The Return of BJ Snowden
It sounds like BJ Snowden has had a pretty good year. After her popular Sappyfest performance last summer, the Massachusetts-based queen of outsider music regaled audiences in Halifax with her hilariously sincere and endlessly tuneful songs about Canada, the highs and lows of being a school teacher, Judge Joe Brown, and the mysteries of love.…
More TIFF News
Oh yeah, something else we noticed about the line-up of Canadian movies at TIFF. A hockey comedy called Goon is opening there, starring Jay Baruchel, Seann William Scott, Liev Schreiber, Alison Pill and Eugene Levy and directed by Michael Dowse (Fubar). In a douchey move worthy of Hollywood’s best penny-pinchers, the producers of Goon, which…
Summit moves to Robie Street
Popular day spa and wellness centre Summit, long known for its downtown location in Park Lane Mall, has moved. Since August 4 it has been located at 2032 Robie Street, just north of the willow tree intersection with Quinpool Road. (the number is the same, 423-3888). “We were planning this for a couple of years,”…
Nova Scotian films get into TIFF
The 2011 Toronto International Film Festival is rolling out screening line-ups and has announced pictures from Nova Scotia filmmakers will show at the event, running September 8-18 in Hogtown. Cory Bowles 16-minute short film Heart of Rhyme will get its world premiere at TIFF. It’s described as follows: “When Saxton received a heart transplant, he…
NSMW Showcases Announced
writer’s strike Music Nova Scotia announced the list of artists who will be showcasing at this year’s Nova Scotia Music Week in Yarmouth. The event runs from November 3 – 6. You can learn more about the artists and hear samples of their music here. AmbitionAndrew Hunter & The GatherersAselin DebisonAudrey and the AgentsBen Caplan…
Get Your Nasty Feet Off the Dash
Gross, every third car that you pass or passes you on the highway has someone’s nasty stinking feet either stuck up on the passenger side dash, or out the window. It’s sick. Feet are f u c k i ng gross. Ew ew ew. 1. No one wants to see your mangled old funga-toes. 2.…
Slut Pride
Dear Bitchers & Bitch Readers of Halifax, stop using slut as an insult. Slut-shaming drives me wild. Treat people with respect, even if you believe they have no respect for themselves. We have too many negative terms for women. No wonder young women are acting out this way! They are constantly told they are bitches…
Wallet Return
To the awesome couple who found my wallet and drove it into the city to return it to me THANK YOU!! I was just about to cancel all my cards when you called, and the wallet itself is one I got while working in America that actually has some sentimental value for me so I’m…
Monthly Comfort Allowance Increase is Off
I am a mental health consumer and live in a Small Options group home. The Dexter gov’t had promised a $15 monthly increase in comfort allowances in July. Now they switched their pitch and that increase now apparently only applies to persons living in their own apartments, not in group homes. I am not too…
My Starbaby
I look forward to seeing you more than I should. I think you look forward to seeing me more than you should. Yet we’re locked in a socio-political stalemate that states we cannot come within four sexual kilometers of each other. Too bad for that, because between us, we’re producing enough pheromones to take down…
Unhappy Customers
Why are you all so rude? They don’t pay me enough to put up with your attitude. If there’s an empty counter with a black screen and you’re dumb enough to stand at it for ten minutes, don’t bitch at me because I didn’t tell you there was no one there. Honestly, it’s bad enough…
L.L.G.
You’ll always be lovely and surely be missed while off following your dreams. —S.P.
