Panacea Body Wellness Centre opens at Park Lane
The Panacea Body Wellness Centre (366 Lacewood Drive, 404-8448) has just opened a second Halifax location. The new one is just inside the Dresden Row entrance of Park Lane Mall (civic address 1554 Dresden Row) sharing space with Arthritis and Injury Care Centre (offering custom and off-the-shelf bracing and custom orthotics) and Citadel Physiotherapy (which…
Nick Brunt’s Tiny Places in the Middle of the Ocean
Argyle Fine Art is housing artist Nick Brunt’s first solo show, Tiny Places in the Middle of the Ocean until August 4, and—much like other art shows—you can take some home with you. But—unlike other art shows—you can hang this piece of art on your sweater. Brunt is painting tiny buttons as a series for…
UARB slashes Halifax council size
Not unexpectedly, the Utility and Review Board has ruled that Halifax council will, after the October 2012 elections, consist of 16 councillors and the mayor. Presently, there are 23 councillors. You can read the full UARB ruling here. I’ve been opposed to the idea of a smaller council for years. You can read my views…
Some say Gottingen Street t-shirt is inappropriate
Gottingen Street is sometimes referred to as “Gotta-get-a-gun Street, and now that sentiment is available on a t-shirt (men’s sizes S to 2XL) thanks to the Dartmouth Clothing Company. According to the company, the word “Gottingen” in the shape of a gun is intended as a statement about the higher level of gun violence in…
Why Am I a Bitch?
Often I’m treated like a bitch. When I complain it comes out like diarrhea, when others complain I try to pick up their diarrhea… like a bitch. Either I’m the fly, or the shit. Always unwanted drama. At work a couple of weeks ago, a guy got layed off for being too sensitive (in a…
Drug Dealing Equals Pedophilia
Saw an article today that an Annapolis Valley man got four years for dealing pot. That is the same time a man served for molesting kids, and it wasn’t the first time he did it. Thanks, Feds, for telling me what our kids are worth. Sickening. —Why So Little?
Fireworks
About a week and a half ago I moved to a new neighborhood. Not a very nice one but still I didn’t expect to hear fireworks going off almost every single night. I like fireworks and wouldn’t care but these don’t even light up they just whistle and bang. Then there was the creep in…
Change for the Bus?
Halifax is an incredibly walkable city. This is a fact. However, sudden rain (which happens more frequently than I would like) can turn an otherwise delightful and joyous experience into something quite the opposite. Especially if you happen to be carrying articles that really shouldn’t be exposed to water. Anyway, so what’s the problem? There…
Clients
Dear clients, before you decide to spoil yourself with a spa service it would be well appreciated if you did your homework. You may even be surprised to find out that your AESTHETICIAN (yup thats what we’re called… and we prefer it over ‘you people’) has gone to school, $10,000 worth of it! We ARE…
When Tools Can’t Fix Things
To HRM City Maintenance workers who’re dickin’ around with the water pipes. My water is brown and gritty, and my toilet sounds like an old man’s stutter. Do you know what you’re doing? OH, and thanks for forgetting to notify everyone in the neighbourhood you were doing maintenance (I’m quite sure it’s the law). —Facepalm
Evolve 2011: Day 2
Day 2 Ah, the hazy Saturday mornings at Evolve. After drifting into slumber at 5am, when the bass was finally turned off, I was awoken at 7am by a group of drunken campers to my right. “SOMEONE GET ME SOME FOOD,” one of them said. “WHY AM I STILL HIGH?” I stepped out to see…
No means NO!
