Spotlight on Music: Fergus O'Byrne

Date: Jul 8
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Where: Level 3 Atrium
Spotlight

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”.