Avery Dakin
Monday, January 6
7:30 PM - $15

Steeped in vintage sensibilities and powerful emotion, paired with her dreamy, delicate vocals, East Coast Music Award nominee Avery Dakin fuses old and new in her sultry, sun-kissed Pop/R&B music. 

Hailing from Nova Scotia, Canada, Avery's soft-hearted, soulful accounts of life’s most intimate moments are both youthfully charming and reflective of an old, contemplative soul. Cushioned within lush, shimmering harmonies and bathing in soft sweetness, Avery’s music implores you to sway along to the sweet, earnest sounds of a woman in bloom.

Jimmy Flynn
Friday, January 10
7:30 PM - $36

Jimmy Flynn is your next door neighbour, your funny uncle and a lively entertainer all rolled into one. He bursts onto the stage with his sou’wester hat, rubber boots and guitar, and packs his performance with his own brand of Maritime humour and music. His audience gets caught up in all the fun, and laughs and sings right along with him. Nobody sits still when Jimmy’s on stage. He’s an energetic entertainer who finds a receptive audience wherever he goes.

There is only one rule at a Jimmy Flynn show – have a good time. And Jimmy is happy to report that everyone at his shows follows that rule.

“If there is one thing people have in common, it’s the need to laugh,” says Jimmy. “I know it’s been said many times, but I really believe that laughter is the best medicine. I know it works for me, and so far, it works for my audiences. When people come to my show, they have a good time.”

Jimmy has been in the “good time” business for over 30 years. He has given thousands of performances to audiences as diverse as his material. One day, he’s entertaining executives at a corporate retreat, the next day he’s leading a chorus of ten thousand foot-stomping fans in a packed stadium. No matter who they are, or what sort of a day they’ve had, as long as they follow his one rule, they have fun.

McCready Brothers & Art Bouman
Saturday, January 18
7:30 PM - $30

The McCready brothers were born and raised in Truro, Nova Scotia.

A.T. received his first guitar as a Christmas present at the age of 13 years. He learned his first chords from a friend and a twenty-five cent chord book. Over the years he has played many different styles of music but at 21 he was introduced to the music of Mississippi John Hurt. This, along with the playing of the Rev. Gary Davis, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Charlie Patton and the songs of Willie Dixon, to name but a few of his influences, have inspired him to pursue acoustic, finger-style guitar. More than three decades later, this remains his main style of playing. A.T. also built his own stainless steel resonator guitar, for bottleneck slide playing. Although finger-picking is a major part of his playing, his use of a flat pick on some tunes have a decidedly jazzy flavour.

Jim McCready started playing the harmonica around 1973, with an old Marine Band that his dad had given him. With his brother A.T. playing guitar, it was a natural act for them to start jamming together. The emotional expression of the harmonica became a necessary part of his life. From talking with Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee at a folk festival in Hardwood Lands, Nova Scotia, to watching his ninety year-old mother dancing to the tunes played in the kitchen, Jim realized that the harmonica had become his friend for life. He likes to think of it as the voice of the old people and their life struggles. Their voice, their story and their memories.
 

Art Bouman is a folk musician residing in Kjuktuk Mi’kma’ki. He performs music in the African American roots tradition and is interested in reviving and reinterpreting the connections between black folk music and the banjo.

Fiddles & Feet
Sunday, January 19
2:00 PM - $34

After a banner year in 2024 Fiddles & Feet are already ramping up for a great year in 2025! The same seven piece group will continue to bring their exciting and uplifting shows to venues around Nova Scotia. Fiddlers Alycia Putnam, Megan Washburn, Laura Watson & Gordon Tucker will "giv'er" on the celtic and downeast fiddle tunes backed by Rob Putnam, guitar, Randy Feener, percussion & Ben Tucker, bass. Our dancers, Megan & Alycia will bring the house down with their stepdancing and the voices of Laura, Megan, Gordon & Rob will blend in harmony and sing some great traditional & contemporary songs. Some highlights from 2024 were a 3 night run with capacity crowds at the Chester Playhouse, another appearance in the Halifax Celtic Festival, full houses at the Marigold Centre for the Arts, The Hall in Parsboro, Th'YARC, the Bicentennial Theatre, Sharon United Church in Tatamagouche and several conventions at Pier 21 in Halifax to name a few. It's the great response from our audiences that keeps Fiddles & Feet moving forward!

SUBVert presents Motherhood & The Orchids
Friday, January 31
7:30 PM - Door cover

A trio of deep-thinkin’ rippers, New Brunswick’s Motherhood achieve one very rare and uncomplicated feat: they sound EXCITING on record and stage alike. Unlike so many awkward experiments by peers and ‘adventurous’ contemporary rock outfits, Motherhood’s music explodes with the kind of charm and exuberance you can’t just order. No, it’d take years of late nite couch-crumpled conversations, bathroom stall barfs and parking lot laughter to achieve the kind of chemistry these three exude. If we’re calling this art rock, it’s because commitment is a precious art indeed. And make no mistake, Motherhood is all about commitment.

