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Halifax

Iconic Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse Could Be Demolished

By SHANNON KELLY

Photo: Lou Bueno

One of Nova Scotia’s most photographed sights and top tourist attractions (it receives 500,000 tourists per year) may be lost forever if a community group doesn’t step in to save it from demolition before the end of May. (more…)

100 Years Later, Follow the Original Titanic Distress Transmission on Twitter

By SHANNON KELLY

Photo: Wikipedia/CC

This Sunday, April 15, marks the centennial of the sinking of the Titanic, and beginning tomorrow, April 14, at 11:55 pm Newfoundland Standard Time (NST), Halifax’s Maritime Museum of the Atlantic will be releasing the Titanic‘s wireless transmissions sent 100 years ago to the minute. (more…)

Hot Dining: Editor’s Pick: Le Bistro

Halifax’s original French bistro is back after a long dormancy. Le Bistro has returned to South Park Street. The original Le Bistro was a Halifax favourite for a generation. A decade after its closing, former manager Liz Chamber-Ingram has revived it. The new spot has the same Parisian vibe, and serves old favourites like Crêpe Marocaine and the house specialty lemon pie.

Le Bistro, Photo: Rachael Shrum

Hot Dining: Hot Joe at Uncommon Grounds

With locations on South Park and Barrington streets, Uncommon Grounds is a destination of choice for serious coffee lovers. The New York-style coffeehouse offers gourmet drinks, snacks, soup, sandwiches and desserts.

Uncommon Grounds

Hot Dining: Soothe a Sweet Tooth at the Middle Spoon

If you’re the sort of person who skips straight to dessert, be sure to visit The Middle Spoon on Barrington Street. The “desserterie” specializes in decadent desserts and cocktails. The Peanut Butter Pie draws rave reviews.

The Middle Spoon, Photo: Michelle Brunet

Hot Dining: After Dark Downtown

Stylish Onyx on Spring Garden Road is the spot to see and be seen. On Mondays, the signature mojitos are $7. Wednesdays offer one of the best deals you’ll find downtown: live music, no cover, no corkage fees and half-price apps.

The Economy Shoe Shop on Argyle Street has long been a favourite refuge for Halifax’s popular and fashionable. The beloved downtown bar has a cool vibe, diverse mix of cocktails and—rather unexpectedly—one of the city’s better hamburgers.

Onyx, Photo: julé malet-veale

Hot Dining: 3 Local Favourites

The Armview (Photo: Terra Ciolfe)

  1. The Armview on Chebucto Road: Reinvented neighbourhood diner; gourmet burgers, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, weekend brunch and more.
  2.  

  3. Dofsky’s on Brunswick Street: Varied menu offering pizza, pasta, seafood, plus vegetarian and gluten-free options.
  4.  

  5. Café Chianti on Barrington Street: Italian and Eastern European specialties for more than two decades; one of the city’s best wine cellars.

A Titanic Centennial

With many historic links to the tragedy, Halifax marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking.

When the Titanic went down in the icy waters of the North Atlantic, ships from Halifax were among the first on the scene. The majority of recovered victims, 150 bodies, were buried in three Halifax cemeteries: Fairview Lawn Cemetery at the north end of Windsor Street, nearby Mount Olivet and Baron de Hirsch cemeteries. In the 100 years since the disaster, Halifax has stayed keenly aware of its Titanic ties.

April 15 is the centenary of the sinking (it struck the iceberg late on April 14, sinking less than three hours later). Visitors can learn more about the celebrated ship and Halifax’s connections to it throughout the month. Begin your explorations at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic on Lower Water Street. The permanent exhibition Titanic: The Unsinkable Ship includes artifacts like a life ring, deck chair and oak carving from the Titanic. The museum also features a temporary exhibition on the history of cable ships in Nova Scotia, detailing the roles of the Halifax-based Mackay-Bennett and Minia ships in recovery operations. Cable Ships: Connecting Halifax to Titanic and the World features personal stories and artifacts from recovery workers. The museum is also showcasing An Earnest Price: 150 Grave Stories, photos of Titanic grave markers by Andrew Danson Danushevsky.

After the Maritime Museum, continue south on the waterfront boardwalk to the Halifax Port Authority building on Marginal Road. In front, stands a statue of Samuel Cunard. A Halifax native, Cunard founded Cunard Lines, which sparked the modern steamship industry.

Further south on Marginal Road, the Cunard Centre is named for the shipping magnate and, from April 3 to 26, home to Titanic: The Fated Voyage. The dinner-theatre drama tells the story of the disaster. To accompany the tale, Chef Tahir Salamat of Onyx and Cut Steakhouse & Urban Grill has prepared a menu of cuisine served on the voyage.

The Five Fishermen restaurant on Argyle Street is another Titanic landmark. The historic building (purported to be haunted) was once a funeral home, and many Titanic victims passed through its doors. Today, Five Fishermen is one of Halifax’s finest restaurants. This month, it serves a special prix-fixe menu of dishes from the Titanic’s first-class menu, including Poached Salmon with Mousseline Sauce, Filet Mignons Lili and Waldorf Pudding. The Press Gang on Prince Street also features a Titanic-inspired menu.Hear a new perspective on the Titanic story from April 2 to 10, as Alderney Landing in Dartmouth—where the Metro Transit ferries dock—hosts Titanic: The Untold Story. Blending historical fact and legend, the play tells the story of Haitian Joseph Philippe Laroche, the only black person to sail on the Titanic.