Lotto Crazies
To all you rude-ass lottery players, I’m sick of you coming over and throwing your tickets at me, expecting me to check them. It’s bad enough that you’re wasting all of your money on lotto, but at least be pleasant about it. It’s not my fault that you’ve chosen to spend your life savings on…
Stop Touching Me Please
I dislike being touched. I told you this. You keep touching me. My hair. My hands. My face. Please don’t touch me anymore. You say you’re just a “touchy person” but I’m starting to suspect you’re just a creep. Not because you like to randomly stroke people (that’s creepy enough) but because when I explicitly…
Zombie Shamble
Zombie Jill Valentine: Thanks for not eating me on Sunday afternoon, even after you told me I looked so tasty. Fancy a bite sometime? —Fat Apollo
Get Out There and Do Your Job
Last night I was driving between exits 3 and 5 on the 103 highway and all they had was intermittent dots to show the centre line and a curb line that was worn off in most places. In the dark and rain it was all I could do to even see where to aim my…
Warren Jeffs – Leader of the U.S.A FLDS Taliban
Here’s hoping that cocksucker and molester, the Prophet of Crimial Rape, Warren Jeffs, gets ‘sum real goooood lovin” from his new 6 foot 5 celestial ‘wives’ he’ll met in the shower – may every penetration he gets count for every poor abused child or woman ever abused in the FLDS. I hope Texas gives this…
Day at the Beach
You fuckin idiot. You complain you can’t meet a single father who has the kids full time then when one walks right in front of you, you won’t even say hi. He had 2 kids for crying out loud! Your own kid said more to him then you did. You better go back to that…
Shuffle Demons
Lift your damn feet when you walk you lazy pieces of crap! —Scuffy McScufferson
On a go forward basis…
…could everyone just stop using “at the end of the day” in conversation. Please? —Just End the Damn Day Already
Feeling Hateful Towards Everyone Right Now
Ok, so I’m lucky. I just returned from 2 weeks of vacation and I get back and all those lazy fucks I work with are here but then they leave to go jack off somewhere or some other useless thing that men do and this office is a nightmare. I look around and the place…
Where’s My Summer, Mom?
HEY!!! Mother Nature!!! Where’s my damned summer? We’ve payed our dues. We put up with your 6 months of winter, we put up with your 6 weeks of spring rain. For what? Two weeks of sunshine? That’s pretty weak. Is this the best you can do? Maybe you should be looking for a suitable replacement…
Save the Front Row for the Fans
Why the hell would you buy tickets to see one of the most awesome music collectives in the last two decades and not know any of the songs, nor seem to enjoy the songs, or give people who know the songs dirty looks when they sing and dance? THEN you hog up the front row…
No Nachos for Breeders
To the rude server at the place with a zillion beers on tap: perhaps you should actually read the NS alcohol and gaming laws before insisting that each person, including a 16 month old order a full meal in order to be served. Seriously? Refusing service to a loyal family, wanting nachos at 4 pm…
I Love Your Sexy Accent
To the redhead at a bar on Argyle St Friday night: you must be Circe – I can’t forget your whimsical radiance. You offered a high-five. I complimented your English. Too clever at your expense and I don’t know why… was that your boyfriend? I regret my wit and vow to be more honest and…
Meat Peeps
I want to send some well deserved love to my meat peeps at the weekend market in Dartmouth. You know who you are with your amazing thick bacon and succulent brisket. Your thin cut roast beef haunts my dreams now and I know you love all your animals and treat them good until you kill…
Shubie Park Perfection
To the beautiful black man with the beautiful boxer at Shubie Park last Saturday, wow… exquisite! I wish I had had the nerve to stop you and tell you how beautiful you really were, but I was rendered speechless, and that’s somethin’. Here’s hoping I see you again and even more so, can muster up…
Red Feather in Your Hair
It has been a wonderful journey together. You my love are everything I have ever wanted in life. Life was nothing more then a circuit before you consistently repeating and nothing special nor to be proud of… Until meeting you. I have shorted my circuit, and am enjoying life for a change. Life is beautiful…
#2 Bus Driver
This one’s for the awesome bus driver who looks like Rod Stewart. You drive me home from the Mumford terminal at 5:35 on Mondays and Tuesdays on the 2 Wedgewood via Main. I’m always the last one on the bus, and you seem like the nicest guy ever. Maybe one day I’ll have enough courage…
Thanks for Sharing
Thanks for sharing your pot at the Arcade Fire concert. I think your name was Dominique. You asked if I had papers, so I let you use my pipe. I was already high and so I ended up spilling a lot of your weed, but you were super nice about it. I remember you saying…
People Who Give “Special Needs” Animals a Home
I just want to say how grateful I am that there are people like you in this world. Today, I met a sweet little dog who had been born without working hind legs. He pulled himself along really well with his front legs. He lived with a few other dogs and was just like one…
Blackberry Thieving Piece of Shit
You: a despicable piece of phone-thieving shit. Me: a young mum, trying to reenter the work force, shopping with my son. Thanks, you gargantuan piece of shitwaste. I hope my Blackberry Torch spontaneously combusts next to your ear, and leaves you with a scar which complements the enormous gouge you just put in my bank…
Little Spoon
Thank you for letting me air my grievances. Thank you for being so mature. Thank you for stepping up afterwards. Thank you for still being my friend. Thank you for ever loving me at all. Thank you for breaking my heart. Thank you for changing my life. I miss you but that’s okay. I love…
This One’s for the Sluts
To all the high school girls who have no respect for themselves: Put some clothes on. I don’t want to see your flat pubescent chest. Pull your pants up. Gain a couple pounds. Lose the thick layer of makeup. Stop posting pictures of you and your friends drinking. You’re underage. Are you fucking stupid? I…
I Don’t Even Know Your Last Name!
