Category: Stories

On May 28th, the Alderney Landing Community Cultural Centre celebrated its 25th birthday!

The centre in Downtown Dartmouth has been a pivotal cultural hub for the community over the past 25 years. Since its inception, Alderney Landing has fostered a rich array of artistic and cultural activities, contributing significantly to the region’s cultural landscape.

The Centre opened its doors in May of 1999 with a mission to provide a versatile space for the arts, culture, and community gatherings. Over the years, Alderney Landing has become synonymous with cultural vitality, hosting up to 700 events annually, ranging from theatrical productions, art exhibitions, concerts, and festivals to farmers’ markets and craft fairs. Its theatre, with state-of-the-art acoustics and seating for 300, has seen performances from local talent as well as international acts, making it a cornerstone for performing arts in the region.

Alderney Landing has also been instrumental in community-building. Its outdoor space, with a scenic view of Halifax Harbour, is a premiere site for public gatherings and celebrations. The centre has hosted iconic events such as Canada Day celebrations, Rock the Harbour festival, Fire and Water festival, Bluenose Ghosts Festival, and many more. Over the past quarter century, Alderney Landing became a place where the community comes together to celebrate shared heritage and culture.

The Alderney Landing Farmers Market is home to hundreds of local food and craft vendors. It has incubated dozens of beloved local businesses including Evan’s Seafood, Humble Pie Kitchen, Two if by Sea Café, Pop Culture Kombucha, and Xena’s Bread and Butter to name a few!

Alderney Landing’s founding, and current, CEO Bea MacGregor was recognized for her outstanding dedication and leadership by the Alderney landing Board of Directors. Also celebrated was Laura Crouse, Alderney Landing’s long-serving book-keeper of 25 years.

As Alderney Landing commemorates its 25th anniversary, it stands as a testament to the enduring power of community-driven cultural spaces. It continues to evolve, reflecting the dynamic and diverse nature of the Dartmouth community while staying true to its mission of promoting cultural enrichment and community engagement.

The Future of Alderney Landing Community Cultural Centre (ALCCC) shone brightly during a Visioning Workshop held earlier this year at the Alderney Landing Theatre.

Responding to a public invitation from ALCCC, over 100 enthusiastic participants gathered, united by their shared passion for shaping a vibrant future for this Dartmouth waterfront gem. The attendees were separated into groups and embarked on a creative journey, sketching their dreams onto printed maps of Alderney Landing. Their visions painted a tapestry of possibilities, guided by thoughtful discussions on the site’s strengths, weaknesses, and untapped opportunities.

Among the insights emerged a collective desire to revitalize the waterfront, transforming it into an interactive oasis with water-based programming and engaging amenities, and a need to expand the Community Cultural Centre’s core offerings including the Theatre, Gallery, Market, Outdoor Events, local restaurants and small businesses.

Alderney Landing also met with a series of smaller groups which included participation from individuals and organizations that represent those core offerings:

Theatre:

Various stakeholders, including Eastern Front Theatre, Africville Museum, Symphony Nova Scotia, and Coastal Dance, alongside Alderney Landing staff, were consulted regarding the theatre’s expansion. Challenges like low community awareness and accessibility issues were noted. Despite this, Alderney Landing theatre remains popular, hosting diverse events from dance performances to corporate functions. Conflicting event needs hinder simultaneous bookings. Desired upgrades include modular features for versatility and a focus on community events over corporate bookings. Preserving the theatre’s connection to Dartmouth’s identity and waterfront is paramount, aligning with its mandate to prioritize community engagement and support local organizations. Expansion is sought to accommodate diverse community-driven events.

Gallery:

The Gallery session involved Alderney Landing staff and Dartmouth Professional Artists primarily from the volunteer committee. With limited staffing, they face high demand, booking exhibitions years in advance. Operating as a nonprofit, the gallery supports local artists without charging fees, relying on subsidies. Long-term goals include establishing an artist residency program and hosting community workshops, potentially aided by additional studio space. The gallery’s first-floor location offers optimal lighting and window display opportunities. However, physical constraints limit the range of artworks showcased, emphasizing the need for upgrades to accommodate diverse exhibitions, including media-based and performance art.

Market:

The Market session, attended by ALCCC staff and regular vendors, highlighted the Alderney Landing Market’s pivotal role as a thriving community hub. Embracing a “Dartmouth First” ethos, it nurtures local businesses, fostering growth from market stalls to independent storefronts. Plans for a small business incubation program and expanded vendor capacity underscore its commitment to community support. However, logistical challenges such as limited access to water and power, alongside parking and storage constraints, hinder further expansion. Yet, the market remains a key waterfront attraction, prompting calls for future enhancements to optimize space usage and ensure seamless experiences for vendors and visitors alike.

Events:

On the whole, the workshop buzzed with excitement as participants championed the expansion of Alderney’s concert space, echoing the sentiment that live performance, music, and art are the heartbeat of this community hub.

With boundless creativity and collaborative spirit, the future of Alderney Landing emerged as a beacon of promise, poised to embrace new possibilities while preserving its cherished character. Together, the community laid the foundation for a tomorrow where Alderney Landing thrives as a dynamic, inclusive, and beloved destination for all.

