Halifax exhibit celebrates communications revolution
Opening of Halifax exhibit that celebrates city’s role in supporting the transatlantic telegraph cable.
Shortlist for 2011 Sobey Art Award Announced
The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and the Sobey Art Foundation’s curatorial panel made the tough decisions, scrutinized, deliberated and sweated it out to present you with the shortlist for the 2011 Sobey Art Award, Canada’s pre-eminent prize for contemporary Canadian art. The 2011 shortlist, out of 25 nominees: Atlantic: Zeke Moores Québec: Manon De…
John W. Doull bookseller has big sale
It’s the 260th Semi-Hemi-Super-Decimation Sale at John W. Doull (1684 Barrington Street, 429-1652), that amazing bookstore at the corner of Barrington and Prince. Here’s the deal: buy 10 or more books and get 50 percent off the marked prices, even more in some sections. (This does not include internet stock, oh web-savvy customers. You must…
Gottingen Street changing in big ways
There’s a new energy on Gottingen Street, and that energy is playing out in all sorts of interesting and positive ways. There is big news this week for the street: A north end business improvement district is being formed. And there is big almost news for the street: a full dental clinic has been outfitted,…
Hello Sailor! reveals the secret gay life of the sea
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic’s latest exhibit, Hello Sailor! Gay Life on the Ocean Wave—a joint project with the Merseyside Maritime Museum and National Museums Liverpool—explores the idea of merchant and commercial ships being little slices of “gay heaven” on the open sea in the 1950s and 60s. Dr. Jo Stanley is the co-author…
The Pack AD Are Coming
The Pack AD make thunderous blues-rock that will shatter your brain and singer/guitarist Becky Black has a voice that could find me in the darkest pits of hell. Also, they are cute best buddies. Do you really need to know anything else? Here’s an ear-friendly song, “Deer”, from their latest album We Kill Computers. They…
Parks Canada details charges to Harold MacKay for Metallica show
I just got off the phone with Theresa Bunbury at Parks Canada, who I had called to find out what Harold MacKay of MacKay Entertainment was paying for rental of the Garrison Grounds for the July 14 Metallica show. While Bunbury wouldn’t give me the exact terms of the contract, she did say it was…
Holy Shit, Talib Kweli is Coming to Jazzfest
So yeah, Idle Warship featuring Res and Talib Fucking Kweli are opening up the Halifax Jazz Fest on Saturday July 9. Opening act is The Extremities. Show begins at 8pm. Tickets are $28.50 ($25.00 for members)Purchase tickets here. Now I’m going to post a bunch of Talib Kweli videos and get all giggly-like. If you…
Rich Terfry Delivers Closing Keynote Speech at NCRC
The closing keynote at this year’s National Campus and Community Radio Conference (happening this year in Halifax, don’t cha know!) will be delivered by Rich Terfry/Buck 65. It’s sort of fitting because according to popular lore, Terfry grew up on CKDU and apparently used to climb trees in his Mount Uniacke yard with radio in…
William Shatner sings O Canada
We were wondering what Halifax’s Jacob Medjuck, director of the Nova Scotia-shot comedy Summerhood, has been up to lately. Turns out he’s been helping make William Shatner funny. Not that he needs the help. Click here to see a short film Medjuck directed of Shatner performing our national anthem, to celebrate the once and forever…
Well Played
In July, the Camerata Xara young women’s choir has been invited to perform at Festival 500, a biennial international choral festival held in St. John’s, Newfoundland. This past Saturday, Xara previewed “Played”, the program they will perform there. It’s a one-hour, three-act journey that sees young women grow from separate, busy lives to a joyful…
The Conspirator a stirring history lesson
The first third of Robert Redford’s historical drama is a static civics lesson about the principles of due process and the importance of maintaining the rule of law in times of war. Just when you’re thinking about ducking out of class, though, a wave of emotional momentum comes along, shaking the dust off the textbooks.…
Bridesmaids hilarious
The movie starts with a bang: down-on-her-luck Annie (Kristen Wiig) and her handsome fuck-buddy (Jon Hamm) are going at it like rabbits—Wiig’s exasperated expressions and flailing limbs will make you laugh so hard you cry. This sets the tone for a hilarious trip down the aisle as Annie attempts to fulfill her Maid of Honour…
FRED. beauty is now seven days
As of this month, FRED.beauty, the salon portion of the hotspot that’s also a cafe and gallery, is open seven days a week for beauty appointments. The new salon hours are Sunday 11am-4pm, Monday 9am-5pm, Tuesday 9am-6pm, Wednesday 9am-8pm, Thursday 9am-8pm, Friday 9am-8pm and Saturday 9am-5pm. FRED is found at 2606 Agricola, 423-5400.
