Be Well Spa introduces new weight-loss program
The Be Well Spa (2110 Robie Street,422-2767) is now offering something called the Ideal Protein program, for weight-loss management. “I have noticed in the past few years that an alarming number of my patients mainly have their health issues due to weight gain and I am very excited to have this tool to offer them.”…
Pipa offers dance nights and more
Pipa (1685 Argyle Street, 407-7472) wants to be your home for eating, dancing and movie-watching this winter. On Wednesday nights from 8-10 pm, stop by for Swing Dancing, a social dance for all levels and abilities. Or spice up your Fridays with Salsa, from 9pm-1am. Lessons run between 9pm and 10pm, with dancing to follow.…
Turnstile offers new classes
Two new adult classes are starting up this month at Turnstile Pottery Cooperative (2733 Agricola Street, 431-2529). Intro to Throwing, an introduction to wheel throwing, trimming, glazing, and other basic pottery practices, runs from January 25 to February 22, Wednesday evenings 7pm – 9pm, 3-5 students per class, $200 (tax included). Hand Built Ceramics is…
Spineless and gutless
So, our elected jellyfish and mayor have caved in to a community group who want to maintain a heavily taxpayer funded centre(s), and overturned the decision to sell St. Pats school to a developer. If the new deal remains in place, who will pay to bring the building up to code, continue to provide funding…
Ma’ Curves is KICKIN!
I’m really tired of hearing people say “If you’re a big bitch, you shouldn’t be wearin tight clothes” ExCUUUUUse you-ME! Are you buying my clothes? Are you the one wearing them? Do you HAVE to be in up in my zone eye-rapin me? No! It’s simple. Funny thing about the neck is, it pivots. If…
Attention students
Stop marking up library books you selfish fucks. Can’t you study without making the book painful to read for everyone afterwards? Did the fumes from your beloved highlighter give you brain damage? If you’re one of these people who underline, highlight, or write your inane little thoughts in the margins, I hope you get carpal…
Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival seeks film submissions
Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival is putting the call out for short film submissions. HIFF, a presentation of the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative, is dedicated to the exhibition of film and video as art, in a noncompetitive setting free from commercial agendas. The sixth annual HIFF will happen April 10-14. HIFF is looking for films to fill…
Spare change won’t cause change
To the man who asked me for change on Dresden Row: I see most people passing you by without any acknowledgement. I was not one of them. I looked you in the eye, smiled and said “I’m sorry, I don’t have any.” Your response? “Yeah I bet.” Hey, I understand your frustration and I am…
Where the hell do you get a 50 pound bag of potatoes????
What is it with the supermarkets in Halifax, either the buyers are stupid, mentally challenged or just plain profit mongering money gouging toadies for corporate. I am leaning toward the 3rd. A 5 pound bag of potatoes, about $4.00 a 10lb bag $5.00, 15 pounds about $7 to $8. So apparently nobody has a family…
Putting up with men’s shit
PMS. Yeah I said it. And what? My guts be churnin, my migrane is turnin, my pussy be yearnin, an my ass be burnin. Like the gut cramps ain’t enough, I get some nasty ass irritable bowel syndrome around that time of the month. My back aches, my legs ache, my head is poundin yo.…
No sense nonsense
When my boyfriend and I came to check out the apartment in December, everything looked great. Well kept property. Proper garbage disposal. Recycle bins. Clean entry way. Uncluttered mailbox area. Plenty of parking. Working elevators. Polite tenants. Affordable rent. Nice 2 bedrooms. Newly renovated kitchen and bathroom. Plenty of storage. Large balcony. Nice neighbourhood. Close…
Human ownership
There is a fundamental problem with human relationships. It seems that when we love something, we want to own it in some way. Love your partner? Don’t let them love anyone else. Love your kid? Don’t let them make mistakes. Love your pet? Cloister it inside all day so no harm will come to it.…
Council reverses St. Pat’s-Alexandra sale—for now
Halifax council has rescinded its December 13 decision to sell the former St. Pat’s-Alexandra school on Maitland Street to developer Joe Metlege. The vote means the old school won’t be torn down and replaced with condos—at least, not yet. But the issue is by no means resolved. North end community members were upset by the…
The Lowlife trailer
Lowlife is the first feature film from Dog Day and YoRodeo’s Seth Smith. Inspired by Davids Lynch and Cronenberg, the film was shot last winter in rural Nova Scotia, the surreal story of a woman struggling with an addiction to psychotropic slugs—living drugs that distort reality. A talking, god-like dog is also involved (see the…
lookatbrendan.com = cool Christmas
It’s likely that if most of us took pics of our Christmases we’d have a lot of shots of turkeys, ribbons, maybe that ruling ornament you made at age 10. Maybe a Bailey’s/coffee mix from the more hedonistic among us. Local artist Brendan Anckaert puts your lame holidays to shame with some enviable photos of…
Two If By Sea’s new location is going strong
I stopped by Two If By Sea’s new Historic Properties (1869 Upper Water Street, 492-4600) location this morning, just to see how things are going. I ordered coffee and a muffin and sat down to twiddle with my new iPhone. As I watched, I was struck that the cafe was busy, but few people were…
Doctor’s orders
You are sick and that hurts my heart. I hear you coughing and hacking it makes me sad that I can’t help. It is you that is always in my heart and my head, you are always welcome there. We have been together three wonderful years and theres no one more lucky then me. It…
Halifax is BANDIT FREE!
