Go forth and vote in the Best of Music readers’ survey!
It’s Best of Music time again! Time to support on your favourite local stars and enter in a draw to win the grand prize of a Pro-ject Debut III turntable or one of our four weekly prizes of Grado headphones courtesy of Peak Audio Click here to vote in the 11th annual Best of Music…
Office is closed, Art Attack sleeps
The Coast office is closed from December 23 to January 3, and Art Attack will be right snoozy during that time, as I will be kickin’ it holiday-style. I’m back after that though. With a VENGEANCE!
The Coast office is closed—no Scene for a bit
The Coast office is closed until January 2 and unless some of Santa’s tireless elf bloggers take up the task, this blog will be a little bit stale. Just like that fruitcake that you’ll be regifting. #obligatoryfruitcakejoke Deuces, people.
St. Pat’s-Alexandra sale violated policy
The city may have left more than just sore feelings when they dumped St. Pat’s-Alexandra school. It appears staff also violated their own policy for getting rid of schools. According to a 2000 document, the city must first ask for community pitches 90 days in advance and review them before inviting commercial bids—and any feasible…
New eyes
I want to send some serious love to a certain laser vision correction place in Halifax! I went in for PRK eye surgery a month ago Christmas day. It was the best decision of my life! It has been a total dream being able to wake up and see each day. People are complimenting me…
Dipshit drivers, yield to pedestrians!!
To the bleached blonde woman driving the shiny gray Honda CRV through the Cogswell intersection this morning at 9am… fuck everything about you. You ACCELERATED through the pedestrian crossing, you were jabbering on your phone, and it didn’t even cross your teeny brain to slow down as I waved my arms frantically. Oh, and, did…
Untimely invasion
Why, oh why, must you occupy me now? It’s mistletoe time and I am now forced to abstain. It was not you that I wanted to make me tingle. Now, my Christmas wish that you retreat quickly in hopes that I may experience that soft, sweet joy when the clock strikes 12. —Forced into Temporary…
Ooh
I like me a certain bitcher. It’s a garcon. That’s all you’re getting. 😛 —Make It Happen
Actually that dress DOES make you look fat
Don’t ask for honesty if you don’t want honesty. “Give me your honest opinion” does not translate to “tell me exactly what I want to hear” except maybe when you’re translating from English to Douchebag. People go on and on about how they want the truth. But they do not. Perhaps it’s a narcissism thing.…
To the a-hole in a rush on Granville
You were in that much of a rush you actually lunged at me with your car while I was in the crosswalk on Granville Street!!!! Glad to know chivalry is dead. I remember your face you ugly bearded bastard with your cheap sunglasses. Had I got your license plate, we would be having a much…
Starting to hate you
I’m a virgin, I’m a virgin, I’m a virgin! I’m not ashamed of it. Being still young I don’t think it’s unreasonable to still be one. I just haven’t found someone with who I’m comfortable. There’s no issue with admitting it if asked, I’ve never lied or pretended to know things I didn’t know. However,…
Are you stupid?
I tell you to fuck off and not come to my shop anymore when you came around with another girl after essentially “fucking and chucking” me, as everyone puts it, and so your brilliant plan is to send girls ’round to fetch your sandwiches for you? Are you fucking thick? Do you just think I’m…
Hey attention-seeking twenty-something chicky!
