Tucked away in Reidville, just outside of Deer Lake, the Newfoundland Insectarium is one of those hidden gems that takes you by surprise. More than just a museum, it’s a buzzing, beautiful space where bugs, butterflies, and beetles from all over the world come to life.
Housed in a restored 1940s dairy barn, the Insectarium has been welcoming curious visitors since 1998, thanks to founders Lloyd Hollett and Gary Holloway. Since then, it’s become one of Newfoundland’s top tourist attractions.
Inside, it is crawling with cool stuff (in the best way). Giant beetles, colourful butterflies, tarantulas, walking sticks, and a colony of leafcutter ants that actually farm their own food.
The butterfly house is one of the biggest highlights, open from June to September. It’s a warm, greenhouse-like space filled with plants while butterflies fly freely around you.The environment is calm and quiet, letting you walk slowly and take it all in.
Butterflies feeding on fruit (Rebecca Jennings/The Muse)
If you wear bright or floral clothing, there’s a good chance a butterfly will land on you. It’s a peaceful experience, like stepping into a different climate for a few minutes, and a great spot for photography or just taking a break from the usual pace of things.
Inside the butterfly room, there is a handy ID chart showing dozens of butterfly species from around the world, including the Philippines, Costa Rica, and parts of South America. With 48 species listed, it’s a great way to figure out which butterflies are fluttering around you.
Honeybee display at the Insectarium (Rebecca Jennings/The Muse)
There is also a glass honeybee hive where you can watch the bees doing their thing. Whether you’re into photography, science, or just want to do something a little different, the Newfoundland Insectarium is totally worth a visit.
It’s one of those places that sticks with you, not just because it’s fun and fascinating, but because it opens your eyes to a whole world you might usually overlook.
Insectariums like this one are more important than they might seem. Insects are behind so much of what makes the planet work, from pollinating the food we eat, cleaning up waste, and keeping ecosystems healthy.
Places like the Newfoundland Insectarium help us understand and appreciate just how vital these creatures really are.
NL Folk Art Society has announced that due to a loss of core funding from Arts NL, it will likely not be able to host the Folk Festival again next year.
According to NL Folk Art Society Board president Julie Vogt the organization was denied a four-year-grant that it typically relies on to partially fund the festival.
In an interview with the Muse, Vogt says that Arts NL is not to blame: “It wasn’t them, it was us, we made our bed now we have to lie in it.”
Vogt says the grant was denied on the basis of lack of financial sustainability, board governance, strategic planning, and public sector engagement. According to Vogt, the organization cannot apply for this funding again until 2029.
Last years festival had brought a big name to St. John’s: Emmy Lou Harris, who performed to a sold out crowd. Vogt says that despite this, ticket sales the other two nights of the festival were not enough to make up for costs.
In a statement Vogt said that “This was not the outcome we had envisioned.”
“We had bold plans for a 50th Annual NL Folk Festival that would blow the roof off this province over five days.”
“But we simply can’t do it alone, and we cannot continue to ask our staff and volunteers to carry the full weight of this work without the resources to support them,” said Vogt.
This years festival will be going ahead July 11th-13th and includes headliners Matt Anderson, Serena Ryder, and the Irish Descendants.
St. John’s Pride, a volunteer run nonprofit organization has released their ‘Gay Agenda,’ AKA the festival schedule for 2025. The annual festival will run from July 9-20, with a variety of events across town.
Wednesday, July 9
12-1pm As it does every year, the Pride festival will commence with a flag raising ceremony at City Hall. This is intended to “honour the work done to bring out community and festival to the forefront of the city during our time of commemoration and celebration.” The flag raising includes short speeches from the organizers, a ceremony from First Light, and a performance by Spectrum Queer Choir.
4:30-5:30pm Virtual panel called Queer Beyond the Western Spherewill share the lived experiences of racialized queer folks.
6-9pm In the Evening, St. John’s Pride is hosting Beers for Queers at Quidi Vidi Brewery. $1 from every pint sold will go to Trans Support NL, the Grand Marshals of this year’s parade.
Thursday, July 10
3-5pm A Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Sharing Circle will be held at First Light, for 2S and Indigenous people to discuss their experiences. Note that this is a closed event, registration information can be found on First Light’s social media.
