Fresh Meat
shirt #1! shirt #2 There is lots of big big news for the busy women in Meat Curtains. After scoring $400 on the wheel at Rockin4Dollars a couple of weeks ago, the band is setting off on an Eastern Canada tour from October 8-16, playing with the likes of Dead Wife, Miesha and the Spanks,…
Military Justice
Robert Semrau is now a civilian, he shouldn’t be, but he is. He was convicted of disgraceful conduct for a battlefield mercy-killing. The enemy soldier that he killed was severely wounded, disemboweled and one leg shot off. The AFA Commander said that the enemy wounded would neither be treated nor evacuated. “The Afghan soldiers readied…
Province rolls out convention centre details
The debate is over: it is abundantly clear that the NDP government has decided to move forward with the proposed convention centre complex in downtown Halifax. Those opposed to the proposal, myself included, have lost the debate. The details of the proposal were spelled out this afternoon via a press conference at the World Trade…
Are you enjoying your FREEDOM OF CHOICE? Ah, thought so…
While it should be obvious to any intelligent, rational person, it bears pointing out to those grimly pacing up and down in front of the VG Hospital in opposition to abortion, that it is via the same freedom of choice by which a woman makes the difficult decision to terminate a pregnancy, that they are…
To the Man with the SUV Stroller on the #1 Tuesday Evening
If you bring a fucking huge stroller on the bus, why the fuck are you surprised when it doesn’t fit in the aisle of the bus? Don’t spend 15 minutes ranting at all the passengers about how terrible Metro Transit is because they didn’t get a bus big enough to fit your leviathan of a…
To My Partner in Crime and Crosswords…
Your ability to make me smile, cry, laugh and dream from 9000 kms away is astounding. Thank you to Skype, BBM and Canada Post for keeping me (relatively) sane. Anyone else out there doing the long distance love thing feel my pain/love? —Waiting For My Homie to Come Home
Under 19
Seriously WHAT THE FUCK is it with this province screwing over every university student under the age of 19?!? No alcohol…fine. But now I can’t sign up to get my own phone because I’m not 19. FML. —An adult already…
Pro choice
I would like to bring up the protest of the ‘Pro Life’ rally that took place on Robie Street over the weekend, I understand your cause but there is a small movement for Pro Choice, which I support. It amazes me how many men were present at this protest. Have they personally had to make…
Bad men have hearts
Don’t know why I do this but the BAD ASS guy from the T.P.B show you know the one with the Red Corvette: you’re a sweet man, Even Better Father. Love you always… now take off those shades & let me see them sexy bedroom eyes of yours. —FEEL SAFE with you around
Your Cat is Waiting
To the op who posted about hisher cat scratching at the door when your on the ‘John” He wants to scratch your balls. There I ended another sleepless night for you. Good night. —Do not let another paw touch my ASS.
There’s Party in my Room…not my pants
Thanks for writing on my door in permanent marker that I’m a loser. Real mature for a college student. I thought we left that stuff behind in high school. I go out, I party, I have a few drinks I just don’t bring home random college boys to drunkenly fumble their way into my vag.…
To the students that live down the street
Putting non-recyclable garbage in a blue bag won’t get it picked up on recycling day. Please don’t leave it lying there for weeks with the orange “rejected” sticker — take it inside and put it in a proper trash bag. Mom and dad can’t do it for you all the way from Ontario. —Grow some…
Heavenly SINS performing
Peter Eastwood This Thursday night marks the first time since 2006 that all the members of Sometimes in Nova Scotia will be dancing together on the same Halifax stage. The cheekily named young contemporary dance collective, who are spread out across the country, debuts its new piece Xs—-the fourth in its 7 Deadly Sins series—-on…
Beautiful Gingers
To all the Beautiful Ginger Girls I’ve been seeing, specifically at SMU. You girls completely disprove the theory that people with pale skin and freckles can’t be hot. Much love,—A Fellow Male Ginger
Matador turns 21, Vegas turns hipster
Ryan McNutt travels to the Nevada desert for three days with some of the greatest indie rock bands of the past 20 years. Oddness and epicness ensues.
