JUNO Award Nominees, Rum Ragged, take a bold approach to the distinct folk music of their home, the Eastern Canadian island of Newfoundland. With a reverence for their roots and a creative, contemporary edge, this young band has quickly become known as the finest performers of their great, living, musical tradition. Boasting bouzouki, fiddle, bodhran, banjo, guitar, and button accordion, these new champions of East Coast music enliven and enlighten audiences with their signature brand of Newfoundland folk. Always honest, thought-provoking, and often humorous, it’s Rum Ragged’s live show that makes them a fast favourite with any audience. Their combination of striking vocal harmonies, staggering musicianship, and captivating storytelling gives concert-goers an experience they won’t soon forget. Since their inception in 2016, Rum Ragged has maintained a rigorous tour schedule, performing at some of the world’s premier folk, celtic and roots venues all while managing to record four acclaimed, award-winning studio albums. Rum Ragged is not your run-of-the-mill folk band, they are the genuine article.

Tickets $40

Since the release of their first album in 2020, Rev Dave and the Sin Eaters has been nominated for two Music NL awards (Best Folk Group) and two ECMA awards (Best Country and Best Blues Recording). Drawing on traditional roots music the band's songs are contemporary, poetically vibrant, and rhythmically energetic. Expect great musicianship and a good time vibe.

“Live at the Garrick Theatre” is a double album recorded in June of 2023. The band chose to record in Bonavista because of their love of the town and their love of this unique and beautiful theatre. Come help us celebrate the official album release!

Tickets $25

The Celtic Fiddlers are a vibrant group of 6 young professional musicians, ages 21-40. This unique group consists of fiddles, piano, mandolin, tin whistle, Irish flute, bodhran, cajone, accordion, banjo, bouzouki, bass, voice, guitar and drums. They have gained an outstanding reputation for their eclectic style and presentation.

Under the direction of Korona Brophy, musician, arranger and teacher, the CelticFiddlers, formed in 1993, perform at a wide milieu of international, national and provincial conventions and festivals, local folk festivals and events, school concerts and workshops, senior’s homes, celebrations and weddings. Their travels have taken them to New York, Ireland, Isle of Man, Ottawa, and throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. In May, 2022, the group had the honour of playing for The Royals on their visit to St.John’s (then Prince Charles and Lady Camilla)

This year marks the 31 st anniversary of their sharing of music education, culture and history. We are proud ambassadors of our province of Newfoundland and Labrador. This summer, 2024, The Celtic Fiddlers have been invited to several festivals which include Saint- Pierre et Miquelon, Ferryland and Plate Cove, Dildo, Placentia and Bonavista. They will also perform at other venues while on tour on the province.The Celtic Fiddlers are members of the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s Folk Arts Society and the East Coast Music Association. The Celtic Fiddlers were awarded the Instrumental Artist of the Year for MUSICNL in 2006.

Tickets - $30

Silver wolf band is a four-piece Indigenous folk-rock band from Labrador. Lively, engaging, and self-assured performances of honest and sincere lyrical music is what makes Silver Wolf Band one of the most in-demand music groups from Labrador. Their music is piano driven and rich in harmony. Lyrically, their songs are shaped and informed by family, community, love, and their homeland itself. They have been referred to as the “Wilco of Labrador” and three of their albums have garnered them a Music PEI award nomination, three Music NL award nominations, and a Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Award nomination.

Tickets $30

A Beatles Tribute band based out of St. John’s, NL. They have been gracing our stage every Labour Day Weekend for the last 10 years. This year makes year 11 for selling out.

Tickets $40

Blue Star Juniper was formed by chance in September of 2022.  While the days got shorter and the weather got colder, Craig Young (guitar) and Andrea Monro (banjo) met and realized that the music they could make together would be memorable and profound.  They play Newfoundland influenced country folk music, sharing lead vocals and harmonies.

Craig Young hails from the southwest coast of Newfoundland and Labrador.  Craig’s guitar playing career has spanned decades and countries. A lifetime of guitar playing has created a story woven with lyrics and guitar as told in a simple baritone voice with dynamic flatpicking. 

Andrea Monro comes from the rocky east coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. She was raised by music lovers, and grew up singing in choirs and hiding out under the piano while her father and brother played everything from Franz Liszt to Scott Joplin.  Under the guidance and encouragement of Newfoundlands legendary songwriter Ron Hynes, she learned to play guitar and started writing songs. Andrea’s ability to interpret a song and tell a story has made her a favourite among the St. John’s music scene. 

Tickets $25

“Guaranteed to blow your mind”, Kelly-Ann Evans and friends perform all the iconic songs that have made Queen one of the most legendary rock bands of all time.  With brilliant 4 part harmonies and incredible musicianship, you’ll hear hits such as I Want to Break Free, Under Pressure, Killer Queen, Somebody to Love, We are the Champions and many more!

