Written By Meghan Knez

After the holiday season left Halifax’s downtown core quiet, the city sprang back to life last Thursday. Pacifico, a pillar bar of the nightlife, once again boomed with music, laughter, and boisterous Dalhousie students. The occasion? An unforgettable semester kick-off event hosted by Dalhousie’s very own Blockchain Society, sponsored by Sonic Labs, a Sonic and Soda’s event. This was an initiative designed to grow their community and inform the public of their projects, such as an 195 million dollar token airdrop that will be beneficial to any and all crypto natives that are building on Sonic.

The event launched both the society and Dalhousie students into the new term with an epic night to conclude syllabus week, and epic it was. Pacifico’s massive venue appeared small, packed shoulder to shoulder with over 400 attendees and a line-up out the door. The space that had echoed with silence just hours before, could be heard from around the block. As the first of Sonic and Soda’s alcohol friendly events, the bar was surrounded with people looking to grab a drink as fast as possible to continue enjoying the night.

While a live DJ filled the room with electrifying music, some guests mingled over drinks while others took to the dance floor. Every table, chair, and square inch of standing space was occupied by students and club members who’s night revolved around this event. “We honestly didn’t expect a turn out this big, when we rented the space we estimated 150 people,” says the president of the society, Ashar Belanger. He had been working with Sonic Labs for the last month to bring this night to life, “all we wanted was for everyone to see what our society was all about, not a lot of people know what we do or can do.” The club's goals were accomplished, especially after a quick, but inspiring speech informing the crowd of what was to come for the Blockchain Society this semester. Belanger talked of what Sonic offered to the crypto world, their active projects, and how to get involved. His words were able to turn a noisy bar silent, even if just for a moment, as people listened to what was available to them.

Before the room’s energy could quiet, Belanger introduced Harbour Authority, a new, local band who had agreed to play the event. At 11, the already roaring crowd became even more amped, as Harbour Authority played hit after hit, a set list seemingly tailor made for the moment. The dance floor shook with moving feet and the air hummed with conversation. In providing both live entertainment and information, the society drew in hundreds of potential club members who had no idea a club capable of such an event existed at Dalhousie. “If you didn’t know about the club before, you definitely do now, at least I do,” says Paris Schwarz, an attendee.

The night was from all perspectives a success, and the Blockchain Society set the tone for not just their club but the semester itself. The Dalhousie community and students of all faculties brought together for this one night, thanks to Sonic Labs. At close, the scattered napkins, empty glasses, and fading noise of laughter and music painted a picture of an unforgettable, joyous night. The first of many to come.