To the kind human who found the bag I left on the floor of the eatery in a certain grocery store. THANK YOU SO MUCH. My keys, ipod, and most importantly, my sketchbook, were all inside. You returned it to customer service, intact! So HAPPY 🙂 —xoxJoelbot
Shelter skelter
From the Lacewood Terminal to the turn off onto Main St for buses headed anywhere (think 42, 17, 52 and some of the express buses) there have been at least three shelters vandalized. The three shelters that I have come across have one back “wall” smashed inward so glass covers the rest of the shelter.…
Pitbull lovers
One of my favourite things about NS is that pitbulls are legal. I’m from Ontario where they are banned, which is so idiotic to those who know and love this amazing breed. My dog is 1/2 pit and I love him to death. People who judge pitbulls and assume they are vicious beasts have no…
TWE
Yeah, it’s to you! Still crazy about you, toys just don’t cut the mustard!! —Who Is It??
Red or Yellow
My beef is dyed hair colour. Okay RED is the in today hair colour. But why is it okay to dye your hair red and after awile the roots peep out. But if you dye your hair blonde you are mostly classified as being an old bag. Dyed hair is dyed hair no matter what…
Hey ol’ blue eyes…
We had a good thing going on for a while. It was hot. It got oily. But then it got greasy. When you kept making me traipse off to meet you in that secret spot after dark, it had to end. I am a lot younger than you, but I am still a grown woman.…
Commercials at the movies
Seriously. Why are they doing this to us? I can’t stress how gut-retching it is to pay a ridiculous $12 to go see a movie (I could have easily downloaded, by the way) just to have them play AT LEAST 9 commercials that I see on cable EVERY day. Cable that I pay an incredibly…
Nosey nanny state
So I was down on my luck, and more importantly my money last week and took out a payday loan. I borrowed $100, even though they approved me for much more. I’ve done this a few times in the past to make ends meet. Just this weekend, I ran out of money and went to…
To all the New Year’s Eve bed buddies
By this time we can all be sure that our New Year’s Eve friends who stayed the night are going to remain just that. But what you should know, is that if someone contacts you following one of those trysts it does not automatically mean that you are being pursued because said contact maker is…
Take a walk… please
Ok, this is for all the service workers out there. Especially the cleaners. I’ve had to take this part time cleaning job out of necessity. It’s not my trade. Can’t do that due to an accident, so instead of trying to take advantage of the system. I do what I can. But this job is…
Call me crazy
Tumbling by each other, I couldn’t help but notice how incredible you are. So I reached out and asked you to grab my hand. To my constant amazement and joy, you jumped aboard. Now each day shows how we fit better than Joss and something to write with which makes me so pumped to get…
Thinking of teaching? Think again…
For all of those inspired souls out there who dream of inspiring young minds in the classroom… there is no place for you in this community. There is a surplus of hundreds of teachers who can’t even find jobs as substitute teachers. And this is why: Uni’s are pumping out more and more grads as…
Partner in surprise
Sometimes it seems no one believes in us except ourselves but we’re making our way through just fine. Lets keep them guessing okay? I like to keep them on their toes. Everytime you make a Photoshop joke, I’ll make a lazy-layabout joke, and then we’ll kiss. —Your Outfit Can Stay Predictable
Jesus geezer
To the guy who stands outside the student union building and preaches about Jesus. You’re gone for days, weeks, months, but you always come back. One day I will stand across the sidewalk from you and tell everyone about how my life became more enriched once I sold my soul to the devil. —Can’t Wait…
Just because we both like being cheesy
Dear “Liam” you make my days faster too. Thank you for making me smile. —”Hailey”
To: The Nicest Shade of Red
I thought it was really cool that you picked up. So nice just to hear your voice really. I enjoyed our chat very much, and I appreciated your candor as well. I hope things work out superbly for you–your plans are totally awesome, and so are you!! Sending you great vibes, always. —Sunday Girl
