10 books to read about Black experiences in Canada this Emancipation Day
This Tuesday marks the third-annual Emancipation Day in Nova Scotia, an anniversary of the historic end to slavery across the British Empire. So-called Canada has a 200-year history of slavery—and Halifax itself hosted slaver’s ships in its harbour. Yet, public knowledge of this chapter of the past—and its effects on the systemic racism of today—is…
A guide to wining and dining at Nova Scotia vineyards this summer
This story was updated in June 2023. It was first published June 20, 2022. Nova Scotia is becoming one of Canada’s winery hotspots thanks to its climate of warm days and cool nights. So why not put the province’s vineyards to the test and embark on your very own wine tour this summer? Whether you’re…
5 waterfalls to go chasing in Halifax this summer
This story was updated in June 2023. It was first published June 7, 2022. Living in Halifax, with the hustle and bustle of people and cars, it may be hard to believe that you’re just a short drive away from some beautiful views. Views that you might just fall in love with. What better summer…
Crystal Crescent is the non-judgemental nude beach you were made for
This story was updated in June 2023. It was first published July 15, 2022. Skinny dipping. Washing your birthday suit. Taking a midnight swim. Going for a strip ‘n’ dip. Bathing in the buff. Swimming naked has many names, and many meanings. People consider it an exhibitionist endeavour, fringe fad or impulsive action to challenge…
Nova Scotian COVID in 2022: Deaths, cases and hospitalizations
Note: After weekly updates throughout 2022, this page is no longer being updated. The following charts are a record of Nova Scotia’s COVID activity for the year; for the latest numbers in 2023 go to this page. In the beginning—Nova Scotia’s first cases of COVID-19 were reported on March 15, 2020—the province was diligent about…
I suck at surfing, but I love it
This article was independently produced by our editorial team with financial support by LÜVO wines in 250ml cans—unpretentious, refreshing and perfect for adventures! Locally grown, all natural, gluten-free, & vegan. Try Sparkling Rosé, L’Acadie Pinot Grigio, Cold Press Red, Muscat+Mint, Piquette+Peach and Piquette+Berry. When I woke up last Saturday, I had no idea it was…
A personal portrait of the housing crisis
The light in a Robyn Badger painting is what will hook you first: A melted-butter warmth illuminating everything from wide country roads to pensive portraits. But it’s in the artist’s still life works where the life-affirming glow is at its most captivating: Van Gogh-inspired snippets of her living space that evoke the great expressionist artists.…
A new TV series is shooting on Agricola Street this week
Sullivan’s Crossing—a TV series based on a series of books of the same name by author Robyn Carr—has taken over a few blocks of Agricola Street this week, as it films its debut season. The 10-episode season is slated to air on CTV and Crave in 2023—but in the meantime, Halifax gets to see some…
People’s Park residents told it’s time to leave
Residents of People’s Park received a warning from city staff Thursday morning. According to volunteers at the park, a compliance officer told residents they must leave, or the police will remove them. Since the announcement of the July 17 deadline to vacate People’s Park, also known as Meagher Park, the city and Halifax Regional Police…
After Public Gardens attack, the effort is on to save “irreplaceable” trees
Under the cover of night—either late Monday or early Tuesday—somebody (or it might have been a group of people) broke into the Halifax Public Gardens and took an axe (or a machete or hachet) to dozens of the trees in the park, some of which are over 100 years old. The gardens were closed Tuesday,…
UPDATED: How to get tickets to Freddie Gibbs’s sold-out Halifax show
UPDATE: On July 29—two days after we originally published this piece—Hopscotch Halifax announced a ticket pop-up will be held at Underground Snax on Barrington Street at 4:20pm on July 30. The tickets will be first-come, first-serve and are $50. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. If you’re a hip hop head, you know Freddie Gibbs, the…
