When Karie Richards was asked to write for a monologue for the most extreme version of herself, she began imagining a character who felt guilty for something they failed to do before they were even born. “What kept inspiring me is how impossible it is to know a person’s whole story. What is hidden from us, […]
Shannon Webb-Campbell
Posted inArts + Music
Go To Hell
Michael Best wants you to Go To Hell. After the success of his award-winning Gay White Trash in 2008, Best returns with a play following Johnson, a self-obsessed gay lawyer, who dies and finds himself in one circle of hell. Turns out the Christians were right—all gays do go to Hell. Best questions values, identity […]
Posted inArts + Music
Here’s to Health
The Heavy Blinkers celebrate their good Health with a cabaret-style album release at The Seahorse September 10. Bill Wood sets the mystical tone with a magic show. “Originally, the album was called As Long As You Have Your Health, which was a bit of a joke vis a vis the fact the characters that populate […]
Posted inArts + Music
Play on words
“It really is interesting that we see themes emerging regardless–some brooding shows, some sketch comedy, more sci-fi than we expected,” says Atlantic Fringe Festival chair Kevin Kindred. “That’s not by design, it’s just a sign of what artists want to do, and what they think audiences will look for.” With zany acts like Scott […]
Posted inArts + Music
Bodies of work
Emerging local filmmaker Stephanie Young is deeply inspired by queer film. As part of OUTeast Film Festival’s Youth Mentorship Program, her short film Scarlines screens Saturday June 22, as well as her work-in-progress documentary, accompanied by an artist talk, on Sunday. “Our Bodies“—a working title—“is a documentary that explores and critiques the accessibility of trans-related […]
Posted inArts + Music
What I LOVE About Being Queer
Vivek Shraya has asked everyone from Sook-Yin Lee to Tegan Quin, and now he wants to know what Halifax loves about being queer. He’s in town for the Outeast Film Festival, screening his film What I LOVE About Being Queer, giving an artist talk, as well reading from his book God Loves Hair at Over […]
Posted inArts + Music
Hayden’s family ties
Hayden wants to be alone together. After several years, he returns to Halifax with his latest album Us Alone. “So much has changed in my life, but as a musician, not a ton,” says Hayden Desser. “I still go weeks or months not playing at all, I leave the room when people at a party […]
Posted inArts + Music
Poetry for April and everyday
Since the League of Canadian Poets established National Poetry Month in 1999, April is officially the busiest month for poets. The union of schools, booksellers, literary organizations, publishers, libraries and poets now come together annually to celebrate poetry’s crucial role in Canada’s culture. In Halifax, celebrate all things poetical with a reading at Spring Garden […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Wayves goes digital-only
Millions of words and thousands of stories later, Atlantic Canada’s LBGTQ monthly newspaper Wayves Magazine is going to an exclusive online format. Staffed by volunteers, publisher Daniel MacKay declares Wayves’ December 2012 issue the last print edition. “All of our advertising revenue is currently used for printing and distribution,” says MacKay. “We’ll have a completely […]
Posted inArts + Music
Spectator sport
“They are things I believe in, things I am afraid of, things I want desperately to explain to others. Things I am suspicious that may revolve around the absolute meaning of life,” says Amelia Curran. “Things that I am so very certain tie us together in the human condition, and if we could only understand, we […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Aaron Eisses: The techno farmer
Aaron Eisses looks out of place in the posh lobby of the Lord Nelson in flip-flops. While other candidates tighten their ties and prepare for the debate schmoozing under chandelier-clad ceilings, Eisses takes off his rain pants, and reveals an aloe plant-coloured green t-shirt and pulls a wrinkled hoodie out of a knapsack. “I grew […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
No space for Halifax Roller Derby
Slam Drunk. Foxy Roller. Box Blocker. Machu Beatchu. Skatey and the Tramp. Oktoberfist. Local rock band Gloryhound captured the feisty spirit of Halifax Roller Derby Association in their new video “TKO Tokyo.” This all-female roller derby league is fierce, tough, unhinged and wildly passionate about their sport, yet they can’t find a permanent place to […]