Waterfront festival staging area was extremely inhospitable. Saturday afternoon 2:00, wiltingly…read morehot. Not a lick of shade. No seats. Someone guarding a bunch of plastic chairs. Not sure what that was about. Performers singing and for 20 (?) people. Unclear what we were allowed to bring and what we weren't. Not like any jazz festival I have ever attended. Other smaller venues were much better (hydrostone was fantastic). But the main stage...dismal

A great festival that brings some amazing musical acts to Halifax each and every summer…read more The have all kinds of different acts to choose from, with the cost of the act varying the entire time as well. The waterfront location provides a beautiful backdrop for the main stage to look out on, but this festival is so much more than just a one stage act. There are musical acts all over the city throughout the week that you are able to take in and enjoy. The afternoon's down on the waterfront stage are free, and a great chance to have your kids and yourself, get a break from the Biebers and the Britney's of the world. To see where the real music came from. All the samples they hear in the back round of what is passed off as pop these days. So get out Halifax, and soak up some good old fashioned jazz music.

This year was a stellar year for the Nocturne crew. Considering it's all volunteer, it was VERY…read morewell planned and perfectly executed. Their use of social media was outstanding this year (which last year lacked). Facebook and twitter were a buzz with Nocturne posts. The atmosphere on the street was awesome. Happy, relaxed, and just plain 'ol fun. It was easy to tell the "bar goers" from the "Nocturne crawlers" from the way they were dressed, Nocturnites were sporting layers, whilst the bar people sported mini skirts that could have been belts (not that I'm complaining). Many small businesses stayed open late to accommodate the 20,000+ people that hit Halifax for the evening. It's good to see a city pull together for an art event, now that we see the cities potential we need to do it more (not just art events). 5 stars all the way Nocturne! Already looking forward and planning next year!

Wow! How can you not give this event a strong five. The work alone that was put into it, I thought…read morewas fabulous. This was my first time being part of this event and what a night it turned out to be. I was amazed at the amount of people that filled out streets, around five thousand I believe. My favorite was the "Car Wash", that song along brought back memories. The waterfront had a fabulous outdoor acrobatic event. Also - we went to where you could talk on a cell phone to people around the world, our person was in Cambodia. I will say, I think they need to make it a two day event next year. There was too much for us to cover and it had so many zones in all areas of the downtown core, it even expanded to Dartmouth which I hear had a roller rink, how cool is that. One thing Please: Put the map and details up sooner on the website for everyone to look at so you can map out your evening or you could do as us, roll the dice and hope you hit something you like. I loved the DD bus to get from zone to zone. See you on the streets!

"So... what is podcamp?"…read more That's a question I get whenever I mention podcamp. Don't fret - it's not like Fight Club; attendees are free to discuss this event with outsiders. Because we usually want you to be insiders! Podcamp is a volunteer-driven "un-conference" about social media and more. I go because I use a lot of social media in my personal and professional life so I'd like to find out more. There are a variety of workshops and sessions put on, again, by volunteers. Once you've registered for the day, you simply show up and use your feet to demonstrate your interest. And there's a lot to select from! Whether you want to learn about podcasting, SEO optimization, how to make your Web site mobile-friendly or learn about the pitfalls of starting a blog, there are lots of opportunities to learn. The mood of each session is set by the presenter but the common theme is definitely "Here's what I've learned so far..." Be forewarned: if you don't have a smart phone, you will feel very left out. Never have I seen so many people with phones in hand all at one time. Did I mention the day ends with an iPad giveaway? Reason enough to register for 2013?

Podcamp is easily one of the most accessible, informative, and valuable 'conferences' that Halifax…read morehas going for it. It's completely free to attend, sessions range from introductory courses for newbies to advanced debates for digital hobnobbers, and you can come and go as you please without having to lock into any one path or discussion. Not only that, if you have something to share, you can sign up in advance to host your own talk. Just keep it focused on value for the community instead of self-promotion, would you? The audience of the day spans all sectors, ages, and demographics, so shelf the business suit and come as you are. Just be ready for a packed day of information and plenty of opportunities to meet a whole lot of interesting Haligonians. A couple of warnings for first-timers: - Tickets go fast and there isn't much advance build-up to tip you off, so make sure you're paying attention toward the end of the year for the new January dates. - It starts early on a Sunday. Like, 'before a lot of coffee shops open' early. But don't worry, everyone will be either hungover or groggy first thing. You'll fit right in. - A boxed lunch option is usually available at $15 a pop. It's well worth it for a couple of reasons. First off, Local Source makes it super delicious. Second, none of the local restaurants are ever prepared (that means you, Celtic Corner) for the crowds no matter how many times they're told. Skip the long waits and crowded tables.