This is to the guy on Spring Garden Road who can’t take no for an answer: Leave me alone! Once too often you cornered me with your hand out asking for change. Dude, I clean for a living, I don’t make enough to spare. But, you insisted on following me, “Sir please sir, oh sir.”…
We Have Our Own To Look After
CRUSTY PUNKS: Throngs of you, you pour into our pretty little city every summer to take advantage of the many pleasures this wonderful place has to offer. You stink up our streets, sleep in and litter up our parks, drink cheap bum ripple and piss in our bushes. Do you really think you’re blending in…
Thyme Lover
Thank you to the public gardens for having a vast amount of thyme growing. I feel as a citizen it belongs to all of us and when in need of only a few sprigs where else is better? So thank you for making my sweet potato gnocchi with red wine and browned butter that much…
Oh, Cold Heart
To the lady walking down Windsor with the box of beer. Sorry I was too cold to smile. P.S. Your piercings be super cute. —Freeze Face
Roommate to Be
To my upcoming roommate, thanks for taking me in! This’ll be my first time living away from home, and so far you’ve made the experience of finding an apartment much easier, when it could have been very overwhelming. Thanks as well for wanting to move in with someone who’s a teensy bit crazy! I promise…
Jerusalem Cafe offers Middle Eastern food to the north end
We announced the opening of Chef Abod Cafe this week, and now we can announce another location for north end Middle Eastern food to consider: Jerusalem Cafe (6015 Lady Hammond Road, 474-1222) can be found at the corner of Lady Hammond and Robie, a family-owned restaurant whose owners are passionate about homemade, authentic and delicious…
Sunshine Delivery Trio: Picnic Edition
Halifax and summer go together like picnics and Sunshine Delivery. One Wednesday a month Jessica Ross and Ben Gallagher ride their bikes around town delivering homemade grub. Last week was their official summer picnic edition, featuring a three salad medley—purple cabbage coleslaw with creamy vinaigrette, classic potato salad, green onions, pickles and all, and zippy…
Worker’s Paradise
I’ve been informed today that the job I’ve been staffing for six fucking months, packed with rave reviews, shining reports, and an inbox full of thank-you-soooo-much letters “has been filled by a more qualified applicant”. Yeah, I know the applicant, the general opinion of anyone who’s had the misfortune of working with her would describe…
The World is Your Garbage Can
Every day that I come home there is a new smattering of litter in my already painfully ugly front yard. It would be nice if the city could provide us with more public garbage cans but something tells me even that wouldn’t stop you idiots from flinging your fast food wrappers, condom packages, empty containers,…
Evolve 2011: Day one
Another Evolve has come and gone. As usual, it went by way too fast, and as usual I’m grungy and chunks of dirt and food are still falling out of my hair (after two showers!) But my head still feels like a mellow, happy swamp. This year is probably the busiest and craziest Evolve I’ve…
Eternal Youth?
What the pluck? Nah. Cheap face-lift and hair dye. Time will out-run you everytime but keep running cuz your vanity is very amusing. —Tempus Fugit
Herring Cove Douchebag
This is for the asshole who ran over a helpless raccoon on Monday night: You could have stopped. We stopped in time, but you chose to keep on going. You are horrible, a monster, and karma will get you, you useless bag of shit. —Horrified
Two of Our Finest, Not So Fine
Oh sure, we can’t pee in public but you can!? Today my man and I were sitting on our sail boat in the Halifax harbour enjoying our view, until our view wasn’t so nice. Two of Halifax’s police officers pull up behind the trains in Alderny by the water and take turns getting out to…
Garden Thieves
To the person(s) who decided to go into my back yard and steal 2 planters in the last day or so, thanks a lot… I was a week away from my lilies blooming, something I was really looking forward to. I also cannot afford to replace the planters which do not come cheap. I know…
Smoking Stinks and Causes Cancer
If you don’t care about smoking while you’re pregnant and around your own kids – great stay home and smoke your lungs out. But please stay away from playgrounds. Kids are there trying to play and you are stinking the place up with your cancer causing fumes. You have all the right in the world…
The Lovely Sounds of Summer
So, I anxiously await summer. That time when bees buzz, birds chirp, gentle breezes blow and I can sit on my deck and enjoy the lovely summer sounds while I read in relative peace. Then came the new expansion joints on the McKay Bridge. Now, with each car that passes over the bridge, you hear…
Billy Only Smokes Jacksons Anyway
Everyday I walk outside my apartment, no matter where I go in the city, I always come across parents dragging their kids along somewhere or pushing strollers… With a huge fucking cigarette in their mouth! What the fuck are you thinking? I can’t count the number of times I’ve told these jack asses to butt…
Lover of the White Party
To the AMAZING bar on Gottingen Street who had a “White Party” to celebrate Pride, thank you so much. The bar was packed, the people were fantastic, the music was great (Hell Yea SonnyD) and the staff looked fabulous and their service was impeccable. Oh, and the female washrooms may have been the cleanest in…
Who Does this City Think it Is?
