See TNL’s Neddy Norris Night in Cow Head to hear fine Newfoundland music

by Keith and Heather Nicol

     We are big fans of traditional Newfoundland music whether it be “I’se the Bye” or a song from the Northern Peninsula that we might never have previously heard. Neddy Norris Night is Theatre Newfoundland Labrador’s popular musical night and it takes on a different flavor depending on who is the musical director that year. In 2011 we enjoyed Daniel Payne’s selection of local songs for Neddy Norris Night and this year his sister Stephanie has made her mark with her varied choice of music, much of which focuses on the women of Newfoundland. What is particularly impressive is not only the fine singing voices of Craig Haley, Jessy Matthews, Stephanie Payne and Miranda Power but that they have quickly learned the music to many unfamiliar songs. “Most people won’t recognize much of the music we will perform but my goal was to present some older, traditional music from the local area” Stephanie told us after the show. We recommend Neddy Norris Night for its toe tapping music intermixed with several well told stories about life in Newfoundland. For more information on this performance and other Theatre Newfoundland Labrador (TNL)  productions this summer see: www.theatrenewfoundland.com

Go to Neddy Norris Night for great traditional Newfoundland music (photo Derek Butt)

           Gros Morne National Park has lots of coastline and a great way to see it is from a tour boat. Bon Tours operates from the large wharf on the Norris Point water front next to the Bonne Bay Marine Station. On our most recent trip in early July 2012 we saw many eagles and 2 minke whales. The interpretative tour lasts for 2 ¼  hours and during the summer it departs at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. The crew of four do a fine job of providing a lively commentary about the park’s geology, wildlife, vegetation and human history. Another nice bonus is that the crew distributes binoculars to be used while on board and they are really useful in locating eagles perched in the trees and for whale spotting. The route involves heading to Eastern Head at the entrance to Bonne Bay and then back along the shore to the quaint community of Woody Point . The route then passes along under impressive Shag Cliff before the crew heads down stairs to play a few songs before the cruise ends. This tour is perfect for anyone wanting to see the photogenic  landscape of Gros Morne from the water along with a good chance of seeing whales and eagles. For more information see: http://www.bontours.ca/.  And if you want to catch Neddy Norris Night on the BonTours Emmcat you can do so at 7 pm on July 26, Aug. 2, Aug. 16 or Aug. 23.

Nearing Woody Point on the Bon Tour's cruise of Bonne Bay