSU’s vote to end CHMR as a MUNSU service, including the cut of their funding to the station. While the station will continue to receive $2 per undergraduate student per semester via the MUNSU Media Fee, any paid positions at the station have been lost, and therefore, changed to volunteer positions. 

While CHMR can no longer provide stable income for Power, she will nonetheless remain on campus, continuing to work with MUNSU as the Membership Engagement Coordinator. In her new position, Power will be tasked with providing support to the Executive Director of Student Life, MUNSU programs, and student engagement.

Helping students on campus was one of Power’s favourite parts of CHMR. When asked what she found the most rewarding during her time at the station, Power answered, “definitely watching the students and community members enjoy what they were doing with their training, and then go on to keep doing that as a lifelong career…and watching the success of bands and acts who have come here, [for] a lot of them CHMR was their first ever interview, and now they’re gone on to be big, successful acts”.

Power not only interviewed and trained local acts, but also featured local music regularly on her programmes, starting with Ici Pour Les Chansons (Here for the Songs) in 2007, an all-French Canadian broadcast.

“[CHMR] had no French CDs or French music at the time”, Power recalled, “I had to order all of my own CDs from Archambault, which was a great place to order French CDs from in Montreal”.

Ici Pour Les Chansons continued into 2009, and after a two-year hiatus from the station, Power took the position of News Director in 2011, while simultaneously hosting Colleen Power Hour (2011-2019), Spot On (2020-2023), and Arts and Entertainment Report (2024-2026).

As News Director, Power wanted to focus the station’s news broadcasts on campus-related topics, while using additional news segments to highlight local artists:

“We didn’t really have a music director the last few years”, Power explained, “So I took on the role of making sure to get local music represented on the airwaves”.

For her contributions to the local music scene, Power has been awarded the Denis Parker Industry Builder Award by MusicNL, an award for “industry builders [that] have shaped the landscape of [Newfoundland] music, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come”. Power described receiving the award as “really overwhelming”, recognizing the award’s prestige in Newfoundland’s music community.

In addition to receiving her award, Power is also fresh off her first music tour in 18 years, celebrating the releases of her ninth and tenth albums, Une Tournée Merveilleuse (A Marvelous Tour), and the self-titled Colleen Power, respectively. Power’s tour took place across all four of Atlantic Canada’s provinces, including representing Newfoundland and Labrador in Le Fête nationale de l’Acadie (National Acadian Day) in Dieppe, New Brunswick:

During the tour, Power performed in front of the biggest crowds she’s ever experienced, with roughly 25,000 people in attendance; then, the next day, “Playing solo in Sackville”. According to her, “It was great, and people pulled up wherever I was…a lot of people I hadn’t seen in a while…it was good, really, really, good”.

To say Power’s summer has been busy would be an understatement, and the same can be said for CHMR. A few weeks ago, a fundraiser featuring local bands Tunnel Vision, MarkingXTime, All I Am, and Downpour was hosted in the CHMR station, raising $872.25, according to @fogtownshumidhaze on Instagram. During the Muse’s coverage of the concert, CHMR Station Manager Rhea Rollmann emphasized holding more fundraisers to help keep the station afloat, in addition to investing in new equipment.

Power remains optimistic that CHMR will continue to hold a place on MUN’s St. John’s campus:

“Down in the U.S. college radio is getting bigger, in Canada it’s getting bigger…studies from the NCRA have shown that it’s amping up everywhere”. 

Power continued by emphasizing the unique aspect college radio brings to its viewers: 

“With college radio, I think more and more people are going there to get new music that hasn’t been heard on the mainstream, and that’s always been the way. I’m excited that’s what’s happening now”.

Power herself has relied on college radio to support her own music career: 

“[My new album] got played all over the US and Canada, and ended up in three top 20 charts in the US”.

While radio may no longer be the most popular way to listen to music, that is not to say that radio has lost its place within the music community. Bands and artists across the world still rely on radio as an outlet for people to discover their music, get paid, and – if they are lucky – turn their passion into a fruitful career.

In the same vein, aspiring journalists and disc jockeys rely on college radio to start their career, find their voice, or even just to host their passion project. While Power may have chosen to step away from CHMR, she has not turned her back on the station’s future:

“Keep supporting CHMR…take advantage of it. It’s your campus and community radio station, anyone deserves a place here and anyone can have a place here”.

Muse Reviews: House House’s “Big Walk” is not your typical “friendslop” video game

Travis Wiseman
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Muse Reviews: House House’s “Big Walk” is not your typical “friendslop” video game

As an avid fan of co-operative video games, Big Walk by House House was on my radar since its original announcement in 2023, and now, having played it for hours with a good friend of mine, I can confidently say that it’s far from “friendslop”.

