Museums take part in Nocturne: Art at Night

Nova Scotians can experience Halifax's visual arts scene in a whole new light during Nocturne: Art at Night on Saturday, Oct. 13.   The Museum of Natural History, the Nova Scotia Archives and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic will offer special programs and exhibits as part of the fifth annual visual arts festival, taking place from 6 p.m. to midnight throughout Halifax. Admission is free at all sites.   "Nocturne: Art at Night is an tremendous opportunity for artists of many different genres to showcase their talents and contribute to Nova Scotia's thriving arts and culture sector," said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leonard Preyra. "In its fifth year, the popular nighttime festival will be an exciting experience for Nova Scotians of all ages."   Dozens of galleries, institutions and businesses throughout Halifax will host events during Nocturne.   "For the past five years, Nocturne: Art at Night has been pleased to offer increased access to arts and culture through the support of the province," said Rose Zack, Nocturne: Art at Night chair. "Nova Scotia's museums and archives have embraced the spirit of Art at Night and worked with artists to help create opportunities for both Nova Scotians and visitors to see our city and province in a whole new light."   The Museum of Natural History will host artist D'Arcy Wilson as she sings lullabies to the wildlife specimens in the museum's collection during a performance called Tuck. Wilson will perform at the top of every hour between 6 p.m. and midnight.   The Nova Scotia Archives will feature the exhibit Wanted! Thieves, Forgers and Murderers of the Victorian Age. Criminal wanted posters received by Halifax's chief of police during the 1860s to 1890s show the criminal underworld and their activities in New York City, Boston, Chicago, Europe and closer to home in Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. The posters have also been digitized and made available at www.flickr.com/nsarchives . The archives will also have a behind-the-scenes tour starting at 7 p.m.   The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, in collaboration with the Helen Creighton Folklore Society, will re-launch the Helen Creighton Sea Songs collection. Events will feature music, storytelling and a special presentation of artwork by internationally renowned artist Tom Forrestall. The main floor of the museum will remain open, featuring Cable Ships: Connecting Halifax to Titanic and the World.   For more information about Nocturne, go to http://nocturnehalifax.ca .