Hey Hali!

It’s one of those weeks where everything’s hitting at once.

A new women’s pro soccer league launches. The Wanderers are on a roll. The Thunderbirds are in the playoffs. A slew of amazing concerts were announced. And Mayworks is about to take over the city with one of the most interesting festival lineups we’ve seen in a while.

Here’s what’s going on.

Mayworks Festival is Hitting Halifax Next Week and the Lineup is Stacked

We see a lot of festivals in Halifax, but Mayworks is one that actually feels like it means something.

It’s built around May Day — a global moment of solidarity for working people and a celebration of art, labour rights, and community. But it’s also just a genuinely cool collection of shows, performances, and experiences happening all over Halifax. It includes hip hop, VR, dance, theatre, podcasts, films… all tied together by a thread of creative resistance and real human connection.

This year’s lineup kicks off with a nearly sold-out live taping of Sandy & Nora Talk Politics, followed by hip hop concert featuring NYC underground legends Wiki and Lord Unknown, and local favourites Tachichi, Basyl and Uncle Fester.

Also on the radar:
🌀 A haunting VR fable imagining Nova Scotia underwater
🎭 Theatre pieces about chronic illness and loneliness that hit hard
🎬 Short films by Indigenous and Black filmmakers
🧵 A banner-making workshop and working-class heritage walks through downtown

One we’re definitely checking out: Altération. It’s a movement piece about change, connection, and rebuilding — heavy in the best way. Catch it May 3 & 4 at Breaking Circus.

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⚽️ It’s Another Big Weekend For Halifax Sports Fans

It’s a massive weekend for Halifax sports, and the city is buzzing.

The Halifax Wanderers are off to a dream start — undefeated after three games and tied for first in the league. They’re on the road this Friday night against Valour, then back at home on May 3 to take on Forge. The vibe around this team is strong, and it’s starting to feel like a special season.

Saturday afternoon marks a historic moment at the Wanderers Grounds as the Halifax Tides play their first-ever home game. They’re facing Calgary in the season opener of the brand new Northern Super League — a pro women’s league that’s already drawing global attention, with games airing on TSN and ESPN. If you want to be part of something big from day one, this is it.

And to cap it off, the Halifax Thunderbirds have a playoff game Saturday night vs. the Calgary Roughnecks at Scotiabank Centre. Expect a packed house and a wild atmosphere.

🎸 New Show Announcements You Should Know About

A fresh batch of killer shows just dropped that you’ll want to grab tickets for ASAP — here’s what’s coming up:

Dave Sampson w/ Pretty Archie
🗓️ May 30 @ The Marquee
🎟️ Tickets on sale now

Alan Doyle
🗓️ July 5 & 6 @ The Shore Club
🎟️ On sale Friday at noon — will sell out fast

Sloan
🗓️ July 24 @ The Shore Club
🎟️ Second show added! Tickets go on sale today at 10am

Daniel James McFadyen
🗓️ September 19 @ Light House Arts Centre
🎟️ Tickets on sale Friday at noon

Bryan Adams
🗓️ October 12 @ Scotiabank Centre
🎟️ Tickets on sale May 2

⭐️ Song of the Week

This one’s a little heavier than our usual pick — but if you like your rock loud, fast, and sweaty, you need to know about HOOCH.

Rankin MacInnis put us on to these guys in his Halifavourites feature back in February, and they’ve been grinding hard: a packed album release at the Seahorse last week, and now they’re off on a cross-country tour in support of their debut record, FREELOADER.

The vibe?

“Born in the back of a Chevy Blazer and raised by destruction” kind of energy.

Produced by Peter Edwards, FREELOADER is pure garage rock chaos — high speed, no apologies.

Thursday, 4/24

KARV @ Light House Arts Centre - 8am-10:30pm

An Intimate Evening With Alan Cross @ The Carleton - 7:30pm
We are pleased to announce that musicologist Alan Cross – renowned music journalist, author, public speaker, and host of The Ongoing History Of New Mu...

