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The Coast | News, events, restaurants, concerts and Burger Week for Halifax, Nova Scotia
Home of the Best of Halifax Reader's Choice Awards, the award-winning independent newspaper covers the Halifax news, politics, events, concerts, movies, restaurants, and nightlife scene.
Last night. Get out and see something. Attention Seeker written and performed by Gerard Harris A year after Gerard Harris’ 2015 Fringe show, A Tension To Detail, we find that time has not changed Harris much, nor slowed him down. He still paces around and bounces in his seat on his own imaginary coals. He’s…
If you don’t go out on school nights you’d better get it in gear for today. Attention Seeker written and performed by Gerard Harris A year after Gerard Harris’ 2015 Fringe show, A Tension To Detail, we find that time has not changed Harris much, nor slowed him down. He still paces around and bounces…
[Image-1] Post my bitch, you fuck faces!!! I didn’t write it for the good of my health! I want to be heard!!! —Do Your Job Once and a While, Asshole!!!
I always believed there is good in everyone. Then I met you, we fell in love, we got pregnant and now you want nothing to do with me. What man has sex unprotected with his girlfriend over and over, gets her pregnant and then just acts like she is evil because she morally does not want to…
Halifax “used” to be the second-cleanest city in Canada after Victoria B.C. And now appears to me to be the filthiest city. So sad “some” people can`t use a garbage can within four or five steps away, but instead have to throw their trash on the sidewalk, street or a grassy area (be it private or…
Why, oh, why do you tease me, so? I drive through the same intersections regularly (Young/Windsor, Dutch Village/Alma-Titus), usually at about the same times each day. Sometimes I get an advanced flashing green, sometimes I don’t. I get to the intersection well before the light changes, so I know I’m on time. I sit there,…
Here’s what’s on today at the Atlantic Fringe Festival. Attention Seeker written and performed byGerard Harris A year after Gerard Harris’ 2015 Fringe show, A Tension To Detail, we find that time has not changed Harris much, nor slowed him down. He still paces around and bounces in his seat on his own imaginary coals.…
[Image-1] The downtown bars are closing. It’s 3am on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. You’re walking home with your friends—perhaps to the townhouses halfway down Duncan Street. The street looks dark and deserted, as if you’re the only ones here—but inside all of those houses are your neighbours. We can hear your voices and everything…
What is up with clothing stores that have mirrors outside, rather than inside, their changing rooms? I’m certainly not a fan of this selling tactic. —Self-Conscious Shopper
To the mindless couple, who clearly lacked any common sense, and let their two large dogs (a golden retriever and a white terrier mix) roam the Common off-leash: LEARN HOW TO BE IN CONTROL OF YOUR PETS IF YOU’RE GOING TO WALK THEM OFF-LEASH IN A PUBLIC SPACE!!!!!!! And don’t just tell me “We do it anyways,”…
Thank you for stealing my possessions while I was in the process of loading my moving van. You are a greasy human. —You Make Me Sick
Maggie MacCormick and Victoria Kristofic met in a NSCAD class, but you can blame their collaboration on the rainbow. “Victoria had these great rainbow embroidery designs and she suggested to add them to a dress I had,” says MacCormick. “I sort of had this rainbow theme going with my work too. We share an aesthetic…
Here’s what’s on today at The Atlantic Fringe Festival. Don’t say there’s nothing to do, because there is. ***NEW REVIEW*** Attention Seeker written and performed by Gerard Harris A year after Gerard Harris’ 2015 Fringe show, A Tension To Detail, we find that time has not changed Harris much, nor slowed him down. He still…
Devour! The Food Film Fest, one of autumn’s best reasons for a road trip to the valley, is headed back to Wolfville on November 2-6. Today, festival organizers announced a Women In Gastronomy theme that will be highlighted in the world premiere screening of Vérane Frédiani’s new feature documentary, The Goddesses of Food. The film…
[Image-1] Halifax has a fear of heights. That seems to be the message from city council in deciding not to limit the height of a proposed 29-storey development on Quinpool Road that’s been widely panned by both HRM staff and members of the public. A report by planning applications manager Carl Purvis recommended council limit the…
My late starting mornings aside, my first thing check of the news today revealed yet another depressing story, our money is dropping in value. Great. Another knife into the side of struggling Canadians. My first thought is to run to the bank and pull all my savings, as little or none as that may be…
[Image-1] In the hot and dry days of summer, when most people were out searching for some relaxation at the lake or the beach or wherever, 1,420 of your fellow residents were busy writing letters to city hall. What’s even more extraordinary about this, aside from so many folks proactively participating in a municipal planning issue…
