Shad comes to The Paragon on September 17
Clock rocker Shad and The Extremities come to the Paragon on September 17 ($9.50/$14 tickets at Ticketpro and Ticketpro outlets), my editor thinks he’s easy on the eyes, so here’s a nice photo of Shad. Just for her.
Shambhalanced
I am a longtime student of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and have watched him tirelessly gather the Shambhala community together after the devastating deaths of his father Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in 1987 and the Vajra Regent Osel Tendzin in 1990. While the Shambhala community continued to reel from these shocks, Sakyong Mipham devoted himself to furthering…
For sale…
So what is it with people who respond to your ad in Kijiji, set up a time to come pick up the item and then never show up? Are people really this rude? I’m sitting around and waiting… so how about just emailing me back to let me know you don’t want the damned thing…
TIME TO GO ALREADY
so to all those “people” with SCREAMING kids…..when you are in a store and your kid freaks out for more than 5 seconds its time to LEAVE….get out….not just sit there because you are immune to this type of behavior. Some of us aren’t! Its absolutely annoying and pisses off more people than just me…good…
There needs to be a health tax on junk food
There needs to be a health tax on junk food. Can you imagine the revenue that could be used to pay for health care? I call on Premier Dexter to highly consider this. They tax the other shit that kills us….it’s high time that junk food be taxed. —wgaf
Construction city???
Apparently I live on an island now where I can only get out of my neighbourhood if deemed worthy by 40/hr glorified sign posts. Can our city planners not co-ordinate the projects so you don’t have multiple traffic snags in a 5 block circle? Oh and it’s a fuckin hard hat not a ball cap…try…
Douchebag x Sun
This is dedicated to the dude with a half opened buttoned down, receding hairline, waxed chest and his ‘friends’ at a certain establishment that was hosting a trivia quiz last night: I know, I know. It’s been a scorching couple of days. I can empathize with maybe accidentally being three sheets to the wind due…
The Nuthouse Comedy Club comes to Spring Garden Road
The mystery is solved! Last month, I reported that Yuk Yuk’s was considering, then re-considering, it’s move to the old Club Caliente space on Spring Garden. Yuk Yuk’s reps were rather cryptic about the whole thing, leaving us with a journalistic shrug. But I spoke with Anthony Smith today, who tells me his version of…
Obama at the AGNS
Look out Maud Lewis, there’s some seriously famous company near your little house. The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia unveiled a new piece to its permanent collection on Monday, none other than “The Obama Family,” by beloved Nova Scotia folk artist Bradford Naugler. Naugler carved all four members of the Obama family: Barack and Michelle…
Cuff the Duke engage in some pre-Halloween pickin’ and grinnin’ at the Paragon
Cuff the Duke know how much you want to be at the lake Cuff the Duke shred it country-style at the Paragon on October 30 ($17, tickets available at Ticketpro and Ticketpro outlets). Related Stories
Just stop and think for like one second every now and then…jeez!
So I watched the news last night…which always seems to send me in some kind of mini fit of anger but anyways… How is it that someone “forgets” they have a 7 week old baby boy in the backseat of their automobile on what is arguably one of the hottest days of the summer? Thank…
Random Selection my Ass
So i get a letter in my mailbox from Statistics Canada yesterday saying that my “address has been RANDOMLY selected for participation” in the Labour Force Survey. Oh really,.random you say? Well how random is it when my address was selected 2 years in a row? What is the statistical probability of that? Not saying…
On behalf of all baristas everywhere
Dear coffee shop-goers, Please use common sense. It is a coffee shop. Of course we sell “just normal” coffee. Just because we don’t sell you a double-double does not mean we don’t sell coffee. When asked if you would like whole, skim or soy, or dark or medium roast, “regular” is not an option. We…
A little respect.
To the morning customers in the shop: I am a person, not a machine. Coming over to place you order is how it’s done here, not calling it out to me from the other side of the room. Though I may be employed to serve you food, I am also a human being with a…
Airline Guitar Breaker Rant
To the local musician who does the airline bashing videos on you-tube. The first one was okay… Only okay. Now with the sequel out, you’re just milking it. Give it a rest and try something else why don’t you. IMHO if you are sofa king stupid that you put an unprotected $3500 guitar with the…
Keep Your Pooch on a Leash!