“Friendslop” as a term describes low-budget and low-cost co-operative indie games, typically used with the negative connotation (with “-slop” typically referring to “low-quality”). Paling in comparison to the polish of AAA games, the low-cost of these games and their short game length make these games oftentimes disposable media, and it’s this disposability and comparative “low-quality” that makes these indie co-op games “friendslop”. Friendslop is not a term I like using to describe these games, though it’s becoming more prevalent across media and online discourse regarding new and upcoming co-operative indie video games.

Unlike other wildly popular co-op games to come out in recent years that have fallen under the friendslop category—Semiwork’s R.E.P.O, Aggro Crab’s PEAK, and Innersloth’s Among Us, just to name a few—House House’s Big Walk stands out for having a uniquely hands-off approach, allowing you and your friends to play at your own pace.

With no way to “fail”, Big Walk doesn’t place pressure upon its players in the same way other traditional co-op games do, putting more emphasis on exploration, problem-solving, and discovery—put simply, the game wants you to embark on a “big walk” with your friends. 

On the surface level, this premise can sound a little flat: what drives players to engage with a game that has no stakes, pressure, or definite goal? What is the point of Big Walk? And, more importantly, how does Big Walk differentiate itself from friendslop?

I personally think that the magic of Big Walk lies within its rich environments. With exciting discoveries and game moments that you get to share with a few close friends, the fond memories you make transform the digital landscapes of Big Walk into a type of cultural landscape; an emotional landscape.

These emotional landscapes are the reason that “slop” as a description of Big Walk is misinformed and inaccurate, as they are clearly made methodically, not thoughtlessly as the word “slop” would suggest; this is how House House’s Big Walk stands out among an ocean of co-operative friendslop video games.

One way Big Walk creates memorable game moments is through the use of different forms of communication, creating engaging, playful, and unforgettable moments with friends.

In Big Walk, you’ll often get lost and need to shoot a flare into the sky to find your friends again. You’ll have to point and gesture to communicate in moments where you can’t hear one another through the games proximity chat system. You’ll also talk with your friends across long-distance walkie talkies (and you’ll find yourself ending every sentence with “over”, too).

Discovering these different forms of communication creates moments that are unforgettable, and every time you find a new way to communicate across the island, you realize how many opportunities you’ve just opened up for puzzle-solving and uncovering more of the game’s vast open world.

A group of friends embark on their big walk (House House)

The way you communicate across Big Walk’s digital landscapes isn’t all, as physical features of the landscapes themselves create time capsules of the time you first discovered them with your friends.

You’ll discover a place that plays some fun music, and you’ll jam with your friends while cracking jokes and looking out beyond the shoreline. Then, you’ll find a watch tower with a view over everywhere you’ve been for the last hour.

Big Walk is constantly encouraging the player to uncover unique perspectives of the main island, only for the player to see an interesting feature in the distant landscape and declare, “Let’s go there!”

After completing a series of engaging puzzles, you’ll discover maps, tramways, and all sorts of fun spectacles sprinkled generously around the world of Big Walk, and believe me when I say that discovering all of them feels uniquely special and memorable in their own way. “Slop” is the last term I’d use to describe these gratifying game moments.

Two friends look out into the distant horizon (Panic)

The longer I play Big Walk, the more I fall in love with its world and the more I feel emotionally attached to the places I’ve travelled to in-game. It’s as though you and your friends are uncovering more and more of the world’s largest playground.

I do fear that—when I’ve fully discovered all of the game’s content—Big Walk will lose its replayability in the future, though I can say for certain that my first playthrough is quite a fond and memorable one nonetheless, and is far from a low-effort friendslop experience.

Overall, if you’re looking for a co-op video game with dynamic communication, exciting puzzles, emotional landscapes, and an exceedingly more mature and polished experience than your typical friendslop game, Big Walk is waiting for you to open the Pandora’s box of its world.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna find out where this ski-lift is gonna take me.

The queer joy of St. John’s first Dyke March

Cale Warren
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The queer joy of St. John’s first Dyke March

On Thursday July 16th at 5:30 pm, a crowd of lesbians took over Water Street in a beautiful display of queer power, joy, and whimsy; St. John’s first-ever ‘Dyke March’ was a success. 

The reclaimed term dyke encompasses a vast spectrum of gender expression and intersectionality. All were welcomed to the event with open arms. The group fanned one another with small themed signs as the heat beat down upon them. Organizers made sure everyone had water and understood the short route. Activists young and old came together to emphasize the power of grassroots movements and that safety is a human right.

