When Bijou Bürden and Kayla Stevens began planning Lakefest, a one-day outdoor music festival happening August 6, they were chasing a particular feeling. It was a feeling Bürden still vividly remembers, one that hit when their former band, the Saffrons, had a jam session two years ago on Lawrencetown beach. “I mean, the sun and […]
The Scene
Top 12 ways to have a winning long weekend
The long weekend is here! Make it a win with brunch, drag shows and, of course, fireworks!
Jimmy Swift Band’s brief break from retirement
The Jimmy Swift Band walked the line between rock and electronica (or, as they often call it, “rocktronica”) from the late ‘90s until their official breakup in 2011. When they announced their last hurrah tour in 2014 (crowned with a prime slot at Evolve festival), fans figured they’d seen the last of the Halifax-based musicians. […]
Halifax Pop Explosion announces second round of its lineup
In just a few short months, when the humidity has broken, the fall wind will ring with the sound of rowdy concert goers: leaves will crunch beneath their Converse as they prance to the next show, revelling in the joy that is Halifax Pop Explosion. The beloved fest just announced its second round of 2016 […]
Ten ways to make your weekend amazing
Pride Week only has a few days left, so let’s make ’em count with Pride festivities, diva-themed brunches, outdoor exploration and, of course, THE PARADE. 10. Queer Contra Dance. Saturday, July 23, 5-9pm Not your typical dance, this event eschews traditional gender roles, offering a binary-free, queer-friendly atmosphere. Bring something to the 5pm potluck and […]
Final Tragically Hip concert to be screened at Grand Parade
When The Tragically Hip lead singer Gord Downie announced his terminal brain cancer last December, Canada’s musical consciousness exploded. News headlines wailed about our impending loss of a national treasure. All of a sudden, Hip hits like Ahead By A Century seemed to be playing on the radio a lot more—or maybe we were finally […]
Hats off: a Jazz Fest fashion guide
The Pork Pie If jazz is your highway, the pork pie is your Cadillac. This eccentric lid belongs to a true jazz nerd, who’s happily holed up, syncopated snapping at the Village Vanguard, or ripping sax solos of their own in a hotel bar. Lester Young made this look legendarily cool, hence why this style […]
Top 10 ways to heat up your weekend
10. Visual Arts › Murder at the Dart. Until Jul 28. Painter and mixed-media artist Lee Cripps and ceramics artist Susan Paczek unveil their newest works at the Dart Gallery, all centred around a crow theme. The misunderstood creatures (called a murder when they’re in a group) are actually said to be seen as multicoloured […]
Lauryn Hill goes electric
Tuesday night at the 30th Halifax Jazz Fest’s big opening show, a thunder and lightning storm erupted over Ms. Lauryn Hill and her band. As the musicians were ushered off the stage, the light show over the harbour kicked up in dreamy purples and hazy greys, then the skies opened up and rain fell like […]
Tunes at Noon free concerts are back
Looking to liven up your lunch hour? The annual Tunes at Noon concert series is back for its 9th year, lighting up Grand Parade with sounds from a variety of genres. We’re especially excited for Zoe Leger’s spot on the stage, as her so-new-it-hurts album just dropped today so her audience is bound to be […]
Sidney Crosby brings home the Stanley Cup
Embed from Getty Images Calling all hockey fans: Get a dose of Cole Harbour pride—and the chance to see the Stanley Cup in real life—as hometown legend Sidney Crosby marches the community’s streets, celebrating his recent win with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The parade starts Saturday, July 16, 10:30am, at Pope John XXIII Church (35 Colby […]
Ten Ways to rock this weekend
10. Food & Drink › Dock and Dine. Sun Jul 10, 4-9pm. An annual series that pairs an evening paddle with East Coast Outfitters in Prospect with a local-inspired meal—prepared right on the dock—from Dennis Johnston, former chef at acclaimed Halifax restaurant, Fid. Here’s a link to the menu—read it and drool. 9. Summer Festival […]

