Eva Madden-Hagen goes Hollywood
A friend to Haliwood Insider, Eva Madden-Hagen let us know that she’ll be heading down to LA for the Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival. (For more information on the festival, click here.) Madden-Hagen’s latest short film, What Remains (which was made with help from the CBC/Film Nova Scotia Bridge Award) was selected to screen…
Hobo With A Shotgun opens in local cinemas
Let’s see if we’ve got this straight: Monday night Hobo With A Shotgun director Jason Eisener was in Montreal for a screening of his new film. Tuesday he was in Toronto. Wednesday he was here for the invite-only screening at the Oxford for crew and the local film biz folks. Thursday he was in Boston…
Josh MacDonald takes The Corridor to BUFF, hosts Carbon Arc
While this is definitely Hobo week in Halifax, it’s good to remember that another stellar genre picture from this part of the world, The Corridor, written by Josh MacDonald, will be joining Hobo with a Shotgun at the Boston Underground Film Festival, and MacDonald will be going down for the event this weekend. “I’m road-tripping…
DFO report recommends killing thousands of grey seals
Activist calls on Canadians to defend grey seals in light of latest DFO report calling for a cull of well over 73,000.
Connie Littlefield at Reel Talk
Women in Film and Television Atlantic and Carbon Arc (at the Khyber, 1588 Barrington Street) are launching a monthly social screening called Reel Talk: Conversations with Women in Film and Television. On the last Friday of every month WIFT-AT will feature an interview with a veteran or emerging film or television professional and view some…
Fid Resto’s spring taste
There are always special events going on at Fid (1569 Dresden Row, 422-9162) and this week’s no different. This coming Monday (March 28) is another edition of their supper club, where you’ll be invited into the kitchen with owners/chef Dennis Johnson and maitre’d Monica Bauché and learn how to make a few key dishes. This…
Park In Hell Metro Transit
I’m getting sick of the increasing number of buses parked in the travel lane on Willett St. near the Dunbrack intersection. By parking there they are blocking visibility for vehicles trying to get out of their parking lots. If Metro Transit asked people who live in the area about using this spot as a terminal…
Out Like a MUSKOX
Back in 2002 when composer and self-described band-boss Mike Smith began dreaming of an instrumental jazz group, he was fascinated by nature films featuring the mighty muskox. Attracted to the idea of a band as a “giant hairy and stinking mass,” Smith named a few pieces after the beast. When the band formed in 2006,…
Big Oil Is Mass Murder
You knowingly sell us a fuel that is poisoning everything on the planet. We knowingly buy it, literally by the bucket full. Why haven’t we collectively filed a law suit or criminal charges against them? The technology to stop this bullshit has been around for over a century, and in fact, most of our society…
Slave Loving Hypocrites
You force me through twelve years of repetitive bullshit school; telling me about how great our nations are for having vanquished the scourge of slavery forever from our sphere of influence. How come I just found out the chocolate motherfucking bars you’ve been feeding me to keep me happy all this time are made with…
WTF
If you weren’t actually hiring for a position why the hell did you interview me, tell me you wanted to hire me, and then use some shitass excuse a day later about restructuring the company? Wouldn’t you have known that before you wasted 4 hours of my time and let me say no to the…
Watch Your Smoke
To the man on Spring Garden who exhaled in my face. I was turning the corner to be surprised by a cloud of smoke seeping into my eyes and nose. Not only is this disrespectful it’s fucking disgusting. I don’t want your second hand mouth smoke so watch where you are blowing next time. —Considerate…
Learn to Drive
To the fuckass who ran the red light on the Robie St. intersection at 2pm on March 21st. Congrats, due to your fucking lack of knowledge on how to drive and inconsideration for other drivers, you just gave me a mild case of whiplash. Due to the driver behind me, he obviously didn’t see your…
Ban Dancing
Pretentiously named bar, my deepest apologies for shaking the body that God so generously gave me. I’m sincerely sorry that your uptight bouncer was uncomfortable with the sexual energy that oozed off me. In short, I’m sorry for having fun. Next time, you won’t need to kick me out because I’m never coming back. —Madame…
Barbarian Invasions screens locally
One of the great Canadian films, well, ever, screens on Wednesday, March 23 at 7pm in McNally Main 201 at Saint Mary’s University. (It’s off Robie, check this out for directions.) The screening is a courtesy of the SMU French Film Club. The film is The Barbarian Invasions (2003), the Quebecois comedy-drama directed by Denys…
Fresh Bread delivery returns
Former Fancy Pantry & Breads baker Jessica Ross is back at it, except now she’s calling her operation Gold Island Bakery. Starting next Wednesday (March 30) she will be baking bread and delivering by bicycle on the peninsula, once again. If you’re interested in signing up for her summer baked good subscription service, now is…
Clay Cafe opens second location
Clay Cafe on Quinpool has opened a second location in Timberlea at 1804 St Margaret’s Bay Road (407-8767). Just like the Quinpool Road location, the new one is the place to go with friends, family, kids or on a creative date, to make and take home a functional or decorative item after it’s glazed and…
Just good sense
Okay, let’s get something straight. Just because a certain university cut the women’s hockey team, that doesn’t make them sexist! If you’re losing money on something—get rid of it. If something doesn’t bring in any money—get rid of it. And you know what just makes it worse? The fact that most of the people complaining…
Metallica on the Halifax Common?
