Halifax is reclaiming country music

From queer line dancing to eclectic bluegrass, a new generation of country music has emerged. For years, the genre has been associated with conservatism and traditionalism, but now, it’s being transformed in Halifax. 

Ive Velikova, the lead organizer of Lucky Line Dance, is revitalizing country music in Halifax by bringing queer line dancing to local venues. Velikova built a community through dance – new faces mingle with regulars at the Bus Stop Theatre Co-operative in Halifax and the Buffalo Club in Dartmouth. 

Velikova was inspired by the queer line dancing community in Montreal and began hosting beginner-friendly events this past October. 

“It’s a hard time right now in the world,” says Velikova. “Dancing, being silly, and having fun with friends is necessary, radical and beautiful.” 

Despite country music’s historic association with conservatism, some young people are embracing their queerness through the genre. 

Velikova has noticed the rise of non-traditional country artists. She names Chappell Roan, Orville Peck and Beyoncé as artists contributing to the genre’s reinvention.

“Queer representation is on the rise,” says Velikova. “[Now that] people have a lot of access to all different kinds of music, representation is growing where people couldn’t previously find each other.”

Since queer line dancing’s Halifax debut, Velikova has hosted a range of themed events, from Pitbull to Heated Rivalry dance nights. 

“I hope to uplift more voices,” says Velikova. She hopes to do this by enabling outreach and inclusion to more diverse communities. 

To Velikova, enjoying music and dancing is a religious experience. 

“Dancing lets me relax and let loose. I feel it’s like church for me. It’s a space where I can be free and sweaty and let go of all of the hardships for a short moment while we dance.” 

Local musicians also celebrate the country music revival. 

Al Forbes is the partial owner of Bearly’s House of Blues and Ribs on Grafton Street. He is both a guitarist and lead vocalist of the Ordeals, a local country band. 

Forbes, from Fredericton, N.B., grew up with the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, currently known as the Harvest Music Festival, and a father who admired Neil Young and Bob Dylan. 

Forbes has seen Halifax’s music scene evolve and shift in the hands of new generations. 

“While it did have its appeal to a conservative crowd, and still does, it by no means belongs to them or ever belonged to that,” says Forbes. 

Forbes notes that younger generations are taking an interest in country as it remerges in a new form. 

“A lot of different kinds of people are connecting over it,” he says. “The connective element of music is very important.”