Halifax Caribbean Music Fest venue change

Trinity Chris wants YOU to come to the Halifax Caribbean Music Fest The Halifax Caribbean Music Fest 09 (Saturday, April 25, 10pm, featuring Trinity Chris, Kayo and Rocki Ninja) has been moved to Bubbles’ Mansion to accomodate all of your dancing needs. Tickets available at www.ticketpro.ca or Ticketpro locations or call the Ticketpro call centre…

Ana Egge tears The Company House a new one

Ana really sells that tank top. I want one now. Photo: Mark Seliger April 25 at The Company House, Ana Egge—-who took the In the Dead of Winter Festival by storm last January—-returns to Halifax on her tour with Joel Plaskett (Egge is featured on his new triple album, three). While Plaskett will not be…

City of Bad Drivers

I’m so sick of crossing at a CROSSWALK and being cut off by a car that’s apparently in so much of a hurry that it’s worth risking my life. Or crossing a CROSSWALK and having a car zip by real fast behind me as soon as they feel they have enough space to do it.…

Shauntay Grant nominated as the mayor’s Poet Laureate

Well, we can’t get the poop out of the harbour, but we can pick artists. This afternoon the city announced that Shauntay Grant is the Mayor’s Poet Laureate, taking over after Lorri Neilsen Glenn’s successful four-year term. What a perfect choice. In case you don’t know who Grant is—where have you been?—the King’s grad is…

Recession, fuhsession. Go to the library!

According to the Halifax Public Library, “the average tax cost for public library services in HRM is $4.97 a month, per household.” Before you get all old-man cranky and demand your toonies back, fists in air, perhaps you should consider the value of what you receive in return. The library’s new value calculator estimates the…

Smiles

I’ve explored most of Canada, and in no other town do I get as many smiles returned as in Halifax. And in saying that, I love you Halifax. —scumfuck

The Responsibility deficit

I for one am currently dismayed and angered by the utter lack of responsibility that people in Canada seem to accept for there own actions. In what seems to be a never ending series of liability lawsuits, another plaintiff in New Brunswick was awarded damages for injuries incurred while jumping off a cottage dock into…

on behalf of us crusty sidewalk inhabitants

Thank you to those of you who are kind enough to say, “No, I’m sorry I can’t spare any change.” or “Your song is lovely, I wish I had some money to give you.” Ect. You are all awesome. Screw you guy who holds his pockets to stop the jingle sounds (we’re not going to…

cuddles!

To my awesome dj friend. Thank you for being the best cuddles ever! Around the world and back twice! —cdawg

Blue Mountain-Birch Coves Lake: not saved!

Thanks to a Chronicle-Herald article, already today, two of my coworkers have excitedly related the news that the Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness has been saved. (One even twitted it). Not so fast! It’s true that the province has designated all the crown land in the area as official wilderness, giving it all the protections…

April Assault: Parkside Pub’s got your metal

Don’t let those glum mugs fool you, Thy Flesh Consumed are ready to party, I swear. Can you handle not one, but two nights of metal (April 24 and 25)? Or more importantly, can your ears? If your answer is yes on both counts, please get thyself to the Parkside Pub this weekend to be…

Fast Food manners

To the group of 15 kids that came into our store and ordered nothing, but took up all of our seats closest to the doctor’s office, our seats are reserved for PAYING CUSTOMERS. It’s not a local hang out spot. if one of our employees asks you to move along, that doesn’t give you the…

Play Guitar flip the deck and hit rewind

Lookin’ ghostly Halifax ex-pats Play Guitar (the band currently lives in Montreal, but their hearts are still in Halifax) are returning with Special Noise (April 25 at Tribeca) for a special occasion. Play Guitar are releasing a cassette on Montreal label Campaign for Infinity. “At first it was supposed to be a single for one…

Welcome to the Khyber Dome

Although this shitacular weather promises to let up, it’s still prudent to meditate on shelter and habitat. A common theme and preoccupation among Atlantic artists like Adriana Kuiper, who builds bomb shelters, and Mary-Anne Wensley, whose warm, glowing shed at Saint Mary’s University Art Gallery is constructed out of pig intestines, none look as cozy…

