Below was made in Newfoundland, and it just broke a Netflix record

Hey Halifax!

This week, the Newfoundland people behind Netflix's record-breaking Below, and Braden Lam's Halifax-side picks before he opens for The Sheepdogs this weekend. Plus photos from The Black Keys at Scotiabank Centre, a chance to win four tickets to Frenchy's: The Thrift Musical, Mike Campbell's rule for shows at The Carleton, Halifax-raised Grammy winner Cirkut, and all of the best shows, games and events this week.

Let's dig in!

Below, the biggest Netflix debut ever for a Canadian title, was made in Newfoundland

Josh Hartnett's sea creature thriller Below came out on Netflix on October 8 and pulled 17 million views in its first four days. Netflix calls it "the most-viewed debut of a Netflix Canadian title." It went #1 in 53 countries and hit the Top 10 in 90.

Jesse McKeown created it, and the cast includes Mackenzie Davis, Charlie Heaton and Newfoundland's own Mary Walsh. It was filmed over 75 days in St. John's, Brigus South, Pouch Cove and more, and a lot of the show came from the people who live there:

The knitwear. Baynoddy Knits and knitters from NONIA handcrafted the wool sweaters, scarves and mittens the cast wears.

The fishing. Fishing for Success taught the cast and crew traditional fishing skills. The fishermen's hall on screen is the Society of United Fishermen Lodge in Pouch Cove.

The sea creature. Dr. Annie Mercier, a marine biologist at Memorial University's Ocean Sciences Centre, advised on it.

The music. Music supervisors Natasha Duprey and St. John's Mikaila Simmons asked locals what music they listen to, and drew on Shanneyganock and Salt Beef Junkies. Mark Korven, who scored The Witch and The Lighthouse, wrote the score.

McKeown told Liz Duff on Late Night Scrolling that the story of resettlement "is very present for people who live there… There are small towns in Newfoundland which are on the precipice of deciding whether to give up on their home… or to stick it out for another year."

Hear him with Hartnett, Heaton, Davis, Rohan Campbell and Ruby Stokes on Late Night Scrolling's Below episode, then watch Below on Netflix.

Braden Lam opens for The Sheepdogs at the Light House this weekend

The Sheepdogs play the Light House Arts Centre on Friday and Saturday, and Braden Lam opens both nights. Doors are at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8. Tickets are still on sale for both nights.

Last week Braden took us to the Dartmouth side of his perfect beach day. Here's some of his Halifax side, down the South Shore, from his full guide:

Pearl's Vintage + Four Points Vintage Market. "It ain't a day on the South Shore without finding a new 70's fit, a painting for the wall, or a trinket for the shelf."

Ploughman's Luncheonette. "This precious time capsule appears out of nowhere in West Dublin and the delicious sandwich on your plate will disappear just as quickly."

The Narrows Public House. "Nothing says Nova Scotia more, or tastes I should say, than objectively the best restaurant in the city."

Bar Bar Bar. "My local late-night haunt. Open until 2 AM every night of the week. Try the Jungle Bird cocktail and make some new friends at the pool table, don't forget your loonies!"

The Black Keys at Scotiabank Centre

Our pal Noor Mohrez (@nooreosphotos) was at Scotiabank Centre for The Black Keys last night. Watch for the full photo recap on our Instagram.

Frenchy's: The Thrift Musical opens Friday at Alderney Landing

Three generations of an East Coast family go looking for new lives and new wardrobes at Frenchy's, and end up locked inside overnight. The world-premiere musical from Eastern Front Theatre and Ship's Company Theatre sold out its July run in Parrsboro, and now it's at Alderney Landing Theatre in Dartmouth from October 16 to November 1.

John Roby wrote the music, David Craig wrote the book and lyrics, and Patricia Vanstone directs. Friday's opening night is sold out, but Saturday has a 1 p.m. matinee and a 7:30 p.m. show, and every performance is pay what you can.

We're also giving away four tickets to the performance of your choice from October 24 to November 1.

Mike Campbell's rule for shows at The Carleton

The first act Mike Campbell booked at The Carleton was Joel Plaskett, who he was still managing at the time. Plaskett sold out two nights, and Mike was so worried people would talk during the show that he got on stage and gave a speech: "So if you do, I'll warn you, and if you do it again, I'll throw you out. And I've got your money, and I'm not giving it back."

Nocturne, Hellifax Horror Fest and the week's best shows

Nocturne, Thursday to Sunday. The free art-at-night festival's big night is Saturday, with most projects running 6 p.m. to midnight. This year's theme is Embodied City. Look for Jacinte Armstrong's oversized pool-noodle sculptures you can move at Grand Parade, Eléctrico 28's [ The Frame ] in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia courtyard and Rena Anakwe's Red Earth/Black Sea, a sound installation and performance inspired by Africville, at the World Peace Pavilion. See the projects.