[image-1] Last Friday, Trade Centre Limited’s Scott Ferguson told me that all the Common concert attendance figures were given to “the city” immediately after each show. That would be consistent with the city’s Common concert policy adopted by a unanimous vote of council on March 6, 2007. Specifically, the policy says that: • Each major…
Southern Shores yearn for warmer climes
Climb the steps of his Halifax home to the third floor and find yourself in Jamie Townsend’s cozy attic bedroom. Primary red and blue colourblocks the walls and slanted ceiling. Scuffed album covers depicting lush coasts and young love hinder sunlight from entering the window. Stuffed monkeys perch on the speakers that bookend Townsend’s desk.…
Remedy This
I don’t understand how these shit bands or groups can be so “successful” if they can’t sell enough tickets here to break even. Is the music industry making up who is popular? Do we march to the beat of our own drum and don’t follow these trends? I ask since we the people have to…
Openness and Accountability
Here’s a concept both this stupid fucking province and city can’t seem to grasp: It’s OUR tax money, you goddamn sack of bozos, there should be NO secret meetings to decide where it is going to be squandered. How long will it be before the people in this province rise up against these fucking boldfaced…
War on Nature
It has been made clear enough; the rape and pillaging of our forests has reached a critical and perverse epic point. Every inch of wilderness (Celtic Origin: Self Willed Place) has been tainted with spilled oil, choked with that which should not be there. Even many miles away from your cities and towns, there is…
Fed Up
Halifax is a town. It’s not a city. It doesn’t punch above its weight. It shouldn’t even try, it’s pitiful to watch. It’s at best an incestuous, corrupt, close-minded little village, where people are NOT friendly to outsiders or those who have come from away. It’s debilitated, it’s sub-par, and it’s full of folks with…
Frustrated with the System
I work with seniors. One lady is wonderful. She has been living in the same housing authority apartment for 35 years. Last year she had bedbugs as the building was infested. Pest control were called and took care of it. She lost most of her furniture. She has been waiting for them to come in…
Public Pot Smoker
I don’t smoke weed. If you do, I couldn’t care less. But, do it in your own home. Not when I’m walking behind you with my dog. —C’mon man
Saturday Night
You were wearing a black vest with a red shirt underneath and you had a Hawaiian Lei around your neck. You were very cute and a great dancer. I only wish that I wasn’t so shy about asking you to dance with me. —The black guy wearing the grey sweater
The Middle Class is Getting the Shaft
Rising food, power, taxes, water, and gas prices but who is getting the breaks in this country? Corporations whose CEOs make mega buck salaries but are paying less and less in their taxes. There is a difference between paying too much in taxes and paying your fair share of taxes. Also this myth that the…
Love to Bitch
Just like to say, “Thanks Coast for printing my Bitch.” It really does make it feel a little more like a real community when we listen to the good and the bad. Halifax truly has a wonderful vibe! —Halifax is bitchin
Lil Alli
I freaking hate myself for not having told you in words how much I cared for you. Though a bit late, you finally know exactly how I feel. Let’s continue working on this. —No more simple gestures since you didn’t see them
New LED street lights
I love them! It’s long overdue and I’m glad something productive has finally been done in HRM. —Was blind… but now I see!
