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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.
If you are looking for a handmade dress with bright embroidered patterns weaved into the softest of silk, Gandhi Indian Designer Clothing should be on the top of your shopping list. From heavy wedding lehengas (a long skirt worn by women in South Asia) to trendy daily wear, Gandhi provides its customers with the most…
The Chronicle Herald’s newsroom strike may have laid the groundwork for the paper’s newest competitor. Ontario’s Village Media is looking to hire an online community editor for its new HalifaxToday website. “HalifaxToday.com is coming soon and Village Media is looking for a full-time community editor to help launch our latest online-only news site,” reads an…
The No Name is inextricably linked to my Coast life. When the office moved from downtown to the north end—first across from the Marquee, then to its current location on Cunard—there was a staff-wide bemoaning of lunch options. The neighbourhood was not trendy then; there was Bob & Lori’s on Gottingen, and that was about…
To whomever felt the need to steal my khaki-coloured L.L. Bean bookbag from a certain establishment downtown yesterday evening (19 Sept): I am a full-time student working part time as much as I can, and now I am out $750+ of value (mostly school-related items). Now, I am stripped of my class notes, a physics…
Did you ever think that maybe when you can’t sleep its because the voice in your head has finally quieted and you can finally hear your heart speaking to you? If you feel I’ve distanced myself, I haven’t—unless you think three buses is too far a journey. —Guardian Angel
“I’ve just been using the words more, more, more a lot,” says Connie McInnes, owner north end Halifax fitness studio RIO (5781 Charles Street). Today, she announced big growth for the two-and-a-half year old business: In early October it’ll be opening a sister location, Rogue (6331 Lady Hammond Road), meaning the space for its diverse…
ACCESSIBILITY INACCESSIBLE Steve Craig is fed up with the lack of accessible transportation options in HRM. It’s been three years since the Lower Sackville councillor tried to expand the city’s door-to-door paratransit service, and now he’ll have to wait at least a few more months for an outside consultant’s strategic review of Access-a-Bus service. “I’m…
Bigger isn’t always better. Too much of a good thing can be bad. Many anti-environmentalists throw these simple truths to the wind, along with caution. You can see it in the deceitful realm of climate change denial. It’s difficult to keep up with the constantly shifting—and debunked—denier arguments, but one common thread promoted by the…
Nova Scotia’s auditor general will conduct financial and performance audits on the IWK hospital’s books and turn over all the information to police “for their consideration on any possible legal matters.” The announcement from AG Michael Pickup was made Tuesday afternoon. It’s the latest chapter in a growing expense scandal that’s been plaguing the Halifax hospital…
I don’t care about your education but I care about mine. I’m paying good money to be here…So maybe when the instructor is instructing you shut the fuck up? Or leave.—Classless Class Chatter
Oh you found my keys! You found them and put them on the church announcement board, and after hours of looking I saw them. May your sidewalks be clear, may your coffee stay hot and may your hair stay on fleek. Bless you. —Score after searching
Repeat winner in our Best of Halifax Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Sackville Restaurant has closed its doors after six-plus years in business. Chef’s Menu (518 Sackville Drive)—which served up chef Derrick Giffin’s homey comfort food from an unassuming strip mall—took to its website to share news of the closure. Read Melissa Buote’s 2012 review of…
The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission has hired one of the country’s leading experts on racial bias in policing for an independent review of police street checks. University of Toronto criminology professor Scot Wortley appeared before Halifax Regional Police brass and the city’s Board of Police Commissioners on Monday to answer questions about his upcoming…
I’m actually considering seeing a psychologist for anger problems due to Halifax Transit. All my stress is caused from buses. I’ve experienced everything from almost losing my job due to late buses, falling by running for early buses, being late for dates, getting frostbite when buses are canceled in winter, getting kicked off for bringing…