I know you think you were all cute and girly warbling along with the Grinch soundtrack and then every other Christmas ditty that was played but I was in the next booth, just trying to have a quiet Bean Burger and read my book, which was impossible thanks to you. When you’re in a restaurant,…
Goodbye and thanks for all the fish, you dumb fucks
I have put up with a lot of shit from this company. You took away specialized jobs from me, you FIRED ME when I was away on a leave (and didn’t tell me), and today you had the balls to cancel my last shift EVER at the store in order to save hours. Believe it…
Dear rent-a-cop
First off, watching two gay men kiss is creepy. Secondly, nodding at us to get moving when we noticed you was a bit insulting. We weren’t in a massively obvious location for the world to see us, we weren’t grabbing at each other. I am near certain if we had been two chicks you would…
Parking lot collective dumbness
It’s been a few weeks now that the parking lots near Spring Garden Road (Clyde St parking lots) have changed management. The guys working there have been replaced by automated terminals (which sucks, but that would be for another day discussion). I am now wondering if every NS dumb driver has decided to go park…
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo‘s ferocious grip
Preceded by Stieg Larsson’s novels and the Swedish film series, Hollywood’s first Girl film mostly meets its great expectations. The dark material suits director David Fincher, who has a unique ability to draw audiences in without much action or emotional insight. Here, his trademark visual gloom washes over Daniel Craig as a disgraced journalist trying…
Indie Boutik Collective plans Boxing Week Sale
The Indie Boutik Collective—five designers who joined forces to defeat villains no single creative individual could withstand, like the Plague of High Rent—are planning to have a sale during Boxing Week. “It’s similar to a craft fair, where we all have our own stuff,” explains Katherine Munroe about the collective that banded together in November.…
K-pop playlist to brighten your Tuesday
We’ve all heard the huge news from Korea this week: Kim Jong-il died on Sunday. But you need not only focus on the death of horrible dictators when you think of the divided country. It’s also the land of 놀라운 K 팝 (amazing K-pop). Take a look at what I’ve been forcing everyone to listen…
UARB gives suburban voters more power than urban voters
The Utility and Review Board this morning released its decision about HRM’s new electoral boundaries. The board mostly agreed with city staff’s recommended Scenario 1 — Revised, with these major exceptions: Cole Harbour was completely reformulated to be its own district, rather than split between three adjoining districts. Upper Sackville was broken off as its…
Kitty love
Dear guy in Moirs Mill who unapologetically walks his happy looking little cat on a leash every morning, you are a god amongst men to all kitties and veterinary professionals who see waaaay too many urban cats hit by cars. Way to protect what you so obviously love dearly, you are my hero. —Nicole and…
Mama Bear
Just to let you know your Bitch Buds are thinking about you and your family right now. Keeping a good thought and wishing you the best news and a Happy Christmas. —The Wild Bunch
Dear ‘ED’
You’re an asshole. You make me stand in front of the mirror as you tell me how fat and ugly I am. You guilt me into starving and then push me to eat and eat until I’m so full I’m doubled over in pain. You chain me to a treadmill for hours until you think…
The negative Bitch Squad
I have been reading posts on the love and bitch site for some time. What bothers me is not the sometimes outrageous Bitches, it is the comment committee that not only can only ever see the negative in all bitches or only have the ability to post links to pictures. Are you people that miserable…
I still love to dream…
We are both in relationships you are married, I am not. I wish you all the best and a Merry Christmas. I would love to be the one you make love to by the fireplace, your dark brown eyes captivate me T. —Dreaming
“Bad” places not that “bad”
Ok, I’m just putting this out there. Just like every other neighbourhood you live in has its good spots and bad spots. I am so tired of hearing this. Not all of Spryfied is bad. Not all of Fairview is bad. Not all of the north end is bad. Every community has its faults and…
Group of assholes
This bitch goes out to the group of immature and hateful assholes who drove past me and my friend on Spring Garden Road at lunch hour and yelled “You look fat in that dress” and “Lose some weight cause you ain’t hot” – What the fuck? As my friend was male, I can only assume…
Two If By Sea opens second location
Two If By Sea Cafe (66 Ochterloney Street, 469-0721) is opening a second location on the Halifax waterfront, in the Historic Properties (1869 Upper Water Street). The cafe opens January 3. “I feel like we saw a million spaces and had this on our minds for the past year,” explains co-owner Zane Kelsall in a…
Stone Hearth Bisto opens
Stone Hearth Bistro (7071 Bayers Road, 454-2888) is two eateries in one: a full service bistro and bar on one side, with seating for 95, and on the other side, Stone Hearth Cafe, offering coffee, lunch and baked goods for take away. The business also caters. Chef Phillip Smith has spent over 20 years in…
Where’s the bar of soap when you need it?
I’m disgusted with the language I hear when I’m out or on the bus. There’s no reason to swear the way so many people do now. If it’s for emphasis, well, it’s lost on me since I HEAR IT ALL THE TIME. What’s the point of all the foul language? All you sound like is…
Olfactory affront
Will the smokers PLEASE stop sitting near me?! You reek. I’m a nonsmoker and enjoy my fresh air so stop fouling it up! If I wanted to smell cigarette smoke, I’d be lighting up too. But I’m not so take your smelly bodies somewhere else and LEAVE ME ALONE. —Lone Flower Among Stink Weeds
Santa’s only for the privileged children
I work at a non-profit child care centre here in Halifax. I took a group of toddlers to see a mall Santa and was told we must pay to see Santa. We can call and book a Santa party- They do have daycare rates or bring the children back in the afternoon and pay $5.…
Ridiculous
So putting a bunch of mannequins in strange positions in a vacant lot is supposed to be art? It seems more like littering to me. And to think the money spent on this could have gone to something like charity or to feed hungry people. And this is just asking for drunk ass holes to…
Gentlemen Carolers
Standing in line to buy groceries on Sunday. The woman in front of me is verbally encouraging those at the self check out to “Hunny, hurry up!”, another woman accidentally cuts in line and responds rudely when someone says something to her. I’ve been shopping all day with family & want to pull my hair…
It’s all about you, sunshine
Dear Mr. self centered boyfriend, if you had any form of a heart you would see how completely selfish and ridiculous you are. You do everything to benefit yourself, and only yourself. You do not see how much pain you are causing the people who care so much about you or how it makes them…
One Block Barbershop opens in January
The brainchild of stylist Michael Phillips—formerly employed at Fred—One Block (2010 Gottingen Street, 404-9494, scheduled to open January 3) is a haircutting space with a vision to be more accessible and laid back than the average salon in HRM. Phillips’ intention is that his spot, located across from Propeller Brewery, will be the kind of…
BreadLady
Just wanted to let you know how nice it is to read your comments on here PG. You seem like the nicest person, and it’s always refreshing to see that. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season<3. —PurpleFire
Canada does have more than 2 seasons
Man… stop freaking out about the weather. What everyone’s experiencing is called Fall, and aside from a few times it snows around Halloween, there’s no snow pretty much every year till Christmas. You’d know that if got out of your cubicle, mansion, apartment, whatever other dark, comfy hole you exist in, and spend enough time…
What do you want from the upcoming city elections?