Unspectacular Priest
Scott Stewart’s adaptation of the eponymous graphic novel series opens with a couple of minutes of bloody, animated exposition, during which we learn that after years of warfare, super-powered priests have beaten back a race of eyeless vampires and the church has established Orwellian colonies for the human survivors. As silly as all that is,…
The Green Reflectors at Guitar Fest VII
Guitar Fest — the yearly rock n’ roll/surf/rockabilly twang party hosted by the Urban Surf Kings – features a solid lineup this year, including Brad Conrad, The Shakedown Combo, The Fabulous Venturamas and the Whiskey Kisses. We’re particularly excited to see The Green Reflectors — two severely talented young brothers from Bridgewater with a penchant…
House of Moda opens
House of Moda (5486 Spring Garden Road, 407-4147), formerly a custom designing jewellery and wholesaling operation, now has a storefront up above Mills. Moda carries its own collection, a sterling silver/rose gold line soon to be added, as well as watches, oversize handmade scarves, and belts.
ZedCrew to screen
Halifax director Noah Pink will introduce and answer questions about his short ZedCrew on Sunday, May 15, 7pm at Park Lane. Pink has directed videos, shorts and documentaries. This dramatic short, shot in Zambia with a skeleton crew, is about three rappers who want to make it big and are prepared to go the United…
Cheryl Hodder appointed Film Nova Scotia board of directors chair
The Film Nova Scotia board of directors has a new chair. Cheryl Hodder is a partner and Nova Scotia regional manager at law firm McInnes Cooper. She practises administrative law, education law, and corporate governance and serves on the nominating committee of the Nova Scotia Community College, is the program chair of the Atlantic Chapter…
Deer Tick Show Cancelled
The Deer Tick show scheduled tomorrow night at Gus’ Pub has unfortunately been cancelled due to the band having some difficulty getting over the border. Refunds will be issued at Obsolete Records (2454 Agricola St.)
Joel Plaskett and Shotgun Jimmie Team Up
Just a wee post about something nice during a murky week: those two beloved guys Joel Plaskett and Shotgun Jimmie are releasing a split 7″ on Plaskett’s New Scotland Records label called JimmiesStillJimmie/ThatsNotJoel. We have heard the Joel Plaskett side – amusingly, he’s the one who does “JimmiesStillJimmie” – and it’s a romping, slightly plaintive…
Educated with No Career
I’ve had this commerce degree for over a year now and the only type of work I can seem to obtain is low-wage work that a high school grad is qualified for, such as restaurant work. I’ve been hitting the pavement, been volunteering in my field of study for quite some time, tried temp agencies,…
My Awesome Fiance
This is going out to my awesome fiance, by the end of this you will know who you are. I have told you many times in person, over the phone, in emails and now this. I love how you love me. I love how well you deal with me being gone when I travel for…
Use the Stairs
So, I work on the 9th floor and you work on the 2nd. Almost every morning when we meet you enter the elevator with me. You press 2 and I get angry. The stairs to floor 2 are right next to the elevators. If you have say, knee issues, then I understand, however, you seem…
Fed Up with the Transit System
To the bus driver of the number 58 Woodlawn departing from Alderney at 3:30pm on Tuesday, May 10: I would have thought being a woman and all you may have some mercy for a mom running to catch the bus with her two children. Instead you chose to close the door and pull away from…
LLTQ Music Sampler
Whoa, it’s almost time for Long Live the Queen. The festival organizers have once again put together a mix tape of songs by fest participants for your listening/downloading enjoyment. The Chitz, Crosss, D’EON, Doldrums, Envision, Gianna Lauren, Mayor McCa, Old Man Luedecke, The Prospector’s Union, Rattail, Rebekah Higgs, Rituals, Silly Kissers, Sister, The Taste, and…
Bob Harvey