7-8pm Out in Faith, a multi-faith group focused on spirituality will host a community discussion entitled Facing the Storm Together at The Lantern, for community members to reflect on their spirituality as a way of facing rising 2SLGBTQIA+ phobia.
7:30-10pm Later, at the LSPU Hall, drag performers Madame Daddy and Mocha Dawn Under Productions will host Boiz in The Hall: Drag Kings, Things & Boylesque focusing on the often overlooked non-female-presenting drag. This “Grand Masc-querade” will feature performers Johnny Diamond, Thing Moxie, Uncle Curtis, Magic T, Deizel Ryder, Boo Boo, Slater Beckett, Whoreville Pecs, CJ Stardust, and Ace Diamond. This event is 19+, $30 general admission, $40 VIP.
7:30-9:30pm Simultaneously, there will be a panel focusing on Trans History from at Majestic Theatre Hill Bar + Cafe. This panel explores historic activism work seen in our communities historically, and a discussion of the work that still needs to be done – which honestly, is a lot, considering the terrifying, rampant moral panics targeting trans and non-binary people at the moment.
Friday, July 11
6-8pm, Back to Our Roots event, will be a designated space for racialized communities, keep an eye to Pride St. John’s social media for confirmation of the event location.
8pm-12:30am Anyone out-and-about Friday night has a chance to see Pride After Dark at Sheraton Hotel. This event will have performances from burlesque performer Bitch Sassidy, drag performer Karla Marx, and Canada’s Drag Race Season 5 contestants, Jaylene Tyme and Tara Nova. The headliners will be supported by a variety of talented St. John’s drag artists, including Sacred Serpent, Eda Kumquat, Mocha Dawn Under, Andrezi, Char Noir, and Irma Gerd. 19+ event, general admission is $40, VIP is $90.
Saturday, July 12
8am Starting bright and early at Quidi Vidi Lake, show upfor bird watching with The Queer Birders, an equally educational and gay time in the scenic Quidi Vidi area.
1-4pm head over to The Hub on Merrymeeting for a Family Pride event hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters Newfoundland.
Sunday, July 13
Sunday is perhaps the most jam-packed day of the entire festival – there’s surely something for everyone.
10am-2pm at the St. John’s Farmers Market is a free-to-attend Queer Market with various items, fine crafts, and baked goods for sale, highlighting small queer-owned businesses and allies in our city.
10am-2pm there will also be a Paws for Pride fundraiser event at the Kenmount Road Animal Hospital. Bring your pets for nail trims, photos, and limited microchips in support of St. John’s Pride.
10:30am-12:30pm at Steffen Dance Studio is a Drag & Burlesque Professional Development Panel, co-produced by QuadrangleNL and Dream Haus Productions for any local performer looking to up their game.
2-4pm at Harbourside Park stop by Pride on The Harbour hosted by Palestine Action YYT.
3-5pm at First Light is a 2-Spirit BBQ.
7-10pm at the LSPU Hall is a History With a Drag Queen: The Villain Edition a comedy show hosted by Karla Marx who has a PhD in History and Gender Theory, exploring queer villains throughout history. Advance tickets are $24.50 on the LSPU Hall website, or $29.50 at the door.
Monday, July 14
6-8pm at the St. John’s Farmer’s Market is a free Chosen Family Dinner, hosted by The Quad. Note that there will be vegetarian/vegan options available, and though the event is free, they have a limit of 80 people, so register ahead of time through their Instagram!
7-9pm at Majestic Theatre Hill Bar & Cafe sees the second instalment of Pride Talks panels, with Who Keeps Us Safe?, a talk posing hard-hitting questions regarding community safety, policing at Pride, and what steps need to be taken to create safer spaces going forward.
Tuesday, July 15
8-10pm all the way out at Topsail Beach is the longest-running event of the city’s yearly festival: the Annual Pride Beach Party. Note that this event is contingent on fire bans, should it not go ahead as planned St. John’s Pride will reschedule to a new date.
Wednesday, July 16
6:30-8:30pm At Rocket Bakery on Water St. is a Living Library and Funky Book Swap for folks to hear the story of queer elders, and pick up or trade gently-used books.
