Q&A : Ryan Allen on the Khyber Compilation VOL. II
This Saturday is your chance to add to the attractive cassette spines on your shelf with the Khyber Compilation VOL. II, featuring new and unreleased tracks from ULTRATHIN, Quaker Parents, Old and Weird, Green and Darnell, Dog Day, Moonsocket, Mike O’Neill, GUILT, Long Weekends, Long Long Long, Each Other, Monomyth, TORSO, Hand Cream, HYMM, and…
Learn to drive!
Hey, so this bus strike sucks, huh? It sure is causing more traffic! I try to avoid it as much as I can during my commute to work, but some days I just can’t avoid it and need to drive by the entrance to the bridge on Wyse Rd in the morning. And every freaking…
Rest well, sweet baby
I used to like taking the bus. Because of your selfish, delusional thinking that you’re somehow entitled, you’ve robbed me of precious time I had left with my dying, childhood pet. How many hours I’ve spent this month wasting time waiting for rides to get back to her side for a few more hours of…
What a bummer!
This is a bitch for SOME of the ‘homeless’ people in this city. First off, I use the term homeless very lightly, as I have seen many of you with blackberries and taking the bus to the home you own (you know who you). I work a job I fucking hate. A job that makes…
Generation Y entitlement
For the past month I have been seeking students for upcoming spring work terms in a couple of different departments of my company. Just in the past week, after interviews I’d offered work terms to three students (and nine altogether for the month) who turned them down because they were unpaid! I’d politely explained to…
The absurdity continues
I am exhausted with the never ending ineptitude of HRSB and their inclement weather notification system?!? Are their servers outside? Is that it? Is that why they don’t work in inclement weather? This is absurd. The website dies every morning there is any amount of snow on the ground. The “hotline” returns a fast busy.…
NSCAD prof Jan Peacock winner of Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts
Huge congrats are in order for NSCAD Media Arts Division professor, video artist Jan Peacock, a winner of a 2012 Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts. Announced yesterday in Toronto, other winners include Margaret Dragu, performance artist; Geoffrey James, photographer; Charles Lewton-Brain, artist-goldsmith (Saidye Bronfman Award); Ron Martin, visual artist; Diana Nemiroff, art gallery…
Muchmusic video dance party*
You’re sitting in front of your computer anyway, why not take advantage of this fortuitous situation and catch up on your local videos? Feel free to tear apart my horrible haikus on the comments. I’m strong like that. Jay Mayne, “That Man Goes” Abandoned warehouse Perfect place to roll a joint And do some kick…
We’re hungry
Your habit is affecting your children’s health. Have you not noticed that? Or are you too stoned to even know what planet you’re on? Anytime your kids come over to play with my kids, I notice how malnourished they look. If they were any thinner, they’d fall through the cracks in the sidewalk. I hate…
Hey, Mr. Biceps
You talked a big game when we met. Going on about how beautiful and sexy I was and how happy you were that you met me. Then Friday night you stood me up. I really didn’t mind all the time I spent getting ready, it ended up going to good use. Anyhow, I hope you’re…
To my bike rack angel(s)
As I looked upon my bike where I’d left it hours earlier, it finally dawned on me what had been nagging me – I hadn’t locked it when I left!!! Not only had nobody stolen it, some kind soul had taken the initiative to drape my locking-chain such that the bike appeared at a glance…
Slugs & snails & dirty dogs gettin NO tail
Yo, this one is mainly for the men cuz ya’ll be some dirty dogs. Did ya momma not learn you to wash your nasty ass properly? Why bother to take a shower and not soap up ya damn head? Jus’ cuz you got short hair don’t mean you never gotta wash that shit… you got…
Chemical cocktails
What is it with our society, where you can label something to sell to someone in a store… in my case today juice as in grape juice. Yet when I read the label, it says water, apple juice concentrate, grape juice concentrate, pear juice, sucrose fructose, vitamin C, sulfites!!! WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I…
Congratulations on winning the divorce
A head’s up would’ve been nice, and I’m sure the general public would’ve been as surprised as our mutual friends were, to learn that you had no sense to not only extend this courtesy, but also lied about the way we split the finances you were “burdened” with. I’m sorry you felt I should be…
Kicked out because I am drunk or gay?