ul li { list-style-type: none!important; } A Bitter Shrew Butterscotch Palace Merrily We Prance About A Bitter Shrew written and performed by Gillian English Gillian English returns with two shows. Her shows last year sold out at our fringe, and she’s been winning awards in Montreal, Adelaide, New York. The opening night crowd for A…
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is just around the corner, and local filmmaker Tim Tracey is gearing up to premiere his second stop-motion movie, DataMine, in the 6ix on September 14. The animated film is about privacy and surveillance in the digital age, striking a chord with Big Brother in George Orwell’s novel 1984.…
[Image-1] Humans are the world’s top predator. The way we fulfil this role is often mired in controversy, from factory farming to trophy hunting to predator control. The latter is the process governments use to kill carnivores like wolves, coyotes and cougars to stop them from hunting threatened species like caribou—even though human activity is…
[Image-1] I am sure I’m opening myself up for some harsh comments here but whatever…I haven’t tried online dating but was thinking about it. I’ve heard a lot of horror stories from both men and women so I am reluctant to sign up. In fact, I’d really rather not. I wouldn’t ask someone out at…
Contrary to your believe people know you are the opposite of what you portray to be. Do you ever wonder what justifies your behaviour and if there is anything wrong with deceiving your partner. Are you at all aware that you are conning yourself in thinking your possessions and looks make you a valuable partner?…
[Image-1] I stopped to turn in to a parking lot. Another vehicle was coming out. You were sufficiently annoyed that you had to blow your horn, pull up beside me and COMPLETELY lose your shit! Really? Threats of physical violence, screaming and swearing, you two are the embodiment of the red neck stereotype. A witness…
Why am I getting screwed on the deposit I pay on recyclable bottles (soft drink, liquor, etc) when I return them for my refund? I should have the choice to use my refundable deposit to contribute to any programs etcetera, or ITS A TAX. National companies who can access your information from another province, but…
This bitch is about driving from Robie street to Young street, sure enough, you end up behind a vehicle turning left into Tim Horton’s. I gotto ask, where did these drivers come from? If they came from Robie street (it don’t matter which direction) it is way more easier to turn off Robie directly onto…
Table of Contents for this Issue: ul li { list-style-type: none!important; } Dark Matter Everybody Dies in December God Made Me This Way! It’s Greek to Me No Brag, Just Facts Rut The Space Between Dark Matter by Colleen MacIsaac At only 15 minutes, this is a delightful, pensive little Fringe treat, easy to squeeze…
Read them all, or jump to a specific review with these links: Midsummer Night’s Dream & Macbeth NOUN Our Summer Home Rabbit Moon: A Tale of Japan Tunnel of Love The Vanishing Woman We’ll Always Have Port Stanley The Wrath of Ponzi Behind the Curtain: the sound and light show Midsummer Night’s Dream & Macbeth…
Read them all, or jump to a specific review with these links: Illustrated Lady Mel Malarkey Gets The Bum’s Rush Operation 87 Perk Up Pianist! The Quitter Swordplay: A Play of Swords Illustrated Lady written, performed and tattooed by Sophie Postcroteau Charming. Postcroteau is a great storyteller. The details of the shopping expeditions of her childhood, the…
Read them all, or jump to a specific review with these links: Callaghan! And the Wings of the ButterflyHeavy I Guess Last Night I’M CHE GUEVARA, GOD-DAMN IT My First Last Waltz Or The Queer Ages Re-taled Speaking in Tongues—African Nova Scotian Storytellers Callaghan! And the Wings of the Butterfly by Sex T-Rex Sex T-Rex’s…
[Image-1] A staff report headed to Tuesday’s meeting of HRM Regional Council recommends the creation of a gun buyback program that will trade weapons for bus fare. If approved, anyone turning in a gun to police will get 50 free bus tickets from Halifax Transit. The report comes out a day after the ninth homicide so far…
The reviews are in from the opening night of the Fringe Fesitval. You can just read them all in order, or jump to a specific one with these links: Hummingbird I’m Only One Man The Mom Show or the Most Boring Show Ever Noel James, What’s Welsh for Funny? The Princess Show Stood Up Hummingbird…
You probably remember the teen-dance melodies of Marianas Trench being all over the radio in the early aughts, with the Vancouver pop-punks’ hit “Shake Tramp” peaking at 65 on the Canadian singles chart in 2006-2007. And though you might have since forgotten about the lead singer’s candy-coloured hair and all those candy-sweet melodies wrapped up…
Embed from Getty Images It’s crunch time for Canada’s men’s tennis team. After losing already in the Davis Cup tournament—basically the Stanley Cup or men’s World Cup of professional tennis—the Canucks face relegation from the Davis cool kids’ club if they lose their next match-up. And that’s happening in Halifax in a couple weeks. Earlier…
Summer might be almost over (sob!) but you’ll be having too much fun to care with fringe fest, fashion archives, and patio parties.