7-9pm at the Bella Vista see campy burlesque showcase Glitter Tits and Rainbow Bits from a talented lineup of performers celebrating queer sexuality and the art form of burlesque. Advance tickets $25, or $30 at the door, and it goes without saying that this one is 19+.
7-9pm at Majestic Theatre is a Queer Movie Night being hosted by the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival. The event will screen Lakeview, a “heartfelt and sharp-witted comedic feature” from award-winning filmmaker Tara Thorne.
Thursday, July 17
7-9pm at St. John’s newest and cutest coffee shop Boreal Cafe, catch Dry Humour Comedy Show by a sober event by NewFunny Crowd, a local comedians collective that highlights up-and-coming comedians, giving under-platformed folks or people just starting out the chance to perform.
7-9pm At First Light Performance Centre, there is also a Songwriter’s Circle hosted by Evelyn Jess, a folk artist and singer/songwriter. Show up and share some tunes!
St. John’s Pride Parade 2024 (photo via stjpride.ca)
Friday, July 18
2-5pm in the heart of Water St.’s summertime Pedestrian Mall, stop by to see some family-friendly drag from a variety of local performers. Look for the Rainbow Wall!
6-10pm on George St is the 4th annual Drag on George Lip Sync Battle. 10 performers will battle it out for the grand prize of a free trip to Toronto Pride 2026, and bragging rights, of course. Competing will be drag performers Divine Diamond, Aly Catt, Fifi Fofum, Whoda Thunkett, Claws, Rodger Bijoux, Dollie D. Lustredusk, Vamp Vira, Andrezi, and Tetley Teana.
7-9:30pm at First Light Performance Centre there will also be a performance from Spectrum Queer Choir, a non-audition community choir for queer people and allies, since 2011.
Saturday, July 19
10am-12pm, starting at Quidi Vidi Lake is a Pride Fun Run organized by NL Events.
8pm-12am at the Bella Vista is the festival’s 4th annual Quadrangle Drag Bingo. Hosted by performers Demi Gworl, Fashionista Jones, Lavender Blonde, and CJ Stardust, attendees will have a chance to win a variety of prizes. Each game of bingo will be followed by performances, chances to use the photo booth run by Kyle Callahan, or buy 50/50 tickets. Admission $35, 19+. (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, July 20th
12-1:30pm To cap off an absolutely wonderful pride season, see the St. John’s Pride Parade downtown. Starting at City Hall and ending at Bannerman Park, many community organizations, nonprofits, local businesses are invited to march in the parade to display their solidarity. The Grand Marshals of this year’s parade will be Trans Support NL.
Applications to march in the parade close on July 11.
1-4pm After the parade, Pride in The Park, an event at Bannerman Park with music, performances, and local food vendors.
From all of us here at The Muse, have a very happy, and safe Pride.
Last year, Churchill Park saw an array of iconic names visit St. John’s for one of the largest concerts of the year—such artists include Pitbull, Shania Twain, and Nickelback. After months of anticipation, Churchill Park Music Festival has announced the finale headliner for this year’s three-day concert.
Def Leppard (Website/Ross Halfin)
Friday, July 25th: Def Leppard
British rock legends Def Leppard will be kicking off the first day of the concert with their iconic hard rock meets pop sound. They’re known for such songs as Pour Some Sugar On Me, Hysteria, Photograph, and much more. Current members include: lead vocalist Joe Elliot, bassist Rick Savage, guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell, and one-armed drummer Rick Allen.
According to Churchill Park, “Canadian greats Sam Roberts Band and Honeymoon Suite” will be opening for Def Leppard, along with more to be announced.
Blake Shelton (Website)
Saturday, July 26th: Blake Shelton
Following months of rumours and anticipation, country icon and nine-time winner of The Voice, Blake Shelton, was announced to be the second headliner of the festival. With a remarkable voice and instantly recognizable country hits, if you’re attending, make sure to pack your hat, boots, and denim.
Churchill Park has yet to release the other acts for the 26th, but we will keep you updated.
The Killers (Website)
Tuesday, July 29th: The Killers
With world-famous hits such as Mr. Brightside and Somebody Told Me, The Killers are a 2000s staple with an addictively distinct indie alt-rock style. Although the finale day of the concert lands during the week, with the sensational nature of the band, it’s sure to be a party.
