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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.
[Image-1] No smoking indoors is one thing but no smoking outdoors? That’s absurd. Who makes up this shit? Stand up. Let’s have a look at ya. Folks I don’t even smoke- if I smell one in he morning I’ll puke. But if you want to be a moron while looking like an idiot that’s your…
Why do you have an apartment you ask? What a ridiculous question. Why do you? Your bitch about people living in apartment buildings with noisy kids pissed me off. It was whiny, self-centered, and discriminatory. If you’re so bothered by your noisy neighbors why don’t you go get a mortgage already? Probably cause you can’t…
b[Image-1 It’s rare that a customer asks me how I’m doing before I ask the same of them. You asked me that today, before I even had a chance to ask how you’re day was going. Before you left the store I made a joke about Halifax having a lot of hills. I just wanted…
[Image-1] This year has been hard, full of loss and tragedy. As I write this, I am lying in my bed recovering from a surgery, lonely and feeling a bit bleak. I miss you, our life. I am sorry for the way I left. But I am not sorry I left. These last few months…
To the lovely, wonderful, caring individual who at some point decided to donate their used, long, maternity pants to a certain thrift store: this newly pregnant six-foot lady would like to send you the most gigantic hug. After searching all over the city and finding out that most maternity store consider “tall” to be a…
[Image-1] Thanks to the many people who got up early on a rainy Sunday morning to pick up trash tossed from cars along Old Sambro Road. It was incredible to see how much junk there was. And let’s hope some of the trash tossers saw, are ashamed, and will change their ways (this could just…
[Image-1] I know you’re way out of my league but boy when you say my name like that… Makes me feel all kinds of things. —Dlish
[Image-1] June 11, the corner of Quinpool and Oxford: The theatre marquee has your names on it. Waiting on my bike at the lights, I saw Markus (yellow bowtie and boutonnière), a woman in a matching yellow skirt and three men in their Canadian tuxedos (red and black checked shirts with neckties). A wedding at the…
[Image-1] To the family who decided to leave their mother/grandmother in an ER for nine days: I’m truly sorry that you have the task of caring for a loved one with dementia. That’s not easy financially, physically or emotionally. However, that does not even begin to excuse you for leaving your grandmother/mother to sit in…
The first few weeks after the Liberals got into power I was happy and sincerely believed this time it was going to be different. Six months later it appears they’re no different than any other political party. A lot of photo ops, hot air, no action and soon to be broken promises. Promising to legalize weed…
You painted over an awesome mural with your stupid bullshit ad. You’re the worst. —Hates It
You are so smelly and weird and EVERYONE is sick of having to smell your stank. Please wash your clothes or have a shower or do whatever you need to do. Seriously, you should not be able to smell a persons odour from 10 feet away. —Fucking Nasty
The Eiffel Tower used to stand at the corner of Gottingen and Cornwallis. You could see it from a block away, tall and bright, almost two stories tall on the side of the building, a glittery accent to the neon script of French Casino, a restaurant where you’d find tournedos and foie gras, French food…
Dear Premier McNeil, In your recent budget you announced increased spending for behavioural intervention services for children with Autism, such as the EIBI program. You mentioned that waitlists which existed for families when your government first came to power, didn’t exist anymore. Did you mean they’d been eliminated for those specific families? If so,…
[Image-1] I recently have taken to task people posting meme’s about white privilege is the reason why the white rapist was given a higher sentence for the “same” crime committed by a black man. This isn’t the case. the black man was convicted on 5 counts of a higher charge but was given a retrial…
[Image-1] Bright days are ahead for one of the downtown’s most iconic heritage properties. Halifax approved substantial alterations to 1581-89 Barrington Street—otherwise known as the Green Lantern building—at Tuesday’s meeting of regional council. The motion was moved “with great happiness” by downtown councillor Waye Mason. “This is a huge thing for downtown Halifax and the…
I laughed so hard at your add for a Sales Manager. Required – 5 years improving sales (preferably in a large chain retail environment); Required – Bachelor degree; Required experience – 5 years in management AND sales management; Required – driver’s license and own vehicle; Position is full time and you work 7 days a…
Holy crap, You need multiple lessons on stealthiness if you’re wanting to succeed at your job!! Geez —You were painfully outplayed
[Image-1] Thank you Halifax for moulding me into the person I am today. I moved here at such an impressionable time in my life and I have received nothing but love and acceptance. I am so grateful that I decided to move here last summer and hope that one day I can call this little…
