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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] Picnicface was great. I loved going to their shows back when and still go see Mark Little and Andy Bush whenever they come through town, but it’s time to move on. Every time there’s a show even remotely funny happening in HRM the reviewer always opens with “Not since Picnicface.” Stop. They’re gone now,…
To be dumb enough to put your dumb-ass, passive-aggressive, anonymous note on the wrong door. You meant to send this to my neighbor who has “three cars and a bike.” I don’t know why you’re too much of a coward to talk to these people face-to-face and have to use unsigned notes to show how…
I saw you on the bus with your flowery pants and rad earrings, and the cutest head of curls. You sat in front of me, the girl with the bright blue Cubs jacket, but I was too shy to say hello. You even smiled at me when you got off, but I looked away like…
[Image-1] Yes, it is great to keep yourself ‘groomed.’ However, when you clip your nails for 10 minutes (seriously) at your desk, everyone is disgusted. That shit is for at home, not your desk at work. It is so loud! I don’t even want to know how many nail slices are on your chair, desk…
If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s people who don’t say “Thank you” whenever I hold a door open for them! It really pisses me off! I’m not asking for your life’s blood, nor am I asking for you to bow or curtsy to me. But there are two simple words which should be…
You can huff, you can puff but you’re not getting in my stall! Rattling the door, banging on the door commanding me to “hurry up” is not going to make my ablutions go faster. This isn’t the only comfort station in the building. So skip to another loo my darling. —Generalissimus Stall-in
[Image-1] Halifax’s Centre Plan just got its initial dose of feedback from the municipality’s Community Design Advisory Committee, and it’s a mix of excitement, as well as a few concerns. The idea behind the much-anticipated Centre Plan is to create a “blueprint” of sorts, updating planning policies and outlining growth ideas in HRM’s urban core.…
[Image-1] A strike vote of 96 percent on Tuesday means Nova Scotia’s 9,300 teachers could be walking off the job as early as December 3. “Public school teachers have spoken loud and clear,” said NSTU president Liette Doucet in a press release. “We feel strongly about providing better education to Nova Scotia’s students and are willing…
[Image-1] Fine! I am a D.I.N.K (Dual Income No Kids) I know you judge me and other’s like me because you feel we have no real responsibilities in life (by responsibilities I mean kids) and live somewhat selfishly. But guess what I am probably judging you too.But why not if you could only see yourselves,…
We had a great Nocturne evening thanks to a sweet, friendly, dark-haired young woman who helped us out with some art. We were in the Terroir Exhibit of AGNS and saw a stunning car hood piece with words written on the back. We asked out loud: were those the words to a song? She overheard us and said yes, and…
[Image-1] Lisa Blackburn, one of Halifax’s recently-elected councillors, is also one of the only women. She’s disappointed by that. “There’s so much missing when we have so few women,” says Blackburn. “We think about things differently; we process things differently; we’re just wired differently.” This year’s municipal election brought five new people to Halifax Regional…
Spring Awakening is an exciting piece of contemporary theatre. Adapted into a musical from a controversial, often-censored 19th-century German play of the same name, it is arguably one of the great new musicals of the 21st century. Becca Guilderson is excellent as Wendla, a young girl learning about sex in all the wrong ways. As…
You might have noticed Facebook posts or Coast ads about The Deep, “Atlantic Canada’s long-form magazine.” And you may have wondered, “Hey, what is that, anyway?” The Deep is a collaboration between The Coast and Matthew Halliday and Chelsea Murray, a couple of journalists (and a journalistic couple) who moved to Halifax from Toronto in…
[Image-1] Why do the banks here stink so bad. I’ve given up on my bank. Waiting forever to get someone in Mexico or Columbia to woodenly read me a script and suggest I visit a branch. Head to the nearest, most convenient branch to be told I have to go to my home branch, and…