Parody preserved: Google saves FakeSueUteck
The real Halifax councillor Sue Uteck may have complained to the police about the FakeSueUteck Twitter account, but that complaint fell on deaf ears at Twitter. “Parody impersonation accounts are allowed to exist on Twitter,” says “The Captain,” a spokesperson with “Twitter Trust and Safety,” Twitter’s communications wing, responding a week late to a request…
MacLeod makes Giller shortlist
Alexander MacLeod’s short fiction collection, Light Lifting, has been shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. Published by Biblioasis, Light Lifting is MacLeod’s first book, though his stories have appeared regularly in Canadian literary journals. He also teaches in the English and Atlantic Studies programs at Saint Mary’s University. A short feature based on a conversation…
Nova Scotia government’s absurd culture of secrecy
[image-1] Updated below Updated again, 5:45pm. Yesterday, I was looking through the latest batch of Orders in Council– the decrees made by premier Darrell Dexter’s cabinet, and only cryptically alluded to on an obscure corner of the internet– and found this one, from September 21: Order Number 2010-356 Date of Order 2010/Sep/21 Statute Industrial Development…
Best Dressed Bloke
To the elderly chap I often see downtown shuffling around in the sharpest shoes, best suits and fantastic hats, often smoking a cigar–thank you. It’s nice to see the old sense of style hasn’t been lost and a gent can still wear a hat without looking like an ironic hipster. —Wingtip forever
To my homeboy-guru
I just wanted to say how much I love and care for you. You make me happy every day of my life. —Your honey-bun
I have to give you my money so the least you can do is be polite
If I go into your store and I spend my money be it 50 cents, 5K or anything in between I expect a polite thank you. The norm now seems to be the cashier passing me my receipt and saying “Here you go”… Seriously come on. I work hard for what I have. I don’t…
All to common hippies
I would take an entire summer of bad pop concerts over the incessant drum banging by those damn hippies in the commons. Every time I go there it is the same thing. Even drives my dog crazy. Get a damn job/education/bar of soap. —Pow Wow Police
4 million in 4 years on youth at risk
Is what a certain program is going to receive to reach at “at risk youth” prone to street crime … 2008 – 2012 They have a small staff .. I think maybe 10 including administration & outreach workers all former volunteers … Has this money helped our kids and our other citizens from nihilism. Total…
Common concert promoter goes out of business
[image-1] Yesterday, The Coast’s business office received the following email from Harold MacKay, of Power Promotional Events: As you are aware Power Promotional Events Inc, has experienced a significant cash flow shortfall and we have now exhausted all of our efforts to try and resolve this situation. It is therefore with much regret that we…
Banana Bread
To the extra who made banana bread for the other extras on Rollertown. It was awesome and really appreciated. Also, you were cute, and if I wasn’t in a committed relationship would have asked for your number, or at least your name. —Extra Shy
Thanks for the sandwich!
I was in Jane’s last Wednesday when the Interac machine refused to recognize my card. I was in a hurry and had to go, and the woman behind me in line offered to pay for my sandwich. Thanks again, it was really appreciated. —Extra on the go
Way To Be Halifax!
Today is a prime example of what makes this city great: Not only did I watch an unaware shopper drop a $50 dollar bill which the person following behind promptly returned, refusing a $20 reward. Personally, I left my mobile phone in the SMU library. Got groceries, came home, realized I lost my phone and…
Stopping your car on a crosswalk!
To the guy that stopped his car on the crosswalk on Agricola and proceeded to tell me not to walk so close to his car after I walked my bike between his car and the car in front of him in bumper to bumper rush hour traffic. Are you kidding me?! First you block part…
Wrong Focus
People LOVE to complain about all the things that are wrong with whatever it may be. I cant pick up a newspaper without seeing something about some criminal wanting bail, or said person raped X number of women. WHEN did the media start focusing on chaos and hate? When will people realize that FOCUSING on…
Eat shit
People who smoke in their car when they have children in the back seat should be forced to eat their own shit. That’s how disgusting it is for the tiny victim in the car who is being forced to inhale your putrid, disease-induced second hand smoke. It’s really, really disgusting. —Think About It
Do NOT Cross me!
I know I’m a heartless bitch so no need to comment if you just want to tell me that but here’s my issue of the day: Stop putting stupid fucking crosses on the sides of the road near an accident site! I don’t give a shit that someone died there. It’s not a fucking graveyard…
To the fucker(s) who won’t stop climbing through girls windows:
Once you’re caught I’m going to throw a party. Inviting all other young women with my front door propped wide open and the screens removed from all my windows. So why don’t you make the next place you crawl into a therapist office because your shit is getting old real fast. —Exceptionally annoyed south end…
High School in Eastern Passage???