Mahogany Hollow with Kam & Shanny + Darrel Cameron @ The Sanctuary Arts Centre - 7pm
Mahogany Hollow brings their signature “two men, one mic” acoustic folk/”bluegrass adjacent” sound to the Sanctuary Arts Centre for one night only.

Karaoke & Comedy @ Roxbury Urban Dive Bar - 7:30pm

Better Times Comedy @ Good Robot Brewing - 8pm

Friday, 4/25

STARS ON ICE @ Scotiabank Centre - 7pm

Shiny Happy People: A Tribute to R.E.M. @ The Carleton - 8pm
Valley-based band Shiny Happy People bring their tribute to the inimitable R.E.M. to The Carleton on Friday, April 25th. Show time is 8 PM and tickets...

Breath & Beats Workshop with Mandy @ Nature Folk Wellness Collective - 6:30pm

Comedy Night @ Woodside Beverage Room and Grill - 8pm
Albert Coombes, Stu Anthony, Vineet Khasa, Liam Godson, Sharn McCormack, Joe Chupick

Acid Jazz: Experimental Comedy Show @ The Dart Gallery - 8pm
Acid Jazz is a comedy show at The Dart Gallery that showcases Experimental and alternative comedy, the last Friday of every month.

Braden Lam: Album Release Show @ The Sanctuary Arts Centre - 8pm

Shake Appeal Vol. 2 @ 2 Crows Brewing Co. - 8pm
featuring DJ sets from @waantsmusic @t_woozy and live performances from @yohvnblvck and @kyeclaytonst

Signal Hill @ Mill Cove Brew Pub - 8pm

Saturday, 4/26

Broadway Brunch – Motown Love @ The Carleton - 12pm
Rescheduled from February, Halifax’s hottest cabaret series – Broadway Brunch – is back at The Carleton with a Motown Love Edition on Saturday, April ...

The Halifax Health and Wellness Spring Show @ Cedar Event Centre - 10am-6pm

NSYO: Myths & Legends @ St. Andrew's United Church - 2pm
Chorus master Joel Tranquilla leads the NSYO and local youth choirs in a performance of glorious myths and legends.

Halifax Tides Home Opener vs. Calgary @ The Wanderers Grounds - 6pm

Symphony NS Season Launch Party @ Rebecca Cohn Auditorium - 7:30pm
Join us for our 2025/26 Season Launch Party with host Dominik Diamond and special guest Jah'Mila!

Corey Isenor & The Cash Outs with/ Sadie Skinner @ The Sanctuary Arts Centre - 7:30pm

Halifax Thunderbirds Playoffs @ Scotiabank Centre - 8pm

Only Good Company EP Release @ The Pint Public House - Halifax - 8pm
w/ Esdaile & Proud Dads

The Right Swipes @ The Carleton - 9pm

High School Mixtape Vol. 3 @ Marquee Ballroom - 9pm
90s and 2000s hip-hop and R&B classics performed live by The Mellotones and an all-star lineup of Halifax artists.

DISCOTHEQUE @ The Seahorse - 9pm
A NIGHT OF DISCO FUNK SOUL

The East Enders @ Durty Nelly's Irish Pub - 10:30pm

Sunday, 4/27

Broadway Brunch – Motown Love @ The Carleton - 12pm

MONTY PYTHON AND THE MEANING OF LIFE @ Bulwark Cider House - 3pm
Cozy Movies at Bulwark Cider House

OutFest Presents: Pillow Fite + Freya Milliken @ The Carleton - 7pm

Quatuor Élysée @ Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts - 7:30pm
Anyone who recalls the Paris-based Quatuor Élysée’s stunning performance for us three years ago will be eager to grab tickets for their return to Hali...

Monday, 4/28

AfterWords Literary Festival Presents: On Writing @ The Carleton - 11:30am-2:30pm

Chicago The Musical @ Scotiabank Centre - 7:30pm

Tuesday, 4/29

Pouya and Fat Nick Live in Halifax @ Light House Arts Centre - 8pm

Chicago The Musical @ Scotiabank Centre - 7:30pm

Jon Bryant @ Bella Rose Arts Centre - 7:30pm

That’s it for this week!

Got an event we should know about? Hit reply and let us know!

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