I clearly remember what happened Friday night so I couldn’t of been that drunk. A certain bar downtown, kicked me out Friday night, I was shocked because I was not overly drunk, I was with my friends, I was having a great time, then the one time I went to the washroom a bouncer grabbed…
Enough is enough
Never have I been so ashamed to live in this city, when the needs of so many are put on hold because of the egotistical, selfish greed of the people who control one of our cities vital lifelines. This is no longer a union fighting for “what they’ve earned”, it’s a fucking pissing match and…
Let me guess, a bitch about the strike
FUCK OFF WITH THE TRANSIT BITCHES. Obviously it sucks. What you have to say about it isn’t any more relevant/informed/stimulating than what anyone else has to say. Write a letter to the Mayor. —Bitch Bitcher
Cabittudes
Seriously cabbies? Get some manners and some respect. Currently the strike is putting A LOT of us out of a mode of transportation, and it sucks, but we are making do. I have had to use a cab over the past 48 hours and the last 3 times the cab drivers have been awful! I…
Screening of The Music Never Stopped for Atlantic Association for Music Therapy
To celebrate Music Therapy Month, the Atlantic Association for Music Therapy is holding screening The Music Never Stopped, directed by Jim Kohlberg. The screening happens 10am, Saturday March 3 at the Oxford Theatre (6408 Quinpool Road), followed by a Q&A. $10/$6 for students. The Music Never Stopped is set in the mid-1980s, telling a story…
MyBoxBuyer offers an Ikea buying and delivery service
MyBoxBuyer is a Nova Scotia business offering a buying and delivery service for Atlantic Canadian residents. You place your Ikea order with MyBoxBuyer and save on shipping and get Ikea products not available online. MyBoxBuyer charges a commission on the pre-tax value of your purchase. The business was started as a necessity by the owners…
Nova Scotia Business, Inc sues lumber firm for $430,000
Nova Scotia Business, Inc appears to have thrown good money after bad, compounding one bad loan with a second, and then a third. Now, the province’s economic development arm is out $430,000. Friday, the provincial department of Justice filed suit in the Supreme Court on behalf of NSBI and naming Carolyn Anne Holdright and Neily…
Suo Gan
Life just couldn’t stop dealing you lousy hands, right up to the end. But it never turned you bitter or mean. You will always be Kate Winslet beautiful with a great gallumphing giggle as large as all outdoors. Like most who lose someone far too soon, we regret not telling you often enough how much…
Basement love
Just wanted to share my love and appreciation for a certain “burrow” in Halifax. Thank you to the friendly (and attractive) people who opened up their house to provide an amazing space for sharing music, conversation, drinks, and love! It makes me so happy to be able to hang out here. You guys rock! —Shy…
My convenience angel
You are so pretty, so flirty… whenever I see you I think “I’m gonna tell her… I’m gonna tell her.” BUT I CAN’T!!! I want to tell you D, you are so perfect… and I want you! What’s a girl to do, I don’t even know if you like girls. —Gay For That Girl
Video games are blatantly evil
I was at a friend’s place over the holidays and I had a chance to watch his kids play a video game called Grand Theft Auto. The point of the game seemed to be to kill as many people as you could to rack up points… the people didn’t defend themselves (I was told that…
Psycho roommate
Ok crazy lady let’s get a couple things straight: 1. Replace the toilet paper when you’ve finished the roll. It takes about 30 seconds (and that’s being generous) and it’s just plain polite. 2. Come home and take care of your pet! It’s no wonder it has no fucking clue who you are, considering you…
Hung over
We talked about how some people we won’t see again. I would be sad if I did not see you again, I drive u, and I seriously want you. —jacshg
The Slammers
Ok, the set up is my side of the equation which the neighbours don’t know or care if they do. I was in an accident about 6 years ago, suffer chronic pain as a result, makes it hard to get a good sleep. Anything longer than 2 hours for me is a good sleep. Also…
Smoke and mirrors
Why is it that mayor Kelly keeps making the issue of the transit strike about money? He is quoted as saying ” there is no more money”. “We gave them an offer we thought was more than fair and taxpayers can’t afford anymore and they can’t be held for ransom”. Mayor Kelly is the one…
Small gestures are what’s worth living for
To the girl who let me know my backpack was open and then offered to zip up my backpack when she realized I had no free hands and was running down Spring Garden like a maniac, thank you. I walked by at least 20 people and no one told me. Not only did you save…
Foreign Affair “Now or Never Sale”
If you go down to Spring Garden/Barrington today you’re in for a big surprise. Foreign Affair (1705 Barrington Street, 429-1407 and 5639 Spring Garden Road, 423-6676) is having a sale, up top 70 percent off the fall and winter stock. The thing is, the spring fashions are coming in and they need the space, so…
Shift pickers
I am a shift worker and NO I do not get to choose my shifts. I have to learn to accept what I am given and in this economy I’m thankful for a job even if it is minimum wage. I do not make half of what the bus drivers make. As for the divorce…
The stone cold fox
This is to the most beautiful girl I have ever met. She has showed me things I could never imagine possible. Every time I’m with her she puts a smile on my face and brings out the extreme weirdness side of me that I had no idea was there. We may get in fights here…
Vintage or used wedding dresses
Where can I find vintage or used wedding dresses in HRM? I’m looking for a cream or champagne colored a-line lace dress. Help! —Tracy
Isn’t this extortion??
