January. Blah. It’s hard to see past the dried pine needles and chocolate foil wrappers trapped in the floorboards. But if the following is any indication, 2008’s arts department looks promising. Peel away from the Fresh Prince reruns and take the 52 bus to MSVU Gallery to see For Example (January 25-March 23), where Stephen […]
Sue Carter Flinn
Posted inNews + Opinion
The year on ‘roids
Violence: So what random act of violence story do you have to remember 2007 by? I saw a guy hit in the head with a brick. Violence continued to be the big pink elephant in City Hall. When an elderly woman is beaten up by a group of young girls with a table leg on […]
Posted inArts + Music
Blimpin’ Ain’t Easy
Don’t let that TV writers’ strike make you glum, chum—leave the couch behind. On Friday, December 21 at Ginger’s (1662 Barrington), comedy night Blimpin’ Ain’t Easy will tickle your funny bone in that special way you like. Hosted by the runner-up of the Just for Laughs Homegrown Comic Competition, Nick Beaton, and featuring returning Haligonians […]
Posted inArts + Music
CBC TV
In last year’s Holiday Fiction issue, my smarty predecessor Tara Thorne fooled y’all with her fictionalized Dope Show column, which included news of a mega-rep cinema and a provincial arts council funded by Sarah McLachlan. But it was her pretend roster of CBC TV programming that got knickers in a twist—and gave the Ceeb a […]
Posted inArts + Music
Neptune Theatre script submissions
Although we believe that some contests are only interesting when they involve top models bawling and bitching, we do like Neptune Theatre‘s Trident New Play competition. The theatre is looking for unpublished scripts which will be judged by a panel of professionals and narrowed to three finalists. After a reading, the play will receive a […]
Posted inArts + Music
Helen Hill Animated Award winner
Unfortunately the awards and screening night scheduled for December 12 at eyelevelgallery was cancelled, but the Linda Joy Media Arts Society announced a winner for the first Helen Hill Animated Award, in memory of the beloved filmmaker. Appropriately, another much-loved animator, Heather Harkins, takes the prize for She’s a Lady Animator (two of my favourite […]
Posted inArts + Music
Khyber events
Run, swim, skate! It’s your last chance to see, touch and fondle Allyson Mitchell‘s Finger of Craft, the shag-tastic installation between the front doors of the Khyber Institute of Contemporary Art (1588 Barrington). The Coast and Canadian Art cover gal transformed the peeling walls into a purple and red forest of discarded rugs, macrame and […]
Posted inArts + Music
Jeffrey Spalding
Speaking of hitting the road, sadly it’s AGNS director Jeffrey Spalding‘s last tour as gallery director on Sunday, December 2 at 2:30pm. At the end of his contract, Spalding will take over as CEO of Glenbow Museum. Yah, yah, in Calgary.
Posted inArts + Music
HRM Cultural Advisory Committee
It’s been awhile since we’ve heard from the HRM Cultural Advisory Committee(a quick office game of “name the committee councillors” brought no winners), but that doesn’t mean life is boring in Official Cultureville. Last week they sponsored a public art forum and sent in an application to the federal government which would designate Halifax as […]
Posted inArts + Music
R. Kelly Trapped in the Closet Chapters 1-12
R. Kelly Trapped in the Closet Chapters 1-12 (Jive)Ten years from now when MuchMusic does a 2005 retrospective, R. Kelly’s hip-hopera Trapped in the Closet will make the clip show. Michael Jackson could learn a lesson from Kelly about diversion tactics: Trapped is so over-the-top, so questionable in intent, you almost forget the dude’s been […]
Posted inArts + Music
Peter Bjorn & John
Peter Bjorn & JohnWriter’s Block(V2)Fans of The Concretes will recognize lead singer Victoria Bergsman’s voice on the single “Young Folks.” A guaranteed party-maker, it’s also the catchiest combo of whistling, maraca and bongo beats around. Although this album confirms Stockholm’s place as the epicentre of European malaise pop, PB&J’s sound is obviously influenced by British […]
Posted inArts + Music
Jim Cuddy
Jim CuddyThe Light That Guides You Home(Warner)Sounds of birds chirping are the sweet greeting to Jim Cuddy’s new solo album, his first in eight years. Even the damn birds want to work with one of Canada’s best-known songwriters: Sarah Harmer appeared on his first solo album, All in Time, and this time around Cuddy swings […]