Why the fuck are apartments so expensive in this city? It really makes no sense that this city is on par with Montreal (sometimes more expensive), Toronto, and Vancouver. The services, infrastructure, economy, and job market here do not warrant such a high cost of living IN A SHIT HOLE. Compared to two years ago,…
Get Ready for Sappy
I got back from Evolve yesterday and I’m still picking out gnarly clumps of festival from my hair and playing catchup on everything I missed. Festival updates coming around lunch! Hold onto your butts! In the meantime, for those of you going to Sappyfest this weekend, you can see two local bands on the bill…
Always Been My Star
E-Star, it’s always been a pleasure knowing you, and every time I spend time with you I’m reminded of how happy you make me, without even trying. I’m so lucky to know you, you’re such an impossibly bright light in my life. Keep smiling and treasure the moments that let you escape all of the…
Car insurer seeks thousands in court costs against NS pewter artist
Economical Mutual files goes after May Ocean for thousands in court costs.
Video of fire in the north end
As of 3pm, we understand this was still going on, a fire at 5730 Young Street, the building housing Futon Store and Pineworks. Fire engines are on site, fighting the blaze. Here’s a video someone posted on YouTube: Related Stories
The Futon Store at Young and Agricola is on fire
Details when we know more. Related Stories
The Middle Spoon now open
The Feed has just learned that The Middle Spoon (1559 Barrington Street, 407-4002) has opened its doors, joining Argyle Fine Art in the former Carsand Mosher space. The Middle Spoon is reportedly a place where you can have a cocktail or an ice-cream, somewhere that’s good dating destination or if you’d just like to lounge…
Can’t Go Anywhere Without ID
Servers and bartenders in Halifax, please take a second and think before you ask for ID. Responsibility of serving alcohol is important, and if you think somebody could be a teenager, it’s your job to ask. But twentysomethings are pretty easy to spot, and this “ID under 30” business is insulting to the people who…
What the Fuck, Halifax?!
A few weeks ago, when I had to confront a dude in a rough part of the city over his yelling and grabbing at a female who was yelling and screaming back at him; I watched as many ‘dudes’ walk by with their heads down and eyes on the ground, desperately trying to ignore the…
Ladytimes with Wit’s End
Making theatre is a lot like menstruation. Let us explain what we mean: Last week we spent a night at Freeman’s drinking and exchanging childhood stories, then stories about children we have known, and then just simply stories about children falling over. Yes, that is our regular Tuesday night; yes, our drinking is how every…
Asshole Walking Down Spring Garden
What the fuck is your goddamn problem, douchebag? Did the pigeons insult your mother or something? Why the fuck were you chasing them around and trying to kick them when they did nothing to you? Are you a fucking three year old? Running around with that smug shit eating grin, like it takes a big…
Shitty Employers
You can take your over-priced crap and shove it up your ass. You made me quit my job to work for you, and then you turn around and fire me for NO FUCKING REASON! Even after asking for the reason, you refuse to give one. It’s no secret that you’re not busy this summer and…
Road Kill
Today was enough. Driving to and from the airport I see a lot of road kill such as racoons. Today I saw a deer with its head decapitated, a dog, possibly a german shepherd with its insides opened up and a full grown cat dead on the side of the road. My bitch is to…
Girl with the Stars in her Eyes
To that lovely barista, I think you’re stunning, and you brightened up my day. —Starstruck
Do You Want Cheese on Your Burger?