A Month of Sundays with Skank Williams at Tribeca

Hey, good lookin’! Skank Williams Halifax’s only all-female Hank Williams cover band, Skank Williams, is hosting A Month of Sundays at Tribeca in April. The band consists of Dawn Negus on banjo, Katherine McQueen on guitar, and Heidi Fifield on bass. And this Sunday April 26 is for the die-hard old-school country music fan. Skank…

Dog Day Afternoon at Eyelevel Gallery

Not since dogs playing poker has there been such a great union between art and our canine friends. As part of Eyelevel Gallery’s 35 Days of Non-Organized Art, artist Mathew Reichertz is organizing “Dog Day Afternoon.” He explains this fur-friendly event: “People are invited to bring their dogs to the gallery between noon and 5pm…

How to NOT get laid

This bitch is dedicated to whistle-happy honk-happy men everywhere, You suck. Today, I heard a catcall/whistle from a balcony above. I didn’t respond and continued to walk. “Bitch,” I heard, again from above. From a balcony full of your typical university gentlemen. Yeah right. Did you expect me to turn, bat my lashes and say,…

gahh

Why do people press the wheelchair button on the doors while leaving the ferry or entering? It’s just ridiculous you lazy bastards. The only reason people should use that is for Bicyclist and people with WHEELCHAIRS! —annoyed

Bill the Spud

You know that summer has finally put in an appearance when Bill the Spud returns to Spring Garden Rd. Sitting on the benches in the warm sun makes you glad to be alive, until you hear “can you spare some change” —senile

Another chance to see Ron Sexsmith

Why so serious? Another tidbit from the Carleton: Ron Sexsmith tickets for April 19, 20 and 21 are gone. They’re adding a fourth show on Wednesday, April 22 and those tickets are on sale now. Call for tickets 422-6335.

Ashley MacIsaac performs at the Carleton

All points bulletin: MacIsaac May 3 and 4, The Carleton plays host to the Maritimes’ most bombastic Celtic fiddler, Ashley MacIsaac. The Carleton anticipates that the shows will be “energy-charged.” I anticipate that MacIsaac will hop on someone’s table and play the fiddle in an extreme manner, much to their surprise! Such a traditional instrument!…

Sick of Fakers

I work at a busy food establishment and one of my co-workers is always faking sick to get out of work. It frustrates me that management doesn’t do anything about it, especially considering all the resumes we get in all the time. It also makes me mad when we have crazy days like today where…

$135.75 for not wearing a helmet

Dear bike cops, Where the hell do you get your balls? Charging kids with fines at skateparks and not even giving them a fair warning. Just saying “There are signs posted” doesn’t really count as a fair warning. It’s dicks like you who give other REAL officers a bad rap. I hope you blow a…

Oreo Loves

Dear mom Thank you for taking the Oreos out of the crinkly packaging and putting them in a Ziploc bag. It makes them so much easier to steal 🙂 —Your “skinny as a pole” daughter

Public Gardens Not So Public

Hey people in charge of the Public Gardens–open up! It’s warm. It’s April. There are flowers blooming and ducks quacking and sunny sun shining and I want to enjoy the park, ’cause, you know, it’s called the PUBLIC Gardens, not the Sometimes Public Gardens. Why don’t you open until May? Open the fuck up already…

Dear Haligonians

I am sick and tired of you Haligonians, you feel you are to good for Dartmouth and refuse to make the trip over. Dartmouth is great, you dont have people running out in front of you while driving, there is a small amount of people trafiic, if your smoking outside no one stops to tell…

Radiohead tribute band tonight, creeps

“I’m a millionaire!” According to this year’s Best Of Music poll, you people thought that Radiohead was the tour you wished would come to Halifax. And a bunch of local yahoos (I say that lovingly) have decided they would give it to you, in a slightly different form. Sunday, April 19 at Reflections (10pm, $5)…

Silent Study does not mean TALKING

You Inconsiderate Pricks: If you need to talk to your friends in the library why not work outside of the “silent study” learning commons. Better yet when somebody asks you to stop talking instead of going on separate computers and talking using facebook chat and snickering loudly, why don’t you just Fucking Leave? Some of…

I ♥ SUNSCAD

Lots of love to the student union of NSCAD for voting to reduce their own wages in order to better fund the quality services that they provide to the students they represent. It’s refreshing to see that not all student unions are corrupt and self-aggrandizing (I’m looking at you, DSU) —Art Lover

Love

To whoever is spray-painting the ‘ I love you ‘s around North/Central Halifax, I love you too. —Lover

Local Hip Hop!!!

