Richard Laviolette spent SappyFest weekend sleeping in a tree. “The last two times I was there, I slept up in a tree fort that overlooks that CBC international radio tower,” writes the singer-songwriter, who’s from Guelph, Ontario. It being his first time playing with a band at Sappy (he’d played there solo once before), Laviolette […]
Holly Gordon
Posted inArts + Music
Summer Rushing
Lady Gaga. Rihanna. Justin Bieber. Before these three megastars were famous enough to spend $4,000 on ghost-hunting equipment, consistently collaborate with Jay-Z or somehow score a biopic before turning 17, they each played a Halifax Summer Rush concert. Sure, the Bieb’s mom might send him out again for a home-country tour, but don’t hold your […]
Posted inArts + Music
Nomi Chi reveals What Found me in the Woods
Nomi Chi has brought her work back to Halifax this month for her second Utility Gallery show in as many summers. With Chi’s current exhibit, What Found me in the Woods, the young Vancouver tattoo artist and painter’s biologically driven work plays like a twisted fairy tale on the gallery’s walls. “Dark fairy tale and […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Groovy garden gathering
This Friday night gives you a chance to hear some great local musicians while supporting community gardening in the city. Bands Ben Caplan and the Casual Smokers, It Kills, Long Long Long and Bad Vibrations will jam while you celebrate local food, take part in a kale-eating competition, bob for radishes—whatever floats your, erm, vegetable. […]
Posted inArts + Music
Coco et Co. finds its roots
Andrew Sisk’s move to Montreal has helped him musically reconnect. “I have been recording a lot at home over the last year with my partner Miranda,” writes Sisk from the heat wave city. “It’s helped me get back to all the reasons I like making music.” Sisk, creator of Halifax band Share, says he’s always […]
Posted inArts + Music
Jim Guthrie and Holy Fuck: together, almost
Let’s call it the SappyFest side effect: kick-ass shows pop up in Halifax before and after the festival weekend because hey, why not drive a little farther if you’re already in Sackville, NB? Tonight the Paragon has two bills you won’t want to miss, with the ever-wonderful Jim Guthrie playing an early show (joined by […]
Posted inArts + Music
Looking into Camera Obscura
When photographer Graham Ward couldn’t find the camera or film that he wanted for his art, he made it himself. “I wanted big prints, and I really like the aesthetic of the old-style photography,” the Australian-born photographer says over the phone from his Dartmouth home. “I taught myself because there really was nowhere to learn […]
Posted inArts + Music
Kiano Zamani’s sacred geometry
For artist Kiano Zamani, sacred geometry is the art of the universe. For his audience, Zamani wants his sacred geometry-based art to be soothing. “The paintings are supposed to give you a feeling of relaxation,” writes the interdisciplinary student from NSCAD. The repetitive shapes fanning out in a kaleidoscope pattern do give a trance-like feel, […]
Posted inArts + Music
Hey Rosetta! yells at you real loud
It’s a low-key day for Hey Rosetta! frontman Tim Baker, as he’s pouring himself some cereal and recovering from laser eye surgery when we catch up with him over the phone. The lead vocalist for the Newfie pop-rock band is hanging out on the Rock for a much-needed break, after Hey Rosetta!’s tour around California […]
Posted inArts + Music
Getting French kissed
New Brunswick singer-songwriter Lisa LeBlanc is playing Halifax for the first time, thanks to the Seahorse’s new French Kiss night. “I think it’s a great opportunity for us Francophones to play our originals in Halifax,” writes LeBlanc. “There exists a nice Francophone community in town and in Nova Scotia, the Acadian culture is very rich, […]
Posted inArts + Music
Lee Park’s Joyful Sorrow
Local violinist Lee Park is fresh off a two-month klezmer music internship in Israel, and is set to show off her new playing skills at this Sunday’s EP release. “He [Daniel Hoffman] taught me three times a week for two months, and I learned a lot about klezmer, Arab music, jazz, blues and funk and […]
Posted inFood + Drink
Party like it’s Pride Week
If you haven’t noticed, you might be blind—Halifax Pride week is in full swing, and this weekend brings the always-anticipated parade and closing parties. While you’re waiting for the ass-less chaps dude to swagger your way with Saturday’s floats, take a peek at some of these venues that are hosting parties through to Sunday. The […]