WOULD YOU TWO SHUT THE FUCK UP? Last night I saw Brian Wilson and Al Jardine live, spent 33 years waiting for that; spent 100 bucks on a ticket; I eat out of goddamn garbage cans because I am so poor. YOU TWO FUCKS sat a few rows back, and were talking and carrying on…
I know it’s hard, flicking a flag from stop to slow and back again, but when you are yakking to a blond it makes it harder. That’s why the flag was on slow went I went across then you bawled at me for going through. I stopped. You then switched it to stop. In future,…
Why is it that every bus driver slams violently on the brakes every single time they approach a crosswalk, as if they’re encountering one for the very first time and aren’t quite sure what it is?-Crabby transit rider
I’m gonna totally ignore the complete lack of planning in this city in regards to road construction and just complain about drivers. Bumper to bumper traffic and of course one or two cars always squeeze in to block the intersection. Thanks! Next, the Armdale roundabout. If you can’t read the signs clearly indicating which collector…
Bodies in Translation: Age and Creativity Through November 12 Mount Saint Vincent University Art Gallery, 166 Bedford Highway One of two current shows at MSVU Art Gallery, Bodies in Translation: Age and Creativity features work by eight senior artists who explore aging through art. Several of the artists address the physicality of aging, as in…
Yes, a hurricane is a terrible thing and living through one must be a terrifying experience. But, all you Canadians stuck at Club Med with water and sandwiches bitching that the Canadian Government isn’t doing enough to get you out, here’s an idea: Send your sandwich makers home to help their own families, make your…
We have met a few times by ocean and you seem cool. I, too, am cool. How simple! Why not streamline the process and just become friends already. Adulthood relationships are so convoluted —so, shoot me a response via anonymous Coast love so we can hang out sometime. —Supporter of the Arts
I’m sorry if you feel I walked away, I feel pushed away. One person can’t always feel that they’re the only one fighting for any sort of relationship. If you want someone around you’ll have to fight for them. Just a “was thinking about you/good times spent together/ I miss you” would be a welcome,…
Hi again. It took me the half hour ferry ride back from Dartmouth to work up the courage to talk to you, and I wish I’d done it sooner because you seem wonderful. I also wish I’d gone the extra step and asked for your phone number, or at least your last name. Alas, it…
If you’re looking for a solid pop/rock band, look no further than Mardeen. The classic two guitar, bass, and drums setup doesn’t disappoint with these folks. Mardeen was a great pre-cursor to the main event: Sleepless Nights. This was my first ever Sleepless Nights show, and potentially my last. The band reunited recently for a…
I realize that you didn’t like waiting in a long line at the checkout, I hate it too, but to throw salsa at me while I was trying to close and clean was just plan rude! It’s not my fault that we are under staffed, call the manager for god’s sake, don’t take it out…
Marked crosswalk. Button has been pushed so the lights are clearly flashing. And then the fun begins. Sometimes people will blow through the crosswalk as a pedestrian takes their first hesitant step out into the street. Sometimes they’ll take their foot off the gas for a moment, then gun it through and give you a…
Tim Hennebury launched his Fog Off Clothing Co. brand three years ago with the aim of getting people talking about mental health, but he’s had a banner summer. Now, he’s embracing the advocate role, travelling around with his t-shirts, sweaters and hats, selling at events and in Pseudio stores across the Atlantic Provinces and donating…
Zachari Logan, Topiary Anna Leonowens Gallery, Granville Square, 1891 Granville Street To September 23 While the word “topiary” may conjure up images of shrubs in the shapes of elephants and swans, Zachari Logan’s latest exhibition by the same name delivers an entirely different articulation of this, but just as luxurious and with just the right amount…
PAUL GREENBERG The best-selling American author, who penned the 2014 effort on seafood sustainability Four Fish, comes to Halifax to talk about the future of our oceans and our fish-eating habits. Marion McCain Building, Dalhousie University, 6135 University Avenue, Thu Sep 14, 7-9pm PRISMATIC ARTS FESTIVAL This multi-genre festival—which includes theatre, dance and musical performances,…
