St. John's Storytelling Festival: Elder Alex Saunders
Date: Oct 16
7:00 pm
- 8:00 pm
Where: Theatre
Storytelling Festival
Join us for an engaging storytelling session with Inuit Elder Alex Saunders, whose captivating storytelling is rooted in Inuit, Innu, and Labrador traditions. A Q&A will follow.
Tickets: $12 ( plus HST). Free for Rooms Members. Get your tickets online or by calling (709 )757-8090.
About the Speaker:
Alex Saunders, born in the original hamlet of Davis Inlet in 1940, is an Inuit Elder of mixed ancestry, with Innu and British Heritage. Though naturally gifted in storytelling, Alex only recently embraced his passion for writing. His work is dedicated to preserving the stories, traditions, and culture of the Inuit, while also offering insight into the adventurous spirit of Labrador’s Indigenous communities.
Alex was awarded the Lawrence Jackson Writers Award in 2017 for History of My Fishing Life. In 2016, he received the Northern Public Affairs Emerging Writers Award, and in 2020, he won the Percy Janes First Novel Award.
Events & Programs
Save The Date – Online Registration Opening Soon!
Registration Dates:
- Rooms Members: Tuesday, March 18 at 10:00 AM
- Non-Members: Thursday, March 20 at 10:00 AM
A “Get Tickets” button will appear on this page when registration opens. Online registration only.
Once you've completed your online registration, please download the Registration Form and submit it to RoomsOrders@therooms.ca to complete your registration.
Adventures Await!
Get ready for an unforgettable summer! The Rooms will be offering exciting 5-day camps for 8 weeks, filled with creativity, exploration, and fun.
Who Can Attend?
Camp K-3: Open to campers who have completed Kindergarten to Grade 3 by June 2025.
Camp 4-6: Open to campers who have completed Grades 4 to 6 by June 2025.
(No Exceptions)
What to Expect?
Each week, campers will dive into inspiring exhibitions and collections, with activities focused on creative expression through engaging daily themes.
Camp Details!
Cost: $265 Per Week + HST.
10% Discount for Rooms Members (Member Number Required)
Schedule:
Camp Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Drop-off: Between 8:45 AM – 9:00 AM
Pick-up: Between 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Mark your calendars and get ready for an amazing summer at The Rooms!
Excited about finding some Newfoundland and Labrador ancestors? This half-day workshop is an introduction to genealogy, with an orientation to the extensive genealogical archival collections at The Rooms. Our expert staff will be your guide through practical resources that you can use to trace your family tree.
This workshop is suitable for all skill levels. Included in the workshop fee are:
- An Introduction to Genealogy Handbook.
- A permanent researcher registration number for The Rooms (Value $10).
- Light refreshments (tea, coffee, and a freshly baked muffin from The Rooms Café).
- An orientation tour of the Archives Reference Room.
- A Family History Notebook.
- Access to key genealogy resources to aid your research.
- A voucher for free admission to The Rooms for a return visit to see exhibitions.
Cost: $75 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Pre-registration is required—secure your spot today by contacting Visitor Services at 709-757-8090. For more information on the workshop schedule and content, please contact Carla Watson at carlawatson@therooms.ca.
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.
Join us each day for an interpretive guided tour in one of our galleries. From the story of the Cod fishery to visiting a current art exhibition to a Family Rainbow tour, there is something for everyone.
Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.
Join us for a delightful morning at The Rooms! Bring your little ones to our enchanting Harbour View Room for unguided playtime surrounded by an array of toys and books tailored for infants and toddlers aged 0 to 4.
No prior registration is necessary; simply pay your admission at The Rooms front desk and drop in anytime between 10:30 am and 12:00 pm!
Please note that caregivers must accompany their children throughout the session. While our program room can accommodate up to 20 adults with their little ones, if it reaches capacity, we kindly ask caregivers to momentarily step back to make room for others to join in the fun.