Report the old guy to security
To the very young drunk ladies on the dance floor at a Halifax nite club. There you are drunk dancing with your friends, having a good time, he spots you, decides to invite himself and his hard-on over to you. You turn around, with a look of a little girl that’s been sexually molested and…
Drunken bench thief
I’m really not sure why you decided you needed the mostly broken benches from my backyard last night. I’ll bet the street value on them is pretty much nil. Since you are aware that you are not a good person, going so far as to stumble back a few blocks and steal my favorite backyard…
Back Pages to close
Back Pages (1526 Queen Street, 423-4750), the stalwart used bookstore on Queen Street near Spring Garden Road, is closing. Owner Michael Norris says he has to vacate by the end of February as the building is being sold. As to the reasons for the closing of the business, he says they are manifold. “I could…
My true love
I thought I would be alone forever but when you came into my life I actually felt love for the “first time” ever. I hope that you are the one I get to spend the rest of my life with. You understand me (which is not easy) and put up with my shit when I…
I scream, you scream, we all scream for some DAMN ice cream
When my lastest boyfriend dumps me, the only thing that hurts worse than my heart, is my damn pocketbook. Why do the convenience stores gotta charge so damn much for ice cream. It’s ICE fuckin CREAM bitch – shit be coming out a cows titty. Mix it up add a little sugar and freeze it…
I’d like my pizza with extra diamonds & gold please…
Alright, we’re through! That’s the last fucking time I spend 30 dollars of my hard earned money on some dough and cheese. 30 DOLLARS. You think you got gold there? It’s dough. And sauce (that suspiciously taste a lot like Chef Boyardee). I ordered a greek pizza – there ain’t even NO MEAT on the…
Are eggings the new swarmings?
To the gentleman who stopped his car to ask me for directions and then threw an egg at me: You missed. And I was only 3 meters away, too. The sidewalk got it pretty good, so don’t beat yourself up about your clear lack of athleticism. —Clean as a Whistle Related Stories
LOVE
I’ve always been more of a bitcher than a lover. Until I fell in love (sappy I know). You’re the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me, you’ve given me so much more than you’ll ever know and I want you know that you’re with me everywhere I go. I’d like to wish this same…
The 80-20 rule
What is WITH selfish lovers? I find men are usually the culprit here. And this has nothing to do with stamina. Nothing to do with you lugs fallin’ asleep 2 seconds after coming either. I’m talking about oral and your inability to be fair. Why is it that men expect women to give them endless…
Case of the crazies
I talk to you inside my head so much that when I see you in person I don’t know what to say. —Words Fail Me
In Canada? That would never happen. Or will it?
This bitch is about the dangerously naive and trusting in Canada. You often say things like “hahaha, you pulled out the Hilter card, that would never happen in Canada” Really?!?!?!?! Let me ask you one question: What would it take for a Canadian government to round up foriegn Jews (or any other ethnic group) and…
Halifax has the best bus drivers
To the bus driver who helped an elderly lady cross the street on New Year’s Eve: People like you make the world a better place! Hope 2012 has some great things in store for you! —Fellow Passenger
I’m not really into typical hotties but…
…holy hannah! I saw you on the 7 last night with your blue arc’teryx pack and your nondescript hair colour and I just want to say that you are, hands down, the best looking guy I’ve seen in HRM since I moved here. You should seriously take a second and thank your parents for their…
Telephone assistance
Just a peeve of mine. When you call these 1-800 numbers for support the cheesy automated voice says “to serve you better please enter your card number now…” or “to serve you better please enter your 10 digit telephone number starting with your area code…” then when you eventually get a “live” person on the…
Non-church ceremony locations in Halifax/Nova Scotia?