[Image-1] Last year, Nikki Russell-Jamieson decided to chase her dream of going back to school. To make that dream a reality, the 28-year-old single mother and full-time undergrad at Mount Saint Vincent University is going to incur an enormous debt. Tuition at MSVU is expected to increase by roughly 20 percent before she’ll be able…
[Image-1] Dalhousie The Art And Science Of Drumming More than the backbone of your favourite club jams, drums have a long history as cultural tools. This course allows you to explore that history in a hands-on way, learning to play the hand drum and the cultural context it originates from. Marine Life Of Nova Scotia A…
[Image-1] Produce surprise pack Volunteer with Found NS (an organization aiming to reduce food waste) and you’ll share in their spoils. When farmers’ and produce growers’ unused crops are nearing over-ripeness, FoundNS volunteers pitch in to harvest the spoils and workers are rewarded by keeping a portion of the freshly picked produce. Past hauls have included…
[Image-1] Halifax has a lot of great things going for it. It also has more than its fair share of bullshit. Feeling pissed off about the state of the world? You’re not alone. Student activism is usually derided by internet commenters as sound and fury signifying little real-world experience or effective change. Fuck those assholes.…
[Image-1] Whether it’s your first year at university or you’re a returning student, maintaining good mental health is crucial for a successful academic experience. But navigating the system can be challenging at the best of times. We often end up minimizing our mental health needs because it takes more time and energy to find the…
[Image-1] If you’re not careful, you’ll spend the whole school year living in a bubble. A good campus—and Halifax is loaded with ’em—is a socially fluid haven. There are places to eat, work out, even sleep if you go the dorm route (or have a sleeping bag stuffed in that backpack). Schools hope you never…
[Image-1] On a cold Friday night, Nathaniel Crocker sits on an unkempt dorm bed, occasionally changing the song being played on the laptop. As is the unsaid tradition for students all around Halifax, Friday is a night of festivities marked primarily by drinking in dorm rooms. For the 21-year-old Crocker, weekends look a little different.…
[Image-1] There are many things in life more complicated than buying a mattress, but sometimes it doesn’t feel that way. Spring or foam? Soft or firm? Boxspring? Frame? Pay for the store to deliver it, or tie it to the roof of your friend’s car? Not to mention the constant fluctuation in prices and sales when…
[Image-1] Growing up, Mateo Ferguson knew that things wouldn’t be easy for him as a gay black man. He’s part of a minority in a minority, living in a town that can be ignorant and sometimes even hateful of both. The 19-year-old has remained “optimistic,” though. Like many other gay students, he uses Grindr. For…
[Image-1] If you’re a student, you’re most likely broke AF the first week into the school year. Weekends probably seem like you have to hide away in room, throw away your debit card and wait for Monday’s classes. Luckily, you live in a city that has plenty of no-money-down options for having an amazing weekend—hidden…
[Image-1] 11 Street Boutique The Hydrostone’s only men’s and women’s clothing boutique, this newbie shop carries limited numbers of each piece—look for lines like Cake for Breakfast, MACCS and Muttonhead Apparel. 5649 Hennessy Street Alexa Pope From a home on the World Wide Web to one on the waterfront, this shop is a little bit…
[Image-1] “You’re not from here,” a phrase that has been said to me so many times, I can’t count. Simple tasks such as running to the bank, filled with stares. Stares that say more than words—expressing emotions and passing judgment. Much like that kid in the playground that gets chosen last to be part of…
[Image-5] Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like a student’s apartment. The dreadful homogeny of every new gloomy mid-rise residential complex that’s sprouting up all over the Halifax peninsula just makes the improvisational decor of student living that much more endearing. Whether it’s a six-bedroom flat shared with seven other people, or a…
[Image-1] It’s been shocking to watch news of the Brexit vote in Britain, Donald Trump’s promise to build a wall between Mexico and the U.S. and the ongoing threats and violence against ethnic minorities in many parts of the world. I’m not a political or social scientist, but my training as a biologist gives me…
[Image-1] It’s no secret that being a student eats up your time, body and spirit like a hungry piranha. University demands a lot. It’s an all-consuming beast that spits out an exhausted version of yourself who probably just wants to spend any free time playing beer pong or hitting The Dome’s dance floor. The majority…
[Image-1] If it’s half as entertaining as the other Dome in downtown Halifax, it should prove well worth the eight-dollar admission. Splash, Atlantic Canada’s first immersive cinematic dome, will be opening in mid-September on the Halifax waterfront with a documentary about the Bluenose II. The 15-minute film will be projected onto the dome’s 360-degree screen…
[Image-1] The faint circles around Nicoletta Dini’s eyes don’t diminish the glow in her smile as she watches her son run around the playground. His curly hair bobs playfully as he climbs up the slide and sits gingerly at the edge. Dini is a 25-year-old single mother trying to balance her three-year-old son, Luca, with…