I was a little surprised to have missed all of Monomyth’s set arriving at the Marquee Friday night, but chalked it up to my own lateness. Turns out the band had the sound cut prematurely after drunkenly acting out on stage. (Save it for Montreal, guys.) Fortunately, no such incident befell Sackville, NB’s Partner. More…
There are several countries in this world where apostasy is still punishable by death. Its a touchy subject that people in certain communities don’t really talk about openly. I come from one of these countries and a very strict one. I’ve lost my home and my family since coming out as agnostic. I am nothing…
Reaf, you were here for a conference last month and I agreed to show you around since you were new in town and hey, I’m a local! But I didn’t realize how much I liked being around you until you were gone. Now you’re back on (geographically and metaphorically) the other side of the world,…
The Art Bar was the perfect home Wednesday night for Montreal’s She-Devils. Audrey Ann Boucher dresses like a youthful version of Xavier Dolan’s belaguered mother in J’ai Tué Ma Mère, and the band plays like a soundtrack, with a smooth while electronic sound ranging from the dreamily droning to the upbeat. Bandmate Kyle Jukka hovers…
[Image-1] It’s been said that good fences make good neighbours. But the wooden fence around the beer garden at Good Robot Brewing Company hasn’t stopped the next-door Islamic centre from taking issue with its noisy goings-on. Despite “amicably” trying to work out the problem amongst themselves, the news has made the Centre for Islamic Development…
Working in a food truck has brought my faith in humanity back! Having worked in a big chain retail job for years, where there was no day without a multitude of rude, impatient, verbally abusive customers (which were, more often that not, completely unjustified in their anger), so it’s such a refreshing change to work…
Thank you to friendly police officer who rescued me from the Bedford Highway on a misdirected trip home. I’m very grateful for the kindness you showed me, and for helping me out of the pickle I’d gotten myself into. I hope I may find a way to repay the favor, but in the meantime I’ll…
Guys, you might want to check the toilet and floor for piss dribbles before leaving your buddy’s bathroom —Pissed
I get it, it’s early and your coffee has barely kicked in, but surely that doesn’t mean that all of you can’t see me trying to cross Larry Uteck. I have to take the bus to work due to an injury, that’s why you see me with a cane. I can’t do a mad dash…
It’s been months now since we separated ways. A part of me will always be waiting for you. You are and will always be the love of my life. —Brooklyn Girl
[Image-1] On her path to a prestigious clerkship with the Supreme Court of Canada, Naiomi Metallic overcame many obstacles, including two fussy babies. Born near the Listuguj, Quebec reserve to a French-Canadian mother and a Mi’kmaq father, Metallic boarded a red-eye flight from Halifax to Ottawa for an early morning round of clerkship interviews in…
[Image-1] To the two privileged, middle-aged white, missionary men who decided it was appropriate to furiously honk and motion at an early-twenty-year-old on her way home in a creepy (yet expensive) van, while shortly afterwards chasing her on foot up the street: Congratulations, you managed to give someone with social anxiety more reason to be…
[Image-1] The biggest turnover in the October 15 municipal vote happened at the nearly invisible level of local government—the Halifax Regional School Board. Elected school board members are so low-profile that mainstream Nova Scotia news outlets virtually ignore the races, even in Halifax, home to the largest school board in Atlantic Canada. Nine elected school…
I have a confession to make: I have never voted at the ‘municipal’ level, since the province dissolved that level of government in 1996. It’s a kangaroo court of a top-down, city-county amalgamation that I can’t will myself to participate in, since doing so would represent an acceptance by me of what occurred, and its…
Marianne and Roland meet cute at a party. She is a physicist, he is a beekeeper. They talk about love, death, string theory, and bees, almost exclusively. The romantic story is a simple one, often told, but the structure of Constellations feels fresh. Scenes are repeated to hilarious or heartbreaking effect as different choices are…
Q Waiting to pay for my groceries at the market this evening, this guy, stinking of booze, says to my nine-year-old daughter, “Sweetheart, can you put the divider thing there for me?” First, why is some leering grown man calling my child “sweetheart”? He then thumps two huge bottles of vodka down on the belt.…