I am looking for some ideas for a romantic, non-religious location for a summer wedding ceremony. Does anyone know of any beautiful old buildings or outdoor locations that would make good wedding ceremony locations? —Planning bride
Mega-snatch
I work part time at a flower shop, and I am always surprised by the amount of people who call in to bitch at me about perfectly beautiful flowers they just received. Granted, the occasional bouquet may wilt unexpectedly and we replace them if necessary. But to the specific old snatch who gets flowers on…
Halifuxxxx
WTF is with people from this city. I am so confused. Like i just stare at you locals like where am I? Have I landed on Mars? Am I being abducted by aliens? Nova Scotians are the most uncultured people I’ve ever met. It is so absurd. Apparently fashion, current events, and the real world,…
Pension madness
At work I’m forced into a pension I don’t want (it is a condition of employment at many public sector organizations). These pensions are topped up by tax payers money – many of those taxpayers contributing to my (and everyone else’s) pension are paid minimum wage themselves and don’t have any hope of saving for…
Who needs a lawnmower blade in the middle of winter?!
To the fuckface bus driver who let some weird old man carrying an old rusty lawnmower blade onto the #7 the other night… it’s rush hour and the bus was packed and you’re letting some potential serial killer get onto the bus and he could have possible have harmed 30-40 other people. He was carrying…
Your dual flush toilet sucks
I’m all for saving the environment and reducing our water consumption but those dual flush toilets suck. Why are these toilets so high? I don’t feel like trying to take a shit on a high stool. Oh, did I say take a shit? No. That’s the problem. The angle and height of how one sits…
It doesn’t fucking work
I’m fucking cranky, this goddamn free market bullshit is clearly not working. When you have CEO’s making millions and then asking for fucking bailouts from the taxpayers, something is seriously fucked up here. Insurance companies raping people on premiums because the government makes insurance manditory. Utility “boards” that are solely looking out for the interests…
We all die one day, so…
Quit acting like you are not. Maybe it’s time some of you took the time to see yourselves and the things you do in your daily lives, are you really a good person? Are you doing anything, for anyone, anywhere? Besides yourself? You all expect the world of each other, and when the other can’t…
Andrew
Andrew, Andrew, Andrew. “Cha-ching!” was the first thought that came to mind when I stumbled upon this beauty. Andrew, a native of Victoria, is with the military and has been gracing our fair city streets for the past five or six years. His sweater, that BEAUT of a sweater, was handmade by a tribe (…
Taste of Nova Scotia’s Sip ‘n Shuck coming soon
Sip ‘n Shuck, the Nova Scotia oyster, mussel and wine tasting night has been announced for 2012. The event, hosted by Taste of Nova Scotia, will take place Friday, January 27 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Baronet Ballroom, Delta Halifax (1990 Barrington Street). For tickets to this pearl-diving extravaganza, call the Aquaculture Association of…
How to build a better mayor
The Coast’s first issue in January is traditionally devoted to the topic of “”How to fix the city.” A sort of New Year’s resolution for a better Halifax, in past editions we’ve identified lots of things that were broken around town—falling down buildings, highway ramps that go to nowhere, window shade-less washrooms at City Hall,…
Pet ER looks to Halifax
Best Boy Entertainment, a TV production and entertainment company our of St. John’s, is collecting true pet medical emergency stories from the public for Season Two of its docu-drama series, Pet ER. Pet ER currently airs on the Pet Network (Shaw Direct Channel 556 Classic/187 Advanced) and features families who face life-threatening pet medical emergencies.…
Spa moves into permanent location
Summit Day Spa & Wellness Clinic (423-3888) has been in operation for more than 21 years. A couple year back, owner Susan Alward decided that being in Park Lane Mall just wasn’t the right fit for it anymore. However, their chosen new location, the new office building at the corner of Birmingham and Spring Garden…
Good ole reliable Metro Transit
You have to love the transit service in this city. Get to the stop where a #20 is supposed to hit at 7:49am, see 6 OUT OF SERVICE buses go by before 8am and nary an appearance by the #20. No big deal, the #6 is supposed to hit the same area right around the…
Dumb ass cop on the rotary
Many thanks to the shithead cop who decided to ticket someone in one of the two incoming lanes from the St. Margie’s Bay into the rotary. Because of your sheer fucking stupidity, St. Margie’s was backed up to the Prospect Road. It took an hour to get to the rotary in what should have been…
Don’t forget
I hate to be cheesy, but this was one moment I believed in love at first sight. You made work so much better each day, I would love forward to seeing your smile and making me laugh. When we got together that time, I wished it would have lasted forever. I know you’ll never be…
To my Egyptian cab driver
Let’s move to Montreal… or grab a coffee. You already know I don’t smell like bacon 😉 —Bad Driver
THE MALL
HEY SO WHATS UP WITH THE MALL, AM I RIGHT? ! I BELIEVE IN BUYING THINGS FOR BASIC HUMAN SURVIVAL LIKE FOOD AND AIR AND BOXES FOR BAGS AND EVERYTHING, BUT SOME THINGS IN THE MALL ARE DESTROYING OUR MINDS MAN. LIKE THAT STORE THAT SELLS SLUTTY CLOTHES FOR PRE TEENS! WHY WOULD YOU LET…
Where’s the bus?