Dyke marches occur around the world as a counterweight to the sanitization and White-male domination of Pride. The first documented march was in Vancouver, BC, in 1981, where 200 lesbians gathered downtown after the fifth Bi-National Lesbian Conference. The movement further evolved to counter the corporatization of Pride, and is typically grassroots with no business sponsors. Where Pride marches may have bank-branded floats, dyke marches have only community members walking together (and maybe a local dykes on bikes chapter). 

Dyke marches are unapologetically political; they fight for an intersectional perspective on justice, housing as a human right, and harm reduction. They represent queerness and the people left invisible in typical Pride line-ups. Corporate Pride places queer-ness in-line with straightness. People against White nuclear-family norms in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community are cast out so they don’t make Pride “look bad.” Political strength and non-conformity are overshadowed by a Pride looking to be brand friendly, in the eyes of dyke march supporters. Dyke marches are inclusive in a way that is radical and/or controversial. It is foundational to the movement.

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Tania Heath / projectpowerback.com

The march on Water Street was well received by the surrounding community. Onlookers in the pedestrian mall cheered and laughed as the crowd chanted: “Look over here, look over there, lesbians are everywhere!” Patrons on restaurant patios clinked their glasses to the marchers while another onlooker shouted: “Yay, lesbians!” 

There was an outcry of support for the community taking over the street at last… and it was felt. The demonstrators smiled and cheered, with many queer couples (including myself, seen above) taking the moment to embrace. The spirit of queer love, joy and resistance flooded the street. It was clear that the community had been waiting for a march like this and was revelling in it finally happening.

“I’m surprised this is the first [dyke march]; I thought it would have been years before this,” one participant said, “To actually be a part of this and make history is an insane feeling.”

Overdose Awareness and Response (OARS) marshalled the event, stopping traffic to allow the group to pass through downtown safely. The march may not have had the most elaborate route (a silly, practiced, 180-degree turn), but based on the love shown, the legacy of the Dyke March was done justice.

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Tania Heath / projectpowerback.com

Monster truck star Dennis Anderson looks ahead to the next generation of Grave Digger

Drake Rose
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Monster truck star Dennis Anderson looks ahead to the next generation of Grave Digger

On July 31st to August 2nd, NAPA Auto Parts World Series of Monster Trucks made its 13th annual visit to Eastbound International Speedway, bringing seven monster trucks from across the United States and Canada to Avondale’s backyard. Amongst the competitors for that weekend was an eighth driver, one who – while he did not race – still loves to get behind the wheel after 44 years of racing: Dennis Anderson, the creator of Grave Digger.

While Anderson is most commonly known for his Grave Digger days, he also has a second monster truck under his belt: King Sling. Originally a mega truck, King Sling has been upgraded to its bigger and more famous cousin, now with 66 inch-tall, 43 inch-wide tires. While the mega truck still exists, the new monster truck version of King Sling was created to allow Anderson to travel to more monster truck events outside of Monster Jam.

“[Grave Digger has] five-year terms that they pull with Monster Jam…it’s an exclusive deal”, Anderson explained to The Muse, “so I’m coming out and doing fan appreciation tours, bringing King Sling because we can’t bring a Grave Digger truck”.

Anderson retired from Monster Jam in 2017, following a horrific injury from a failed backflip attempt at Raymond James Stadium in Florida.

“[I] broke my ribs…fractured my back, [and] tore a main artery going through my pancreas”, Anderson went on to highlight the crash “put [him] out of commission for over a year and a half”.

Despite the wreck ending his Monster Jam career, Anderson continues to race monster trucks to this day, primarily during a tour across the American West Coast in January through March. During this tour, Anderson drives Extreme King Sling, a monster truck designed to carry two passengers that Anderson picks from the crowd.

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Extreme King Sling in action (Straight4 Newsletter)

“I’m not out there doing crazy cartwheels and backflips with my fans in there”, Anderson explained to The Muse, “but I’m still getting on it, I’m jumping buses with them…it’s a big boy ride”. 

When The Muse asked Anderson why he keeps racing after all these years, he told us it is because his family has followed him into the monster track business, and he hopes his fans will follow his children into the next generation of monster truck drivers. Dennis has four children: Adam, Ryan, Krysten, and Weston. While Ryan drives his own truck, Son-Uva Digger, Dennis’ other three kids all race under the Grave Digger banner, winning a total of fourteen championships in their combined careers so far (Adam has eight titles, Weston has five, and Krysten has one). In addition to driving for her father, Krysten also created the name King Sling and designed the truck. None of the Andersons drove King Sling at Eastbound, instead, the truck was driven by Dennis’ nephew, Jeremiah Paras.