The prices charged by the local phone/internet/cable supplier are absolutely outrageous. Compared with US suppliers and some others the cost is a joke and the customer service is pathetic — they can’t even explain how their ‘packages’ break-down cost wise. Get it for this price for three months and then take out a mortgage if…
World ambassador
This one goes out to Iran. I’m totally allied with that country, regardless of whether you’re developing Nuclear Arms or not. They have the courage to stand up to a world power like the United States, as well as facing down their Arch-Enemy, Israel (who is also equipped with nuclear weapons). Very few people are…
Keep running!
So, you hit my child’s mother with your car coming out of the gas station… and drove away. The only reason you didn’t hit my daughter is because her mother was able to throw her out of the way… and you drove off. Lady, you have to live with yourself, but holy frig I hope…
Ma Belle’s new flavours, hours
For those who don’t know, in 2011 the homestyle joint in downtown Dartmouth known as Ma Belle’s Cafe (44 Ochterloney Street, 466-1322) changed hands. It’s now owned by Jamie and Fran Rouse. Ma Belle is a real English tearoom, offering a full breakfast, a lunch menu with daily specials, more than 30 stash teas and…
In context: What a bus driver’s day looks like
It’s frustrating that for the duration of the transit strike, now in its 24th day, we—the public—are left hearing competing versions of the scheduling and overtime issues that are at the heart of conflict, but haven’t been provided with much information beyond talking points. Fortunately, yesterday a bus driver gave me the actual scheduling documents…
We’re a fire inside the storm
Halifax is where I hang my hats it’s where my chosen home is at but I follow a career path that keeps me moving so it seems I have to always be leaving some days this proves to be my undoing homesickness and missing things and consequently stewing but mostly it just soothes me when…
Nightmare Factory screens at The Oxford
Film Nova Scotia and Empire Theatres are presenting a free screening of Nightmare Factory at the Oxford Theatre (6408 Quinpool Road) on Wednesday, February 29, 7pm. Nightmare Factory delves inside the fascinating high-stakes world of special FX make-up and creature design through the eyes of one of the industry’s key players, Greg Nicotero. He headed…
Transit union rejects city’s “final offer”
Transit workers have rejected a contract offer from the city by 78 percent, meaning there is no end in sight to Halifax’s 22-day-old transit strike. The offer, billed as the city’s “final offer” contained the controversial rostering proposal, which would fundamentally change the way schedules are set. As well, it had a $1,500 one-time payment…
Kinky Kitten Club at The Sex Festival
With a name like “Kinky Kitten Club”, I naively expected Lee-Anne Poole’s new play about the phone sex industry to be cute and frothy. I imagined a series of vignettes where actor Stephanie MacDonald’s phone chatter is of the “vanilla sex” variety. Well, prepare yourself for something infinitely darker and more disturbing. MacDonald plays an…
Coastal@NIGHT launched
There’s a new operation being planned for spring at the The Coastal Cafe (2731 Robie Street, 405-4022): Coastal@NIGHT. Spearheaded by Graeme Ruppel, formerly the chef at Brooklyn Warehouse, it will run, initially, four nights a week (Thursday through Sunday). Expect a set, prix fixe menu of five to seven courses. A small selection of wines…
A kind gesture
I was at the 2011 Quinpool Road Car Show and I had hurt my foot so I could not walk around. While I was sitting in my classic car a very nice man looked in the window at me and said that he liked my car. To my astonishment it was the Mayor of Halifax.…
Wish I knew you better
To a certain student employee at a library at Dalhousie… I think you’re awesome. Every time I see you though, it tends to be when I’m leaving at 5. I wish I got to see you more! And I wish we were friends. Your smile makes me smile every time. —Shy
Coast lover
I just wanted to say thank you for your amazing work on the Peter Kelly piece. I am so ridiculously happy that he is not running for Mayor again this year and we have you to thank for it! I hope Halifax can find some real leadership in the next election. —Lola K
Sexy eyes
Thank you for making my work day not just about work I have something to look foward to when look up or over and see you around the office sometimes I catch you looking at me. Wish I had an opportunity to say hi. —Too Bad We Didn’t Work a Little Closer
Racism or materialism?
