What's happening in Halifax this weekend?

MUSIC

Halifax’s Maggie Andrew is bringing alt-pop to new heights

It’s the build-up to Crescendo Fest, Halifax’s new music festival “designed to turn up the volume on Black music artists,” and Maggie Andrew is enjoying what might be some of her last days of relative anonymity. On Saturday, August 5, the 24-year-old from Fall River, NS is set to perform alongside the likes of Canadian hip hop legend Michie Mee, Nigerian-Canadian phenom Nonso Amadi and Halifax favourite Reeny Smith. It’s her second big live show, after a scene-stealing spot at the BLACK VIBES showcase at this year’s East Coast Music Awards. There have been recording trips back and forth to Los Angeles. Music videos to shoot. For now, though, Andrew is killing time in a parking lot outside of Sydney.

“It feels crazy,” she says, speaking by phone with The Coast. “To have the opportunity to perform on-stage in front of the whole city is so exciting.”

Despite Andrew’s modesty, there’s good reason for her name to be among the festival’s headliners—there’s not another Nova Scotia alt-pop act more poised for a breakthrough than her. And it sure feels like the moment is coming.

Coast reporter Martin Bauman catches up with Andrew to talk about her musical ascension.

Need to know

🌉 The Macdonald Bridge will be closed to vehicles on August 6 from 7:30am-5:30pm and on August 7 from 8am-12pm.

😔 The body of the third youth who went missing during last month's floods was discovered yesterday. Here is the official provincial statement.

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY NOVA SCOTIA FOLK ART FESTIVAL

Folk Art Festival Fun!

Come to beautiful Lunenburg, Nova Scotia on Sunday August 6th for the highly anticipated annual Folk Art Festival. Collectors line up early for hours outside for the opportunity to get first choice of the artwork when the doors open at precisely 12 noon.

Over 40 artists from across the province will be selling their work, there's an exciting live auction, music and food which make for the most fun you can pack into four hours! All the information you need to know about the festival and how it works is on our website - see you there!

On The Coast

SPONSORED BY DOWNTOWN HALIFAX

Plan Your August Fun in Downtown Halifax

It’s August in Downtown Halifax, and while the weather may be hot, the events happening Downtown are even hotter!

The Busker Festival, the Halifax Salsa & Bachata Festival, and the Halifax Seaport Cider & Beerfest all happen this month, along with Neptune Theatre’s "Argyle Street Kitchen Party", nightly dance classes on the Waterfront, and more.

Keep up to date with everything happening here.

In other news

🦈 Nova Scotia’s Rick Austin caught a little more than he was asking for while fishing for Striped Bass in the Minas Basin. He unintentionally hooked a great white shark and caught it all on video.

😕 With the new school year around the corner, student advocacy groups are sounding the alarm because the provincial student housing strategy that was meant to be released this past spring is nowhere in sight.

🎉 Halifax filmmaker Ben Proudfoot has been nominated for an Emmy!

🗣 The CEO of the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, Jennifer Watts, spoke with CBC on how the recent natural disasters are affecting newcomers.

😲 Justin Trudeau has announced he and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau are separating.

⚽️ Halifax Wanderer’s forward, Ludwig Alma, has been banned from playing for two years for violating the league's anti-doping rule.

THE WANDERER GROUNDS

João Morelli is back—and he isn’t done scoring yet

In this week’s episode of The Wanderer Grounds, Coast reporter Martin Bauman recaps the Wanderers’ 2-0 victory over York United, Morelli’s return to form and the Matthew Baldisimo red card incident.

Plus, can Halifax secure its first three-game win streak this weekend when it hosts Pacific FC? And how has the club held up to the burning questions it faced entering the 2023 season?

🗓 Things to do: Weekend planner & Natal Day events

Looking for something to do over the weekend? Check out these Coast picks:

Thursday, August 3

• High Fidelity: Get transported back a few decades at The Carelton this week when High Fidelity takes the stage performing all your favourite 90s and 2000s hits | August 3 | 7:30pm | $23.

• Katie Kraw’s Cabaret: Katie Kraw is bringing her cabaret to the Bus Stop Theatre CoOP stage alongside Rouge Fatale, Fifi Fantome, Ern Wyrn and more. Get your ticket to a night of 19+ fun | August 3 | 7pm | $27.96.

• Birch Bark Canoe Building: Drop into this all-ages event and watch a live demonstration by Todd Labrador on how a birch bark canoe is built | August 3 | 12:30-3:30pm | Free.

Friday, August 4

• Courtyard Party Weekend: Kick off The Lower Deck’s Courtyard Party Weekend and head down to the pub for a performance by Colin Burke followed by a courtyard performance by Shameless | August 4 | 5:30pm, 9:30pm.

• Peter White at Yuk Yuks: Stop by Yuk Yuks on Argyle this Friday to kick off the weekend with a night of laughs alongside internationally known comedian Peter White | August 4 | 8pm | $22.50.

Saturday, August 5

• Retro Night: Retro Night with DJ R$ SMOOTH is happening at The Seahorse Tavern this weekend. Grab your friends for a night of good music and drinks | August 5 | 10:30pm-2am | $9-$12.

• Movie under the stars: Catch the blockbuster hit Top Gun under the stars in Chickenburger’s parking lot for its summer movie nights. Bring your own chairs! | August 5 | 8:45pm | Free.

• Live on Stage: Foo Fighters tribute band, Best of Foo, will be taking the stage at Serpent Brewing this week honouring the band's big hits | August 5 | 8pm | $10.

• Natal Day Harbour Fireworks: Catch the Natal Day fireworks show from either the Halifax or Dartmouth waterfront | August 5 | 10pm | Free.

• Crescendo Festival: Halifax’s all-new black music festival is this weekend. The Coast’s Martin Bauman spoke with headliner Michie Mee | August 5 | 5pm | Free.

Sunday, August 6

• All-Star Show: Buskerfest is in town this weekend and the best of the best performers will be having an All-Star Show at the Grande Parade to close the weekend | August 6 | 9pm | Free.

• Activate: Looking to try something new this weekend? Stop by Activate, Nova Scotia’s first active gaming arcade in Dartmouth.

• Freedom Festival: The 17th African Nova Scotian Music Association’s Freedom Festival is on this weekend at the Dartmouth Ferry Terminal Park on the Dartmouth Sunshine Series Stage | August 6 | 2pm | Free.

Monday, August 7

• Natal Day Road Race: Support the runners, joggers and walkers at the 117th Road Race in Dartmouth—or join in yourself! | August 7 | 8:15am | $10-$30.

• Natal Day Parade: Catch the annual Natal Day Parade beginning at Novalea Drive in Halifax and ending at Maple Street in Dartmouth | August 7 | 10am | Free.

Find more Halifax events in The Coast listings and more Natal Day events here.