A Death in the Family
Issue 16 Volume 1
R.I.P.
The Fredericton independent media family is a small group of hard-working people trying to fill the gap in local news and entertainment not covered (or no longer covered) by traditional media.
Unfortunately, one of the original non-traditional Fredericton media has come to an end. Grid City Magazine was the brainchild of perpetual arts and music supporter Matt Carter. Before e-newsletters took off and as local printed zines were coming to an end, Matt found a niche. He was ahead of the curve in terms of independent media. Ten years ago, there was nowhere to turn to find information on upcoming indie shows, art viewing and local theatre acts
A Decade of Love
Beginning in 2014, Mr. Carter filled that niche with Grid City. With every website update, chatter increased. The common refrain was, “ I had no idea that show was happening in Fredericton.” Matt’s efforts made a difference in the local arts community; he put bums in seats. His decision to end Grid City after 10 years is probably bittersweet, but his final post shines a light on his decision to leave.
Thank you Matt for sharing your love of community over 10 years via Grid City. Fredericton is a better place because of you. Though Grid City may be gone, Matt continues to be a leader in the arts as Executive Director of The Charlotte Street Arts Centre.
Thankfully there are some new people in town filling the independent media gap. Don MacPherson with his great work at the Fredericton Independant focuses on local news primarily in the courts. Then there is the amazingly in-depth sports podcast hosted by Marysville Sports czar, Bill Gibson, Late Scratches. Plus, whatever this Fredericton Word newsletter is attempting to be, are the new entrants to independent “media” in Fredericton in the past year.
The biggest independent player in Fredericton continues to be CHSR Radio. For you kids, radio is a medium of broadcasting live, free, content over radio waves. Think of it as a live free podcast that does not require the internet. CHSR was established in 1961, but don’t worry they have adapted over the years and provide streaming as well as podcasts in addition to their over-the-air content. A Non-profit, it relies solely on donations and a varied group of volunteers to deliver its programming. In my opinion an underappreciated yet vital part of the Fredericton, University and media community.
Hopefully, other new entrants into independent media will continue to enter the market and bring new voices, opinions, and focus to Fredericton.
Interested in writing for The Fredericton Word? Email and let us know what you have in mind, always looking for new voices from across the community.
In the Hood: New Maryland is scary
In an unassuming quiet village on the outskirts of Fredericton is the scariest house in the region. The infamous New Maryland Halloween House. The House is the efforts of one New Maryland family, The Bockmasters
Halloween House, is a family friendly outdoor spectacle. With every inch of the house and yard covered with Halloween decorations and animatronics, it’s sure to satisfy all Halloween fans. Decorating started back in August to be ready for spooky season and is open now.
Even better than the frights and scares is the money being raised for charity. The Brockmaster family are raising money for both Greener Village Food Bank as well as the Saint John Cardiac Care unit, a cause close to Andrew Bockmaster’s heart (pun intended)
The Halloween House at 37 Cains Brook Lane is viewable from the road but for a donation of $1, you can get up close and better photo ops from the driveway. Because of the complexity and cost of some of the animatronics you can’t touch or run amongst the decorations for obvious reasons. (Editors note: Donate more than $1 or else be haunted for the next year)
In addition to the paltry entry fee, local businesses have stepped up and have donated prizes for a raffle. Check their Facebook page for any updates to this list
The Details
Halloween House is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm only (again check the Facebook page for details as opening hours are dependent on weather).
The final night will be October 26th.
Hodge Podge
A collection of odds and ends since the last Fredericton Word edition.
LOL
Finally, an actual comedy club comes to Fredericton. The Comic Sutra Comedy Club (so named because of the various positions owner Kelly Lamrock had to get into to make his comedy dreams come true) will be opening up in the famed northside watering hole The Red Lantern. That means comedy club guests can enjoy the libations and munchies at the Lantern.
The Club (as first hinted in The Fredericton Word back in February) will host local and visiting comics on weekends. Vicky Loucks hosts Cheap Laughs on Thursdays, an opportunity for new and up-and-coming comics to get behind the mic. Tickets are available now with the first event scheduled for November 1st.
Hulk smash!
Be like Hulk! A brand new rage room is now open. Smash Piece is located upstairs from Chess Piece Cafe at 361 Queen Street.
Hard week at work? Is election news making you mad? Take your frustration out on various items of all sizes. Include your friends for a night out for something different. It is much cheaper and easier to book a session compared to a professional therapist.
Open Friday and Saturday evenings for bookings of groups of up to 4 people. You can also bring things to smash if you have something you hate (like the gift received from your mother-in-law at Christmas).
Life’s a Stage
Another performance stage has opened this summer on the north side. Mama’s Pub expanded and introduced O’Cain’s Lounge (owner Brad likes to name things after himself). Watch Facebook for details on upcoming shows including comedy and music.
Flip Off
Open since August, Flippins Bar/Arcade in the Tannery is a great location to enjoy a little pinball and retro video games. Great vibes and good service will make you want to make this a regular pitstop with friends or on date night. Fredericton’s only barcade.
Flippins Bar is always introducing new games and has leagues for pinball, skeeball and special events such as the Super Chexx tournament.