The integration of Grave Digger into the Anderson family does not stop at driving. In addition to their race team, the Andersons also own Digger’s Dungeon, a monster truck garage shop that also serves as a tourist destination. On the property, fans of Grave Digger can be treated to ride trucks, a gift shop, Digger’s Diner, and the Rust in Piece museum, which houses both replicas and restored parts of former Grave Digger trucks. 

The name Grave Digger has gone beyond Dennis, it now operates as a brand that lives and breathes through the entire Anderson family, a brand that Dennis is extremely proud to pass down to his children.

“If your fans love you, you’ll last forever”, Dennis told The Muse, “[my kids are] carrying on a legacy, and I was just so honoured when they followed my footsteps”.

Today, Grave Digger remains one of the most recognizable names in monster truck competition. With the success of his children, Grave Digger’s brand recognition, and the rise of King Sling, there is no doubt that Dennis Anderson has left an impact on the monster truck world that will be felt for decades to come.

When asked for any final thoughts, Dennis concluded his interview with one of his infamous lines: “Thank you guys for every nut and bolt on my truck and every shingle on my roof. Maybe I’ll see you guys at some fan appreciation tour or even at Monster Jam World Finals, I’m always there”.

Muse Reviews: Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and how to (maybe) save a franchise

Ian Mills
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Muse Reviews: Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and how to (maybe) save a franchise

The webhead has returned to theatres with Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and it has been the absolute triumph Marvel has desperately needed, both critically and financially. Nearing the two billion dollar mark less than two weeks after release, Marvel might be back.

After watching the film, it’s easy to see why the reception has been so positive; in my opinion, it’s the wall-crawler’s best live-action outing to date, only being outdone by the animated Spider-Verse films.

The biggest thing that stands out, compared to the previous Tom Holland films, is the commitment to practical effects. Obviously, not everything is practical, however, there was a much greater emphasis placed on both practical swinging scenes and fight scenes. It’s even the first of Holland’s films to have the suit be an actual suit and not fully CGI.

The decision to lean more into practical effects and stunt work as opposed to CGI sequences goes far in terms of making the film feel more grounded and real, which were major goals during production. It also helps that the swinging looks amazing, and the fight scenes, taking inspiration from Insomniac’s Spider-Man games, give us the best Spidey action to date.

Holland’s Peter Parker is far closer to the comics than his previous outings, a request fans have been vocal about wanting for years. He feels lost in this lonely life he’s carved out for himself, after the events of No Way Home left him to try and pick up the pieces and do the best he can for New York and his loved ones.

Tom Holland as Peter Parker in Brand New Day. (Credit: Deadline)

Not only is he fighting through an increasingly dangerous physical transformation, but also a mental state and isolation that is tearing him apart inside.

For a film that grounds Peter so well, it still manages to balance throwing in some other big Marvel names without it feeling like too much. The inclusions of Hulk, [SPOILER], and [EVEN BIGGER SPOILER] feel perfectly natural in the story, with all of them tying into Peter’s story of isolation and transformation incredibly well.

Yet it’s the inclusion of Jon Bernthal’s Punisher that somehow manages to bring everything together. Frank Castle fits into this story incredibly well, and absolutely steals nearly every scene he’s in. For a character known for his brutality and violence in both the comics and TV shows, they managed to bring him down to a more PG level, while still not ruining his character.

Tom Holland’s Spider-Man (left) and Bernthal’s Punisher (right). (Credit: Variety)

Everything from the action and character decisions, down to the music choices, such as songs from Steve Lacy and Tame Impala, come together to make this a truly special superhero story, and is not not only the best film the MCU has made in years, but also one of the best stories this universe has ever told. I’d give it a 9.5/10.

Go see it in theatres while it’s still there, it’s an absolute must-watch.

It’s the jolt in the arm the MCU has needed for a while now, and it just might save them; emphasis on the “might” there.

It’s no secret audiences are sick of the multiverse. Movies like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania simply did not leave a positive impact on audiences. It also doesn’t help that they were just bad, but that’s besides the point.

Similarly, the MCU has simply been releasing too much content since the Infinity Saga ended, and the endless stream of TV shows are a major culprit here. Before, audiences only had to keep up with about two or three films a year, which wasn’t too big of an ask. Add another three to four shows on top of that, then it becomes too big of an ask for most.

This has reflected in box office numbers. Fantastic Four: First Steps did alright at the box office, but was largely overshadowed by Superman both critically and financially. Thunderbolts* was a financial bomb, which was unfortunate, as it was actually quite good.