To the owner of a certain burger restaurant: What happened to the cheese slice on my burger? My teen’s burger comes with cheese, but my grandpa, mama and myself (the papa) don’t get cheese unless we pay extra. When did the adults of this world become lactose intolerant? And, when did the lactose intolerant adults…
Fat Apollo
You were carrying the “Win a date with me” sign in Pride this year, while wearing that awesome cape and shirt! Did anyone win, because I’d sure take you up on it! —Battlestar is Awesome
A Good Friend
I have a friend who is one of a kind. My pet guinea pig broke her paw and I had to put her down. I called my friend and we went to the vet hospital to get my pet the medication for her infection. After that is when my pet hurt her paw. I went…
Chebucto Village People
I want to say thank you to all the people over in the Chebucto Village area, you guys just accept people as they are and thats really refreshing, you don’t claim to be anything and you get things done by working collectively. I love your back yard gardens, keep it up. You’ll change the way…
Political Faux Pas
Just attended the pride parade and KUDOS to the crowds, floats and organizers. Every political leader was there, nationally, provincially and locally EXCEPT our premier! SHAME! Makes me want to change my vote. Mr. Premier is clearly out of touch or has bad advisers. NOT IMPRESSED! —D
Rich
Rich Aucoin, you never fail to make me dance like a maniac! Thanks for another great party on Friday, friend! —MSTRNCGY
Thank You Squidmeyer
Dear Squiddy, it is so very wonderful to have such a loyal, intelligent friend that allows me to be myself, validates me, and understands me. You are industrious, loyal, sweet, funny, a damned good cook and incredibly self-aware. Thank you for all your bumps in life that have moulded the fantastic person you have become.…
Timing
I baked cheesecakes (they didn’t help), I went for an hour long run through my favourite parts of Halifax (endorphins, my ass), and I even sat in the shower (felt like I was drowning) all to try and distract myself from the fact that I’ve lost you. The only other thing I can think of…
Chef Abod Cafe now open
Chef Abod Cafe is a new restaurant at 3217 Kempt Road (455-3881) offering plenty of traditional Middle Eastern food and a few Canadian staples. You’ll find plenty of hummus, lamb, okra and falafel dishes to fill you up, as well as burgers and sandwiches. And there’s a fixed lunch menu, from 11am to 3pm for…
Summerlicious Onyx
Onyx (5680 Spring Garden Road, 428-5680) has something new to tempt downtown food patrons: a new Summerlicious Menu. It’s a three-course meal for under $25, including watermelon salad, Digby scallops, beef tenderloin, lobster wellington, brick cornish game hen, peach shortcake and ice-cream roulade, and you can add wine pairings for $20 more. Onyx is on…
Marble Slab Creamery opens
An American-based ice cream parlour with stands all over the world, this is the first Maritime franchise of Marble Slab Creamery (278 Lacewood Drive, 433-7522) offering 48 flavours of premium, all-natural ice cream with 30 available “mixins” including candies, fruits, nuts and a variety of toppings and flavours. Now open at the Clayton Park Shopping…
Bridge Bitch
To the worker at the toll booth at the MacKay Bridge who wouldn’t let me across yesterday because I didn’t have a dollar on me. You’re a complete moron. OK so I didn’t have the money so you wouldn’t let me through. Fair enough. That’s not the reason for this bitch. I offered to give…
Munchies
You come and visit and tell me not to leave the kids’ cookies sitting out where you can see them because you have an ‘eating disorder’ that causes you to have no control around food. With the amount of weed you smoke, it is not called an ‘eating disorder’. It is called ‘the munchies’. The…
What a Douche Move
To: A police officer. Place: Corner of 102 highway and Joseph Howe Dr. If you think nobody saw you, you were wrong. You put on your lights, got everyone to move out of your way, did a uturn from the exit ramp to the on ramp, ran up over the curb while making your turn…
Red Mustang in Dartmouth
In my rearview I saw you approaching in your feeble attempt to show your “male bravado” to both the wench seated beside you and other poor drivers by revving your engine and going way too fast. Wow you are cool you 80’s throwback mullet wearing idiot. But the worst was when you pulled up beside…
Shitty Moms
You know what really pisses me off? Women who break up with their baby daddies, find a new man and forget about their kids in the process. They do every thing they can to keep their man, yet treat their kids like shit. I have way too many friends whose mothers did this to them…
Dear Belcher
To the cashier at the Queen St grocery store: Don’t ever fucking belch in my face again you disgusting pig. I felt the warm air from that belch on face. It was absolutely disgusting and then just when I thought you were going to apologize for your rudeness, you let out another belch. You are…