I should start by saying that I am really not a sci-fi or comic buff. I don't participate in…read morecosplay or steampunk or watch Anime in my spare time. However, I do enjoy the occasional supernatural or sci-fi movie and tv show, and above all I can respect the creativity and passion of those that ARE sci-fi/comic buffs! Hal-Con is like the mecca for my local city's contigent of such folks. I actually attended as a volunteer for Yelp Halifax Saturday morning, then attended the events in the afternoon with my sister and boyfriend (who is part of the sci-fi/comic buff group previously mentioned), more out of curiosity than anything. I had never been to such an event before, and wanted to see what it was like. I had SO much fun. I didn't buy anything that the vendors were selling, and to be honest I would never really do so since (again) this stuff really isn't my thing. However, I enjoyed looking and admiring everything so much - some of the detail and technical knowledge that goes into making the models, pictures and costumes that filled the rooms everywhere I looked was mind-boggling. Plus the crowd was just "nice" - people were actually saying 'excuse me' and 'sorry' when they bumped into you, which was a revelation. The real reason I attended this year was to take my sister to meet Nicholas Brendon, aka Xander Harris from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and I succeeded! (see attached photographic proof). I totally turned into a dorky superfan upon meeting him, I am not even going to lie. Even though the meeting was about 1 minute from start-to-finish (hello, photo, goodbye) it was still the highlight of my day. I mean, come on, what person who was a teenager in the mid-to-late 90's did NOT watch Buffy and want live in it?! (No? Just me? Oh....ok) The event seemed super busy and the crowd seemed to be enjoying everything, so I would say kudos to the organizers. This looks good for next year! Even though I had no idea what 90% of the costumes or references were, I still had a great time.

Without any legitimate claim to nerd or geek status (I always admit that I am, at best,…read moregeek-adjacent), I was a little nervous committing to a full weekend at Hal-Con. I pictured hoards of people giving me the side-eye whenever I gawked at their incredible costumes, or rolling their eyes when I bashfully asked questions about their hobbies. Well, guess what? Even without knowing much about anything happening throughout the weekend, I felt 100% welcome among this crowd of misfits, I learned so much about things I didn't even know existed (Steampunk, anyone?), and only felt weirded out whenever the furries were around. From my perspective, it was a five-star experience with more to see and do than even our region's largest and most popular festivals and events. *The exhibition space hosted tons of incredible local vendors with everything from Nintendo plush toys to locally authored and illustrated books and comics, making it easy to support local shops. *The artist aisle did the same for artisan wares from zombie brain egg holders (it makes sense when you see 'em), to cardboard dolls of The Big Bang Theory and Jem and the Hollograms. *Two massive games room meant easy access to just about any board, video, card or even pinball game you can imagine. And all this is happening at the same time as countless workshops, panels, autograph signings, and interviews, not to mention my favourite activity of running up to strangers in incredible costumes and getting photos of their most epic poses. Easier than you'd think! The few kinks: 1) ATMs were accessible but scarce, 2) not much food or drink on site, 3) and holy moly was the schedule ever overwhelming. That last one's a good thing, but it was tough to keep tabs on everything you wanted to check out. Well worth checking out next year!

Really great for large events, the space is huge and open. Another bonus is the location, very…read morecentral and close to downtown without actually being downtown. Most recently, I attended a wedding here. With 300 guests, beautiful decor, and a live band the place was bumping. Only complaint is someone was playing in the rehearsal space in the basement when the bride was walking down the aisle, which was quite distracting. It's a great place for corporate events, crafts shows and weddings. I'd say the most important thing to keep in mind is numbers, the place is so big it would be daunting for small groups. Be prepared to be your creative hat on. The space comes empty and you'll need decor to transform the place into something special.

I've been to many different functions here and I am amazed at what can be done with this space…read more Great central location - bus, taxi, walk or do a combo. Lots of parking options around. Great space: - two sets of stairs - stage - not too long a washroom wait - bright - separate entry and exit -- ample room at the entrance to do tickets, greetings, coat check - empty lot out back to give your guests outdoor space to roam - kitchen It's got everything! Check it out :)

An amazing museum and very affordable. The staff stationed throughout the museum were all so…read moreinformative and helpful. My 5 and 2 year old enjoyed all the exhibits and on an early Thursday morning we found the place pretty quiet. The bubble room, musical stairs, and energy rooms were our favorites. Lots of clean spacious bathrooms, a coat check area, and snack bar. Just a short (1/3 mi?) walk from the cruise terminal. We really recommend this place!