4 ways to mark Emancipation Day 2022 in Halifax
It’s Nova Scotia’s second-annual celebration of Emancipation Day—a holiday honouring the Slavery Abolition Act coming into effect across the British empire in 1834—this long weekend. The new holiday doesn’t replace Natal Day weekend: Old standbys like the fireworks and parade (happening July 30 at 10pm and Monday, August 1 at 1pm, respectively)—are still on. But,…
Province announces new Art Gallery of Nova Scotia construction is on hold
Tim Houston announced today that the province’s plan to foot part of the bill for the new Art Gallery of Nova Scotia—a project announced in 2019, slated to begin building this year on what’s now a parking lot on the end of Salter Street—will be put on an indefinite hold. The gallery (which is meant to replace…
Why NS politician Kendra Coombes couldn’t go to work today after having a kid
An MLA and new mother has been denied permission to attend today’s 2pm emergency session virtually. Premier Tim Houston called the legislature back in to vote against a binding recommendation for a 12% pay raise for MLAs. And Kendra Coombes, NDP MLA for Cape Breton Centre-Whitney Pier, won’t be there. “I feel very disappointed that…
Cecilia Concerts announces 34th season lineup
Cecilia Concerts—the series of shows that brings classical musicians and composers of note to stages across the city—announced its upcoming slate for the 2022-2023 season today. Aside from the already-announced gig featuring superstar soprano Sondra Radvanovsky (who critics have anointed “the world’s greatest living soprano”—and who plays Halifax in November), the season promises to be a…
Dalhousie University Art Gallery announces Pamela Edmonds as new director and curator
The tide-shift in the local arts scene continues gurgling as yet another cultural institution announces a new name taking over a top post. Last night on Facebook, the Dalhousie University Art Gallery confirmed its new curator-director, who will be taking over from the long-standing scene incubator Peter Dykhuis (who helmed the gallery since 2007): Pamela…
The internet gets salty with Pearl, the Halifax Oyster Festival mascot
We were pumped to finally see Twitter catch the fire that is Pearl, our Halifax Oyster Festival mascot. On Sunday, local Amy Langdon, @alandon17, tweeted “This is the mascot for the Halifax Oyster Festival and I’m absolutely terrified of it.” And as of the time we scheduled this post, that statement was liked more than…
The truth about great white sharks in Nova Scotia
On August 30, 1891, a 21-year-old sailor named John Roult was knocked overboard and “immediately seized” by a shark. The predator had been following the French fishing schooner Societe off the coast of Halifax. Both Roult and the shark were never seen again. At least that’s the story that appeared in the August 31, 1891…
Today at Halifax Pride: July 24
It’s the final day of the 2022 Halifax Pride festival. Make the most of every last minute with this guide to what’s on, featuring all-ages drag shows and more: Today’s top billing goes to Pride’s annual fest-closing adventure, the Dykes vs Divas softball game. The sporting event/ball-diamond-turned-runway is held at the Canada Games Baseball Diamond,…
Today at Halifax Pride: July 23
It’s closing weekend at Halifax Pride, but that doesn’t mean that things are slowing down. From underground dance parties to a smattering of drag shows, here’s what’s happening today at the annual event: Today’s marquee event is the Electronic Family Reunion, a showcase at Grand Parade that sees Mz Worthy, Detroit’s DJ Minx and Jules…
Armed guards in the bread aisle
Being watched by an armed, uniformed police officer while perusing the produce section isn’t the most pleasant experience. But that’s exactly what happened when Kevin Payne and his partner went shopping at the Atlantic Superstore on Braemar Drive this week. “It felt pretty uncomfortable,” he says in an interview with the Coast, “to have a…
Halifax musician-producer Erin Costelo chosen as part of nation-wide Women in the Studio program.