ACOA money went to support Snoop Dogg concert
Last year, just as provincial crown corporation Trade Centre Limited was losing $159,550 loaned to a concert promoter in Halifax, the federal crown corporation Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation was propping up a promoter in Sydney with a $145,000 loan and a $36,000 grant. ECBC, which falls under the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, gave the money…
Grocery Store Etiquette
Why is it, at bag-less grocery stores, I am always stuck behind the inconsiderate moron who waits until their entire cart of groceries has been scanned before they start bagging?? Now the poor clerk has no room to place my items after scanning and I have no room to bag them myself. Stop acting surprised…
Props to the Cops
Read in the paper today that two clowns got nabbed for vandalizing a pile of businesses on Quinpool, an 18 and a 19 year old. Their ‘art’ basically amounted to them ‘throwing up’ their tags all over the place. I forget how much damage they did but apparently it was in about 30 places or…
Mr. Red Beard
You made my day at the grocery and liquor store yesterday. Maybe I’ll meet you at the bread rack again someday. —Black Mercedes Jacket
Preston
I lost a good buddy tonight. He passed away out of the blue. I was in the house and I did not know. A little black and white cat called Preston. I called him Buckaroo and my wife called him Little Man. He was a bright spot in our lives and he will not be…
More street eats
Street vendors are a happy and tasty addition to our eating-out choices in Halifax, and we’ve recently had some new additions to that scene. Witness Josh & Jedd’s Fish & Chips regularly on Argyle Street by Parade Square. “Although much of our fare is relatively similar to that offered by the competition, we decided to…
It’s Pride Week in Halifax
This week I was a lesbian robot for 5 minutes in a tinfoil covered cardboard box I played sex on stage, more funny than hot though back behind the curtain we admitted it was akin to getting off the euphoria of the moment was not lost And then I was an ice cream scoop dressed…
Hat Did Not Go Unnoticed
Last Tuesday (July 12th) my ex took the kids to see the new Transformers movie in Sackville. With time to kill before the show, my boys decided to run into a sporting goods store. While there the younger of the two (11 yrs) decided he wanted to purchase a ballcap. However, when the cashier rang…
Hit and Run
Yesterday I was crossing Oxford St. via Chebucto, I was at a crosswalk and made sure that little walking man was giving me the go ahead to cross. I don’t know what you were busy doing, but it sure wasn’t looking for pedestrians. As you continued to move towards me, I put my hand on…
RapSakBakPak
WikWak give me some slack – you’re like a rapsakbakpak. Love your rappin free style. —Home Slice
Trailer Park Boys news
Here’s the first poster for Afghan Luke, whose working title was Afghan Luke and the Burgundy of Hash, the new dramedy from Mike Clattenburg, creator of Trailer Park Boys, now staking his claim as a feature filmmaker beyond Sunnyvale. We’re keeping our fingers crossed the movie will appear at September’s Atlantic Film Festival. The three…
Selling the Lord is Solicitation
To the people that come to my home acting as though they have the right to convince me I need “God” in my life, you can all go suck an egg! I have a sign on the door that says No Soliciting, and that means no selling “God” too. Most recently some man came to…
NS destination-style wedding?
Has anyone had any great experiences planning a “destination” wedding in Nova Scotia? Know of any picturesque locations in our fair province that have included a wonderful venue and helped with the planning? Let us know! —Stephanie Johns
Parking Lot Piss Off
Ok, so my biggest piss off has got to be people in store parking lots that feel it is absolutely fucking necessary to walk right down the middle of the driving lanes to get to their parked cars. Jesus, could you walk any slower? Push your overfilled cart any slower? No, I don’t friggin think…
Here’s What I’m Doing At Evolve
I’m leaving for Evolve right after work tonight at 5pm to camp with my pals. This is my fifth Evolve – and is it just me, or does it seem like people are exceptionally excited to go this year? Maybe it has to do with the lineup, which is pretty good this year, or perhaps…
Watt Street Fuckers
To the oblivious idiots on Watt Street who yell, scream and play loud music at 4 in the morning nearly every night of the week. Get your head out of your own asses and realize that you live in a community and not in this isolated world of ‘just you’. There are people who need…
Pissoir
You: red t shirt, sandals, plaid shorts, two cans left in an eight can beer thingie. Me: taking my dog for a pee before bed at 11pm, S Park St. You got caught pissing in the driveway of my building. “I feel really bad” you said. “Go piss on the Y!” I said, laughing. Then,…
RSVP Already!
