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] I wonder how many people foresaw what the big lift would actually be? Setbacks, delays and general frustration. The first segment was supposed to be dropped the first weekend of September, six weeks later it happens with no insight into when the next drop will happen. Then of course they’re behind schedule but we’re…
Why is this such a hard concept for Halifax to wrap their heads around? Why is it so hard for people to keep an eye out for pedestrians at an obviously marked crossing? I can admit being stuck behind a cyclist is about as much fun as being stuck behind a bus. But thats life.…
To the construction crew re-curbing and re-surfacing Akerley boulevard all goddam summer and now fall… try to look more relaxed while working, you can’t! Sick of the time this is taking given we all get to witness you working with a tims in one hand and a smoke going… meanwhile you are breaking up curbing…
vernon and jubilee crosswalk, 1ish pm, monday. i am on my bike, i am the first to the line by far, and i had just finished waiting for a pedestrian to cross and for the crossing guard to return to his sidewalk post. i make my move forward, while signaling my turn onto vernon, i…
[Image-1] You MUST know how much of a dreamboat you are. A STRANGE one, to be sure, but nonetheless a person whose presence makes me feel certain……feelings…..very strongly….especially in instances of physical contact. LIKE FIRE! WHOOO MAN! You exude a self-assuredness that I’m not even sure you know you exude (but how could you not?).…
I’d like to follow up on the lumberjack beard craze comment. Your gigantic frazzled beard, immaculately coiffed-hobo-chic, combined with your deep hair-part comb-over and undercut, combined with your hip glasses and your button down shirt and cool boots — I actually have NO idea what you look like. It makes your face disappear. DRESS LIKE…
[Image-1] A whole hearted big love embrace to whomever kept making a hole in the fence when it was chain link and who courteously just moves a section of the new one. We love you mystery fence remover and we suspect we aren’t the only ones! —a thankful neighbour
This is in response to an older bitch rant quite a few weeks back titled Male Entitlement. While I agree with you that this guy you went on a one off date with should have treated you better and not had high expectations of where said date was headed, you’re following comment that no self…
It’s not me, it’s you. You’re so narcissistic, it’s unreal. —The best thing you’ll never have
[Image-1] Everytime I get on top you start going crazy like a jack hammer drilling into a ceiling. Relax a little. A bit of grinding is fine, stop bucking me off like a mecanical bull.. This is no fun. I know I’m not just speaking for myself here.. I’ve had several friends also tell me…
[Image-1] I realize that you have decided to “re-invent” yourself to become better for me, better for us al;, but the fact of the matter is that we’ve been together a great many years, and since the summer you’ve changed. For example you won’t let me walk or bike on you. It was my favourite…
Hey….shit for brains. So you’re somewhat polite enough to pick up your dog’s shit, somewhat intelligent enough to tie it up in the poo bag….but then you leave the bag, with the shit in it, right on the ground where the dog left it originally. WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU ??? Now the…
The only environmental NGO on the East Coast (based here in Halifax!) was asked their opinion on offshore drilling near Shelburne. They responded by saying we should have the blowout equipment somewhere closely. Climate change is the BIGGEST FUCKING ISSUE facing the human species and THIS is what you have to say about risky, offshore…
I retired back in April. I still like to go downtown; where I have worked for 34 plus years. Whenever I run into a former co-worker; I get asked, “What are you doing downtown?” Well, I live in Fairview for one thing and we all know what a cultural gem that is. Let’s see…I like…
[Image-1] Please stop telling me I’m beautiful. It hurts me, and I don’t know how to tell you this. It hurts because it makes me feel. I don’t want to feel. I am the type of person who feels passionately and ends up getting hurt when I do. That’s why I settled for mediocre. Mediocre…
The Halifax Regional Municipality is seeking nominations for the next Poet Laureate, a two-year term beginning in 2016: “The Poet Laureate will be a resident poet, storyteller or spoken word artist who has achieved excellence amongst his or her peers and whose body of work demonstrates connection with and relevance to our citizens.” Duties include…
[Image-1] Hi X Brendon, I had the pleasure of reading your innappropiete public rant all the way to school today (as well as all over my campus). As great as it is to have had witnessed a single person manage to make a mess of the Southend with your paper trail of crazy ranting, please,…
The city loves you, everyone loves you. You go behind your best friend’s back and do the one thing with his ex that you know would kill him. You’re not even as close to as nice a person as the whole damn world thinks. You won’t be the prince for much longer. And her, she’s…