The Orchids is a power duo known for their powerful, full sound, driven by hard-hitting drumming and fuzzed out guitar. They embody a "Volume Equals Better" experience that leans hard into punk and desert rock.

Gearl
Monday, February 3
7:30 PM - $15

Gearl is an indigenous hip hop artist based out of Eskasoni, NS. Gearl’s mission is to share his personal experiences of the indigenous lifestyle in the Maritimes as well as spread appreciation and knowledge of the Mi'kmaq language and culture.

Adam Baldwin
Sunday. February 9
7:30 PM - SOLD OUT

Singer-songwriter Adam Baldwin has been a mainstay of the Atlantic Canada music scene for over a decade. Starting as a member of rock combo Gloryhound before joining Matt Mays & El Torpedo in 2009, Baldwin’s own music has continued to evolve since his award winning self-titled solo debut EP in 2013. In 2016 Baldwin released his first full length album No Telling When (Precisely Nineteen Eight-Five) featuring the singles “Daylight” and “Anytime”.  In 2019 he released the follow up No Rest for the Wicked, including “Salvation” and “Dark Beside the Dawn”. In March 2020, with in person performances impossible due to COVID-19, Baldwin launched his Cross-Country Chin Up concert series, almost every Friday evening on YouTube. In addition to taking the opportunity every week to connect virtually with fans, he also raised funds for Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, Red Cross Stronger Together Nova Scotia Fund, RCMP Fallen Officer Fund, and the Black Cultural Society for Nova Scotia. The online concert series also produced two digital EPs: Chin Up Sessions (his own songs) and Songs for the Parlour (cover tunes). 

Ben Caplan
Thursday, February 13
7:30 PM - $40

Ben Caplan is both the roar of the hurricane and the eye of the storm. He has an uncanny ability to channel both wild abandon and quiet introspection. His songwriting pulls from many diverse influences but both his music and his lyrics regularly draw from his Jewish heritage. Often mixing biblical imagery and klezmer inflected melodies, Caplan re-appropriates ancient sounds and themes with a decidedly contemporary twist. 

Ben released his first studio album in 2011, and has spent the last ten years recording music and performing to ever growing audiences in music clubs and theatres around the world.

Stephen Fearing
Friday, February 14
7:30 PM - $40

Stephen Fearing was born in 1963 in Vancouver, British Columbia and grew up in Dublin, Ireland where his schoolmates included future members of U2. In 1981, he moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and immersed himself in the music scene, learning the fundamentals of song writing and performing, while washing dishes to stay alive.

By 1984 he was back in Vancouver, determined to become a professional musician. In the years since, he’s been named as one of the finest songwriters in Canada and has built a national – and international – audience for his music, doing it old school through countless performances at intimate venues and on the concert stages of festivals and theatres across Canada, the US, the UK, and Europe, with appearances at major events like the Reading Festival and WOMAD, to name just a few.

In 1996 he co-founded Blackie and the Rodeo Kings with Colin Linden and Tom Wilson. Originally intended to be a one-off collaboration to record a tribute album of songs written by Canadian folk music legend Willie P. Bennett, the trio quickly recognized they had created something worthy of further exploration and both critics and audiences agreed. More than 22 years later, with nine albums and a JUNO award to their credit, the band has become one of the most respected names in North American roots-rock. Their musical collaborators are many, but to name a few – Emmy Lou Harris, Nick Lowe, City and Colour, Keb’ Mo’, Jason Isbell, Lucinda Williams, Bruce Cockburn, Sam Phillips, Pam Tillis, Vince Gill, Cassandra Wilson, Serena Ryder, Holy Cole, and Mary Margaret O’Hara.

In 1998, Stephen Fearing met Andy White backstage at the Winnipeg Folk Festival and a fast friendship was formed. In addition to his own work, White is known for his collaborations with Van Morrison, Peter Gabriel, and Sinead O’Connor. As the duo Fearing & White they have released two critically-acclaimed albums and toured throughout Canada and the UK.

Fearing has released ten albums as a solo artist, featuring musical guests including: Bruce Cockburn, Margo Timmons, Rose Cousins, Richard Thompson, Shawn Colvin, and Sarah McLachlan. When not working behind the microphone, he spends time producing records including Suzie Vinnick’s JUNO Award-nominated album Happy Here. “I really enjoy collaborating with other artists. It’s a blast and, as a bonus, gives me a chance to learn and expand my skill set.”

Duo Beija-Flor at St. Andrew's United Church
Friday, February 21
7:00 PM - $35

Flute and guitar duo, Duo Beija-Flor, presents a dynamic and accessible repertoire of classical works inspired by the many diverse cultures found around the world. This fresh and modern style they call ethno-classical highlights the emotions and experiences we all share, expressing them through the lens of music. 