Crikey guys! How hard is it to respond to an invitation? I invite you to a house warming party and all I want to know is how many people are coming. Simple. Why? So I can feed you! Make sure I have enough stuff for all of you. I am not your back-up plan in…
Hotel Etiquette for Dummies
Myself and some of my friends work in hotels both here in Halifax and in various provinces across Canada. It seems when people go on vacation they leave their brains, and therefore common sense, at home. We figured we’d pass along some helpful hints to you. We understand you’ve often been stuck in the car…
The Palace launches VIP section
The New Palace Cabaret (1721 Brunswick Street, 420-0015) has been making a few changes, rebooting their VIP room to offer a place “designed much like the hottest clubs in Montreal and Las Vegas,” according to Palace events/promotions coordinator Dennie Watson. “It is a premium room with beautiful new leather furniture throughout.” A bottle service is…
Temporarily Gay
Similar to businesses who use the pink ribbon to promote themselves and their products, I see that a certain downtown bar has raised a temporary Pride flag! You people disgust me! —Mad Old Queen From Way Back
Library Girl
You work at the check out desk at a library in Dartmouth. I stop in every Tuesday night on my way home from work just to see you smile. You have perfect red hair and freckles. I think you are so cute. I am way too nervous to talk to you, but I hope you…
Bayers Road expansion plans target apartment buildings
City and provincial bureaucrats are moving full speed ahead with a proposed expansion of the Bayers Road/ Highway 102 corridor, and are asking city council to approve land acquisitions along Bayers Road to prepare for it. A council committee is scheduled to take up the matter in September. If built, the expanded roadway will be…
Postcard art ridicules Dartmouth
Correction below. Iain Soder swears it was just a joke, that the postcards he designed for a NSCAD course—postcards that set an “I (Heart) Dartmouth” symbol against images of blasted-out craters and smoke-spewing oil refineries—were inspired by the good-natured barbs he and a Dartmouth-based friend have traded over the years. But Soder’s postcards sparked some…
Free Will Astrology
Happy Birthday! LEO (July23-Aug. 22) As I ponder your immediate future, I’m reminded of a scene from The Simpsons. Here’s the situation: While visiting the home of a colleague, the superintendent of schools is surprised to witness an anomalous outbreak of spectacular light. “Aurora Borealis?” he exclaims. “At this time of year? At this time…
Halifax a Pride destination for rural Maritimers
Halifax Pride is the biggest queer celebration east of Montreal, rousing folks out of the woodwork to celebrate. Tina Scanlan and Ramona Westgate have been making the trek from Pictou County for several years. “It’s the only time of year that I don’t feel like a minority,” says Westgate. “I believe in and support rural…
Day of the Triffids
Another crack at John Wyndham’s 1951 novel, this two-part BBC-TV production modernizes the cold-war sci-fi tale, where the predatory, ambulatory plants are the source of renewable green energy. But a solar storm across the planet blinds all who watches it, leaving people vulnerable to the aloe-like creepers. Fans of camp and big-budget disaster movies will…
CS2S: an autopsy
News last month that Debert plastics company Composite Sea to Sky had filed for bankruptcy, owing the province $1.9 million and the federal Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency $900,000, was met with a collective yawn: What’s a few more million tax dollars dumped down a few more “economic development” drains? Still, the details of this particular…
Comedy of Errors gets physical
To all you people who associate Shakespeare with tiresome readings in Grade 10 English class, I say, “Get thee to The Comedy of Errors”. Shakespeare can be fun and funny, as the deliciously preposterous plot of this play demonstrates. Imagine that identical twin brothers (the surprisingly similar Tom Gordon Smith and Steven Heisler) who are…
Predictable Friends With Benefits
Just when you thought Hollywood was going to break some rules and get all polyamorous, it cranks out another predictable, if R-rated, romcom. Two hotties—an “emotionally damaged” recruiter, Jamie (Mila Kunis), and “emotionally unavailable” GQ recruit, Dylan (Justin Timberlake)—become best buds who just want a li’l hanky-panky on the side, sans relationship. Complications ensue (kinda)…
Southern Shores
On this debut EP from Halifax’s Southern Shores, each track bubbles its way into existence, as if appearing out of a tropical haze on the horizon, and then wanders off before growing stale. Despite being less than a year old, the duo shows a great sophistication in production and pace: cleverly placed film dialogues give…
Parks and crafts