Doom in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. (Credit: Marvel.com)

Even anticipation for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, while substantial, has been underwhelming by Avengers standards, with it running a serious risk of being overshadowed by Dune: Part Three.

Marvel needs to bring themselves back from the brink, and the formula is there: smaller stakes with a more personal focus. Both Brand New Day and Daredevil: Born Again have been Marvel’s biggest success stories in years, as current fans love them, while also still creating new fans.

Movies like this are the recipe for Marvel’s success, especially in a time where a movie like Superman was so successful for DC.

Whether or not Marvel takes it is up in the air, as they just quietly pulled the plug on Wonder Man, a successful smaller stakes show, which may not bode well for the future.

Muse Reviews: The Odyssey, Nolan, and Adaptation

Ian Mills
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Muse Reviews: The Odyssey, Nolan, and Adaptation

Nolan’s The Odyssey has been released in theatres, raking in a massive box office haul and raving critic reviews, despite widespread split reception amongst audiences, with many taking issue with the faithfulness and “historical accuracy” of the film.

This is not about the loud grifters who went ballistic over Lupita Nyong’o and Elliot Page simply being in the movie. This is about the criticisms aimed from people who actually know what they’re talking about. Maybe they’re actual historians, classics majors and/or profs, or simply people who have done a lot of research in their own free time.

But before that, let’s start with a review of the film.

The biggest strength of The Odyssey is without a doubt the sound and score. As a film made for IMAX first, it is loud, but also knows when to cut the sound out. Similarly, Ludwig Göransson’s score is, per usual for him, absolutely spectacular. Mixing in synth with a whole array of ancient Greek instruments was a stroke of genius on his part.

The performances are a mix of spectacular highs and bland, forgettable lows. Matt Damon is unsurprisingly great as Odysseus, alongside Robert Pattinson as Antinous and Zendaya as Athena, and Elliot Page makes the most of his small role as Sinon. Far and away the standout of the cast is Anne Hathaway as Penelope, who is more than deserving of an Oscar nod for this.

Anne Hathaway as Penelope (left) and Tom Holland as Telemachus (right). (Credit: The Globe and Mail)

Aside from them, most of the cast ranges from good enough to underwhelming. Tom Holland is decent as Telemachus, the problem is that he looks and sounds like he just showed up straight from the set of the new Spider-Man movie. Jon Bernthal is just playing himself and not Menelaus, and Benny Safdie as Agamemnon is a profoundly confusing choice, even if his costume is phenomenal.

The film is shot incredibly well, per Nolan’s standards, and the commitment to practical effects is both commendable and highly effective. Just knowing the Cyclops was actually a real puppet during filming made the whole sequence that much better.

Overall, The Odyssey is a very good film, and another quality addition to Nolan’s filmography, although it’s certainly not his best work. In terms of rating, I’d say it’s an 8/10, and make sure to see it in IMAX if possible.

As a film, it’s quite solid. As an adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey? That’s a question with a more complicated answer.

The Trojan Horse being discovered and lifted on the beach. (Credit: Cinemablend)

For starters, adaptation as a concept is something that is incredibly divisive, just by nature of what people want from it. Some may want it to be as faithful as possible, while others may be looking for a new spin on the source material. Adaptations then have to tow a very fine line between pleasing both parties.

In this regard, Nolan did a good job at taking the core story of the classic tale and keeping it faithful, while providing a new perspective, in this case being Odysseus’ mental state, and how he perceives the events of the Trojan War. It’s effective, even if this mental struggle is a bit too reminiscent of Nolan’s previous film Oppenheimer at points.

Nolan has also been vocal on how he wanted to take this classic story and “modernize” it for current audiences. This largely came through in the dialogue, and this is a change that, at least in my opinion, just didn’t work. Obviously going from Latin to modern English would change quite a bit, but a middle ground isn’t exactly unprecedented, and should have been taken.

As an example, Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey, a video game set in ancient Greece, has characters speaking in English while still keeping accents for characters, and using a few Latin words in some places. The game may have nothing to do with The Odyssey despite its name, but the principle still applies.

The world of Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey. (Credit: Ancient World Magazine)

The costumes aren’t entirely historically accurate either, but that’s another area where some creative liberties can be taken if it improves the film, and the costumes did look great across the board.

Nolan’s The Odyssey does still manage to keep the core intact, and it’s undeniable what story is being told here. Enough has changed to where it provides some unique insight, especially for the character of Odysseus, and remains visually striking, but other changes can feel unnecessary in some cases and like pure downgrades in others.