The Playdate is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms Members.
With support from Thomas and Susan (Kent) Foran Family Foundation.
Join us for a delightful afternoon at The Rooms! Bring your little ones to our enchanting Harbour View Room for unguided playtime surrounded by an array of toys and books tailored for infants and toddlers aged 0 to 4.
No prior registration is necessary; simply pay your admission at The Rooms front desk and drop in anytime between 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm!
Please note that caregivers must accompany their children throughout the session. While our program room can accommodate up to 20 adults with their little ones, if it reaches capacity, we kindly ask caregivers to momentarily step back to make room for others to join in the fun.
The Playdate is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms Members.
With support from Thomas and Susan (Kent) Foran Family Foundation.
Enjoy performances by local outstanding musicians as they fill The Rooms with music and songs from our province’s rich musical history. Be prepared to sing along, tap your toes or just sit back and delight in the moment.
Tuesday, July 8– Fergus O’Byrne
Fergus O'Byrne is widely acclaimed for his musical legacy, as a member of Ryan's Fancy, Tickle Harbour, and as a solo artist or as a duo with Jim Payne. He proudly celebrates the songs of Ireland, England, Scotland, the Maritimes and Newfoundland and Labrador in his performances.
He has received many awards acknowledging his contribution to folk music including an ECMA Lifetime Achievement Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Folk Arts Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, an NLAC Arts in Education award, and most recently The Inaugural Premier’s Medal for Arts and Heritage. Besides touring nationally and internationally, he works extensively mentoring young folk music enthusiasts and students throughout the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
July 15- Colleen Power
Colleen Power is an award-winning singer/songwriter and performer living in St. John’s, Newfoundland. She is a prolific and creative force in the Newfoundland and Labrador music scene. Always engaging, Colleen comfortably embraces multiple musical styles in both French and English, with lyrics ranging from heartfelt to comedic, political to personal. She is often a Newfoundland and Labrador ambassador at Francophone festivals and events in Canada and has released two full-length French albums. Colleen is releasing a new French album, Une Tournée Merveilleuse, and her self-titled English album in Fall 2025.
July 22– Jim Payne
From Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland, Jim Payne is a leading performer and collector of Newfoundland traditional music. The multi-instrumentalist and singer, who has performed on six continents, is also one of the province's most prolific songwriters, known for creating musical mosaics that portray the lives of coastal people living on the edge of the Northwest Atlantic.
July 29 – Jing Xia
Jing Xia is an award-winning guzheng (Chinese zither) artist based in Newfoundland, Canada, renowned for her dynamic performances and genre-blending approach to music. Born and raised in Hunan, China, she began her musical journey at the age of six, mastering the guzheng and eventually earning degrees in Music Performance (B.A.), Arts Management (M.A.), and Ethnomusicology (Ph.D.).
With a deep foundation in traditional Chinese music, she pushes artistic boundaries by incorporating elements of world music, jazz, and experimental sounds, creating a unique sonic experience that transcends cultural and musical barriers. Jing’s performances are more than just concerts—they are immersive journeys that bridge the past and the present, the East and the West. Whether on stage as a soloist or collaborating with orchestras and ensembles, she brings an unparalleled depth of emotion and technical mastery to her music. Xia's recent accolades include winning the 2023 East Coast Music Award "Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year" and the 2023 MusicNL Award "Album of the Year" for her solo album, The Numinous Journey. She was named the 2023 MusicNL “Solo Artist of the Year” and 2022 MusicNL "Rising Star of the Year”.
Rainbow Family Tour
Embark on a vibrant journey together to view the captivating hues of the rainbow at The Rooms. On this guided tour, we will see a spectrum of colors: from fiery reds to sunny yellows, lush greens to serene blues, and even the elusive indigos and violets.
Join us each day for an interpretive guided tour in one of our galleries. From the story of the Cod fishery to visiting a current art exhibition to a Family Rainbow tour, there is something for everyone.
Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.