Next year’s municipal elections mean Halifax is getting a new city council, and possibly a new mayor. What do you think that council/mayor needs to do to improve Halifax? Is the city perfect as it is, so your advice is for council to do change as little as possible? Or are there things that need…
Home breathalyzer
I heard on the radio this morning that the RCMP has come out with a statement against an $8 home breathalyzer kit that has recently hit dollar stores, selling for $2. They say “They might not be accurate”? WTF?!?! Might not? I suggest that you STFU until you understand that “might not” is not a…
Where should I live?
To the haligonians that know the area, I am pissed at you cause you have not been able to tell me where the good neighborhoods are. I don’t want to live in a slum, and I can’t afford to live next to doctors and politicians. So where do I go? Don’t you know? —New Kid…
It’s not them, it’s you
I hired on with the hospital. Not as a doctor, but as medical staff. The one thing I have noticed is the overwelming negative attitude from the employees. Its not like they are strong unionists, its more like they are soured towards their employer. Let me fill you in on something that is not exactly…
Bus drivers, slow down!
Hey bus driver, do you have to stomp on that gas pedal like you are a 30 something mother in an SUV? What the fuck is wrong with your brakes? You seem to hit them as hard as you can, just to make it difficult for your passengers. And, another thing, slow down on the…
Know Your @#$%ing etiquette before golfing you beginners!
With the golf season only 5 short months away, I have time to collect my thoughts and come up with a really good bitch. Instead, I’ll post today and not proofread. When you have no clue what you are doing on the course, GET OVER to the side! What’s wrong with you, just standing there??…
To the lovely lady at the checkout
You were behind me in the grocery store and your friend was trying to get you to use the self scan. I like how you’d rather use the regular checkout to get some customer service than to do their job for them. Unfortunately, as your friend pointed out, we were in a “cash only” lane…
HRM? More like BORING RM
What’s with all of these terribly boring street names? Woodhaven, Woodbrook, Woodgate, Woodcrest, Pinecrest, Pine, Pinegrove, Pinehaven, Pinebrook, Rockhaven, Rockcrest, Rockingham, etc, etc. There are other things to name streets after other than geographic characteristics and foliage. I hate to say this, but look to the trailer parks! This Street, That Street, The Other Street,…
Death and taxes
So this time last year, I lost 2 immediate family members within a month of each other. I was only allowed bereavement leave (unpaid) for one of them. Although at least I got to go to the other’s funeral on my lunch hour and return to work, a day off would have been nice, but…
Santa’s not coming!
And the award for Un-Mother of the Year goes to… that loud mouth bitch at the mall Wednesday night who began screaming at her kid because he was fighting with his sister in the store. We heard you, and so did other customers, when you threatened to drag them out of the store if they…
RSVP… PLEASE!
To everyone who is too important or too busy with their important little selves to acknowledge my existence. The fact that you can’t even take 3 seconds out of your day to tell me to fuck off is incredible. I appreciate honesty, even brutally blunt honesty, but when you give me your number and tell…
Why is it so difficult…
…to just walk away from you? After months and months of on and off (but really kind of still on), this is getting exhausting, but I just can’t seem to give you up, or give up on you. At the best of times, I don’t know where I stand in your books, or even fit…
Winter parking ban
As I was reading a paper online one title got my attenchen. The winter parking ban is in effect. I don’t drive but know many who do. So now the big question is how many people will wake up to find their cars have been towed away or getting fines for parking on the street?…
Here today, gone tomorrow
To my awesome boyfriend, I had a SHIT morning arguing with parents, people at the store being rude, random irritating things. But as soon as I walk into your basement, you’re all cuddled up in a blanket waiting for me to join you. Say the nicest sweetest things and steal my heart all over again…
Food bank thieves
To those cocksucking bastards who stole from the food bank in Windsor – I hope you’re hit with a free-falling anvil one day. You are below scum, lower than a snake’s nutbag. —Can’t Believe the Heartlessness of Some People
WHERE’S DA BITCHES?