“My dream would be to balance my touring with my producing gigs,” Halifax singer-songwriter and producer-powerhouse Erin Costelo told The Coast back in 2018, when we put her on the cover to celebrate her landmark album Sweet Marie—an Americana-yet-R&B effort that not only revived a career she was ready to send off, but also became…
How Halifax’s wrestling scene is becoming “like a little lighthouse” for the queer community
There’s a scene in Season 2 of the Netflix drama GLOW: Glorious Ladies of Wrestling when, at long last, the all-American beauty queen Debbie Eagan finally understands the spectacle she’s been creating with her co-workers: “Oh, it’s a soap opera,” the former daytime star says to herself, puzzle pieces falling into place as she prepares…
Today at Halifax Pride: July 22
The final weekend of Pride is officially underway, and its schedule shows no signs of slowing down. Here’s all that’s happening today, July 22, as part of the annual event: Today’s marquee event is the LHM Records showcase, a free outdoor concert featuring local musicians and label-mates Hillsburn, Kim Harris, Keeper E. and Waants at…
How Sarah Murphy and Olivier Coeffard are keeping the (heart)beat of Festival of Dance Annapolis Royal
Sarah Murphy and Olivier Coeffard know better than most that a piece of dance begins long before feet connect with floor. The movement begins not in the ankle, or the leg, or even the waist. It’s a twinge of an idea that comes before a contracting of muscle. But, sometimes, it begins even further back:…
Today at Halifax Pride: July 21
Today’s a jam-packed day at Halifax Pride, with a host of activities running the gamut from community care to straight-up celebrating (and some, of course, are a mix of the two). Here’s everything happening today at the summer festival: Today’s marquee events (yes, plural) includes the sold-out drag and wrestling show Glory Hold, held at…
Prismatic Festival announces 2022 lineup
The multi-disciplinary Prismatic Festival—an annual multi-day cultural event that gives a platform to artists of colour—is returning to Halifax this fall, a press release announced today. From September 26 to October 9, theatre, dance, film, music, visual arts and more will light up spaces around the city. Today’s release from the festival named 12 of…
What’s happening at People’s Park as of Wednesday, July 20
As of Wednesday, July 20, nobody has been evicted from People’s Park, and no fines have been handed out. As predicted, workers from the city showed up Wednesday morning, ready to put up fences around the area on Chebucto Road also known as Meagher Park. They left when a volunteer informed them there were still…
Sunny days ahead for Halifax
In our humble opinion, this summer has been pretty awesome so far. We’ve had plenty of sunny days, perfect for strolling through parks, and it’s been hot enough to jump in the ocean on multiple occasions. And meteorologist Cindy Day has good news: The clear skies and warm days will keep on coming. Based on…
Mi’kmaw language teacher shares what the Mi’kmaw Language Act means for him
O On Sunday, July 17, the provincial government proclaimed the Mi’kmaw Language Act, officially recognizing Mi’kmaw as the original language of Nova Scotia. The legislation goes further than a symbolic recognition of the first language spoken here. The act promises “government support for the preservation, revitalization, promotion and protection of the Mi’kmaw language for generations…
Meet Zara Matrix, Halifax’s biggest Lady Gaga fan
When Halifax drag queen Zara Matrix connected with Lady Gaga’s music for the first time, she was just a teenager mired in the fog of growing up. Gaga’s 2011 anthem “Born This Way” became a beacon, even if Matrix couldn’t articulate quite why yet: “At the time I didn’t realize what was going on, but…
Today at Halifax Pride: July 19
Halifax Pride continues its colourful celebrations with a slate of events for July 19. Here’s all the things to see and do this Tuesday evening at the festival: Today’s biggest event is undoubtably Drag Bingo, which sees local royalty Elle Noir and Kristi Davidson hosting an evening of hi-jinx as you dab your way to riches.…
Here’s what’s happening at People’s Park after Sunday’s eviction deadline
When the city announced the Sunday, July 17 deadline for those sleeping in Meagher Park (AKA People’s Park) to vacate the premises, many feared a repeat of last year’s eviction disaster on Spring Garden Road that resulted in 24 arrests and a child getting pepper sprayed. Now the deadline has passed, and so far, nobody…
My dream summer: Joining The Kitchen choir for an HFX Wanderers game
There is a tradition in soccer, which started with warcries in 1887 in Scotland, of singing at soccer games. Most stadiums have a section either officially or unofficially reserved for die-hard supporters. It is rare, very rare, for any club to have a singing section that sings for a full 90 minutes (plus injury time).…
