Nova Scotia is steeped in history and alive with East coast hospitality.
Things are different around here lately, but there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the local culture, arts and entertainment, and Maritime cuisine from the comfort and safety of your home.
We've put together some suggestions to help you enjoy local during these unprecedented times and more!
From Canadian reads and local artists to our favourite gardening tips and takeout places - our team has loads of suggestions worth trying!
ANDREW'S TRAD PICKS
(Event Manager)
Nova Scotia has a long history of producing amazing musicians. Scottish, Irish, French and Indigenous traditions (to name a few) all help to create a unique musical backdrop that goes along nicely with our incredible natural beauty. Here’s a list of local and international artists to help you build a playlist for your next trip to Nova Scotia.
Colin Grant An awesome fiddler from Cape Breton Island (Andrew's Home). Colin takes Scottish, Irish, and Acadian influences and creates something fresh and new.
Dara Smith-MacDonald and Adam Young - A fiddle/piano duo also from Cape Breton (there must be something in the water). If Andrew could only suggest one contemporary album to folks ‘from away’ to really get a sense of what traditional music back home is like, this would be it.
Talisk -An instrumental group from Scotland that’s trailblazing a new definition of traditional music.
The East Pointers - Three incredibly talented singers and instrumentalists from Atlantic Canada that take our historical influences into amazing contemporary places.
Julie Fowlis - An incredible Gàidhlig singer from North Uist (Uibhist a Tuath) in Scotland. The Gaelic language and culture is a big part of life here in Alba Nuadh (Nova Scotia).
SUSANNE'S GREEN THUMB PICKS
(National Association Sales Manager)
Now is the perfect time of year to test your green thumb and start growing some delicious veggies that will enhance your favourite dishes
Fingerling Potatoes - Such a fun potato to grow; and easy. Sow in the ground late May, and just let mother nature do its thing. They are usually ready to harvest in the fall. With so many varieties to choose from – there’s a flavour profile for everyone.
Kale - Kale can be planted in early spring and is versatile in the garden, growing in traditional beds or raised beds and containers. It’s also versatile in the kitchen and a nutritious addition to salads, stir-fries, omelette’s, casseroles, and other dishes. It also freezes great!
Heirloom Tomatoes - Heirlooms come in all sizes and colours—red, yellow, black, pink, orange, and green. They're not always perfectly round like the ones at your local grocery store, but you won't care one bit once you taste them.
Lettuce - One of my favourite things to grow as there are so many varieties. From spicy kinds to subtle buttery types. Lettuce is a cool-season crop that grows well in the spring and fall in most regions. Because lettuce grows quickly, plant a small amount at a time, staggering your plantings to a continued harvest!
Peas - There's nothing better than walking out to the garden for a snack! Green Peas must be planted as early as possible in the spring to get a full harvest before hot summer temperatures arrive and put an end to production.
CHARMAINE'S FAMILY MEALS PICKS
(Sous Chef)
Here's a list of Charmaine's favourite slow food meals, that your family can spend extra time making together. Variations of the recipes can be found online, to help you pick the best option to suit your family's needs.
Baked Beans - This recipe can take days because you can soak dried scarlet runner beans from the family veggie garden. This makes the beans larger than average baked beans. Next, simmer them for 8 hours in a slow cooker.
Oatmeal Brown Bread - What goes well with baked beans? Charmaine loves making her great grandmother’s oatmeal brown bread recipe. It requires two proofing times, but the wait is ALWAYS worth it.
Cabbage Rolls - Find recipes that have been passed down through the family to cook with your kids. Charmaine's mom had lost her Cabbage Roll recipe, so they had a long phone call where her mother described the process, and she tried to turn it into a recipe. It took a couple of days to make, but it was a success, and just like Mom’s!
Greek Pitas - Greek pitas are such a hit with Charmaine's family that they work them into their menu each week. You can enjoy them as donairs, pork souvlaki, falafels, and even turn some into individual pizzas.
Vachon Billot Logs - And last of all... Charmaine figured out how to make Vachon Billot logs! She had to scroll through a lot of swiss roll recipes to find one that would be the right texture for the cake. She used boiled icing for the creamy filling and strained some raspberry jam for inside and out. She even rolled the finished product in shredded coconut.
JENN'S FAVOURITE READS PICKS
(Event Manager)
Looking for something Canadian, local or non-fiction? Jenn's favourite reads will keep you held up with a good book and a cup of tea.
The Audacity to Win - A great novel for any fan of politics, strategy and/or history. The Audacity to Win is written by former Obama campaign manager.
Everyday Heros - Inspirational stories from men and women in the Canadian Armed Forces. Jenn had the opportunity to meet and work with the author several years ago.