Why aren’t groups like Universal Soul and Hip Hoppers like Halifax, and Ambition, Ghettochild signed to major labels yet? —Hip Hop Guru

Crackberry Junkie

I am so sick of Blackberry users, especially the ones who check their e-mail when they’re supposed to be on a date with you. WTF? Is it me, or is checking your berry mail while having dinner with someone the ultimate in rudeness? And it doesn’t matter if we’ve finished eating and we’re sitting there…

Shit for Brains

It’s not funny you homophobic prick. Can you take your head out of your ass for just one second and look around you? Threatening him in front of your friends is not a wise choice, especially in a crowded hallway. Now I know your brain capacity is smaller than a proton, but try to comprehend…

Bad Bus, Good Karma

To the nicest stranger ever: Carolina. Thanks for offering to drive me home when you saw the douche-bus driver roll by me as I ran in the snow to catch it. Your kindness was totally unexpected and so much appreciated. Thanks! —Katie

The Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious, feat. Summer Rush 2009

Da girls Z103.5’s third annual Summer Rush concert (Saturday, July 25, Alderney Landing, all ages, with licenced area, doors at 3pm, show at 4pm, rain or shine). Last year they brought in Nelly, Jesse McCartney and more, this year expect Akon, Basshunter, DJ NoLuv, Robin S, September, Supercrew, and perhaps most exciting of all, Girlicious.…

What Are Cops Good For?

I witnessed a man training his Pit Bull to attack in front of a Cole Harbour School. He was trying to show off too his friends that his dog would keep attacking the rope until he told the dog otherwise, when the dog let go without permission he beat the dog. I don’t believe anyone…

Supporting the public servants

A certain city Councillor wanted to know why allegations of discrimination were not brought to her attention by management of the fire department. If the esteemed councillor for the south end wants municipal departments to bring forth every single incident involving discrimination, we should see nothing but incidents of discrimination at city council. I am…

Share the Road

To every driver and every pedestrian in the HRM: it’s warm out now, so that means it’s time to share the road with us cyclists. Here are some tips: 1. I am a vehicle. Don’t step off the curb and onto the road in front of me. I still move fast and I can still…

Bastard Can Collectors

I used to think it was pretty neat that you guys would go around the night before recycling day and collect all of the pop cans that people included in their recycling. Now I want to get my hands on one of those explosive dye packs that banks put in with stolen money and throw…

ignorance

You know what really grinds my gears People who decide to chat with me when I’m with my daughter about my daughter and when they ask the question: “are you a single parent” and I say yes .Stop giving me that condescending look and say “O that poor girl”. You don’t know me or my…

24 hr old car ruined!

To the mindless fuck who scrapped my drivers side door with your vehicle while I was parked on Brunswick Street last night, FUCK YOU! My new leased car, barely 24 hrs old, now has a scrap along the door! Crap, I’m a single mother of two who worked hard to be able to afford this…

Haligonians – Worst Drivers EVER

…and I’ve driven in Montreal, Mexico and Thailand. For the love of Christ – stop suddenly stopping to let opposing traffic turn left – you’re not being courteous – you’re being dangerous!!! And when people want to merge, it works like a zipper – I’m not trying to “budge” you fucking morons, I’m just trying…

pretty shiny indie

although recycling has never made me lick my lips before… i’m pretty dang sure nicole kidman wore you’re cover piece to the golden globes in 2004. seriously, google it, y’bin had. —unemployed

To the douchebag I spent 5.5 years with…

Thanks for telling me, actually reassuring me many times that you didn’t have feelings for HER. I’d love to be the bigger person and say good luck, hope you’re happy and all of those nice things, but instead, I hope you get treated the same way that you treated me towards the end. That’s the…

Pregnancy redefined in the parking lot.