[Image-1] Halifax regional council has extinguished any plans to prohibit open-air, wood burning fires in urban areas of HRM. The idea was proposed by Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency as a way to end the hundreds of nuisance 911 calls firefighters respond to every year. A staff report before council recommended bylaw amendments that would…
[Image-1] In the early 1990s, Germany launched Energiewende, or “energy revolution,” a program “to combat climate change, avoid nuclear risks, improve energy security, and guarantee competitiveness and growth.” Renewable energy grew from four percent in 1990 to more than 27 percent in 2014, including a significant increase in citizen-owned power projects, according to energy think…
[Image-1] So one of the busiest areas of the city in terms of traffic doesn’t have push buttons for pedestrians. Having recently moved here I’m amazed at the complete lack of planning that goes into this city. Also, cyclists stop and dismounting would be a good idea. But hey if your biking through that death…
So your poor eagle statue was stole. My question is who the hell carries a seven million dollar statue in their backpack? Then we find out the decoy statue was stolen as well. Goddamn you must be stupid to carry both of them at the same time. Its called a decoy for a reason. I’m…
I am not a feminist, but do strongly believe in equality. This not a bitch ranting on men or women, just to the idiots out there who don’t truly understand equality. I am a female manager in the auto industry “traditional male role”. My company strongly believes in diversity, which is one of the reasons…
[Image-1] Several hundred people gathered on a drizzly Monday evening in Halifax to try and prove that love is stronger than hate. The candlelight vigil on the North Common was held to honour those killed in Orlando this past weekend, in what has become one of the worst mass shootings in American history. At least…
Hey metal heads, get caught up in the intensity! Hard rockin’ mega bands (and longtime friends) Five Finger Death Punch and Papa Roach recently announced a joint tour with a stop right here in Halifax. Papa Roach, best remembered for the triple-platinum 2000 album Infest, are proving their intent to be in music for the…
[Image-1] The day we met, it was like a movie cliché. You were the new student, who had transferred from a private one. At the time you only knew one other person in the whole building. You were easygoing, even intimidating and yet your personality came out in only the best ways possible. Right there…
So I was thinking of a “how-to” in order to deal with the crop of SJW’s that seem to infest every facet of our lives these days. To start, I am all for raising awareness of issues. But when awareness is required, I EXPECT objectiveness. I expect a modicum of rational thought. when an opinion…
What’s the deal with this place? For such a small city it has terrible traffic. Why because these locals have no idea how to drive. A third of them are in no rush on a joy ride waiving everyone through to be “polite”, a third are transit and commercial vehicles who think they own the…
[Image-1] To those ppl who insist on IGNORING the scent free signs, you ppl are selfish assholes!!! Do you have any idea what your perfume/cologne is doing to the ppl around you? I have to ask, do you spray it on or do you BATHE in it?!?! We don’t care you are wearing the Biebs…
Some summertime fun could be extinguished by new bylaw amendments that would ban open air burning in Halifax’s urban core. A staff report headed to Regional Council is recommending HRM prohibit open air burning on any residential properties that are within 50 feet of another structure and without a septic system. The proposed regulations would…
[Image-1] The decision not to privatize Nova Scotia government departments, such as the Registry of Motor Vehicles, was greeted with relief by unionized government employees. For the temporary employees in these departments, there is little to celebrate. A new hiring process this year has made their jobs even less secure and lower paying. The provincial…
[Image-1] A staff report going before Regional Council next week recommends amending the municipality’s animal control bylaws so that bees are exempt from the list of prohibited insects and allowed to roam freely as nature intended. Council approved HRM’s bylaw A-700 (“Respecting Animals and Responsible Pet Ownership”) last fall, leading to howls of criticism from…
[Image-1] The weather’s been a little damp, but that hasn’t stopped cycling advocates from gaining some political momentum during Halifax Bike Week. On Wednesday the Halifax Cycling Coalition received $4,400 in capital funds from District 8’s participatory budgeting to install an on-street bicycle counter on Agricola Street. The counter will be used for a “public…
10. Literature › Unusual Tales of Unusual Gifts. Thursday, June 9, 7-9pm. Storytellers Circle of Halifax presents an evening with featured storyteller Liz Newkirk followed by an open mic for storytellers in attendance. >> 9. Live Music › Banjo Dan Walsh In Concert. Sunday, June 12, 2pm. Experience the music of UK Banjo sensation Dan…
Kaleigh Burns and Heman Lee call it a passion project. The duo behind breakfast and lunch hangout Robie Street Station (2394 Robie Street) are gearing up to bring something new to the restaurant scene, a tiny companion to the diner called El Chino Snack Bar. “It’s a Chinese/Mexican snack bar. We’ll do street food, basically,…