You are adorable, you talk about cool music and you didn’t even raise an eyebrow (much less run screaming) when I awkwardly implored you to be my friend over the medium roast. These are all enormous points in your favour. You kind of charm my socks off in ways that take me by surprise. Sometimes…
Fix Your Exhausts and Go Home
If the HRM Police would like to make a mint on speeding tickets, I suggest they park anywhere between Point Pleasant Park/Young Avenue/South Park Street anytime between 630-9pm nightly. Then you will be able to tag all kinds of a**holes in souped up crap cars using this stretch of road as the autobahn. Seriously, the…
The Corridor and Detention win at Fantasia
The three week (!) Fantasia 2011 Film Festival in Montreal is complete. Our homeboys done good. The L’Écran Fantastique Prize went to Detention, the feature film co-written by former Coast film critic Mark Palermo, “for its contagious energy, its capacity to generate gags and comic situations based on concepts stemming from horror movies (slasher films)…
A Smile From a Pretty Girl is its Own Reward
9:10 Saturday night at the Bridge Terminal: You had curly hair and were rockin’ to your tunes waiting at the walk light. I was on the #10, wiped after a long day and staring aimlessly out the window. You gave a lovely smile and a friendly wave, possibly to me. I hope you saw me…
The Law is the Law
As a police officer, many have had to enforce laws they didn’t totally want to enforce, but they do it because it’s the law and it’s what they’re paid to do. Not in the HRM though! I just had a chat with one of the 3 NON-patrolling officers that were shooting the breeze and getting…
To the Lady with the Pretty Name
I know this is kind of ridiculous at this point, but I can’t stop thinking about you. Maybe it’s something, or it could be nothing. The only thing I know is that I’d really like the chance to see you again. I don’t think you feel the same way about it, which might have a…
MLA Total Needs a Slimband
In the wake of the UARB’s decision to trim the bloated carcass at City Hall down to a more manageable amount, sadly the same cast of characters appear to be re-offering, can’t have everything I guess? Might not now be a good time to apply the same rationale to the amount of MLA’s, according to…
Expansion-Pak-Less Ladies Seek Justice
Hey asshole, we are two lovely strong young women who live in some undisclosed part of Halifax. Once, in our tiny house, a long time ago, we had a sweet sweet n64 (actually we still have it, but that’s not the point, because now it is USELESS for playing Zelda: Majora’s Mask!!!) that we loved…
Glasses Back
To the gentle person at Arcade Fire who found my specs and made a point to get them back to me at the Ferry Terminal days later. THANK YOU! Those glasses mean work to me!! —Can See
Put Up and Shut Up
To the horny idiot in my bed: Sometimes I really am just too tired, you insensitive prick. And, another thing, saying things like “well I do all the work anyways” is damn ignorant. The next time I am too tired, you need to think ‘long term strategy’ and STFU. —Not a Blowup Doll
Heart to Bus Driver
You lifted my spirits and restored my faith in humanity last Thursday. I won’t say your route and number lest management not be pleased; but when a destitute and troubled man asked if he could get a ‘lift’, you said sure, and he curled up in the front seat, shaking. When he got off, you…
Plant Thief
Thanks for stealing my planters and topiaries from my porch on Connaught St. on Friday night. Makes me and my son feel real safe. Obviously, you staked it out, for you needed a truck to move the 100 lb. ceramic teal pots and the three foot high red hibiscuses, and had to cross barricades over…
Valtrex-Herpinator
You knock the crap right out of my herpesmaximus before it gets a chance to take ahold of my lips and turn them into an unrecognizable monstrosity. I love you for that. —The Other Blue Pill
Goodbye
Love and farewell to the littlest beastie. We will plant another rose for you. —Mom Lady
Fruit Flies
FRUIT FLIES FRUIT FLIES FRUIT FLIES!!!!!! I HATE FRUIT FLIES! I HATE THEM!! Every summer, I try so so hard to keep my house clean and all food scraps contained. Garbage emptied often. AND YET today, I noticed a fruit fly. Now laying down and one lands on my hand. GROSS. Damn it! At least…