Opening for The Killers are Canadian musicians, The Beaches, a pop-rock band from Toronto, and Nova Scotia-raised alternative singer-songwriter Matt Mays.
This Saturday, June 21st, First Light hosted its annual celebration of National Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The festivities started in the morning, welcoming the first sunrise of summer, and continued into the evening as dancing, games, and music filled Bannerman Park. Vendors lined the perimeter as the crowds gathered around an echoing drum circle and dazzling performers.
Unlike other First Light’s events, this was not a somber day. According to organizer Marc Humber “unlike Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Day, or Truth and Reconciliation Day, today is a celebration. It’s about showcasing and celebrating Indigenous culture and resilience.”
Kayla Stride, emcee of the event, continued this sentiment and said “today was about celebrating and highlighting my culture. It’s been great, look around, there’s music, dancing, games, and lots of smiles.”
The event was open to everyone and had something for everyone—Indigenous, non-Indigenous, young, old, it didn’t matter. According to organizing chair Elizabeth Anderson, they really leaned into the family side this year, with activities like face painting, hair braiding, and games.As Humber said, “There’s every age from one to one hundred here.”
Although the event was lighthearted, its message is significant. According to Anderson, “part of today was about reclaiming public spaces.” For a time, powwows were illegal in Canada. Hosting the event in Bannerman Park—one of St. John’s most popular locations—with large crowds and booming music paid respect to Indigenous traditions.
“Today was about education,” said Anderson. It is about highlighting traditional games, stories, dances, music, and much more. If you missed this year’s celebration, don’t worry, it will continue annually.
Anderson says that if you decide to come out next year, make sure you bring “Water, sun protection, and something to sit on.”
St. John’s local Abby Newhook became the second Newfoundlander to ever be selected in the Professional Women’s Hockey League Draft, after being picked 34th overall by the Boston Fleet.
Newhook spent the past four seasons playing in the NCAA with the Boston College Eagles, in her senior season she was the captain of the team. In 36 games, Newhook scored 9 goals and added 17 assists for a total of 26 points.
Last year, the Eagles boasted a record of 20-15-1, and made it all the way to the NCAA’s Hockey East semi-finals, losing 3-0 to Northwestern.
Over the span of her four year college hockey career, Newhook put up 55 goals, 58 assists and 113 points in 142 games played.
Ahead of the draft, Newhook was listed by the PWHL as one of their top 20 prospects, where scouts said she is a “relentless, hard working, team-first player, who elevates every player around her.”
Newhook finally heard her name called in the 5th round of the draft, where the Boston Fleet took her 34th overall in the draft.
In an interview after she was selected, Newhook told TSN that being selected by the Boston Fleet was “a dream come true, there’s no place I would rather be.” Newhook described the city of Boston as being “like a second home.”
Newhook will now get the opportunity to start her professional hockey career in the same city she played her collegiate career.
Last year, the Boston Fleet finished in fifth place in the PWHL, where they ultimately missed the playoffs. This offseason, the Fleet lost some key players to their team due to the PWHL’s expansion draft, which saw the league expand from six teams to eight teams.
The Fleet looked to make up for their losses during the offseason in the draft, where they had six draft picks through six rounds of the draft.
Abby Newhook was joined at the draft by her older brother, Alex, who is currently playing in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens.
Newhook is now the second Newfoundlander to be drafted into the PWHL, joining St. John’s local Maggie Connors, who was drafted in the in the 11th round, 62nd overall by the Toronto Scepters in 2023.
George Street, in many ways, acts as downtown’s ‘character sanctuary’—a place where drinkers mingle with some of St. John’s finest. Certain notable characters immediately come to mind such as Money Man or Newfoundland’s top rapper Doc G. These individuals are known for their vibrant personalities, iconic gimmicks, and larger-than-life reputations.
However, a new character has appeared in recent weeks, pulling his rickshaw behind him. Will, who asked that his last name not be used for privacy, is a Memorial University student known as the “The Rickshaw Guy”, has a stranglehold on George Street’s bar hoppers.
According to New Canadian Media there are approximately 200 rickshaws across Canada. It seems that Will has cornered the market in St. John’s. Despite its prominence in cities such as Ottawa and Toronto, St. John’s has little rickshaw heritage.
