DHBC to pay homage to Halifax’s dark historic event, with a brand-new light show debuting tomorrow night (Dec. 6 at 5 p.m.)
(Halifax, N.S.) - Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC) will commemorate the 105th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion with a brand-new light show projected on the façade of the former Halifax Memorial Library at Grafton Park (corner of Grafton Street and Spring Garden Road) starting at 5 p.m. tomorrow (December 6.)
DHBC’s “Halifax Explosion Light Show” is one of many light shows already shown, or scheduled to be shown between now and the end of March, as part of DHBC’s DELIGHTFUL DOWNTOWN at Grafton Park. The light shows at Grafton Park are created by multimedia artist Nick Iwaskow of Wasko AV and are part of DHBC’s overarching winter placemaking program, DELIGHTUL DOWNTOWN.
“Our goal with the light shows, as with all of our placemaking projects, is to turn a space into a place,” says Paul McKinnon, CEO of DHBC. “These light projections are meant to turn an otherwise plain building into a show, hopefully creating entertainment and spreading joy during the darkest months of the year. However, some shows, like this one, have been created with more of an educational component to it, a way for us to use the platform to honour people, and past events, that have shaped Halifax.”
Tuesday, December 6, will mark the 105th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion–an explosion that devastated the north end of Halifax, killed close to 2,000 people, wounded 9,000 more and destroyed the city’s industrial centre. Even though this event was a massive tragedy, heroes did emerge, and they should be acknowledged.
In honour of this anniversary, DHBC’s “Halifax Explosion Light Show” will include three animated scenes accompanied by music, with the third scene paying tribute to Vince Coleman, Train Dispatcher.
“If we receive positive feedback from this year’s show, DHBC would love to make it an annual tradition, each year highlighting a hero or organization that emerged from this tragedy,” says Jonathan Goldson, DHBC’s Placemaking Manager. “Growing up in Jamaica, this specific project has been a unique learning opportunity, and one that highlights the resilience of this beautiful city.”
Watch DHBC’s “Halifax Explosion Light Show,” December 6 - 11 starting at 5 p.m. and going until 11 p.m. each night. For the full DELIGHTFUL DOWNTOWN at Grafton Park light show schedule go to: downtownhalifax.ca/delightful
Land Acknowledgement:
Downtown Halifax Business Commission acknowledges that we are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1725. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.
About Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC): Downtown Halifax Business Commission represents over 1,600 businesses located in the central business district of Halifax, Nova Scotia. DHBC’s mission is to passionately pursue a more prosperous and vibrant Downtown Halifax, through good development, Downtown mobility, membership services, DHBC leadership, and Downtown placemaking. For more information, visit downtownhalifax.ca.
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For more information/ media inquiries/ pictures:
Jayme Lynn Butt
Communications Manager
Downtown Halifax Business Commission
jayme@downtownhalifax.ca