Week 7
Ok, it’s going onto week 7 and I am still thinking of you. Your beauty, strength, passion and sensibility. I am wondering how you are doing and hoping that all is well. Your lovely face is fixed into my mind and your rough voice and laugh still ring through me. Thinking about you makes my…
Enough is Enough
The person who does evil will simply do what they do in the same way a bird builds a nest. They can usually no more change who they are than the bird can suddenly decide to put a roof on the nest. The “good” people, the people who should know better, who stand by and…
Lock the Door
I don’t know what is wrong with my family and their inability to lock the doors in this house. It’s 11:34 pm and the back door is unlocked, once more, even though I’ve already made my rounds to lock all the doors. I heard my dad open the door and knew that I would have…
Insecure Girlfriend
Jesus Christ I don’t want your man so calm down before you give yourself a hemorrhage. Stop harassing me via text and email while you’re at it and try being a little less insecure. You will probably find yourself a much happier woman if you do so! Just because a female talks to a male…
Radio/Call Centre Sweet Talker
Dude, it’s not cool what you did to my friend. You took her along for a ride the last few months. And for what? To remain with your girlfriend while you hurt someone else in the crossfire. I can see why you are at a call centre and not in a radio station. My friend…
Adult Noise
This goes out to my new neighbours. Why can’t you be quiet? You’re clearly in your 30s or even 40s and yet you carry on like you’re, well, my age. Come on! Have some decency for those living around you. For the record, I would go out and tell these people to keep it down…
To the Pothead Below
Everytime you smoke your crap on your balcony, I have to close the windows in my apartment. You inconsiderate prick! You know how hot this building gets in the evening. And, that skunk weed of your is the most putrid weed I’ve ever smelled. It smells worse than a homeless drunkard sitting at the bus…
Ladies Look Outside
It’s summertime! So why do I still see so many ladies around HRM wearing black tights and big ass boots? Summer calls for shorts, skirts, capris, jeans, whatever you want to plaster on yo’ legs just not tights! You look dumb. And as for ladies that are still wearing Uggs or huge leather boots in…
At Least Pretend You’re Sorry
I swear to christ, the next asshole that almost hits me on a marked crosswalk that I have the right-of-way on (and I’m not talking about jumping into traffic, I wait my turn and then start to cross when it looks clear but people come out of nowhere), and who then gives me a dirty…
Halifax Pop Explosion Initial Lineup
JEFF the brotherhood For those of you who missed the promo video at M Fest, here’s the initial list of artists lined up for this year’s event. Pretty sexy. Stoked for Fucked Up, The Rural Alberta Advantage and JEFF the Brotherhood!! And Braids! And Bonjay! Lots to be excited by. Check the full list below.…
Super
An extraordinarily well-timed superhero satire arrives on DVD. Writer-director James Gunn’s twisted indie deserves to be seen by anyone who gets their rocks off watching the recent blockbuster deluge of costumed dudes. Rainn Wilson is Frank, whose wife Sarah (Liv Tyler) leaves him for drug dealer Jock (Kevin Bacon). Deranged by grief he becomes The…
Hounds Around Town partners with Three Dog Bakery
Local online dog accessory business Hounds Around Town (888-DOG-SITE, houndsaroundtown.com), well-known for its various toys and harnesses available from its website, is now also offering goods at Three Dog Bakery in Dartmouth Crossing. “When I found a business partner with shared values, we felt partnering was a better way to strengthen both our businesses,” explains…
Take-and-bake now available from Morris East
The Feed has learned that Morris East (5212 Morris Street, 444-7663) is now offering a Take-and-Bake service, where you can take away their delish multi-topping pizzas and bake them at home, for maximum heat and freshness. And they’re now available tax-free. Also available for take-out are their many other pizzas, with toppings including blue cheese,…
What do you call an act like that?