Unless it’s an “off leash” area KEEP YOUR EFFING DOG ON A LEASH! We all think our dogs are perfect and would never harm anyone – UNTIL THE DO! Nobody wants to see a dog destroyed because of it’s owner naivety. —Dog Lover
bitching 101
I F@#$ing hate private colleges ! – who over charge for shitty and below industry teaching standards I can’t get a job in my industry – unless the paper french-fry holder at MacDonald’s resembles some shocking new trend in the print industry – because – HELLO HELLO I wasn’t educated properly!!! If colleges and universities…
“Your Age And Occupation?”
When you see this question in a $bazillion “business proposal” it’s a dead giveaway. Hello? The question is discriminatory. What a bunch of idiots and yet hundreds of people go bankrupt every year falling for this crap. Perhaps they deserve to never questioning who may be at the root of the scam and who may…
Dipper Tippers
Thank you visiting NDPers for filling up our patio and being so generous in spirit and tippage. Best of luck bringing positive change to Ottawa and with your blue collar – green policy activist initiatives. Kisses to Alexa and Megan. —the argyle patio
The Little Things
When I pulled into the gas station yesterday, a truck arrived at the same time–he signaled me to go first. When I was waiting to pull out of the gas station, a car stopped and signaled me to pull into the lane. And, when I stopped at the traffic light, a different car pulled up…
Tall Women
There was a note from “No, I Do Not Play Basketball” about short women dating tall guys and she was a tall woman.I kind of agree with you about the vertically challenged staying with the vertically challenged. I am 6’2″ tall. It is so hard to find a a tall woman to match up, someday…
How depraved is Halifax?
Check out CraigsList sometime….and you’ll get you answer….looking for poo fun? There’s a crowd out there for that, or maybe a little bowser fun…..yup, you’ll find it….Maybe I’m just too old fashioned, too white bread….I mean what goes on between a consenting adult and Shep is their bidness, right??? —swirling round the drain
It’s time to submit to ECMA showcases, awards and programs
This would totally be you if you won The 2010 ECMA festival and conference is taking place in Sydney, Cape Breton from March 4-7. You could be part of the magic if you submit. Otherwise, don’t come complainin’. Here’s a long and exhaustive list of things you may want to be in the running for:…
Mind your own business
Im still fairly new to the neighbour hood, way to make me feel welcome. The first thing you did when I moved in, oh next door neighbour, was warn me about a select few other neighbours that I should avoid. Fine, appreciated, but here is the kicker, those two in particular you warned me about…
Endangered Species
For the most part, people in Nova Scotia are respectful of signage indicating beach nesting grounds of endangered species like the Piping Plover. However, there are still some people out there that are either illiterate or ignorant to the point of retardation. There are 3 new chicks on an unnamed beach in HRM and there…
Yay for clean parks!
Thanks to whoever cleaned up the graffiti at the little park on the corner of fuller terrace and ontario street. I’ve been looking at that eyesore on the brick walkway and playground equipment most of the summer. Kids deserve a playground free of graffiti! And it makes my walk to work that much nicer :)…
Yet Another One
So I was lucky enought to get a ticket to the Modest Mouse show last night. For the most part it was really great. My friend and I got there pretty early to secure a spot close to the front. By the time the band came on it was bumper to bumper and 40 degrees.…
Arg… Kids!
So after we’ve been together for awhile, then start lightly bringing up the subject of marriage, you come out and tell me you want to have kids; even though you’ve been more than aware since day 1 that I want nothing to do with being a mother. Now you’re saying this one factor (childern) could…
What were you thinking??
To the idiots in the neighborhood; possibly in my apartment building: Thanks for chucking marbles at the house next to the building- the police showed up at my place to see if I was the one doing it. How effing stupid are you? Yes, they hold rather loud parties and someone there plays drums constantly…
way to go….. idiot…
Thank you to the wonderful reservation agent who cant read military time! Thank you for telling me the boat will depart at 10pm and to check in for 8:30pm… I arrived at 8:12pm and saw the boat departing (it left at 8pm)… i now have a 5 hour wait for a boat to the wrong…
Enough of the hate!