The duo has performed across Canada, the United States, Argentina, and Costa Rica. To date, they have released three critically acclaimed albums: Envol (2011), Muzica (2013), and Costas (2018). The duo’s latest album, Costas, was released in September 2018 with the American label Big Round Records/NAXOS of America and garnered rave reviews (4.5/5 Winnipeg Free Press, 4/4 Cinemusical (USA), McNally Robinson Booksellers/Classic 107FM (Manitoba) album of the month for November 2018). Their unique approach to their repertoire has led to invitations on many TV and radio programs (Radio-Canada, Global TV, CIBL, TVCK, Cogeco TV, etc.). 

Since their creation, the duo have been recipients of many awards and grants from several organizations, including the Canadian Arts Council, the Conseil des Arts et Lettres du Québec, laureates for Mon Accès à la Scène, le fond de promotion from the GMMQ, the Leo Brouwer endowment from the Banff Arts Centre, residency grant from the National Arts Centre and a residency grant from Orford Music. They were selected to tour under the auspicious of Prairie Debut for the 2020-22 seasons. More recently, they were featured in the digital concert series from Debut Atlantic in February 2022. 

Hailed by San Francisco’s Flute View magazine as “…an incredibly dynamic and creative team“, the duo is known for their “masterful arrangements” (Flute Quarterly, USA), which helps them create a more personal style, something outside of the established flute and guitar repertoire. To lend credence and to better understand the cultures represented in their arrangements, the duo takes care whenever possible to meet and learn from the people and musicians that make up the culture that inspired these works. In 2015, they travelled to Buenos Aires to create and refine their arrangements of Astor Piazzolla’s “Escualo” and “Oblivion,” which premiered at the Museo Fernandez Blanco in Buenos Aires. They also worked with cimbalomist Nicolae Margineanu and flutist Mircea Gheorghescu to better understand the Romanian musical language for their arrangement of Bartok’s “Romanian Folk Dances.” 

Constantly searching for new works, Duo Beija-Flor has collaborated with several Canadian composers to expand their repertoire. These composers include Roddy Ellias’s “Havana Street Parade” (premiered at Concordia University, October 2013), Carmen Braden’s “The Culture of IsolaKon, aka No Rehearsal” (premiered simultaneously online and on the radio in partnership with the University of Calgary’s campus radio CSJW in November 2020, grant from SOCAN and Prairie Debut), and “Petite Nation, Suite Rustique Riponaise” by Sylvain Picard, premiered in June 2022 in St-Placide, Québec. The duo is currently in discussion with the legendary Cuban composer and guitarist Leo Brouwer for a newly commissioned work for flute and guitar based on the Cuban contradanza. The piece, which will be only the third flute and guitar piece he has written, is set to be finished in November 2023. 

In early 2023, the duo spent 12 days residency at Orford Music in Quebec to work on an all-new program, Musings from Elsewhere. This program pairs pieces from different composers worldwide that share a common inspiration. This ode to creativity sees Boccherini meet Rossini, Piazzolla visiting Patrick Roux, Debussy inspired by Miyagi, Ravel by Cuba and Leo Brouwer and Purcell trading ideas with Villa-Lobos.

SUBVert presents Force Fields, Bologna Colorado & Shadowfolk
Saturday, February 22
8:00 PM - Door Cover

Imagine music as a metaphor for the landscape of Canada - rough unpredictable mountains to beautiful calm forests to reassuring prairie farmland. Now imagine your schizophrenic neighbor running across that landscape in a dress with a knife in his hand. What would that sound like?

Bologna Colorado is a four-piece rock band based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Their distinct sound is built on a foundation of simple form, while ripping solos and impromptu mid-set jams keep their show spontaneous and lively. Guitar, bass, a keyboard, a drum kit, and no tricks; just straightforward rock 'n' roll. Officially formed in February 2022, Bologna Colorado got their start busking on Argyle Street from the back of their beat-up cargo van. By August, they were playing a weekly Friday night gig at the Loose Cannon, right across the street from their usual busking pitch. Their repertoire comprises a variety of original tunes, all performed with energy so authentic and relentless it’ll make your skin itch. The band consists of Cole Chalifoux, vocalist and lead guitarist; Adam Otmar, bassist; Emily Denesyk, keyboardist; and Will Adams, drummer. They released their first album in June of 2023 and continue to perform at their favourite local and distant venues.

Shadowfolk is the creation of Truro musician Justin McGrath.

Hubtown Theatre presents Lucky Me
February 26 - March 1
7:30 PM each night with a Saturday matinee at 2 PM
$24

Sara's having a bad week. Really bad! The light bulbs in her apartment keep burning out; there's a leak in the roof; the aquarium is full of dead fish; the cat's gone AWOL, and her father -- who chased off her last beau -- is suspicious of Tom, their new neighbor, a TSA agent who just brought Sara home from the emergency room on New Year's Eve.