Calling Dr. Laura: A Graphic Memoir
Nicole is your average Portland hipster, chugging along, happily raising chickens and hosting karaoke nights at the local dive bar. But when a palm reader reveals a long-buried family secret (Nicole’s mom lied about the identity of her father), Nicole has to re-examine her childhood in light of the news. As Nicole tries to track…
Little Cat
“I heard someone say that once a girl opens her legs she can never close them again.” Fans of Berger’s award-winning Maidenhead will (sort of) know what to expect with Little Cat, a collection of the author’s first two novellas, Lie With Me and The Way of the Whore. In the former, the reader is…
HaliKids is turning one
Summer birthdays are just the best, aren’t they? The Trillium’s boutique for toys, accessories and fashions for wee ones and those who love them, HaliKids (105-1445 South Park Street, 429-8720), is celebrating it’s first year in business. This shop’s almost a toddler! Like anyone one-year-old should, HaliKids will be celebrating all week (continuing until its…
Go ahead and Bite Me
“Without a risk, there are no rewards,” says the wise Matt Brewer, the chef behind the wheel of Halifax’s newest mobile food venture, Bite Me Urban Diner. After two years cooking alongside some of the city’s finest at Seasons by Atlantica, he was approached by his now partner Paul Matchett to join him on the…
Drivers: you’re supposed to stop at a crosswalk
This weekend my partner and I were attempting to cross the road at a crosswalk. We pressed the button, waited for the lights to flash, the sounds to chirp, and began crossing. You, in your van, decided that you could drive through the crosswalk. In doing so, you were oblivious to us crossing and all…
You can’t be serious!
Ok, had to take a couple trips by plane over the last couple weeks. Cost quite a bit to fly, and I know the cities I’m going to have decent transit systems, that come right to the airport. Right up to the terminal buildings. So I’m thinking, oh great Halifax has finally got a bus…
Where are the big bands?
I’d love to know why HRM has been hiring local bands to play at big events such as Canada Day? We can see these bands almost any weekend we want to by going down town. This is supposed to be a once a year celebration. They have an entire year to plan for it and…
Waste of money
I’m a 33-year-old guy with a cool decent job, good looking, knows how to treat women, etc. Not finding the right girl in real life, I gave online dating a try. At first, I used the free ones and had no luck at all. Then I’m told by a few of my buddies and acquaintances,…
True Patriot Love, eh?
I just want to send out a big thanks out to all the 40, 50, 60 year old grown ass “adults” who, during the Canada Day parade shoved my 4 year old little boy aside like a bag of garbage so that they could get a better view. And then when I put him on…
Applaud for ALL retail/cashiers workers
I’ve never met a cashier in a grocery store nor a retail clerk in a mall that wasn’t always friendly, kind, helpful. As well, never once have I had bad service in a restaurant or bar. I want to say thank you to all the gifted employees who work on the front line. I think…
Crochet Cachet
To the yarn artists who covered the bike stands in the Common: Thanks so much! I feel cheered up every time I go by your work. —Miss Weary of the Rain and Fog
Lazy Parker – You Made My Day
To the guy smoking in his grey car at the Young Street Superstore who was planted in the middle of the throughfare in front of the doors, next to an empty, Sunday morning Parking Lot: You, sir, are a special kind of lazy. The kind I just want to put in a cage and bring…
DUDE, don’t let your princess drive in public
Well shee-ittt since when was it against the law to cross Spring Garden Road in a crosswalk? Well apparently one princess in a silver GM thinks so. Yeah you…beeetch, who nearly hit me. Whaddya think the other drivers were stopped for??? Ta pick their noses?? Wake up and accept the fact that the world doesn’t…
You visit me in my sleep..
Im here without you baby, But you’re still on my lonely mind I think about you baby, And I dream about you all the time… —MaPh
Bert and Ernie – Gay Couple?
Some stupid American magazine comes up with a cover shot of Bert and Ernie as a gay couple watching TV. What ever gave the gay community the right to assume that these two characters were gay? —Sick of Having Kids’ Icons Sexualized
A+ Action
A great big virtual ‘Happening Heart’, from me, to the wonderful woman standing in line behind me at the Young Street dollar store on Thursday night. At the checkout I was informed that the debit machine was down, and as I counted all my change at the counter, I discovered I was short by about…
Retail Sucks Enough.
Without assholes like you trying to bully and yell your way to free shit. I don’t know how people get to a place where at the SLIGHTEST inconvenience they feel entitled to argue and get free stuff or discounts, but if you act that way towards me in my workplace, you will get nothing. I…
Who made this decision HRM?
