New nonprofit launches to help Halifax keep its growing creative talent
Over the summer, musicians busked on the waterfront, dancers rehearsed in borrowed studios, and models did test shoots around the city. From the Halifax Fringe Festival, The Mills Halifax Fashion Week to the Supernova Market, the city is increasingly carving out a reputation as a hub for creative talent. Now, a new nonprofit wants to…
This year’s Atlantic International Film Festival will showcase homegrown and international talent
The Atlantic International Film Festival is celebrating its 45th anniversary this September with a weeklong program of screenings, panels and parties — and a strong focus on homegrown talent. The festival, running Sept. 10 to 17 at Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane, will showcase 108 films from Canada and around the world. Thirty per cent of…
Summer’s last stand: Halifax Labour Day weekend offers plenty of outdoor festivities
Labour Day weekend is here—a final summer hurrah before HOCO season rolls in. If there’s one thing we know, fall is right around the corner. Jackets are slowly making their way out of storage, the nights are cooler, and every coffee shop in the city seems to have pumpkin spice and cinnamon on the menu…
East Coast Music Association in turmoil? Ex-CEO speaks out
The East Coast Music Association, responsible for the annual East Coast Music Awards, is facing another wave of backlash for allegedly underpaying artists and for their antiquated bylaws. This time, it comes from its former CEO. Blanche Israël, an accomplished musician and artist manager, was appointed CEO of the ECMA back in February 2024. This…
Award-winning comedy Not Quite Sherlock returns to Halifax for 2025 Fringe Festival
Fringe favourite Chris Gibbs is returning to Halifax this weekend with his long-running solo comedy Not Quite Sherlock, performing as part of the 2025 Halifax Fringe Festival. The one-man show opens Thursday, Aug. 28, and runs through Sept. 6. “I’m coming to Halifax for the Fringe with a show called Not Quite Sherlock,” said Gibbs.…
Palestinian solidarity groups demand cancellation of Canada-Israel Davis Cup match in Halifax
Palestinian solidarity groups in Halifax are demanding the cancellation of next month’s Davis Cup match between Canada and Israel, arguing that Israel’s actions in Gaza are incompatible with hosting its athletes on Canadian soil. “Going forward with this event normalizes Israel’s ongoing campaign of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza,” says Em Bailey, founding member of…
2026 Best of Halifax Nominations Open
NOMINATIONS CLOSED. Nominations just opened for the 31st annual Best of Halifax Readers’ Choice Awards, meaning you—and other Coast readers like you—get to pick the people, places and businesses that go for BOH gold, silver and bronze. Think your favourite coffee shop or sushi spot is one of Halifax’s best? Nominate it! We’ve got loads…
From Zimbabwe to Halifax: how this communications expert became Atlantic Canada’s top event host
Otni Chinenere is known for commanding rooms, captivating audiences, and bringing events to life across Atlantic Canada. Chinenere is turning her spotlight onto others, with one-on-one communications sessions designed specifically for women in the community. Set to launch from Sept. 3 onwards, the initiative marks a full-circle moment for Chinenere, who immigrated to Halifax from…
The Pint Public House: More than I expected
I’ll admit it: I didn’t expect to be at Argyle Street’s The Pint Public House. Perhaps I’m stuck in decades gone by, but it’s hard for me to get past visions of beer-filled evenings in my early 20s at The Argyle Street Bar & Grill, which long occupied the large space The Pint now calls…
Halifax’s weekend lineup spans drag brunches to historical hikes
Halifax has come alive this summer, and it’s not just the sunshine and sea breeze. Across the city, a diverse arts and lifestyle scene is flourishing—from music festivals and drag brunches to fake Indian weddings and historical hikes. It’s a creative energy that’s impossible to ignore, but one that relies on the continued support of…
Stretch, snuggle, and save a life: puppy yoga sessions support animal rescue
Puppy snuggles meets yoga at a special event on Aug. 30, as Halifax Puppy Yoga teams up with FlyWithMe Animal Rescue to host two charity puppy yoga sessions aimed at helping rescue puppies find their forever homes. The event, held at Halifax Puppy Yoga’s studio in Bayers Lake, will offer two sessions — one from…
Halifax Urban Folk Festival bringing Rhett Miller, Aysanabee and more
The Halifax Urban Folk Festival is coming up quickly, and their artistic director has one message to push to anyone interested in attending. “If you’re sitting on your hands, thinking I’ll just pick up tickets at the last minute, you might want to think twice about that approach,” says Mike Campbell in an interview with…
Award-winning Matchstick Theatre brings workplace comedy to Neptune’s Craig Boardroom
One of Canada’s most electrifying new voices in theatre is set to make his Atlantic Canadian debut this month as Matchstick Theatre brings The Huns, a biting workplace comedy by Michael Ross Albert, to the intimate Craig Boardroom at Neptune Theatre. Running from Aug. 26 to Sept. 7, The Huns plunges audiences into the high-stakes…
Halifax gets its first “fake Indian wedding” — all the joy, none of the family drama
The sights, sounds, and spirit of a traditional Indian wedding are coming to Halifax — minus the pressure from matchmaking aunties — as Desii Nights Entertainment presents The Grand Fake Indian Wedding on Aug. 22 at Maxwell’s Courtyard. Complete with dhol players, DJs, red carpets, food, fashion, and full wedding flair, the event promises a…
Summer isn’t over yet, here are some weekend activities for Haligonians
First things first — I hope you’re safe. It’s been a heavy week for Haligonians, with fires nearby reminding us how quickly life in the city can feel unsettled. Sometimes the best way to clear your head is to step outside, breathe in that salty harbour air, and let Halifax’s energy carry you for a…
Purple Day founder’s cowboy boot dream becomes national collaboration
What started as a simple wish for a pair of purple cowboy boots has grown into a national collaboration supporting epilepsy awareness across Canada and beyond. Cassidy Megan, founder of Purple Day, announced her partnership with Alberta Boot Company on Sunday, Aug 10. The company will be designing two custom pairs of cowboy boots. One pair…
Everything you need to know about Nova Scotia Music Week 2025
It’s almost time again for Nova Scotia Music Week, an annual celebration of the province’s music community through awards, showcases, workshops and most importantly, connections. Just last week, Music Nova Scotia shared its third round of showcasing artists for the 2025 awards, taking place in Yarmouth from Thursday, Oct. 23 to Sunday, Oct. 26. Within…
We asked, you answered.