So the latest rise in the tax on a pack of fags has lead to an increase in the government coffers, but NO reduction in smoking. And yet the anti-tobacco facists sitting in their “cafés” are applauding this latest ‘sin tax’ like it’s the opening of the great gates of Kiev…! When in actual fact,…
Province lowers access to information fees
The province Friday announced it is lowering the application fee for Freedom of Information Act requests from $25 to $5, thereby matching the fee for federal access to information requests. Until now, Nova Scotia had among the highest fees in North America. The high fee was a barrier for many people needing to access their…
Thanks MT, I needed a laugh…
Does anybody else see the humor in the add on the back of some MT buses around town? Specifically, the “Beware the idler” add depicting a cartoon car idling and blowing nasty exhaust out of the tailpipe. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! Or more like the mountain of smoldering coal lumps and…
Why is this city like one large dump?
Why is this city like one large dump? From the harbour to the sidewalks, to the sides of the roads….this city has become a BIG festering sore on the face of Nova Scotia. No one seems to give a shit save for what goes unfiltered into the harbour. Every where you look there are plastic…
You didn’t make me cry
To the person who stole onions from our community garden plot. They were just starting to fatten up. In a few weeks they would have been ready. I hope you are very paranoid about onion breath and I curse you to a life of onion breath and indigestion. — garlic breath
The cab didn’t stop but you did
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the two people who stopped at the scene of a hit and run Friday night on Duffus Street. Because of you, I know what happened to my cat. Because of you, I know he didn’t suffer for long. I had the chance to say good-bye and…
Carpet and Drapes Comment
This is to the asshole, on Monday morning in Highfield Park: “Excuse me, Ma’ am, Does the carpet match the drapes? ” Two things asshole! 1. I shave. So fuck you. 2. You will stay single forever making stupid comments like that to women. Just because I have colored hair doesn’t mean you can assume…
The Kremlin propagate their “serf rock” this week in Halifax
Notes from the underground The Kremlin are from Newfoundland by way of the USSR, hell bent on converting the masses through “serf” music and gogo dancing. “The goal of the Young Proletariat Recruitment Campaign is to mobilize the masses of Atlantic Canada against the monstrous vampire of capitalism that leaves the common worker anemic and…
Stop leaving your trash at the beach
Crystal Crescent is a mess. there was a provincial employee tonight tidying up the parking lot as best she could despite the fact that I don’t think it’s her job to, and the beach is still strewn with your garbage. Clean up after yourselves, you stupid pigs. Smokers who toss butts into the sand: hurry…
Hot Girls
What is with physically “hot” women having such a chip on their shoulder? ( Please note the quotation marks around hot ) I know every guy with a hard on has been trying to fuck you since you were 16 and people bend over backwards for you in life because you hit the genetic lottery…
Love to the Cop Lovers
Just wanted to send some love to the people who speak up and send some love to the HRP. They do a hard dangerous job and people with a complaint always seem to be the only ones who speak up so it nice to see them get their props when they are due. To those…
I’m just a garbage man
This is to the hillbilly who filled his green bin full of HUMAN shit. Why are you so cheap? You can’t afford to get your septic tank cleaned? You honestly had to fill your green bin full of poop?! I really just wanted to let you know i think your a jerk, and i think…
Almost Perfect
Clam Harbour Sandcastle Competition: Thanks to the guy who cautioned us about parking on the wrong side of the road. Thanks to the bus driver who stopped to pick us up. Thanks to the kind folks who watched our stuff so we could swim together. To the people in line behind us waiting for the…
New tastes at Brooklyn Warehouse
The fine folks at The Brooklyn Warehouse (2795 Windsor, 446-8181) have expanded their menu, from a single page to a four-panel menu, offering the same simple, in-house specialties and adding items such as arctic char with arugula salad and a lunchtime lamb gyro. In a plan to attract a younger crowd in the evenings, from…
District 9
9:35 showing of the movie and you couldn’t just shut the fuck up. Every fucking thing that happened you had some sort of loud response to that you felt everyone in the theater should be aware of. “Oh he’s eating catfood! HAR HAR HAR GROSS, isn’t that gross? HARDY HAR FUCKIN HAR!!!” “Inter species prostitution!…
No one takes responsibility for their actions.