The Host with the Least
When I came to your party with my husband you called me by the wrong name and I politely corrected you. “Actually it’s pronounced _____ it’s so nice to finally meet you.” I thought we hit it off until you started to introduce me to others. “This is _____ and for God’s sakes don’t mispronounce…
Day 4, part 2: South By Southwest 2011
After recharging on on some delectable Indian food at G Raj Mahal (say it fast…), we head to the Dangerbird Records showcase to check out The Dears once more after telling my friend how much they kicked ass a few nights before. There we catch Los Angeles-hipsters The One A.M. Radio plying their delicately cool…
A Kind Gesture
To the gentlemen who stopped to help an old lady cross the street on Agricola—Thank you. It’s nice to see in today’s fast paced, egocentric society that there are still some people who care about other people than themselves. Too often I see other people so wrapped up in their own lives to be even…
Dearest Hypatia
You were perfection in my eyes. You were the ruler of my heart. Your smile lit my way through dark nights. Your gentle, mocking laughter lifted my spirit when the long days of study threatened my sanity. They said a woman had no place in mathematics but you proved them all wrong. You broke my…
O’Toole: I want to see the auditor general’s report
“I’m so happy!” are the first words out of Cathie O’Toole’s mouth when I call to ask about her resignation as Halifax’s chief financial officer. O’Toole was the city official who refused to sweep the concert loan improprieties under the bureaucratic carpet and instead alerted city legal staff and the auditor general, leading to the…
Driver of the #14
I was on the bus Friday morning after missing the #1. I was trying to get downtown to do some overdue journalism interviews, and was a bit nervous about when to get off on the winding route the #14 takes! But the way you wished each and every passenger a good day and offered them…
Roommate Filth
I’m tired of cleaning up all your mess! I realize you’re ‘busy with school’ and with that job but if you have enough time to sleep in until 2, you have enough time to clean your damn garbage up. I do everything you do, and I still manage to find a way to keep this…
Hobo With A Shotgun decks now available at ProSkates
You may have noticed a certain locally shot movie is opening in cinemas this week, a little something called Hobo With A Shotgun. Director Jason Eisener and producer Rob Cotterill were over at Pro Skateboards and Snowboards (6451 Quinpool Road, 429-6788) last week to help open boxes of Hobo decks, maple boards from Control Skateboards…
Charlie Zone goes to camera
[image-1] Today is the first day of shooting for Charlie Zone a crime drama, directed by Michael Melski (Growing Op). Melski reports it’s a story about Halifax, “reflecting its diversity, hidden life, and burgeoning rep as one of the most troubled cities in Canada. (If you don’t know what charlie zone is, you’ve likely not…
Day 5: South By Southwest 2011 – DFA 1979 Madness
Day 4, part 2 recaps and a full day of Day 5 recaps and interviews are on the way, but first, I have to sum up what had to be the craziest end to a South By Southwest festival I’ve ever witnessed. It starts when a journalist friend, Dave Jaffer of Montreal’s The Hour, hears…
Day 4: South By Southwest 2011
!!! at the French Legation Day Party One thing I’ve learned from doing coverage for The Coast at South By Southwest is it’s really tough to shoot video while you’re dancing. Day 4 at South By Southwest 2011 proved to be a day for flailing around like a rag doll (I’m not the world’s best…
Did TCL act properly?
The improper loans to Power Promotions were funnelled through the Metro Centre, a city-owned facility that is managed by Trade Centre Limited. Officials at TCL have said that they were under no obligation to vet the appropriateness of the loans—the city owns Metro Centre, so when city official Wayne Anstey called them up and directed…
Rich Forest opens second location
The Korean and Japanese delights of The Rich Forest Restaurant (5553 Bloomfield Street, 431-3955) are now available on Quinpool Road, in the old location of Steamys, 6300 Quinpool (405-8855). The unpretentious vibe of the original location is replicated at the new one, with the one advantage that this one is above ground. Expect to find…
Back when you were Black
For the barfing, green-clad university students, yesterday wasn’t Thursday at all. Indeed, it was Friday. Friday, yes, Friday. It’s easy to hate on Rebecca Black from our aged positions of wisdom. We are fine wheels of cheese. We have lived. We could sing about way cooler more interesting stuff. Doubtful. In fact, weren’t we all…
Cathie O’Toole resigns
[image-1] City finance director Cathie O’Toole has tendered her resignation, effective April 9. I wrote the below blog post this afternoon, and it was sitting in the queue to go live on our website as I learned that O’Toole has quit. I just had a long conversation with O’Toole, and will write more tomorrow. All…
Day 3: South By Southwest 2011
At this moment, I have to lay down a confession. The other night, fueled by the thought I might not get to see all the bands I wanted to see, I broke down and bought a wristband. Am I glad I did it? A little bit. I have been able to get into some great…
