Arta Vista at The Rooms: with Kelly Russell & Friends
Date: Aug 13
7:00 pm
- 8:30 pm
Where: Theatre
Arta Vista
In celebration of the Canada Summer Games, renowned Newfoundland fiddler Kelly Russell will share songs, stories and fiddle tunes from his extensive repertoire learned over his long career as a cultural keeper of the flame.
The concept for these shows was sparked by the realization that Kelly first met the iconic fiddler Rufus Guinchard at the ‘77 Canada Games and the resulting contribution to our culture has been greatly enhanced through this synergy of culture and sport.
This is a free event but a ticket is required. Please reserve your free ticket online or by calling (709) 757-8090.
Check out From ‘77 to ’25: A Journey Through Newfoundland and Labrador’s Canada Games celebrating the legacy, spirit, and impact of the Canada Games in Newfoundland and Labrador. This exhibition captures the stories, memories, and moments that have shaped the Games - from the athletes and volunteers. Located on level 2.
About Kelly Russel:
A professional musician since 1975, Kelly has been a member of landmark groups Figgy Duff, The Wonderful Grand Band, The Plankerdown Band, Bristol’s Hope, Kelly Russell & The Planks, and The Irish Descendants. Working closely for many years with legendary fiddlers Rufus Guinchard and Emile Benoit, learning, recording, and documenting their unique music, Kelly has inherited genuine status as one of Newfoundland’s leading traditional music performers.A prominent musical ambassador, Kelly has performed in such countries as England, Ireland, France, Sweden, Denmark, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Spain, the USA and all across Canada. His record label, Pigeon Inlet Productions (est. 1979), has released over 30 full-length LP, Cassette and CD recordings. He has published a 2 Volume Collection of NL fiddle music, “Kelly Russell’s Collection,” documenting over five hundred tunes in musical notation. Kelly has taught fiddle to many students, some of whom are now successful performers. He has also actively helped revive the art of storytelling and recitation, inspired by the Tales of Pigeon Inlet by his father, Ted Russell.
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!
Join us for Films On The Go, featuring a collection of short films from the most recent St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival (SJIWFF).
About the lineup: Sweetgrass, perfect brows, the surprisingly queer life of a climbing clip, a giant imaginary bear, and one very bad day in 1986, this year’s Films on the Go lineup delivers seven short films packed with big emotion, sharp humour, and unforgettable moments. Crafted by filmmakers from Newfoundland & Labrador, Mi’kma’ki, Canada, and beyond.
Learn more about the films and artists here: https://www.womensfilmfestival.com/filmsonthego
Presented in partnership with the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival.
Films play on a loop in our theatre during open hours, unless the space is booked for a private event.
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.
Fishing for Cod
For centuries, fishing for cod has played a vital role in the lives of the peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador. Generations of fishing men, women and children made use of the land and sea to sustain them and spent their lives “making fish”.
Drop by and talk to local visual artists throughout the summer as they share stories about their work and creative process!
Schedule
Thursday, August 7 – Kayla Walsh
Thursday, August 14: Di Dabinett
Thursday, August 21: Di Dabinett
Thursday, August 28: Kathleen Knowling
Artist Bios
Kayla Walsh
Kayla Walsh is a textile artist living in Conception Bay South, Newfoundland. She holds a BFA in textiles/fashion from NSCAD University and a diploma of textiles from the College of the North Atlantic.
Kayla is inspired by her coastal home of Newfoundland. She explores themes of mental wellbeing in relation to our natural surroundings, the present moment, and our attachment to place. Kayla explores these themes through weaving, embroidery and natural dyeing.
Diana Dabinett: B.A.Fine Art, CSPWC, FCA, SCA
Diana Dabinett was born in Zimbabwe in 1943, has lived in Newfoundland since 1975, but has always lived close to the natural world. She has exhibited throughout Canada, in the United States, England, Japan and New Zealand. She has had work in solo and group exhibitions world-wide, commissions in Monterey, California, Labrador and St John’s, has taught in the school system and a private group for 30 years and is represented in numerous public and private collections including tHer Majesty, the Queen of England. In 2019 she was awarded the NLAC Achievement Award.
Kathleen Knowling has an extensive exhibition history and her artworks are part of many public and private collections in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. She holds a BA in History from Barnard College at Columbia University in New York. She also studied at Mount Allison University, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) University, and MUN Extension Arts. In 1977, Kathleen initiated and organized the life-drawing program at Group of 77, which ran for over 30 years. Today, she is part of the Senior Artist Sunday Group and continues with her professional practice.