To the jerk-off who hit my two week old Black 2009 Pontiac G6 in the parking lot and drove off. You are a fine example of what is wrong with society. Whether it’s a drunken idiots who drives and kill people, or simply bumping into a parked car and driving away. There is always a…
Love to Zombiewalk Cops
Just wanted to give some props to the cops taking care of the undead at Zombiewalk! Making sure cars didn’t run us over was a cool thing. —brraiiinss
Need to gush!
I found the perfect man. THEN: I found the perfect engagement ring! AND! He didn’t drop dead at the sight of the $5600 price tag! I love him!! —heathro
Video: Zombie Walk 2009
Zombies don’t do well in heat (see Goths in Hot Weather for details), but nevertheless, the undead lurched and staggered through downtown Halifax today. There must have been hundreds of them, including one guy in a jean vest who had an amazing zombie walk, tripping and falling into bushes, but then I realized he was…
Gone AWOL?
Not a true bitch, but I kinda miss the back and forth responses to some of the more bonehead bitches before the format change. I always read them with amusement. Nice to know there are other sardonics around. —Not a deep thinker
To the owner of the barking dog
Why the fuck would you buy a dog if you’re just going to ignore it and let it annoy people all day? Stop being such a dildo and take it for a walk every now and then. —Hungover shithead.
Drivers Bitch
What’s with the latest trend on HRM streets that when a car appoaches a parked vehicle in their lane, they feel they have the God given right to pull out into coming traffic to go around it. It doesnt matter that there is traffic approaching, no signal, no warning, just out and round WTF!!? They…
Halifax Hot Shot – aka My Boss
Why do people who make a whopping $50k a year walk around like they are king shit of fuck mountain? Seriously, put the top hat and monocle away Rockefeller and get your head back down to earth. 50k-60k is certainly a decent above the national average living but walking around like you’re a high roller…
Friendly Neighbourhood Policeman
I parked illegally today near Pete’s on Dresden today while doing the 5 min dash for some stuff for a work luncheon – standard excuse I know. When I came out an HRM cop was writing me a ticket. I always heard once the pen hits the paper that’s it, no take-backs so I made…
The not so modest mouse
What is wrong with people in this city selling a $30 ticket for 125+ if you didn’t want to go.Then don’t buy the god dam ticket and attempt to rape and pillage those who want to go for profit —The Dick
just go, already!
I’m sick of reading assinine posts about how horrible life is in Halifax, N.S. No doubt, you have problems with this place and think every other city is somehow superior. I’m not questioning your beliefs, just your sanity. Go. Leave. Adios. There is no reason you HAVE to live here. Don’t ever settle for a…
Way to Go HRM Transit!
I know there’s been a lot of complaints about HRM Transit – but they deserve a bouquet today! I commute from Clayton park to Downtown Mon to Fri and today was no exception. However, today my cell and bus pass fell out of my pocket without my knowledge. Someone found it (not sure who) but…
Gracious Indian rocks a new fast food
We’ve been watching the renovations take place at that former martial arts studio on Windsor Street, and were thrilled when an Indian Food joint opened a couple of weeks ago. The Gracious Indian (2156 Windsor, 407-0707) offers, according to the menu, “a variety of popular Indian dishes available for takeout, delivery & catering,” including a…
John David Shoes reno completed
“The store is 20 years old and I hadn’t done anything to it,” says John Ingram, owner for John David Shoes located in the Park Lane Mall (422-8466). Renovations have kept the store closed for a little while, with Ingram moving stock up to the third floor of Park Lane in a temporary location. By…
Matt Robinson gets poetic in Grand Parade
If you’ve walked through Grand Parade recently, maybe you noticed that the traffic control box is looking less dull these days. Take a closer look. The panels are painted in muted, watery colours, like age-old slate, with faded images of ships and skylines. And there are words. Elegant, poetic phrases that carry around the box,…
Thankless
To all of your recipients of workplace-sponsored baby and wedding showers – WRITE A THANK YOU NOTE! Your colleagues have all been forced to go to a store, buy you a present, wrap the present, write a card, and watch you open it. The least you could do is take 20 seconds to write a…
Attitude of NS
I have no idea why but for some reason, and only in NS, I found the majority of the people arrogant and stuck up. Well here’s what I think the breakdown is: Guys in general are very careless.. full of hate and all look the same, like douche bag with the flipped collar. Funny thing,…
Babies eat for free!
