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Ask any local fashion designer what it takes to succeed in Eastern Canada and you’ll get a similar response. From what I can gather, it’s pretty damn tough and the opportunities are scant. That’s why I was happy to hear that the Mercedes-Benz Start Up program, a Canada wide competition, would be coming to Halifax. The first go-round of this lucrative initiative launched the (now well-known) designs of Martin Lim. On Friday night, I was lucky enough to attend the runway show featuring four collections that made the cut after a selection process the day before, with the winning designer(s) granted the opportunity to compete at Toronto Fashion Week this year. Orphanage, Veronica MacIsaac, Jere Brooks and Dreamboat Lucy were the four collections to show that evening.

Held at the Mercedes-Benz dealership on Kempt Road, the location was befitting a modern fashion show. High ceilings, windows galore and a huge open space was the perfect setting. I would have to say that the execution of this show may have been one of the most professional I’ve seen so far in Halifax. The speeches were kept short and the focus was on the clothes. Even the models seem to be more catwalk savvy than in days gone by and with natural early evening light, it was easy to critically eye each piece.

For those of you familiar with the Atlantic fashion scene, the designers stayed true to their roots. Kim Munson’s Orphanage designs were modern and structured and always edgy. My favourite look would have to be her reverse trench coat dress. I’m familiar with Veronica MacIsaac’s current collection and she always presents with so much heart. Signature touches include Highland dancers joyfully introducing her looks and pieces that impressed included tailored pencil skirts and daring evening gowns. As I’ve said before, tartan and Celtic designs are so specific and maybe not everyday wearable but I truly admire the way MacIsaac takes this on and stays true to her concept.

Meanwhile, Jere Brooks presented some wearable and more mature looks. She kind of came out of the woodwork last year and burst onto the scene at AFW and her looks are polished and womanly. Chiffon tunics, a silk chiffon jacket in bold prints and form fitting dresses that accentuate every curve were just a few of the varied styles.

Dreamboat Lucy is the collaboration between PEI based sisters Louanna and Hilary Murphy. It’s somehow boho (think thigh-high socks and head-wraps) meets contemporary (exposed zippers, leather patchwork detailing). Two of my top picks from the entire evening would have to be from Dreamboat Lucy. I adored the leather wrap skirt with sheer top and I absolutely loved the deep orange show-stopping maxi dress. The judges were also impressed by Dreamboat Lucy and the Murphy sisters ended up being selected as the team to move on and compete at Toronto Fashion Week.

Here’s hoping that this is just the beginning of bigger and bolder fashion shows hitting Halifax. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention the most fun element of being at a fashion show and that’s checking out what the other spectators were wearing…. Some of the biggest fashion stars are not just on the runway. Honourable mentions would have to go out to Curvy Geekery blogger Mo Handahu’s vivid colours and prints, Biscuit owner Wendy Friedman’s vibrant orange frock paired with mustard tights and Fashion East photographer Meghan Tansey Whitton’s slick hair and deep pink lips . Biscuit’s Mimi Audellyn also took things up a notch with one of the only jumpsuits I spotted (plunging in electric blue). Inspiration was in the air!

- Nicole

Veronica MacIsaac

Orphanage

Jere Brooks

Fashion East photographer Meghan Tansey Whitton, Biscuit owner and Mercedes-Benz Start Up judge Wendy Friedman and Mimi Audellynn (also from Biscuit) looked fresh as daisies…

Guest blogger Megan Couture reviews Saturday night’s performance by Rich Aucoin at Michael’s Bar & Grill.

Picture something with me if you will: you’re at a concert. And for once in your concert-going life, people aren’t in your personal space; they’re not pushing and elbowing and “accidentally” spilling three-quarters of their beer on you. Imagine (if you can) a concert utopia; a few hundred people that like an artist coming together, singing, dancing and genuinely enjoying a concert.

Is this a real thing?

I think so, either that or I dreamed that top-notch Rich Aucoin show at Michael’s Saturday night.

Due to high demand, Rich added a second show at Michael’s (playfully dubbed “May the Fourth Be With You”and ‘”Revenge of the Fifth” for you Star Wars fans) that, although his poor voice was strained from the night before, he made it one hell of a night.

Opening band The Long Weekend got the night started with a short but fun set. They had an upbeat, punkish sound and did some fun covers that got the crowd loosened up. Many folks shrugged off their shyness, made their way to the front and started dancing.