Today at Halifax Jazz Festival for Sunday July 17
It’s the final day of Halifax Jazz Festival’s 2022 event. Here’s how to ring every last drop of fun (and music) out of the fest, with complete listings: Halifax party-staters The Mellotones share the main stage (located at Salter Street and Lower Water Street on the Halifax waterfront) with a slate of special guests, including…
Today at Halifax Pride: July 17
Halifax Pride makes sure that Sunday really is fun day with a full slate of festival offerings. Here’s everything to do at the annual 2SLGBTQ+ celebration this July 17: The Queer Music Fest—held at the festival’s main stage site on the Garrison Grounds (located at Citadel Hill) is today’s marquee event. The rock band Partner…
Today at Halifax Jazz Festival for Saturday, July 16
Day four of Jazz Fest 2022 is a stacked day of shows around the city. Here’s the rundown of all the live music the annual event is sharing today: Molly Johnson and Grammy winner Alex Cuba are the headlining act for July 16, playing the main stage (on the Halifax waterfront, at the corners of…
Today at Halifax Pride: July 16
It’s the third day of the 2022 Halifax Pride Festival—and one of the busiest of the annual event, thanks to the return of the parade. But that’s not the only thing happening on Pride’s packed agenda. Here’s all there is to do on July 16 at the fest: The Pride parade kicks off at noon,…
125-year-old Edward Street house is one step closer to becoming a registered heritage property
The vote was unanimous. At a special meeting on Friday, July 15, Halifax’s heritage advisory committee moved 1245 Edward Street—a 125-year-old home that Dalhousie University owns and has a demolition permit for—onto the next step to getting registered as a heritage property. The committee gave the house a score of 64, surpassing the required score…
Halifax roots-folk duo Mama’s Broke are back with album Narrow Line
It almost feels wrong to stream Narrow Line—the newest album from Halifax folk duo Mama’s Broke—on Spotify, and not just because of the platform’s questionable politics: The vocal harmonies don’t fear a capella; fiddle and banjo crack open a songbook old enough to recall Appalachian and Eastern European stylings. This is music that feels ancient,…
HRM’s plan for People’s Park
When HRM issued eviction notices to the residents of Meagher Park, aka People’s Park, on Tuesday, July 5, it naturally evoked some panic. The memories of August’s 2021’s unhoused eviction debacle are still too fresh in people’s memories for any other reaction. But since last summer, the city seems to have learned some lessons, and…
Today at Halifax Pride: July 15, 2022
Friday, July 15 is a booked-and-busy day for Halifax Pride, with a host of happenings taking place both at Garrison Grounds (the main location of the event) and elsewhere around the city. Here’s what’s on: Today’s headlining event is The Bump, an annual Pride party held at 8:30pm at Garrison Grounds featuring both local and…
All you need to know about the 2022 Halifax Pride Parade
The 2022 Halifax Pride Parade begins at noon on Saturday, July 16. The current construction on the Cogswell Interchange means the parade—which is back in full force after COVID—is taking a new route this year. The route of the parade is marked in yellow, and departs from Citadel High School at Ahern Avenue. The parade…
Today at Halifax Jazz Festival for Friday July 15
Day three of the 2022 Halifax Jazz Festival also features one of the event’s biggest names this year: Art-rocker Perfume Genius. Here’s a lowdown on today’s schedule for the major music event: The Weather Station opens for Perfume Genius at the Festival Main Stage (located on the Halifax waterfront at the corners of Salter Street…
Asbestos saves 19th century house from demolition by Dalhousie—for now
In the race to get 1245 Edward Street designated as a heritage property before Dalhousie tears it down, asbestos is winning. On Thursday, July 14, Dalhousie University received a demolition permit for 1245 Edward Street, a house it bought last year that dates back to the 1890s. Dal had already begun demolitions, and last week…
Today at Halifax Pride: July 14, 2022
It’s the opening day of Halifax Pride and there’s a whole rainbow of events to mark the occasion. Here’s what’s happening and where: The QTBIPOC showcase—which sees Canadian pop-punk throwback Fefe Dobson headlining—acts as today’s marquee event. It features a host of local drag talent and kicks off at 8pm on the Garrison Grounds (HQ…
Today at Halifax Jazz Festival for Thursday July 14
Day two of the 2022 Halifax Jazz Festival has no shortage of toe-tapping tunes. Here’s the full rundown of what to see and hear: Half Moon Run with Andy Shauf play the waterfront main stage (the corner of Salter Street and Lower Water Street) at 8pm. Day-of tickets are $60.52. Julie Doiron plays St. Matthew’s…
What is the UV Index and how does it work?
