For the second year running, Halifax is shifting the focus of its official July 1 celebrations, aiming to honour the 156th anniversary of the confederation by, as a statement from last summer put it, creating “an event that is inclusive of all our country’s incredible people.”
But what does that look like in action? For July 1, 2023, it looks like a whole lot’ll be happening on the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfronts, with a “cultural village” at 1655 Lower Water Street (on the Halifax side), replete with live performance and artisans and vendors from 11:30 am onwards.
There will also be a live music stage on the Halifax waterfront at 5057 Salter Street, where a host of DJs—and local musician Kayo—get the party started from 12:30-3:30pm. Morgan Toney, meanwhile—a lauded musician from Cape Breton who’s been gaining national buzz for his mix of roots and Mi’kmaq music—plays at 1655 Lower Water Street’s outdoor stage at 12:30pm.
On the Dartmouth side, a traditional drum circle will be held from 1-4pm at Dartmouth Ferry Terminal Park, followed by a showcase from the African Nova Scotian Music Association. Headlining the ANSMA show, which runs from 7-10pm at Ferry Terminal Park? Arenye, Deves Matwawana, Jupiter Reign and Zamani Folade.
As ever, fireworks will cap off the celebration, with the city saying either waterfront offers prime viewing space for the spectacle. They’ll be popping off (lol/sorry) at 10pm, while over at the Halifax waterfront’s 5057 Salter Street outdoor stage the band Twin Flames will be playing a set from 9:15-10pm. (Twin Flames, FYI, is one of Quebec’s buzziest folk-rock acts, offering an addictive mix of harmonies, flute, hand drum, and vocals.)