Walking around Nocturne last night, I witnessed a similarly disturbing phenomenon from both sides of the coin—intolerance. From uninitiated students and members of the general public, there were comments ranging from “Oh, i guess this is art?” to homophobic statements about performers, to actively ignoring the art in the vicinity. Then there were the members…
Started in 1993, today our beloved HPX packs it in city-wide—over 150 bands, musicians, comedians and speakers, in over 15 venues. Put aside thoughts of struggling venues, band breakups and Netflix ruining your nightlife—this weekend we celebrate what’s good in local and not-so-local music. Whether your hands are permanently stained with bar stamps or if…
To the purple-haired girl who is always singing while serving people: I’m late for work everyday just so you can cheer me up with your out-of-tune melodies. You serve everyone with a huge smile on your face regardless of how nasty they are. Maybe one day I will get the courage to ask for more…
I was crossing at Agricola and Robie, stoked on the sunshine. I saw you rapidly approaching with a tool in hand. Thinking you were in a hurry to cross the street, I moved out of your way. You turned and screamed at me, “It’s a f**cking saw, girly, not a gun.” Your verbal assault ruined…
Frustration is brewing amongst craft beer makers about “Prohibition-era-esque” regulations many say are stifling the industry. While some have issued calls to arms against liquor bureaucracy, others feel they can’t afford to be brash—because the system they’re taking on is their biggest customer. In a short period of time, Nova Scotia’s craft beer has evolved…
Once or twice a week, when you visit Patagonia Halifax, you might catch Daisy during one of her shifts. She’s not paid much, but she’s been working there since she was eight weeks old. Oh, and she’s a dog. “She’s in public relations,” says Jon Clark, Daisy’s owner. Clark is a salesperson at Patagonia, and…
Kyle Kinane w/Cher Hann, Everardo Ramirez, 7pm w/Travis Lindsay, Struan Sutherland, 10pm Saturday, October 22 Paul O’Regan Hall, Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Road $20 adv/$25 door Kyle Kinane is a comedian/comedian. He’s got a big beard, a gravelly voice, an amiable disposition and usually holds a beer while he tells his sharply observational…
Hannah Georgas w/Petra Glynt Friday, October 21, 11pm The Carleton, 1685 Argyle Street $15 w/Basia Bulat, Schmeids Puls Saturday, October 22, 8pm The Marquee Club, 2037 Gottingen Street $25 “I heard somebody say this quote that resonated with me for some reason,” says Hannah Georgas. “‘When you turn on a tap for the first time…
Chubby puppies might look cute, but canine obesity remains a serious health problem for North American dogs. For many pet owners, a walk or two around the block every day isn’t always enough to keep your dog healthy in body, mind and spirit. That’s why DogRunnin wants to take a hike with your pet. The…
Daniel Caesar w/BadBadNotGood, Lady Wray, Reeny Smith Halifax Forum Multi-purpose Centre 2901 Windsor Street Thursday, October 20, 8pm $40 Daniel Caesar w/ Loveland The Carleton Music Bar & Grill 1685 Argyle Street Thursday, October 20, 11:30pm $15 It’s fitting Daniel Caesar plays two shows in one night at Halifax Pop Explosion. The Toronto R&B and soul artist…
It’s not Christmas, but there’s never a bad time to grab some new toys for the fur-children in your household. We phoned up Pet Valu on Spring Garden Road to find out what all the best cat and dog moms and dads are buying this autumn to keep their little buds entertained for hours. FOR…
Harrison w/Eddy, Chastity, Holy Fuck Thursday, October 20, 10:30pm Reflections Cabaret, 5187 Salter Street $15 Harrison w/Matty Galaxy Friday, October 21 at 1:30am Reflections Cabaret, 5187 Salter Street $15 When Toronto producer Harrison goes on tour, he can be found binge-watching episodes of Seinfeld while travelling. While he finds comfort in the show about nothing,…
I remember these two pet food commercials from a few years ago: One featured a man trying to get his new cat out from under his couch. In the other, a woman wanted her new dog to play fetch. By the end of each ad, the pet owners seemingly give up—but the cat hops onto…
Lady Wray w/BadBadNotGood, Daniel Caesar, Reeny Smith Thursday, October 20, 8pm Halifax Forum Multi-purpose Centre 2901 Windsor Street, $40 A late addition to the HPX lineup, Nicole Wray is finally heading for her time in the sun. Signed to Missy Elliott’s label as a teen, Wray’s second solo album Queen Alone was just released in September,…
