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The Coast | News, events, restaurants, concerts and Burger Week for Halifax, Nova Scotia
Home of the Best of Halifax Reader's Choice Awards, the award-winning independent newspaper covers the Halifax news, politics, events, concerts, movies, restaurants, and nightlife scene.
I like listening to whale sounds to fall asleep to. I like the tracks where they are arguing about who likes plankton the most, the best. It always amazes me how articulate they can be. —human 79,553,753,126*
As the title suggests. The sea is unpredictable, and if you’re not careful, terrible things can happen. Don’t be an idiot. Be fucking careful. There are already tons of warning signs posted everywhere. More safety measures aren’t needed. Respect the sea. —ocean lover
I’ve got a black and white television I’ve got an indigo gas oven I’ve got holes in my head Holes in my head I’ve got filthy rotten wall to wall I’ve got a couch made out of corduroy My cat’s dyin’, words flyin’ Leakin’ from the shower stall and that’s not all I can’t believe…
It’s obvious the trouble we’re in When your father pulls up in a Mercedes Benz He says he just happened to be in the neighborhood But before he leaves he slips the landlord the rent You say, “It’s just a question of eliminating obstacles” As you throw your dinner out the kitchen door You say,…
When you open its unassuming brown wrapper, it looks like a cow patty, filled with oats, nuts, rice, a long list of vitamins and minerals… you take a bite expecting that health food taste, but OMG the teeth sink into ooey gooey goodness, the consistency of cookie doe chewy dates, crisp rice and nuts, sweet…
I would like to remind drivers that crosswalks do not have to be marked to be a crosswalk. Most intersections are crosswalks, whether or not there are lines. To those who refuse to stop on the Herring Cove Road between Dentith and Drysdale, let me remind you that construction has closed the bus stop and…
[IMAGE-1] LOWER WATER STREET is 2 lanes. Should I repeat myself? Apparently not on commuter received the memo 2 years ago when the made the street one way. Everyday in traffic there is a long SINGLE line of cars waiting to leave the downtown on lower water. I have tried to move into the left…
A hearty “Pox upon your house, Dirtbag!” to whoever illegally dumped several heavy kraft paper bags of dirt on the curb in front of my house and a neighbour’s down the street sometime in the middle of the night. The city does not collect dirt as part of the compost program. And it’s going to…
I was recently given a tablet as a retirement present (I won’t give makers name). Recently while checking out the apps, I noticed several that were called “Pet Girl.” These apps basically involved undressing the girl down to her scanties. I am male. I, frankly, was shocked to find this on a prominent company’s product.…
[Image-1] As I drive into the city everyday, I see at least 15 dead animals on the side of the road each way. Yesterday I saw a mother duck leading her baby ducklings toward the highway because she needed to get to the lake across the road. Earlier this spring, I saw a struggling, injured…
This could technically be a bitch or a love, but my feeling is more so the latter. I work upstairs for a certain bank, and it’s becoming routine for me to go and get french fries on Thursday nights. Dunno why, but it’s a thing. Every time I come down there my order takes forever,…
I feel his hands, roughened by spark plugs and washer fluid yet sweetened by overflowing oil pans, slide over me. His arms and shoulders remind me of deep river valleys and other places where we could tumble after setting the parking brake. Love you my sexy mechanic! —Your Girlfriend
[Image-1] It’s a weird juxtaposition having to work at a grocery store where you serve people who are quite a bit wealthier than yourself, while you yourself have to go to the food bank to make sure you can feed yourself. It’s just odd being surrounded by food and yet not being able to buy…
To the cops blaring Justin Timberlake and doing “mic checks” through a shitty PA this morning outside my window: you should all be forced to turn in your badges, and your guns. —FTP