It was so wonderful to see you sporting an international breastfeeding sticker in your window. It made me decide to go in and have a cup of your delicious iced ginger tea while I fed my baby. If more restaurants like you actively showed their support I am sure the breastfeeding rates in Nova Scotia…
Downtown Dartmouth business news
Shoptalk has learned that The Last Gamestore (590 Portland Street, Dartmouth, 434-3350) is closing. The plan is to focus solely on games and gaming supplies in the Clayton Park location (278 Lacewood, 457-7529) and get out of the comic biz. So, disappointing news for Dartmouth-area comic fans but for those looking for deals, the rest…
Thank You!!
To whoever found my iPhone in the Barrington St. Superstore bathroom and turned it into customer service immediately, THANK YOU. I thought that my phone was definitely gone for good due to my carelessness, and it was a gift that I could never afford to replace on my own, but my faith in humanity is…
Yet Another Bike Bitch
Oh my GOD you self-righteous bikers in the HRM. You complain when cars are bullies to you on the road, but then I see you BIKING in CROSSWALKS and on SIDEWALKS. The key word in BOTH of those being WALK. If I see another bitch about “wah wah your car is bigger than me! you…
Waving Man, We Love You
I am quite disappointed and concerned. I have been to the Vally twice this summer and have not seen the waving man. I do not remember which exit he was at, I think somewhere around Hants Port, but what a delight. I met him once when I was doing construction and he was quite the…
And Then My Dog Tried To Commit Suicide
Unless you’re Michael Vick, this probably isn’t that funny. Okay, if you’ve met my dog its mildly humorous. My dog has been diagnosed by a certified trainer as “a spaz”. Apparently Brittany Spaniels get really calm, right before they die. So, to back up a step or two, last week the domestic goddess/total enabler took…
dear frog hollow books
you were the Elizabeth to my Mr. Darcy. The Mr. Rochester to my Jane Eyre. Perhaps even the Edward to my Bella? and now you must leave me. thank you for all the lovely books over the years. you will be greatly missed —all of halifax
Ain’t Walking Briskly
What’s that you said? I’m not walking fast enough? Just because I’m in a cross walk doesn’t mean I can take my time? I should skip to and get the hell out of the way as quickly as possible? I don’t expect you to modify your driving in any way when you have the right…
Fake-engers
I’m all for bikers/cyclists but seriously – why must so many insist on riding fixies with the fake-enger look? 1. HRM is full of hills – 1a) Uphills – you all struggle ridiculously and it looks retarded 1b) Downhills – most of you can’t stop for shit and I’ve witnessed more than a few spills…
Sour Grapes? Fuckin’ Right
Ok, I took on a shitload of student debt – my parent’s aren’t rich. I went through school trying to work and save every penny to pay for living expenses and books to minimize debt. I still pay a huge chunk of my pay on student debt. I got me a bachelors degree, realized this…
why tailgate me?