Adapting a story as old as The Odyssey is hard, especially with how often it has been retold. It almost becomes a Ship of Theseus situation, how many liberties we can take while still being the same story?

MUN Golf Club hits the links

Andrew Connors
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MUN Golf Club hits the links

Did you know MUN has a golf club? In an interview with The Muse, Philip Snow, president of the club, offered some background and insight into the club, discussing its most recent event and previewing what’s to come.

Taking place earlier in June, Snow said the Ironman Scramble “exceeded” his high expectations for the event, with 54 people participating.

The Ironman Scramble, as shown by the name, was done in a four man scramble format, and is a little different from what you see at regular golf events. According to Snow, “four people team up and make their own teams… everyone [on the team] shoots from the same spot and you take the best shot from where you shot off of.”

Snow said the clubs upcoming event on August 2nd at Bally Hally will also be a tryout for the MUN golf club travel team.

“It should be really good fun, we have a lot of talented golfers at MUN, so it should be good to showcase that.”

After holding its first event at Pippy Park back in September 2025, the golf club has since scheduled five events for 2026. Their first two events took place in May and June, where Snow said there was “more [support] than I thought” from the student body, with all the club’s events so far averaging around 50 participants.

The club’s upcoming event is happening August 2nd at Bally Hally, and Snow says he hopes it is “top notch… better than the other two events we’ve had previously. I’m just looking to build on everything we’ve done so far.”

Snow says the event is open to everyone, even non Memorial students, however, the stakes will be high for MUN students hoping to qualify for the MUN Golf Club travel team, as the top four MUN golfers at this event will qualify for said team and earn an opportunity to try and qualify for the Atlantic Golf League, which, according to Snow, is building a relationship with the MUN golf club and other Canadian Universities, and could maybe lead to bigger opportunities.

Still in its early stages, Snow says right the club’s main goal is to “promote fun golf, social events and competitive fun,” and to bring together like minded people to enjoy some golf and social events.

With lots planned in the coming months and high expectations, there’s lots to be excited about for the MUN Golf Club.

2026 Churchill Park Music Festival line-up

Emily Torrance
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2026 Churchill Park Music Festival line-up

With the fifth annual Churchill Park Music Festival only days away, St. John’s is gearing up to welcome a powerhouse line-up of local and international musicians to this year’s highly anticipated 4-day concert. The 2026 line-up will platform artists belonging to a variety of genres, giving concertgoers a versatile set of days full of great music to choose from.

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Kesha (Churchill Park Music Festival)

Friday, July 17th – Kesha (SOLD OUT)

Set to headline night one of the festival is iconic international superstar Kesha. Opening for the singer-songwriter is American electropop duo 3OH!3, along with two other acts who have yet to be announced.

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The Chicks (Churchill Park Music Festival)

Saturday, July 18th – The Chicks (SOLD OUT)

Night two headlines multi-award-winning country trio, The Chicks. Supporting acts include blues-rock-country singer Elle King and Canadian born pop-rock artist Amanda Marshall.

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Keith Urban (Churchill Park Music Festival)

Friday, July 24th – Keith Urban

The third night of the festival is for the country lovers out there, which will feature Keith Urban as the top act. Additional performances include country pop-rock artist Russell Dickerson, Canadian country musician Dallas Smith, and Newfoundland’s very own Damien Follett

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Matchbox Twenty (Churchill Park Music Festival)

Saturday, July 25th – Matchbox Twenty

Returning to the festival for a second time on the fourth and final night of the festival is American alternative rock band Matchbox Twenty. The band will be accompanied by pop-rock/folk-rock singer-songwriter Phillip Phillips and Timber.

NL government supports Folk Festival with $45,000 donation

Drake Rose
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NL government supports Folk Festival with $45,000 donation

Fans of the Folk Festival can breathe a sigh of relief, as the provincial government just announced they will be donating $45,000 to match the funds raised by Friends of the Festival.

On July 3, the Provincial Government released a statement announcing they will invest $45,000 into the 50th NL Folk Festival “to ensure the ongoing success of one of the province’s premier cultural events”.

During Friends of the Festival, VOCM personality Greg Smith announced to the audience that the NL Folk Arts Society had accumulated $50,000 worth of debt.

After that night, the organization happily announced that $45,000 was raised in donations, putting the 50th Folk Festival back on the table; now with the government’s backing, the 50th Folk Festival can begin to take shape.

While a 50th anniversary may imply going big, NL Folk Arts Society is planning a small festival in 2026. The nicknamed ‘49th & 1/2 Folk Festival’ will only take place for one day, August 8th, in Bannerman Park.