Where the Sidewalk Ends - A collection of fun poems and drawings for all ages.
Viola Desmond Won't Be Budged! - An important Nova Scotian Story about Viola Desmondbecoming a Canadian human rights icon.
The Art of Alfred Hitchcock - A glimpse into some of the amazing works of director Alfred Hitchcock.
Are you looking to support local bookstores? Try Bookmark Halifax for curbside pickup!
MAHOGANY'S FAMILY FUN PICKS
(Corporate Sales Manager)
Dance Party - Just Dance videos on Youtube make dancing fun. Load a playlist on your Smart TV or gaming system to have a dance-off with the whole family! Don't forget to check out some of our local artists in the East Coast Music Association.
Puzzle Time - Puzzles are something easy that your family can do, at any time. Guaranteed there's at least one puzzle in your house that hasn't been put together yet! Visit Nova Scotia now offers virtual puzzles of some of Nova Scotia's famous landmarks. Best part? No mess or fear of it getting bumped!
Meal Prep - This activity has become an all-time family favourite. Having the kids help in the kitchen and decide what meals and desserts will be made makes for a lot of laughter! It's always nice to have the added help when cleaning up. Check out Charmaine's Picks for some fun family meal suggestions.
Game Night – Who doesn’t love a good Connect Four or Unstable Unicorn Battle? If you are looking to up your board game collection, the Board Room Cafe is delivering games to your Halifax doorstep. Such an awesome local initiative that will help keep the whole family entertained.
Project Build - Woodworking projects and creating crafts with your hands can be lots of fun! From metal display racks to bird feeders to squirrel picnic tables! Try building and painting things that are both fun and functional. Pinterest is the perfect resource for all things creative.
Bonus: Have your kids write old fashion pen pal letters to their friends! Make sure they leave lots of space for glitter and stickers.
Several Halifax businesses remain open and are providing pick-up or delivery options to meet your needs! There are many ways outside of purchasing from their establishments that you can help support their local businesses:
-Purchase gift cards for use later from the businesses' website
-Follow, like and share their posts on social media
-Write a review on their businesses to help them when they re-open.
Find a complete list of open Downtown Halifax Businesses here:
RENT A BOARD GAME
Board games are a fantastic way to pass the time while you’re safely isolated at home, the famous Board Room Cafe is offering free “contact-less” delivery for any order over $40 within the HRM. In addition, for every $40 spent you will receive one free admission to the cafe when they return to normal business.
Check out their online store for details:
NATIONAL TAKEOUT DAY
National Takeout Day was created to encourage Canadians to stay home and Support Local every Wednesday. National Takeout Day helps us celebrate the delicious flavours our province has to offer, and perhaps try something new for the tastebuds, or get your fave dish for the family. There are loads of options packed with Nova Scotian flavours!
NEPTUNE GOES LIVE
Despite cancelling their season due to the social gathering restrictions, Neptune Theatre has found a way to connect with audiences. Artistic Director Jeremy Webb has been going live on Facebook Tuesday to Friday evenings with special guests to talk about their experiences at Neptune, their careers, memories of Neptune and the future. Each week will have a different lineup of guests. People are encouraged to tune in and take part – questions can be sent during the events. Check out Neptune Theatre on Facebook to be a part of the audience.
EAST COAST QUARANTINE KITCHEN
The East Coast Kitchen is a boutique catering company owned and operated by Chef Andy Hay. They create custom East Coast food experiences for corporate and private clients. They are flexible, dynamic, and committed to creating world-class culinary experiences, anywhere. They've proven that statement by creating a free online cooking show through Instagram called East Coast Quarantine Kitchen. You'll love learning how to hone your cooking craft.
There's lots of good news circulating around our city and province worth sharing! Maritimers are the friendliest people around and these stories are no exception!
Owners of Dartmouth restaurant, the Canteen, have reopened their kitchen to team up with the Dartmouth North Community Food Centre. The owners and three of their staff members will prepare 300-400 meals a week with food supplied to them by the community centre. The community centre will pick up the packaged meals and deliver them to people in need in the community. Thank you The Canteen & the Dartmouth North Community Food Centre!
A new partnership launched between the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia and Girl Guides of Nova Scotia to support Girl Guides with their spring cookie campaign. With pandemic protocols in place, the Girl Guides haven’t been able to sell their cookies through their usual methods.
The partnership will see restaurants in Nova Scotia that are open for take-out and/or delivery to sell boxes of cookies along with the food orders. All money from the proceeds of the cookie sales will support girls and women in Guiding. In addition, the Bank of Montreal will donate $1 to United Way for every box of Girl Guide cookies sold through the initiative.