Was at the Barrington Superstore today and in the half hour I waited for my buddy, I watched three cars use the maternity(and infants up to 6 months)parking spaces. The first car was a woman who hadn’t seen menopause since WW2. Maybe she’s aiming to be the oldest new mom in the nursing home. The…

What is The Coast Afraid of?

I POSTED 3 GREAT BITCHES LAST NIGHT AND NOT ONE OF THEM GOT POSTED!! I ALL I SEE IS MORE DUMB SHIT ABOUT CELLPHONES AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT FUCKING INDIE MUSIC!!!! What is LTWWB for????????? I thought it was so people could vent anonymously, and have healthy outpourings of emotion for the world to see! The…

On the Dartmouth ferry

I could smell you as soon as I paid for my fare. The smell was so great that I had a thought of a half of a second that maybe someone broke a bottle of perfume. As I queued up for the doors, I realized the smell was coming from a person: you. Do you…

i’m telling mama, you’ve been cussing: a night of art and music

Music and art together. Like peanut butter and chocolate. Or Clamato and vodka. Kittens and string. Whatever you love. On Saturday, the Upstairs Apartment Gallery and the Rockgarden present a night of both, at the Rockgarden (2304 Hunter, 7pm-midnight, free or by donation). Musical guests: The Fantods, journalist wolf, No Flyers Please, Fresh Flesh and…

rock through pizza shop window

You stupid stupid fuck. You just chucked a rock or whatever it was right in the window of our beloved pizza shop window. You have no manners no sence no nothing! You need to go back to grade one and learn how to be a human being, clearly you have serious issues. Do you have…

Your Fucking Dog

To all of you Haligonians that think your dog is trained enough to be off their leash, FUCK YOU. Its still a law! If your dog ever runs up to me to sniff around, I wont think twice about kicking it in the face. Lets call it self defense, for lack of a better term.…

LEAVE MY CAR ALONE

You idiots at Clean Nova Scotia can go fuck themselves. You will not get my old car(it’s worth more than the fucking $300 you’re offering. You want my car which I put time and money in so it runs great and looks good, well take a flying leap. What the fuck do you think we…

Rural NS – lovin’ the country

Dear rural Nova Scotia (and especially Cape Breton), You have no idea how much you mean to me. You offer refuge, natural beauty, and repose from an otherwise peninsular, isolated, falsely prideful and Hitler-esque ‘city’ (but Dartmouth, Bedford, Sackville and Spryfield – you’re alright). If it weren’t for you I could never bear being here.…

Atlantic Book Award winners announced

Last night, Atlantic authors were presented with the first of two regional book awards. The Atlantic Book Awards, hosted by Stephanie Domet and Bill Carr, gave away nine, including the announcement of a $25,000 endowment for the new “Democracy 250 Atlantic Book Award for Historical Writing.” Any time more money goes to the arts, a…

Earth day attack

Earth Day is next Wednesday. Check your local listings to find out how you can celebrate the bountiful beauty of Mother Earth, the sacredness of all her life and living systems, right here in Hali. Then we can go back to beating the shit out of her on Thursday. Earth Day has always reminded me…

Spring means riesling

Ask any Sommelier or winemaker in Nova Scotia what their favourite white wine is, and it’s a good bet they’ll say riesling. Some might say it’s their favourite wine, period.  There’s something special about Germany’s most noble grape that elicits this response. Riesling has beautiful lime, lemon, apple and/or peach notes, plus pretty white flowers…

Friends and Neighbours, part 1

A quiet Common-facing street has become home to many Halifax artists who bring creativity and resourcefulness to their home renovations. We take a peek inside two pre-Confederation houses, purchased at the same time, for a modern take on the kitchen party.

17 Again

Resurrecting the age-transplant movies of the late ’80s (18 Again, Big, Vice Versa, Like Father Like Son), 17 Again hits every obvious beat. Yet it’s still a giant miscalculation. The real template is Back to the Future, which director Burr Steers tries to pitch in reverse. Dissatisfied 37-year-old Mike O’Donnell (Matthew Perry) has his wish…

Friends and Neighbours, part 2

A quiet Common-facing street has become home to many Halifax artists who bring creativity and resourcefulness to their home renovations. We take a peek inside two pre-Confederation houses, purchased at the same time, for a modern take on the kitchen party.