Thom Swift is a humble workhorse. On The Legend of Roy Black—his fourth solo record, 14th including collaborations—he took inspiration from both decades of touring and conversations with the album’s namesake musician in creating a timeless collection of roots songs. Swift describes Roy Black as an old friend. “We may only talk once a year,…
Here’s the scoop on Electric Spoonful: “Rudy [Pace] and I began playing music together after recognizing our mutual love of ’60s and ’70s styles of rock and roll,” says guitarist Brently Campbell. “We have been described as a scrappy rock quartet,” says Pace, guitarist-vocalist. The Halifax-via-Cape Breton band, also with C.J. Hill (bass) and Jesse…
Juanita Peters was smitten more than 30 years ago when she first read the script for Tightrope Time: Ain’t Nuthin’ More Than Some Itty Bitty Madness Between Twilight and Dawn. The play, written by Walter Borden, told the story of a young man growing up black and gay in rural Nova Scotia, and was being…
After his longtime Halifax three-piece pop-punk band The Fat Stupids split last year, guitarist Matt Grace (Outtacontroller) still had songs kicking around that he wanted to play. He asked his partner Heather Grant to start a new band, and then they added her Crossed Wire bandmate Dewayne Shanks, plus good buddy Coleman Johnson (The Scoop…
Q I’m a 33-year-old straight guy with a small dick. I have a girlfriend of seven years. When we met, I was really insecure and she had to spend a lot of time reassuring me that it didn’t matter—she loved my dick, sex with me was great, it was big enough for her, etc. I…
“I think we’ve all always had these feelings about smashing the patriarchy, critical sex-positivity and frustrations with being treated differently, especially in certain scenes like music, because we’re women,” says Jess MacDonald (guitar). In January, MacDonald, Camila Salcedo (drums) and Grace Stratton (bass) created Glitterclit, a feminist-punk band inspired by riot grrls, Bikini Kill, Spray…
Sea the value I’m from Monastery, NS, and reside in Halifax. I’ve been fortunate to always have had ease of access to the ocean. Many of my most treasured memories are of beautiful summer days spent on the beach. The ocean has been a source of employment for many of my family members, and remains…
“I would say my biggest influences are the Foo Fighters and Jet,” says Brad Long, the lead guitarist and singer of his first rock project, James Bradley Band. “I listen to a lot of different styles, but rock bands like those, The Sheepdogs, The Trews and Sam Roberts Band are definitely my favourites.” A student…
For singer-songwriter Veda Hille, emotional forces parallel natural ones. On her new album Love Waves, feelings harden into pebbles, lyrics echo like a tide at the shore, and romance is felt with a physical strength that could topple buildings. A couple of special projects aside, it’s Hille’s first album of new songs in nearly eight…
Are you feelin’ hot, hot, hot? You will once you hear Halifax’s newest six-piece Latin American music ensemble. “We’re four Cubans, one Colombian and one Mexican,” says Marcel Nazabal (flutes, gaita, vocals), boasting the only Latin American band in the city with all originally Latin American members. “We’re bringing 100 percent Latin flavour to Halifax,”…
Growing up singing jazz and performing in church with her musical family, Maura Whitman realized that—along with being a competitive cyclist and 2015’s provincial champion mountain biker—the 15-year-old from Herring Cove wanted to be a soul-based pop-singer. A fan of Adele, Alicia Keys and Coldplay, her latest release, “Survivors,” has been spinning on CBC Radio,…
Born from a wish to celebrate both local films and the creators behind them, the Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival is entering its tenth year of decidedly independent, hyper-local programming. Originally a one or two day affair, HIFF has grown to five days of features, short films and receptions. Still, the festival aims to stay true…
“I do write a lot about myself, but I love writing story songs,” says folk songwriter Laurenn Marchand, a graduate of music from St. FX and music therapy at Acadia. “Working as a music therapist outside of performance, I have the opportunity to engage with a lot of older people and I love writing songs…
You may have already seen biological twins and songwriters Peter and Will Fordham jamming around Halifax at some point in the last few years. But last year they put together their six-piece band Municipality with Seamus Erskine (The Brood), Daniel Crowther, Pete Gillis and Billy Habib Taylor and started making tracks of very modern-sounding indie…
Noel Macdonald is no stranger to The Coast’s annual New Music Issue. He played in Tomcat Combat (in the 2008 NMI), Long Weekends (2011) and Don Lovely (2015). None of the bands are active anymore. “Sometimes it’s not because of challenges, sometimes that was the original intent,” says Macdonald. “It’s realistic and sensible to consider…
What does Nightbummerz like about playing loud? “It drowns out the booing,” says Grace Stratton, one-third of the gloomy post-punk band Nightbummerz. With lifelong friends Cameron Evans (guitar/vocals) and Alex Seminick (drums), both of whom Stratton met at a Freak Heat Waves show last year, Nightbummerz released a self-titled debut in April with tracks titled…
