Summer at Shallow Bay Motel is very exciting.
The Gros Morne Theatre is back with a line up of great shows!
•Ed & Ed’s B&B – Comedy
•Neddy Norris Night – Cabaret
•Winter – Drama
•Stones in His Pockets – Comedy
Check out the Ethie Dinner Theatre performed by professional actors at Shallow Bay Motel

 “My scariest encounter with a moose happened just around the bend,” Gros Morne National Park’s interpreter, Kris Orevec, told us.

 “I was walking along the boardwalk and a mother moose had a baby in tow and I must have surprised them. The mother moose responded by charging directly at me. As you can see, there is no place to hide up here, so I quickly squeezed under the boardwalk and waited until the two moose ambled away.”

We were taking part in a hike to the Lookout Hills which is one of many guided walks that are part of the Trails, Tales and Tunes Festival which runs until May 29.

Our group of five hikers had just made it to the lookout platform at the top of the trail when Kris told us about her “moose incident.”

En route to the top we had seen a small moose and from the viewing platform had also seen four caribou on a distant snowfield.

We have done this hike on many occasions, but for the hikers from B.C., Manitoba and Ontario this was their first time up this trail.

For a special addition to this festival event on Sunday, May 22, the trip started with a boat trip across Bonne Bay from Norris Point and then an interpreted walk through the community of Woody Point.

From there we followed a short trail to the Discovery Centre, which is the start of the “normal” trail.

This is a big year for the festival since it is celebrating its fifth anniversary and “it seems to be getting larger and more popular” organizer Shirley Montague told us.

“In fact, this year we have made it several days longer than it was in the past.”

They have music workshops, interpretative walks and hikes, fancy dinners, boat tours and, of course, lots and lots of music. At times it is hard to choose what to do since there is so much to take in.

We arrived about 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 21 and had no sooner parked the car on the Norris Point waterfront than we could hear music from the Cat Stop.

We wandered through the door only to see “Ennis” singing one of our favourite songs. While we listened to “Out from St. Leonard’s” we were handed an event schedule and realized there were many other activities going on at the Bonne Bay Marine Station (BBMS) right next door as well as other locations along the Norris Point Waterfront.

We noticed our friend Elinor Benjamin on the programme. She was telling stories at the BBMS so off we went to find them.

She had local musician Daniel Payne accompanying her on his accordion and room full of children and adults listening closely to her folk tale of a princess and her upcoming marriage.

After that Mike Stevens tried to teach a room full of novice harmonica players the finer points of playing this instrument.

This is where we fell down on our pre-trip research, since it turns out Mike is a world class harmonica player from Sarnia, Ont., and I have a harmonica collecting dust in a closet somewhere in the attic. To think I might have picked up a few tips from a master. Next year, if he decides to come back, I will find my harmonica and be ready for his class.

There are also many scheduled workshops for anyone interested in the tin whistle, drumming, accordion, fiddle or step dancing so if you want some lessons by the “masters,” this festival has many opportunities.

As we checked in at the Ocean View Hotel we were told not to linger since if you wanted a seat for supper and to hear the “Singing Kitchen” at Pittman’s Family Restaurant, you needed to be there by 5 p.m. We arrived at 5:02 p.m. and there were only two places left in the entire restaurant and they were with a group that was already seated.

They graciously told us to join them and we had a fine home-cooked meal of fresh cod while 16-year-old Karissa Janes from Moncton, N.B., entertained us with her exceptional fiddle playing.

After dinner we headed for the town hall to hear an amazing lineup of performers that included Ennis, Gordon Cormier, Cherry Jam, George Woodhouse and Craig Young.

Host Snook kept everyone laughing between sets and when it ended Shirley Montague said, “I think you would have trouble matching this range and quality of music in most big cities in Canada.”

Given the final applause the audience certainly agreed. The town hall concert ended at 10 p.m. and then there were two more choices — either the blues or traditional Newfoundland music.

The next day things were not as hectic since we opted for the hike to the Lookout Hills.

But also on the schedule was brunch on the EmmCat Tour Boat, sea kayaking, a songwriter’s circle, a fiddle workshop, a Wine Master’s Feast, the Singing Kitchen and in the evening, the town hall concert followed by two choices of late night music.

The festival runs until May 29 so if you like either music and/or hiking and a host of other activities in one of the most scenic places in the world, you should definitely check this event out.

Rocky Harbour Winter Fest 2011
March 11-20, 2011
Slogan: Let’s get our Spirits Revin’ at Winter Fest 2011

Winter Fest-Calendar of Events-2011

Come Join the Fun!!

Shallow Bay Motel Ladies Annual Dart Tournament

February 11, 12, 13, 2011

21 Teams

Dance

The Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (MusicNL) has announced this year’s conference will take place in Rocky Harbour in Gros Morne National Park on the province’s west coast.

The conference, including seminars and workshops, showcases and a songwriters’ circle, will take place Oct. 22-24, and will culminate in an awards gala hosted by Louis and Mike MacDonald.

Awards will be handed out in 19 different categories. The full list of nominees is available online at www.musicnl.ca.

Up for female artist of the year are Amelia Curran, Teresa Ennis, Mary Barry, Irene Brider and Kellie Loder, while Jerry Stamp, Sherman Downey, Rick Lambe, Matthew Byrne and Jeff Quilty are nominated for the male artist of the year award.

The conference, including seminars and workshops, showcases and a songwriters’ circle, will take place Oct. 22-24, and will culminate in an awards gala hosted by Louis and Mike MacDonald.

Awards will be handed out in 19 different categories. The full list of nominees is available online at www.musicnl.ca.

Up for female artist of the year are Amelia Curran, Teresa Ennis, Mary Barry, Irene Brider and Kellie Loder, while Jerry Stamp, Sherman Downey, Rick Lambe, Matthew Byrne and Jeff Quilty are nominated for the male artist of the year award.

Tickets for the award show and songwriter’s circle will be available as of Sept 1 at the Ocean View Hotel 458-2730 and Fishermans Landing 458-2711. Tickets for other events at the door.  To view the full schedule of events please click here.

It has been an amazing, successful summer at Shallow Bay Motel!  Every season has wonderful events happening. Check out the Shallow Bay website for upcoming events and packages for this fall. (http:www.shallowbaymotel.com)

Just a Reminder!!!!!! If you haven’t had a chance to see a show performed  by the Gros Morne Theatre Festival in Cow Head, then it’s not too late! The show the “Axe” is playing until September 18, 2010 at 8:30 each night.

March Hare “The Rocky Show” will be held at Fisherman’s Landing Inn on March 12th at 8:00 pm. Tickets will be sold at the door one hour prior to showtime and are only $10.00 per person. Guests featured at Fisherman’s Landing Inn will include Paul Barry, Anita Bet, Paul Dean, Randall Maggs, Shirley Montague, Alayna Munce, Daniel Payne, Linda Slade, Baxter Wareham.

Join us for a night of entertainment that is sure to please and make it extra enjoyable by staying at Fisherman’s Landing Inn. Call today at 1-866-458-2711 and receive our special March Hare room rate.

Check our website at www.fishermanslandinginn.com