The Friendly Dimension Returns
It’s been awhile since The Friendly Dimension let us into their swirling and dangerous psychic day-mares. Their last show was nearly six months ago at Pop Montreal (pictured.) Singer Matt Samways says it’s because the band – which includes Troy Richter and Rob Drisdelle – was hunkering down to focus on school. They return triumphantly…
Jackson, Bankson, Parker nab nods
A couple of local lensers have done well for themselves in recent weeks. Greg Jackson and Cassidy Bankson snagged the audience choice award at Calgary’s $100 Film Festival for Christmas Compunction, their entry in AFCOOP’s annual super-8 holiday challenge. Watch here. Pardis Parker snagged two awards this week: people’s choice at Big Dam in Illinois…
Scott Ferguson’s explanation for concert loans doesn’t wash
This morning, I was a guest on the Jordi Morgan show on News 95.7. During the show, Morgan’s producer was able to reach Trade Centre Limited president Scott Ferguson on the phone, and I was able to ask Ferguson a few questions. Among other things (which I’ll get into in another post), Ferguson said that…
Merritt nominees
The theatre community’s annual celebration of itself, The Robert Merritt Awards, goes down March 28. Kate Watson will be on hand to let you know the winners, so you best check out the nominees here.
The Write Way
Writing is my bread and butter, and occasionally my caviar. For the last 3 days, all I can come up with is drivel, despite the fact that there is inspiration everywhere. I have started 6 pieces, none of which have gone beyond the first few lines where I realize that I can’t attach my name…
Leash Off
Yes, my dog ran toward you barking, with his tail wagging. Yes, he’s relatively large. Yes, he came to me when I called him back. Yes, you freaked out. YES, you were in a CLEARLY DESIGNATED “OFF LEASH” AREA. Read the f-ing signs and don’t go to a DOG PARK if you don’t have a…
Broken Promises
You told me you would put my severance package together. You told me I would get it in writing, and it would “definitely” be paid. You didn’t put it in writing within my last week of work, so I went over your head. They told me it was a done deal. One of you were…
Peter Kelly’s dissembling explanation
What did Peter Kelly know and when did he know it? That question will determine if the Halifax mayor will survive the Common concert funding scandal. Kelly’s story seems to change as time goes on, but as I understand his line is basically that he knew that Power Promotions was being advanced loans somehow through…
Taxi please
When I call and ask for a non-smoking taxi, I don’t mean a taxi where the driver just doesn’t smoke while I am in the car. Your “non smoking” taxis have drivers who smoke. The smell is repugnant. People don’t smoke in their workplaces (thankfully it’s law), and neither should your drivers. —Smoke Free Passenger
St. Patty’s Band
To the band playing at a Spring Garden bar: I stopped in for a beer before my 6 o’clock class to celebrate St. Patty’s Day. You guys were great musicians I showed up late to my class to listen to you a little more. I especially liked your rendition of Moon Dance and Wish You…
To the driver on Cumberland/Cole Harbour
Hey you. Yeah you. Thanks so much for that left turn you made at 7 this morning from Cumberland onto Cole Harbour, straight through the walk signal. I’m assuming you must have been doing something extremely important, SINCE YOU HIT MY FUCKING FATHER AND SPED OFF. You ran over and broke his foot, and he…
Spring is Here
And the crotch rockets are coming out again. Oh my fuck those things are loud and annoying. WTF… I understand the thrill of doing 100km/h in a 50km/h zone, but seriously, has anyone ever seen one of these guys get a speeding ticket before? I was pulled over doin 65 in a 50 in my…
I don’t know if this is too graphic…
…For this site, but seriously? There is a subject that NEEDS to be addressed! I am a woman. A woman that likes and dislikes things. I am speaking for myself and NOT for other women. Okay, here it goes: I don’t like anal, I don’t want anal, stop asking me to do anal! It’s gross…
Princess Xena
To the lady who found my wallet in the parking lot of the Young St. grocery store and drove all the way to Clayton park to drop it off at my parents’ house, THANK YOU! The only name you gave my mother was Xena (Zena?), but you are a real princess! Thanks for reminding me…
Homesick
I miss Halifax and the Valley. Southern Ontario is a fucking lame, no-culture shit hole! No good music, PATHETIC farmers markets, barely a microbrew to be found, drinking and driving seems to be a sport (got rear-ended on Saturday by a drunk with no insurance in the middle of the afternoon!) and racist jokes seem…
G
It’s almost been a year since that beautiful night, on a rocky beach, and our first kiss. We’ve both have had our pasts, been hurt, and somehow managed to find each other and love, again. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so loved before and I can only hope that I can adorn you with…
Dear Doomsday Fearmongers
Please stop posting religious quotes to define what YOU think is happening with all the earthquakes and tsunamis that the world has experienced of late. Instead inform yourself on Earth’s geological history which predates humans and their religions by BILLIONS of years and realize that our planet’s history has ALWAYS included volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and…