Will works with the Halifax Rickshaw Collective, a company providing “transport-ainment” rickshaw rides in Halifax. The company announced on May 17 that Will, nicknamed “Big Red”, would be providing rickshaw services in St. John’s. Will’s arrival marks the first time rickshaws have been in St. John’s since the 1980s, according to it’s Instagram.
Will, a mechanic by trade, moved to St. John’s to attend Memorial University’s Business school. He is currently in his third-year of the program.
“I was a mechanic at first and decided to go back to school,” Will said. “No money in the mechanic business,” he added with a laugh.
Weekend nights downtown can be draining, especially for those working on George Street. That does not phase Will, though.
“Good workout, you know, get out and be social, good money, why not, right?” Will said in regards to his motivations for running his rickshaw.
Will also cited the excitement and buzz of George Street that has made his few weeks downtown special.
“The atmosphere is wicked,” Will said.
Summer nights on George Street can become chaotic, especially for those who are easily recognizable. Will says that despite the potential for issues, he has not had any problems so far.
“Honestly, pretty tame,” Will said. “I haven’t actually had a bad experience yet.”
Despite only working on George Street for a short period, Will has captured the attention of many—reigniting a cultural phenomenon that has been missing from downtown.
When Mark Carney’s recently elected minority government presented their first Bill in the House of Commons on June 3, it was presented as the “Strong Borders Act.” This Bill promises to improve border security in Canada. However, advocates quickly saw dangerous elements to the Liberal government’s proposal. The bill attacks privacy and freedom, places further restrictions on immigration, and additional barriers to asylum seekers entering Canada.
Initially, most of the major criticisms brought forward in the media were surrounding government’s plan to increase the ability of law enforcement to access information. If the bill passes as is, it would broaden the government and law enforcement’s ability to access private information from citizens without needing a warrant – this includes medical records and recorded visits to abortion clinics.
This was understandably alarming to many Canadians, as the bill opened the door for Carney’s government, or future governments, to access information in an invasive way. It’s not hard to imagine what an ultra-right-wing government seeking to criminalize abortion could do with access to this type of information.
What has often been lost in the public criticism of the bill, was its blatant attack on the well-being of migrants, international students, and asylum-seekers. Migrant Rights Network immediately sounded the alarm about the largely hidden changes to federal immigration regulations.
If passed, the legislation would ban anyone from applying for asylum in Canada if they have been in the country for over one year at the time of application. This is concerning for a multitude of reasons, as often circumstances will change in migrants’ home countries preventing them from returning home.
For example, if this bill was passed five years earlier, a Ukrainian studying in Canada in 2022 during Russia’s invasion would not have been eligible for asylum unless they happened to have arrived in Canada less than twelve months prior.
This regulation is not only horribly inhumane but also incredibly illogical, completely forgetting the very real possibility of circumstances changing during the time a student, or any other migrant, is living in Canada.
Placing restrictions on when or if migrants can claim asylum defeats the purpose of asylum, as being a last-resort option for members of the international community fleeing persecution, war, genocide, political conflict and so much more.
Even if amended to include provisions for changing circumstances, the decision to claim asylum is often a very difficult, taxing decision. Further increasing barriers for these refugees goes against Canada’s legal responsibility not to send refugees back to face persecution in their home countries, and is derived from a myth that migrants are abusing the refugee system. To be so worried about false claims that you prevent even a single asylum seeker from staying in Canada is morally corrupt and deeply lacks empathetic.
The Bill also increases the Minister of Immigration’s ability to immediately cancel or suspend work permits, study permits, and asylum applications without due process. Allowing the Canadian Government this type of authoritarian power mirrors the current structure of the United States Government, which Canadians overwhelmingly voted against.
Giving this power to the government to revoke permits without notice creates an unsafe environment for migrants in Canada and opens the door for mass deportations without due process. It feels dystopian because it is – this Bill would immediately endanger every international student and migrant in this country, all in the name of giving the government more power.
What will this do for Canada’s reputation?
The Trudeau government’s massive immigration caps and restrictions on international students have done extreme damage to Canada’s brand globally. It’s something I’ve personally heard from administrators at Memorial University, and administrators at other universities and colleges across Canada – we need to “rebuild” Brand Canada, because international students are seeing this country less and less as a viable option, with volatile immigration regulations and no security.