It fucking amazes me that bus drivers take breaks and put up the electronic signage at the front of the bus stating “OUT OF SERVICE” — and often shuts off the bus lights totally and sits back and snore — when the next BUS STOP, clearly in view of the fucking bus driver, has little…
To My Blonde Bearded Boy
I will forever be thankful for the day I decided to steal you away. The way you make me feel is indescribable; I have never felt so beautiful, so precious, so worth something as you make me feel. You love every part of me, even the kinda ugly parts, and that makes me feel like…
It’s been a year, of ups & downs, but all in all, an amazing year..
I walked off the steps of the Ocean with my then fiance, my hopes high & soaring.. From Toronto I came, having left a life of loneliness & sadness.. I came here hoping, praying that this would be a new life, a great rebirth into an amazing adventure with my lifemate by my side.. My…
BANG*SMASH*Crazy Driving in the Neighbourhood***
This week the old Hondas have been whizzing past our house. Mr Insertafunnyusernamehere stood in the middle of the road and stopped one guy to ask him what the hell and could he please slow down. The guy was cool and got out of his car and said he’d dropped $1000 on the car and…
teaaaaa
i went for tea with you once. can we do that again? Je souhaite que je pourrais sortir avec vous, j’ai appris à cuisiner le confit de canard 🙂 —moi
Neighbour woes
I get it you deal from your apartment. I try not to pay attention to your coming and goings, but it is hard. You slam your apartment door all hours of the day and night. Your customers lay on their horns for some drive through service from your window facing the driveway. You have some…
Dear Hipsters of Halifax
Thank you for amusing me for many years and making Halifax a more colourful place with your goofy styles and apparent lack of self-conception. You guys crack me up! 🙂 —sniddly crosby
Birth
Eleven women shared the stage last night at the Bella Rose for a fundraising performance of Birth by Karen Brody. These women were not professional actors, but rather a cast made up of talented local Doulas (Women who assist in childbirth by providing emotional support and physical comfort to the mother). The play is documentary-style,…
Tin Pan Alley’s ready to roll
There’s another food truck coming your way and its menu is full of unique international cuisine. Opening full force next week Tin Pan Alley’s owner Karl Warmé describes the truck as terrific globally inspired food that he and everyone involved loves to eat. “Right now we’re doing the Dutch frites with flavored aioli,” says Warmé.…
Don’t let a smile fool you
I am not sending this because I am mad nor sad, I am sending it because I am rather glad. I thought when we started to hang out that it might go somewhere, but I think you knew all along it would not. Perhaps I am not as naive as you thought. There is a…
Till We Meet Again….
Dear sweet, funny, and handsome Halifax paramedic, you were so kind to my sick family member that day you arrived at my front door. You not only helped and comforted her (she’s fine btw) but also made me smile and laugh like a 12 year old girl as I rode along with you in the…
I miss you
Hi. I just wanted to let you know that I hope that we will get back together some day (and stay that way until one of us kicks the bucket!). Of course I know that I have no control over whether or not that happens. And I know it’s not up to you either. Only…
Be your self
I’m so sick of everyone trying to be cool in this city. It’s getting really boring and everyone likes the same things and looks the same and acts the same. You’re not unique for liking things when you were a kid “that everyone else likes now.” Everyone who grew up in Nova Scotia in the…
Why did I go back to school?
I got my truck driver’s license last year and still can not get work. I have resumes in 6 different provinces and still do not hear back from anybody. Why did I spend 5 grand for a trade nobody will let me use? This money could have been better spent on fixing my house or…
Thanks but no thanks
Until you have kids please keep your parenting advice to yourself! Your dog does not count. My children are human beings who will last a lot longer than your mutt. Your criticisms and Monday morning quarterback advice is not appreciated. The evenings you spent with your nephews does not make you an expert on child…
long lake losers
I love long lake. I take my dogs there rain, snow, ice, sun whatever. Today, we are walking along a relatively unknown path and there is a campsite. No big deal. But this was is full of garbage which drives the dogs nuts. Worst was someone had taken a SHIT a foot from the path…
I can’t pay my tuition- you should pay it for me!
When I saw that a friend of a friend is soliciting the internet for donations to attend a fancy university…I was appalled. If you cannot afford to attend the school, don’t apply! Are there really no other options closer to home? —Be realistic
A home for lighthouz
A new lighthouse is shining on Dartmouth. It’s lighthouz, actually, and it’s a furniture company owned by Denise Knoll. Lighthouz currently operates online, selling internationally collected styles there, but its Dartmouth showroom will be open by the end of the summer. Knoll plans to fit a niche that is lacking in the furniture market in…
Was Halifax’s e-vote hacked?
