Let's face it: our dear Alexander Keith is celebrated on a daily basis. Every time you knock back a pint it's a nod to the man behind Halifax's best-known brew. So if on any regular day you shout "Sociable!" and raise your glass, slurping back your beer with pride, on Mr. Keith's birthday, his 217th birthday at that, you've got to up the ante. Fine drinking establishments, and fine drinkers around town will be taking part in the city-wide day of celebration, which like any other year will feature a whole bunch of foot-stomping, Sláinte-shouting and green foam antler-wearing. But the party to be at is the official one. Alexander Keith's annual b-day bash will feature the nostalgic sounds of Paul Lamb and Wreckhouse, Dwight D'eon and Adam Driscoll and Great Big Sea frontman Alan Doyle's solo band. As you take part in the city's biggest kitchen party, there'll be local food vendors serving up poutine, oysters, pulled pork and lobster rolls...perfect snacks to soak up those IPAs. And they've your transport partially covered. Shuttles will be buzzing between the Cunard Centre, the Red Stag Tavern and the ferry terminal. Now you have no excuse to not party hard in the name of Mr. Keith, even if he has been dead for over a century.
w/Dwight D'eon and Adam Driscoll, Paul Lamb and Wreckhouse, Fri, Oct 5, Cunard Event Centre, 961 Marginal Road, $10/$15, 8pm, keiths.ca/birthday