But I’ll be honest; I was too distracted because I realized part way through that RICH AUCOIN WAS STANDING RIGHT BESIDE ME. Now let’s be clear: I don’t really get star struck, nor is this the first time I’ve met Rich, but for some reason the wide-eyes of my concert-going companion and the fact that NOBODY ELSE SEEMED TO NOTICE (I found out later from a few friends they “wouldn’t know Rich to see him” so, does that explain it?) made me all giggly and excited. I managed to squeak out a hello and say how excited I was for tonight’s performance—to which he was kind and friendly.

If you’ve never been to a Rich Aucoin show let me try to explain its full-blown awesomeness. Rich is all about audience participation and engagement, he wants you to have the best night of your damn life and it shows. He’s become the master of the life performance, and must be seen live to truly appreciate and truly understand what I’m talking about here.

The show starts with the large screen behind the stage reading, “We Can Make Something Awesome Together”. Rich comes out, complete with tie-dye tank top, and starts the show with a Star Wars-themed slide show. To add extra awesomeness to this, he used names from the crowd on the screen and HE USED MY NAME! (My slide? “Megan Couture knows Tie-Fighters are not people who dislike neckties”) Also cool? “The Rebel Alliance will save Picnicface” (a nod to the group’s current online petition to save their currently-cancelled show) was met with wild applause.

And I haven’t even gotten to the music yet! Rich belted it out with every last ounce of energy—each song began with a slide where Rich would encourage the audience to sing along. Best part – they did. Through the catchy (as in, stuck in my head for two days catchy) “Brian Wilson is A.L.I.V.E” to the synth-tastic “PUSH,” the audience sang and danced, with Rich often jumping into the crowd to join in. Other crowd activities: putting your right hand on the person next to you (Sorry about my sweaty hand, kind stranger), the parachute—made even better as Rich has upgraded his parachute to stretch across most of the audience, and, of course, confetti cannons being shot off in each and every direction.

Rich scaled speakers and tightrope walked on the narrow rails surrounding the stage. He dove into the crowd and was willing spirited around by his disciples. Just watching him is exhausting; I was sweating and worn out from just being in the crowd. I’ve never seen a performer give it literally everything they have the way Rich does. It feels like each show is special and important. It feels like you being there is special and important. It’s all very whimsical.

It’s springtime in Halifax and new restaurants are popping up faster than patio perching day-drinkers on Argyle Street! Feels good to be back, doesn’t it? While there are still plenty of upcoming openings waiting to be unveiled, I thought we’d get started with some of the early riser restaurants that are already in full bloom.

First, a familiar face has arrived in the Bedford ‘burbs. The Halifamous Hamachi Group opened Hamachi Mura mid-March, bringing their signature sushi style to a whole new neighbourhood. Happy to give both sushi and Thai menus the old college try, Todd B “started with California rolls and Dynamite rolls,” appreciating the warm shrimp tempura in the latter. Moving on to Thai for the entrées, an “amazing” Pad Med Mamuang: stir-fry in a sweet and spicy chili sauce—stole the show from a standard Pad Thai. Dig in, Bedfordites.

Next, going in the opposite direction, a Bedford classic is officially gracing the streets of downtown Halifax. The Chickenburger’s long awaited Queen Street location has opened its doors, delighting peninsular fans of this diner institution and first-time visitors alike. Murray W admits “with a head hung in shame” that he’s never made it to the original but hey – that’s what the new one’s for! “The onion rings were crisp and flavourful,” and the familiar “chunks of chicken” are ready to grace the buns of diners on the Spring Garden Library wall all summer long!

New to the Clayton Park area, Sheng’s is now open and serving Szechuan, Cantonese and Chinese grub with some fancy $5.50 weekday lunch specials. Jim C noticed that “the menu is extensive” but still features all “the usual combinations and side dishes.” Picking up the yellow curry chicken, “it was a hearty dish, the veggies were especially well prepared. The curry was just the right amount.” It sounds like Sheng’s is off to a great start!

There’s three new spots to whet your appetite but be sure to keep checking back right here or on Yelp for the latest on the city’s greatest new arrivals. Can’t get enough of the city’s local business scene? Get double the dish by subscribing to our Weekly Yelp feature of local flavours. See you next week!