The Nova Scotia Designer Craft Council is spending the weekend in the park. Their annual summer craft market is moving a couple of blocks up the street, but still showcasing the best in craft, for free, all weekend long. “The canopy of trees bordered by Spring Garden Road, South Park and Martello Streets is an…
Captain America: The First Avenger worthy of the stars
It’s no small feat to make a movie about a patriotic weakling transformed into a chiselled slab of prime soldier meat—outfitted in a stars-and-stripes uniform, no less—without succumbing to jingoistic excess. Yet the makers of Captain America somehow do just that, softening the corny edges of the comic book story with several well-placed winks at…
Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi
Danger Mouse likes The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly a lot. So much so that for his new studio album he decided to join with Italian composer Daniele Luppi, guitar vagabond Jack White and Norah Jones, and make a soundtrack for a movie that doesn’t exist. The result is Rome, an album that sounds…
Lund addresses being outed
How seriously does official Halifax take Pride Week? Consider this: Right in the middle of last year’s Pride celebration, the Chronicle-Herald published an article outing councillor Peter Lund. The political classes were at the time caught up in a mini-scandal involving a secret memo sent to councillors by mayor Peter Kelly; the memo called out…
LOW
The last two Low albums, The Great Destroyer and Drums and Guns, were angry, angular testaments that seemed to signal the band was moving beyond the quiet-but-intense-melodies which defined its first albums. But apparently not. Maybe that is because The Retribution Gospel Choir has provided Alan Sparhawk an outlet in which to unleash his fury.…
The Felice Brothers
Ripping at the constraints of the “roots-rock” niche, The Felice Brothers deliver a multi-flavoured, sometimes bewildering set of songs. Opener “Fire at the Pageant,” with its cries of “Calm down!” and “Call 911!” while an undead patriarch meanders back into town, sets the table for absurdity. More frenzy ensues on “Honda Civic” around accordion, brass…
The Plane Story
While on a plane ride, Kevin’s father tells him about his experiences working in the advertising industry in the 1950s. During the course of his story he reveals that the woman Kevin thinks of as his mother is actually his stepmother. The rest of the graphic memoir follows Kevin as he sets out to find…
Jonesing for Jamieson
I’ve been to Jamieson’s Irish-House & Grill a handful of times. I like the restaurant, and it’s one of the categories in The Coast’s annual Best of Food poll that I always feel like readers get right when they crown it the best of Cole Harbour. Walking in with my friend Stephen, I expect a…
The Dears: Lost in the Plot
In the first installment of biographical narratives on Canadian bands by Invisible, Lorraine Carpenter discusses Montreal’s The Dears, 10 years after the band’s inception. Drawing on interviews with members of the group, as well as articles she wrote on them throughout the aughts, Carpenter explores the relevance of their symphonic indie-rock and how it paved…
Violent attacks against Halifax’s LGBT community continue
Last month’s attack suffered by Chris Cochrane, a transgendered woman who performs as Elle Noir, has people wondering about the safety of members in the Halifax LGBTQ community. Cochrane was shot in the arm by a man who claimed to be a police officer. Several shots were fired through her apartment door while her roommate…
Stranded (Djinns)
Set in Algeria during the 1960s, Stranded involves a group of French paratroopers dropped in the desert to investigate a plane crash and recover missing cargo. When Algerian rebels crash their party trying to obtain the same piece of equipment, sand demons known as djinns begin torturing the soldiers, inducing insanity in the crew. An interesting…
Paint the town rainbow
Thanks to this colourful selection of cocktails and shooters, this week you can drink proud too. Tall Ship Silva Queens Wharf, Halifax Waterfront, 429-9463 Hop on the Silva’s ever-popular pride cruise and try a Rock Lobster. Whiskey, raspberry Sour Puss and cranberry juice make for a sweet and sour treat. The Company House 2202 Gottingen…
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars
What happens when you take one of the best first-person shooter franchises and make it into a tactical RPG? Good things, apparently. You command a team of ghosts, super hi-tech soldiers who are in Kazakhstan attempting to foil a plot by an ultranationalist Russian political party. Did I mention this is under the Tom Clancy…
Bill Murray’s other movies
Bill Murray has always seemed a comedic actor ahead of his time. His ironic, knowing detachment and effortless cool made Caddyshack, Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day blockbuster successes. The movies are all screening as part of alFresco filmFesto’s series of his most-beloved work, beginning Friday with Meatballs. What’s so impressive about his career is he’s never…
Monogamish is OK for some
