Inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Rock Performs is a digital music
festival that brings world-class artists directly to your home.
In these times of isolation, OOTA has continued to produce work that “resonates far beyond the province’s borders” (The Telegram) with our new digital music festival, The Rock Performs.
This innovative video series exposes Newfoundland and Labrador’s natural beauty as we set local performers against some of the province’s most iconic landmarks. Blending classical technique with traditional pieces, The Rock Performs continues to prove that “challenging people’s ideas and perception of the opera is Opera on the Avalon’s forte” (The Telegram).
This project also includes The Rock Performs 2021 Charity Calendar with 100% of the proceeds shared between Thrive, First Light St. John’s Friendship Centre, the Community Food Sharing Association, the Single Parent’s Association of Newfoundland & Labrador, and OOTA’s community projects. These organizations have a pivotal role in maintaining a social support system in NL and have been under increased stress during the Covid-19 pandemic. Available for pre-order in the OOTA shop, your purchase will provide much-needed support for their ongoing community work.
The Rock Performs Films
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Roger Maunder [Up Sky Down Films], our collection of digital films highlight some of the greatest artists and most stunning landscapes in the province.
In the first video for The Rock Performs, Newfoundland actor and comedian Andy Jones walks Cobblers Path in Middle Cove, performing Agnes Walsh’s poem “The Wind has Borrowed the Legs Off a Mad Woman.” Filmed by Roger Maunder and photographed by David Howells.
In sunny Fogo, Alanna Fraize performs Kate Read’s arrangement of “Ah! The Sea” by Ged Blackmore for another installment of The Rock Performs. Filmed by Roger Maunder and photographed by David Howells.
On Topsail Beach, Eastern Owl performs their song “Henrietta,” inspired by the story of Henrietta Millek, an Inuk woman from Nain NL, who has been actively missing from St. John’s since 1982. Filmed by Roger Maunder and photographed by David Howells.
To learn more about the plight of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, please visit www.mmiwg-ffada.ca
Lynn Kuo walks the Water Street Pedestrian Mall in Downtown St. John’s while performing “ L’Arte del Violino Caprice No. 2,” composed by Pietro Antonio Locatelli. Filmed by Roger Maunder and photographed by David Howells.
For the third installment of The Rock Performs, please welcome Cheryl Hickman! Singing the traditional song Foggy Dew on the shore and stages of beautiful Fogo Island, this video was filmed by Roger Maunder and photographed by David Howells.
On the edge of the Southern Shore, David Pomeroy sings the Ode to Newfoundland at the scenic and historic Ferryland Lighthouse in the third installment of The Rock Performs. Filmed by Roger Maunder and Photographed by David Howells.
For the forth installment of The Rock Performs we have Ruth Lawrence in beautiful Trinity reciting three poems by Ellen Bryan Obed that were written about her time spent in Newfoundland and Labrador. Filmed by Roger Maunder and photographed by David Howells.
For the next installment in The Rock Performs series, we have OOTA’s own Abra Whitney. Singing on the rocky shore of Bonavista, Abra offers her rendition of Michel Conte’s Évangéline. Filmed by Roger Maunder and photographed by David Howells.
In our last installment of The Rock Performs, mystery and magic come together as Kelly-Ann Evans weaves across Chance Cove Beach performing the traditional folksong Maid on the Shore. Arranged and accompanied by Armondo Fowlow. Filmed by Roger Maunder and photographed by David Howells.
For our final installment of The Rock Performs, join Rob Power on the Witless Bay Barrens as he performs a personal arrangement of the traditional folksong She’s Like the Swallow. Filmed by Roger Maunder and photographed by David Howells.
The Rock Performs Portrait Series
Photographed by international award-winning David Howells, this portrait series is an art gallery in your own home that highlights some of
our talented Newfoundland performers. .
Behind the Scenes
Take a look at the making of The Rock Performs!
Our Team
We would like to acknowledge the efforts and passion of our team, without whom this project would not be possible.
The Rock Performs Production Team
Abra Whitney – General Manager
Our Sponsors
We would like to acknowledge our kind sponsors, without whom this project would not be possible