The first time I ever heard of a flash mob was last year. My tenacious little sister Terra organized one to raise funds for prostate cancer and broke out into dance with a neon dressed posse of friends, right in the middle of the Superstore, no less. Fast forward to 2012, and the latest craze seems to be the cash mob and the more I learn about this blossoming movement, the more I love it.

It makes my heart pitter-patter, to see all of the local love for our fantastic small businesses that is going around and cash mobs just seem to be a great way to amplify this. My understanding is that anyone can choose to organize such an event. Yelp manager, Ben Boudreau, was the mastermind behind the first Halifax cash mob back in March and led a huge crowd of excited shoppers to an unknown destination, which turned out to be Love, Me boutique on Birmingham Street. According to Boudreau, a cash mob is simply a great way to rally consumers.

“The beauty of cash mobs is that it’s a grassroots movement. They work best when there’s a good reason behind choosing the specific business. The cause is a big part of what gets people excited to help out and keeps cash-mobbing from becoming something too promotional or self-serving. Recently, a cash mob targeted Phat’s Barber Shop after the business was the victim of vandalism. A business owner encouraging people to cash-mob his or her shop, for example, doesn’t have that same feel-good component,” he explains.

For Love, Me boutique owner Chara Kingston the cash mob was a pleasant surprise. When Boudreau alerted her mere hours before, she was thrilled but certainly wasn’t expecting the massive crowd that ended up lining up around the block. Over 100 people mobbed Love, Me and spent approximately $3200 in a mere 90 minutes.

“This experience really reminded me that people love what I started here,” Kingston says. “Sure an influx of cash helps any business but for me the shop is so personal that people standing in line to support the store and the artists here happily without reservation – that is what made the most impact.”

Although, Kingston loved the element of surprise, many cash mobs are now being planned out and the businesses that will be mobbed are often in the know. The next one on my radar is the Cinco de Mayo cash mob which will be hitting up J&R Grimsmo boutique at 1533 Barrington Street. They’ve been nominated by eyecandy Signs and mobbers are encouraged to come downtown and show support for the local boutique that opened in September 2011. Although the new boutique offers exclusive designer looks, there are also options that work for those on a budget including Cassandra Kellam’s porcelain flower earrings, Mar Y Sol raffia pouches and Oh Dina flirty floral headbands and much more (think pillows, perfume, stationary, scarves, etc…).

Boudreau’s tips for organizing a cash mob include choosing a worthy business and not one that you have a vested interest in.

“While cash mobs aren’t long-term solutions for struggling businesses, the overwhelming show of community support can go a long way in keeping a business owner energized and inspired,” he comments.

Despite my natural tendency to avoid crowds, I think I’ve finally found the type of mob that I will be happy to get carried away with…

Nicole

Ben Boudreau rallies the troops.

All photos of the Love, Me cash mob were taken by the talented Michelle Doucette.

Chara was kept very busy that day!

The next cash mob is this Saurday, May 5th from 1-4 pm at J&R Grimsmo boutique.

Whether you like your dessert with dark chocolate decadence, topped with sweet berry sauces, or–my personal favourite–a solid hit of peanut butter, you’ll be able to find it in the city’s wonderful cheesecakes. Ah, cheesecakes: not since pizza has a slice ever been so flexible and delicious! This week we’re lining up your cheesecake days three different ways so grab a fork and get excited!

While Sweet Hereafter is fully capable covering the classics, you’ll find creativity to be king at this Quinpool café. Laura M loves “the girly, decadent décor” of the place but not as much as she loves the peanut butter chocolate cheesecake. “It was to die for, literally. After trying to make my way through the entire big slice, its richness came over me in a big wave of sugar coma goodness and I thought I was going to pass out.” Better yet? Vegan and gluten-free cheesecakes often grace the case and are available by custom order any time!

At Susie’s Shortbreads, their cheesecake babies let you have both quality *and* quantity! These “awesome” little creations come in irresistible flavours like Skor and Crispy Crunch to Lemon and Dulce de Leche so it’s a good thing they’re only $1.25 a pop! Jennifer B “can pick out three or four different flavours for the price of one whole slice elsewhere. Any of their chocolate caramel creations hit the spot.” It’s easy to pick up a bunch to share, but it’ll take some serious self-control.