To the people who want a high school in EP: Are you crazy? You want the future generations of EP to experience nothing but EP?? Most of the people who want this high school are new to the community… so you know what? Listen to a lifelong resident. SAY NO TO A HIGH SCHOOL IN…
Name the laundromat!
This sign has appeared in the window of the future laundromat going into the old Big Italy Pizza space at 5572 Cornwallis Street, across from Gordon B. Isnor Manor. The laundromat will open mid-October, says the sign.
Some kindness left in this city!
To the redhead girl at the intersection of south and south park who very kindly stopped to help a lady who had lost a bag off the back of her wheelchair: your kindness was so endearing- as a motorist I felt happy to watch the whole thing unfold. You even went the extra mile and…
I’d like to give you one of those obnoxous yellow warnings
To the enlightened assholes of HRM: Thanks for removing the bikes at Belleaire and North Street, the lovely and charming homemade gates of Bellaire Terrace. They were cool, beautiful and unique and you went and snapped them off and took them away. Any expression that doesn’t fall into your narrow purview or receive official sanction…
Say Cheese!!
To the douche who stole my Pentax digi-cam… thanks… I took 1000 photos of my brother’s wedding as a gift to him… and now they are gone… If you have any compassion just return the memory card… I just want to have one of the most important days in my family’s life to be without…
WTF is wrong with people- re. the ultra cows
Fuck people are getting morbidly fat in this Province. Saw a lady on the bus yesterday- easily 400 lbs plus – couldn’t properly sit in a seat but had to kind of lie in it… naturally she had a cane… almost fell out of her seat once (or oozed out) when the bus mad an…
Mind Your Own Business
As a smoker (and a former non-smoker), I am absolutely furious. Yes, I have a bad habit, but it happens to be one that I enjoy, seemingly much to the chagrin of every single non-smoker in Halifax. I wouldn’t want smoke blown in my face either, which is why I DON’T smoke in the presence…
Bitching About Bitching
All of your problems are so minor… So your girlfriend broke up with you and you’re sad. Do us all a favor and get over it. You’re roommate is pissing you off. Why don’t you tell him/her in person, rather than anonymously ranting about said person on the internet? And if you hate the frigging…
CKDU Are Going All Night Long
Good morning jerks! As most of you know, the CKDU funding drive is still in full swing (continuing to October 7th) and tonight the hardworking programmers will be broadcasting ALL NIGHT LONG. Yes, this is correct. After the regular programming day ends at midnight, staff and volunteers will be going all Jerry Lewis on your…
Love for Hali-friends, streets, and strangers
After moving away I was back in town this weekend for a bachelorette party. Halifax can have some snobs but none of them were out this weekend! I was so thrilled by the positive reactions of everyone we approached on the street to make the night memorable for our friend. Man who ate the meatball,…
All Snuggly, cozy, freaking awesome!
to that girl, sitting next to me, you know… the one who lives with me, I love you, I’m so glad we decided to get an apartment together, you are my world, my one, my only, I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you, your amazing smile… and well… that amazing…
No sense… No scents please
Really?? Do you really think your perfume, or super scent Downey fabric softener, smells good?? Yeah, it’s me… the chick from the store holding her nose as you walked by and then with great animation swatted the air like I could remove your pungent, nauseating, offensive, neuro-toxic odor. Yeah, yeah… I forgot to wear my…
Pfft, swarmings? Hardly.