In addition, there will be no concessions at this year’s festival, but admission will be free.

As of right now, NL Folk Society plans to host a bigger celebration in 2027, but how that event will look is yet to be determined.

While this year’s folk festival may look small, the event will nonetheless be a testament to how much effort and support both the organization and community have put into keeping this homegrown tradition alive.

‘This Party is a Protest’: St. John’s Pride Festival schedule breakdown

Claire Smith
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‘This Party is a Protest’: St. John’s Pride Festival schedule breakdown

This week, the St. John’s Pride festival kicks off its 34th annual celebration, running from July 8th-19th. With a large variety of events and a theme like ‘This Party is a Protest’, this festival is going to be a big one! 

Wednesday, July 8

12-1 pm: Flag Raising.

St. John’s City Hall, 10 New Gower St. Free, all ages event.

6-9 pm: Beers for Queers

$1 per pint will go to support the Overdose Awareness and Response St. John’s organization.

Quidi Vidi Brewery, 35 Barrows Rd. Free, 19+ event.

7-9 pm: Queer Trivia 

Rainbow HQ, 30 Harvey Rd. Pay What You Can (PWYC) event, Mature Content warning, Sober Event. 

Thursday, July 9

10 am-12 pm: Birding Without Barriers: A birdwatching event

Royal St. John’s Regatta Boathouse, 10 Clancey Dr.  Free, all ages event. 

6:30-8:30 pm: Rejoice and Rise up

Several members of the queer community will share their joys and sorrows of participating in faith and spiritual communities. There will also be music, refreshments and community building.

The Lantern, 35 Barnes Rd. Free, all ages event. 

7 pm- 9:30 pm: Feature Film: Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions

LSPU Hall, 3 Victoria St. Free, mature content event. 

7-11 pm: Quadrangle NL Drag Bingo

The Bella Vista, 26 Torbay Rd. Ticket needed, 19+ event. 

Friday, July 10

8 pm- 1 am: Pride After Dark

JAG Soundhouse, 115 George St. West. Sold out. 19+ event. 

Saturday, July 11

9 am-8 pm: Softball Tournament

Registration required, spots are limited.

Bannerman Park Ball Field, all ages event.

10 am-4 pm: Ballroom Boot Camp

Event for BIPOC members of the Queer Community. Registration required.

The Breezeway, 1 Arctic Ave. Free, all ages event.

10:30 am-12 pm: Pride Week Book Club

Registration required, limited space. Participants will discuss Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid.

A.C. Hunter Public Library, 125 Allandale Rd. Free, Mature Content event. 

11:30 am-1 pm: Protest Song Workshop

Rainbow HQ, 30 Harvey Rd. Free, all ages event. 

12-2 pm: Fat Babes Swim 

Tickets sold out.

Bannerman Park Pool

12-4 pm: MUNSU Gender Affirming Haircuts

Bannerman Park, PWYC, all ages event. 

12-4 pm: Community Sign-making Workshop

Bannerman Park. Free, all ages event. 

1-4 pm: Family Pride

Registration required. Activities include arts and crafts, drag story time, a children’s dance class, bouncy castle, and free snacks.

Kenmount Terrace Community Centre, 85 Messenger Dr. Free, all ages event. 

8 pm-12 am: Legends, Statements, and Stars: A Celebration of Ballroom Culture

Ticket required. Watch a showcase of talent and celebration of BIPOC Queer folks in the Ballroom dancing community.

The Breezeway, 1 Arctic Ave. $20 donation/PWYC, 19+ event.

Sunday, July 12

8-10 am: Queer Birding Outing: A birdwatching event

Bowring Park (meet at the Peter Pan Statue). Free, all ages event.

10 am-3 pm: Queer Market

St. John’s Farmers Market, 245 Freshwater Rd. Free, all ages event. 

12-2 pm: Pride on the Harbour

A fun, family-friendly celebration of pride with Drag performances and a free BBQ. 

Harbourside Park, 85 Water St. Free, all ages event. 

4-6 pm: Drag on Water

The Rainbow Wall, 246 Water St. Free, all ages event.

8-10 pm: Dry Humour

Registration required; performances are intended for an adult audience.

Rainbow HQ, 30 Harvey Rd. Free, all ages event. 

Monday, July 13

6-8 pm: Chosen Family Dinner

Registration required and seats are limited.

St. John’s Farmers Market, 245 Freshwater Rd. Free, all ages event.

5:30-8:30 pm: Pride Talks Panel: Putting Sex Back in Pride

Theatre Hill Bar, 390 Duckworth St., free, Mature Content event. 