It’s been several weeks since I revealed evidence that the online voting in last fall’s municipal elections in Halifax was not secure. Now I’m starting to wonder, does anyone care? How many people care about defending our most basic pillar of democracy—our elections? I obtained the damning documents through an Access to Information request to…
Monsters University
OK, I guess, here’s another Pixar sequel which didn’t really need to be made and is mostly fine. Monsters University is a prequel to 2001’s Monsters Inc. which finds college-bound Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal, surprisingly still versatile) butting heads with his new scaring school rival, James Sullivan (the also-returning John Goodman). The two will have…
White House Down
When ex-special forces agents stage a coup in the capital, beaten down cop Channing Tatum teams up with surprisingly capable president Jamie Foxx to wrestle back control of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in the stupid but handsome, White House Down. The plot is bonkers, but it somehow remains enjoyably more reasonable than the exact same scenario…
Ship to shore
NSCAD’s original name and its affinity for Queen Victoria aren’t the only things imported from across the pond. Carly Butler, a Halifax-based artist and one of the organizers of the Khyber’s Abandon Ship! Fine Art Showcase, started her studies at Central Saint Martins in London before transferring to NSCAD. She says that although the education…
Under Budapest
Revolutions never end the way you want them to, whether personal or political there are always extenuating circumstances. In her first novel Kay transports you to the seedy underbelly of Budapest where the story twists and turns through time, similar to the fabled tunnels buried deep under the city. Trying to escape after a messy…
Shakespeare by the Sea’s seasoned players
Shakespeare by the Sea began with the dream of presenting great theatre in Point Pleasant Park. In 1994, Patrick Christopher Carter, Elizabeth Murphy and Jean Morpurgo invited a group of young actors from the Dalhousie Theatre Program to perform Twelfth Night in the park, and to their great surprise, over 3,000 people attended the run.…
The Palace of Curiosities
“We are all horrors under the skin.” And it is around that brazen literary perspective that Rosie Garland fashions her titillating Victorian tale, bringing to life the filthy underbelly of Dickensian London from a satisfying humanist perspective. Though no stranger to the margins of gothic performance art—she moonlights as alterego Rosie Lugosi the Vampire Queen—this…
Ratinaud’s dream Cuisine
“You must be here for dinner,” Tom Crilley says, leaning against the wall outside of Ratinaud French Cuisine. Two bottles of sparkling wine clink together in my bag as I walk down Gottingen toward him. He introduces himself and leads me inside, where my friends Ron and Kristina are perched on two of the 10…
Born Ruffians
With the release of Birthmarks, 2013 marks the third studio release for Toronto-based Born Ruffians. Before the play button had been pressed, the preconceived notion was that this would be some sort of reggae effort (nothing other than the band name sounding vaguely like Eddy Grant’s Born Tuff would lend credence to this notion), which could…
The National
The National’s records are always great alchemy: U2-size anthems being tugged at by dour lyricism, while heart-on-sleeve intensity is blanketed by frilly orchestration. For a decade the band has steadily built on these strengths with each successive album, but with Trouble Will Find Me The National has now comfortably settled into its own genre. As…
Letters to the editor, June 27, 2013
Quiet the voice of the people Frank Palermo’s comments (“Outdated plan,” Letters & Comments, June 20) are bang on! The development of Halifax (and I mean the Halifax-Dartmouth-Bedford-Sackville area) must be placed in the hands of knowledgeable people working under a framework that is sensitive to but not constrained by our over 250 years of…
From Australia with love
“Growing up, my dad was a clown and my mom was a comedian, so the idea of performing wasn’t foreign to me,” says Australian folk-singer Jordie Lane. “But the idea of being a rock star, I didn’t even know what that was.” Then, when he was 10, a new kid moved to Lane’s school, sharing…
A story of suspense
Cait Anthony is dangling 250 feet in the air, crying. Her arms, legs and torso are bruised and aching. Ocean waves are breaking on rocks in the gorge beneath her. Her boyfriend is yelling at her to stand up. Cait, 23, is a slackliner. She’s hanging from her safety harness, strung to a slackline that…
Kacey Musgraves
The sweet-voiced, 24-year-old Musgraves has caused a lot of Stetson-clutching down in Nashville for singing about same-sex relationships, pot and poking fun at the mobile home lifestyle. (She also co-wrote the Juliette Barnes jam “Undermine,” from Nashville.) Toss out the novelty banjo songs and Same Trailer Different Park reveals a contemporary southern woman who goes…
Wanna slack off?
