Join us as we take a leisurely look back at some of the sights we encountered over the past seven days in St. John’s, won’t you?

In this, our first installment of the series, we’ve got free parking, urban art, sexy triangles and more!

Did you know there’s a bunch of free parking behind Wool Trends on Hamilton Avenue? Not very often you see a sign like that.

Does anyone else detect a hint of disdain in this signage? I guess you’d be pissed, too, if your front window got smashed in. I know the good people at Model Citizens didn’t appreciate it when it happened to them last week, either. Not to mention the laptop and merchandise that was stolen in the process.

None of which matters to these two, who are having a rest in the early hours of the morning before their world becomes bombarded with sticky-fingered children and their guardians. And in case you were wondering, the corn maze at Lester’s is in full effect.

At one point last week it appeared as though the sun had exploded shortly after a diesel-fueled rocket flew by overhead. Though as far as I know, neither of those things actually happened.

Art works like the one you see pictured here have been popping up throughout downtown all summer long. From a beautiful message about love to a garment-clad mask to what appears to be a screen print depicting Maurice Moss from The IT Crowd (played by Richard Ayoade, previously seen on The Mighty Boosh and Garth Marenghi’s Dark Place, both of which are brilliant.), these works don’t last long but are a much welcomed addition to the cityscape.

The old T.I. Brother Murphy Centre got a fresh lick over the weekend. Rumour has it a posh new restaurant is moving in. Here’s hoping it helps push this under-utilized end of Water Street towards becoming just as bustling as its more westward stretch. By rights there should be steady foot traffic from Harbourside Park to Colossal Pizza, where I only recently learned you can get chicken shawarma. Tell your friends.

And Junctions is being rebranded as Headquarters according to these equilateral flyers circulated around downtown last week. With the Junctions name having been synonymous with so many different kinds of clubbing experiences over the years, from candy-coated beats to blood-soaked metal, I can understand the need for a refresh. The flyers, on the other hand, mostly just left me feeling confused. And possibly violated.

If you happen to snap a photo in the coming days of this week and feel it’s captured something jeux ne sait St. John’s, send it our way!

It was a few weeks ago and Weezer were not long in our fair city before they felt compelled to remark on its greatness thusly:

St. John’s is all that and a bag of fish and chips!

The comment made its way through the online social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and even this blog, where local fans rejoiced.

We’d put off a good show for Weezer. Would they return the favour?

By all accounts the answer turned out to be a resounding hellz yeah.

Photographer Steve Keats was front and centre and here’s how he saw it all go down:

I was lucky enough to be in the photo pit (aka. the best seat in the house) for the first few minutes of the Weezer show.

To say they came out rockin’ would be an understatement as Rivers was jumping over us and into the crowd before the end of their opening version of ‘Hash Pipe’.

At one point, Rivers “borrowed” my camera to snap some shots of the crowd and a closeup of himself as I stood by in a mild state of shock.

They went on to play a high-energy set filled with tons of crowd interaction, including some love for our breath-taking scenery, friendly people and unusual town names.

You really got the feeling they enjoyed their stay and wanted to thank everyone with a stellar performance; and the crowd loved every second.

All photos by Steve Keats and appear courtesy of SNAP St. John’s. Thanks Steve!

Last year, Richard Underhill was here with the offbeat jazz fusion group, The Shuffle Demons. This year he was offering up much more traditional jazz fare with The Richard Underhill Quintet at the Masonic Temple.

Richard Underhill Quintet | Photo: Melissa Hogan

Planet Earth, a Toronto based funk group, was rocking Dusk. It’s a shame that people didn’t take advantage of the groove to get up and dance. Perfect opportunity.

Planet Earth | Photo: Melissa Hogan

Planet Earth | Photo: Melissa Hogan

The crowd at the Majestic got it, though, and were up dancing the night away to H’Sao, a family group originally from Chad that exuded joy and demonstrated those elusive sibling harmonies that I love so much.

The audience especially loved when band members would let loose and dance. It was mesmerizing.