One of the most romanticized parts of the tragedy is the story of the Titanic band, stoically playing to bolster passengers’ morale as the vessel sunk. On April 10, the Dalhousie Arts Centre hosts And the Band Played On, a special concert in honour of the musicians. Performers include Meaghan Smith, Jenn Grant, Evans and Doherty, the Rhapsody Quintet, Lennie Gallant and many others.Many special events mark the anniversary itself. On April 14, visit the Maritime Museum from 7:30pm to 9:30pm for a candle-lit procession, making its way from the museum to the Grand Parade, passing Titanic-related landmarks along the way. From 9:30pm to 12:20am, Grand Parade hosts Night of the Bells, telling the story of the sinking of the ship, her passengers and Halifax’s recovery efforts. At 12:20am, when the Titanic began to sink, a moment of silence will be held and flares set off to symbolize the ship’s call for help. On April 15, beginning at 3pm, there is an interfaith memorial service at the Fairview Lawn Cemetery.

April Hot Dates in Halifax

La Cage aux Folles

La Cage aux Folles

Continuing through May 6: He was an artist of considerable talent, yet H.M. Rosenberg’s work has been all but forgotten in the last 150 years. In Europe, he absorbed the influence of Duveneck, Whistler, Sargent, Bocklin, Bastien-Lepage and Gauguin. In 1896, he moved to Nova Scotia and produced much of the work comprising the Rosenberg exhibition at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia on Hollis Street.

April 4: Miami rap force Pitbull makes a very rare visit to Halifax, sharing the stage with Flo Rida (with Tyler Medeiros), Mohombi and Nayer.

April 4–29: Viewpoint Gallery: Photographer Cathy McKelvey explores the world of child’s play in the exhibition Let’s Play.

Editor’s Choice: April 10 to May 27: Neptune Theatre on Argyle Street wraps up its season with La Cage aux Folles. The hilarious and touching musical tells the story of Georges, the owner of a glitzy and “exotic” nightclub in the French Riviera and Albin, his romantic partner and star attraction—the glamorous chanteuse Zaza.

April 13: Symphony Nova Scotia: The orchestra presents Maritime Fusion, sharing the stage with singer/songwriter Sarah Slean.

April 14: Jerry Seinfeld: Arguably the greatest stand-up comic of his generation, Seinfeld makes an extremely rare visit to Halifax.

April 14: In a busy month on the Halifax entertainment scene, this is one show that anyone with ‘90s-music nostalgia won’t want to miss. Influential San Francisco alt-rockers Third Eye Blind play an intimate show in the Schooner Showroom at Casino Nova Scotia.

April 15: Bryan Adams: The legendary Canadian rocker is on his first cross-Canada tour in 20 years, bringing his old band back together.

April 22: Saint Cecilia Concert Series: The Cecilia String Quartet collaborates with Jeunesses Musicales to perform Sensibility & Brio.

April 25 to 28: The Halifax Comedy Fest returns, highlighting up-and-coming local comics alongside top national acts. Highlights include the Opening Gala (hosted by Samantha Bee) at Casino Nova Scotia, Comedy All-Stars (hosted by Gerry Dee) at the Casino shows at Yuk Yuk’s with Halifax’s own Brian Aylwar, the Seahorse Tavern and the Lower Deck; plus the Gala Finale, hosted by Mark Critch and scheduled to air on CBC TV.

April 27: Stars on Ice: An exhibition by some of the world’s top figure skaters, including 2010 Olympic gold medallists and World Champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir and four-time World Champion Kurt Browning.

April 27, 28: Symphony Nova Scotia’s annual Beer and Beethoven concert is a rite of spring in Halifax. Offering a casual coda to the season, the orchestra moves to Cunard Centre for a relaxed waterfront concert with dancing, comedy and yes, beer.

April 29: The Dartmouth Community Concert Association showcases married pianists Lucille Chung and Alessio Bax, one of the best piano duos of their generation. It’s sure to be a magical show at the Woodlawn United Church as they join forces on one piano.

Hot Dates

Jim Petrie, Petrie’s Halifax Feast Dinner Theatre

Continuing through March: Art 1274 Hollis, just steps from the train station on Hollis Street, is a friendly little artist-run gallery, highlighting local talents. This month, it spotlights paintings by Heather Crout and Golumba Kim.

Continuing through May 6: Artist H.M. Rosenberg’s work was almost forgotten: the last 150 years have all but erased him from the historical record. Yet he was an artist of rare talent. In Europe he absorbed the influence of Duveneck, Whistler, Sargent, Bocklin, Bastien-Lepage and Gauguin. In 1896, he came to Nova Scotia and produced a broad body of work. Discover him in the Rosenberg exhibition at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia on Hollis Street.

Continuing through June: Director Jim Petrie, the Petrie behind Petrie’s Halifax Feast Dinner Theatre on Salter Street, has written dozens of sidesplitting musical comedies over the years. His latest, Pirates of the Cape Breton, is a swashbuckling good time with an East Coast twist.

March 23: Symphony Nova Scotia The Symphony teams up with the Gypsophilia septet for an evening of “gypsy indie jazz.”

Editor’s Choice: March 28 to 31: The sport’s top competitors meet in the Bluenose Squash Classic. A glass court on stage at the Dalhousie Arts Centre will host the action for a world-class tournament that may be Halifax’s best-kept sports secret.

March 30: Spatz Theatre at Citadel High School on Bell Road hosts Ballet Jörgen’s production of heart-wrenching tragedy Anastasia.