So, I just got “swarmed” if this is the shit local media is using to scare people into staying inside this year, it’s fucking insane. I had a bunch of tweens run up to me, “threaten” me (I use quotations, because I doubt a 90 year old in a wheel chair would be threatened by…
Another Bread Bitch
To the numb nuts who decided they were going to rip a contest entry off of a bag of bread in a certain pharmacy: I hope you lose motherfucker because if you win you definitely aren’t smart enough to answer the skill testing question! It was bad enough you left a hole in the bread…
Jerk
To the police officer who called me a savage (on Treaty Day of all days when we are supposed to be celebrating peace): SHAME ON YOU! It was a great day up until then. F.U., I’m telling everybody.—NDN
Drowning
I resented you for so long and now that too is indifference. I long to wake and not see your face or hear your voice. For eight years I’ve kept to myself and now I long for warm eyes to look upon me, feel arms around me, and connect with another. My parents tell me…
Squished Bread
Would you people stop whining about your bread being squished. A bag of chips will not crush bread, and neither will 4 loafs in a cloth bags. If your bread gets squashed, come back and exchange it. Don’t even get me started on eggs… —Easily Angered Cashier
Dr. Penfield
More of a general question than a bitch.. But I gotta ask. WHAT is that god forsaken smell coming from the gas station on Robie and North? I drive by almost every day on the bus, and almost every day I hear someone say “I smell burnt toast”. It’s not burnt toast!! It’s some sort…
Bye Bye NDP
Long-standing left-wing supporters and NDP party memebrs are asking Dexter’s sham-NDP ‘government’ – what the hell are you doing? You broke our hearts and you will go next time around. —Never never never again NDP
YMCA HeadRed
Love the grunts (squeaks?)… —ManBlack
The only metro transit love ever…
Today after eight and a half hours of move in’s and an exhausting visit with my 18 month old nephew and the 25minute drive to Sackville, my car died. I was completely looking forward to getting home to rest, and with my boyfriend out of town, I was stuck. I left my car parked and…
Loveing the Way We Love
This is long overdue but, I just wanted to send a big “THANK YOU” to The Coast for publishing “Love the Way We Love”. All to often people waste all their time and energy on complaining about things, and no time apreciating the world around them. Life ain’t that bad, people! I’m glad I’m not…
You are simply FABOOSH!
To the lovely man that works at Sears in HSC, You are amazing, you make my day when I see you. You always are dressed to perfection and you are always smiling. You are simply FABOOSH! PS Your boots are the best thing about this mall without a Doubt. —Enjoying the sunshine you bring to…
Coordinate the fucking stop lights!
The assholes at HRM (you know who I mean) could help save tens of thousands of dollars just by coordinating a few stop lights. But that would be no fun, and you can’t get a trip anywhere to study it, so what the fuck. Anyone who ever drove by the front of Alderney Place would…
The Double Standard
Ok, my rant may seem silly at first because it’s based off of an episode of Teen Mom I watched the other night. But, it truly is a situation where double standards come into play and a person who is being so victimized feels as if he can’t defend himself. For those of you who…
Honking at Cylclists
We know there are morons on the road, you don’t need to identify yourself. (You proved your point guy who stopped quickly in front of me: you’re an unsafe driver who needs to re-read the learners manual & an A-hole) —Agricola Cyclist
I’M NOT THE BLONDE IN THE LEATHER JACKET
So, last week “the blonde in the leather jacket” posted in love the way we love. As dreamy as I may find certain metal heads with long hair that listen to loud music on the bus, i did NOT write anything in love the way we love. I may be blonde, but I just recently…
Getting Even
I’m sick and tired of younger family members expecting a cushy ride on other peoples back, expecting their dying parent to support their need for greed. While they are used and abused just to be lied to when taken advantage of. I’m glad your personality suffers from mental breakdowns and You Will get what YOU…
Dear cat…
when I’m in the john, minding my own business and doing my own thing why do you scratch at the door and poke your paw under the door? It’s kind of pervy… —?
Thanks for the welcome wagon!
We just moved here 2 weeks ago and our truck has already been broken into. Apparently your kind of low life breed is looking for a Nova Scotia Vehicle Inspection sticker so you can sell it online. …Maybe you should have checked the license plate before smashing our window in BECAUSE we’re from BC. Asshole.…
Darwin Refuted
Darwin’s theory of the evolution of species, the view that the weaker and the “unfit” would, in the natural course of events, fall by the wayside in the interests of an upward or progressive movement resulting in more refined and higher life forms, has clearly been refuted by “Bitch” if the recent (and usual)submissions are…
Lazy Bastards
This is to all of you lazy pig bastards that park on the Guysborough road across from the airport and dump your filthy garbage in the area, I shouldn’t compare you to a pig, a pig will at least keep one corner of its pen clean. Your homes must be something to behold, you are…
Swarming Dingus’
Thanks to the cowardly little bastards who cut the shit out of my hand. It’s great to be out of work and not able to do what I love. I hope Jesus cuts off your dick. —Happy
JOAN AND KATHLEEN
Oh hey, remember that Joan Jett tribute we told you about awhile back? The wrath of Hurricane Earl canceled that particular show, but tough broads always prevail. The band plays this Saturday at Reflections along with a Bikini Kill tribute fronted by Jen Clarke of Jenocide. Queens of my world! 9-11pm, $3.
