This is a week that will be remembered for a long time, but not for good reasons for those who live in the Porter’s Lake area. The reminders of what was going on in that community hovered over the skies everywhere the Scene went this week.
The quest for higher learning motivated me earlier in the week during a visit to CompuCollege’s Open House. It was Lights! Camera! Career! With the chance to try on a number of career options and see if it is a path that may be for you. Mini-workshops gave visitors the chance to learn about writing news releases, osteoporosis and the IT industry.
Anyone who listened to the radio in the 1970s is well-versed in the music of The Stampeders. The band’s tour took them to the Cohn this week, performing for an enthusiastic crowd who knew the words to every song. Fans even had the chance to meet the group after the show and get old albums autographed.
It was a double celebration at the Economy Shoe Shop Thursday night. In one corner was Halifax city councillor Dawn Sloan celebrating her birthday with friends. Since I am a gentleman, I never asked the good city representative how old she was…but rumour has it she’s 29… again! Fellow councillor Patrick Murphy was among those raising a glass in her honour.
On the other side of the Shoe Shop was Sara Parry saying her goodbyes to Halifax and the friends she’s made in the past month. Sara is a broadcast journalism student from England who chose to come to Halifax for her work experience before graduation. She came here knowing no one and decided that Canada was a great place to live and work. Safe travels back to the Old Country Sara!
The first annual Halifax Waterfront Music Festival brought together a variety of musicians, artists and performers and set them up on a waterfront stage with a 6000 square foot beer garden and perfect weather! Performers included The Fed Pennies, Andrew Hunter & the Gatherers, and Jimmy Swift Band. What a great Father’s Day weekend present it was, but sadly, I had to move on.
Memories of black sand beaches in Santorini came flooding back once again at the annual Greek Fest at St. George’s Church on Purcell’s Cove Road. The smell of souvlaki, the sound of a bouzouki playing and entertainers from as far away as Ottawa made everybody feel Greek for the weekend. I feel the need to go get some ouzo on the way home!
This year the Black Cultural Centre celebrates 25 years of Protecting, Preserving and Promoting Black culture in Nova Scotia. The celebrating got underway on Saturday with a Gala reception followed by a five-course gourmet dinner. I popped into the Dartmouth Ramada to catch some entertainment provided by the extraordinary and renowned Latin jazz, soul and pop vocalist Ms. Shelley Hamilton. Originally from Dartmouth, Shelley has been part of many award-winning musical projects. The Keynote Address was delivered by African-Nova Scotian film-maker Dr. Sylvia Hamilton.
Sunday started off with breakfast in bed and ended with a traditional Nova Scotia lobster boil. Aaah, you gotta love Father’s Day. Thanks girls! Back at it next week.
I’d love to make a deal to cover your event for The Scene. Just e-mail me at beatlejamie@eastlink.ca.
