Hey Halifax!

The Mooseheads may be out of the playoffs, but the city’s heating up — with the Wanderers season opener, OutFest’s 10th anniversary, and a fresh round of Halifavourites featuring local musician and DIY rockstar Rebekah Higgs. Plus: weekend picks, a sweet giveaway, and a killer Song of the Week from Daniel James McFadyen. Let’s get into it. 🔥

⚽️ Halifax Wanderers Home Opener – April 19
The Mooseheads season came to an end last night, but the Wanderers return to Halifax after a solid start to the season, opening with a draw and a win on the road. They’ll face Pacific FC this Saturday, April 19 at Wanderers Grounds. Kickoff is at 4:30pm. Get your tickets here.

🌈 OutFest 2025 kicks off next week — the largest queer theatre festival in Atlantic Canada! Running April 21–27 across multiple Halifax venues, OutFest showcases bold and brilliant work from local, regional, and national 2SLGBTQIA+ artists. From theatre and dance to music, readings, and installations, it’s a six-day celebration of queer creativity in all its forms. This year marks their 10th edition, with exciting new partnerships and programming on deck. Full schedule at pg1-theatre.com/outfest-2025.

⭐️ Song of the Week

From Daniel:
“This song means a lot to me, and it feels even more relevant today than when I first wrote it. I’m incredibly proud of how it turned out and so grateful to the amazing folks who helped bring it to life.”

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Rebekah Higgs first made waves as the frontwoman of Ruby Jean & the Thoughtful Bees, then as a solo singer-songwriter, touring across Canada and beyond. After stepping away from music, she leaned into her background in marketing and TV production to create DIY MOM — a Bell TV series that followed her journey renovating homes as a single mom. Today, she’s a full-fledged DIY influencer with nearly 100K followers on Instagram and the founder of Matriarch Design & Contracting Co — a company offering full-service renovations, interior design, and creative consulting for clients looking to transform their spaces.

👇 We asked Rebekah to share a few of her favourite people and places around Halifax — here are her Halifavourites.

Coffee Shop

Ramblers
“My go-to coffee shop for a chill vibe and a great cup. I love what Elly and Adam are doing with their shop—Elly creates a sweet little zine called The Ambler, and Adam curates intimate music showcases in the cozy space. It’s a true north end neighbourhood gem.”

Under-the-Radar Restaurant

Mappatura
“Mappatura serves up homemade Italian food that’s full of heart. The calamari is to die for, the wine list is always on point, and the owners are warm and welcoming. It flies under the radar because of its unexpected location, but it’s walking distance from home—my perfect neighbourhood spot.”

Favourite Dish

Carrots & Crab at Bar Kismet
“This dish is my obsession. The carrots are dressed in a sherry vinaigrette that brings the perfect tang, and the crab is rich and buttery. It’s one of those dishes I crave out of the blue—and I keep going back for it.”

Ice Cream

Mexican Chocolate at Dee Dee’s
“Spicy, chocolatey, and totally crave-worthy. I love that I can pop into Dee Dee’s in my old North End neighbourhood on a sunny day—or just grab a tub from the corner store. Bonus: no one else in my house eats this flavour, so it actually lasts in my freezer!”

Workout

Reformer at The Pilates Barre
“I’ve been working out with Erika Ferguson for 10 years, and Reformer Pilates at her Hydrostone studio has changed my life. It’s helped heal old injuries from years of music and renos. Erika is a phenomenal teacher, and I’m so excited the studio is back after repairs and ready to welcome first time reformers.”

Hair Stylist

Renée at Salon Wisp
“Renée has been doing my signature ginger hair for the last five years, and she nails the colour every time. She’s also a Davines educator —an organic, Italian product that I swear by. I trust her completely with my locks.”

Grocer

Noggins on Coburg
“Noggins is my go-to because it’s so well curated—with tons of local produce, snacks, and dips from Nova Scotian vendors I love. It has all the basics, plus some delicious extras, and it’s walking distance from my house—so I’m there all the time.”

Local Musician

Aquakulture
“Aquakultre’s soulful sound and amazing beats always lift me up. There’s something contagious about watching someone sing with a smile on their face—it just radiates joy. I love his energy, his message, and how deeply he supports the Africville community. His story of redemption—overcoming a troubled youth and beginning to write music while serving time as a teenager in prison—is deeply inspirational. His journey and music are powerful reminders of what’s possible.”

Photographer

Matt McMullen
“Matt has never let me down—whether he’s capturing one of my home spaces or taking a portrait of me, he just gets it. His eye for light, mood, and detail always brings the best out of the moment. His gentle disposition would put anyone at ease, and that comfort shows in his photos.”

