🌶️ Peppers Pub Sold

Good morning, Saint John! Today is International Dark 'n Stormy Day, celebrating the cocktail reportedly invented when sailors started adding rum to ginger beer that had been brewed for seasickness. Can’t think of a more maritime cocktail for summer…speaking of which, I might be feeling a little queasy this morning. 🍹

🎂 Happy Birthday Heather Atcheson, a huge SJ Today supporter, from Tori and everyone else she’s shared the newsletter with…and us too!

Here’s the lowdown for the day:

Let’s get it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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🇨🇦 Countdown to Canada Day returns

The Boardwalk Amphitheatre at The Gathering Space unveiled its inaugural summer lineup Monday, led by the return of the Countdown to Canada Day concert on June 30 featuring East Coast hip-hop star Classified. For many Saint Johners, the annual waterfront celebration disappeared during the redevelopment of Market Slip and Ihtoli-maqahamok - The Gathering Space.

In a press release yesterday, JSM Sports + Entertainment said the season will also bring North Pro Wrestling on July 11, Canadian pop artist Rêve during SJ Fundy Pride on July 25, and Barenaked Ladies co-founder Steven Page on Aug. 21. Organizers say general admission to all events will be free, but they are charging for optional VIP tickets available for those looking for a better viewing experience in front of the stage. 

🔌 Saint John Energy opens grid to researchers

Saint John Energy says it's become the first utility in Canada to open its smart grid data to outside researchers and innovators through a new platform called Plug-In Labs. The system creates a virtual version of Saint John's power grid where universities, startups and energy companies can test new ideas without affecting the real network. Early partners include NBCC Saint John and researchers from across Canada. Saint John Energy says the goal is to accelerate clean energy innovation while helping develop solutions that could eventually improve reliability, reduce emissions and lower costs.

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🍻 Peppers enters a new chapter

One of Saint John's best-known restaurants is changing hands after more than two decades.

Phil and Michele Croft have sold Lemongrass and Peppers Pub to Murphy Hospitality Group and partner Ben Tsang, ending a 22-year run that helped turn the restaurant into a local favourite. In a statement, Phil said the business became far more than a restaurant over the years, growing into a collection of memories, friendships, celebrations and late nights shared by generations of customers.

The new owners say they plan to build on that legacy rather than reinvent it, with a focus on preserving the food, atmosphere and hospitality guests have come to expect.

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🎭 THEATRE TALK TUESDAY

The Playboy of the Western World | June 9
Saint John Theatre Company's National Theatre Live series continues Tuesday at 7:30pm at the BMO Studio Theatre with a big-screen presentation of The Playboy of the Western World. Filmed at London's National Theatre, the acclaimed production stars Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan in John Millington Synge's darkly funny Irish classic about a young man who becomes a local celebrity after claiming he's killed his father. Runtime is approximately two and a half hours, including an intermission.

Cinderella The Panto | June 12-13
Glass slippers, slapstick comedy and more than 100 young performers take over Harbour View High School this weekend as iAct presents its original production of Cinderella: The Panto. Audiences can expect plenty of laughs, musical numbers, larger-than-life characters and all the audience participation panto fans love. Doors open at 6:30pm for 7pm performances, making this a fun family night out with a local twist on a familiar fairy tale.

Lorne Elliott | July 11
Canadian comedy favourite Lorne Elliott brings his one-man show to the BMO Studio Theatre on July 11 at 7:30pm. Known for his years on CBC Radio and a career spanning more than five decades, Elliott mixes sharp observations, offbeat storytelling and a little musical mischief into an evening that feels like spending time with the funniest guy at the coffee shop. Expect plenty of laughs, a few surprises and stories that somehow get funnier the further they wander off course.

A Midsummer Night's Dream | July 15-18 & 22-25
Loyalist City Shakespeare returns this summer with A Midsummer Night's Dream at Place Fort La Tour. Performed outdoors along Harbour Passage, Shakespeare's tale of romance, mistaken identities and magical mayhem unfolds under the evening sky at one of the city's most scenic historic sites. Shows begin at 7:30pm, continuing a summer theatre tradition that has become a favourite for local audiences.

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📸 John J Robichaud | 📍 Reversing Falls Bridge

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🌅 5:36am | 🌇 9:10pm

Today’s Tides 🌊

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Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who loves a maritime summer 🌊!

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher