🗞️ Great time to be fruity

Good morning!

I’m still riding the high from last night’s Avril Lavigne concert. Between screaming the lyrics to Complicated and Here’s to Never Growing Up, I’ve just about lost my voice—thankfully, I type for a living and don’t need to read the news out loud.

If you were there too, I hope you had as much fun as I did. And if not… I promise I’m not trying to give you FOMO.

On a more serious note, I spoke with some Halifax locals about this weekend’s powerful theatre production Fruit Machine, directed and created by Alex Rioux. It’s an important and moving show you won’t want to miss.

Scroll on for a sneak peek.

Have a great Wednesday!

XOXO,
Warren

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌦️ 13°

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 12°

Next Day: ⛈️ 9°

🚗 Driving, biking or busing today? Check out the current traffic conditions and ongoing road closures.

💨 Here is Halifax’s Air Quality Index and the smoke report.

Events

A great time to be “Fruity”

Fruit Machine blends movement, projection, and text to tell the powerful stories of queer Canadians who were systematically targeted and removed from the federal civil service, military, and RCMP.

Meredith J. Batt, president of the Queer Heritage Initiative and author of Len & Cub: A Queer History, calls the production “a brilliantly depicted, dark and relatively unknown part of Canadian queer history. The testimonies of suffering and survival experienced by LGBT Purge victims come to life on stage.”

The Coast’s Warren D’Silva spoke with locals ahead of the performance. Read more.

🤔 Need To Know

🩺 Halifax doctor's donation helps north-end arts centre secure permanent home.

🧑‍🎓 New N.S. student code of conduct sparks concern among disability advocates. Department of Education says it has plans in place to “prevent discriminatory application” of the code.

🏥 Number of reported bedsores in Nova Scotia hospitals soar. Province says it's counting instances different, patient advocate says bedsores shouldn't happen at all.

🔥 Wing Wednesday is on at The Pint on Argyle! 🔥 Get 1/2 price wings, $6 Diablo pints, take on the 7lb Wing Challenge, and cheer on the Oilers in Game 1—all in one epic night! 🍗🏒🍺*

🤣 Catch award-winning comic Michael Moses at Halifax Live! A globe-trotting powerhouse seen on Comedy Night with Rick Mercer—don’t miss this rare appearance!*

🌊 Steps from the Halifax Waterfront, with stunning views, in-suite laundry, and spacious layouts—Peninsula Place is perfectly situated for summer living in style. Now renting!*

🛶 Near Long Lake, Armdale Place blends nature 🍃 and city life 🌇. Spacious suites, free laundry, parking, and transit access—your perfect Cowie Hill home!*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY NEPTUNE THEATRE

Mystery Musical has been announced!

You've been patiently waiting, and the time has come where we can FINALY reveal our big secret!

We are thrilled to announce that we are bringing Come From Away to Neptune Theatre, March 31-May 24, 2026

Individual tickets will go on sale August 5th, 2025 but if you become a subscriber, you're securing your seat NOW, and at the best prices of the season - plus all the other amazing subscriber benefits.

🗞️ In Other News

🍣 Halifax’s Sushi Shige restaurant announced that Shigeru Fukuyama, Chef Shige, died last week. Beloved sushi chef remembered for bringing a taste of Tokyo to Halifax.

💸 Some businesses on the Halifax waterfront are seeing a slow start to the tourism season.

📮 Canada Post workers issue strike notice for May 23.

🪫 Inflation in Canada dropped in April, led by falling energy prices. Global central banks are sounding the alarm about the economic impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. 

⚽ Halifax Tides lose 1-0 at home against AFC Toronto.

🪷 The first South Indian Hindu Temple in Atlantic Canada will wrap up its Grand Kumbhabhishekam – a five-day celebration and consecration ceremony.

SPONSORED BY FOUR POINTS SHERATON HALIFAX

A Fresh New Stay

After a long day of meetings, they opened the door to a room that felt nothing like work. Sleek, quiet, and completely reimagined. Every detail—flawless. This wasn’t just another business trip. It was a fresh new stay, where productivity met comfort, and they could finally breathe.

Book your escape from the ordinary—experience the stay that works as hard as you do.

🗓️ Things To Do

Looking for something to do this week? Check out these Coast picks:

🏀 The Halifax Hoopers Basketball event of the season! Get ready to witness some epic basketball action at the Zatzman Sportsplex. Whether you're a basketball fanatic or just looking for a fun night out, this event is perfect for everyone. Don't miss out on the excitement and be sure to mark your calendars for this unforgettable evening!  | May 23 | From $20 |

☕ Barista Jam. This is a fun and friendly barista competition, hosted by Cafe GoodLuck in partnership with Have Fun Coffee and Bramble Cafe. Sponsored by Eight Ounce Coffee. | May 23 | From $7 |

🕺 The Dark Eighties at Gus’ Pub. The original Dark Eighties started in Vancouver 11 years ago at a dive bar with chequered floors called The Astoria. Since then, the organizers have held parties around the world in NYC, London, Montréal, and Auckland. They have now come to Halifax, and they hope that this set stands out in a super fun university city. | May 23 | From $12 |

🌸 Create Hanging Baskets Workshop. Learn how to create a hanging basket to brighten your outdoor space. Experts will guide you in designing eye-catching arrangements and share tips for plant care, watering, and maintenance to keep your basket thriving all summer long.  | May 24 | From $75 |

Have an event to share? Let us know at [email protected].

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🚢 ➡️ The One Falcon Cargo ship arrives in Halifax from Colombo, Sri Lanka at 5:30pm.

🚢 ➡️ The Augusta Luna cargo ship arrives in Halifax from Kralendijk in Bonaire,St Eustatius & Saba  at 3:00pm.

🚢 ➡️ The Carmen  Cargo ship arrives in Halifax from Southampton, UK at 8:30am.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🌯 Black Sheep Restaurant: If lamb, falafel, halloumi, tzatziki, fermented cabbage slaw paired with a house-made bun that is served with fries and a salad sounds appitizing, you need to check them out. You will for sure be in a food coma, with this finger licking meal. 

🍩 Aroma Maya Coffee & Donuts: Pair their Iced Ube Latte, which is made with ube syrup, and their Cherry Cheesecake. Trust me on this combination, it will give you an explosion of flavours all while encapsulating the spring vibes. 

👀 In Case You Missed It

🖊️ Local author David Huebert is making waves with his book Oil People. He has been named a finalist for the 49th annual Amazon Canada First Novel Award for his debut novel. Huebert is one of six Canadian writers nominated for the First Novel Award, presented by Amazon Canada and The Walrus. The honour celebrates bold and original voices making their debut in the Canadian literary landscape. Each finalist receives $6,000, while the winner—announced June 5 in Toronto—will take home $60,000.

Haligonians are happy to see representation in the creative writing space. The Coast's Warren D’Silva has more.

That’s it!

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