A moving musical tribute to the connections made between Portuguese fishermen involved in the cod fishery on the Grand Banks and the people of St. John’s takes to the stage at the Arts and Culture Centre this evening.
Boats that were part of the Portuguese white fleet was a common sight on the St. John’s waterfront through the 60s and 70s.
Sailors who were visiting far from home made numerous connections with local residents, courting local girls, playing soccer on the harbour front, and sharing their music with local musicians.
(Archival footage from Pamela Morgan.)
Pamela Morgan of Figgy Duff fame says the white fleet made a great impression on her when she arrived in the capital city from land-locked Grand Falls-Windsor.
It was those experiences that inspired her to put together the White Fleet Suite.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes, I was just blown away by the whole thing. When I joined Figgy Duff, Art Stoyles was the accordion player and he knew more Portuguese tunes than Newfoundland ones because he grew up on the waterfront and learned his accordion playing from them. So the music just seeped into my consciousness.”
Tonight’s show begins at 8:00. Tickets are available online.