Shut Up Guy Love
Living in downtown has it’s disadvantages, one being the drunks yelling as they walk. At around 2 this morning, one group were loud and stationary. You yelled out your apartment window SHUT UP, and they did. Thanks for doing what I wanted to do but didn’t want to leave my comfy bed for. —Much Love,…
Cornwallis
Walking up Cornwallis a couple days ago in the fog. Saw the dawgfather drive by, watched people smoking on their stoops, talking to strangers on the street, & smiled. The air smelled like the ocean & everyone was friendly. I love this neighbourhood! —RyleyHfx
A: With the BMW Driver The Prick Is On The Inside
Q: What’s the difference between a porcupine and a BMW driver? Just because one direction of traffic was stopped and lets you out of courtesy doesn’t mean that the other oncoming lane is so obligated. Pulling out of the Lions Head Tavern onto Young Street like you own the place when I have a long…
Moving is the most fun you can have without having any fun
This is to the mover I called last week about my small apartment move: I called yesterday to confirm and you said yes, great, see you tomorrow. You were late. I called to make sure you were coming and you hung up on me. WHAT THE HELL?! Moving is bad enough without shit like this.…
Gay, Bi, Straight, Queer, Trans – We should love you all!
It makes me absolutely furious how many gay teens and university students have made the news for committing suicide because they were bullied or chastised for being gay. I am so infuriated, reading yet another story – this time about a university student who was secretly taped with another man and then it was broadcasted…
Shut Your Holes
I can’t believe the lack of RESPECT students at my university have for the profs. I’m taking fourth year classes, and people are STILL blatantly texting on their phones and talking to each other when the prof is trying to lecture. I know you’re only showing up to sign the attendance sheet but seriously… some…
Youth Crime/ Swarmings
Council needs to commit a several million dollar annual budget to build youth centres in neighbourhoods across the cities that are staffed qualified individuals to engage the youth. A Mentorship Program. A summer long intramural program. Provide free transportation & lunches… cooking classes, art classes. We have all these facilities closed for the Summer and…
Mortgage Guy
Oh yeah… I forgot… by the way Mr. Banker… PLEASE brush your teeth or gargle with bleach or CLR or something… ANYTHING! You deal with people all day… you talk with people all day… haven’t we all been punished enough by banks… now people have to deal with your cesspool breath? Listen… your breath smells…
Dog Shit Rant #2356741
What the fuck! Can no one pick up after their fucking dogs? Is it gross? Or too hard? You fucking retards leave your dog’s mess where ever they lay it, on people’s lawns or public/non public areas (ie the ball-fields by Windsor Park). You know people use it legally, and how many games are messed…
You Are Stealing Our Tips
We all work really hard and for very little money. You take almost half of our hard earned tips every night. If you want a consistent staff who care about your business -LETS US KEEP OUR MONEY. You’re not giving it to the kitchen, you keep every cent for yourself. It’s pathetic – working from…
You ain’t pretty….