2010 grade: C- 2009 grade: B- 2008 grade: B+ 2007 grade: B+ Bob Harvey didn’t do much of anything this past year; he seems to be just calling it in. He did makes some noteworthy votes—noteworthy because they were wrong: in favour of the convention centre, for a smaller council, refusing to stop the Washmill…
Long Long Long
On the eve of its North American tour, Long Long Long dropped this feast of a tape (also available at longlonglong.bandcamp.com). The song structures herein are entirely novel and yet they pull the listener along with the familiar anticipation of a pop song. Complete with reticulating guitar lines, curious religious references, some found sounds and…
Gloria McCluskey
2010 grade: B+ 2009 grade: B- 2008 grade: B 2007 grade: C Gloria McCluskey is irreplaceable. With her long stints as mayor of the former city of Dartmouth and as an assessor, McCluskey brings history, perspective and knowledge to council discussions that literally no one else has. She was an invaluable resource, for example, in…
The Fly Fisher’s Companion a catch
You needn’t worry that The Fly Fisher’s Companion, Cape Breton playwright Michael Melski’s meditation on aging, death and friendship, is depressing, maudlin or cliched. It’s filled with sharp dialogue, plenty of laughs and real chemistry between Don Ritchie (playing Wes, a bouncy, optimistic writer) and John Dartt (as Don, an acerbic, self-centred businessman), so that…
Deer Tick’s new tricks
It takes time to become who you really are—unsolicited counsel given to me by a chatty, pregnant stranger proud of waiting until her 30s to get married and start a family. It took awhile, she said, before she understood what worked best for her. This same notion can be applied to the five scruffy, booze-swilling…
Peter Kelly
2010 grade: C 2009 grade: C- 2008 grade: D 2007 grade: D In past years, I understood mayor Peter Kelly to be the likable bumbling fool. That version of Kelly was OK with me: the mayoralty is a mostly powerless position, so having a goofball in the office might be frustrating when you want somebody…
Jennifer Watts
2010 grade: A- 2009 grade: B Last year I gave Jennifer Watts an A-. It was the first time any councillor had entered A-land, and I’ve been feeling kind of weird about it ever since. So I was happy to bring her down a tad this year. Call it a social demotion. Watts remains an…
Purity Ring
The internet has been abuzz over Purity Ring ever since the electro-pop duo—consisting of GOBBLE GOBBLE’s Corin Roddick and Halifax’s Megan James— unleashed its frenetic first single in mp3 form. Ungirthed swims through spooky synths and spasmodic snare-heavy beats to become even more playful as James’ sprightly singing dives in, glittering and gleaming. The recent…
Darren Fisher
2010 grade: C+ 2009 grade: N/A Darren Fisher is becoming something of a dead fish at council. Like his suburban Dartmouth counterpart Lorelei Nicoll, Fisher kind of, er, flounders about at council. The newest councillor, having replaced Andrew Younger (who went to Province House) in a by-election last year, Fisher never really says much, never…
Carl Stewart looks beneath the sheets
What’s in a mattress? Tossing, turning, sweet dreams, nightmares, hot sex, bad sex, the beginning of life…or maybe, the end. Ottawa-based artist Carl Stewart thinks about those things, but he’s also interested in the aesthetics of a bed, under the sheets. The bare mattress and box spring. He began collecting pieces of curbside mattresses in…
Russell Walker
2010 grade: B 2009 grade: B- 2008 grade: C- 2001 grade: D Russell Walker “gets kudos for keeping ‘tax reform’ at bay,” I wrote last year, “but I don’t see him keeping these sort of grades into the future.” And sure enough, here he is, being dinged two letter grades. Walker’s most public presence comes…
Bill Karsten
2010 grade: C+ 2009 grade: C+ 2008 grade: C 2007 grade: C- Bill Karsten understands what’s going on at council, and has opinions about things. This distinguishes him from his colleagues in the Dartmouth districts to the north and south (Fisher and Nicoll). More, Karsten gets huge points for fighting tooth and nail against the…
Sexy times at the Fetish Ball