You’re Still Missed
I thought I saw you on the street today. We smiled and said hi like strangers passing by—happy to see you but sad to just pass by. Was that really you? You were the best part of where you used to work. —Oliver
Urban Coyotes
Oh wild and free animals in our fair city, I thank you for eating all the loose cats around my house. Maybe we all should send some love to mother nature for getting rid of an introduced species like the pine beetle… an extra helping of house cats to you! —HRMhater
Brussels gets lounge licence
Operatiuns manager for the Hamachi Group, Ivan Nickerson, has confirmed with Shoptalk that Brussels Restaurant & Brasserie (1873 Granville Street, 446-4700) now has a lounge licence, which allows the establishment to serve alcohol without the clientele ordering food. Nickerson says though the business has no plans to changing its style to be a competitor to,…
Inappropriate and Loving It
I’m a student. You’re my TA. And I think you’re just about the cutest lady I’ve ever seen. I spent all of this year in love with one of my best friends and it was the WORST time—it felt like my heart was completely frozen. It’s totally cliché, I know, but since then your smile…
Fool me once
YAAHHHHH!!!! Oh that’s right it’s your anniversary for the new sucker that you lay your bullshit on. But, you are a pro. You fooled me for 10 years. Yep, to think I paid for your degree, backed you 100 percent on anything, then to see you sit in court and say I abused you! YOU…
Breaking news: Total of $5.6 million washed through improper Common concerts loan program
I have more details of the city’s improper loan program. Yesterday, we knew that through 2010 some $2.25 million had ben funnelled through the Metro Centre in the form of loans to Power Promotions. But the program had been in existence since 2008. That year, $950,00 in loans were issued to Power Promotions related to…
Day 2: South By Southwest 2011
Walking down the street after parking about a mile and a half away from downtown, we run into In-Flight Safety’s John Mullane, wandering the streets, unable to find his hotel. This pretty much sums up the South By Southwest experience. John Mullane of IFS talks SXSW The sheer immensity of this festival, the amount of…
Printed matter
Jenner-Brooke Berger, curator of The Allan Street Reading Series and now Toronto-based writer, is occupying the newly relocatedEye Level Gallery for the month. Walking through the doors of the storefront located at 2159 Gottingen Street, one thing is for certain: this isn’t your average art gallery showcase. The walls are fully bare. In the distance…
These Sisters yearn for God, but lose the way
The path forged by the three Catholic nuns in Wendy Lill’s Sisters is indeed a road to hell paved with good intentions. None of them, not even the ambitious and unbending Agnes, means to cause harm to the Aboriginal children under their care in a residential school. But we all know how that turned out.…
Radiator Collective Goes Dartmouth
This is amazing: 16 bands — many of whom comprise the infinitely busy and tirelessly creative Radiator Collective – will be playing a Dartmouth mega-show using both floors of Jacob’s Lounge this Friday beginning at 9:30pm. The show costs $5, which isn’t bad, considering the sheer volume of music you’ll be getting for your buck.…
Sick Days
Oh, boo hoo. The HR department finally told you that you need to start using vacation days whenever your kid is “sick”. It’s only mid-march and already you’ve used 11 days claiming “My kid is sick with a cold” or “It’s a snow day, I need to stay home with my kid.” What bullshit. Your…
Ginger Dust
Please wash your hair! Unfortunately I had to sit behind you today on the bus because there were no other seats and each time you scratched your head, your ginger dandruff flaked off on the seat and particles floated around. It’s repulsive! Go get some dandruff shampoo and clean yourself up. —Dust Mask Needed
More gun violence in HRM
What is it gonna take to get these shitheads off the streets? Move Romans Avenue? Seriously, have a gun in your possession during a crime = 2 years solitary confinement. Our Gov’t needs to pull its head out of its ass yet again and deal with this! “Identity can’t be revealed due to the age…
Sister-UN-law
After spending my one day off last week visiting elderly relatives (not mine) AND (try taking your turn sometime since you don’t work) with a 2 year old in tow and having to pick up something that was ultimately destroyed by the company that was fixing it, I had to drive (unplanned) to the other…
Unions Are Ruining Our Economy
Unions have gotten ridiculous with their demands under the current financial crisis. There’s word in the US that unions are going down the tube withing 10 years. I, for one, will be very happy. No more highway sign turners earning $60,000 a year. The intention of unions was very honourable in its roots and now…
A Perfectly Gay Life
My best friend met me after Spanish the other day and I immediately knew something was wrong. She informed me that they were having a discussion about gay rights in her Spanish class, and one person told the class how he doesn’t believe that gay people ‘should live together’ and said that they’re ‘disgusting.’ I…
Stop deleting me!