This is a legit bitch about how there weren’ted any bitches posted yesterday, Dec 16th. WHAT HAPPENED?! —DA COAST WIT DA MOAST
New-found love
Thank you, The Coast, for giving us the chance to Bitch or Love. I’ve finally gotten things off my chest and sent out the love I’ve been feeling anonymously. What would I do without you guys? You’re the best! —Coasting to a Happier Life
Women that don’t fart
You refuse to let your wind blow free. Why is that? I’m tired of sitting on a cushion chair and smelling a 2 day old fart that you tried to hide. In the future, let it go in the air so the wind can take it away. —Afraid to Sit Down
Puppy love
To all the people who smile and talk with my dog and me while we’re on our walks. It makes my heart smile to see how happy you are after a visit with her. It seems odd to be thanking you for spreading your happiness but I really appreciate it. It makes my day to…
Family restaurant blues
I love to go out to a family restaurant on the weekend and have an omelette, but I have a bitch about the coffee. It sucks! I am certain that the women serving are not coffee drinkers because they seem to be taking the top half of the pot away before the weaker half of…
This love goes out to my cat
Oh chiblin! while you are a deviant, what with the perpetual poopin’ in the tub and not understanding the concept of your human wanting to sleep in on weekends, I am thankful you are my kit! You give me allergy attacks and I can’t have people over without you attacking them, but I promise I…
CURSE
To the damn lady on Spring Garden in Halifax. Yeah I’m sitting on the street with a green mohawk, leather jacket, combat boots, and a huge blanket wrapped around me. I’m a punk so what? Don’t insult me and my coffee cup. I heard your dirty mouth when you said “He can’t go anywhere with…
The dad with glasses!
Why didn’t I give you my email?! I’m saddened of the thought of not seeing you again. Today felt like the last time I will see your gorgeous smile. Also, the daily wave will be missed. I hope our paths will cross again. —The Mom with Glasses
Come on Baby light my fire
To my mind blowing wild child watching you work hard all day and still rock the hackie sac and lip sync old movies makes me scream- you are so damn perfect! Never change! —Love You Love You Love You!
Juvenile wanton destruction
Power hour was over and you and your wingman were on your way home. You’d exhausted your vast repertoire of A.I.D.S. jokes and you were too drunk to put a carrot in a washtub, so date rape was hardly on the evening’s agenda. But, what exactly was it about the round window on the Prince…
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO PDG
PDG you are the best Metro Transit Bus Driver in the HRM. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your bus service. You have a very pleasant personality with the passengers. You are a very cautious driver. You are SIMPLY THE BEST. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU. —THE CREEPY BUS LADY/STALKER XO…
Doomed
But I can’t believe that fate Would have such a cruel heart Though somedays it seems I know We were doomed from the start Doomed. How could something so beautiful be doomed from the start? It hasn’t been easy, but I refuse to believe I will never touch you again and instead am patiently waiting…
Occupy Nova Scotia schedules events
Occupy Nova Scotia hasn’t gone away. The group has two events planned for this weekend. First is rally for the group itself, Saturday, 3pm at Grand Parade. Second is a rally Sunday, at 1pm, at Cornwallis Baptist Church, where the group and non-profits in the area will by rallying against the city’s decision to give…
We love Alison Lang!
You all know longtime Coast contributor Alison Lang from her stellar work on this blog, as well as from her stellar work at being a rad person all-around. Now is your chance to repay her for all the laughs she’s given you by attending a benefit for her at Michael’s (6100 Young) tonight at 10pm,…
Vandals target Windsor Street barber
It was just around this time last year that vandals broke the front window of Phat Luong’s barber shop (2170 Windsor Street, 423-6596). Then it happened again in early March, 2011. The first instances of vandalism to his business in the 14 years he had owned it, happening in such a short period, inspired Luong…
Tribeca to close January 1
Due to pressure from the liquor board and the fire marshal, Tribeca Bistro & Bar (1588 Granville) is scheduled to close its doors for good on January 1, 2012. The capacity limitations put on the bar have made it difficult to stay afloat and the city will lose yet another venue in the new year.…
To EHS and the Fire Department
To the men and women of EHS and the Fire Department that showed up to my home in Eastern Passage in the wee hours of December 8th moments after I gave birth to my son. Thank you SO much for being there! I was still off in La-La Land when we arrived at the IWK…
Bus driver love
Who’s the guy driving the route 90?????? HELLLLO hottie! —Girl Ridin’ The 90 Route
Curvy Geekery blog celebrates one year in style
Woe to those who missed Mo Handahu’s event last Friday (unfortunately, that included me). Handahu, who runs Curvy Geekery (a local shopping and fashion blog) and creates and designs the Clutch Culture line of bags (a textile lover’s dream) pulled out all the stops at La Trinidade & Listening Room for her blog’s one year…
Worth the wattage!