It’s the eighth year for Halifax’s Fetish Ball, a safe space for the boundary-bending and kink-curious to be teased, learn a sexual lesson or two and dance the night away. The annual event kicks off with a stage show, with the always feisty and fabulous local pro-domme Miss Jaded hosting a lineup that includes burlesque…
The Beastie Boys
The Beastie Boys have been grown-ass men for quite some time now, which is why it should come as no surprise that their latest, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, is basically a dad-rock album. That’s because Hot Sauce Committee is essentially made for people who grew up listening to the organic funk of 1992’s Check…
Peter Lund
2010 grade: D 2009 grade: C For no good reason, and with a surprisingly detached mean-spiritedness, last summer the Chronicle-Herald invaded Peter Lund’s personal life. I don’t want to re-invade it here; suffice it to say that Lund handled the situation as gracefully as anyone in his position could, and soldiered on at council with…
Jesse Dangerously
Humble & Brilliant is an apt title for the fifth studio album from Haligonian MC Jesse Dangerously, who’s been living away the past couple of years. Not only does it demonstrate the depth of the Halifax hip-hop scene, but it showcases an artist who deserves the attention of mainstream audiences. Jesse Dangerously’s work may not…
Jackie Barkhouse
2010 grade: B 2009 grade: C+ 2008 grade: C+ In this transitional year for the city bureaucracy, as there’s substantial management turnover and a series of scandals and bureaucratic failings hitting city hall, it’s a damn good thing we have Jackie Barkhouse on the political side of things. Barkhouse repeatedly calls out the top-heavy management…
Debbie Hum
2010 grade: D- 2009 grade: D+ 2008 grade: C+ 2007 grade: C+ Last year, I was sincerely worried about Debbie Hum, who was sobbing at nearly every council meeting. Sure, council debates can get depressing, but outright crying because someone objects to the second bullet in subclause three in section 428 is a bit over…
Shad gets it
Ever since Canadian rapper Shad released his 2010 album TSOL to the hip-hop masses, the London, Ontario-raised musician has seen a growing interest in his career from some of the unlikeliest places. Namely, Salt Lake City. “The show had a lot more sketchy characters than you would think,” says Shad of performing in front of…
Jim Smith
2010 grade: C+ 2009 grade: C- 2008 grade: D 2007 grade: C+ North Dartmouth would be well-represented by one of those Highfield Park community activists the King’s College journalism class wrote about in a recent issue of The Coast. Or by a blue-collar working stiff with a mortgage on an Albro Lake Road bungalow and…
Brad Johns
2010 grade: D 2009 grade: C 2008 grade: D 2007 grade: D Brad Johns is the nutty councillor for Sackville, famously the rawkingest place in the universe thanks to the Weir Rocking concerts. Johns’ low-rent suburban appeal doesn’t carry a lot of currency among snooty urbanites, but I gotta say I find him delightfully his…
How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less
Israel’s Birthright program has been running for 11 years, offering free trips to Israel to young Jewish people around the world. Sarah Glidden recounts her trip in this graphic novel memoir, using simple but pleasant artwork to capture situations that are often complex and ugly. Glidden is a relatable and friendly narrator, interjecting her own…
Reg Rankin
2010 grade: D 2009 grade: D Reg Rankin reportedly has a drinking problem. People have told me they’ve seen him visibly intoxicated at official functions, and Rankin was the main subject of mayor Peter Kelly’s secret memo about “excessive drinking.” Earlier this year, Rankin allegedly was drunk at a police function and said rude things…
Game of Thrones
HBO is a good home for George RR Martin’s sprawling, adult-readers fantasy series. The Tolkien-esque-with-sex story of swords, magic creatures, power politics and family secrets is expected to play out for seasons, to allow the dozens of leading characters time to develop. They’ll need that time if early episode hiccups are anything to go by.…
