Launch of Winter 2020 Series of Evenings @ Government House

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Their Honours The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia and Mrs. Patsy LeBlanc are pleased to announce the Winter 2020 Series of Evenings @ Government House.

In addition to celebrating the amazing artistic talent in Nova Scotia, the following themes/anniversaries are marked in this series:

  • African Heritage Month 2020
  • 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day
  • 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands
  • 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic

"Patsy and I are delighted to welcome everyone to the sixth series of Evenings at Government House that we have hosted since my appointment as lieutenant governor," said Lieutenant Governor Arthur J. LeBlanc. "These performances and presentations provide an opportunity to showcase Nova Scotia’s wonderful artistic talent and learn about this province’s rich history and heritage.”

The series includes a presentation on the Black Loyalists of Nova Scotia, a performance by an operatic tenor, a presentation on design by Theatre Nova Scotia, a choral concert, an evening of fiddling music and presentations to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. 

Scheduled events in the Winter 2020 Series are:

  • Tuesday, 4 February – To mark African Heritage Month 2020, noted academic and Halifax Regional Municipality Poet Laureate Dr. Afua Cooper will give a presentation based on her book, “15 Ships: The Exodus of the Black Loyalists from Nova Scotia to Sierra Leone”.

  • Tuesday, 18 February – By permission of Dalhousie University's Fountain School of Performing Arts, operatic tenor Emmanuel Solomon will perform an evening of classical music.

  • Tuesday, 3 March – "Building the world of a play" - Theatre Nova Scotia will present on how a designer moves from concept to final design in the artistic creation of a theatrical production.

  • Tuesday, 17 March – To mark the 75th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War, renowned author Stephen Kimber will tell the story of how Halifax’s experiences during that conflict led to the shocking VE Day Riots that marked the war’s end.

  • Tuesday, 31 March – To mark the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands, George Zwaagstra will present on his experience as a 10-year-old messenger boy for the Dutch resistance in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands.

  • Tuesday, 14 April – The Halifax Boys Honour Choir will give a concert of songs from home and around the world. 

  • Tuesday, 28 April –  To mark the 75th Anniverary of the Battle of the Atlantic, Canada's pre-eminent naval historian, Dr. Marc Milner, will present on the longest continuous naval and air campaign during the Second World War in which the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force played a pivotal role.

  • Tuesday, 12 May – Cape Breton fiddling virtuoso Dwayne Cote will perform an evening of music for which he is celebrated.                                  

The Evenings @ Government House events are free and open to the public.  As seating is limited to 90, those wishing to attend must register beforehand.  People can register online at https://lt.gov.ns.ca/news-events/evenings-government-house or by calling 902-424-7001.  

Registration for each event will be on a first-come first-served basis.

All events commence at 7:00pm with doors opening to the public at 6:30pm.  Guest must be seated by 6:50pm.

All events are held at Government House, 1451 Barrington Street, Halifax.