To the super decorated house near Connaught and Jubilee: you have blown the competition out of the water with you ‘Christmas-Vacation-esque’ decorating! I now make a special trip on my way downtown so that I can enjoy your over-the-top but tastefully done Christmas decorations. The Nova Scotia Power employees must appreciate their Christmas bonus -…
Argyle Street pit to become an engaging part of the street? WHAT?
The Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC), Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), Rank Inc. and local artist Scott Saunders dashed my hopes of living out my Leslie Knope-inspired fantasies of transforming an eyesore of a pit into something great. Why? Because they’re going to do it first. Let the healing begin. Funded in part through HRM Open…
Took the time
Thank you to the incredibly considerate man who stopped to help me when I found my stolen bike on Spring Garden Road. You called the police for me and let me use your cellphone because I don’t have one. My bike is finally safe at home and my heart has been warmed by your kindness.…
Twas the Week Before Christmas handmade gift sale
The Twas the Week Before Christmas handmade gift sale takes place tomorrow, Friday, December 16 at Serpentine Studios (1668 Barrington Street, Suite 200). It starts at 10am and goes to 7:30pm. (Call 431-7303 for more information.) Artisans and designers include Kreative Knits, Cranky, Pip Robins, Wa’Ou, FanPlastic! Eco-Accessories, Plenty Love and more. And the good…
Armstrong Textiles and Perl Grey open house
Lesley Armstrong of Armstrong Textiles and Adrienne Thomas of Perl Grey are hosting a joint open house this week to offer their gifty products, many of which will be “special holiday offerings.” It takes place Friday, December 16 from 12-8pm and Saturday, December 17 from 8am-1pm at 1313 Hollis Street, just north of the corner…
My blonde officer
To the little blondie at the IWK. You broke my heart when you left the other hospital. Now to my surprise I see you again still the same cutie, always paying attention to everything, looking around waiting to do your job, (you do it so well) I spoke to you last week told you I…
Brunette Beauty
To the brown haired girl who fills my growler: You probably smile at everyone just as sweetly, but I feel especially special when I’m caught in its glare. I hope everyone is smiling inside as much as I am after talking with you. Keep on shining! —Cute Awkward Boy Attempting to Flirt
Explain please
I do not know what a CREEPY BUS DRIVER STALKER is. I have read some of the previous LOVE THE WAY WE LOVE and it has mentioned about the creepy bus driver stalker. Who would want to be labelled as a CREEPY BUS DRIVER STALKER anyways. I personally do not see any bus driver that…
2009 called, change your sign already!
A certain car repair shop on a street named after our first premier has a scrolling red sign. This is good as it’s in a highly visible spot and advertises the business. The trick to this though is that you have to change the sign from time to time. Do you think people will develop…
What happens north of 60…
I’ve spent the better part of the last 25 years exploring the Arctic. Armed with nothing more than a submachine gun and my wits, I’ve seen some incredible things. Mountains of snow! The Northern Lights! The skeletal remains of the Franklin Expedition! But I’ve also done some horrible things. I’m talking about the dogs. Oh,…
Using social media to exploit your religious beliefs sucks
Since it is the holidays and there seems to be controversy about using a particular greeting has the (loosely used term) Christians in an uproar. Some are now preaching on the social media sites to all their friends. I really like to use social media with friends for happy things, events, pictures, etc. Why are…
Giant feet and smelly farts
You claw away at my darkness, always trying to let the light glimmer in. I’m encased, suffocated by my own anguish, my tomb of horrors, but you smile, warmth melting away at the ice, the anger boiling inside. Your love confuses me. Your love vanquishes, if only just for a moment, my seething self-hatred. Quietly,…
Rich Aucoin’s screen dreams
[image] That Rich Aucoin guy…you’re familiar with him and his monster of a record right? Well, here’s the thing about Rich: He never stops. Since January 2008 he’s been plugging away at a film to pair with his latest release, We’re All Dying to Live, chopping and blending clips from public-domain films and making a…
Carsten Knox’s Top 11 DVDs of 2011
Bobby Fischer Against the World (Mongrel) Directed by Liz Garbus Once upon a time, chess champions were famous. This doc follows the chaotic life of the biggest ever, and how pressure to compete drove him off the rails. Bruce Springsteen, The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town (Sony Music) Directed by…