If you’re subscribed to our newsletter (which you definitely should be), you’ll have noticed we provide a weather forecast every morning. Part of that forecast includes the day’s UV Index—but what is the UV Index anyway? As defined by Environment Canada, the UV Index measures the strength of the sun’s UV (ultraviolet) rays. The stronger…
Everything you need to know about Halifax Regional Council’s July 12 meeting
Marathon meeting of council on Tuesday. Councillors have a break coming up—there would normally be another meeting in two weeks, on July 26, but it’s been cancelled—so this week our fearless city leaders had hours of gruelling debate and managed to get most of it done. Not enough to skip the August 8 meeting too,…
Four can’t-miss Nova Scotian acts to see at the 2022 Halifax Jazz Festival
The great thing about Halifax Jazz Fest—other than the chance to see some of your favourite international names; other than watching the sun set over the water while a crowd catches a chorus; other than seeing the city taken over by music for a spate of July days—is catching a local name you’ve been meaning…
Q&A: Perfume Genius wants to make you move—and transcend your body
Mike Hadreas—the musician who performs under the moniker Perfume Genius–sits crumpled in one corner of the Zoom call when The Coast reaches him days before his appearance at Halifax Jazz Festival. His arms fold inwards on themselves as his gaze probes off camera, thinking deeply about how to answer each question while also seemingly ready…
Halifax’s Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir launches new, free program for girls
The tradition of Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir is one that stretches back a thousand years. The golden voices in one of Halifax’s largest and most lauded choirs gather to sing ancient songs, which ensures these works are simultaneously preserved and also discovered by new generations of listeners. (Plus, its holiday concert is considered a must-see…
Plan for car-free Spring Garden Road crashed hard at launch but will be back soon
Last week, a stretch of Spring Garden Road became a bus-and-bike-only corridor. It was a pilot project—supposed to run until next June—that shut down the street to personal vehicles from 7am to 8pm every day. The closure started Monday, July 4; the city put up new signs warning drivers away from the road, and police…
7 must-see art shows this summer
It’s high season for beaches and movies, sure, but don’t forget there’s lots to see in galleries all over Halifax this summer. Bask in the beauty of the great indoors while broadening your mind and heart, thanks to these seven must-see shows : The World of Yousuf Karsh: A Private Essence at Pier 21 While…
Everything you need to know about Buskerfest, the 2022 Halifax Buskers Festival
It isn’t summer in Halifax until street performers from across the globe descend upon the waterfront, in all their fire-eating, superhuman-strength, human-pretzel-ing glory. It’s been two years since the wacky, theatrical Buskerfest have been able to do their in-person thing in the city—and the annual event is making up for lost time, expanding to the…
‘What time does the noon cannon go off?’ and more hilarious tourist questions
With sunny days and lifted COVID restrictions, the tourists are returning to Nova Scotia. Out of province (or country) license plates abound, cruise ships are docking, and the Harbour Hopper is making its rounds. Visitors from all over are once again flocking to our province, eager to see its landmarks, taste its food and experience…
How Halifax treats unhoused people brings shame to us all
Author’s note: Since this story ran, I’ve received feedback about the accuracy of my reporting. There is a porta potty at the Geary Street site; I’ve been told it was there when I was there a week ago. I did not see it then but I have since found it. Unfortunately as is the way…
City cancels bus-only pilot on Spring Garden Road 4 days after launch
On Monday, July 4, a stretch of Spring Garden Road switched from being a car-filled city street, to only allowing buses and bikes—in theory at least. Thursday, three days into the city’s year-long pilot project, Spring Garden still resembled its old self. As it turns out, the city was having trouble getting drivers to stop…
HRM committee considers ban on plastics at city events
Halifax’s Environment and Sustainability standing committee met Thursday, July 7 to discuss two motions. One about Floating Yellow Hearts in Little Albro Lake and one about making city green spaces less grass and more natural plants. But before the committee debated those two motions they got a presentation from Natasha Tucker, the executive director of…
Police board tries to get ready for next week’s evictions from People’s Park