Leaving work yesterday, I hurried to the bus stop to make sure I caught it on time. With the snow and all, it’s nearly impossible to ever know if it’s going to be late, ahead of schedule, or just not going to show up at all. 10 minutes, no bus. 15 minutes, no bus. 30…
I hope you love me as much as you love J.B. Sorry I missed your birthday!
We’ll have lots of time, and get to spend the rest of them together. I have been so lucky to have been loved by you! We’re going to have a lot of fun. —Handsome Man
Handsome man
Wow! You make my heart flutter and my cheeks all warm. I saw you tonight at the grocery store and I wish I knew your name and had the courage to say a few words to you. I still think that you are a familiar song I could play over and over again. Yet no…
The condemned single ladies
I am sick and tired of being looked down upon, because I am a single female. When I am asked what my relationship status is, and I utter that six letter word; single, the pity parties begin. I hope you realize that I am the happiest I’ve been in years, and I live my life,…
Greek Village for sale
The Feed has learned that Greek Village (6303 Quinpool Road 405-3750) is for sale. You can buy the eatery for $199,000. If you’re interested in getting into the restaurant business, call Bruce Tramley at 830-2972.
Good First Impressions
So you peeked at your presents and found that Santa is giving you a Nikon D3100 Digital SLR for Christmas and you don’t want to let him down—ViewPoint Gallery’s (1271 Barrington) new exhibit, NewPoints: First Impressions could be your entry point. Running from January 4-29 (opening January 5, 6-9pm with an artist talk on January…
I’ll see you in hell
I fucking hate the entire human race for our blindness and complete disregard for our planet, ourselves and our future. If we are all shaken from this ball in a fiery blaze its what we ALL deserve. And we cant say we didn’t see it coming. I hate we kill and horde for resources to…
I bet they really do eat ants…
To a certain computer tech shop: you are a bunch of money grubbing, unsympathetic losers. I paid you for data recovery… I paid A LOT. Little did I know I was only going to have it for 6 months!!! You put it on a faulty hardrive and then told me that I had to be…
Warning to travellers to Mexico
“My hunny and I are going to Mexico for 2 weeks in February. He bought the trip as our Christmas gift. We’re staying at a 5 star resort. You should see it. Right on the beach. Oh it’s going to be great. I can’t wait.” FFS, quit yapping about your upcoming trip to Mexico. The…
The Disappeared teaser is up
When The Disappeared shot in the ocean off Lunenburg in 2011, it would have been a challenging shoot for a veteran feature filmmaker, let alone a first-timer. But to give writer-director Shandi Mitchell credit, she’s worked on film sets for years. Still, when you have to rely on the good behavior of the weather and…
Unsaid
The night I called you, it was to tell you that I think I fell in love with you that very first night. I was so nervous that I actually wrote down what I wanted to say, but I chickened out. Looking back, I know it was for the best, because the timing was all…
Two lovely generous ladies
To the two lovely generous ladies that frequent a restaurant on Kempt Rd who frequently, randomly and anonymously treat people to lunch. You two are the sweetest and most generous we have seen. You are appreciated! —Suzie, Stacey and Carolyn
GIMMEE SHELTER
Gotta love folks who treat bus shelters as their own personal smoking lounges on minus double digit days. What is up with THAT? —BRRRRRRRRR….(cough, cough, cough)
To my client
So you make a mistake which causes us to take a ton of calls today because it effects your employees’ pay. You say that you will be sending out an e-mail that explains everything. We wait all day for this to happen, in the meantime taking 100980980 calls saying the same thing over and over…
Interrupting bastards
If there’s one thing I can’t stand it’s being repeatedly interrupted. People interrupt each other in conversation, I get that. But when you interrupt me not once, not twice but 3 plus times in a row, I start to wonder why and how you even talk to people, as I’m picturing what your eyeballs would…
City Seen sprawls