Kelly-Ann is an award-winning performer, producer, director, arranger and music educator. One of the provinces most sought after and dynamic performers, she is based in St. John’s Newfoundland. Kelly-Ann is owner/operator of Rock City Studio where she teaches voice, piano, and facilitates performance workshops. She is also the owner/director of Red Dress Entertainment, which produces and tours Pop/Rock and Soul reviews. She is a multiple MusicNL Award Winner (Pop/Rock Artist of the Year & Female Artist of the Year) and ECMA nominee. Select theatre credits include the original Canadian company of Queen’s musical We Will Rock You (Mirvish), Cabaret and The Trojan Women (Stratford Shakespeare Festival), Into the Woods and Phantom of the Opera (Opera on the Avalon), Next to Normal (Best Kind Productions), Evita, Rock of Ages, Chicago and Jesus Christ Superstar (Tada Events). She is a regular featured Pop/Rock soloist with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and can be seen up in flames on vocals and keys with Newfoundland’s premier circus band SMOKESHOW. Kelly-Ann has spent the past 5 years working and touring the country with Terra Bruce Productions.

Tickets $40

Join us for a special performance by American operatic tenor, John Riesen, as he performs with pianist Andrea Lodge of Bonavista (via NYC), and the NSO's Atlantic String Quartet.  These talented musicians will present an eclectic and enjoyable selection of music, ranging from classical and opera to musical theatre and pop. This performance is sponsored Bonavista Living.

Hailed as “every inch the hero in stature and voice” (Classical Voice North America), award-winning American tenor John Riesen is consistently impressing audiences with his "impassioned...and vibrant" voice (Opera Today). Riesen’s growing career boasts a variety of roles in which he excels and includes significant work in opera, musical theatre, studio recording and concert. He has released two studio recording albums: What You'd Call a Dream (2019) and Christmas at Home (2020), and numerous singles that have reached over 5 million streams on Spotify and Apple Music. John is also the head of Spotify promotion and PR for Emitha LLC, building an ecosystem for classical and crossover singers around the world to be heard on streaming services.

Andrea Lodge has been hailed as a “Must-See”(The Telegram, St. John’s, Canada), and her performances have been noted as “Jarring and compelling”(Washington Post). A specialist in the performance of contemporary music, she frequently commissions and performs new works for piano solo and chamber ensemble. Andrea was awarded top prizes at the Eckhardt-Gramatté Canadian National Competition for the Performance of New Music, including the award for best performance of the commissioned work. She was featured in the Village Times Herald (Long Island, NY) for her showing at this competition in an article called “Stony Brook Pianist Hailed as One of Canada’s Best!” 

Formed in 1985, the Atlantic String Quartet (ASQ) is a versatile and professional chamber ensemble comprised of the principal string players of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra (NSO): Heather Kao, first violin; Nancy Case-Oates, second violin; Kate Read, viola; and Nathan Cook, Cello. In addition to their work with the full orchestra and NSO Sinfonia, the quartet produces its own Recital Series each season, presenting a broad selection of works from the rich quartet and small ensemble repertoires. The ASQ is an integral part of the creative life of its community and is known for its versatility and ability to work with music and musicians from all styles and genres. Having shared the stage with such international classical musicians as Anton Kuerti, André Laplante, and Martin Beaver, and local artists such as jazz artist Duane Andrews and renowned songwriter Ron Hynes, the members of the quartet also teach privately, and coach and conduct other ensembles. In 2014, the ASQ was offered a placement at the prestigious St. Lawrence String Quartet Music Seminar in Stanford, CA. In 2020 the quartet released its first self-titled debut album featuring works by Arthur Bliss and Maurice Ravel.

Tickets $35

Andrea Lodge grew up in Bonavista, and is a specialist in the performance of contemporary music, but hasn’t forgot about her roots. Andrea and Jay brighten up the theatre with their toe tapping traditional Newfoundland music night with an accordion, guitar, mandolin, banjo and bodhran!

The Kitchen Party is taking place on the Saturday evening of the annual Church Street Festival that will be ongoing from July 22nd until July 28th.

Tickets $30

Fortunate Ones is a contemporary folk duo from Newfoundland. Celebrated for their harmony-entwined songs of hope, resilience, and the human condition and their joyfully disarming live shows, they have toured relentlessly, bringing their open-hearted performances to thousands of people across North America and beyond.

Tickets $40

Hailing from the picturesque town of Conception Bay South, Newfoundland, Justin Fancy swiftly emerged as a rising star on the Canadian Country music scene with the release of his debut single in 2020. His passion for storytelling and his authentic East Coast charm are woven into every lyric and melody he crafts.