10 Ropeworks Thursday // Friday Violet Rosengarten’s stunning painted-rope pieces at the Corridor Gallery are a study in texture, symbolically expressing her attachment to the Maritimes. 9 Paul Greenberg Thursday The best-selling American author, who penned the 2014 effort on seafood sustainability Four Fish, comes to Dal’s Marion McCain Building to talk about the future…
CANADA, IT’S COMPLICATED The ever-hilarious Mary Walsh is the brains behind this sketch-and-satire-stuffed laugh fest examining the tragedies and triumphs of Canada. Written by a diverse cast of Canadian talent, the performance also evolves with each showing, as filmed interviews with locals at each tour stop become woven into the finished piece. Spatz Theatre, 1855…
Gaining overseas work experience while attending university may sound appealing, but some Dalhousie University international students say they’re having trouble completing this mandatory part of their school program because they can’t find a job here in Canada. Yuxi Tang is one of them. After months of fruitless job hunting, Tang is giving herself a few…
The more time people spend in nature, the more they value it, says the Ecology Action Centre’s Jeana MacLeod. To that end, MacLeod and the EAC will be leading the public into the Blue Mountain–Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area this weekend for several bio-blitz events. It’s a chance to get people thinking about Halifax’s eco-diversity,…
How many people have accessed medical assistance in dying since Canada legalized the practice 15 months ago? What are the laws and experiences in other countries that have permitted assisted dying? What’s the relationship between medical assistance in dying (MAiD) and palliative care? These and other topics will be discussed this week at the second…
Brian Wilson Presents Pet Sounds: The Final Performance Saturday, September 16 $99-$144.50 Scotiabank Centre, 5284 Duke Street It seems almost inconceivable that the now 75-year-old Brian Wilson was only 23 years old when he produced The Beach Boys’ magnum opus Pet Sounds, an album widely considered by many to be the greatest pop album of…
Prismatic Arts Festival September 14-23 various locations prismaticfestival.com Prismatic Arts Festival is gearing up for an exciting line-up of events, performances and artist talks. Don’t miss tonight’s opening gala at the Halifax Central Library with Reeny Smith, Rebecca Thomas and Hubert Francis and a performance by the Wabanaki Confederacy Singers, are a Northern Powwow styled…
FIN: ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Autumn in Haliwood kicks off with the FIN Fest—the freshly re-named Atlantic Film Festival—and we couldn’t be more excited. That’s why Black Cop writer/director Cory Bowles is the star of our Fall Arts Preview issue cover. We’ve also got special looks at Play Your Gender, The Crescent, Small Town Show…
//RESPONSIVE: INTERNATIONAL LIGHT ART PROJECT October 18-21, 7pm-Midnight various locations responsive-halifax.com A newcomer to this year’s fall arts calendar—but one that’s sure to be a hit—is //RESPONSIVE: International Light Art Project Halifax, a four-day light-art exhibition with an international cast. //RESPONSIVE is the collaborative efforts between curators in Halifax and Cologne, and features artists from…
Scanning through the FIN schedule can be an overwhelming task. A decent handful of the festival’s films already have release dates, so you should consider saving those for later and make space in your week for these selections instead: The Child Remains: Michael Melski’s creepy-crawly haunted house film stars the great Quebec actor Suzanne Clément…
Small Town Show Biz: 2 Dreams from a Harbourtown Wednesday, September 20, 7:15pm Cineplex Park Lane More info Jackie Smith and Diana Hart have a couple things in common. They’re both in their 50s and aren’t letting a little thing like age stop them from pursuing life goals associated with youth: he fronts rock band…
Halifax Pop Explosion Music Festival and Conference Oct 18-21 halifaxpopexplosion.com While summer is music festival season in many other cities, one of Halifax’s major music fests is brought in with the autumn leaves each year. This time around, local acts such as Aquakultre, Kirsten Olivia and Devarrow are taking the stage(s) for Halifax Pop Explosion…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) In the coming weeks, you might want to read the last few pages of a book before you decide to actually dive in and devour the whole thing. I also suggest you take what I just said as a useful metaphor to apply in other areas. In general, it…