On Saturday night, I watched so many walk past a man in need on George Street. Nobody stopped and asked if he was okay or if he was even breathing. I actually heard one person say “ew” as I was walking up to him. I stayed with him by myself for 15 minutes waiting for…
To the gentleman who approached me at the bike rack outside Superstore to congratulate me on my biking—for signalling, waiting for traffic, following the rules of pretending to be a car and then “also being quite fast”—thank you! that was unexpected and totally wholesome. —Compliant cyclist
In advance of her much anticipated album, The Female King, check out the new video for Realeyez’ “Head Down Low”, shot by Keke Beatz, in which a low down dirty goofball lies to RealEyez but she gives no shits because she’s awesome. Related Stories
Music Nova Scotia’s annual general meeting was last night, where MNS members (597 eligible voters in total, with a 36% voter turnout this year, the highest turnout in MNS history) decided on the board members. In addition, the annual report, prepared by MNS executive director Scott Long was presented. There’s lots to read here, including…
1 Two cannons were removed from Province House yesterday to restore their sandstone platforms. One, near the statue of Joseph Howe, was placed in 1829 and used to protect the Hollis Street entrance. The other, which was in storage, previously acted as Halifax’s noon and evening gun from 1882 to 1905. Some lucky communications worker…
To the young lady who burst into the wrong room at the emergency department on Monday night – I’m sure it probably didn’t mean much to you at the time, but the squeeze to my shoulder and telling me that you hoped everything would be alright were two things that I desperately needed after 2…
[IMAGE-1] To the guy on the ferry on Saturday afternoon heading to Dartmouth – yeah you , you POS The one who was scaring the beejueezud out of his kid – grabbing him, shaking him and threatening to throw him over the rail – get help now! Your eyes were blazing and your neck cord…
Okay why do they keep talking about eliminating the Senate as the only alternative? Why can’t we have an elected Senate? Let the people have a say in this! —Bluesnozer
To the person who almost hit me while I was pulling out of a local business. You were far enough away but you were clearly going above the speed limit. I barely had enough time. The speed limit is 50 km/hour for a reason. Then you look at me like I’m an idiot. It is…
Huge thank-you to the driver of the #4 this afternoon who stopped his bus when he saw a loose, unfriendly-looking dog approaching me and my much-smaller dog. This dog has gotten loose before and she’s very persistent in pursuing my dog, and this time she seemed more unfriendly than usual. The bus driver offered to…
Olivier Assayas directs Juliette Binoche in the odd, beautifully shot drama Clouds of Sils Maria, which began confounding audiences on the film festival circuit last fall. Binoche stars as fading star Maria Enders, who is getting ready to appear in a restaging of the lesbian romance that gave her artistic credibility and made her famous,…
Announced this afternoon at the Carleton, the Polaris Music Prize long list is a varied one. Each artist on the list is now in an elite crew, fighting it out for this year’s increased cash prize of $50,000 for best album of the year. Selected by a jury from across Canada, the short list will…
She of the warm voice, Melissa Etheridge makes a stop in Halifax September 25 at the Schooner Showroom (8pm) as part of her This is M.E. Tour. Etheridge’s solo tour features stories about her “remarkable journey through life and the inspiration behind some of her most beloved songs.” And also, one would hope, “Come to…
1 Shell Canada has received the go-ahead to start exploratory oil drilling in the Shelburne Basin. Environment minister Leona Aglukkaq’s environmental assessment claims the nearly $1 billion energy project doesn’t pose a significant environmental threat. Milage on “significant” will vary. As John Davis points out in the Shelburne County Coast Guard, Stantec’s environmental assessment of…