The Highest Order w/Cactus Flower, Laura Sauvage, The Barr Brothers Saturday, October 22, 10pm The Seahorse Tavern, 2037 Gottingen Street “It’s the most ‘party’ record I’ve ever made,” The Highest Order’s Simone Schmidt says of the band’s second album, Still Holding, released this past June. Three-quarters comprised of former members of country group $100 (Schmidt,…
Hedgehogs are some of the most Instagram-worthy animals out there. Their adorably small size—weighing about 250 grams and the size of a fist on average—and expressive faces are enough to melt your heart. The popularity of these pointy pets is skyrocketing, which may also be due to the fact that they’re relatively easy to care…
White Lung w/Crossed Wires, Not You, The Yips Thursday, October 20, 10pm, The Seahorse Tavern, $25 Even if you haven’t heard of the Polaris Prize-shortlisted White Lung, its poppy-punk vibes will make you feel like its your favourite high school band you accidentally forgot about. With just the right amount of angst and heavy guitars…
John River w/Keys N Krates, Grandtheft, Okay TK Friday, October 21, 11pm The Carleton, 1685 Argyle Street $15 John River was born and raised and still lives in Mississauga, Ontario, a place he speaks of with the love and fervour his GTA neighbour Drake is known for showing Toronto (“If Drizzy is the poppa of…
It took Ariel Mactavish two hours to get a decent print of her dog’s paw—an image that would later be part of her tattoo. Her Shetland sheepdog, Zorro (named for the Z-shaped marking on his neck) was getting impatient after having his pads pressed into a stamp pad over and over. “He was not impressed,…
Voivod w/Black Moor, Scumgrief, Geil Thursday, October 20, 9pm The Marquee Ballroom, 2037 Gottingen Street $25 With over 30 years together, Quebec sci-fi thrash metal band Voivod is still going strong. The band has gone through some changes along the way–after guitarist Denis “Piggy” D’Amour passed away from colon cancer in 2005, the group said…
TUNS w/Partner, Monomyth, Century Egg Friday, October 21, midnight The Marquee Ballroom, 2037 Gottingen Street $25 The members of the pop-rock group TUNS were friends first, which is probably why their debut, self-titled record feels as familiar and tasty as a sonic slice of vanilla cake. Or, as Mike O’Neill says about the “vocally driven pop”…
Geil w/ Scumgrief, Black Moor, Voivod Thursday, October 20, 9pm The Marquee Club, 2037 Gottingen Street, $25 As a journalist, I report the facts. Here’s one: Geil makes the best punk songs around. Made up of four friends—vocalist Jessi Talbot, guitarist Ben Brennan, bassist Tri Le and drummer Aaron Burke—the band started off as a…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22) In the course of her long career, Libran actor Helen Hayes won an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy and a Tony. Years before all that glory poured down on her, she met playwright Charles MacArthur at a party in a posh Manhattan salon. Hayes was sitting shyly in a…
[Image-1] Scientists worldwide accept that Earth is warming at an unusually rapid rate, that humans are primarily responsible, mainly by burning fossil fuels, and that the consequences for humanity will be disastrous if we don’t take immediate, widespread action. The U.S. Defense Department calls climate change a security risk “because it degrades living conditions, human…
Supplies Two lidded wine creates from your local liquor purveyor (free, usually) Nails that are normal/smallish ($4) Semi-ugly floor mat for carpet bits ($3 at the dollar store) All-purpose craft-glue ($5) It’s one thing to be an indebted post-grad using curb sides and Kijiji as the primary avenue for acquiring furniture, but where does one…
Strike the strike To the Nova Scotia Teachers Union and Nova Scotia government, With a strike vote happening likely, I hope there will be a positive solution to the current standoff between the teachers’ union and the province. As a parent, top of mind is the welfare of my child in the school system, when…
If you’re planning a lengthy trip down south this winter but you aren’t sure what to do with your feline friend, don’t fret—your kitty can have a get away all of its own. Have you ever heard of luxury boarding kennels? If not, it’s time. There are two options within the HRM where your cat…
Creative Roots fashion and music show Thursday, October 20, 6pm The Pavilion 5816 Cogswell Street Last year, Ann Denny of the non-profit Youth Art Connection sat down with folks from Halifax Pop Explosion and the Pavilion Youth Association with the goal of reviving the venerable Pavilion as a hub of the all-ages arts scene in town.…