Mary Wile
2010 grade: F 2009 grade: D 2008 grade: D 2007 grade: C+ Mary Wile is in over her head. At council meetings, she comes across as confused and often doesn’t understand what’s going on. I’m not aware of any initiative from Wile in at least three years, and her occasional spark of consciousness is usually…
Linda Mosher
2010 grade: B- 2009 grade: C- 2008 grade: C- 2007 grade: D Linda Mosher was out was out of commission for a couple of months this year, after having back surgery. She did respond to emails, but she wasn’t attending council meetings or driving around her district doing constituency work. Still, Mosher was an effective…
Raving Rabbids: Travel in Time
BWAAAAH!: Get used to it, you’ll be hearing it a lot if you decide to pick up this platformer/party game. Five years after the original Rayman’s Raving Rabbids, the crazy bunnies are at it again using slapstick humour and time-travelling (via washing machine) hijinks to get into some major trouble. The game is split up…
Tim Outhit
2010 grade: C- 2009 grade: C Tim Outhit is a reflection of the upper-income Bedford neighbourhoods that elected him, albeit maybe he believes more in the capacity of government to achieve positive results than is normal for that demographic. Two issues illustrate the point. First is hockey, the preoccupation of all Canadian suburbanites. To provide…
City council report card 2011
Political winds change. Last year, Halifax council dealt with a profound philosophical challenge called “tax reform,” which, if implemented, would have fundamentally shifted the property tax system—it was, quite literally, the most radical proposed change in municipal governance in all of North America for the last century and a half. In the end, council did…
Next stop, klezmer
Four incredibly talented women make up the Blue Engine String Quartet. Jennifer Jones, Anne Simons, Margot Aldrich and Hilary Brown (all of whom are also Symphony Nova Scotia members) having been making chamber music under the name since 1997 and over the years added their fiery intricacies to artists spanning genres. That fire will be…
Coffee Surprise
To the amazing barista who brought me a surprise peppermint mocha when my debit card was on the fritz! You made my day and reminded me just when I needed it how awesome and kind people can be! Keep spreading the love. —The Appreciative Broke Ass Student
Jerry Blumenthal
2010 grade: C- 2009 grade: C Jerry Blumenthal used to be the class clown of council, but lately he’s dropped the clown tie (or maybe Brad Johns stole them all) and even Blumenthal seems to have realized that his jokes fall flat, and so he’s mostly given up that game. Too bad, really: I enjoyed…
Stephen Adams
2010 grade: D 2009 grade: B- 2008 grade: C- 2007 grade: B- As I was preparing to write this report card, I went back and checked Stephen Adams’ attendance record at council meetings because he doesn’t pop up in my otherwise meticulous notes very often. Turns out he hasn’t actually missed that many meetings—just three,…
Sim City Deluxe
The Sim City series has long been synonymous with the PC—now you can micromanage your own city on the go with Sim City Deluxe. (If only there was a way to shrink your fingers.) If you’ve played one of the many Sim City games before, you know what to expect. If this is your first…
3 Inches of Blood get documented
One can only imagine the antics that go on behind the scenes of a 3 Inches of Blood/Cancer Bats Canadian tour. But thanks to filmmaker Tom MacLeod, you can give those imaginations a little rest. He’s joined his friends, 3 Inches of Blood, on the road, capturing all the little moments along the way. “The…
Boutique Joliette Saturday spring fashion showcase
Peter Bauer, the award-winning silver artist, and Halifax fashion designer Susan Johnston will launch their collections for Spring 2011 at a one-day showcase at Boutique Joliette (1870 Hollis Street, 405-4057) Saturday, May 14, 10am to 6pm. “So Much Shimmer”—Bauer’s new line of jewellery—“is distinctly feminine, sparkling and very wearable,” says Boutique Joliette owner Alexis Mahoney.…
Can I say STFU to the whiners?
