Good morning, Saint John! It’s National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day, which feels like a strong argument to just stay in bed altogether. If anyone asks, you’re not late, you’re participating.
Here’s the lowdown for the day:
Concert season keeps growing 🎸
A league for total beginners 🏃
Surprise yourself with local art 🎨
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher
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NEWS NOTES
🎶 Waterfront Concert Series lineup
The calendar is filling up on the waterfront this summer as the AREA 506 Waterfront Concert Series 2026 lineup dropped… and it opens with a couple familiar names.
Matt Mays gets things going May 16, with Ria Mae back on May 30 as part of the early-season run.
Another show to circle lands June 20, with I Mother Earth back with Edwin, marking 30 years since Scenery and Fish…the album behind One More Astronaut, Used to Be Alright, and Raspberry.
More names on the lineup include July Talk, Dan Mangan and The Artificially Hip.
Tickets for all Waterfront Concert Series shows go on sale today at 10am…summer planning starts now.
🛑 Fallsview is closing this week
No through traffic or pedestrian access, and Fallsview Park will be closed during construction.
On the other side of it…a wider trail, new lighting, and a full rebuild of the area’s aging infrastructure.
🏉 Footy’s back and now there’s a local league
Photo courtesy of Saint John Bulldogs
The Saint John Bulldogs, the city’s Australian Rules football club, are heading into year three and taking a big step forward…they’re launching their first-ever local league.
“This Spring league squarely targets introducing new folks to Australian Rules football,” says club president Steve Weaver-Crawford, calling it a more local, accessible step forward for the sport. “It’s designed to be fun, welcoming and beginner friendly.”
This spring’s learn to play setup is built for beginners. No contact, no travel, no pressure. Just show up, learn the game, and get a solid run around in the process. It runs Wednesday nights from April 22 to June 10, starting indoors at the Irving Oil Field House before moving outdoors to Forest Hills School.
They’re also rolling out a junior AusKick program for kids aged 7–12, starting May 20 at Forest Hills. It’s a six-week intro focused on skills, games, and keeping things fun. Steve says the goal is to “introduce the sport to more New Brunswickers at a more local level,” starting with younger players.
More players, a proper local league, and now a path for kids to get involved too…footy’s starting to find a real foothold here.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’
WEEKEND PREVIEW
THURSDAY
Saint John Naturalists Club Monthly Meeting | April 16
Nature Saint John’s April meeting brings guest speaker Kalen Mawer, executive director of Eastern Charlotte Waterways, to the New Brunswick Museum Research and Collections Center at 228 Lancaster Avenue. The evening includes a talk on watershed and marine conservation work, followed by a 20-minute documentary screening. It’s free to attend, donations are welcome, and guests are encouraged to bring their own mug for tea or coffee.
What’s in the Box? | April 16
SJAC’s popular fundraiser is back with food, drinks, and the chance to go home with original art if luck is on your side. The event runs from 7pm to 9pm and supports local artists, youth programs, and the arts centre’s broader mission. Tickets are $100, with a tax receipt available for part of that, and attendees can also enter for the chance to buy a mystery box artwork donated by one of more than 50 local artists.
FRIDAY
Coffee and Conversation | April 17
St. Mark’s United Church is serving up caffeine and gardening talk Friday morning with its latest Coffee and Conversation session. Amy Cleveland, a horticulture technician and Master Gardener, will lead a discussion on square foot gardening in raised beds from 10am to 11am at 50 Dexter Drive. Handy timing for anyone staring at a yard, a seed packet, or a raised bed that currently contains mostly ambition.
SATURDAY
Needle-Felt a Landscape and Clothesline | April 18
Stitch is offering a beginner-friendly needle felting workshop Saturday morning at 99 Forest Hill Drive. Running from 10am for three hours, the class teaches participants how to create a 9 x 12 landscape with a clothesline using wool, fabric, and some stitching. Materials are included, which is great news for anyone interested in trying something crafty without first buying 17 supplies they may never use again.
Hampton Community Expo | April 18
Hampton’s Community Expo is all about helping people find ways to get involved locally, whether that means sports, wellness, volunteering, or community groups. It runs from 10am to 1pm at the Mike Murphy Memorial Field House, 808 Main Street, and is free to attend. Helpful for newcomers, longtime residents, or anyone who keeps saying they should probably get out more.
Dram and A Draw Live at Yip Cider | April 18
Yip Cider is turning into a full East Coast kitchen party with Dram and A Draw bringing accordion, fiddle, and high-energy Celtic roots to the taproom. The show starts at 8pm out in Long Reach, with optional shuttle pickups from Saint John and the KV. Expect a lively crowd, original tunes, and a chance to try new food menu items included with your ticket!
Bingo on the Boardwalk | April 18
Grannan’s is making Saturdays a little more competitive with weekly bingo on the boardwalk. Starting at 1pm at 1 Market Square, the deal includes a welcome drink and bingo card for $20, plus prizes and bragging rights for those blessed by the bingo gods. Sounds like a good afternoon for anyone who enjoys snacks, shouting, and getting weirdly intense about B12.
Earth Day Community Clean-Up | April 18 - April 22
Rothesay is inviting schools, businesses, families, and anyone else with a pair of shoes and some civic pride to join its Earth Day Community Clean-Up. The clean-up runs for five days, with gloves and garbage bags available at Town Hall starting April 16 and a dumpster set up at the Rothesay Arena parking lot for collected trash. Good excuse to do something useful, get outside, and finally stop pretending that roadside litter just magically handles itself.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
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SIDE NOTES
🌅 6:37am | 🌇 8:11pm
Today’s Tides 🌊
Low Tide | 5:28 AM(Thu 16 April) | 0.89 m(2.92 ft) |
High Tide | 11:34 AM(Thu 16 April) | 7.87 m(25.82 ft) |
Low Tide | 5:48 PM(Thu 16 April) | 0.87 m(2.85 ft) |
High Tide | 11:53 PM(Thu 16 April) | 8.2 m(26.9 ft) |
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