So I’m sitting there watching TV, and this commercial for some stupid IT college comes on. A black guy walks up to a black woman and asks her out at the bus stop, she says “and what are we going to do, ride the bus together?”, he looks all rejected and says, “man, I got…
Thanking your fellow drivers
I don’t think it is necessary for this bitch to be mean spirited, but I feel it is worth saying… Why can’t we all agree to be friendlier drivers? I have lived in cities where drivers wave a ‘thank you’ anytime another driver allows them to merge. I think HRM drivers are awesome at merging…
Shipbuilding, PK gone = HRM renaissance
Much love to this scrappy alternative free weekly; the only paper in Halifax that actually does investigative journalism. You’ve managed to do what 3 municipal elections couldn’t – bring drown PK and cast a light on his lack of integrity and moral authority. Well done. I’m convinced you’ve done more for the future betterment of…
Interview with The Current
I was interviewed this morning by Anna Maria Tremonit, with CBC’s The Current, about mayor Peter Kelly and the Thibeault estate. Here the interview here.
Paid NOT Payed
For the love of all that is holy. Why must some of you people insist on spelling it “payed” when, in the context you are using it (to get money) it is supposed to be spelled “paid”. I don’t care how intelligent your argument is, if you don’t know the simple past tense of “to…
NSCAD president David Smith steps down
As reported today by AllNovaScotia.com, it was announced that NSCAD president David Smith will be stepping down, expected to leave May 15. The March 31 deadline given by advanced education minister Marilyn More to come to a financial solution for the university’s money troubles is still in effect. Statement from the board below: “On behalf…
Scribbles for Sale at Seaport
There’s a new and unusual service now available at the Seaport Farmers Market (1209 Marginal Road). Julie Lyons’ enterprise is called Scribbles for Sale. “I propose to write custom letters of any nature (i.e. complaint, apology, affection, business, etc.) in the tradition of scribes found in Asia and the Middle East,” she explains. “I am…
Peter Kelly won’t re-up
Halifax mayor Peter Kelly announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election in the October election. ““I feel that, after 27 years of public service, I have made my contribution to the good of the community to the very best of my ability and it is time to seek new horizons,” wrote Kelly in a…
Wanderlust doesn’t go anywhere
Manhattanites George (Paul Rudd) and Linda (Jennifer Aniston), unemployed, flee the city for a commune. The entire movie feels a bit lazy, like director David Wain is relying on star power (Rudd and Aniston) and his past hits, Role Models (2008) and Wet Hot American Summer (2011) (both of which Rudd was in), instead of…
On bathroom business
Q I am a straight 24-year-old female who has known my fiance since freshman year of college. He has a fetish where he likes to watch women use the bathroom. I knew this, having seen some of his porn early on, and I accepted it. We all have kinks. But while peeing in front of…
Field to distant Table
The buy local movement is exploding, in spirit. But when we aren’t buying meat and produce direct from farmers, it’s hard to know where it comes from. Most food is distributed globally, travelling from field to distant processing facility to distant table. Food distribution is an industry dominated by giants. In Nova Scotia, there are…
Free Will Astrology
Happy Birthday! PISCES (February 19-March 20) Gawker notes that American politician John McCain tends to repeat himself—a lot. Researchers discovered that he has told the same joke at least 27 times in five years. (And it’s such a feeble joke, it’s not worth re-telling.) In the coming week, Pisces, pease please please avoid any behaviour…
Ready, set, improvise
If you had to come up with something both creative and entertaining in 10 seconds flat, would you crack under pressure? Our palms are sweaty just thinking about it. That’s the name of the game when it comes to the art of improv—and it’s just that, an art. You go with your gut, or go…
afterAnna gets physical
If you happen to be walking through the Granville Street courtyard outside NSCAD’s Anna Leonowens Gallery on Monday evening, you might be stopped by something unusual. Exactly what will be a mystery, but it could be hushed or raucous; spontaneous or carefully choreographed: think snowball fights, rhyming out loud, costumes or (literally) walking on eggshells.…
