🎧 Deb, You're on Mute

Good morning Saint John! Election results are everywhere, but today we’re celebrating National Supply Chain Day! Let’s raise a coffee to everyone who makes sure we’ve got what we need when we need it, especially here in Saint John, where the supply chain never takes a break!

Here’s what else we’re looking at this morning:

• Red Dress display at City Market 🔴

• Take two on teams call about parking 💻

• Looks like May is the start of concert season 🎸

Have a great Tuesday!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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NEWS NOTES

🟥 Red Dresses to Honour MMIWG2S in Saint John

You'll notice something powerful at the Saint John City Market next week - red dresses displayed in honour of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S).

Red Dress Day falls on Monday, May 5, marking 15 years of national awareness. It’s a time to reflect on those taken too soon and to show support by wearing red or learning more about the ongoing calls for change.

An awareness gathering will follow the next day, Tuesday, May 6, at noon at BGC Greater Saint John (1 Paul Harris St.), hosted by Natasha Ward of the Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation. Drumming, a healing smudge, and moments of reflection will be part of the event. Seating is limited, RSVP by May 1.

🚗 Parking Study Meeting: Take Two (Because, Of Course)

If you’ve ever sat through a Teams meeting where someone yells "Deb, you’re muted…Deb. Deb??"...you’ll appreciate why the City of Saint John is hosting two new public parking sessions this week.

After some technical fails last time, they’re doubling down to make sure everyone’s mic actually works this round…or at least so that they’re not overwhelmed with citizens logging on. Both sessions will focus on parking challenges and ideas for the South-Central Peninsula.

📅 Session 1: Tuesday, April 29 | 5-6pm
Click here to join.
📅 Session 2: Wednesday, April 30 | 12-1pm
Click here to join.

They’ll talk about updates since January, feedback they’ve gathered, and draft strategies to finally (hopefully) make parking uptown less of an Olympic sport.

🎭 Old SJ Courthouse Getting New Act

Saint John’s historic courthouse is trading gavels for spotlights as the Saint John Theatre Company transforms it into The Courthouse Stage, a new mid-sized performance venue right in the uptown core. It’ll be home to the Atlantic Repertory Company (ARC), host touring shows, and finally give southern NB a professional space to develop homegrown talent, with more than 1,000 events planned in its first five years.

Leading the charge is Stephen Tobias, who’s seen a few plot twists during the project, including pandemic shutdowns, inflation, potential tariffs, but the team’s pushing through with major community support.

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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

Concert Season Coming
Looks like May will be the official kick off of concert season in Saint John! From legendary rock icons to the local symphony and some killer tribute acts, the stage is set for some great live shows. 

Bachman-Turner Overdrive | May 7
Get ready to crank up the classic rock,  Bachman-Turner Overdrive is rolling into TD Station with April Wine and Headpins in tow. Doors open at 6pm, show starts at 6:45pm. Tickets range from $60 to $136, with VIP options if you really want to take care of business. You can grab yours online, by phone, or at the box office.

Peppers of Funk | May 10
Saint John’s about to get a dose of California vibes when Peppers of Funk hit the Trade and Convention Centre stage. This Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute band, with special guests Candyheart, kicks things off at 8pm (doors at 7pm). It’s general admission, so show up early if you want a good spot. Tickets are $45 and on sale now.

Symphony New Brunswick: Homeland | May 14
Home meets harmony when Symphony New Brunswick takes the stage at the Imperial Theatre for Homeland. The program features Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7, Frédéric Chiasson’s Chansons de la mer acadienne, and Sibelius’ Finlandia. Soprano Christina Haldane will also make a special appearance. The music starts at 7:30pm, and tickets are available now.

Cypress Hill & De La Soul | May 17
Get ready to get insane in the brain when Cypress Hill takes over TD Station on May 17th, joined by De La Soul and Pharcyde! Doors open at 6pm, with the show starting at 7pm. Ticket prices range from $80 to $200, and there are also exclusive VIP options available.

Waterfront Concert Series: The Trews | May 17
Rock out with The Trews as they kick off the 2025 Waterfront Concert Series at AREA 506! Known for 19 Top 10 hits and multiple Gold and Platinum albums, this show promises to be one you won’t forget. Doors open at 7pm, and the music runs until 11pm. Tickets are $40.

Bon Jovi & Bryan Adams Tribute Show | May 31
Get ready to rock with tribute performances to Bon Jovi and Bryan Adams at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre on May 31. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm. Early bird tickets are $30 (tax included) until April 11, then $45 after. This is an all-ages, general admission event with no assigned seating. Tickets will be available two weeks before the show.

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SIDE NOTES

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Thanks!

Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who never has an issue on video calls 👩‍💻!

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher

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