Word on the Street Halifax Book & Magazine Festival Saturday, September 14 10am-4pm Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Road thewordonthestreet.ca/halifax Cashmere sweaters and Word on the Street—two things that will warm me up during this already crisp September. The one-day festival has an impressive lineup of authors will attract upwards of 10,000 attendees. Here’s…
[Editor’s note: As of June 2020, the movie Black Cop can be streamed for free on CBC Gem. Watch it here.] Black Cop Monday September 18, 6:30pm, Cineplex Park Lane, $22.50 finfestival.ca “So many people, even when they’re so upset about the idea of what this movie’s about, they don’t want to talk about it…
The Crescent Sunday September 17, 9:30pm, Cineplex Park Lane, $17.50 finfestival.ca Nancy Urich and Seth A. Smith have been making art in Nova Scotia since they were teenagers, first as musicians in Burdocks and then in Dog Day. Smith’s distinctive visual art, much of it created as half of the design team Yorodeo, has adorned…
Best of the Fest Saturday, November 25, 7:30pm Casino Nova Scotia, 1983 Upper Water Street $40 ticketatlantic.com During the first episode of Letterkenny, I thought: “this show should be required viewing for the citizenship exam!” It’s quintessentially Canadian and if you’re not watching—fix your life! One of the stars of the show, K. Trevor Wilson,…
Anna Leonowens Gallery Tue-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat 12pm-4pm, Granville Square, 1891 Granville Street Topiary Rich floral scenes grounded in moody palettes are Zachari Logan’s signature. To Sep 23 Works by Mario Doucette Mario Doucette explores a new version of history with his mixed-media works that reframe key figures of our colonial past. “My work stems from…
[IMAGE-1] Play Your Gender August 22-24 More info prismaticfestival.com A woman has never won Producer of the Year at the Grammy Awards and only five percent of women are music producers, despite the Taylors, Beyonces and Adeles dominating the pop landscape. The documentary Play Your Gender gets to the core of the problem— sexism in the…
Well jeez. Fall is here and I only swam in the ocean twice, wasting another summer ashore overcaffeinated, hungover and trying to suppress my trusty seasonal head cold while meeting various deadlines. These melancholy autumn breezes are gusting in a craving for a deep comforting strain, and so I’ve been reaching for the twilight embrace…
Burnwater:Alchemy September 13-17, 7 pm Alderney Landing Theatre, 2 Ochterloney Street $20/$25 Nova Scotian blacksmith John Little is the inspiration for Burnwater: Alchemy, an immersive performance installation. “The piece is inspired by the experience of being on John Little’s land,” says co-director and performer Susanne Chui. Created in collaboration with Mocean Dance and Hear Here…
Backbone November 17, 8pm Spatz Theatre $30/$25/$20 Students Red Sky Performance is one of Canada’s leading companies creating contemporary Indigenous performance in Canada. Founded in 2000 by Sandra Laronde, originally from Teme-Augama-Anishinaabe (People of the Deep Water) in Temapgami, northern Ontario, Red Sky has since had hundreds of performances across Canada and around the world.…
In the balcony Tara Thorne’s “The end” is an excellent piece about the demise of The Oxford Theatre (Shoptalk. September 7). I will long remember the eager group of seniors at The Oxford for the screening of Maudie that I attended. Among them was the elderly woman who ascended to the near-empty balcony (because we…
Q My teenage daughter just came out to us as gay. We told her we love her and support her. As a heterosexual, cisgender mother, how do I make sure she gets good advice about sex? I don’t want her learning from other kids or porn. Do you know of any good, sex-positive advice books…
Nocturne: Art at Night October 12 & 14 various locations nocturnehalifax.ca Halifax’s annual Art at Night festival always promises spectacle, but according to this year’s curatorial team, Nocturne 2017 promises to deliver something different: Magic. A recent highlight was doubtlessly the spooky and whimsical Citadel Hill Ferris Wheel organized by Anna Sprague, and it is…
PHOTOPOLIS: The Halifax Festival of Photography October 1-31 photopolis.ca Happening all of October, Photopolis, Halifax’s triennial photography festival, will consist of series of exhibitions and events across the city celebrating the many diverse forms of contemporary photography. If you can’t wait until October, never fear: there are a few early-bird exhibitions opening this month: Convergence:…