CLUB STOIC and JonBob celebrate in style
Crusty old Gus’ (and we say crusty in the most endearing way possible) is getting all gussied up on Wednesday. It’s a one night only makeover that’ll bring black lights, lasers, fog machines, plush squids and more visually stimulating decor into the pub to set the mood for LaserSquid Music’s double release show. Even better?…
Goon a bloody good time
Doug Glatt (Seann William Scott) is a none-to-bright bouncer from New England who finds a meaning in life by becoming a fighter on skates, an enforcer for a Halifax minor league hockey team. The very likable Scott has the size and physicality to convince, while director Michael Dowse delivers some solid play around the puck.…
PITH gets to the point
Though Friday marks the release of their debut EP, PITH’s been percolating for about five years. After allowing life to interrupt for a little while, ringleader Jason Vautour says the band finally got their “shit together” about a year and a half ago, leading them to record the four-track Fore to be released by the…
Get drawn in by The Allure of the Print
Printmaking is a bit of a blanket term, and tucked under it is a really rich history of an expansive and still-growing art form. Studio 21’s latest group exhibit The Allure of the Print uncovers bits and pieces of printmaking’s evolution by showcasing the many styles and methods, from lithographs and woodblock to intaglio, and…
7 under $7
Passage to the Caribbean Am I the only one who finds Caribbean food overpriced? I love it, but how can a plate of curried stew made with cheap cuts of meat often run me up to 14 bucks? Passage to the Caribbean, in the old Starlite Cuisine location on Cornwallis Street, bucks the trend. The…
Corker‘s killer cast
It’s been more than a decade since Wendy Lill wrote Corker, a play that explores the tragedy of our over-burdened social service system and the need for the “haves” in society to both help and learn from those who face great challenges. The titular character is played with great energy by Will Brewer, a young…
HRMburger
“It’s right up there with apple pie and baseball,” says Jeff Lassen. He’s talking about the hamburger. And if there’s anything Jeff Lassen knows, it’s hamburgers. Lassen is a fourth-generation restaurateur. He has owned Louis’ Lunch in New Haven, Connecticut since 2003, run it since the mid-1990s and worked behind the counter since 1979. “I…
Jay Baruchel and Michael Dowse on Goon
Slap Shot casts a long shadow. The 1977 hockey comedy starring Paul Newman, directed by George Roy Hill, is widely considered to be the best hockey movie ever. Not that it has a lot of competition. “There needs to be a good hockey movie done by Canadians,” says director Michael Dowse. “It’s been awhile, if…
The daily show
MONDAY Mondays are days of doldrums and post-weekend delirium. The wind is blowing down Barrington Street, and you forgot your gloves at home. But there is sanctuary just on the next block. It’s inside Star Anise (1571 Barrington Street), nestled inside one of the booths, in the form of a bowl of soup and noodles,…
Council approves budget framework
Halifax council Tuesday agreed to a “budget framework”—a set of principles meant to guide discussion through the early April debate leading to adoption of next year’s city budget—that sees no increase in the average residential tax bill. The framework lets councillors in this election year claim they are not raising taxes, but the reality is…
Palm reading with Cousins
Sitting in an ill-lit corner of Gus’ Pub sipping local beer, the duo that currently makes up Cousins, Aaron Mangle and Leigh Dotey, speaks openly about its new record, touring life and the importance of friendship; they also giggle and tease each other, explaining that this is what they would be doing, interview or otherwise.…
Wilding out with Mike O’Neill
The Halifax musician finally found time in his busy career doing sound for film and television to complete a new solo album, his first in eight years. And Wild Lines is a stunner: the sort of inviting, catchy pop record that Big Star would have made had Alex Chilton grown up as a ’90s indie-rock…
Act of Valor an ad for the American military
To evaluate Act of Valor in the usual cinematic context is to misunderstand certain rules of engagement, for this is less a movie than a brand advertisement for a US military that’s lately suffered a few dents to its reputational armour. Directors Scott Waugh and Mike McCoy use a standard-issue terrorism story, populated by a…
