Events & Programs

The health of the world's oceans is deteriorating day by day. Join the Director of Civic Laboratory for Environmental Action Research (CLEAR) Dr. Max Liboiron, Wayne Ledwell and Julie Huntington of Whale Release, Strandings and Entanglement and Jackie Saturno, a graduate student from the Marine Institute as they share their experiences with Newfoundland and Labrador's ocean health and what it means for our local wildlife.

In celebration of Colette Urban's retrospective exhibition At Full Tilt: Colette Urban in Western Newfoundland, join us for a screening of Katherine Knight's documentary "Pretend Not To See Me" followed by a guided tour of Colette Urbans exhibition.

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. NO TICKETS REMAINING. The St. John's International Women's Film Festival is excited to present their annual Oscar-Nominated short films screening in collaboration with The Rooms as part of the Scene and Heard Film Industry Conference. Here's your chance to see all of the incredible animated short films from around the world and have an Oscar pool edge! Thank you to Shorts HD and Magnolia Pictures. Featuring: Late Afternoon directed by Louise Bagnall Animal Behaviour directed by David Fine and Alison Snowden Bao directed by Domee Shi One Small Step directed by Andrew Chesworth and Bobby Pontillas Weekends directed by Trevor Jimenez Total runtime is 60 minutes. Be sure to leave your contact information and prediction for Best Picture for your chance to win a special prize! For more information on Scene and Heard, please visit https://www.womensfilmfestival.com/sceneandheard/

In performance art, the artist's actions and body are the medium. Performances often take place live in front of an audience in an ephemeral moment that can be either scripted or spontaneous. Performance art has a rich history of challenging social and physical conventions. In celebration of the retrospective exhibition At Full Tilt: Colette Urban in Western Newfoundland and the work of this influential artist, join us for a series of dynamic, dramatic and one-of-a-kind performances in the Level 3 Art Gallery. Please note that these performances are intended for an adult audience and viewer discretion is advised.

THIS PROGRAM IS FULLY BOOKED - NO SPACES AVAILABLE This 12 hour workshop (four 3 hour sessions) will cover the historical connections with the rug hooking traditions in Newfoundland and Labrador using examples from the Rooms Museum collection. Working under the skillful direction of Margaret Angel, students will complete a finished piece about 24" x 24" using a variety of techniques and materials. Basic supplies are included in the kit but students are encouraged to supplement with materials of their choosing. Cost for this workshop is $180 per person, 10% discount for Rooms members. Participants must register for all four sessions. Sessions occur from 9:30 to 12:30 on February 16 and 23, March 2 and 9. To register, please contact Visitor Services at 757-8090. To find out more about the content of the workshop, please contact joybarfoot@therooms.ca

Did you know that a long time ago flags were used to share all kinds of news? Flags were used to tell what ships were entering St. John's harbor and who had the biggest catch of fish. Flags were flown on-board ships, merchant buildings and shops, schools and churches. Join us to design your own special family flag. Check out the viewing window in the Level 3 Atrium - how many flags do you see flying outside? Drop in anytime between 2:00 and 4:00 to join in!

Bring your tot along every Tuesday and join us for Big Fun. The program - designed for children aged 2-4 years - features stories, songs, puppets, games and crafts for tots and their guardian. Afterward, head upstairs to The Rooms Café for a complimentary tea or coffee and a chance to visit with other adults.

Have you always wanted to learn how to play 120s but have never had the chance? Join our enthusiastic volunteer instructors as they share their love of this iconic card game. Spaces are limited and pre-registration is recommended for each session. To register, please contact Visitor Services at 757-8090.

Death Cafe is an informal, international organization that provides a time and a place for people to gather, drink tea and eat cookies, while discussing death. The objective of these gatherings is "to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives." This event has no objectives or agendas and is an open discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session. We are pleased to welcome Paula Courage to facilitate our session. Paula has coordinated numerous Death Cafes in St. John's over the last few years and has experienced the personal growth and change that can occur when you are free to discuss a topic that is often seen as taboo or off-limits. This event is held in tandem with Philippa Jones' exhibition Suspended, which dwells on mortality, loss and cycles of rebirth. We will visit the exhibition with the artist half-way through the cafe. For more about Jones' exhibition, please visit https://www.therooms.ca/exhibits/now/philippa-jones-suspende d. IMPORTANT You must RSVP to attend this event. The cost is included with admission to the Rooms (no additional cost to attend the Death Cafe). 25 seats are available for this event to ensure everybody has the opportunity to speak and contribute. Please contact Visitor Services at the Rooms to register your spot at 757-8090. Death Cafe was founded by Jon Underwood, based on the work of Bernard Crettaz.