[Image-1] A billionaire seafood magnate may have found the secret to solving Nova Scotia’s economic woes: issue high-interest student loans through a private company and then sue any students who can’t pay you back. John Risley, president of Clearwater Fine Foods, is one of nine highly successful (re: rich) business figures being sent to attend…
[Image-1] One of the city’s strangest claims to fame is that last year council took the time to vote the drippy donair our Official Food. But instead of making a case for why the no-frills, late-night snack defines our collective palate, we’ve created a menu of unofficial Halifax foods that can give you an introduction…
[Image-1] Students of Halifax, listen up: By now you’ve waited in line, smiled at a webcam and have had placed in your hand a small plastic likeness of yourself. This is the almighty student ID, an unassuming little card that proves you exist. Smack-dab next to your pretty mug you should see a little reflective…
[Image-1] When the hot water at Brett Bell’s apartment stopped working, he called the company that managed his property. It didn’t help. Since it hadn’t received complaints from any other tenants about the water system, Bell’s claim was shrugged off. “I was like, ‘I’ve been taking cold showers for the last couple days,’” says Bell.…
[Image-1] PLACES TO PLAY Lions Arena Gym (Spryfield): Roller derby If you’re 19 or older, identify as female and want to experience the thrill of the contact sport roller derby, then the Anchor City Rollers are worth checking out. The non-profit organization runs a league with anywhere from two to four teams—including travel teams that…
[Image-5] Moving across the world to a place you don’t know isn’t the easiest undertaking. Simple tasks that average Haligonians get annoyed with—like seeking an apartment, finding an affordable ride from the airport and knowing how to get cheap, bed-bug free furniture—are even more difficult when you’re trying to organize these things from a Tokyo…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) Play a joke on your nervous anxiety. Leap off the ground or whirl in a circle five times as you shout, “I am made of love!” Learn the words and melody to a new song that lifts your mood whenever you sing it. Visualize yourself going on an adventure…
I’M CHE GUEVARA, GOD-DAMN IT! Friday, September 2, 7:10pm Saturday, September 3, 2pm Sunday, September 4, 7pm Monday, September 5, 2pm and 8:55pm Thursday, September 8, 9:20pm Saturday, September 10, 1:35pm Plan B, 2180 Gottingen Street $4, 40 minutes If you can get to Bud Hunter’s Atlantic Fringe Festival show I’M CHE GUEVARA GOD-DAMN IT!…
Snowblink Wednesday, September 7 Timber Lounge, 2712 Agricola Street Daniela Gesundheit believes live shows are about more than just singing along to your favourite tunes. As one half of the Toronto folk-pop duo Snowblink explains by phone, a good show is a small community sewn together with musical notes, and taking part is everyone’s role.…
Fringe Sampler! Thursday, September 1 7pm The Seahorse Tavern, 2037 Gottingen Street free Going into its 26th year, the Atlantic Fringe Festival is anything but fringe. What was once a deliberately marginal theatrical celebration is not just a big theatre festival—it’s now a major Halifax festival, period. More than 50 productions over 150 performances, spanning 15…
Name: Sharon Burgesson Age: 23 School: Global business and management, Saint Mary’s University How would you describe your style? Casual chic. What’s on your back-to-school shopping list? A fresh new pair of sneakers. Name: Katie Roberts Age: 20 School: Fine arts, NSCAD How would you describe your style? Versatile and simple. Anything that’s light, breezy…
Dense sensibility It has recently become public knowledge that developers who own land in and around the Birch Cove Blue Mountain wilderness area wish to develop their lands into yet another suburban subdivision. First of all, the city was planning to create a wilderness park in this area back in 2006. While the provincial government…
Q I have been seeing sex workers for 30 years, and I shudder to think how shitty my life would have been without them. Some have become friends, but I’ve appreciated all of them. Negative stereotypes about guys like me are not fair, but sex work does have its problems. What can we clients do…
As people stand in long lineups in the hot sun at Bang Bang Ice Cream in Toronto and Hong Kong waffles become one of the season’s most Instagrammable desserts, Halifax, of course, quietly lets a rare moment where we are in step with the times go completely unnoticed. In a basement on Spring Garden Road,…
The Board Room Game Cafe (1256 Barrington Street) wants to invite more players to the table. After three years of bringing fun and games—like hundreds of games—to downtown, the city’s first board game cafe/bar has announced it’ll open a second location later this fall, giving Haligonians another place to exercise their brains. “We wanted to…
Two-hundred and fifty square feet is all the space Dan Weir needs to make his small business dream a reality. After spending a decade “catching the coffee bug” working in cafes in Toronto and Montreal, the Moncton native has settled on Halifax for his very own Weird Harbour Espresso Bar, which will be cozied up…