Q You probably get this question every day. I’m a man who loves it when my girlfriend fucks me with a strap-on. Another great thing: My girlfriend ejaculates frequently and plentifully when we have sex, and she has done so when she’s pegging me. Which leads to my question: What are the possible issues from…
Serena Ryder and The Beauties
After two weeks of emails back and forth, waiting on a response, the interview was officially kiboshed Tuesday by her publicist. Here’s what they had to say: “Sorry, but we cannot make this interview happen. Apologies, but her schedule is jammed and she is not doing much media as a result.” According to Twitter, lately…
Children of Bodom promise the classics
After touring across the globe as the bassist for Finnish power-metal heroes Children of Bodom, it’s surprising that travelling to the east coast of Canada still gets Henkka Seppälä stoked, even though he’s been touring North America for nearly a month now. “Last time we played in Halifax with Black Label was the first time…
False Face brings snacks and tracks from Kingston
Drawing inspiration from noise, post-punk and melodic indie rock traditions—not to mention unusual snacks—Kingston, ON trio False Face is set to rearrange the structure of your auditory cortex while simultaneously making you bob your head and crave a handful of wasabi peas. This week marks the group’s first trip east, but their friendly mugs will…
A parade everybody loves
Everyone loves a parade, but Halifax’s Pride co-chair Ed Savage caused some consternation over Halifax’s Pride parade when earlier this month he declared it non-threatening to conservative social mores. “That’s what we strive for, to make it less promiscuous than other prides across the country,” Savage told Metro reporter Alex Boutilier. “Our way of life…
TORI.XO launches new collections
Australian-born silver jewellery designer Tori Poynton now calls Halifax home, working out of a studio at Pier 21. Her silver earrings, bangles, cuffs, rings and necklaces are all handmade. New collections, entitled Cascade, Filete and Picaporte, are now available at Boutique Joliette (1870 Hollis Street, 405-4057) and Lady Luck Boutique (5519 Young Street, 444-3050). Poynton’s…
Dreamy Lake Names
Listening to Lakes Names’ breezy EP ECHO can create phantom wind through your hair and salt water on your lips. Aside from reflecting Marcus Fiddes’ and Adam Hartling’s desire to be in a Beach Fossils, Holiday Shores-esque summery surf band, the debut record is also evidence of the product reflecting the process. “We recorded our…
Some people really love a parade
A swagger-filled Mz. Vicki Star-DeNight sits, casually shirtless, at his kitchen table taking puffs on a cigarette balanced between fingers with magenta-painted nails. He’s attended Halifax Pride for 21 years, witnessing the parade’s evolution from radical marches to the gilded affair it is today. “Once upon a time, before we had our rights, a…
White Irish Drinkers
Brooklyn, 1975: two brothers, Brian (Nick Thurston) and Danny (Geoffrey Wigdor), live under the threat of violence from their alcoholic father (Stephen Lang), while helpless mother (Karen Allen) looks on. Danny is looking to crime as his way out of his crappy life while Brian’s a secret artist with aspirations to higher education. Brian also…
Seamus Erskine flies solo
Considering Seamus Erskine has been recording music in his parents’ basement for the last 10 years, you could say that his first solo record was a long time coming. And Erskine (also of The Sweet Deals) took the solo part quite literally, taking the reigns and playing nearly every instrument you hear on Hefeweizen Highway,…
BINGO! players
For Daniel MacIvor, writing his new play BINGO! began as something of a lark, a respite from a darker work he had just finished. He describes himself as emerging from an intense writing experience working on a romantic tragedy called Arigato, Tokyo at the Banff Centre for the Arts. “I was sitting around with a…
Heart Live
These days it seems like Heart are finally getting the credit they deserve. Ann Wilson still has a spectacular voice—sister Nancy’s no slouch, either—both notable as some of the only female larynxes regularly heard on classic rock radio. And though they’re happy to play the hits, they’ve got new music, most recently from their 2010…
Bayers Road and bust
Councillor Jennifer Watts (Connaught-Quinpool) says the planning efforts to widen Bayers Road go back to 1994. “Things have changed since then, so does [widening roads] reflect the reality today?” she asks. “Construction costing is based on oil-based products and the numbers are unbelievable—$292 million for the construction costs alone, from the actual Stanec study, for…
Pool boy economy
Reading Richard Starr’s new book, Power Failure, which is about Nova Scotia’s long history of botching energy policy, I was struck by a 1926 quote from future Liberal senator Eugene Forsey. Echoing the local business and political mucky-mucks of the day, who were selling the coal industry as the Next Big Thing, Forsey celebrated Nova…