Tuesday, July 14

6-8 pm: Heated Rivalry Trivia Night

Registration needed, teams of up to 6 (only register once per team).

A.C. Hunter Public Library, 125 Allandale Rd. Free, Mature Content event. 

7-8 pm: 2SLGBTQIA+ IM/Migrant and Refugee Meet-up

YMCA St. John’s, 291 Water St., Suite 301. Free, all ages event.

8-10 pm: Annual Beach Fire + Songwriters Circle

Due to wildfire concerns over the past few years, the annual beach fire has pivoted to contained propane fires in Harbourside Park. Bringing a blanket is recommended. The weather backup location is Rainbow HQ (30 Harvey Rd.). 

Harbourside Park, 85 Water St. Free, all ages event. 

Wednesday, July 15 

5-7 pm: Sound Symposium: Octationic Decadence Ensemble

Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 16 Church Hill. Free, all ages event. 

6:30-8:30 pm: Film Screening: Love in the Time of Fentanyl

Registration and seat selection available.

The Majestic Theatre, 390 Duckworth St. PWYC, Mature Content event. 

7-9 pm: Spectrum Queer Choir in Concert

First Light Centre for Performance and Creativity, 42 Bannerman St. Free, all ages event.

7-9 pm: Pride Parade Poster Print-making

The Rooms, 9 Bonaventure Ave. Free, all ages event. 

7:30-9:30 pm: Queer-eeoke

Theatre Hill Bar, 390 Duckworth St. Free, all ages event. 

Thursday, July 16

5:30-7:30 pm: Dyke March

Harbourside Park, 85 Water St. Free, all ages event. 

6:30-8:30 pm: Pride Talks Panel: What’s O.A.R.S. is Yours: Harm reduction, collective liberation and community

Rainbow HQ, 30 Harvey Rd. Free, Mature Content event. 

8:30-11 pm: Glitter Tits and Rainbow Bits

Registration and tickets available at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/glitter-tits-and-rainbow-bits

The Breezeway, 1 Arctic Ave. Ticket needed, 19+ event.  

Friday, July 17

9 pm-1 am: Free Up Yuhself: A Caribbean Queer Fete

Registration and tickets available at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/free-up-yuhself

Wooden Walls Distillery, 140 Harbour Dr. Ticket needed, 19+ event. 

Saturday, July 18

10 am-12 pm: Pride Fun Run

Registration available at: https://raceroster.com/events/2026/113927/pride-fun-run-2026

Quidi Vidi Lake. Ticket needed, all ages event. 

10 am- 2 pm: Paws 4 Pride Fundraiser

Kenmount Rd. Animal Hospital, 173 Kenmount Rd.  Paid Entry, all ages event. 

11 am- 6 pm: Self-care Symposium

A closed safe space with 3 sessions for members of the Trans and Non-Binary Community. Sessions included are: 11 am-1 pm: Trans-Masc, 1:30-3:30 pm: Gender Non-Conforming, and 4-6 pm: Trans-Fem. 

Want to be a mentor for this event? They’re looking for passionate people who want to share their knowledge about self-care- hair care, facial hair grooming, skincare, makeup and more. The mentor form can be found here.

Rainbow HQ, 30 Harvey Rd. Free, all ages event.

12-3 pm: 2 Spirit BBQ

Welcoming 2S + Queer Indigenous folks, and their families and allies. 

First Light, 70 Brookfield Rd. Free, all ages event. 

6-9 pm: Drag on George

George Street Main Stage. Free, all ages event. 

6-9 pm: 709 Roller Derby Bout

Tickets available.

Goulds Lions Arena, 507 Main Rd. Paid entry, all ages event. 

9 pm-12:30 am: 709 Roller Derby After Party

Wooden Walls Distillery, 140 Harbour Dr. Free, 19+ event. 

10 pm-3 am: Sensual Saturday with Selenium

The S.P.A.C.E., 72 Harbour Dr. Paid entry, 19+ event. 

Sunday, July 19

12-2 pm: Pride Parade
The parade will start from St. John’s City Hall, 10 New Gower Street, and proceed along Duckworth Street, turning onto Ordnance Street and proceeding onto Military Road, ending at Bannerman Park.

Free, all ages event. 

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1-4 pm: Pride in the Park

Bannerman Park. Free, all ages event.

3-6 pm: Beers for Queers Tea Dance

Wooden Walls Distillery, 140 Harbour Dr. Free, 19+ event. 

8 pm-12 am: Pride Wrap Party

Tickets available.

The Bella Vista, 26 Torbay Rd. Paid entry, 19+ event. 

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