Q My life is not horrible. I’m an American college student. Compared to most people in the world, I’m pretty well-off. I go to college in Bellingham, Washington—the weed is awesome, the weather is great and there are lots of hot guys. Score! But! I’m a homo. And I didn’t know how horrible my life…
Steve Streatch
2010 grade: D 2009 grade: F 2008 grade: F 2007 grade: F Oh, Steve Streatch. Last year I gave Streatch his first non-failing grade, a D, to reward his opposition to “tax reform”—an easy stance since his district would’ve seen taxes double, but still. And when he said sensible things about the convention centre, I…
The Thief scores
It’s still a little bit chilly on the waterfront. As I walk to The Bicycle Thief, the water in the harbour is rough, knocking against the wharf like a fist. It’s a perfect night for a pasta dinner. The restaurant is filled with the smoky blues and plush grays you’d find on a rainy day…
Dawn Sloane
2010 grade: B+ 2009 grade: B 2008 grade: B 2007 grade: B- Dawn Sloane has put the winter parking ban issue front and centre at council, and for good reason. The parking ban is the epitome of horrible government practices: it is overly broad and heavy-handed, treats citizens as if they have not a lick…
Free Will Astrology
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) “If you wish to bake an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe,��� said astronomer Carl Sagan in Cosmos. In other words, the pie can’t exist until there’s a star orbited by a habitable planet that has spawned intelligent creatures and apples. A lot of preliminaries have to…
Barry Dalrymple
2010 grade: D- 2009 grade: D If you’re ever looking for the stereotypical disagreeable ex-cop, a guy who chews marbles when he speaks and has no time for sensitive feefees, Barry Dalrymple is your man. Don’t get me wrong: Dalrymple’s put-upon disposition and no-patience-for-fools manner are his good points. But Dalrymple earns a failing grade…
Steve MacIsaac’s Shirtlifter explores the gay male relationships
Like all good comic artists, Steve MacIsaac got into the form through a period of introspection and too much time spent alone. The one-time Haligonian took a year off from a design degree at NSCAD in 2000 to teach English in Japan, where he started drawing comics seriously, and never looked back. “My job was…
A toast to the Hydrostone
Little Europe Bistro & Gourmet To Go The Hydrostone Market calls itself “Halifax’s European Shopping Experience” and if you’re shopping like you’re across the pond, you might as well eat and drink like it, too. Wash down your lunch with an Erdinger beer here (a light or dark ale). The fine German brew is aged…
David Hendsbee
2010 grade: D 2009 grade: C 2008 grade: D 2007 grade: D+ David Hendsbee is the Brindi the dog of Halifax council. Brindi, who is one of Hendsbee’s constituents, found and exploited a crack in the bylaws and inserted her unmuzzled snout into it, costing the city a bundle in lawyers’ fees, so maybe Hendsbee…
Sue Uteck
2010 grade: C 2009 grade: C+ 2008 grade: B- 2007 grade: B In March, Sue Uteck’s dog, a 135-pound bullmastiff named Homer, jumped on a woman in Point Pleasant Park and broke both the woman’s arms. The story was spun in the Chronicle-Herald to portray Uteck as caring and quick-witted, going to extra lengths to…
Empowering through video
Things are running a bit late. It’s after 11 on the last Saturday morning in April, but the couple dozen people at the East Preston Rec Centre are excited, sitting patiently in their chairs arranged in front of a large TV. Here, a seven-minute documentary about the life of local African-Nova Scotian hero Sinclair Williams…
Lorelei Nicoll
2010 grade: C 2009 grade: C- Lorelei Nicoll is super-nice, means well and doesn’t break anything. So this is a solid C, a respectable if unremarkable grade. We could do a hell of a lot worse than Nicoll. She usually ends up on the right side of the issues and appears to have empathy for…
BRRAAAIIIINS!
This Friday the 13th, the Ecology Action Centre’s Amy Hawke is laying her brain on the line for the environment. In a task too daunting for most, the plucky activist, who usually specializes in “supporting human networks,” will harness the power of the undead—specifically zombies—at the Camp Hill Cemetery on Robie Street. From there they…
Dawson Printshop printing demos and tours this Saturday
The Letterpress Gang is hosting the first annual Wayzgoose, the printers holiday, with an event at the Dawson Printshop (1895 Granville Street at NSCAD), from 12noon to 5pm, Saturday May 14. The sale includes coasters, cards, posters and more. Come and get a tour of the shop and try your hand at letterpress printing.
Russell Walker
2010 grade: B 2009 grade: B- 2008 grade: C- 2001 grade: D Russell Walker “gets kudos for keeping ‘tax reform’ at bay,” I wrote last year, “but I don’t see him keeping these sort of grades into the future.” And sure enough, here he is, being dinged two letter grades. Walker’s most public presence comes…
MAKENEW Sale
Anna Gilkerson , who made waves with her eco-fashion line DeuxFM, is back with a new label, MAKENEW, which you’ll be able to find at a sale this Friday, May 13 at Love, Me Boutique (1539 Birmingham Street, 444-3668) from 5-7pm. The new collection, called Country Grafik, features 70’s and 90’s inspired silhouettes, the layering…