We’re relieved. But not about the fact that the show is over! In fact, it’s been oodles of fun, and anyone who’s been on stage knows it’s addictive. We’re relieved because the shows have actually been getting some hearty laughs. Let us explain: when it comes to rehearsing an improv/sketch show, picking out…
Deal with Harold MacKay makes city look bad, weakens bargaining position with TCL
I was wrong: contrary to my earlier supposition, the payment from Harold MacKay to the city just before the Metallica show was in fact related to the concert loan scandal, and not simply pre-payment for Metallica costs. Council Tuesday released this statement: 13.3 Contractual Matter – Concert Update That Halifax Regional Council approve the settlement…
Eva Madden-Hagen’s Work in Progress Blog
The Coast is hosting a number of blogs on its site, offering insight into local artists’ process, including poet and musician Tanya Davis and theatre company Wit’s End. Now joining them is Eva Madden-Hagen, award-winning Halifax filmmaker who has directed short films (including What Remains) and TV series (CBC’s Land & Sea episode Winter Wave…
My Sweet Girl
I love you, even when you don’t feel very sunny. Sometimes I think it makes me love you more. I hope your clouds go away soon so you can see how bright and sunny you really are. —Your BIG Spoon
Doggie Luv
To the man who talked to me when I was like a crazy woman trying to find my dog, and then knocked on my door to see if I had found him (I did), thanks. And the fact that you bought me a bag of doggie treats, well… what a big heart you have! Mind…
Killer Kuato
Chelle Wootten Fans of post-rock know that this genre of music lends itself beautifully to film. As someone who is just learning about this genre, I can still say that that scene in 28 Days Later (where Cillian Murphy wanders the empty streets of London to the hauntingly urgent strains of Godspeed! You Black Emperor’s…
@ Dropkick
To the cute boy in the green shirt who bought myself and my friend whiskey shots at the DkM show: THANK YOU!! I really wish I’d been able to strike up a conversation in that madness. Sorry for running away to the mosh pit. You totally put some more icing on an awesome night. Thanks…
On becoming a Filmmaker in Residence
It was the end of June and I had my head in the oven when Chris Spencer-Lowe from the Atlantic Filmmaker’s Co-op called. No, I wasn’t trying to off myself—and even if I was, my electric oven wasn’t going to do the trick. My husband and I were moving out of our apartment and it…
Love for Free
I’m so grateful that we reconnected. I really did miss hanging out with you. I know you have things in your past that make it difficult for you to be all-the-way-in a relationship. I think you need a little more faith in yourself, and how good you really are. When I met you I could…
Beers on Tap
I understand that beer is your niche, but com’on $8.00 for a single rye and water in a short glass is outrageous. The $9.15 for the crap Malbec served in glass that isn’t fit to serve wine – that’s another thing. —Please Lower Your Markup
Where are HRM’s Finest?
Well, yesterday I was at the Hydrostone Market walking my deaf 12 year old border collie when here comes Mr. Crack and tries to kick my dog in the face. What’s up?! Get off my dog!! “Get that dog on a fucking leash you dirty prick!” you screamed. Yeah, well, I always take advice from…
Moving Away
I am moving to Newfoundland. I will miss writing about Love the Way We Love with the Metro Transit bus drivers. I only really liked three bus drivers but that is life. The best are taken and that is it. Well goodbye and all you guys take care. —Tear Filled Eyes
Dumb Bitches
This is for all the dumb boring bitches being posted here and to all the silly comments. Why do so many people think that bitching about transit workers is interesting? Who cares if the driver didn’t let you on with your coffee, SUV stroller or for less the fare amount. If you really really need…
TIFF to highlight Nova Scotia talent
Haliwood Insider has learned that a number of quality shorts made in Nova Scotia will be programmed at the Toronto International Film Festival this year. The films chosen are as follows: Afghan – directed and produced by Pardis Parker Discrimination of the Dead – directed and produced by Angus Swantee Like Father – directed by…
Futon Store & Pineworks finds new home after fire
On Monday, July 25, The Futon Store & Pineworks location at 5730 Young Street was badly damaged by a fire. “It’s very serious,” says owner Marcel Hebert of the damage to the building. “The fire pretty much gutted the third floor and the first and second had smoke and water damage.” The business lost some…
Glory Glory Gives
Just in time for their appearance at M Fest this Sunday, the dark-hearted boys of Glory Glory have released a cute/weird stop-motion video for their song “Wild Swans” to coincide with the release of a new digital EP, You Need A Heart to Live. Check out the video and listen to the song “You Need…
An Evening with Wit’s End
You’ve probably read about Wit’s End Theatre here in The Coast. They are the new(ish) company dedicated to staging theatre that will make you laugh, and so far they’ve been pretty darn successful. Their production of Canadian comic Sandra Shamas’ My Boyfriend’s Back and There’s Gonna Be Laundry stars Liz Johnston as a very desperate…
Indian Summer
To the sweet girls of a colourful, jam packed, nearly-always-busy little jewelry store in the downtown area. Just wanted to tell you how beautiful and wonderful you all are, and my admiration for your hard work, enthusiasm and happiness even on the hottest and busiest of summer days. I look forward to working with you…
Unkind Act
This goes out to the assholes who destroyed the handmade box and crafts that are posted on a poll across from the CBC radio building. People who take the time to make sweet crafts with kind messages on them and sell them anonymously is what makes this city interesting! —Pissed Off Person Who Appreciates Handmade…
Something in the Way
I want you to know that there is someone out there who genuinely likes you, inside and out. You’re very handsome, funny, smart, you’re into all the good stuff. But you are way too hard on yourself. I know that you don’t think of me the same way, or might not even think of me…
Who Do You Think You Are?
