Fool's Paradise: Exploring the Ribbon Fool Tradition
Date: Dec 8
2:30 pm
- 3:30 pm
Where: Theatre
Mummers Festival
If you've spent the holiday season in Newfoundland you likely know all about the wildly fun practice of mummering. But have you heard of Ribbon Fools?
“Ribbon Fools” are peculiar characters, with spectacular rigs covered in crêpe paper ribbons and distinct ship hats fastened on their heads.
Today, only a few people still have memories of the "fools." Join presenter Terra Barrett and facilitator Dale Jarvis as we explore this little known tradition.
This free event is presented in partnership with the 2022 Mummers Festival.
Seating is limited, please reserve your free ticket online or by calling 757-8090.
Today's Events & Programs
Newfoundland Folk Holiday Performance – Fergus O'Byrne & Jim Payne
Continue the festive spirit with a delightful holiday performance featuring Fergus O'Byrne and Jim Payne!
Immerse yourself in the warmth of Newfoundland folk culture, including traditional Christmas carols, rousing sea shanties and work songs, poignant ballads, comic ditties, folk tales and recitations, and toe-tapping jigs, reels, and polkas on a variety of instruments.
Cost: Free. A ticket is required. Reserve your free ticket online or by calling (709) 757-8090.
About the Performers:
Jim Payne – From Notre Dame Bay, Jim is a leading performer on accordion and a collector of Newfoundland traditional music. He is one of the province’s most prolific songwriters and has created soundtracks for theatre, plays, and documentaries. Jim also owns and operates SingSong Inc., Newfoundland’s largest traditional music label with fourteen available titles, dedicated to music, story, song, and dance reflecting the Newfoundland experience.
Fergus O'Byrne – Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Fergus became a familiar voice on radio and television from 1971 to 1983 as a member of the renowned folk group Ryan's Fancy. He now tours nationally and internationally with Jim Payne and A Crowd Of Bold Sharemen and is recognized for promoting Newfoundland and Celtic music while mentoring young folk music enthusiasts.
Beaumont-Hamel and the Trail of the Caribou
In this exhibition, find out about the impacts of the First World War on Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and how events overseas dramatically altered our lives at home.
Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.