The Board of Police Commissioners met on Wednesday, July 6, in person at City Hall for the first time in a long time. Commissioner Yemi Akindoju brought muffins for everyone. It was a nice gesture for a meeting dominated by gun violence and a prolonged discussion about what to do about our unhoused neighbours. The…
Six new songs by Halifax musicians you need to hear now
The race for song of the summer feels like it’s heating up this week as several Halifax musicians drop new singles eligible for the crown. No matter if your tastes skew from country to pop to rock, the city’s songwriters have your back—and ears—this week, so get your air pods in: Rocker Adam Baldwin is…
July events in Halifax and beyond for summer 2022
Grand Oasis x Canada Day Weekend Friday, July 1, there will be outdoor live performances at the Grand Oasis Festival from 7-10:30pm from Crown Land, Neon Dreams, DeeDee Austin, Drives the Common Man and Eastern Eagle. On July 2 there will be Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Salute To Ukraine and a performance from the…
Neptune Theatre announces two audition notices
Neptune Theatre’s upcoming season—the venerable stage’s 60th—is back-to-back bangers. Two plays in the stacked selection include Misery (based on a Stephen King novel of the same name) and the Will Ferrell fave Elf, reimagined for the stage as a musical. But before these shows arrive before audiences they need to flesh out a cast. If…
“There will be some people that die from COVID”
Monday morning at 8:30, the province sent an email to media organizations advising that Dr. Robert Strang would be holding a virtual press conference at 1pm “to answer questions about COVID-19.” My first thought was that Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health wanted to talk about the BA4 and BA5 virus variants that are…
Let it fly: Disc golf in Dartmouth Commons offers ‘a hike with a purpose’
On a sunny Tuesday evening, I made my way to the Dartmouth Commons to try a sport that’s recently been set up in the park: disc golf. The city’s parks and recreation is running a pilot project throughout the summer to gauge interest in the frisbee-flinging game, and it’s offering free workshops—maybe to get people…
Star soprano Sondra Radvanovsky announces Halifax concert November 5
No big deal, but Sondra Radvanovsky just might be the world’s greatest living soprano—at least, according to the likes of The Chicago Tribune, Opera News, London’s Royal Opera House, Teatro alla Scala, Opernhaus Zürich and The Metropolitan Opera. She’s performed at every major opera house in the world and, at this point, is probably sick…
Symphony Nova Scotia announces winner of its 2022 Maria Anna Mozart Award for Canadian women composers
In its first awarding since the pandemic, Symphony Nova Scotia’s Maria Anna Mozart Award for Canadian women composers returns, giving top nods to Toronto-based composer Alice Ping Yee Ho. Named for the historically overlooked piano prodigy (and yes, sister to Wolfgang), the Maria Anna Mozart Award was launched in 2016, aiming to highlight those of…
Eyelevel artist-run centre announces new co-director
As the guard continues changing at arts organizations across the city—and as many of the same cultural linchpins are fighting to keep footing during what many in the sector agree is a venue crisis a decade in the making—a press release from Eyelevel artist-run centre landed in my inbox today, squarely under the file of…
Breaking down the dismal statistics on sexual assault
The Coast recently reported on a presentation that Sunny Marriner gave to Halifax’s Board of Police Commissioners. Marriner is an expert on sexual violence and the justice system, and has become an advocate for something known as VACR—violence against women advocate case review. VACR is a way of analyzing how sexual assaults are treated in…
How to take a surfing getaway at Lawrencetown Beach
This article was independently produced by our editorial team with financial support from Develop Nova Scotia, connecting our city to the water. Visit Halifax waterfront this summer for food, art, shopping and adventure. Find a list of things to do and see here. If you’ve read the how to get out on the water part…
Lunenburg Doc Fest announces finalists in its inaugural live pitch contest
The Lunenburg Documentary Festival is an annual celebration of true stories told on film, highlighting local and international doc creators and their works. Earlier this year, the event announced it was time for it to do more for emerging doc directors from marginalized communities, so it launched a program aimed at pushing back against systemic…
NSCAD University welcomes new president
The president’s desk at NSCAD University must, at this point, be a smooth, worn-down patina, based sheerly off the number of times it’s been swiped, skidded across, packed up and unloaded over the past couple of years: Back in 2019, Aoife Mac Namara took the helm of the first degree-granting art school in the country.…