How will Bill C-2 affect this perception? From what I’ve heard, it will only make it worse. Students will not want to risk coming to Canada for four years, knowing that their status could be revoked without due process at any time. We will have shown the world that Canada is not a welcoming country, or a safe country for those who were not born here.
Is this what Canada voted for?
Canadians voted for Carney largely out of fear that Pierre Poilievre’s rhetoric was too similar to Trump’s and that he would sell Canada out to the United States. To me, Mark Carney is doing exactly what voters were scared of seeing from Poilievre.
Carney’s policies are eerily similar to Donald Trump’s, he shows no interest in making Canada a welcoming, safe alternative in the wake of Trump’s attacks on democracy. Instead, with Bill-C2, he is destroying Canada’s reputation and making the country dangerous for migrants.
Got an opinion? Submit an Opinion Piece or a Letter to the Editor to the Muse.
The City of St. John’s has announced that it is delaying plans for a multicoloured LED sign that was set to be placed in Bannerman Park after receiving “considerable feedback” from the public. Council is seeking help from the public to determine a new location for the sign.
The sign’s initial location was approved at the last council meeting on June 17th, and the project was set to be completed by late July 2025 at a cost of $84,374.64. M
Initial site of landmark sign (City of St. John’s
In a statement on the City of St. John’s website, Mayor Danny Breen says that “while we had hoped to unveil the sign ahead of the 2025 Canada Games to showcase St. John’s on a national stage, we fully respect the community’s desire to have a voice in its placement and look forward to those conversations.”
Breen says the city will not be stopping the plan altogether, but hopes that “future engagement with the community can shed a light on some of the challenges so that we can find the best possible location for the sign together.”
The race started in a mob of nervous runners—heads as far as one could see—beaten by cold wind, dreaded, but soon to be adored. The stampede left, the crowd cramped and excited, but as the race progressed, many runners slowed to jog, and some to walk—all the while those experienced enough held their pace. By mile 2 of the 10-mile route, where once shoulders rubbed, runners passed, and arms could swing.
As the race continued, with heavy breath and twisted sinew, minds went blank and vision narrowed, focusing only on the next step and water station. Along the sidewalks, people offer whatever motivation they can: playing music, giving snacks, or holding signs that say things like “I Love Sweaty Hugs,” “Hit Me For A Speed Boost,” or “Worst Parade Ever.” It’s these signs and crowds that keep many going.
“What fuels you is the people next to you. You start talking—hey, let’s keep going, let’s keep going… Plus, the signs on the road, people encouraging you to go on, the firefighters throwing water on you, and the water breaks.” said participant Terry Oliver.
It’s a downhill race, but the incline reveals who trained: many slow, while wrinkled men in nylon speed by. Like braided cables wrapped in leather, their limbs creak and crack as they make steady conversation, talking of golf, politics, or how this is their twenty-odd time running.
Anyone would be amazed by the age and fitness of these runners—if they could catch my breath and mind. A 16-kilometre run is not inhumane; young, fat, thin, old, just about anyone can run it. However, if you’d like to walk the next day, take the advice of those who’ve run it the longest, and train.
John Ryan, with 27 Tely 10s completed and over 15 years of volunteer work says “train a bit. Don’t start too hard, you want to go faster and faster—start slow, finish strong. Also, drink lots of fluids along the way, and get lots of rest the night before…but the night before you can’t sleep, so start a few days before.”
Similarly, 72-year-old Bob Fry, who’s completed 24 Tele-10s, said this: “Get out, move your body, or else you’ll lose your body… It’s just something you gotta do every year, it’s the Tele-10, it’s a Newfoundland’s Race, you gotta go, you gotta get into it.”
Although many runners recommend training for the race, with over 4000 participants, there were all levels of experience: the fastest runners clocked in at under an hour, while some strolled the entirety of the race, taking over three hours. However, disregarding time, almost everyone enjoyed it and was proud to have completed it.
Rachel Waddleton, MUN student and runner, had this to say, “So many people were running it today, the weather was perfect, the vibes were good, and my legs hurt… Even if you’re not a runner, come out and have a good time.”