Matthew Ritchie’s Top 11 Albums of 2011
Matthew Ritchie Coast writer since 2010 Bombay Bicycle Club, A Different Kind of Fix (Island) British 20-something shoegazers make ambient dance album with rock instrumentation. This is probably the best album you haven’t heard of. Expect big things from this young band. Friendly Fires, Pala (XL) Friendly Fires are kind of like LCD Soundsystem, except…
Doesn’t pass Muster
There’s a great moment in The Princess Bride when Inigo Montoya, in response to Vizzini’s insistence on using the word “inconceivable,” says, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” The Muster Station is a restaurant in Dartmouth. “Lets [sic] Get Together,” the awning says. Because a…
Molly Segal’s Top 11 DVDs of 2011
Around a Small Mountain (Cinema Guild) Directed by Jacques Rivette Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo (Argot) Directed by Jessica Orek Bill Cunningham: New York (Zeitgeist) Directed by Richard Press New York Times street-style photographer is a captivating character: accepting no pay for his work snapping stills of Manhattan’s chic and elite, living minimally and alone—not even…
Free Will Astrology
Happy Birthday! SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) The Amazon is the second-longest river in the world, and has such a voluminous flow that it comprises 20 percent of all river water in the world. And yet there is not a single bridge that crosses it. I love that fact. It comforts and inspires me to know…
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows chokes in the homestretch
Robert Downey Jr.’s ability to simultaneously serve as an action hero, a serious dramatist and a sly comedian has driven his two big-budget franchises, Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes. Downey brings all his talents to bear again here as the brilliant sleuth pitted this time against his most famous nemesis, Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris), who’s…
Light it up with Blackout
Crowd-pleasing DJs Goldilocks (Catherine Abreau) and Fancy Pants (Jessica Ross) want to help you dance your annoyances, messes and stresses away. If you find yourself on the dance floor at the Khyber on Saturday you’ll be jamming to everything from funk to hip-hop, from slow electro to hard house, with hints of world music, Drake…
Trevor Savory’s Top 11 Albums of 2011
Childish Gambino, Camp (Glassnote) Hands down this is one of the best debut albums in hip-hop, period. Honest and unpretentious, Camp simply hones the raw intensity of Gambino’s EP without losing a thing. Childish Gambino, EP (Independent) Five free ferocious tracks from an Emmy-winner was all it took to put the hip-hop scene on notice,…
Machine-tooled, pro-grade Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol
{image-1] Big, loud and proud, the fourth movie in the Mission:Impossible series delivers exactly what it promises. Tom Cruise and his fellow secret agents are forced undercover after they’re blamed for a Kremlin bombing and have to find the real culprit, a nuclear terrorist (Michael Nyqvist) bent on reheating the Cold War. Of course, this…
Alison Lang’s Top 11 Albums of 2011
Bad Vibrations, Black Train (Brotherhood) Bad Vibrations has what businesspeople would call a “consistency of vision.” With Black Train, these straight shooters will take you on a ride that is continually ghostly, tenebrous and spaced-out—brain food for headbangers. Bike Rodeo, Oh Bla Duh (Independent) Some bands out there raise their quirks aloft like a giant…
Doug Taylor’s Top 11 Albums of 2011
Adele, 21 (XL) How does such a gifted performer rule the charts when popularity and quality seem so at odds? Adele’s electrifying clarity was a gift to anyone trapped near the Auto-Tune swamp of hit radio. Charles Bradley, No Time for Dreaming (Daptone) If Otis Redding and Marvin Gaye had lived, they could hardly be…
Top 11 of 2011
Settle in and read our critics’ picks of the year. Learn about yourself and our writers in the process. Possibly a two coffee read and at least one of those coffees should have whiskey in it. MUSIC BOOKS DVDS VIDEO GAMES THE LOT OF IT
Shannon Fay’s Top 11 Books of 2011
Axe Cop, Volume 1 (Dark Horse) By Malachai Nicolle and Ethan Nicolle Axe Cop is a webcomic created by two brothers—older brother Ethan does the artwork while five-year-old Malachai comes up with the story. It’s random but entertaining, like an innocent version of Robot Chicken. Bakuman (VIZ Media) By Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata Ever…
Tara Thorne’s Top 11 Albums of 2011
Bon Iver, Bon Iver (Jagjagwuar) Its cryptic lyrics make its densely layered vocals and thundering drums even more beautiful somehow, as if Justin Vernon is daring you to come back over and over, try to figure him out. Bright Eyes, The People’s Key (Saddle Creek) Conor Oberst is thinking out these days: “You and me,…
