The dark nights of fall are about to get brighter in downtown Halifax in honour of Mi’kmaq History Month.
The Downtown Halifax Business Commission has announced the return of “Delightful Downtown” to help glow up our city again this year through a series of vivd light shows and installations.
The first show of the season will be projected onto the former Halifax Memorial Library at Grafton Park, off Spring Garden.
You’ll be able to catch the premier of the “Mi’kmaq History Month Light Show,” starting at 7 p.m. on Friday.
The twinkling and colourful display also marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th.
“Bringing this project to life was an extremely collaborative effort. Ensuring the people of Nova Scotia felt represented in this work was important to us,” says CEO Paul MacKinnon of the Downtown Halifax Business Commission in a news release. “We received a $25,000 grant from the Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing to make the Delightful Downtown at Grafton Park light projections a reality.”
The show will highlight the theme “Mi’kmaw Beadwork & the Art of Beading” and will feature designated speakers as well as drumming and song from Mi’kmaq Native Friendship Centre.
The vivid production will pay tribute to elders including Rita Joe, a residential school survivor and the first Mi’kmaw published author. Elders Elsie Basque, Nora Bernard, and Doug Knockwood will also be recognized.
“This collaboration, the design, the stories, the music, all celebrate the Mi’kmaq elders who have contributed to the upliftment of the Nova Scotian indigenous community,” says Cheryl Copage-Gehue, Indigenous Community Engagement Advisor, with HRM’s Diversity & Inclusion office in a news release.
Mi’kmaw musician Raymond Sewell composed the music for the show.
The event runs until March 31, 2023. You’ll be able to catch a variety of shows based on different seasonal and cultural themes.
You can find out more here.
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