I’ll be adding new friends every week, but yet my list is going DOWN! Why? Because for every Facebook friend I gain, I lose two or three more! People seem to delete me when I write a status. This pisses me off, because my statuses are worth reading compared to the gawdawful shit most people…
To my property manager
You cheap fucking bastard! This is the second time this week the dryers have been broken. Those old machines you took from another building and put in mine are junk. The guy who used to have your job put in brand new washers when they gave out. If you are trying to impress your boss…
Assumptions
To the assholes who ridiculed my question to the professor to their group of friends, fuck you. The way you mocked what I asked made me wonder if you thought I asked to make myself seem intelligent; it certainly wasn’t the case. We touched upon a topic that pertained to a higher-level class I’d taken.…
Unsuper Mario
You’re 31 years old, stop playing video games. You don’t have a job, you neglect your girlfriend (my sister) and more importantly your son. Be a man, take care of your responsibilities. Why is it today’s males still act like children? Your grandfather, who you brag about fighting the Germans in Holland, did so at…
Grand Canyon of Douchedom
You sir, who have just walked into my place of employment and asked me how much a certain item was… YOU are a FULL THROTTLE DOUCHE BOTTLE! May I ask you, when I told you the current price, what made you think that when you laughed arrogantly & asked me, “And what are you going…
Parking pet-peeve
Is it just me or does it seem wrong that all this week I’ve seen families park at the meters at the Infirmary, taking up a valuable parking space, to go across the street to the Museum for the afternoon? Yeah I know it’s March break but come on. That’s just wrong. —Try walking a…
Blonde dude
Hey, I see you looking at me sometimes in school. I don’t know why you do this, but I like to think it’s because you think I’m pretty! So thank you and please if you’re looking because you think I’m awesome just come over and say it! I think you’re adorable too. If you’re looking…
Do you know the time?
Dear City Council, the monitor at the bridge terminal has been off for years now! If you’re not going to tear down and rebuild could you at least put a clock in there? Not everyone can afford a trusty wrist watch with the ever inflating cost of bus/bridge/gas. We’ve long needed some improvement in our…
Donations appreciated
Silly me, I never asked your name on the phone, and missed you when you dropped by. I just want to say a sincere “thank you” for all the great magazines you dropped off to our school library just recently. Our teachers and students are going to make great use of them. Donations are always…
Coppin’ a Trip
It’s pretty impressive when your band embarks on a cross-Canada tour after barely a year of existence. When one of your bandmates bows out at the last minute and your basement gets flooded with sewage right before the trip, as was the case with Moncton’s Cop Shades, the situation grows slightly hairier. But somehow, everything…
The brewers speak
Bobby Zacharias (Propeller) Brett Mason (Sleeman) Daniel Girard (Garrison) Greg Nash (Hart & Thistle) Kevin Keefe (Granite) Lorne Romano (Rogue’s Roost) Randy Lawrence (Sea Level Brewing) Graham Kendall (Keith’s) Bobby Zacharias, head brewer at Propeller Brewery Where did you train? I studied in Scotland at the Heriot-Wat University, and I took a course at the…
Take it to the limited
The leading trends in Canadian craft beer are seasonal releases and limited-editions, and in Halifax the most established microbreweries, Propeller and Garrison, have done a fantastic job keeping their fans on their toes with a staccato attack of new releases. Garrison recently released its first Spruce Beer, its first oak barrel-aged version of the Ol’…
Pin-ing for more
E-Pin Korean Grill House’s novelty concept is fun for a while, but if you’re cooking your own food, it needs to excel, says Melissa Buote. It’s hard to review a restaurant where you cook much of the food yourself. I imagine writing, “Great job, me,” before reaching around to pat myself on the back. “And…
Your Wit Wins Me Over Every Single Time
I love your jokes, shaggy hair, and chaos-attracting chutzpah. Your girlfriend is the luckiest. I don’t believe in man-stealing and you’re not the type to be wooed away, but dammit if you don’t make every day a little brighter. You’re quickly becoming my favourite person and at the very least I hope I can return…
Big Love’s legacy