There’s no mistaking a cat in the throes of catnip ecstasy. They roll around, meow like it’s their last day on earth, rub their faces over everything and tear the carpet apart before collapsing into a content daze. Understandably, you might be curious to try some of whatever they’re having. Turns out, you can. Catnip…
Big Mama Lele Saturday, October 22, 7pm Venus Envy, 1598 Barrington Street $10 Amelia Merhar—AKA Big Mama Lele—is hilariously honest. This Whitehorse-based musician has a signature in-your-face, take-it-or-leave-it attitude with musical stylings riddled in equal parts humour and eroticism. “Sexually charged folk is how I describe my bit, in the sense that my lyrics have…
Just like people, cats hate going to the doctor. OK, they especially hate it—as the claw marks on any cat-owner who’s had to make a trip to the vet can attest. Some good news then for customers of the Halifax Veterinary Hospital on Quinpool Road. The veterinary hospital was recently certified as a cat-friendly practice…
Not every pet needs a furry tail and puppy-dog eyes to be cute and cuddly. Bearded dragons are easy to care for, full of personality and just plain cool. Setting up the perfect environment for your own beardy is key to offering a long, healthy life for the little reptilian monster. Dragon lord Jordan Scott…
City Natives w/Quake Matthews, Jay Mayne Friday, October 21, 11:10pm Reflections Cabaret, 5187 Salter Street $15 Since playing Halifax Pop Explosion in 2014, City Natives released a pair of albums and won e East Coast Music and Indigenous Music Awards, and this summer toured the Maritimes with A Tribe Called Red. The hip-hop collective of…
The #7, at 7pm on the 4th, intersection of Robie and Almon: Wonderful bus driver with the brilliant smile, our week has sucked and your simple kindness turned it right around! Thank you and we hope you have a great forever! <3 —Kids on the Bus
I’m putting this love out there cause I don’t think there can ever be enough love. Last night I dreamt I was on a boat on the Seine as the sun came up. when I awoke in my own bed back home in Hali, I was sad I wasn’t in Paris, but I was also…
Internet voting? What internet voting? The pin doesn’t work. OK, I’ll try the phone number. Invalid credentials. So what’s the point of mailing me this? I work nights so voting during the day at the polling station is inconvenient. But I guess it’s my only option since this shit doesn’t work. I’m not even surprised.…
So how does it feel now that you have stretched your earlobes to shit because you were young & stupid enough to put a three inch disks in them? Now you expect a ‘normal’ job & no one’s touching you with a ten foot Q-Tip so what’s the game plan now? Maybe you could use…
[Image-1] …Quite Contrary- Feel better about yourself after today? Good, I am sure you do but that doesn’t mean that people still don’t know that you are the WORST to work for with your rude behaviour and childish ways. To be fair I waited to form my own conclusions but YOU do have many problems,…
[Image-1] I think the only way the long term care system in the Halifax area is going to change is if people who work in the facilities speak up, people who aren’t afraid to lose their jobs, who can step outside the Unions which are often corrupt, to rise up and truly do what you…
Almost didn’t go into the Forum because it was $5, but the very upbeat lady at the table convinced us. I bought 13 records and am in love with the Halifax Record Fair!!! All b/c I saw the tiny ad in The Coast. This prairie girl at heart loves this city and its events. —Nostalgic…
To the woman in cover-alls at the Sloan show: you suck. People like you at concerts are the worst. You try and get up front well after the band has started and expect to get the spot you want just because… why exactly? Because it’s closer to someone you know? Because you deserve it? I…
I am a single mother. I support my child myself. I clawed my way from a “welfare queen” to a semi-successful job with benefits. I am now at a point where I know what I’m capable of, and it’s more than pushing paper and processing mundane information. I want to own my own business. I…
[Image-1] There were cheers and chants of “history in the making” at Lindell Smith’s headquarters as the results came in on election night. Smith walked away with over half of the votes cast in Halifax Peninsula North, beating six other candidates by a wide margin. “Just take a moment and look around this room,” Smith, 26,…
