🎣 Reelin’ in a crowd

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Good morning, Saint John! In England this week, couples raced up and down a grassy hill while carrying their partner for a chance to win a barrel of ale. Sounds like a potential new activity once the sod goes down on Princess Street during Moonlight Bazaar… though you can decide whether you bring your spouse or just a very thirsty friend.

Here’s the lowdown for the day:

Let’s get it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

The Saint John Region is shaped by the people who call it home, including those who have chosen to build a new life here. Our Region, Our Home shares real stories of newcomers who are helping to strengthen our communities – like Rafael and Isabel.

Rafael and Isabel traded the hustle of Mexico City for a balanced life in the Saint John Region. With three kids and growing careers, they’re embracing what matters most.

🏛️ City Hall has a new CAO

Saint John has a new top administrator. Common Council has appointed longtime city staff member Ian Fogan as Chief Administrative Officer, effective March 10. Fogan has spent more than two decades at City Hall and has been involved in major files ranging from long-term financial planning to transit modernization. He’s also stepped in as Acting CAO before, so the corner office won’t be entirely new territory. Kevin Fudge, who held the Acting CAO role during the search, will return full-time to his duties as Chief Financial Officer and Chief of Staff.

🎣 Fly Fishing Film Festival Returns to Saint John

If late winter has you dreaming about open water and a rod in your hand, you’re not alone.

The International Fly Fishing Film Festival is returning to Wasted Day Brewing on March 22 for its second year in Saint John, bringing a lineup of short films that celebrate fishing, adventure, conservation and life on the water.

Last year’s event sold out and even drew visitors from as far away as PEI. This year organizers added a second showing, and the matinee is already officially sold out again.

“We ended up having to turn people away because we were at maximum capacity,” said co-organizer Ross Galbraith. “Winters are long and grey, and about this time of year I’m ready for it to be over. This is a way to start getting excited about soon being out on a stream or river.”

The festival features films from around the world, including Against the Current, which follows a man bringing his mother on one final trip to a remote northern salmon river, and He Bought a Fishing Lodge, the story of a 23-year-old who leaves everything behind to run a remote lodge in Labrador.

For people who attended last year, the atmosphere was part of the appeal.

“It was buzzing,” said co-organizer Arliss Wilson. “Wasted Day is a cozy venue and we saw fishing buddies reconnecting who hadn’t seen each other in years.”

The Hammond River Angling Association will also be on hand to talk about its conservation work protecting one of the region’s most important watersheds.

“The HRAA start as a group of local fishermen,” Wilson explained. “It’s grown into an award-winning conservation organization doing cutting-edge water quality monitoring and watershed work.”

The remaining screening starts at 6pm on March 22 at Wasted Day Brewing. Tickets are $25 and available through the festival website.

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🎨 Hidden pottery finds at Handworks

Handworks Gallery is opening up its underground space this week for a five-day pottery showcase featuring pieces the public has never seen before. The Underground Pottery Show runs March 10–14 from 10am–4pm at the King Street gallery and includes experimental work, one-off pieces, and pottery that didn’t quite fit into artists’ usual collections. Some items are brand new releases, while others are the final works from artists who are no longer producing. 

Gallery President, Elizabeth Cook told us, “It really is a mixed bag. It’s a chance for collectors to find treasures that might have otherwise stayed hidden.”

Which means if you’re still searching for that special mug that somehow makes your coffee taste better while reading your favourite local newsletter… there’s a decent chance it’s hiding underground.

Saint John is Canada’s most Irish city, so celebrating St. Patrick’s Day uptown is basically responsible citizenship.

Join SJ Today this weekend for the Leprechaun Leap, a coordinated St. Paddy’s adventure across 17 uptown venues. Live local music added this year, themed specials and a full day of green, all while raising funds for surgical excellence initiatives at the Saint John Regional Hospital.

Tokens can be used for select partner beverages at each location, and at some venues they can also be redeemed for non-alcoholic drinks or food. There’s no requirement to hit every stop. This isn’t a pub crawl. It’s a choose-your-own Irish adventure!

Use promo code SJTODAY10 at checkout for an exclusive subscriber discount!

Theatre Talk Tuesday  🎭

TIFF If I Had Legs I’d Kick You | March 10
Imperial Theatre’s TIFF series returns Tuesday, March 10 at 7pm with If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. The film follows a woman trying to keep it together while dealing with her daughter’s illness, an absent husband, a missing person, and a therapist relationship that sounds less than soothing. It’s rated R, tickets are $12.50, and it’s one for people who like their movies a little tense and a little messy.

Theatre New Brunswick Heroine | March 11
Theatre New Brunswick brings Heroine to the Imperial Theatre on Wednesday, March 11 at 7:30pm. The play digs into the lives of famed pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read as they await execution, mixing sword fights, wrestling, sharp humour, and a look at what it means to live boldly. Tickets start at $35 for students and $45 for adults, and the show is built for theatre fans who like history with some bite.

WAR On The Catwalk | March 12
Imperial Theatre hosts WAR On The Catwalk on Thursday, March 12, with the meet and greet at 6pm and showtime at 8pm. Hosted by Alyssa Edwards, the drag tour features Jewels Sparkles, Lexi, Lydia B. Kollins, Bosco, Suzie Toot, and Daya Betty for a full night of live performances. Ticket prices vary by section, and this one is pretty clearly for anyone in the mood for a big, loud, glitter-heavy Thursday.

A Cabaret of Legends | March 13
Tymisha Harris brings A Cabaret of Legends to the Imperial Theatre on Friday, March 13 at 7:30pm. The show is a musical tribute to icons including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, and Beyoncé, all packed into one high-energy performance. Ticket prices range from $35-$50 depending on seating, and it’s a solid pick for anyone who likes powerhouse vocals and songs they already know half the words to.

Matilda The Musical | March 13-14
InterAction’s Advanced Performance Company brings Matilda The Musical to Harbour View High School with shows March 13 at 7pm and March 14 at 2pm and 7pm. Based on the Roald Dahl story, the production follows Matilda, a sharp and fearless young girl who discovers her own voice while standing up for what’s right. Expect big songs, energetic choreography, and a talented local cast in a family-friendly show full of humour, heart, and a little mischief.

Alfie Zappacosta Live - BMO Music Series | March 14
Canadian singer-songwriter Alfie Zappacosta performs Saturday, March 14 at 7:30pm at the BMO Studio Theatre, hosted by Saint John Theatre Company on Princess Street. The show features the beloved artist sharing songs, stories, and the unmistakable voice that helped shape decades of Canadian music. Doors open at 7pm and tickets range from $35 to $40. With the show already more than 90 percent sold, it’s a good idea to grab seats soon.

Coming Soon…

The Play That Goes Wrong | March 18-21
Imperial Theatre hosts The Play That Goes Wrong from March 18-21 with evening shows at 7:30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2pm. Directed by Drew Murdock, the hit comedy follows a theatre troupe trying to stage a mystery play while everything imaginable falls apart around them. The result is pure slapstick chaos. Tickets range from $30 for students to $55 regular, and if you like laughing at spectacularly bad theatre, this one delivers.

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📸 Kyle Grey | 📍 Haymarket Square

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Today’s Tides 🌊

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-Geoff Walsh - Publisher