[Image-1] To the yellow clad bike rider who alerted the riders of the 52 on Wednesday that our bus was on fire…THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! Your quick thinking and actions possibly saved our lives (while risking your own in that traffic). You are a great man and, while i can’t speak for everyone,…
[Image-1] For five years you have patiently endured and tolerated my madness. I recognize how costly this has been to you all and can only hope that we both learned from one another valuable life-lessons, even if it was in a strange and troublesome manner. I have deep affection for you all, yet now I…
Thanks Italian festival feast for your overpriced slop that gave me food poisoning. Only in Nova Scotia could a Italians mess up pasta. $22 for a carafe of homemade wine? And what’s with the dinosaur thugs at the door who shook us down for ‘entrance’ money BEFORE we went into the feast? Way to be…
To the rotten, ignorant hags at the Sports plex terminal getting on the #1 and bitching about Syrian “immigrants” “taking our jobs” “getting loans” etc. in Canada… go educated your nasty self. One, those are refugees. Two, Harper made sure Canada was doing jack shit for them. Three, immigrants provide your lazy ass with many,…
Saturday night was a bittersweet affair. While it is always sad to say goodbye to HPX, the Pop lifestyle is not a sustainable one. You can only crawl home at 3am just to wake up mere hours later so many consecutive times before it begins to take its toll on your sanity (and liver). That…
Tonight at the Halifax Grammar School’s Atlantic Street Campus (5750 Atlantic Street, 8pm sharp), you can take part in the conclusion of one of the most legendary basketball games to ever hit Halifax. The East Coast’s Sobey Art Award nominee Lisa Lipton invites you to the Hoop Dreams Playoffs between the Bayside Jaguars and Deep Chaos, two rival…
[Image-1] Great news if you’re looking to catch the festivities at Grand Parade on December 31 but don’t want to stand out in the cold all night. Halifax’s annual midnight countdown party will once again be rocking the airwaves. Today, Halifax Regional Council accepted a proposal from Eastlink to broadcast the municipality’s New Year’s Eve…
[Image-1] Dear Megan, I woke up this morning, as I’m sure you did, to a rainy, warmish Halifax day. I chatted with the electrician before getting coffee on the way to my first class. I’ve spent a lot of time over the last 11 weeks imagining what today might be like, and working to bring…
[Image-1] To the idiot that thought it was a good idea to throw asphalt damaging my car I hope Karma keeps getting you in life. Obviously you have a shitty life hence why you need to commit useless crimes to feel better. Here is a life lesson you will most likely never drive a nice…
To all you (men) who think it’s cool to ask people (women) out while they’re at their job: Go f*** yoursevles! It is my job to provide great customer service. I am paid to be nice to you. Just because I smiled when you walked in the door does not mean I am single, or…
Congratulations on your first week without a scandal. You are new so I am looking forward to many months without a scandal. What my advise? PIck your scandals insteas of having your scandals pick you. For example, if the PMO gets caught returning stolen taypayer money, don’t be a boring twit with an 80k scandal,…
You know that feeling when you get a 55% on a midterm exam in a Masters program and you just want to quit. And u clash with ur supervisor, and ur only doing good in 1 class, and you feel like you don’t fit in, cause your parents never went to univ, and the debt…
[Image-1] This is to all the large/round/husky men out there…I love you. Please don’t feel you need to conform to any cultural standard to appeal to ladies. Because I’m a lady and I think you’re perfect the way you are. —Chubby Chaser
[Image-1] Thanks to the kind passerby who stopped in Waverley for a woman who had accidentally locked her baby in a car, engine running and heat on. You generously loaned use of your phones and waited with said woman (who was freaking out) until police arrived. You have a generous and caring spirit. <3 —It’s…
Going to a heavy show in Halifax that isn’t all ages is still a weird concept to me. I still remember the newness and novelty of finally being legal and getting to see a band at The Pavilion (RIP) one night and then watching the exact same set the next night at Michael’s (also RIP)…
Thank god the dust is settling a bit on this week’s epic battle for the hearts of the nation. It’s been hard to think about anything else, what with those three home games in Toronto offering more ups (Marco Estrada!) and downs (game 4?!?!) than the Tree Topper. Now that the Blue Jays are heading…
Okay Day Two. Halifax Pop Explosion. Almost went full Lamar Odom last night. Just kidding. Once again, I didn’t do a full-city every-show tour for the sake of it. No, I spent the majority of my night at the Olympic Hall catching one of the best lineups to hit Halifax ever. Oh yes, last night…