When a person says wonderful things to you and follows what sounds like loving praise with a big, fat BUT (insert excuses here)…you need to understand that they’re not professing love for you, they’re just trying to be polite while making space. Take a fucking hint and go find yourself the respect you never had.…
I’m still awake. It’s 3 in the morning, and I’m afraid to sleep. I lay myself down and panic. After 4 years, she leaves, because she graduated. And I try to keep my head above water. Then the Winter came, and the world was covered in ice. I couldn’t leave my home. I thought school…
[Image-1] To the person who stole my water bottle off a park bench on the Mainland North Linear Parkway: I don’t care about the $5 water bottle you took. I cared about the gatorade in that bottle which I needed to keep myself hydrated during a grueling interval workout. Thanks to you, I had to…
I traveled back to Halifax last weekend with my 88 year old grandfather for my graduation and had 3 particular things happen to me for which thanks are owed. First, to the wonderful car rental employee who gave me a free upgrade to a sweet ride as a happy graduation present, then to the man…
To the handsome, tall man with the unreal head of hair at the Superstore on Barrington today, I want to apologize for blatantly checking you out in the fruit&veg section several times and not making a move. You gave me a second chance when you came up behind me in the check out line and…
Many, many short films—30 to be exact—make up the two and a half hours of pure smartphone film enjoyment to be had this Friday. Presented by The Coast and Eastlink, the inaugural Smart Phone Film Festival screening party and awards show goes down this Friday at 7pm at the Central Library’s Paul O’Regan Hall. The…
1 Six months after Gloria McCluskey brought up noisy train whistles, CBC gets around to interviewing Dartmouth residents about the noise that’s keeping them up at night. The whistles only started because of the extra people and traffic crossing the tracks from the nearby King’s Wharf development. It looks like more safety measures—including two $7,000…
All you had to do was follow the large overhead signs and place your vehicle in the one indicating the destination you wanted. But no, instead you chose to ignore this, and as a result almost t-boned me and my car this morning in the Armdale roundabout. Long story short, I hate that dumb fucks…
[Image-1] You , are a beautiful bright and bubbly red headed woman at my favourite coffee shop( lacewood and parkland) you always seem to work the drive through You never fail to make my day with your super happy attitude and beautiful smile ! Your boss should feel lucky to have you as an employee!…
[Image-1] I’m going to catch you dumping your dog shit, McDonald’s bags and half-eaten pizza in my trash can. And when I catch you, I am going to make you eat all the dog shit that’s been piling up and I’m going to make you drink all the shit contaminated rain water that’s sloshing around…
[Image-1] Quick, what are your favourite summer smells? Probably something tasty being grilled, or maybe saltwater and sand dried from an afternoon at the beach. But one unmistakably-summer aroma is the smell of freshly-cut grass. Halifax might be a bubbling urban metropolis, but we have the distinct benefit of sharing one giant front yard. Citadel…
1 This afternoon, former residents of the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children and premier Stephen McNeil will be releasing the terms for the restorative inquiry looking into 70 years of horrific psychological, physical and sexual abuse at the publicly-funded Dartmouth orphanage. The inquiry is part of the $34 million settlement for over 300 former…
100 In 1 Day came to Halifax for the second time, last Saturday, June 6. An international phenomenon that creates community activism—by encouraging people to put on big, small, fun, earnest, artistic, political and/or goofy events that other people can participate in—Halifax’s #100In1Day was a success despite the rain. We can’t say the same for…
Ah, summer in the city. The streets smell like hot garbage, your neighbour is mowing his lawn unclothed and there are hula-hoopers shimmying on every flat surface. Embrace the heat and let holes in the ozone layer and rock bands keep you sweating all weekend long.