In an exciting collaboration aimed at enhancing community engagement and cultural offerings, Alderney Landing Community Cultural Centre has joined forces with Fathom Studio, a renowned Dartmouth-based multi-disciplinary planning and architecture firm. Together, they are set to host a series of strategic meetings featuring subject matter experts from key components of Alderney Landing’s vibrant cultural landscape; The theatre, farmers market, permanent retailers, events plaza, and art gallery.

These collaborative sessions are geared towards crafting a comprehensive programming and visioning document, laying the foundation for Alderney Landing’s expansion and re-imagination. The document will serve as a roadmap for the cultural hub’s future, guiding its evolution into an even more dynamic and inclusive space.

The collaborative effort underscores a commitment to community-driven development, ensuring that the diverse cultural facets housed within Alderney Landing continue to thrive and contribute to the region’s cultural tapestry. As the project unfolds, residents can anticipate an even more vibrant and inclusive destination that reflects the unique identity of Alderney Landing.

The round of meetings will culminate with a public meeting on January 25th at 5:30 pm in the Alderney Landing Theatre. This event invites everyone from the community to participate, offering an opportunity to be a part of the exciting plans for Alderney Landing’s future. Attendees can also enjoy refreshments and soups from local restaurants and vendors. See you on January 25th to explore the art of what’s possible on the Dartmouth Waterfront!

For decades at Alderney Landing, locals have had the opportunity to enjoy concerts from their favourite artists and discover new up-and-coming talent.

Joel Plasket, April Wine, July Talk, Ludacris, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and the Arkells have all headlined the Alderney Landing Waterfront stage. As of August 2023, you can now add classic rock legends Tom Cochrane, Gowan, and Kim Mitchell to that list thanks to Rock the Harbour, Atlantic Canada’s first three-day Classic Rock music fest!

But you may have noticed that events like these do more than just give Maritime music lovers a chance to see the artists they love. They also play a vital role in stimulating the local economy, and building a sense of community!

Artists and fans alike took to social media in droves last August to express how much they loved being a part of the first Rock the Harbour Classic Rock Music Festival.!

This feedback makes it clear that Alderney Landing provides a top-tier performance venue for artists and a welcoming gathering place for thousands of fans. As expressed by many festival attendees, “Not even drenching rain could dampen people’s spirits.”

But the impact of events like Rock the Harbour doesn’t stop when the music ends and the stage lights dim. According to a recent economic and social impact study.

Festivals and events like Rock the Harbour contribute an estimated $36 million annually to the local economy!

Events also have wide-reaching social impacts through volunteer opportunities, and arts and cultural education.

Each year, over 1100 volunteers spend over 11,000 hours bettering their community at Alderney Landing.

Volunteer opportunities help build confidence and skills in the individuals participating while enhancing the sense of connection and community in the areas served by the volunteer. Alderney Landing has been a hub for entertainment, events, cultural diversity, art, and social impact for almost 25 years. As the Downtown Dartmouth Waterfront grows, so does Alderney Landing and its influence as the heart of a quintessential Downtown Dartmouth experience.

Sometimes, the impact of events like these is immeasurable. Here’s to many more years and many more festivals that ‘Rock the Harbour’ on ‘Our Side’.

Tom Cochrane closes out night 3 of Rock the Harbour 2023 at Alderney Landing in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

For many people, the Alderney Landing Market is a place where community members gather, and buy things like fresh produce, home baked goods, and artisan creations.

But for the established business mind of publisher, speaker, professional development coach, wardrobe consultant, and fashion designer Jessica Bowden, M.S.M, Alderney Landing Market was something more. 

“Alderney Landing was my new opportunity”
— Jessica Bowden, M.S.M

Having founded the award-winning quarterly publication “Teens Now Talk Magazine” in 2005, Jessica joined the Alderney Landing Market in 2020 with a vivid understanding of the power of community. “Teens Now Talk” had developed an apparel line to raise awareness and funds for events that educated youth on personal, social, educational and career development. To date, the funds raised have provided over 3000 backpacks and learning materials to youth in communities all over Nova Scotia.

“I can make a ripple by myself – I can make a wave with others”
— Jessica Bowden, M.S.M

As a strong force for change, and unafraid to send positive messages for social movement – “Teens Now Talk” faced obstacles when it came to finding a physical space to do their first Black Lives Matter apparel pop up. Within hours of receiving a last-minute cancellation for her planned pop-up store – a mutual friend introduced Jessica to Alderney Landing Executive Director Bea MacGregor, who immediately arranged a vendor space for “Teens now Talk Apparel” at the Saturday Farmers Market.

Jessica and her team quickly came to call Alderney Landing “home”. During the height of Covid-19, Jessica recalls the support that she and other vendors received, including a push to engage online sales channels to maintain a consistent connection to the community.

“I can’t kudos the staff enough – they helped me with a place to grow and impact the communities”
— Jessica Bowden, M.S.M

Jessica reflects on Alderney Landing as a place where Teens Now Talk was able to educate, grow, and make community change.

Now in 2023, their growth continues. Teens Now Talk Apparel can be found at teensnowtalkapparel.com and in Jessica’s new store location, UbU4U located in Scotia Square Mall. 

Teens Now Talk Magazine reaches over 40,000 quarterly readers. Are you one of them? Check out the incredible work being done by teens, for teens at teensnowtalk.com