Enhancing Children's Voices


Date: Jun 2
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Where: Theatre
Coffee & Culture

For the past two years, Dr. Anne Burke and Dr. Diane Collier from Memorial University have been co-researching innovative teaching, language, culture and identity. Alongside primary teachers and children from two multicultural elementary schools in St. John’s, they have worked together to enhance ways to listen to young children's perspectives, to talk about artifacts and engage in various ways of making art to tell stories.

Please join the researchers, teachers and children as they talk about this rich project looking at experiential learning that honours the voices of children. Through working with artists and partnering with Memorial University and The Rooms, their research is part of a larger project called  ADVOST that includes projects in Finland and the United Kingdom.

Most recently, they completed an identity mapmaking project with the support of educator Anne Pickard-Vaandering at The Rooms. Children came to The Rooms to interact with the exhibition "Helping Hands: 30 Years at Kinngait Studios". They experimented with mapping and drawing their interests and identities, and then returned to their classrooms to create their own art. Their artworks are featured in the MakerFaire event at The Rooms on June 3.

Today's Events & Programs

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Program

The Macdonald Drive Junior High String Ensemble acts as musical ambassadors for their school, performing throughout the year at school and community events. Join us for their annual holiday performance featuring music that will surely get you into the festive spirit.

The ensemble also performs annually with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, providing a prelude show for their Masterworks 3 concert, and has received a gold standard at the Rotary Music Festival.

Cost: Free. No registration required.

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Mummers Festival

Step into a world of family fun at The Rooms with our friends from the Mummers Festival! Enjoy an afternoon of creativity and connection for the whole family.

Browse The Rooms gift shop for holiday shopping, grab a bite in the café, and take in the stunning decorations throughout the building!

Cost: Included with regular admission to The Rooms.

This program is presented in partnership with the 2025 Mummers Festival. For more information about festival events, visit www.mummersfestival.ca.

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Tour

Peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador

Stroll across land and sea, and through time, to meet the peoples who have made Newfoundland and Labrador home for the past 9,000 years.

Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.

7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Join author Mark Critch for the launch of Sorry, Not Sorry: An Unapologetic Look at What Makes Canada Worth Fighting For.

Known for his sharp-witted skits on CBC’s This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Mark Critch uses his keen observational skills to explore Canadian identity and the new wave of Canadian patriotism.

In Sorry, Not Sorry, Critch delves into the heart of what it means to be Canadian at a time when national pride is on the rise. Examining everything from Newfoundland’s historic decision to join Canada to the modern-day implications of the Freedom Convoy and the evolving symbolism of the Canadian flag, he reminds us of where we came from—and of the many reasons Canada is worth fighting for. Elbows up!

Cost: $25 plus HST. Get your tickets online or by calling (709) 757-8090.

A cash bar and reception will follow the presentation, with an opportunity to get your book signed. The Rooms Giftshop will be open for your shopping convenience, where books will be available for purchase.