Artist

Emma Fitzgerald
“I love how Emma captures the quirkiness of Halifax in her drawings—her work has such charm and personality. I even turned one of her pieces of the Halifax waterfront into custom wallpaper and installed it in a living room. It brings so much character to the space.”

Clothing Haul

Urban Butter Sample Sales
“I shop here twice a year and always come away with something unique. People constantly ask me where I got my outfits—most are one-of-a-kind samples that aren’t sold in stores. It’s funky, fun, and the prices are amazing.”

Butcher

Osprey Roost
“This is where I stock up on beautiful local meats—and the best-kept skincare secret: beef tallow. A $4 tub goes on my face and body, and it’s been a total game-changer. Celebs like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton swear by it for reversing aging… and honestly, I get the hype.”

We want to send you and a friend to High School Mixtape at the Marquee next Saturday and Nova Scotia Music Week 2025 in Yarmouth this October!

Stay tuned to our Instagram today for details on how to win. Tickets are 80% sold and moving fast!

Thursday, 4/17

Leading Ladies Networking @ The Moxy - 5-7pm

Leftovers Comedy presents: THEATRESPORTS @ Bus Stop Theatre - 7:30pm

A Norah Jones Tribute: Featuring Izra Fitch & Rodrigo Donoso @ The Carleton - 7:30pm

Spontaneity Improve Showcase @ Rox Live - 7:30pm

Dan Hendricken @ Propeller Tap Room (Bedford Highway) - 8pm
Presented by The Comedy Stand

Rose Cousins @ Rebecca Cohn - 8pm

Laugh Love, Live - The Comedy Gameshow @ Propeller Arcade - 8pm

Mötley Crüe tribute @ The Basement - 10pm

Vinyl Night w/ Century Samuel @ The Local - 10pm
$5 Jameson Drink Special

Record Fair Kickoff Party @ Retro Dance Bar - 10pm-3:30am
w/ Jim Sharp (UK), Double A, French For Horse, DJ Moves

Friday, 4/18

We Come With Many Stories: Publication Launch @ The Khyber - 5-7pm

Halifax Hoopers vs. Tri-State Admirals @ Zatzman Sportsplex - 7pm
Home Opener

Colrain w/ Studio B & The Fizz @ Woodside Tavern - 7pm

The Smoke Show – Bucket & A Mop @ The Bus Stop Theatre - 6pm

Ryan Williams @ Yuk Yuks - 8pm

Daniel James McFadyen & Friends @ The Carleton - 8pm

Lighthouse Presents: ZERO (UK) @ THE MARQUEE BALLROOM @ Marquee Ballroom - 10pm

Y2K Anniversary Party @ The Seahorse - 11pm

Saturday, 4/19

Halifax Record Fair @ Halifax Forum Maritime Hall - 9am-4pm

Halifax Wanderers vs. Pacific FC @ Wanderers Grounds - 4pm
Home Opener

Easter Egg Hunt @ Argyle Fine Art
We will be hosting an Easter Art Hunt downtown Halifax and in the gallery on Saturday April 19th! EGG-plore downtown, the waterfront and our shop for your chance to win awesome art-ful prizes!

The Kickback Comedy Party @ Halifax Live Comedy Club - 7pm

STEVE-O Super Dummy! Tour @ Light House Arts Centre - 7pm

Daniel James McFadyen & Friends @ The Carleton - 8pm

Crossfade: A Night of Rap & Trap Music @ The Marquee - 8pm
w/ Big Daddy Mark, Nick Hood, Okay TK

Country Music Night @ Monte’s Showbar Grill - 9pm

Trashin’ in Fashion @ Staggers Pub & Grill - 9pm

Electric Spoonful: “Criminal” Single Release Party @ The Seahorse - 9pm
w/ Hooch, Kids Losing Sleep, Dad Patrol and more

THRIVE 2.0 @ Stillwell Hi-Fi - 9pm

Sunday, 4/20

Writers Circle @ The Bus Stop Theatre - 1-3pm

Paint & Sip: Easter Edition @ The Oxford Taproom - 2-4pm

Halifax Hoopers vs. Tri-City Tide @ Zatzman Sportsplex - 4pm

Monday, 4/21

OutFest (April 21-27)
OutFest, the largest Queer performance festival in Mi’kma’ki / Atlantic Canada celebrates ten years of incredible storytelling, new ideas, and resiliency.

Tuesday, 4/22

Madeline & Ethan Tyler @ Celtic Corner

That’s it for this week!

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

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