Newfoundland artist Lois Brown has focused her almost forty year practice in St. John's on improvisation, experimentation, and process. She will present and discuss images from her most innovative works in theatre, dance and film, and some of her current experiments in Disability Arts, comedy, audience engagement, and transdisciplinary inquiry in performance. Join us for this and a demonstration of the hidden power of a piece of foil wrap.

Join Robin McGrath for a talk that will describe and consider the purposes and functions of some of the provinces traditional Innu, Inuit and Settler games and pastimes. The violent histories of piddley, flick, hoist-your-sails-and-run, the murderous capabilities of atinakan (Innu checkers), and the eroticism of Inuit strong figures, tell us much about our histories, our cultures, and our collective values.

Join us for the premiere screening of Warriors of Fogo. Over 400 communities were part of the Newfoundland Resettlement Program. Some went willingly; many went angrily. Until it came to the people of Fogo Island. For the first time, resettlement hit the wall of the Warriors of Fogo. War was declared.

Guest Host: Ronnie Power On the first Friday of every month, join a special guest musician for a Rooms Friday Night Jam Session. Bring along your instrument to join in for some fun, or sit back and tap your feet to some great traditional tunes. Please Note: This is not an instructional program. If you have questions about the type of instrument you will be bringing in, please contact Angela Noseworthy at 757-8114.

In performance art, the artist's actions and body are the medium. Performances often take place live in front of an audience in an ephemeral moment that can be either scripted or spontaneous. Performance art has a rich history of challenging social and physical conventions. In celebration of the retrospective exhibition At Full Tilt: Colette Urban in Western Newfoundland and the work of this influential artist, join us for a series of dynamic, dramatic and one-of-a-kind performances in the Level 3 Art Gallery. Please note that these performances are intended for an adult audience and viewer discretion is advised.

THIS PROGRAM IS FULLY BOOKED - NO SPACES AVAILABLE This 12 hour workshop (four 3 hour sessions) will cover the historical connections with the rug hooking traditions in Newfoundland and Labrador using examples from the Rooms Museum collection. Working under the skillful direction of Margaret Angel, students will complete a finished piece about 24" x 24" using a variety of techniques and materials. Basic supplies are included in the kit but students are encouraged to supplement with materials of their choosing. Cost for this workshop is $180 per person, 10% discount for Rooms members. Participants must register for all four sessions. Sessions occur from 9:30 to 12:30 on February 16 and 23, March 2 and 9. To register, please contact Visitor Services at 757-8090. To find out more about the content of the workshop, please contact joybarfoot@therooms.ca

Join us for the premiere screening of The Warriors of Fogo. Over 400 communities were part of the Newfoundland Resettlement Program. Some went willingly; many went angrily. Until it came to the people of Fogo Island. For the first time, resettlement hit the wall of the Warriors of Fogo. War was declared.

Making your own sketchbook is a fun activity for all ages. Come and give it a try and then sit in the Atrium to sketch the view! All materials are provided. No experience necessary.

Excited about getting to know your ancestors? This half-day workshop is an introduction to Genealogy and will provide an orientation to the archives' extensive genealogical collection. It will also acquaint participants with practical online resources that can be used for family tree research. The workshop costs $45 and pre-registration is required. 10% Discount for members. The cost includes a permanent researcher registration number for The Rooms Provincial Archives and coffee break. To register, please contact Visitor Services at 757-8090. For more information on the workshop schedule and content, please contact Joy Barfoot at 757-8092 or email joybarfoot@therooms.ca

Bring your tot along every Tuesday and join us for Big Fun. The program - designed for children aged 2-4 years - features stories, songs, puppets, games and crafts for tots and their guardian. Afterward, head upstairs to The Rooms Café for a complimentary tea or coffee and a chance to visit with other adults.