City solar water heating program takes next step
Halifax is one step closer to implementing a city program to bring solar water heating systems to hundreds of houses annually in the HRM. The plan calls for the city to finance and oversee the technical installations of the systems, so as to not burden homeowners with those complexities. The homeowners would then pay for…
Adrian Lee’s Top 11 Albums of 2011
9th Wonder, The Wonder Years (It’s a Wonderful World) No producer is doing better work right now than 9th Wonder. An all-star cast of emcees cedes to the North Carolina beatsmith’s judgment, who flips an R&B approach into a banging treatise on love—of lovers, and of hip-hop culture. The Arctic Monkeys, Suck It and See…
Colin Chisholm’s Top 11 Videogames of 2011
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Nintendo) Available on Wii The Wii’s swan song may also be the greatest Zelda title on any platform, even better than the pivotal Ocarina of Time. This is pure adventure gaming at its finest, a real treasure. Dust off your Wii for one of the most magical games ever…
Hydrostone exempted from north end business district
In the 1970s, residents and businesses around the northern stretches of what was then Gottingen Street petitioned the city to change the name of the street to Novalea Drive. The change was made to disassociate the Hydrostone area from the black business district and social housing project on the more southerly reaches of Gottingen Street,…
Eco recap
11) FeHEDTA legalized On May 24, Halifax council rejected a recommendation by staff to add the iron-based pesticide FeHEDTA to its allowable list to put the HRM ban in synch with the new provincial ban. A week later, council re-voted—based on procedural issues no one understood. The staff recommendation was approved; for the first time…
Best music of 2011
Alison Lang Coast writer since 2007 Bad Vibrations, Black Train (Brotherhood) Bad Vibrations has what businesspeople would call a “consistency of vision.” With Black Train, these straight shooters will take you on a ride that is continually ghostly, tenebrous and spaced-out—brain food for headbangers. Bike Rodeo, Oh Bla Duh (Independent) Some bands out there raise…
St. Patrick’s-Alexandra development OKed
Civil rights activist Rocky Jones strolled up to the podium at the Peninsula Community Council Monday, with a newspaper in hand, and read a headline with disappointed defeat, “Winner emerges in bid for the St. Patrick’s Alexandra site.” City staff recommended a residential and commercial proposal from Jono Developments, trumping two other residential pitches from…
Ryan McNutt’s Top 11 Albums of 2011
Rich Aucoin, We’re All Dying to Live (Sonic) The master of ceremonies for Halifax’s best confetti-filled dance parties finally reveals the soul behind his show—and it’s every bit as magnificent as we could have hoped. Austra, Feel it Break (Paper Bag) Like fire and ice, Feel it Break’s tightly wound electro shouldn’t mix nearly so…
Best books of 2011
SHANNON FAY Coast writer since 2009 Axe Cop, Volume 1 (Dark Horse) By Malachai Nicolle and Ethan Nicolle Axe Cop is a webcomic created by two brothers—older brother Ethan does the artwork while five-year-old Malachai comes up with the story. It’s random but entertaining, like an innocent version of Robot Chicken. Bakuman (VIZ Media) By…
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked sinks
Chip-Wrecked is the unfortunate third addition to the CGI/live-action chipmunk flicks (a combination destined for failure) typically including an onslaught of high-pitched cover songs. Dave (Jason Lee) brings the manic, helium-injected Chipmunks and Chipettes on a cruise vacation, quickly landing them on a remote island, complete with a stranded crazy lady (Jenny Slate). Outdated references…
Feeling guilty for having a “kink”
Q I’m a man who recently started seeing a wonderful woman. Like me, she’s divorced. While my ex-wife left me for another man, my girlfriend’s ex-husband was controlling and abusive. Our relationship is the opposite—emotionally, psychologically and sexually. Here’s the thing: His abusive behaviour is my kink—spanking. In all my past relationships, spanking was light,…
Best video games of 2011
COLIN CHISHOLM Coast writer since 2011 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Nintendo) Available on Wii The Wii’s swan song may also be the greatest Zelda title on any platform, even better than the pivotal Ocarina of Time. This is pure adventure gaming at its finest, a real treasure. Dust off your Wii for one…
Young Adult dark, humourous and cringe-worthy