Hellifax Horror Fest, Thursday to Sunday. The festival's seventh year at Carbon Arc opens Thursday at 7 p.m. with Ancestral Beasts and a Q&A with director Tim Riedel, and closes Sunday with The Glorious Dead. In between are four shorts programs, Mum, I'm Alien Pregnant, Corpus and the documentary Black Zombie. Tickets.

Reuben & the Dark, Thursday, October 15. At the Seahorse. 8 p.m. Tickets.

Loreena McKennitt, Saturday and Sunday.The Mask and Mirror at the Rebecca Cohn, with limited seats left both nights. 7:30 p.m. Tickets.

Carleton Stone, Sunday, October 18. The Midnight Rose album release show at The Carleton, with a handful of tickets left. 7 p.m. Tickets.

Halifax-raised Cirkut is going for another Grammy

Henry Walter, the producer known as Cirkut, won three Grammys this year, including Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, for Lady Gaga's Mayhem and "Abracadabra" and Rosé and Bruno Mars' "APT." He started out in 2008 co-writing Britney Spears' "Mmm Papi" with fellow Halifax-raised producer Adrien Gough, and went on to work on the Weeknd's Starboy and Katy Perry's "Roar." Now he's up for Producer of the Year again, with new songs for Madonna, Lady Gaga, BLACKPINK and the FIFA World Cup. See his Grammy record.

Quick Hits

Aquakultre was the big winner at the 28th ANSMA Awards. At last Thursday's African Nova Scotian Music Association gala, Aquakultre took Artist/Group of the Year and Album/EP of the Year for 1783. Maggie Andrew won Single and Music Video of the Year for "How to Sing for Money," KAYO won Songwriter and DJ of the Year, and Quoia States was named Emerging Artist of the Year. See all the winners.

Valentina launched its fall issue. The Halifax fashion and lifestyle magazine celebrated its second issue at Pacifico on October 10. Sarah Taylor is on the cover, and the issue includes a Shaun Majumder story about comedy, creativity and Halifax. Get a copy.

Sports this weekend

Mooseheads vs Val-d'Or, Friday, October 16. At Scotiabank Centre. 7 p.m. Tickets.

Halifax Tides vs Montreal Roses, Saturday, October 17. At the Wanderers Grounds, and on CBC. 3 p.m. Good Robot's Commons Beer Garden hosts a pre-game and post-game party. Tickets.

Mooseheads vs Shawinigan, Sunday, October 18. At Scotiabank Centre. 3 p.m. Tickets.

This week's best shows and events

Thursday, October 15

Shadows & Light at the Rebecca Cohn

Symphony Nova Scotia and conductor Earl Lee, with OSM concertmaster Andrew Wan on Sibelius's Violin Concerto, then Brahms's First Symphony. 7:30 p.m.

John McLaren and Friends at The Carleton

With Asif and Ava Illyas, releasing their trio album Live at Pattes De Mouche. 7:30 p.m.

Friday, October 16

Big Easy Fridays at Bearly's

Mike Cowie and John Alphonse. 5 p.m.

Jacob Ballard & The Bad Ticket at The Carleton

The Dartmouth band's single release, with Porch Swing. 8 p.m.

Gizmo and Green Eyes Witch Hands at the Seahorse

A double album release, with Maisie's Projector and Booji Boys. 9 p.m.

Saturday, October 17

The Fabulously Rich at the Marquee

A Tragically Hip tribute. 9 p.m.

Theresa Malenfant & The Instigators at Bearly's

9 p.m.

Sunday, October 18

James Ehnes' 50th Birthday Recital

The violinist and pianist Andrew Armstrong play Brahms, Bartók and the premiere of Carmen Braden's Imaginal at Halifax United Church. Very few tickets left. 2 p.m.

OLDER's launch party

The Senior Sunday skate crew launches its clothing brand at 2867 Isleville Street, with rails and curbs out and event tees heat pressed on site. "Bring a board." 2 p.m.

Tuesday, October 20

Comedy – Book (Fight) Club at Trident

Eight books "enter the literati Thunderdome." 7 p.m.

Coming up

Shenanigans at Cineplex Park Lane

Katie McCulloch's night of funny, female-driven short films is back on Thursday, November 12, in a bigger theatre after two sold-out years. Early bird tickets are on sale until October 18.

BarBarBar's Pumpkin Carving Contest

Wednesday, October 28, at 2704 Agricola Street. "Best pumpkin wins a trophy, worst pumpkin gets tossed from the rafters!"

Market Pulse

Bedford Artisan Market

Saturday, October 17, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Indoors at Propeller's Bedford taproom, 1225 Bedford Highway. Free admission.

Mini Pet Expo

Sunday, October 18, noon–4 p.m.

Pet vendors, pet photography, live music and puppy yoga at the Brewery Market on Lower Water Street. It's free, and pets are welcome.

Know an East Coast artist, event or story we should have on our radar? Hit reply.

Thanks for reading,

Greg

PS: Enjoying Halifamous and want to support? We have a few super dope Hali Hats still available!