This is what inspires Dana Beeler, the vocalist and guitarist of new rock-based outfit Hello Delaware: “Shitty dudes, shitty breakups and t-shirts with fun sayings on them. I was sick of being pigeonholed as a sad-sack songwriter,” she says of her days performing as Dana Beeler, onstage with a guitar. “But I’m not sad, I’m…
“Our biggest problem is that I’m too funny, it’s hard for everyone to concentrate,” says Daniel Crowther, songwriter and singer of Halifax four-piece No Problem, which just finished a tour to Ontario, played Flourish Festival and put out a first full-length, The Honestly Hour. “My biggest problem is listening to other people chew,” says Mitchell…
It’s official—every other city in the country is still jealous of Halifax’s musical talent. In this, our 13th annual look at rising stars of the local scene, the range and depth of talent just continues to grow. Good for Halifax. Great for listeners like you. Century Egg Booji Boys Cabot Cunny Ross Glitterclit Eddy Electric…
“It’s groovy, wacky and noisy in the right places,” says Brett Jarret, vocalist and guitarist of lazy pop indie-rock band Strongboy. Along with Seamus O’Neill, Alex Sheppard and Tyler Popwell, the four best friends from Cape Breton are anything but traditional Island fare, with their modern indie-pop flourishes and jizz-jazzy reverbs. Strongboy is currently working…
After playing bass as a hired gun with almost every gigging jazz musician in the Maritimes, St. FX jazz graduate Willem Paynter released City Grit, his debut record of original music (and one jazz standard), in December. “It can be considered hard-bop, a direct descendent of bebop, but there’s a lot of funk, groove, blues…
“Me and Steve wanted to start something poppy but still have it be punk and fast,” says guitarist Cody Googoo (Alienation, Unreal Thought) of his collaborator Steve Earle. Joined by Bloodhouse’s Alex Mitchell (vocals), Justin Crowe (drums) and Adam LeDrew (bass, formerly Walrus), Booji Boys released an energetic post-punk demo of six songs last month.…
Meeting at jazz master Jerry Granelli’s Creative Music Workshop five years ago, saxophonists Nick Dourado (Eddy, Special Costello) and Andrew MacKelvie released six spontaneous tracks on an album titled oo last year. “Everything you hear is improvised, and I think it highlights the connection that Nick and I have,” explains MacKelvie. “We love songs and…
As a member of the Halifax Music Co-op, Wesley Smith approached fellow member and vocalist Julia Cunningham once he launched his electronic music project, Cabot, with electronic producer Brant Hunter, also known as Feels (a member of the Murmurs arts and music collective). “I knew I wanted to work with a female singer, so I…
[Image-1] June 8 marks World Oceans Day, but what if we celebrated oceans every day? Covering more than 70 percent of Earth’s surface, oceans, more than anything, define our small blue planet. We should celebrate their complex and vibrant ecosystems, life-sustaining services, calming effects and unimaginable diversity, much of which we have not yet even…
Over coffee and snacks in the room where they recorded their debut EP Mountain God, the four members of Mandarin-pop indie-rock band Century Egg show me how to eat a Tim Tam Slam. Just take the chocolate-coated biscuit, make a straw by biting both ends, slurp your coffee through it and eat it all at once. Like…
Somehow La Cave de Strasbourg has just never been on my radar. Probably because it’s in Fall River, which, frankly, only pings my radar when I’m on a bus to the airport. Sorry, Fall River. I have failed you. And, frankly, I now realize that I have failed myself. For the record, I love Strasbourg.…
Some people don’t just make music, they make movements. For 19-year-old Alex “Cunny” Ross, R&B helps him take positive steps in his world. “I’m from Uniacke Square, born and raised,” he says. Last year, Ross sold all 50 copies of his first mixtape Young Coming Up in less than 48 hours. Encouraged, he started Family…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Gemini (Apr 20-May 20) In his poem “Interrupted Meditation,” Robert Hass blurts out the following exclamation: “I give you, here, now, a magic key. What does it open? This key I give you, what exactly does it open?” How would you answer this question, Gemini? What door or lock or heart or treasure…
Last fall, Fleet-Foxy folk singer Devarrow (Graham Ereaux) moved to Halifax from Vancouver after a six-month tour. Originally from Moncton, he says the Halifax community is one of the main reasons he came back east, and it’s been an inspiration to his music ever since. While he was away, he chronicled his adventures on a…
The global movement towards open government is gathering momentum. The Open Government Partnership, an intergovernmental movement which aims to make governments more open, accountable and responsive to citizens, now includes 69 participating countries. Open data websites are cropping up in countries as diverse as Tanzania, the Philippines and Trinidad and Tobago. When India launched its…
“It was like, why don’t we just get two drum kits and beat the shit out of them?” says Nick Dourado (XXVII, Century Egg) on the formation of EDDY. With drummer Nathan Doucet (Heaven for Real), EDDY is an experimental drum duo that pummels listeners with continuous, spontaneous and completely uninhibited music. In December, the…