Hannah Montana: The Movie

Hannah Montana is introduced as the world’s most popular teenager in the film version of her Disney Channel series. She’s a fitting icon for this era’s egotism, where artistic impulse is a desire for fame. Hannah Montana: The Movie is about as content-free as its star. It’s an undistinguished mediocrity, only surprising in that a…

The guiding light

If you’ve ever walked through central Halifax during the holiday season, you may have noticed an unusual sight on a Quinpool side street. Instead of the gaudy twinkle of icicle lights, one glassed-in porch is filled with a warm but alien glow, attracting strangers and neighbours to this dreamy moonscape. Welcome to Mark Dunphy’s vintage…

Spiralling in all directions

Spiral Beach’s drummer, Daniel Woodhea, has his hands full, so he passes off his cellphone to his brother, guitarist Airick Woodhead, who’s like a volcano erupting with energy. The Toronto band is hanging out at the Nanaimo, BC, home of musician Carolyn Mark, relaxing and partying on an off day of their national tour. It’s…

When nature calls

  TROPHY LIFE No animals harmed when assembling laser-cut recycled cardboard deer, moose, rhino and buffalo heads from Cardboard Safari. $20-$65. Carbonstok, 1235 Barrington, 404-7288.   NESTING INSTINCTS Keep it warm and cool with a screenprinted Dupioni-silk tea cozy from Vancouver’s Smoking Lily, and Lala & Gleen’s wooly French-press cover, from Wolfville. $34-$39 for French-press,…

Priestess w/Iron Giant, Eco-Shock and more

“Oh Christ!” responds Mikey Heppner, lead singer and guitarist of Montreal band Priestess, when told that they are being billed as the “stars of Guitar Hero III” on posters advertising their latest Halifax shows. “I think it’s cool that we’re on the game and I think it’s cool that it’s brought us to the attention…

Coolhouse Rock!

DRINK IT IN Turn up the volume with Kyla Francis’ screenprinted glasses, tumblers, votives and tea set. $10-$160. Love, Me Boutique, 1539 Birmingham, 444-3668.   OFF THE RECORD The beat goes on with Vinylux’s vintage 45s clocks, bowls and coasters. $25-$37.50. Carbonstok, 1235 Barrington, 404-7288.   HEARTFELT BOX Hold Blythe Church’s incredible hand-felted boombox high…

The Tragically Hip

You have to wonder if these Kingston lads are attempting to justify themselves with an album title like We Are the Same (the 12th Hip studio effort). While Gord and co. continue to chisel out precise chunks of Canadiana, they have somehow found a way to condense that perfect, early summer barbecue/campfire evening into a…

Four modern lamps with a vintage twist

Bourgie table lamp, $798, Project 9, 5525 Artillery Place. Bolio floor lamp, $1,187, Norman Flynn Designs, 2698 Agricola, 420-0736. The Burbank table lamp, $239, Attica Furnishings, 1566 Barrington. Empori table lamp, $139, Zephyr Rug & Home, 6232 Quinpool, 446-4622.

Propagandhi

Supporting Caste is in line with the band’s evolution—sped up by John Sampson’s departure to found The Weakerthans—as they seem to distance themselves further from the frenetic, stop-start sound that earmarked them as one of the they-all-sound-the-same fat bands of the 1990s. Unfortunately, this skate-punk sound is what they do best, especially in terms of…

Obits

Anyone familiar with the Fugazi-on-acid mayhem of Drive Like Jehu and the Hot Snakes will love this new Rick Froberg project. While the absence of Rocket from the Crypt’s John Reis is noticeable, it doesn’t leave Obits lacking in energy or vigour. This is as much an rockabilly-infused adrenaline rush as any Hot Snakes outing…

Junior Boys

It has been over two years since the Hamilton duo released the internationally acclaimed So This Is Goodbye, and as can be expected, the expectations for Begone Dull Care are enormous. In comparison to their last two near-perfect releases, the Junior Boys’ latest is merely a great album. Jeremy Greenspan’s voice is as beautiful and…