…you just look that way. So, you got yourself on the airways selling your exploitative wares. Attention seeking self-aggrandizing bitch doesn’t even come close to describing you. Keep putting your name out there, (maybe you’re baking – that must be worth everyone hearing about right?) you can never fill the void inside you and -…
The Woes of a Poor Student
I really, really, really hate you, student loans. So much. I wish I had just gotten a line of credit when I started university four years ago. I don’t understand why, when I applied as soon as I possibly could, you guys waited until the last week and a half of August to inform me…
Wasted Energy
A year ago this month the province created Efficiency Nova Scotia (ENSC), “an independent administrator to help Nova Scotians cut electricity use.” Responsibility for our energy efficiency will no longer be in the hands of a government department, but an independent body. Great idea. So far, ENSC is just ramping up: recruiting board members, hiring…
Surf on screen
Surfers are never satisfied,” says Halifax filmmaker Eva Madden-Hagen. “Every time they go out they try something else and push themselves.” Madden-Hagen has spent much of her time in the last several years documenting the heights to which surfers in Nova Scotia will push themselves. Her 2007 drama Eastern Shore starred Beth Amiro, co-owner of…
Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole clipped at the wings
Zack Snyder (Watchmen, 300) takes a holiday in animated fantasyland and packs too much of his trademark intensity in his luggage. The movie begins with the kidnapping of two young brothers by an evil owl posse bent on world (or at least treetop) domination. Nice brother Soren wants to escape and prevent the owl apocalypse,…
Photographing oddities
Geri Nolan’s summer Alternative Process Photography workshop at NSCAD was unconventional. “This class exemplified most of what would constitute bare-bones photography,” says photography student Veronica Horsman. “It was all about mistakes. It was all about breaking photo rules. It was all about experimentation. We were doing everything from 200-year-old processes to digital negatives. How often…
Not your mom’s Pillow Fight League
Concussions. Black eyes. Lost teeth. Split lips. Bruised kidneys. These aren’t injuries from that pillow fight with the girls last night. But ask the ladies of the official Pillow Fight League and they’ll disagree. Pillow fighting is no more the goofy, giggly, pathetically uncompetitive activity synonymous with slumber parties and 11-teen-year-olds. No sir. It’s now…
Deciphering Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
In a continuation of the high-financial world parable of 1987’s Wall Street, director Oliver Stone revisits the character that birthed a million sub-prime predators, Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), portraying him as a humbled outsider with an insider’s savvy and drive. Amidst pre-and-post crash Wall Street, Gekko mentors a young buck (Shia LaBeouf), taking on a…
Class war in class
Economist Tim O’Neill should have dedicated his report on Nova Scotia universities to Marshall McLuhan. “School is the advertising agency which makes you believe you need the society as it is,” McLuhan wryly observed. Yes, believe hard enough in the status quo and, as O’Neill points out, your lowly BA will earn you $765,000 more…
Visual art: Cathy Busby’s Giving Notice
“MOVE.” It’s a loudly painted, red word peeking around Dalhousie Art Gallery’s reading nook, calling to visitors at the gallery’s entrance. Feet move almost involuntarily, and gallery viewers find themselves in front of the lettering, uncovering two more: “IN NOW.” Sterile black couches frame the lower half of the three walls and words, providing a…
Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work takes the mask off the fame monster
This documentary opens on an extreme close-up of its subject’s face, skin pale and stretched tighter than a snare drum. Yet the movie isn’t out to show us the woman behind the showbiz mask, showing instead that the woman is the mask—that the “real” Joan Rivers is the cackling, crass comedienne onstage. The film follows…
Brandon Flowers
When bandleaders go solo, the results are invariably similar, even when the leaders insist it’s different (Matthew Good, Dave Matthews, Gwen Stefani). But so what, when they’re packaged in a tacklebox full of hooks? Flowers treads familiar Killers ground here, to the point where the chorus for “Jilted Lovers and Broken Hearts” is a reshash…
The First Voices International Arts Festival
Each year for the past five, the First Voices Project has brought Aboriginal youth from Canada, Botswana, the Philippines, Guatemala, Chile and Honduras together for 10 days to share their stories and connect through art. This Saturday, both new participants and alumni are gathering for their last event—and sharing it with the community. “This year,…
Get involved: 4Days Better City Lab
Rachel Derrah learned to ride a bike this summer. “It’s kind of embarrassing,” says the 24-year-old, between bouts of laughter. She grew up in Glassville, New Brunswick, about an hour north of Fredericton. “You either drive or you go play in the woods,” says Derrah, who studied community design at Dalhousie University. “You would just…