Every set of eyes sees a city differently: it’s shortcuts, friendly faces, run-down buildings and new additions. A street that’s an eyesore to some, could be a gem to others. In efforts to welcome new artists into the gallery, Swoon’s Brandt Eisner put out an open call for the juried show City Seen, which brought…
The real deal
To eastern Canada’s shock, the former capital of cronyism crowned Naheed Nenshi, a businessman with a conscience and Harvard education, as the oil-belt mayor—one of the most progressive in Canada. If you judge a man by his company, Nenshi’s got sustainability on the brain. Chris Turner, bestselling author of The Geography of Hope: A Tour…
A mayor with style
If I’ve learned anything from our present mayor it is that with political fashion, comes caution. Hesitant outfits and safe suits define our mayor’s wardrobe and maybe it’s just me, but I’m bored. Suits, polished shoes and ties are de rigeur in the business world—they matter and I love them. But I wonder why politicians…
Modern Orchid blooms
Modern Orchid is packed. It’s lunch time, and there are only two tables left in the Dartmouth Crossing restaurant. The four of us sit down at the table nearest the entrance. Natural light pours in from the front window, reflecting off of the tall, light walls in the open room. The restaurant is pretty in…
Canada’s other mayors
Vancouver – Gregor Robertson Organic farmer becomes mayor of huge city. Biggest controversies are an unpaid transit ticket and calling fucking hacks “fucking hacks.” Generally left of centre, Robertson scored points for Olympics, lost points for riots. Edmonton – Stephen Mandel Mandel has established himself as the darling of the not-batshit-insane wing of the Alberta…
Brightest ideas
Livability Court (Charleston, South Carolina) Neighbours are a fact of city life. And with neighbours, inevitably come some neighbourhood disputes. Unmowed lawns, unsupervised pets, loud parties you weren’t invited to—councillors hear about these troubles all the time. “Very often people’s first call is to their councillor, so the councillor can be the bad guy,” explains…
The 10 best movies of 2011
50/50 Those are the odds of Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) beating cancer. Good thing writer Will Reiser and director Jonathan Levine crafted a movie that’s funny and sad in exactly that ratio. Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen (as the best friend) play well off each other. (MJS) Attack the Block Joe Cornish injects fresh energy into the…
The Arkells
Recorded at The Tragically Hip’s Bathouse studio, The Arkells’ sophomore effort, Michigan Left, may be one of the bigger surprises of last year. It not only bucks the sophomore jinx, but it is also the band’s major label debut. This is an album that is immediately accessible and far jauntier effort than the debut Jackson…
Writers’ rock
The First Aid Kit is a pretty good name for a band. But after singer-guitarist Darryl Smith started the band in 2006, he soon found out just how catchy a band name it was when people started to ask for tickets to his shows in Sweden. “People were asking for guest list spots to shows…
Wale
The sophomore effort by Washington rapper Wale, is cookie-cutter commercial hip-hop: not extraordinary, not terrible and probably forgotten by February. But that’s a relative success after Attention: Deficit—arguably the most uncomfortable and hype-evaporating hip-hop debut of the past decade—managed to alienate both hip-hop heads and hip-pop dalliers alike. Now a pet in Rick Ross’s Maybach…
The Bad Bad Bad tours Halifax
A whirlwind tour of the HRM is a little piece of heaven for many— touring without having to leave the friendly confines of your own city being the unrealized dream of many local musicians. The dearth of live music venues off the peninsula hurts many a band’s chances of pulling off the feat of an…
The Drops of God
Already a big hit in France and Japan, The Drops of God is a manga about wine tasting. That may sound highbrow but the set-up is classic adventure story: in order to inherit his wine critic father’s fortune, a young man must track down 12 legendary bottles of wine. Along the way he gets a…
Young River flows
Holed up in a protected historic house, next to a waterfall, in the snowy woods of Pictou, it’s no surprise something wonderful happened. That’s where Young River’s self-titled debut record began, not too far from this time two years ago. Trying to make a demo of sorts, the indie rockers—who met studying jazz in university—enlisted…
Does a mayor matter?