H'Sao | Photo: Melissa Hogan

H'Sao | Photo: Melissa Hogan

H'Sao | Photo: Melissa Hogan

Tom Power from CBC Two's Deep Roots | Photo: Colin Peddle

When Tom Power from CBC Two’s Deep Roots is on hand, you know you’re in for a show.

Last night at the Majestic was a big tick in my life box — a big ‘yes that was a good day’. Alex Cuba’s style and showmanship was astounding and surprising to say the least. My ears were smiling throughout the entire show and I’m fairly certain if the Dos Equis Guy had a best friend, it could only be Mr. Cuba.

The show opened with The Dogberries performing their brand of contemporary jazz with a hint of folk. I must admit, they too were very pleasing on the ears and their clean style kept the Cuba-awaiting audience very happy.

The Dogberries at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Standing applause... except for that guy. | Photo: Colin Peddle

After the standing ovation was applied by the patrons, Alex Cuba decided to do “one more”… this quickly turned into a few more. I think he played for another 15-20 minutes, just during the encore. We all know that sultry has been a recurring theme during this year’s Wreckhouse Festival, but it can’t get more sultry then having ladies from the audience dancing on the stage while you’re playing.

Alex Cuba did just that.

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Click here for the rest of the photos from The Dogberries and Alex Cuba

This afternoon I was looking forward to hitting the deck at the Martini Bar after work to check out Funky Dory as part of the Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues Festival. The sun was out, the deck was filled…my camera battery was dead.

So much for trying out that new lens. That’ll have to wait until tonight.

I’ll just have to tell you that it was a great set and the crowd was loving it. I’m really going to have to make an effort to go out and see Funky Dory next time they play in town. The high energy tunes make you want to “get up offa that thang and dance ’til you feel better.”

I’ve been looking forward to this week for quite some time now. Especially to see Alex Cuba (who I missed at the Junos), Richard Underhill and the Worst Pop Band Ever. Getting to check out local groups like Funky Dory, Mopaya, and Chris Kirby reminds me that we’ve got some pretty great stuff on the go here.

Between now and Sunday evening get out there and take in what you can. Now that my camera battery is charged up, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

Festival photographer extraordinaire, Victoria Wells, was on the scene throughout a busy second day and night of the tenth Nickel Independent Film Festival.

Below are some photos from the filmmaker’s luncheon, Film Producers’ Association of Newfoundland (PAN) reception, early and late night screenings and a Q&A with feature film At Home By Myself… With You director Kris Booth.

Filmmakers from home and away gathered to talk shop over lunch at The Casbah. Click to enlarge.

Festival board member Brad Gover led the discussion. Click to enlarge.

Megan Condon, co-star of my Super 8mm Series short Hoop-La-La, was in attendance. Click to enlarge.

Festival organizers Ruth Lawrence and Jackie Hynes with Weather People director Justin Simms at the PAN reception. Click to enlarge.

Producers are a special breed, often groomed from a very young age. Click to enlarge.

Nickel volunteers getting their spook on in preparation for Friday's late night horror screening. Click to enlarge.

Producer's Marty Benoit and Ben Smith introduce Weather People. Click to enlarge.

Colleen Power, who's music video for Sketchy Jerome screened last night, entertains the crowd. Click to enlarge.

A special Q&A took place with feature film At Home By Myself... With You director Kris Booth after the screening. Click to enlarge.

For more photography from Victoria Wells, check out her flickr and her photo blog!

I recently came across local photographer Robert Young’s blog, The St. John’s Character Collection, an eclectic mix of some of downtown St. John’s most memorable folks. The photos and accompanying stories are a fascinating peek into the people that we see every day. Lots of familiar faces in there, running the gamut from the happy and hardworking to the unfortunately notorious.

The latter includes characters like our fellow human being Marilyn (known to many as Trixie), of whom Robert offers us the gentle reminder: “Try to save a little spare change for her, and always save her some dignity. There but for the grace of God goes all of us or our family members.”

Thanks again to Jamie Lewis for keeping the fantastic photos coming.

Let’s take a trip back to Tuesday through the magic of photography and take a look at the opening night gala of the 20th annual St. John’s Women’s Film Festival, shall we?

Awesome photos courtesy of Jamie Lewis!