Of Montreal
When you’re as flamboyant and bizarre as Of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes, sometimes the risks do pay off. Kanye’s producer lifts up the production values—this is a slickly produced collage of r&b, ’80s pop, disco, dance and glam-funk, elevated by Barnes’ lyrics, which run from confessional poetic rants to high-register squeals. Janelle Monáe joins Barnes for…
Dance: Live Art’s drawing movement
When Le Carré des Lombes founder Danièle Desnoyers saw Manon De Pauw’s work, the Montreal choreographer knew she wanted to collaborate with the visual artist, who is well-known for her fluid live drawing performances, video installations and photography. De Pauw was interested, and told Desnoyers that earlier in her career she had thought about becoming…
Sue Uteck not amused by Fake Twitter account
A Twitter account listed as Fake Sue Uteck was dismantled last week following complaints from south end councillor Sue Uteck about the content of the satirical posts. Uteck does not have a personal Twitter account and complained after supposedly receiving phone calls on the content of the dialogue between Fake Sue Uteck and Fake Mayor…
Hawksley Workman
Hot on the heels of clattering and aggressive Meat, Workman’s second release of the year is filled with sounds that might be made at an unholy orgy of Sisters of Mercy, Wang Chung and Foreigner, with attendant swears. I think Workman wants us to believe his life is one long Bret Easton Ellis novel, making…
Howard Epstein, upfront about the centre
Halifax Chebucto MLA Howard Epstein doesn’t like the proposal for a downtown Halifax convention centre. And while his NDP colleagues are cagey and non-committal on the issue, Epstein is forthright and public about his opposition, spelling out not only his reasons but also providing details of the project that had never been released before. Moreover,…
Future funding uncertain for agencies that help homeless
Groups that help homeless people in Halifax are once again worrying that the federal money that make possible their operations will dry up. The problem is that instead of providing a steady, predictable flow of funding with consistent rules and policies, Ottawa has been providing the money in two-year chunks, with no indication that the…
El Guincho
Pablo Dìaz-Reixa returns as El Guincho. Following his 2008 album, Alegranza, which garnered much international attention, pressure to move forward surely existed. For the most part, such a step is made. His vocal range and approach are limited, but he makes up for it musically: repetitive basslines, beats and samples and pitch in the higher…
Closing the surf
Long-time surfer Matt Mays puts a party hat on the end of the Canadian Surf Film Festival weekend, with some proceeds going to the SANS Coastal Access Committee. A rep from the committee will also be at the show to accept donations in hopes of building a public boardwalk in Cow Bay. For the full…
Bridge terminal bids exceed budget
Bids for construction of Metro Transit’s expanded Bridge Terminal are about $2 million over the budget for the project. Earlier this year, Halifax council agreed to a $9.5 million plan for the terminal, which is the lynch pin of expanded transit service. Only two firms, Dexter Construction and Pomerleau Contracting, bid on the project, Dexter…
Neil Young
A 100-voice choir singing about impeaching President Bush. Concept albums for cars and environmentalism. A sequel to an unreleased record. The idiosyncrasies of Neil Young’s 2000s output almost make his ’80s material seem mundane (…almost). Young kicks off the new decade with another experiment: a noisy, guitar-only record with Daniel Lanois producing. There are hints…
Playing it loud with Comeback Kid
Members of Comeback Kid are scattered across North America, but that hasn’t stopped them from releasing a new album (Symptoms + Cures) or touring around the world from August to Christmas. “The band’s based out of Winnipeg,” explains frontman Andrew Neufeld. “I most of the time live in Toronto, a couple of the guys live…
A Week at the Airport
After a seven-day residency at London Heathrow, de Botton reveals the peninsular nature, not fully island or mainland, of airports. Entering these in-between spaces, we become projections of ourselves, a point underscored by Richard Baker’s photographs. We’re detached from our real selves, the ones at home and work. As passengers, we leave one aiport for…
Wednesday Comics
Wednesday Comics is a callback to when Sunday newspaper strips took up an entire page and were actual works of art in term of graphics and storytelling. The book is a homage to that format, with various artists and writers re-imaging superheroes like Superman and Batman (along with some of their more obscure counterparts) in…
Settling in with Nimmons’n’Braid