I wasn’t the one going 40 in a 60 zone – that was the car in front of me! So pinning yourself to my bumper really wasn’t doing any good. If fact, even if I were the driver at the front of the pack, tailgating me doesn’t do much good. The closer you get, the…
Texting Twit
To the Texting Twit at the corner of Spring Garden & South Park: That red light that was facing us? Yeah, that means we’re not supposed to walk across the street just yet. At least you realized it before you got hurt, although one more step and you would have bounced off the side of…
Let us take the damn bus
How much public money went into the bloody new parking garage at the airport, just so we can feel like we live in a big city? How about taking some of that cash and creating an express bus line that can take you there from downtown, so we wouldn’t have to drive our cars there…
looking for more creative vocabulary
I wish that the upset folks who post here could be more creative and imaginative in their choice of words in ranting….being upset, angry, disappointed or disgusted is the purpose of your rant. Expressing your feelings without using expletives takes the rant to a whole new level, way above what I read here most of…
Halifax’s Nasty Habits
Halifax, I love you. I’ve always loved you. But what the fk is up with the dirty fking nasty smokers that walk on your streets!!?? I have moved away and been to many other cities in this wonderful country of ours, only to return, on my once a year vacation, to the province, and the…
MacDonald Bridge
To my friend who jumped to her death earlier this month off the MacDonald – I wish I could have helped you more. I had no idea you were in such distress, wish I could have helped you get help. Didn’t know you needed help. God I feel like shit. —Megan
Perks Panini Kabob Café and Grill
[image-1] Just opening across the street from the Coastal Café is a new venture called Perks Panini Kabob Café and Grill (2736 Robie, 462-5555), which the sign says is “fresh, healthy, tasty… truly kabobelicious.” It’s the brainchild of SMU assistant professor of finance Najah Attig who wanted to open a business in the changing north…
Pipa opens on Argyle
Shoptalk recently announced the opening of a new eatery on Argyle, and now we have the lowdown. Pipa Restaurant and Bar (1685 Argyle, 407-7472) brings a multitude of Brazilian and Portuguese dishes to Halifax, including caipirinhas and batidas made from Brazilian cachaca, available only at the restaurant. You may want to try their broad selection…
Dive into deux fm
Although it feels like summer’s just getting started, some of us are already excited for fall’s cozy knits and sleek dresses. Get a head start on your autumn fashion shopping this Sunday at deux fm’s fall collection trunk show at The Hub (1673 Barrington, second floor), 1-5pm. There will be a mini-boutique, live models, wine…
Snoop Dogg at the Metro Centre on September 13
Basically a Laura Peek video, but with dogs Legendary rapper, producer and actor Snoop Dogg will return to Halifax for a performance in support of his 2008 release Ego Trippin’ with his band Snoopadelics at the Metro Centre on Sunday, September 13 at 8pm. Tickets are $54.50 for P1 seating and $44.50 for P2 seating…
Tax reform — the economists speak
In today’s editorial, I condemn the effort to change Halifax’s taxation system from a assessment-based property tax to a fee-for-service based system. I quote three economists in the editorial, but for space reasons I was unable to provide supporting documentation that two of the economists had given me. I’ll do so here. First, Lars Osberg…
have some respect at public events!
I took my family down to buskers tonight, sat down for the 1st show and these 2 children were sitting in front of us, parents no where to be found, hitting each other with plastic clappers, jumping all over each other and running out into the stage. To the parents: get up off your lazy…
Laws should be the same for everyone!!!
I read in todays paper about a transit driver talking on his cell phone while driving and a transit rider taking a picture of the driver and she made the complaint a week ago and MT hasnt called her back, well that is because they let their drivers do whatever. Last year I phoned HRP…
Naked Bitches
I love ya. I love ya for feeling so damn free in the gym locker room that you toss that towel aside and say ‘fuck you, my bush needs some air’, I wish I could do the same but alas it’s just bare T&A for me…all of that being said, STRAP A TOWEL AROUND YOUR…
In Memory: John Hughes
John Hughes’ movies end with freeze frames. These are moments (Bender thrusting his fist in the air in The Breakfast Club; Samantha kissing her dream boy in Sixteen Candles; Ferris Bueller knowing he’s opened his best friend’s eyes; John Candy’s warm grin in Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Uncle Buck) where characters found the satisfaction…
Lightning Dust
Proving you can’t judge an band by its other projects, Black Mountaineers Amber Webber and Joshua Wells abandon that band’s gratuitous jams for one of the most gorgeous albums to come out this year. Webber has the voice of a warrior striking out in battle, sometimes warbling in sadness and deep emotion, like a new-generation…
