🗞 A special guest visits the Africville site

MUSIC

Kayo rides a wave on latest album, Trip

If you were to cross your fingers and wish for a strong end to 2023, you would be hard-pressed to dream up a better run than the one Kayo is on: Fresh off a win at the African Nova Scotian Music Association Awards, where the St. Lucian-turned-Haligonian brought home the honours for Artist of the Year, Kayo—the rapper born Filbert Salton—is about to embark on a West Coast tour with Trinidadian soca superstars Kes, and St. Lucian reggae singer Teddyson John. The 35-year-old just released his latest full-length album, the seven-song Trip LP. He has a show coming up at the Marquee Ballroom with Canadian heavyweights Kardinal Offishall and Haviah Mighty. Then, there’s the Juno Wavemakers showcase this Saturday, Oct. 21—where Kayo will share the stage with the likes of Maggie Andrew and Atay & JAX.

Ask Kayo, and he’ll tell you it’s divine timing. That, and feeling more confident in his voice than ever, more than a decade into a rap career that first took off as an international student at Saint Mary’s University.

“It took some time for me for my art to align with who I am in real life,” he says, in a video call with The Coast. “And I think the closer that I got to that, the clearer that message and that vision became—because I wasn’t fighting myself as much anymore.”

As The Coast’s Martin Bauman reports, the outcome is some of Kayo’s most inspired music to date.

Need to know

🌁 The Macdonald Bridge will be closed tonight between 7pm and 5:30am. It will also be closed from Oct. 20 at 7pm until Oct. 23 at 5:30am.

🚨 A province-wide arrest warrant is ongoing for 52-year-old Darren Trevor Jackson from Truro, in connection with a Brookfield motel shooting.

🍂 Come down to Saltscapes East Coast Expo from October 27 to 29 and enjoy interactive demonstrations, food & beverages, live music and more.*

🔋 Halifax Fire is warning of the potential for fires when using lithium-ion batteries like those in e-bikes, e-scooters and various electronic devices.

🎫 Get your tickets to New Tricks, an intimate contemporary dance solo created and performed by Christopher House! October 27 and 28 at the Light House Arts Centre!*

🦠 A new federal COVID report indicates the number of hospitalizations in the country is rising. There are currently 3,797 people in hospital due to the virus.

🛍️ Fall is the perfect time to stroll—and shop—in Downtown Halifax. From big-name stores to curated boutiques, you’ll be sure to find something special.*

*Sponsored Post

On The Coast

SPONSORED BY SOUNDBOX MUSIC

Celtic Music and Dance Workshops & Concerts

ReJigged’s workshops allow you to learn from the festival's performers who are currently shaping and defining the landscape of traditional dance and music. Not only will you learn steps, tunes, and techniques, but you’ll be encouraged to explore new directions within the old style and develop your own unique interpretation.

In other news

🐈 Lunenburg residents are looking to get a mural painted of a neighbourhood cat who recently passed away and was known to spread joy around the community.

🔥 The HRM is working on creating a plan to address safety exit plans from Tantallon communities on Hammonds Plains Road following the devastating wildfires.

🌳 A new five-year Dalhousie-led research project will look into how an ecological forestry model will impact the province’s environment. CBC has the story.

👮 The Halifax Regional Police said farewell to police service dog Casey in a retirement ceremony, and welcomed two new canine friends, Cain and Kron, and Jewelz—a police horse.

🏠 CBC spoke with the founder of Pallet—the company responsible for the 200, $7.5 million, temporary shelters promised by Nova Scotia in an attempt to tackle homelessness.

💊 Nova Scotia metabolic health specialist Dr. Michael Mindrum speaks about the pros and cons of the Ozempic craze.

SPONSORED BY GIRL GUIDES OF CANADA

A girl-driven approach to adventure!

Girl Guides is a catalyst for girls empowering girls. Girls aged 5-17 can try new experiences, challenge themselves and build their confidence. Our volunteers deliver a unique program that encourages girls to build life skills in outdoor adventure, mental health, advocacy and more. Together, we’re building a better world, by girls.

EDUCATION

Everything that happened on day one of the Universities Studying Slavery international conference in Halifax

Day one of an international conference studying reparations, slavery and education began Wednesday, Oct. 18 at the Black Cultural Centre in Cherry Brook—an historic African Nova Scotian community just outside of Halifax.

One of the two Halifax universities responsible for the conference happening in Canada for the first time is the University of King’s College. King’s and the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia began the morning by signing an agreement that brings the university and African Nova Scotians together to discuss how their partnership can work to end anti-Black racism in institutions of learning and centre African Nova Scotians in these conversations.

Among the conference participants who witnessed the signing was the former president of Ghana, John D. Mahama, who congratulated the new partnership.

For more details on day one of this important four-day conference happening now head to The Coast.

🗓 Things to do

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

Thursday, Oct. 19

🗓 Pumpkin carving contest: Want to put your pumpkin carving skills to the test? Sarah and Tom are having a pumpkin carving contest. Send in your photos before the deadline to be entered. The theme: Spooky K-pop | until Oct. 31 | Free.

🗓️ Food Crawl: The Downtown Dartmouth food crawl is on this week. Help support small businesses and browse cuisine from 25 participating restaurants. Here’s the official map. | Oct. 19 | 5:30pm-8:30pm | Free admission.

🗓️ Relive The Music 50s & 60s Rock n Roll Show: Take a trip to the past through this interactive performance featuring music, trivia and more at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium. | Oct. 19 | 7pm | $59-$69.

Friday, Oct. 20

🗓 Halloween Movie Night: Life Branch Church in Dartmouth is screening Shrek this week as part of its Halloween Movie Night series. Bring some cash for drinks and treats! | Oct. 20 | 5:30pm | Free admission.

🗓 The Beaches: All-female Canadian dance-rock group The Beaches will be performing their Halifax leg of the Blame My Ex Tour at the Light House Arts Centre | Oct. 20 | 8pm | $44.45-$49.57.

🗓 Re-Jigged Festival: Celebrate Celtic culture with tradition dance, music and activities at The Stage at St. Andrew’s for the city’s 14th annual Re-Jigged Festival | Oct. 20-22 | $30-$60.

Saturday, Oct. 21

🗓 Bruce Cockburn: Canadian music legend Bruce Cockburn comes to Halifax for one night only at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium as part of his global tour. | Oct. 21 | 7:30pm | $59.50.

🗓 Shanneyganock: The Long-running Newfoundland folk band that inspired the music from Come From Away is bringing its high-energy show to The Shore Club this weekend. | Oct. 21 | 8pm | $44.64.

🗓 Zombie Walk: It’s time for the annual all-ages Zombie Walk at the Public Gardens. Pick out your best zombie garb, practice your un-dead sounds and head down. | Oct. 21 | 1-4pm | free.

Sunday, Oct. 22

🗓 Halifax Bicycle Music Festival: Help power up Halifax’s first-ever music festival charged by pedalling, happening at the Halifax Waterfront and Sackville Landing. There will be performances by T. Thomason, Brendan Lam, Jacques Mindreau, Moira & Claire and Rebecca Fairless. | Oct. 22 | 1:30pm-5pm | Free admission.

🗓️ Dog-themed Fall Mini Market: Bring your furry friends down to East Coast Dog’s fall market this weekend and shop from 10 local vendors. There will also be a costume contest so make sure to dress up your pup! | Oct. 22 | 11am-3pm | Free admission.

Find more Halifax events in The Coast listings.