JazzEast’s only fall concert brings in-the-moment jazz to a whole new level this Friday with Phil Nimmons and David Braid. During a hectic travel schedule, young pianist and composer Braid emailed to say he and Nimmons have performed about 40 concerts together in the past six years, without having rehearsed or spoken about what—or how—they…
Sh*t My Dad Says
The first clue that Sh*t My Dad Says is going to be a big pile of poo? That nasty little asterisk in the middle of the Shit. Sadly, William Shatner, a man who became the popular favourite for Canada’s next governor general and can even make fibre commercials funny, can’t govern himself out that flaming…
JiXiang Chinese marks the spot
I have a case of the sniffles. So does everybody else at the table. But it’s not a case of the cold—it’s a case of the hot. We’re eating the spicy shrimp at JiXiang Chinese Restaurant. Given the option, we asked for intensely, extremely, face-meltingly hot. We wanted to see the air above it shake…
A bushel of quick event picks
Dance SINS and Susie Burpee October 7-9, Sir James Dunn Theatre A killer night for dance fans, thanks to Live Art, starting off with a premiere by SINS (Sometimes in Nova Scotia). Xs is choreographed by Vancouver-based Daelik for SINS’ “Seven Deadly Sins Series.” Love watching these guys perform: Jacinte Armstrong, Susanne Chui and Sara…
Shining Light Brights
“It was a planned break, but not a break, just a pause,” jokes Chad Harrington awkwardly over some tea at a downtown cafe. The bass player described his band’s recent hiatus with deadpan delivery, rousing laughs from bandmates Bethany Fulde (vocals) and Andrew Dahms (drums). Turns out financial obligations landed Fulde in Prince Edward Island…
Saturday Night Live
A bad SNL premiere is more depressing than a bad SNL in general: “They had four months to think up material, and THIS is the best they came up with?” But Saturday’s episode was particularly depressing as the show was returning from arguably its worst season of the modern era, a black hole of unfunny…
Layers of Autumn Lovers
It’s easy to get lost in Olenka Krakus’ voice. That’s not to say that there isn’t lots to love about And Now We Sing, the second full-length from Krakus and her band, the Autumn Lovers. But it’s the vocals that hit first and hit hardest. Krakus has one of those magnificent voices that can be…
Cuckolding-lite? A threesome tale
Q I’m a straight college guy, age 21, and I share a house with some buddies and a couple. Anyhow, the interesting stuff: This couple has been together for four years. They’re both quite sexual, but she’s got more libido than he does. I’ve got a big sex drive, too. Both of them have stated…
Let Me In, America
This American remake is louder and less subtle than the 2008 Swedish original, Let the Right One In—but only just. Transferring the action to wintry New Mexico, writer-director Matt Reeves makes a few sensible tweaks but remains faithful to the story of a bullied tween boy (Kodi Smit-McPhee) finding the ultimate protector in a vampire…
Laughing with The Odd Couple
When several of the cast bios say things like “Thanks for giving a newbie a chance” or “First time on stage since the elementary school play,” it makes you wonder what you’re in for. But I’m happy to say that although many of the actors in TAG’s production of The Odd Couple (Female Version) had…
Fubar II has feelings
Sequels either take their foundation story in new directions or serve up more of what worked the first time. This is the second kind. Michael Dowse’s encore to his 2002 mock-doc about hoser metalheads Terry (Dave Lawrence) and Dean (Paul J. Spence) follows the duo to the cash-spewing oil sands of Fort McMurray. Any lessons…
Free Will Astrology
LIBRA(September 23-October 22) “Everything is dreamed first,” wrote French poet Gilbert Trolliet. French philosopher Gaston Bachelard agreed adding, “Creative reverie animates the nerves of the future.” Your task in the coming weeks, Libra, is to act on those clues: Conjure up pictures in your mind that foreshadow the life you want to be living next…
Falling for Flamenco
Falling for Flamenco This week marks the start of the Fall For Flamenco Festival, with international performances, workshops and local artist shows filling up its marquee (check thecoast.ca for a full list of events). In honour of the dance fest, we’d like to raise a glass of Spanish wine—or two. Check out these spots for…
You Again stays true to its title
If nothing else, this You Again can’t be accused of false advertising. It’s all right there in the title, two words that will float through audience members’ heads each of the many times this would-be comedy delivers a reheated gag or cliche originally served in another, better movie. Marni (Kristen Bell) is mortified to learn…
Newfoundlanders Rawk
Your roads were gone so you built bridges. The military came and you greeted them with open arms. I am very glad you joined the rest of us in 1949. —Bob and Sue
Those arn’t nose rings, they’re exclimation marks!
Dear lady, I kind of wish you would visit my work more often. You’re always so cheery, and make a point to comment on something, anything when you come through my cash, or food line up. You’ve got adorable little rain boots, sparkly little nose rings, and one of the most wonderful demeanors I have…