Three Sheet heat
Firefighters in full uniform jump from a red truck parked outside Elephant & Castle. The shrill fire drill still screams from the now-empty basement where a diverse mix of Three Sheet addicts thrives on the hip-hop group every Thursday night. “I wore my nice bra,” singer Vanessa Furlong says loudly over the buzz of 50…
The problem with time travel
The success or failure of a paranormal-tinged drama lies in how seamlessly the supernatural elements can cradle the melodrama. In 1991, Truly, Madly, Deeply’s ghost story was able to do this, and, from the sublime to the ridiculous, 2006’s The Lake House was able to compliment its love story with the inherent suspense in dual…
Rich Aucoin and Windom Earle tape release
Friday night, clear your schedule. Rich Aucoin has made party hats with you and your friends’ names on them. Aucoin promises “more visuals, light shows, balloons and confetti than you know what to do with.” He harnesses the power and energy of a Flaming Lips show all by himself, but Windom Earle is sharing the…
Wednesday Comics (DC Comics)
Six weeks ago, DC Comics unleashed one of the most ingenious ideas to hit the stands in years. While publishers everywhere are rushing to make books smaller, digital and more portable, DC boldly released Wednesday Comics, a giant-ass newspaper-sized collection of superhero comic strips by some of today’s biggest stars. This delightful format pays tribute…
Angel of Death
Running 40 minutes late to a screening-party for the Ed Brubaker-penned webseries Angel of Death? No worries: at 43:28, two characters clunkily recap AOD’s plot. Everyone’s worried badass assassin Eve (Zoe Bell) has a newly developed conscience and is coming after her assassin bosses. One assassin chum assures another that “Eve doesn’t see the world…
A Hole in a Fence
On DVD for a while now, this brisk film avoids a thesis completely while painting its portrait of Brooklyn’s Red Hook neighbourhood in transition. An IKEA is about to move in and various residents and stakeholders ponder what will be lost and gained. But 45 minutes is not long enough to develop the arguments its…
Arctic Monkeys At the Apollo
These English gents have been at the centre of a hurricane of hype for the duration of their relatively short careers. Seeing as how Favourite Worst Nightmare dodged the sophomore jinx two years ago, this live DVD/CD package (the CD is a recording of a 2006 show at Stubbs BBQ in Texas) will get fans…
Food, Inc. sticks to the script
Food, Inc. tells a story we all love to hear: The path to edible salvation lies not in the industrial food chain that supports the abundance and reliability of grocery stores, but in the toil and labour of the small local and organic farmers’ market mainstay, regardless of the limits of their bounty. It’s a…
Concert for Samantha Li
Though in different ensembles, violinists Samantha Li and Lee Park often played together, with Park taking first violin and Li second. “She cared very much about her tone, the quality of her sound,” recalls Park of her colleague and friend, who was killed in a car accident last month. The two were also friends, doing…
Julie & Julia’s passionate journey
Weary of her stop-gap cubicle job, Amy Adams’ Julie Powell embarks on a year-long quest to cook her way through Mastering the Art of French Cooking (and blog her progress). Newlywed in Paris and recently sprung from American government service, Meryl Streep’s Julia Child takes cooking classes at Le Cordon Bleu and begins a cookbook…
Stop Kiss goes slow
While the process of falling in love is infinitely exciting and engrossing to the people involved, the Open Concept production of Stop Kiss proves that is much less so to outside observers. The play is actually two intercut storylines: one about a pair of seemingly straight women, Callie (Annie Valentina) and Sara (Kristin Langille), and…
GI Joe battles disposability
“There’s no distinction anymore,” I answered when asked if G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra is for kids or nostalgic adults. The latest in toy-line cinema delivers the usual ADD blockbuster formula: Two lines of exposition, followed by three shots of vehicles moving around. Stephen Sommers’ brand of effects chaos is lighter on its feet…
Great Thing echoed in the Fall
In Some Great Thing (2003) and now Fall, Colin McAdam investigates a disappearance. True, in each book, someone actually disappears, but late in the novels’ progress. The more important disappearance for McAdam is how some people conceal themselves from others, receding from the world, despite remaining physically in it. Of course, this behaviour has consequences.…
Opera Excerpts a crowd pleaser
If you’re not sure that opera’s really your thing, I can’t think of a better way to whet your appetite than Halifax Summer Opera Workshop’s Opera Excerpts. The program, which takes pieces from different types of opera from baroque to modern, has something to please almost everyone. Some things, such as the Green-Acres-esque marital misunderstanding…