[Image-1] Just because it’s on the Internet doesn’t mean it’s true. Unless we’re talking about Carla Allen’s shark photo, that is. Earlier this week, Halifax’s Peter Lively shared a photo of a massive shark which he claims was caught off the coast of Nova Scotia. It’s since been shared nearly 7,000 times. Some people are…
[Image-1] Public information is supposed to be public, and private information about the public shouldn’t be shared indiscriminately. Those are both axioms better in theory than practice. Nova Scotia has traditionally fared poorly where Freedom of Information is concerned, but some daylight is shining through. Today the FOIPOP review office released its first annual report…
An informal pile of scattered memories from Coast staff—best office treats, best parties, most embarrassing moments, triumphs, failures, tear-jerkers—all in one post. This week marks 22 years of the paper, and while we may not be doing any keg stands (or will we?) let’s all do a keg stroll down memory lane, shall we? 1.…
[Image-1] In 2012, the Halifax cat known worldwide as Tuxedo Stan ran for mayor, drawing awareness to the city’s feral cat problem. He quickly became a famous internet cat, and shortly after, city councillors signed the Tuxedo Stan pledge and promised to address Halifax’s feral cat crisis. Three years later, Stan is dead, and local…
[Image-1] Whether Seymour Hersh cares about his legendary status is neither here nor there. At age 78, the investigative reporter has a body of work most ambitious journalists would likely sell their souls to assemble. Hersh has produced material that’s been controversial, partly for mistakes he has admittedly made and for his use of unnamed…
Q A big congrats to Caitlyn Jenner on her big reveal and lovely Vanity Fair cover! But I am having a crisis of conscience. I support a person’s right to be whoever the heck they want to be. You want to wear women’s clothing and use makeup and style your hair? You look fabulous! You…
It’s a Netflix world, but OUTeast Queer Film Festival producer Andria Wilson suggests ditching the couch for a theatre seat once in awhile, “I was at [Toronto LGBT fest] Inside Out, watching Tab Hunter Confidential,” she says. “I was alone, sitting next to strangers, and on one side of me was this older couple, two…
Eastern Front Theatre’s 22nd annual Stages Theatre Festival kicks off June 17 under artistic director and festival curator Charlie Rhindress. Stages strives to present myriad “exceptional Atlantic Canadian Theatre” from beloved veterans and up-and-coming artists alike at venues across Halifax and Dartmouth. The festival name, beyond alluding to the theatre, emphasizes how the range of…
So you want to smash some plates and yell “Opa!” eh? Well you’re in luck. Greek Fest is back for its 30th year and is looking better than ever. But there’s so much more than drunken cheers and the breaking of crockery. Here are some by-the-numbers deets on what it takes to make this Halifamous…
While we’ve wasted years waiting for the Scorsese-DiCaprio love affair to produce something worthwhile, here are Melissa McCarthy and Paul Feig with their third hit in a row, not-so-curiously devoid of the thinkpieces and circle jerks. McCarthy’s short appearance in Feig’s wonderful 2011 jam Bridesmaids cracked her star wide open—though, as millions of people are…
Twenty-seven new bands to sink your teeth into this summer. From metal, rap, blues, jazz, rock, pop, punk, folk and some new genres that haven’t been invented yet, there’s something for you. Do yourself a favour—support live music and new, local bands. So much better than a Netflix binge. Anteater (Improv jazz) Arsoniste (Dance pop)…
Roommates are usually known for a few things: passive-aggressive notes about the dishes, passive-aggressive reminders to get toilet paper, passive-aggressive encounters about keeping the TV down because someone’s got to work in the morning—but sometimes roommates transcend that nonsense and end up creating a really rad band together. At least that’s the case with Unreal…
MAJE at Hope Blooms’ Celebration of Hope Fundraiser Thursday, June 25 at 5:30pm Westin Nova Scotian Hotel $100 hopeblooms.ca With a vision like MAJE’s, rap music can change the world. The young Preston artist, also known as Michael Earle, founded rap group Gentlemen Mafia “to promote positivity through hip-hop,” he says. “It’s a way to…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Gemini (May 21-June 20) I think it’ll be better if you don’t engage in much sacrifice, compromise or surrender in the next two weeks. Normally they are valuable tools to have at your disposal, but for now they may tend to be counterproductive. Judging from the current astrological omens, I suspect you need…
1 The Ecology Action Centre is on the march after losing 100 percent of their funding for walk-to-school programs. The $105,000 cut was part of April’s budget, and further talks with Health and Wellness minister Leo Glavine have apparently done nothing to change the decision. The now-defunct program works with over 2,000 students in 24…
