It's a rough-and-tumble weekend with roller derby, feminist punk, Monster Jam and wrestling on the go. Get out and play–but consider wearing kneepads.
12. OBEY Convention › Nadja, Sound of the Mountain, Cloaked Figure. Thursday, May 26, 7:30pm.
Toronto-grown, Berlin-based dreamsludge duo Nadja juxtapose elements of shoegaze, metal, ambient music and doom for a transcendental listening experience. They share the stage at OBEY with trumpet/clarinet duo Sound of the Mountain and local power electronic act Cloaked Figure.
11. Babes on Broadway › Babes on Broadway. Sunday, May 29, 3pm.
The Aeolian Singers celebrate 40 years of championing music for women in Nova Scotia with their season-ender, Babes on Broadway. Created by retired music educator Eleanor Hall, Babes on Broadway is an original show that takes the audience on a journey through musical theatre history with songs performed by Broadway's female characters. Expect to hear female-driven numbers from Chicago, The Wizard of Oz, Rent, Guys and Dolls and more!
10. On Stage › Halifax Circus Works in Progress Cabaret. Friday, May 27, 7:30pm.
Halifax Circus tests out new pieces and performs old fan faves before the company takes off on tour across the Atlantic Canada summer festival circuit.
9. Literary › For the Love of Lobster Book Launch. Saturday, May 28, 2-4pm. Author Denise Adams launches her latest book, For the Love of Lobster, a photographic exploration of the biology of the lobster and the history and evolution of the lobster fishing industry in Atlantic Canada.
8. Sports › Twin City Wrestling: Alpha. Thursday, May 26, 6:15pm. With a stacked roster of homegrown wrestling talent, a guest talk by Quentrel Provo of Stop the Violence, Spread the Love and proceeds benefitting three charities (Canadian Red Cross, Ronald McDonald House and Special Olympics of Nova Scotia) it's safe to say that Twin City Wrestling has as much heart as it does spunk. Highlights of the card? Tyson Dux will defend his championship against Riddick Stone, and Cody Deaner will make his TCW debut.
7. Scotia Festival Of Music › Recital 2: Simon Docking. Sunday, May 29, 7pm. The longstanding chamber music fest (37 years!?!?) has dozens of performances scheduled for its two-week run, and brilliant local pianist Docking performing Olivier Messiaen’s "Vingt Regards" is one of the highlights.
6. Special Event › Maple Leaf Monster Jam. Sunday, May 29, 1pm.
Will Gravedigger–most influential and iconic monster truck of all time–be there?
5. OBEY Convention › Marie Davidson, Carmen, HHH, NoiSeCAD+. Saturday, May 28, 10:30pm.
OBEY, the festival of offbeat music and art featured on the cover of Thursday's Coast, continues. Every single stage in Menz Bar's little labyrinth will be filled with sonic explorations–from Montreal's darkwave synth act Marie Davidson to local sound art student group NoiSeCAD.
4. Food & Drink › Halifax Cycling Coalition Coffee Tasting. Thursday, May 26, 6:30-8pm.
Join the Cycling Coalition and Java Blend's Jim Dikaios for an exclusive coffee tasting and information session. Participants will have a say in the beans for the Halifax Cycling Coalition Signature Blend.
3. Fashion › Veronica MacIsaac 2016 Collection. Saturday, May 28, 7:30pm.
Fashion designer Veronica MacIsaac launches her 2016 collection with a cocktail reception and runway show.
2. Sports › Anchor City Rollers 2016 Season Opener. Saturday, May 28, 4pm.
The Anchor City Rollers kick off another season of kick-ass roller derby with a grudge match bout between the Halifax Harbour Grudges and PEI's Moonshine Maidens.
1. Live Music ›The Mankos Final Show w/Like A Motorcycle, Glitter Clit, The Dimension Boys. Friday, May 27, 11:30pm.
An era ends (but also kind of begins) as The Mankos release an album at their last show ever. The slut punk four-piece is disbanding after four years of smashing the patriarchy with sex-positive jams and high-energy stage shows.
