NewsletterFebruary 13, 2025

Upward Kitchen Opens, JUNO Noms & Valentine’s Weekend Plans

From Classified & India Gailey’s JUNO nominations to a brand-new debut single from Strange Plants, there’s plenty to celebrate this week in Halifax. Upward Kitchen has also officially opened, serving fresh, affordable meals for the community. Plus, the PRE-SHRUNK art show is still running, and Valentine’s weekend is packed with great events—whether you’re celebrating solo, with pals, or with your person.

Read on for all the details and this week’s top events.

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Upward Kitchen: Fresh, Affordable Food for the Community

A new initiative at The Nook is bringing fresh, affordable meals to Halifax. Upward Kitchen, led by Chef Mark Brand and supported by East Coast Credit Union, expands on an existing kitchen that already produces 1,500 meals daily for kids and community partners like North End Community Health Centre and Feed Nova Scotia.

Now, with this new retail space, anyone can stop by for fresh and frozen meals, baked goods, sandwiches, and coffee—all priced with affordability in mind. East Coast Credit Union has committed five years of funding and volunteer support, helping ensure food security remains a priority in the city.

Built on community partnerships and impact-driven work, Upward Kitchen is here to serve. Stop by The Nook on Gottingen and grab a meal that makes a difference! 🍽️✨

Classified & India Gailey Nominated for 2025 JUNO Awards

Big news for Halifax music—Classified and India Gailey just scored JUNO nominations!

🔥 Classified is up for Rap Album/EP of the Year with Luke’s View and Rap Single of the Year for People. A true East Coast hip-hop icon still making waves!

🎻 India Gailey landed a nod for Classical Album of the Year (Solo Artist) with Butterfly Lightning Shakes the Earth—a beautifully experimental work that blends tradition with bold new sounds.

The JUNO Awards go down March 30 in Vancouver—fingers crossed for both of them! 🤞🏆

Classified on: Instagram | Spotify
India Gailey on: Instagram | Spotify

🎨 Big Show, Small Art: PRE-SHRUNK at Argyle Fine Art

Argyle Fine Art’s PRE-SHRUNK exhibition is back for its 21st year, featuring 400+ original artworks, each just 4” x 5” and priced at $175. If you missed the opening, don’t worry—the show runs until February 25 both in-person and online. This is your chance to discover and collect small-scale works from local and national artists.

Check it out at Argyle Fine Art before it’s gone! 🖼️✨

🎶 New Music: Strange Plants Drop Their Debut Single

Strange Plants is a brand-new project from Matt Brannon & Travis Flint (formerly of Hot Mondy), diving deep into vintage psychedelia with a raw, analog-driven sound. Recorded at Creative Workshop in Nashville with the help of Robbie Crowell (Deer Tick, Sturgill Simpson), their debut album captures a warm, textured, old-school feel.

The band is stacked with talent, featuring Craig Mercer (Jimmy Swift Band, Scientists of Sound, The Will Be Gones), Billy Habib (The Brood), Chrissy Armstrong (Norc), and Dale Wilson on drums.

Their first single, “Tell Me All Your Secrets, Pt. 2”, is a hypnotic, analog-fueled trip—blending influences from MGMT, Jack White, and Pink Floyd while keeping it timeless and fresh. Give it a listen. 🌿✨

Follow Strange Plants on: Instagram | Spotify

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Thursday, 2/13

Galentines Paint & Sip @ Garrison Brewery - 6:30pm

Halifax Mooseheads vs. Cape Breton @ Scotiabank Centre - 7pm

Hello City: Love Letters @ Bus Stop Theatre - 7:30-10pm
“A totally improvised show based on love letters written by you, the audience!”

Valentines Day Drag Bingo @ 2Crows Oxford - 8pm

Better Times Comedy @ Good Robot - 8pm

Friday, 2/14 💝

Love Songs For Valentines Day @ The Glitter Bean - 12-1:30pm

ALL-ENTINES DAY @ New Scotland Brewing
An all inclusive afternoon of crafting in community (Crafts: 3-6pm, Mix & Mingle Bingo: 7-10pm)

Trickough Baking Co. Pop-Up @ Isle At Ease - 4-7pm

Wanna Spoon (Valentines Woodcarving Workshop) @ 2Crows - 6pm

Halifax Drink & Draw @ Oxford Taproom - 7-9:30pm

Speed Friending @ Good Robot - 7pm

Galentines Day Bingo w/ Tracy & Martina @ The Seahorse - 7pm

Pillow Princess Party @ Gus’ Pub - 7:30pm
Music: Burry + Sundae Girl | Drag: Colin Sick + Hannibal Lickeder

Garrett Mason @ Dartmouth Woodside Tavern - 8pm

Country Legends Tour @ The Marquee - 8pm

Bean Mine? Valentines, Galentines & Palentines @ Cafe Lara Kempt - 8pm

Valentimes w/ Tommy Green Jr + Special Guests @ Bus Stop Theatre - 8:30pm

Soulful Valentines w/ Roxy & Guests @ Bearlys - 9pm

Silk w/ Alfie & DJ Henry-T @ Fawn - 9:30pm

Soulstice Sounds @ Bar Sofia - 10pm-2am

Y2K Night w/ Loukas Stilldrunk @ The Seahorse - 10:30pm

Saturday, 2/15

Huskies Basketball Clinic (Ages 7-15) @ Homburg Center - 9am-1pm

Rankins Winter Warmer @ The Marquee - 3-6pm

Halifax Jazz Fest: Listening Lounge @ Stillwell Taproom HiFi - 3:30-5pm
HJF Artistic Director Andrew Jackson (also host of The Outer Edge on CKDU 88.1FM), alongside DJ Douvet, will be bringing a collection of vinyl from current and classic jazz recordings from Black artists. A great opportunity for discussion and discovery. 🎶

Sex With Sue Documentary Screening + Panel @ Bus Stop Theater - 7pm

Halifax Thunderbirds vs. Toronto Rock @ Scotiabank Centre - 7:30pm

The Eminem Show: A Real Slim Shady Tribute @ Bella Rose Arts Center - 8-10pm

G-Street Band @ Pacifico - 8:30-11:30pm

The Mellotones Valentines Dance @ Mic Mac AAC - 8:30pm

Retro Night w/ Maximum Overdrive @ The Seahorse - 9pm-2am

Halifax Hootenanny @ Mayflower Curling Club - 9pm-1am

DISCOTHEQUE w/ Century Samuel & Douvet @ The Marquee - 10pm