You book the only bar worth playing yet you cannot be reached by phone, pick and choose who you respond to and to top it all off you don’t even live in Halifax so how do you even have a clue who anyone around here is? —Could Do Your Job Better
Did I Piss Myself?
To those moronic passengers who insist on putting their wet umbrellas on the bus seats, do you not realize that people might want to sit? Having the pleasant surprise of an open bus seat and then sitting down only to have your ass cheeks tell you that you just sat in a puddle or your…
To the Best Bus Driver in Halifax
I know this sounds simple but I was tired, really tired and off to band practice, thinking I still had 5 more minutes I was going to drink my coffee as fast as I could and then hop on the bus. The bus showed up early and I had to put down my coffee which…
Foolish Driver
To the dingbat on the highway who was going slowly until I decided to pass, a big what the hell to you! I decided to pass you, and was doing 115 Km/h in the left PASSING LANE and was also being followed closely by another driver passing you in the PASSING LANE… why did you…
It’s Not Okay
No, don’t crane your big head around to stare at my computer screen! When I reacted in a nervous manner you said “WELL it’s my file! Can’t I look at it?!!” Of course you can look at your file, but I was not only working on your file but 3 others. Their info was up…
Kicked in the Teeth
It’s been about two and a half weeks since you walked out on me, taking with you my best friend, my family, my soul mate, my life. I can’t understand how I was so deeply committed to our future and life together I guess I was so wrapped up in it that I didn’t take…
Eleanor King’s night moves
After a successful Public Gardens installation for last year’s Nocturne, Eleanor King is working on a similar one for Toronto’s Nuit Blanche. Using radio broadcast and LED lights, she’ll highlight the sometimes forgotten Taddle Creek, which is buried under bits of Toronto. “I’m interested in highlighting these natural phenomenons that get lost due to our…
Shooting blind
When I arrive at The Hunt Club on Spring Garden, things are pretty quiet. I find a seat at the bar and wait for my gal pal to arrive for our dinner date. She’s late; I’m not particularly bothered, though, because The Hunt Club is a unique restaurant/retail shop in Halifax that offers a shopping…
Before Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Rise of the Planet of the Apes will hopefully consider the best of the six preceding Apes movies. Dave Howlett channels the simian series and makes a few suggestions. The original Planet of the Apes film ends with marooned astronaut Taylor (Charlton Heston) discovering, to his horror, that—spoiler alert!—the upside-down, simian-ruled world he’s been trapped…
Genuine Class
Hip-hop loves the high and hates the hangover. We all know that Snoop Dogg relaxes with gin and juice, while Eminem waxes comedic about shrooms and purple pills. For the more adventurous dabbler, there’s Lil’ Jon’s Friday night grocery list: da blow; the pills; the herb. Less popular but just as memorable are the songs…
Leo rising
Surprisingly or not, labelling New Jerseyite Ted Leo as a former hardcore or punk guy doesn’t bother him as much as getting pigeonholed as indie rock. “These days what that says to me is milquetoast, white, non-confrontational, soft, boring melodicism. I feel like that’s sort of one of those brushes that I really bristle under,”…
Micro Organs’ lo-fi wonderland
When I first begin talking with Halifax two-piece Micro Organs, I’m alarmed to learn they have just come back from a weekend in Moncton. Could these experimental punks have been watching a U2 concert? “We got invited to play a house show by these French people from France and some people who live in Moncton,”…
Kitschy Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
In present day Shanghai, Nina (Bingbing Li) visits her comatose laotong (sworn sister) Sophia (Gianna Jun) in hospital. She reads Sophia’s unpublished manuscript, a parallel story of two other laotong, Snow Flower and Lily (Jun and Li) living in 1820s Hunan Province. The elaborate costumes are the most compelling part of the movie, which has…
Busker Fest welcomes back Ol’ Savannah