With the release of his debut album, “Sure Beats A Good Time,” in 2021, Justin secured Music NL’s Awards for Country Artist of the Year and Rising Star of the Year, the first time the same artist has won both awards in the same year.

In 2022, Justin was the recipient of the coveted East Coast Music Award for Fan’s Choice Entertainer of the Year, a resounding testament to his strong connection with his fans.

Tickets $40

From Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia), internationally recognized artist Gina Burgess is a multi-genre violinist, composer, yoga instructor, educator, and musician wellness facilitator. A former member of the Juno nominated Iqaluit- based arctic rock band “The Jerry Cans”, a four- time East Coast Music Award winner with the Hot Swing group “Gypsophilia”, and collaborator with numerous ensembles, Burgess is a sought after performer. Her latest project “ISNOW” reflects her diverse experience by mixing classical music with Celtic folk and incorporating contemporary Inuit throat singing with elements of jazz. Burgess’s original music has been described as ethereal, genre-bending, and filled with Spirit.

The Anuri Drum Dancers are a group of young artists based in Iqaluit, Nunavut.They specialize in contemporary forms of qilautiit drum dancing, and Inuit throat singing. The Anuri Drum Dancers fuse traditional and contemporary elements of Inuit music. These youth have a great deal of performance experience as members of the Inuksuk Drum Dancers directed by Dr. Mary Piercey-Lewis. They have traveled and performed in many places and capacities across Turtle Island. Their most recent collaboration has been with Gina Burgess and her band. The Anuri Drum Dancers have created contemporary qilautiit choreography to each piece on Gina’s “ISNOW” album. The show they have created combines contemporary drum dancing, jazz, folk, celtic, traditional, and contemporary Inuit throat singing. They have performed this show in Iqaluit and Igloolik. They will be touring this production across Newfoundland in July 2024.

Tickets $30

Featuring Karla Pilgrim, Leanne Kean, and Natalie Noseworthy, accompanied by Sandy Morris, Scott Mansfield, and Brian Way, please join us as we celebrate the music of three hall of fame legends in addition to a focus on the solo career of Linda Ronstadt.

Tickets $35

“Nico Paulo is a Portuguese/Canadian songwriter, performer, and visual artist. She moved to Canada in 2014 to pursue her career, originally setting down roots in the vibrant Toronto arts community, and eventually moved east to become an essential part of Newfoundland’s celebrated music scene. Paulo’s highly anticipated, self-titled debut LP, which arrived in spring 2023, is a melodically dynamic, heart-baring collection that finds her exploring the interconnected nature of relationships and the flow of time in lush, sophisticated pop arrangements. The album’s textures come courtesy of production by Joshua Van Tassel (Villages, Fortunate Ones) and Tim Baker (Hey Rosetta!).”

Tickets $30

Best Kind Trio consists of 3 local residents of Bonavista, Sandra White, Harvey Mouland and Keith Elliott. The Trio brings together music of all genres and you will be in for a treat.

Tickets $20

From the rocky shores of Newfoundland, Canada The Navigator’s formed in 2000 based on a unique combination of baritone voices and instrumentalists into a folk band that is as much known for its own original contemporary trad as it is for the traditional music. With four full studio albums, Bay Bulls Cove (2023); Soldiers and Sailors (2011); Sea Miner (2009), Dance and Sing (2001), and a number of other recording contributions, the group has toured all of Canada, much of the US and Europe. The Band members are Arthur O’Brien, Fred Jorgensen, Darryl Chafe and Jim Kieley.

Tickets $40

The Best Kind Comedy Tour includes stand-up comedians Colin Hollett, Mike Lynch, and Brian Aylward.

Colin Hollett has become one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s go-to comedic voices. He is a former winner of the Great Canadian Laugh-Off and he had the highest-voted video in Canada for the Russel Peters BFF comedy competition. He headlines comedy clubs nationwide and his online rants and social media posts often go viral.

Star of The Outhouse TV, Mike Lynch has become a well-known face in Canadian comedy. His wide range of popular sketch characters has garnered over 10 million views online. His annual sketch and standup show “Getting To Know Me” continues to sell out all across Canada. Mike can be heard on Just For Laughs Originals on Sirius XM radio.

Brian Aylward has been a Comedian for 18 years, performing more than 3400 shows in more than 40 countries. Aylward is a former Canadian Comedy Award winner for “Best Standup Comic.” His numerous social media rants and sketch comedy character “Fadder” have garnered millions of views online. Brian has appeared several times on CBC Radio’s “The Debaters.” His stand-up comedy special “Big In Asia” is on Amazon Prime.

Tickets $40