🎶 Local Summer Music Series

Good morning, Saint John! We finally soaked up some Vitamin D this week…and now it’s time to rinse it off. Rain’s moving in for the weekend, but hey, your lawn’s probably thrilled!

Here’s the lowdown for the day:

• Menahqesk 2025 Announced

• Rockwood playground roadblock ⛔

• Guide to Local Concert Series 👈

Have an awesome weekend!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

SPONSORED
Your Voice Matters! 📢

Share your story with our readers and let them know what makes you unique. Advertise with us for morning visibility!

NEWS NOTES

Menahqesk 2025 Brings Tradition to the Waterfront

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 21, because Place Fort La Tour is the place to be. The City is hosting Menahqesk 2025, Saint John’s celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day, and it's shaping up to be a powerful afternoon of music, movement, and meaning.

From 12-2pm, you'll witness traditional drum groups, Honour Songs, and captivating Pow Wow dance exhibitions. There’ll be inter-tribal and social dances too…yes, you're invited to join in.

It’s free, family-friendly, and open to all. Rain moves things inside to Market Square Atrium.

⚙️ Refinery Gets $100M Upgrade as Work Crews Roll In

Things are heating up at the Irving Oil refinery, literally and figuratively. The company is launching a $100-million upgrade to its Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit, the key part of the operation that turns crude oil into gasoline and diesel.

Work kicks off this month and will continue in phases through the fall, with 675 skilled workers expected on-site, including scaffolders, pipefitters, boilermakers, and insulators.

Irving CEO Jeff Matthews says the investment is all about securing energy supply as demand for traditional fuels holds steady.

🛝 Rain, Mud, and Delays at Rockwood Park Playground

If you were eyeing up the new swings at Rockwood Park for a wet weekend adventure, better hold that thought. The playground reno is officially delayed, thanks to weeks of rough weather and some unexpectedly uncooperative soil under the surface.

The original May 31 finish line has been punted to a big TBD as crews slog through the mud and wait for better conditions. The playground is still partially open, but the city’s asking parents to keep a close eye, because construction zones and kids are not the combo anyone wants.

^{_{*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.}}

SPONSORED
Stand Out in the Crowd! 🌟

Reach local families and make an impression. Grab your spot in our newsletter today!

EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

Summer’s sounding good. From waterfront headliners to backyard tributes and church pew harmonies, local concert series are filling the season with live music. Bring a lawn chair and settle in…here’s where to catch free and ticketed shows all summer long.

Area 506 Waterfront Concert Series | June–September
The Container Village is cranking up the volume all summer with one-off concerts from big-name Canadian acts. Catch legends like Skydiggers (June 5), Hawksley Workman (June 27), The Grapes of Wrath (June 28), Rum Ragged (July 4), Colin James (July 18), and Classified (Sept 5). Add in indie favourites and killer tributes acts too!  Tickets vary by show, all ages welcome.

Hampton Brewing Outdoor Concert Series | June 6–July 19 (and counting)
Hampton Brewing Co. is serving up more than craft beer this summer…their outdoor stage is hopping with music, laughs, and tribute acts galore. Highlights include Pretty in Pink’s ‘80s flashback, The Artificially Hip’s Tragically Hip tribute, country star Tristan Horncastle, and not one but three Taylor Swift tribute shows by Swift Kick (including a kid-friendly matinee). Tickets vary by show. Check their page for details and don’t forget your lawn chair.

Trinity Chruch Summer Sounds 2025 | Mondays, June 9–August 25
Settle in for an eclectic summer of live music at Trinity Church, where every Monday at 7pm brings something different…from blues and jazz to classical strings and digital organ. Highlights include the Mike Biggar Trio, Cool Chics & Ugly Doclings, and the Saint John Chorale. The pews are comfy, the vibe’s relaxed, and admission is by free-will offering.

Unity Park Summer Stage Live Music Series | Wednesdays June 18–September 3
Free outdoor concerts every Wednesday evening at Unity Park, Grand Bay-Westfield. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy local live music from 7–8pm (with some earlier start times on July 2 and Sept 3). Rain or shine…shows move indoors to Brundage Point River Centre if needed. Highlights include Vince Dixon, Womb To Tomb, Allison Inch & Reg Gallant, Oreo Jones, and more. End of season party set for Sept 3 with details to come.

Concert in the Common | Thursdays, July 3–August 28
Live music under the open sky returns to Rothesay Common every Thursday at 7pm. Bring a chair, a blanket, and the whole crew…it’s free, family-friendly, and always a good time. This year’s lineup includes Partyline, The Olympic Symphonium, Sorcha’s Gunn, and more. If it rains, no worries, the show moves inside to Rothesay Park School.

Quispamsis Music in the Park | July - August
This longtime summer favourite returns Tuesdays in the Arts and Culture Park. Details for the 2025 lineup haven’t dropped yet, but you can bet it’ll be great local music under the stars. Stay tuned!

Got an Event to Share?

^{_{*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.}}

LOCAL PICS
WHERE WERE WE WEDNESDAY? 📸

📍 On Wednesday we went for a sweet treat at the The Bubbly Cup on Prince William Street and zoomed in the flower wall to see if you could place this SJ-Famous sign. Shout out to Dahlia for knowing exactly where we were and high-five to Susan D for taking a guess!

Tag @sjtoday.ca to get your photos featured!

SIDE NOTES

Today’s Tides 🌊 

Get Noticed in SJ Today!

Got something to share? Our baseline ads are made for moments just like this. With your message nestled in among the latest Saint John updates, it’s a quick and easy way to get seen by local readers. Let’s help you make an impression!*

^{_{*indicates sponsored content}}

Thanks!

Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who managed to get the lawn mowed this week 🌱.

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher

Did I Miss Something?