Somewhere among the magicians, mimes, pyromaniacs and breakdancers that will be stealing your attention as part of the busker festival, you find these gritty folk rockers from Quebec. It’ll be Ol’ Savannah’s second year performing as part of the festival and while they’ll play a standard bar show at Gus’ on Sunday, you’ll have multiple…
Vacation sex stories
Last week, a Savage Love reader denounced me for failing to devote any recent column inches to my readers’ titillating anecdotes. As I hate disappointing a reader, I invited folks to send in their dirty/sexy vacation stories. Here’s the best of the bunch. I was 15 and on vacation in Cape Cod. Beaches never did…
Death of a vision
Competing visions of downtown came clashing up against each other last month when United Gulf Developments dropped a development application at city offices for a parcel of land at the corner of Sackville and Hollis Streets. United Gulf, which couldn’t get financing for its two 27-storey “Twisted Sisters” project on the same site, has decided…
Good Food, great party
Your good friends at the Good Food need your help. When they moved from their well-worn-in home on Gottingen over to their bright new digs on Windsor Street something really bad happened. Their oven broke. And replacing it was really expensive. Former employee and Caravan drummer (who snacks at the Good Food daily) Mark Bachynski…
Free Will Astrology
Happy Birthday! LEO (July 23-August 22) Astronomer Sir Fred Hoyle rejected the prevailing scientific theory that life on this planet emerged by accident from a primordial soup. The chance of that happening was as likely as “a tornado sweeping through a junkyard [and assembling] a Boeing 747 from the materials therein.” I do think that…
The Shop talk guided tour:
The Waterfront is Halifax; you can’t talk about this town without talking about the harbour, our maritime history, our naval bases, our shipping… our casino, our bars, our tourists. It’s hard to believe now, but back in the 1960s the powers that be wanted to bulldoze everything interesting on the waterfront and replace it with…
The Change-Up a cringeworthy bro-mance
Ryan Reynolds (a promiscuous stoner douchebag-with-a-heart-of-gold) and his BFF since grade school, a much older-looking Jason Bateman (a family man with an insatiable appetite for success) star in David Dobkin’s (Wedding Crashers) latest bro-mantic comedy. The premise is as simple as it is stupid: the dudes get drunk, piss in a fountain and voila, switch…
Rise of the Planet of the Apes entertains
Your complete appreciation of the entertaining new Planet of the Apes prequel could hinge on your comfort with CGI in close-up. I was never sold on the motion-capture rendering of actor Andy Serkis as the primary primate, Caesar. Roddy McDowell in a rubber mask from 43 years ago—or even Tim Roth in Tim Burton’s Ape…
Photo copy: Syperek’s Purchased Memories
Imagine if memories were something that could be picked up in a thrift shop, like a hard-to-find record or a pair of vintage earrings. What if you could try a stranger’s recollections on for size, to see how they fit? These are the kinds of speculations NSCAD grad Ginevra Syperek plays with in Purchased Memories,…
Film Socialisme
French cinema’s original enfant terrible returns with an experimental feature. Godard starts with people on a cruise liner, moving later to dry land and introducing different characters, incorporating snatches of conversation disconnected from the people onscreen. The subtitles are intentionally obfuscating, offering only part translations of the dialogue that is itself fractured. (It’s probably no…
Buy art for the Skatepark
Thanks to five years of wear and tear, the Halifax Common skate park is in need of a little TLC, and some park regulars have dug in up to their elbows to help make it happen. “Just like ball fields and tennis courts, skate parks are now part of the list of facilities that cities…
Last Night
Joanna and Michael Reed (Keira Knightley and Sam Worthington) are young, rich, beautiful and married in New York. But don’t hate them. They’re struggling with the seven-year-itch. Michael goes on a business trip to Philadelphia with colleague Laura (Eva Mendes) while in Manhattan Joanna runs into ex-flame Alex (Guillaume Canet, who is Patrick Dempsey’s shaggier,…