Those who slackline are commonly referred to as “slackers.” The name couldn’t be more fitting; slacklining is relaxing, easy to get into and best done with friends in the sun. If you want to give it a try, the folks at Mountain Equipment Co-op (1550 Granville St, 421-2667) can set you up with a slackline…
The Joy Formidable
This British trio plays what can only be called “meat and potatoes rock,” a straight-up guitar band with an absolute firecracker of a singer in Ritzy Bryan. Her bleached-blonde bangs and wild eyes make The Joy Formidable a leading live show, but its fierce, frenetic energy translates just fine on its second full-length. The mood…
A full day of Canada Day
Enjoy our nation’s 146th birthday by doing as much as possible for free. Start this Canada Day off early (8am) with a pancake breakfast on both sides of the bridge (Grand Parade and Alderney Landing) then make your way to Canada’s Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 at 9:30am to check out all of the…
Socks it to me
Four dudes from Dartmouth have spent three years goofing around with folk-punk. Jeff DeCoste (vocals), Ian Rogers (guitar), Nick O’Leary (bass) and Dylan Jewers (drums) started The Odd Socks in high school because bands seemed cool. But playing garage shows in Dartmouth turned into headlining at Jacob’s Lounge, which turned into two albums and small…
Tony Fouhse’s redemption song
What does it take to turn your life around? Tony Fouhse’s Live Through This is myriad photography and documentary. This tale of redemption shows the struggle and despair of addiction through the eyes of Stephanie MacDonald. Fouhse uses portrait photography to show the destruction of MacDonald’s disease on her body. In “Steph in her room,…
Ostrea Lake dives right in
Elias Abi Daoud only started Ostrea Lake (ostrealake.bandcamp.com) a year ago, but the Ben Howard- and Alexi Murdoch-inspired lullaby folk already sparks of great fires to come. With two EPs under his belt—Ostrea Lake (March 2012) and the newest, Dear Outside The Woods which dropped in April was partially recorded with Nick Macdonald in a…
My parents told me never to go to Gottingen Street—and that’s why I moved there
I moved to Gottingen Street because I wanted to be in the middle of a neighbourhood that was alive. Having spent most of my life in Fairview and a number of years in the residential west end, I longed for the foot traffic and noises of a busy street. Gottingen Street has always had a…
A good mix
Halifax, get ready to get back to your folk and country roots. Multi-instrumentalist Awna Teixeira is heading east on the train to bring us a performance at the Carleton on Tuesday where she’ll be rotating between accordion, banjo and guitar as well as a bit of harmonica. She describes her sound as being in between…
Free Will Astrology
Happy Birthday! Cancer (MAY 21 – JUNE 20) (June 21-July 22) “In order to swim one takes off all one’s clothes,” said 19th-century Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard. “In order to aspire to the truth one must undress in a far more inward sense, divest oneself of all one’s inward clothes, of thoughts, conceptions, selfishness, et…
Down to lady business
Q I am a married 54-year-old post-menopausal woman. My libido has diminished significantly, and it takes me much longer to climax. My husband gets tired sooner and is unable to maintain an erection as long as he used to; this makes it even more difficult for me to climax. I have taken up an activity…
The Heat
Lady cops kick ass, and come dangerously close to wearing out their welcome, in The Heat. Sandra Bullock stars as an uptight FBI agent who’s Starsky & Hutch’d to a rambunctious Boston police detective played by Melissa McCarthy. The odd couple clash, repeatedly, over procedure while attempting to take down a mysterious drug lord in…
Much Ado About Nothing
Oh ho! English nerds the world around should be well familiar with this tale by now; the story of a beloved filmmaker who won All The Money by directing the biggest movie ever, now spending some goodwill by adapting a classic Shakespearean comedy. Thus we have Much Ado About Nothing, the stripped down, black and…
Will Trade Centre Limited president Scott Ferguson get a new job and a big raise?
Despite a string of auditor reports castigating him for poor management of Trade Centre Limited, it appears increasingly likely that TCL president Scott Ferguson will be hired to manage the new convention centre—without applying for the job. And he’ll probably get a big raise, too. The existing convention centre is owned and operated by the…
Plan B welcomes C Cafe
Halifax comic Bill Wood has opened (as of today) a cafe in Plan B Merchants Co-op (2180 Gottingen Street, 406-1254). However this isn’t your typical, run of the mill cafe. At C Cafe the menu staple is a homemade, old fashioned, mouth-watering grilled cheese sandwich. “I’m going to have good coffee and nice baked goods,…
