What’s the best way to spend Victoria Day long weekend? Go to an art, DIY and music festival that celebrates the Queen.

We spent the last leg of our Maritime adventures in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We arrived from Moncton via train, spent the evening at a club where the boy DJed and did some vintage shopping.

By checking out Halifax’s local weekly paper The Coast, (a great resource for local happenings and food tips) during late morning coffee, we found an ad for the Long Live the Queen Festival.

In Canada the weekend closest to May 24th is celebrates the birthday of Queen Victoria and the current sitting queen. The grassroots festival is in its first year, curated by musicians from Halifax and centered in the north end neighbourhoood of the city. It was on from May 21st-23rd.

Since it was such a bright, sunny day perfect for roaming the city, and because it was close to our hotel on Quinpool Road, we decided to check it out. The main venue was just off Robie St.., in a small light blue-green-coloured structure, the North Street Church.

The bands were on break in the main hall so we checked out the handful of sellers at the Artists’ Market in the next room including the table of Halifax singer-songwriter Rebekah Higgs, which was decked out with lovely applique earrings and some great looking vintage eyeglasses.

I also scored an awesome silkscreened festival t-shirt and matching bag.

Unfortunately we were leaving that evening so didn’t get to check out the rest of the festival. But judging from the stellar lineup and the enthusiasm of the sellers in the Artists’ Market, this could grow even bigger and be Halifax’s version of Pop Montreal.

Here’s some other local Halifax places to check out linked to DIY, craft art and music:

- Roberts Street Social Centre (5684 Roberts Street) – a social space and a collection of projects dedicated to providing free or affordable access to independent and alternative media, art, and education
- Eyelevel Gallery (2063 Gottingen St) – artist-run centre/space for contemporary art
- Khyber Institute for Contemporary Art (1588 Barrington Street) – contemporary art space
- Economy Shoe Shop - (1663 Argyle Street
) resto/space
- Invisible Publishing - indie publishing house based in Halifax
- Halifax Crafters - group of craft artists who put on craft shows

Looking for a way to sell your goods this summer in Ottawa? We received this call out from the Council for the Arts in Ottawa:

Wanted – Local Artisans & Craftspeople for Ottawa’s famous ByWard Market

Have you wanted the opportunity and experience of selling your hand-made crafts at Canada’s largest outdoor Market? Now’s your chance – the City of Ottawa’s new vision for the ByWard Market includes local farmers, artists and craftpersons.

If you would like to explore the possibilities call Renée at 613-244-4410 today. An information session is being planned for late March. Get your application in by April 7 and start selling in May! Be part of this exciting change!

Recherchés – Artisans de la région pour le fameux marché By d’Ottawa

Avez-vous jamais eu envie de vendre vos produits faits à la main au plus important marché extérieur du Canada? Voici votre chance – La nouvelle vision du marché By de la Ville d’Ottawa comprend les producteurs, les artistes et les artisans de la région.

Si vous souhaitez explorer cette avenue, appelez Renée au 613-244-4410 dès aujourd’hui. Une séance d’information est prévue pour la fin mars. Envoyez votre demande d’ici le 7 avril et commencez à vendre vos produits en mai! Soyez engagé dans ce changement passionnant!