Tim Falconer had always recognized his inability to sing on key, but that didn’t trump his love for music. A few years ago, Falconer decided to pursue a dream to train his vocal chords. After his second voice lesson, Falconer got some testing done, and was diagnosed with congential amusia— discovering he is part of […]
Halifax
Planning and development fees in HRM could finally see an increase
[Image-1] Planning and development fees in Halifax haven’t increased in several years, and that’s a problem. A report headed to Regional Council on Tuesday afternoon recommends the municipality move forward with the second phase of a fee review and develop a standardized policy for its planning and development fees. 
Those fees haven’t been updated in […]
Argyle Fine Art to host Pokémon Go hunt
On a warm evening last week, the waterfront gleamed with moonlight as hundreds of eyeballs reflected the glare of phone screens. A large crowd was lured to this spot by a treasure hunt to catch creatures. Virtual creatures. If you’ve been hiding under a rock at the bottom of an ocean on another planet the […]
No cooling-off period in new CAO’s contract
[Image-1] Halifax is hoping that Jacques DubĂ© is a man of his word. The municipality’s new chief administrative officer doesn’t have a cooling-off period written into his employment agreement. 
Instead, DubĂ© has a verbal agreement with HRM promising not to work in the development industry after he’s done at city hall.
 “We’re told legally that’s […]
High praise for Halifax’s new CAO from Moncton councillors
[Image-1]
 “Halifax just landed one hell of a city manager,” says five-term Moncton councillor Pierre Boudreau. “It’s going to be impossible to find another Jacques DubĂ©…Halifax has landed a jewel.” Dub City’s former city manager was announced today as HRM’s new chief administrative officer. DubĂ© replaces former CAO Richard Butts, who left city hall at […]
Old Spring Garden Road library won’t be sold, promises NS
[Image-1]

Two weeks back, The Coast published an article looking at the future of the old Spring Garden Road Memorial Library. Hours after publication, the province demanded an immediate correction.
 The story came about because one downtown HRM council candidate has been pitching the idea of selling the public property to commercial interests. I interviewed Dominick […]
HΛLIFΛX logo will be less bold on community signs
[Image-1]
Halifax’s logo is staying on some of your community signs, Dartmouth, but at least it’ll be smaller and harder to read.

An information item headed to council next week says the chief administrative office and HRM’s corporate communications are developing new applications for the municipality’s pervasive branding that will “better reflect brand values and pride of […]
Atlantic Canadian magazine focuses on queer content
The Outport Magazine has got LGBTQIA Atlantic Canadians covered. Starting out in 2013 as a short monthly publication, serving the St. John’s, Newfoundland area, the magazine expanded its coverage to include all of the Atlantic provinces this year. Today, Outport is an online lifestyle magazine—CEO and publisher Josh Eddy says it made the format switch […]
Asexual and aromantic folks claim their place at Pride
On the first day of Halifax Pride week, Ky Greyson arrives at a coffee shop sporting a huge smile, freshly dyed cotton candy hair with matching pink eyebrows, and black leggings that read “unavailable.” He’s bursting with enthusiasm when he asks me what gender pronouns I prefer. Although some people don’t like labels, Greyson finds […]
The Mist: Spike TV’s Steven King adaptation begins filming in Halifax
The Mist, a multi-million dollar television show, based off of the Stephen King novella begins filming today in Halifax. The 10-episode series will premiere on Spike TV in 2017. The show is being produced by Magic Rock Productions (based out of Halifax) and TWC-Dimension Television (New York). According to a press release, The Mist “tells the story […]
Thundercat’s bass progression
Stephen Bruner has had a love for the bass for as long as he can remember. He says that he always gravitated towards stringed instruments as a kid, and has countless family photos of himself as a young boy holding a bass to prove it. Bruner—who’s now 31 years old and better known as Thundercat—hasn’t […]
It’s the summer of Reeny Smith
Reeny Smith has a secret and she doesn’t want to share. Chatting by phone one recent morning, she drops succulent clues and small details, but politely declines to say too much, no matter which way the question is rephrased. As the North Preston performer gracefully changes the topic to her recently hectic schedule, she seems […]