The rise of the city as preferred human habitat is a relatively recent phenomenon. From the origin of the species until about 200 years ago, humans organized in small groups around food—either in agricultural villages or as tribes of nomadic hunters. Cities flip this, so basically people organize around other people, and the food comes…
Let loose with suddenlyLISTEN
It’s the beginning of a new year, time for resolutions. When some people are making promises to themselves to be more active, read more books and eat less chips…why not try to kick up your creative side? Just in time for all of this resolving, the ever-innovative and unique folks at suddenlyLISTEN are back with…
Batman: Year One
An animated version of Frank Miller’s essential Batman origin story Batman: Year One from 1988, originally drawn by the incomparable David Mazzucchelli. Making flawed, recently transferred-to-Gotham cop Jim Gordon the lead character was a brilliant move, as he deals with police corruption and a caped vigilante doling out justice on the streets. Unfortunately, while the…
The Devil Inside: It’s hard to believe we need a place called hell
It’s tempting to call this the nadir of both the demonic possession and found-footage horror sub-genres, but one suspects there will always be filmmakers willing to dig deeper craters. For now, director William Brent Bell claims the dubious record for futility with this inept fusion of Exorcist rehash and shaky-cam gimmickry. A “documentary” camera follows…
Project Nim
Nim Chimpsky was the name given to a chimpanzee, the subject of a communication study conducted by a Columbia University professor and his students in the 1970s where Nim was raised like a human child. Marsh (Man on Wire) and his team revisit the study through old footage—and some clumsy reenactment—tracing what happened to Nim…
Monogamish relationships work
Why do most people assume that all non-monogamous relationships are destined to fail? Because we only hear about the ones that do. If a three-way or an affair was a factor in a breakup, we hear all about it. But we rarely hear from happy couples who aren’t monogamous, because they don’t want to be…
Magic: The Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012
I’ll admit it: I’ve never played the Magic trading card game, but after playing the video game version I can see why it has legions of fans. I won’t get into how the game is played—as it’s quite complex—but clobbering enemies is fulfilling and each defeat a learning exercise. Every match will be different and…
Trade secrets
Chronicle-Herald provincial reporter David Jackson should be congratulated for his article published last week that lays out more mendacity on the part of Trade Centre Limited. See, in September Jackson got word that somebody was conducting a public opinion poll about the proposed convention centre. The way Jackson heard it at the time, the questions…
Ainsley
That basket stole my heart away the minute I laid eyes on it. Not to mention that Italian made (and bought!) beautiful grey jacket. Ainsley is a local author and spends much of her time working on her second novel. Travel and “anything interesting” inspires this fashionista’s style. If you’d like to check out what…
Corey Isenor
Isenor’s third disc—the second in less than a year —is an excellent showcase for his brand of indie-folk and storytelling skills. Especially on songs like the title track, an amusing take down of aimless high school bullies who are hanging around “thinking of ways to be cruel.” The jaunty “Bend in the River” and “Illusions” have that…
Greek sculpture maiden Halifax
On the south side of the ancient Greek temple The Erechtheion, on the Acropolis at Athens, is the famous Porch of the Maidens. Six sculpted female figures, or Caryatids, act as supporting pillars for the porch roof. The maidens have individual poses and facial expressions, their large hairstyles balancing out slender necks to permit them…
M83
In the 10 years since Anthony Gonzalez’s recording project M83 emerged from France’s shoegaze underbelly, the band has gone from ambient noodling to lush orchestration and ’80s synth-pop. The group’s sixth studio album may be their most concise and accessible yet. Which is contradictory, considering the album spans two discs and has Gonzalez experimenting with…
MSVU gets to the Heart and Spirit of Our Communities
Mount Saint Vincent University has a year of important events on the horizon, all in the name of diversity. The Heart and Spirit of Our Communities will see screenings, celebrations and performances opening inquiring minds, starting with a special presentation of the brand new Long Road to Justice: The Viola Desmond Story. An introduction from…
How to build a better mayor
In today’s paper, the theme of our annual “Fix the city” issue is “Build a better mayor.” It can be found here.