Writer-director duo Diablo Cody and Jason Reitman craft a dark comedy that lacks the overt humour of their debut collaboration, Juno. Two decades after high school, Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron)—or a “psychotic prom queen bitch” as one ex-classmate calls her—returns to her Minnesota hometown to reclaim a high school love, a handsome lug of a…
Jaime Forsythe’s Top 11 Books of 2011
Algoma (Invisible) By Dani Couture This debut novel is best devoured next to a woodstove in a snowstorm, as it conjures chilly, lovely images of loss, wilderness, weather and a chain of siblings christened after a fleet of ships. And Also Sharks (Cormorant Books) By Jessica Westhead The Antagonist (House of Anansi) By Lynn Coady…
Mark Black’s Top 11 albums of 2011
The Graboids, Aftershocks (Independent) Songs about skateboarding, smoking, punk rock shows, Myles Deck, goofing off and dealing with jerks and an excellent Hanson Brothers cover. This is the soundtrack to some delinquent’s hard-drinking good time. Jerk Damaged, Bored of Death (Independent) A morose sound bite kicks this off. Seemingly upbeat pop-punk with an obvious current…
Review Roundup: Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, Young Adult, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Chip-wrecked
Click on the movie title to read the review: Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol Young Adult Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Alvin & The Chipmunks: Chip-wrecked
Andrew Patterson’s Top 11 Albums of 2011
Julianna Barwick, The Magic Place (Asthmatic Kitty) A world unto itself, The Magic Place is the year’s most evocative and outright gorgeous album. Built almost entirely from Barwick’s hushed vocals, her wordless sound sculptures are entirely transcendent. Destroyer, Kaputt (Merge) Fifteen years on, one of Canada’s greatest current songwriters is still surprising his audience. Delivering…
Dave Hayden’s Top 11 Albums of 2011
13 & God, Own Your Ghost (Anticon/Alien Transistor) Underground hip-hop got a dose of self-reflection when 13 & God returned this year. The collective of Dose One, Jel and Notwist demonstrated a versatility that even seasoned jazz aficionados would shake their heads in disbelief at. Handsome Furs, Sound Kapital (Sub Pop) With ’80s new wave,…
Mouthy kids
David Zinck has been involved with spoken word and slam poetry for about seven years. In that time, he’s run a spoken word club where he teaches at Dartmouth High and has travelled to Ottawa and British Columbia to participate in national slam competitions. These experiences led to the creation of Marvelous Mouthy Mondays, an…
Lindsay Rainingbird’s Top 11 Books of 2011
A Description of the Blazing World (Freehand) By Michael Murphy Easy to Like (House of Anansi) By Edward Riche The Great Leader (House of Anansi) By Jim Harrison Great Village (Cormorant) By Mary Rose Donnelly Irma Voth (Knopf Canada) By Miriam Toews The Magician King (Viking) By Lev Grossman The second in a trilogy of…
Best DVDs of 2011
Carsten Knox Coast writer since 2003 Bobby Fischer Against the World (Mongrel) Directed by Liz Garbus Once upon a time, chess champions were famous. This doc follows the chaotic life of the biggest ever, and how pressure to compete drove him off the rails. Bruce Springsteen, The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge…
Stage faves: HRM’s best plays of 2011
10. Cabaret (Dartmouth Players) was my favourite show by an amateur theatre company, but I also loved Be My Baby (DP), Private Lives (Bedford Players) and Captain Hook’s Revenge (TAG). 9. The Passion of Adèle Hugo (Eastern Front Theatre): An original musical with a local connection that wowed. 8. Saltwater Moon (King’s Theatrical Society): Creative…
Tara Thorne’s Top 5 Celebrity Memoirs
Tara is awesome. Related Stories
Stephanie Johns’ Top 11 Albums of 2011
Bloodhouse, Please Don’t Meet Me/Cool Intentions (Caesar Cuts) Oh god, I’m scared. Bloodhouse blends dark and riffy, heavy and strangely ethereal while exploding brains with great melody lines. Please write and record more songs, please. Hunx and his Punx, Too Young to be in Love (Hardly Art) Lusty ’60s bubblegum featuring a surprisingly cohesive mix…
Kim Dawn’s in (Parentheses)
A great holiday gift to you, the arts-loving community, is the always-welcomed news of a new gallery space in Halifax. Behind the strange and wonderful creative hub that is Plan B merchants co-op you’ll find (Parentheses), a gallery and art project from owners, curators and familiar faces in the arts community are Kevin Lewis and…
Homeboys, First to Fall
First to Fall has come a long way since 2004. Then, the Bridgewater natives were junior-high-aged buddies shredding Misfits and Metallica covers, trying to figure out where they fit into the scene. Through exploring songwriting, they evolved to become an Alexisonfire-inspired post-hardcore band, solidifying their four-piece lineup and releasing two EPs. With the release of…
