Welcome to OBEY Convention VIII. In the coming days Halifax will play host to musicians from across Canada, the USA, and beyond. There will be displays of virtuosity, both blissful and punishing explorations in electronics, late night punk damage, and waves of ambient drone. We also have a slew of DJs, tightly curated interlude music, video installations, floral adornments, and even a festival beer by Garrison. We truly believe there is something for each and every one of you this year.
Besides our main concerts, we also offer a number of free events, including a noisy affair outside Memorial North Library on Friday and a blissful afternoon of poetry and harmonium on Sunday at Common Roots Urban Farm. There will be workshops, discussions, pop-up shows, spoken word performances, and, of course, the Khyber’s standalone visual art festival, Art In Fest.
Passes are now SOLD OUT. Single tickets are still available for select shows.
Since things get a little chaotic during the weekend, we thought it would be best to go over a few logistical details here. If you have any questions during the festival, just say howdy to one of us or shoot off an email. Okay, we’ll see you soon.
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Passes Pick-up and Usage
Pass bracelets can be picked up at The Khyber Centre for the Arts starting Thursday at 11am or at the door of any festival event. Please bring ID. Paid passes guarantee admission to all events. That being said, please be patient with our volunteers and try to arrive early, if possible. Some of the venues are quite small, so dealing with capacity will require finesse from or door personnel. Let’s all work together! Comp passes—artists, volunteers, etc—are capacity based. There are a lot of these passes! We usually do quite well at getting most of you inside, but again, show up early at the smaller venues. Passes are non-transferable.
Khyber Lounge (5521 Cornwallis St.)
Our friends at the Khyber will be opening their doors to festival goers and weary souls alike. Need a place to replenish your spirit and have a snack? The artist-run centre will be hosting an all-ages crash pad and snack club, a 19+ cash-only dive bar, as well as a gnarly installation from local artist Emily Pelstring, Standard Play. They will also be selling OBEY Convention Music and Arts Society memberships throughout the weekend. May 21-23, 11am-6pm (bar 1pm-6pm)
Lost & Found (2383 Agricola St.)
Our friends at Lost & Found are the exclusive brick-and-mortar retailer for our tickets and passes. They are also rife with festival guides for both OBEY Convention and Art In Fest. And it’s just a rad store, so drop by. Tickets and passes are also available online and at the door of select events.
Visiting Halifax?
Nice to meet you. If you are looking for a nourishing meal, check our Field Guide or Edna. Shopping for records? Hit up Obsolete or Taz. Need a place to crash? The Westin is nice. For a bed on the cheap, check out Alter Egos. Comics and collectables can be found at Strange Adventures. Java Blend, Two If by Sea, and The Trident have the best coffee in town. And for no cost activities, stroll through the Public Gardens or Point Pleasant Park, visit our new Central Library (our festival kicks off there with Peter Brotzmann and Jerry Granelli on Thursday), or head out to Lawrencetown Beach. Have the best time and thanks for visiting.