You may not have needed another reason to love this town, but you can rest assured, Joel Plaskett has given you one, with his new business venture, New Scotland Yard Emporium (45 Portland Street). When the humble 800-square-foot retail space—attached to Plaskett’s studio —freed up this past summer, he jumped at the opportunity to pack…
Bad news: Houston’s Travi$ $cott just cancelled his Halifax Pop Explosion show tonight, sorry everyone. Pack your lean cups back up, take your grills out. Individual tickets will be refunded, hit up info@etixnow.com or call 1-877-384-9669. Luckily, we can still turn up to DJ T-Woo, Jazz Cartier and Weirdo Click but the show has moved to Reflections…
[Image-1] In Nova Scotia, race relations are strained, gender equality remains an issue, LGBTQIA people still face challenges and barriers, and the disabled must be vigilant so that they aren’t ignored or shafted. So having a stable, smoothly running human rights commission seems like a good idea. In its 2015-16 statement of mandate released last…
[Image-1] Congratulations! You voted. Judging from the trend in voter turnout over the past 20 years, it’s fair to say that for many of you, it was your first time, or perhaps your first time in a long time. Some people are unquestionably happy about this. I’m of two minds on the matter. On the one hand,…
Consider the fish In Nova Scotia, we know fish. We understand that overfishing depletes our fish stocks and that both fishers and marine ecosystems suffer as a result. We remember the tragedy of the cod. And we know how to speak up: We have kept fracking out of our province and we have rallied in…
Block off your schedule, the 23rd Halifax Pop Explosion is on. We can guide you to some can’t-miss shows here, and we’ll be with you online during the festival. You’re kinda on your own for the whole sleep-deprivation thing—but that’s a problem that can wait ’til Monday. Click here for more
East coast ex-pats Alvvays are still riding a wave of increasing success and recognition for their self-titled, debut album, released this past July. Alvvays is an album that exhibits a somewhat practical view of love: singer and guitarist Molly Rankin’s lyrical narratives feel romantic and rosy—especially set against the band’s reverby rattle—but they’re told through…
Expect the unexpected from The Dillinger Escape Plan at HPX. Or don’t? “Audiences should expect nothing like all the YouTube videos of us out there,” says singer Greg Puciato. “Those are all fake live videos we disseminate ourselves to throw people off from the reality that it’s kinda like a boy’s choir.” Dillinger’s first visit…
Montreal’s Black Tiger Sex Machine brings ferocious EDM to Halifax with LED tiger masks, a dynamic light show and powerful dance jams. “People tend to get really wild at our gigs,” say the tigers. “We’re inspired by Daft Punk and Justice. We wanted our shows to have a strong visual component that would blow people’s…
If Toronto art-rock outfit Dorothea Paas was a movie theatre treat, “we’d be a hot fresh popcorn with Reese’s Pieces in the bag, melting slightly with butter,” says arty Torontonian rocker Dorothea Paas. “Classic, comforting, with a hint of sweetness and something you might not totally expect but you’ll hopefully enjoy!” What started as a…
“Energy Slime is myself and Jessica Delisle, and it began as an outlet for the songs that were too weird, short or drunk for our regular band,” says Vancouver’s Jay Arner. His label, Mint Records, is hosting an HPX showcase on Saturday afternoon with Monomyth, Tough Age and Fake Tears. For this special set, Energy…
“The best way to describe my comedy?” asks Toronto comedy veteran Gavin Stephens. “I would say my style is personal and social philosophy, with a heavy nerd influence. And farts.” For 20 years, Stephens has been touring Canada and the world, with regular stops in Halifax. “I once choked on a donair here, so this…
1. PetCam free PetCam is the ideal tool for the helicopter pet-parent, capturing motion-triggered photos and video from the user’s laptop camera and sending them directly to a synchronized smartphone. 2. PupTox $1.19 Thinking of feeding Fido from the dinner table? Letting Mittens into the back garden? Before you do, consult PupTox—a searchable medical reference…
2015 has been busy for Toronto’s Jaye Adams, best known by his alias Jazz Cartier. His debut album, Marauding in Paradise, came out in April. It later made the Polaris Prize longlist. Adams’ Pop Explosion performance—opening for Travi$ $cott at the Forum Multi-purpose Centre—will be his first show in town. He says he’s excited to…
Ah, relationships. An emotional bond and spiritual commitment to a person with whom you share your life. Sounds so nice, doesn’t it? Sure, in all of that domestic bliss, some unwedded couples throw a live breathing animal into the mix. But does adding a needy creature with a lifespan over 10 years act as a…
Since the mid-1990s, Jean Grae has been one of the most prolific female MCs in the game, a mogul as head of her company KAGD, an inspiring role model and a fashion icon. Born in South Africa and raised in New York City, where she still lives, Grae has rapped and produced as an independent…