My review of the Discovery Centre is based on the Science, Spirits and Boos event…read more Okay, you know me, I just have to be honest. I don't blame Yelp for this one but overall this event was lame. Firstly, I hated that I couldn't really mingle with other yelpers. :( Secondly, no free food or drink? Not even water was free (besides the fountain I finally found). I guess I just assumed for 38 bucks a ticket (yes thankfully as a Yelp elite I didn't have to pay but can't believe others did). We had to ask the girl selling food where we could get water and she said we could wait in the line for the bar but then went and got us a plastic cup that we could fill at the fountain. Now here's the real disgusting part, food and drink costs were astronomical! $7.50 for a tiny little plastic cup of green liquid, $4.25 for a bottle of water, $4.50 for a cup of chili, and no vegan options (not that I'd spend that even if they did). Next, it didn't feel much like a Halloween party besides people being dressed up. I did love the giant screens with the projections of ghosts and Jack o'lanterns but would have been nice to have had Halloween music and some other decor. The building itself is beautiful. I love the giant colorful lights and the view of the seaport market from the top floor. It was my first time at the Discovery Center and I am glad I did get to visit, especially for free but I definitely wouldn't pay to go back. I found myself really bored by the exhibits. My favourite part were the 3d printers. It was so cool to finally see one in person. I also have to mention that I was in fact offended by the organ dissections going on. I walked into the room not knowing what it was and saw a giant cow heart on the table. I asked what it was and turned around and said "nope I'm not okay with this." As a vegan, that was pretty heartbreaking to me. I was also offended by the kids area where they had a fake cow to milk and a plastic butcher shop area with fake meat to play with. Apologies for letting my vegan show, it's just pretty hard to disconnect. Nothing against jazz or the band playing but that also felt strange for a Halloween party. Anyhow, I thank Yelp for getting me in for free and since I was with my friend we still had an okay time but we left by 9pm because of everything I described. I definitely have no desire to visit the Discovery Center again. This event was a pretty big disappoint for me.

Went as apart of a large group, didn't know what to expect…read more I imagined small round tables, candle light, smoky room and lots of role playing. What I got instead was a pleasurable 2.5 hour supper and entertained as well! When first entering the location, you can take the elevator to the 3rd floor or take the stairs on the right. You enter the lounge area with full bar and self coat check. At 6:45 the players come out and are within the crowd to do the housekeeping and setting of the theater part. Parties are led into the other room and seated. As part of the large group we were sat at long tables. In front of us were the menus & huge loaf of bread for 6 people. The theater part was in the corner, easy visible due to the seating layout. The 5 players were also our servers, so they went over the table, took our names and our full order. At the table we had the menu. Honestly, they had lots of choices. I saw afterwards that the menu is posted on their website. I had the seafood chowder, Cajun Sausage stuffed chicken breast & Baked Apple Crisp. Everybody in our table chose different items and were pleased with the meal. The players played about 9-10 songs from the rolling stones as part of the theater part in between servings us. Tickets are ~42$ per person and does not include tips, but adding a few extra bucks for the players is worth it as they really try to remember your name and stay in character when serving the dishes. Staff gets an A++ If you want try something different and not be forced to participate, this is a good spot to try. The website has all the info you need.

To be clear, dinner theatre isn't really my jam. I love food so much that I typically don't need…read moreadditional entertainment to make an evening count - so long as the meal's a standout, I'd actually prefer being able to focus on eating it with maaaaaybe a little conversation with friends on the side. Maybe. Still, Grafton Dinner Theatre puts on a nice night on the town for when you're in the mood for this sort of thing. It's a couple of hours long with constant song, dance, or kitschy jokes for a crowd that simply eats it all up -read: older people from Cape Breton. Yeah. I went there. The space itself is weirdly divey. It's all very dark so you can't take much in besides the very small corner stage and long communal tables are set up to accommodate the maximum number of people possible. It's not so good for an intimate evening but perfect for a large group that has ideally had a few drinks beforehand. Pretty unremarkable food on the vegetarian front, but that's not too surprising.

We went down to catch the Pride Parade today. Wow what a parade, it was spectacular and there were…read morehundred of spectators lining the street to cheer on this wonderful event. Halifax was hopping today, after the Parade you could go to the Garrison Grounds where there were many vendors set up for you to sample their products. There were things there for kids, adults, youth, you name it, they had it covered. There was a stage set up with live music as well. It really was a great festival to attend. I hope you enjoy the pictures!! After this show, if you wanted you could go to catch the huge concert on the commons, The Black Eyed Peas!!! See you there! Halifax was rockin this weekend!!!

Another reason why our city rocks socks? Halifax has the largest Pride festival in Atlantic Canada,…read moreand continues to get bigger, better and more embraced by everyone as each year passes. It seems that this upcoming event (July 18-25) is packing some serious heat, with over 140 floats, bands and other sites throughout the city dedicated to Pride times. Whether you're gay, lesbian, transgender, bi or straight, this is an event thats all about LOVE. It doesn't matter who, just love and be loved... and celebrate that. People of all kinds can come together and celebrate the freedom of lifestyle, and this is very much a positive statement for our city as a whole. The infamous parade is only the beginning. Plays, food and drink specials, sports games, live entertainment+djs, free cover, comedy nights, a boat cruise--- the list goes on and on! I'd suggest picking up an agenda (available at most local businesses/ grocery stores) and reading through the day-by-day schedule. There is a lot planned, so checking out the options seems to be a good strategy. I noticed that The Cliks are playing on July 24th... a band I discovered during my L Word days. How fun. I absolutely love the downtown energy buzzing around during Pride Week. Everyone is in good spirits, and its all about that infectious bout of free choice. The next two weeks are sure to be action packed, so get out, embrace, and have a gay ol' time!