The Lodge

A special blend of characteristics is at work on this debut from The Lodge, a new Halifax quartet. Arguably, it starts with Charles Austin’s guitar playing. Always present, it remains understated. Austin plays so sweetly, as on “She’s a Lightbulb,” and ably turns the sweet into tangy in one quick transition, as heard on “What…

I & I

At first glance, George Elliott Clarke’s prose novel I & I seems to follow a familiar formula. Boy meets girl, girl’s family doesn’t approve, boy and girl run away, and after a seemingly accidental violent incident, both go on the run. And as the tragic romance of rich, white Betty Browning and the black boxer…

HFD’s old boy network

A series of human rights complaints and questionable management decisions has plagued the Halifax fire department. Last week we detailed allegations by black firefighters of institutional racism in the city’s Fire and Emergency Services Department (see “Fired up,” April 7, link below). This week, a woman firefighter goes public to say that she too is…

Wearable art works

It’s Good Friday morning, and while the rest of the city plans a lazy day, the NSCAD fashion studios hum with the sound of sewing machines, music and laughter. Sunlight streams through the large windows, casting a shine on duct-taped body forms, or Judys, as they’re called. Students are preparing for NSCAD University’s 19th Wearable…

Greed acres at Health Canada

Few things in this world function so well as the natural food system. Sunlight and water rain down to feed plants, which convert solar energy to food energy as they grow. Animals then live off that energy by eating the plants, or eating animals that eat the plants. Animal turd and movement in turn spread…

Charles Landry speaks in Halifax about great cities

Long before Richard Florida discovered the “creative class” and their predilection for culturally dynamic places, Charles Landry started talking about the “creative city,” referring to the regenerative force of arts and culture in post-industrial cities like Glasgow, Scotland, starting in the late 1980s. The UK writer/thinker will speak to a business luncheon crowd on Tuesday,…

Timecrimes

Lesson One in low-budget Spanish thriller Timecrimes (Los cronocrímenes): “Don’t be a creep.” It’s creepiness that leads married Héctor (Karra Elejalde) to peer around his neighbourhood with binoculars, thereby spotting a pair of bare breasts in a nearby thicket—and to go snooping through the woods in search of the boobs and their owner. Héctor finds…

RiP’s legal match-up

Today’s digital technologies give individuals the ability to engage with culture in a way that has never before been possible. No longer confined to the role of passive consumers of culture, individuals are embracing the opportunity to participate in a continuing process of cultural creation and dialogue. Armed with an internet connection and easily obtainable…

Lies & videotape

Q: My roommate is astoundingly hot. Her room is being repaired (the ceiling fell in), and, at her request, I’m letting her and her boyfriend sleep in my room while I take the couch. I’ve been able to contain my attraction just fine up to now, but the minute she entered my space I had…

Corporate welfare ignored

To the editor, Not one news outlet in this province, including this one, picked up our press release on the Lockheed Martin swindle. Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest weapons manufacturer, will be receiving $1.8 million in payroll rebates from the province of Nova Scotia for creating 100 new jobs over the next five years. They’re…

Lazy Co-Workers

I work with a lot of lazy ppl. The better the work ethic is,the more the management puts on you. The other ppl. there *should be* just as capable as me – they have the same previous job experience and passed the same interview. Why is it ok that they slack off and more work…

Clueless Guy

To the guy who dated my friend a couple of times: If (a)My friend NEVER contacts you (via phone or email) on her own to initiate another date with you, (b) She repeatedly gives you excuses as to why she can’t see you when YOU contact HER (too busy, working, other plans,etc), and (c) even…

Execu-droids don’t go to heaven

I’m fed up of working for you, you emotionless, micro-managing execu-droid pos. Its obvious to everyone that that you don’t care of the conseqences of your actions. You may have a big brain, but you have no soul. Your team won’t let you lead them much longer. —Will be there when you’re gone

Go local in Dartmouth

1. Alderney Landing; 2. Celtic Corner, La Perla; 3. The Landing/Blue Star; 4. Dragon & Butterfly; 5. Kudo’s; 6. Mystery Diner ( ); 7. Radical Leathers. On the ferry, I squint in the afternoon sun. Ahead of me lies Dartmouth, spread out before the bow of the good ship Woodside II. To the right is…


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