Tim Houston announced a “stay out of the woods” order on Aug. 5, amid “tinder dry” conditions across the province. A total ban on open fires was brought in the week before, with both bans punishable by a $25,000 fine. The whole point is obviously to prevent wildfires and we don’t have to look too…
Halifax boutique brings back old-school fashion show presentations
Lezlie Oler, the entrepreneur and former lawyer behind the Halifax-based boutique In a Box, is showcasing a refreshing approach to fashion this Thursday. The boutique will present an exclusive, atelier-style fashion show that will bring a classic flair to the runway; one outfit at a time, as models walk the runway, their names and each…
From servers to engineers, nine local models balance dual careers
In an industry that often seems worlds away from the daily grind, a group of nine models from Halifax are proving that passion doesn’t punch out at 5 p.m. The Coast sat down and chatted with these local talents who clock into day jobs as engineers, financial advisors or teachers before stepping into the spotlight…
Halifax transforms into cultural powerhouse this week
From savouring summer in an ice cream scoop to outdoor comedy festivals, pop-up stores, and waterfront performances, something is happening on every corner. Whether you’re a style enthusiast excited for The Mills Halifax Fashion Week, a live music lover, or just looking for a reason to get out and explore, the city is buzzing with…
Sweet Angel Baby’s theatrical release is coming to Halifax with a special twist
The Carbon Arc Cinema will be hosting the first theatrical screening of Sweet Angel Baby, a queer-centred story of rural politics and storytelling in the digital age. The film screening is planned for 6pm on Saturday, Aug. 16 and will feature a Q&A section with director Melanie Oates, who won the Atlantic International Film Festival’s…
Nova Scotia artists with disabilities take centre stage at Pier 21
Artists with disabilities from across Nova Scotia will be in the spotlight this Saturday at the 13th Annual Art of Disability Festival, hosted by Independent Living Nova Scotia. Taking place at Pier 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the free, family-friendly event aims to showcase the creative work and voices of artists living with…
Hook, line and sinker: HRM’s best fish and chips?
There’s something beautifully simple, and endlessly debatable, about who makes the best fish and chips. Is it the freshness of fish, the batter or the combination of fish, fries and accompaniments like coleslaw and tartare sauce? I personally place greatest on the former, although great home cut fries do have a way of swaying me…
Everyone Has an Opinion. I Just Happen to Share Mine.
“Unlikeable. Irritating. Can’t stand her. She never shuts up. I wish she’d realize no one cares what she thinks.” These are just some of the comments I get about my writing. Regularly. Nothing pisses people off more than a woman with strong opinions. Nothing pisses off the establishment more than a woman with strong opinions.…
Upcycled reusable shopping bags hit the Halifax Fashion Week runway
A local designer who turns discarded shopping bags into runway fashion is preparing for his debut at Halifax Fashion Week, with a bigger dream in mind: a museum dedicated to wearable art. Victor Agara, a Nigerian-born artist and founder of the emerging brand VOLLTEGA, has caught attention in Nova Scotia with his colourful and unconventional…
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City council will vote on a motion to potentially stop a project to convert Morris Street into a two-way bikeway—in light of a letter from Tim Houston expressing his government’s opposition to the plan. This project has sparked a lot of different conversations about the role city council has been or should be playing, the…
Halifax boutique brings Kashmir’s hidden gems to Birmingham Street
A cultural gem has opened its doors in the heart of downtown Halifax. The Silk Route, located at 1477 Birmingham St., is more than a boutique — it’s a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship and deeply personal storytelling. Founded by Halifax local Cailean Jan, the store honours her husband’s Kashmiri roots through a carefully curated collection…