As the lights go down on Big Love’s modern polygamist compound, Tara Thorne remembers why the series was such a big deal. When we meet Bill Henrickson (Bill Paxton), he’s a hardware-store owner in Sandy, Utah. His wife, Barb (Jeanne Tripplehorn), is a substitute teacher. They have two teenagers, a boy and a girl, doing…
Waste of space
To the member of the Canadian Military Police who parked his unmanned cruiser outside a grocery store last Friday night and left it idling while you went in to get food… thanks for wasting our tax dollars you bloated excuse for a human being and thanks for doing your part to pollute our world. And…
The beer doctor is in
There are beer geeks, and there are beer nerds. And if he’s going to be called one of them, Alex Speers insists on the latter. I meet Alex Speers in person on the first mild day in March. Previously, on the phone, Speers had taken me through a PowerPoint presentation of complicated-looking graphs and used…
No time for customers
In a stunning display of bureaucratic tin-ear, Metro Transit is completely failing its riders. At issue: real-time scheduling information that can be accessed through a web interface and mobile phone apps. The need for such a system is obvious. We live in a hilly city with narrow streets and crappy weather, so inevitably buses will…
West is West goes south
It’s been 12 years since writer Ayub Khan-Din unleashed East Is East, a comedy about a working-class family headed up by an abusive, controlling Pakistani patriarch (Om Puri) and a tart-tongued white Briton (Linda Bassett) in the early 70s. Puri’s George Khan was so loathsome that the movie, for all its virtues, left a bad…
Boosting bikeways
Four of the city’s most substantial institutions—Dalhousie and Saint Mary’s universities, the IWK and Capital Health—are co-operating to create a “Bikeways Plan” in the south end, which they have named the “Urban Halifax Institutional District.” “It’s a large area,” says Mark Nener, a community planner with Dalhousie’s Cities and Environment Unit. “The ballpark number for…
Paul packs laughs
Actors, writing partners and real-life buddies Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have a rare chemistry capable of making material seem better than it is. In Paul, the British buds star as sci-fi-loving dweebs who help deliver a friendly extraterrestrial (the voice of Seth Rogen) from imprisonment on Earth. In support is a team of perfectly…
Navigating Traffic
A four-gallery conceptual art exhibition hits the city this week, covering 15 years of artists from across the country. Laura Kenins takes a look at the form’s edgy, provocative history in Halifax. In 1967, the sleepy Nova Scotia College of Art was suddenly propelled to international fame as a centre of conceptual art. Ontario-born artist…
Six hacks for a six pack
Hairspray Back in my short-lived childhood ballerina career, I once ran out of hairspray before a recital. In a flash of genius, my mother remembered a trick from the old days. She cracked a beer and began touching up my topknot. It worked, but I stunk like a brewery. Slug killer If your garden is…
Battle:Los Angeles wins
An alien army arrives on Earth to annihilate humanity and it’s up to a few good Marines to save the world. Sound familiar? Yep, Battle: Los Angeles is a long way from original, but it’s in the same area code as enjoyable due to its relentless action and occasional feints in the direction of allegory.…
Myles Deck and the Fuzz are dead
Five years ago, Myles Deck was bored. Night after night, he watched the usual array of Halifax bands go through the motions. The music wasn’t bad, but something was missing. “I felt a good frontman was lacking in every show I went to,” he says. “I wanted someone who was there, who you couldn’t ignore.”…
The gassy truth
Drinking beer doesn’t have to lead to a night of burps and farts. Allison Saunders tells us how to be a dainty, respectable drinker. It seems the tastiest things tend to piss off your stomach and sadly this doesn’t exclude beer, especially in mass quantities. For most, seasoned suds drinkers or otherwise, a night of…
Road warrior
The 11 songs on Sackville-based raconteur Pat Le- Poidevin’s third album Highway Houses piece together like patches on a traveller’s backpack, telling stories from his journey to Dawson City and back. Last April, LePoidevin and drummer Matt Sarty headed out on a 30-date tour, with their sights set on a summer in the Yukon. Driving across…
The Feminine Form takes shape