Who I Am “I’m the co-owner of Down Home Dog. I’ve been grooming for about four years,” says canine coiffure Jennifer Sinclair, “I used to manage a grooming salon and retail store, and I noticed there was a lack of groomers in the city. That shop also focused on health food for pets so I…
Since the mid-1990s, Jean Grae has been one of the most prolific female MCs in the game, a mogul as head of her company KAGD, an inspiring role model and a fashion icon. Born in South Africa and raised in New York City, where she still lives, Grae has rapped and produced as an independent…
Halifax’s own Earl Grey was vying to be the one scratching the furniture at 24 Sussex Drive. We caught up with the famous feline post-election to chat about his aspirations and his brother’s legacy. What was the most important point in your election platform? I only have one point: Update the animal cruelty section of…
Four years ago, Rich Aucoin put on one of HPX’s most memorable shows: a full-record performance of his just-released album We’re All Dying to Live at St. Matthew’s Church, featuring nearly 80 musicians and vocalists on-stage. Now he’s set to one-up that count this year with the help of Symphony Nova Scotia. “I think the…
If intricate, ethereal folk music sung in a soulful, husky voice is your thing, look no further than Toronto-based Tamara Lindeman, aka The Weather Station. She’s a Pop Explosion veteran, having played the fest in previous years both as The Weather Station, an act she formed in 2006, and with bands The Bruce Peninsula and…
Four years ago, Rich Aucoin put on one of HPX’s most memorable shows: a full-record performance of his just-released album We’re All Dying to Live at St. Matthew’s Church, featuring nearly 80 musicians and vocalists on-stage. Now he’s set to one-up that count this year with the help of Symphony Nova Scotia. “I think the…
When it comes to animals, Angela Welburn can’t, and won’t, say no. That might be why her Chester Basin home currently houses four dogs, eight cats and eight horses. Make that nine horses, as of this month. A horse-lover her entire life, she took her passion up a notch five years ago when she officially…
If you’ve ever been to St. John’s, Newfoundland, you’ll know that the rocky coastal town can be as unforgiving as it is welcoming. This dichotomy informs the folk songs of Steve Maloney and The Wandering Kind: “There’s a mystical quality to some parts of town,” says Maloney. “The weather isn’t perfect, but I find that…
Nowadays, everyone’s a social media watchdog. We’re all just sitting around, watching dogs on the internet. Cats too. Our pets can be minor (or major) celebrities without doing much more than being their cute selves—but how can we help them achieve that fame? Halifax Instagram celebrity, @masonthemini_, a miniature Australian Shepherd puppy with over 2,300…
Steve was always the problem cat. Pulled from a pile of siblings huddled in a Belnan barn on Thanksgiving weekend, chosen because he appeared the strongest. Yeah, right. Neurotic. Spastic. Couldn’t seem to meow. One summer day, when he was three, his bladder became blocked with crystals. He spent the night in an emergency clinic,…
Lot Six is a very beautiful restaurant. The upstairs is cozy and sleek, while the downstairs has an airy sense of space with the lofty glass ceiling of the atrium. Lush leafy plants and string lights lend an outdoorsy lightness to the room, while woodsy textures and earthy colours give it warmth. Once seated, we…
Everybody poops, but poop is anything but ordinary. In fact, the dirty business your pet gets up up to every day can hold some of the first early warning signs about a host of ailments. Eric Carnegy, owner and senior veterinarian at the Carnegy Animal Hospital, shared some pointers about what to keep an eye…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) Are you an inventor? Is it your specialty to create novel gadgets and machines? Probably not. But in the coming weeks you may have metaphorical resemblances to an inventor. I suspect you will have an enhanced ability to dream up original approaches and find alternatives to conventional wisdom. You…
[Image-1] Meet Denver: An avid spooner, goofy and harmlessly affectionate. Denver has been involved with Jillian Mason for just under seven months. He wakes her in the morning with smothering kisses and waits for her at home after work. The bond couldn’t be stronger between the two, but finding an apartment for the pair wasn’t…
Q I’m a straight guy, married for 16 years, kids in school. My wife cannot find a way to be intimate with me. We’ve had therapy individually and together. I nearly divorced her, but we decided to stay together—we do love each other, and the economics and child-rearing favour it. After I asked for a…
Stephanie Muise & Charlie Cuddles, sleep and admiring pizza are six-year-old long-haired chihuahua Charlie’s fav pastimes. While he’s not a big fan of other dogs (mostly out of fear, Muise says), Charlie is a big people-pleaser. He’s warm, fuzzy and “so loving.” One time Charlie found a discarded Wendy’s chilli bowl in the garbage and…
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