The briny, grimy deeps
“I would love to see Nova Scotia do the same for marine waste as we have for on-land waste,” Lisa Kretz tells me in Clean Nova Scotia’s lunch room. She is the project officer for the organization’s marine waste project. “There needs to be more awareness and education, one person at a time.” Today it’s…
The case for legalizing sex work
Q Do you think post-op transgender people have any obligation to tell their lovers they were once the other sex? —On the Fence A Yes. Q I’m in my 40s and straight. My wife of nine years is no longer interested in sex. Period. I haven’t had a blowjob in about eight years, I can’t…
Tax Reform Committee’s shoddy work
Halifax council was scheduled Tuesday to discuss “tax reform,” which is the attempt on some councillors’ part to switch from the time-honoured system of assessment-based property taxes to a “service-based” system that would charge residents receiving similar city services the same fee, regardless of the value of the property being serviced. Specifically, the Tax Reform…
How the sewage plant broke
[Editor’s note: this story is one of five Coast articles selected as finalists for the 2010 Atlantic Journalism Awards. All five stories are collected here.] Halifax’s new sewage treatment plant was turned on in February 2008, and it seemed to fulfill its promised intentions immediately. All you had to know was that parts of the…
Dan Mangan
Vancouver native Dan Mangan’s vocals on this LP will charm the pants off any summer road-tripper, via beautifully sung folk pop melodies, sometimes about coffee, sometimes about love. Mangan’s smart, soul-bearing album kicks off with “Road Regrets,” a song he wrote in 2007 while driving from El Paso to Austin, drinking gas-station coffee and regretting…
Canoes, pogos and slimy science
One hundred thousand visitors are expected to attend the 2009 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships being held this weekend on Dartmouth’s Lake Banook. On the water, participants from over 70 countries will charge neck-and-neck at full-force in 1,000- and 500-metre races. “This is huge,” says Stacey Jones-Oxner, the event’s spokesperson. “Haligonians should be excited because…
Tongan Death Grip
Local favourites Tongan Death Grip stuck around the Halifax punk scene for scarcely a year before losing a member to Montreal. Fans have to sate themselves with rare appearances now, but fortunately there’s this four-song EP that captures the energy and pop-punk fervour of live shows. “Murder at Pop Tate’s” is as fast and addictive…
Last Fuller Terrace lecture night on Tuesday
Bethany Riordan-Butterworth and Ella Tetrault opened their Fuller Terrace backyard to the public this summer, as hosts of a lecture series aimed at getting to know people. The idea originated with Vince Perez and Emily Jones several years ago and focused on art and academics. After the pair moved, Riordan-Butterworth and Tetrault continued the series,…
Gossip
Gossip face potential backlash for their major label shift—a far cry from an Arkansas punk-rock blues band originally on Kill Rock Stars. But Music for Men is an homage to homos. The title track and “Men In Love” nod to the lack of queer-minded music. Political dance anthems “Pop Goes the World,” “Heavy Cross” and…
To a safer Macdonald bridge
Construction starts next week to extend euphemistically named “safety barriers” across the length of the Macdonald Bridge, along both the pedestrian walkway on the south side of the bridge and the bicycle lane along the north side of the bridge. The new barriers will match the existing barriers that extend only so far as the…
Levon Helm
On his second album since battling cancer, the only American in The Band seems positively robust. “Where’s the dignity in a crop that you raise to burn?” muses a farmer who turned to growing marijuana in “Growin’ Trade”. The only Helm original, it’s also the catchiest tune on Electric Dirt. Not that the Grateful Dead…
No heads-up for bridge closures.
What’s wrong? No heads-up for bridge closures. Who’s responsible? Alison MacDonald, spokesperson, bridge commission. REMARKS Why not put a sign announcing Macdonald Bridge closures on Hwy 102 at the 118 exit near Dartmouth Crossing, so drivers from the airport will know right there to take the McKay instead? Good idea, agrees MacDonald, but this coming…
Where to find the best ice cream
As days get colder and shorter, what better way to savour the last weeks of summer than by slamming copious amounts of ice cream down your throat? But even the simplest pleasures can lead to confusion in today’s consumer culture—we have a slew of frozen treats to choose from and all are not created equal.…
Cocktails to watch Mad Men by
Clicking around facebook recently, you may be wondering where the new 1960s-inspired caricature profile pictures are materializing. Fedoras, sheath dresses, slim suits, pocket squares and a martini or cocktail glass in hand—style aficionados are drooling, writers and ad execs are rushing after work to get home to watch it, and you shouldn’t miss it any…