Basia Lukwinski’s first solo show got its early inspiration from a life-drawing session and one model in particular. “Life had beat her body down. I started drawing her and I was amazed at how beautiful the lines and the forms and the shapes were coming together. It made me realize there’s beauty in anything and…
Tickle your fancy with A Wink & A Smile
On Friday night, The Paragon Theatre will be at its sexiest. Sure, your ears will be on the classic twang from both The Trouble Shooters and The Shakedown Combo…but your eyes will be fixated on the city’s finest in burlesque. The classy ladies from Tainted Temple Burlesque will tempt you with the likes of Helena…
Get country with Zuppa Theatre
The lovely people of Zuppa Theatre want you to get old-timey. Think about those good ol’ fashioned country fairs, add a plentiful bar and you’ve got a seriously fun fundraiser that’ll help make Zuppa’s upcoming show, The Debacle, run smoothly. This spring fling encourages you to embrace your inner child with games like chicken toss,…
Rent-boy etiquette lessons
Q I am a 36-year-old straight man, blissfully married to my 34-year-old soulmate. We have explored and enjoyed each other for a decade now and we recently started exploring BDSM and D fantasies. Everything was going great sexually—until last night. Two years ago, my wife expressed an interest in an MMF three-way, where I was…
Barley whines
Beer prices are going up, but there’s a made-at-home solution. Amber Young reports. Reports suggest it won’t be long before beer drinkers should start to worry about increasing barley costs. Due to dismal crops and gas prices, the price of grain is on the rise, which leaves beer drinkers torn between buying their favourites and…
Yukon Blonde’s rambling ways
Yukon Blonde’s van has been through a lot over three runs through the US and seven trips across Canada. And while the BC-native vagrant indie-rockers are happy living life on the road (they put everything they own in storage last summer), maybe their van just needed a little breather.”She’s been amazing. We did nine months…
Free Will Astrology
PISCES (February 19 – March 20) If I had to come up with a title for the next phase of your astrological cycle, it might be “Gathering Up.” The way I see it, you should focus on collecting any resources that are missing from your reserves. You should hone skills that are still too weak…
No time for customers
Metro Transit misses the bus again: Real-time schedule information is available to managers, but sharing it with riders has no arrival time. In a stunning display of bureaucratic tin-ear, Metro Transit is completely failing its riders. At issue: real-time scheduling information that can be accessed through a web interface and mobile phone apps. The need…
Cycle Sea Change
Four of the city’s most substantial institutions—Dalhousie and Saint Mary’s universities, the IWK and Capital Health—are co-operating to create a “Bikeways Plan” in the south end, which they have named the “Urban Halifax Institutional District.” “It’s a large area,” says Mark Nener, a community planner with Dalhousie’s Cities and Environment Unit. “The ballpark number for…
Updated—Common concerts: by the numbers
Updated with new figures 17 March, 6:18pm Country Rocks 2008 (Keith Urban) Paid attendance: 11,853 City loans: $950,000. City loan money paid back: $950,000 City in-kind contributions: $300,000 Paul McCartney Paid attendance: 26,504 Loan from province to pay McCartney’s upfront fee: $3.5 million NS Dept of Tourism for advertising: $300,000 NS Dept of Economic Development,…
Concert scandal rocks City Hall
[image-1] The city’s CAO office improperly authorized millions of dollars in cash advances to Power Promotional Events, a private company that managed a series of concerts on the Halifax Common. The loans were initiated in 2008, and most of the money was repaid, but the city is stuck with a $359,550 bill from two loans…
Does Trade Centre’s involvement kill convention centre proposal?
Trade Centre Limited president Scott Ferguson was fully aware of the city of Halifax’s back-door loan policy to Power Promotions, says Suzanne Fougere, Ferguson’s spokesperson. But TCL had no reason to suspect the loans were improper, says Fougere. “We were given direction by HRM to release the funds from the Metro Centre account. In the…
Mayor Peter Kelly was in the loop
Mayor Peter Kelly knew that the CAO’s office was funnelling money through Metro Centre to Power Promotions, a city document shows. But Kelly did not alert the full city council of the improper practice, and did not speak publicly of the matter for the next seven months. The document is a July 21, 2010 letter…