Wrapping up with something completely different, Lori M found a cheesecake that could sail the seven seas at the Harbour City Bar & Grill: the Parade Of Sail. Served as a chocolate ship made of “chocolate cheesecake covered with chocolate ganache on a crust of praline similar to the inside of a Ferrero Rocher,” topped with a “sugar cookie” sail, “a hazelnut encapsulated in spun sugar” mast, and a Mexican spiced gelato, this bad boy is a sight to behold.

Hope that’s enough to satisfy your sweet tooth for one week! Of course if you need more, you can curb your cravings by planning delicious dessert runs on Yelp. And don’t miss subscribing to our Weekly Yelp for a double helping of the city’s hottest dishes. Until next time!

For a couple of years now, we’ve been calling for cuts in the size of HRM Council, which will finally happen in October’s municipal election. And yesterday’s Council discussion on proposed cuts to Metro Transit’s ferry illustrates once again why a smaller Council will be better for Halifax. Several Councillors objected to maintaining late-night ferry service when their own districts were seeing bus routes cut. Once again, Council showed its astonishing tendency to focus on narrow parochial issues, ignoring the greater good of the city it’s there to serve. Cutting late-night ferry service will cut pedestrian traffic in the downtown and hurt businesses. It will reduce the vibrancy of Halifax’s heart.

Alex Boutillier from the Metro sums it up nicely. “And there you have it: everything that’s wrong with council in one issue,” he says in his blog. “Don’t examine the matter close enough the first go round, act surprised when the public realizes what’s happening and gets upset, reverse the original decision and order a staff report, then complain about how your constituencies are getting screwed.”

So what does this have to do with the size of Council? On a smaller Council, Councillors will represent much broader districts. They’ll have no choice but to think more broadly. Pollster Don Mills and I discussed this in an interview in our December issue. “If you’re representing a larger group of people who go across community boundaries, you have to start talking at a higher level about the bigger issues,” he said. “You can’t get too micro in your approach. I think that will be helpful. That should raise the quality of the debate around the election to a higher level… We might be able to talk about issues like urban development, crime, public transportation—issues that are really more important to the functionality of the municipality than the locally based issues like the frequency of garbage pickup.”

In short, October can’t come soon enough.

What do you think? Will things be any different after October’s election?

When local artists and friends Coleen Murphy and Catriona Ryan set out to promote their own artwork and that of their colleagues, they had three goals in mind: find a space where artists could exhibit their work; make the artwork affordable for buyers and use some of the proceeds to support the wider community. The end result was Local Art with Heart, an exhibit of the work from artists in various mediums, all reasonably priced, with 10 per cent of each sale going to the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia. During the first show in 2010, every artist sold a piece of work and $700 was raised for the Mental Health Foundation.

“Our friends and family have always supported us, but we wanted to put it out there a bit more,” Murphy says. “We really need to hone in as a community, and this is an opportunity to get the community together.”

This year’s exhibit, which takes place on May 6 from 1 to 5 p.m., includes the work of 11 artists. Some of the items on sale include paintings, jewellery and stained glass. Murphy calls it an “quite an eclectic group… It gives you a great idea of what is going on underground in Halifax.”

The venue, called The Urban Barn on Oceanview Drive in Purcell’s Cove, is a piece of art itself. Its owner Catherine McKinnon found the ad for the barn on Kijiji, purchased it from its owner in Cape Breton, had it deconstructed and transported to Halifax, where it was reassembled, updated and attached to their existing home.  While the barn is not a public venue, it was designed with lighting and acoustics that make it perfect for this kind of exhibit.

Murphy says the show will offer more benefits than promoting the work of local artists and raising funds for the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.

“I think a creative outlet is important to the balance of life. If this inspires anyone to be creative, that would be a successful for show me.”

For more information, check out the Local Art for Heart group on Facebook.

CORRECTION: Catherine McKinnon’s last name was misspelled in an earlier version of this post. Halifax Magazine regrets the error. 

Janet Davison

Susan Gysbertsen

Bridgewater-based artist Todd Durling has been producing art in various mediums for several years. He’s been painting for the past five years.

Jennie Brimicombe is a jewelry designer taking part in Local Art with Heart on May 6 at the Urban Barn.

I’ve visited Plan B a few times and it’s always a bounty of surprises. The merchants co-operative is located on Gottingen Street (right underneath Menz Bar) and houses over 46 vendors along with Parentheses Gallery. My first visit was simply to browse and my second was to attend a recent art opening. No matter what the occasion, I love just taking my time and investigating all the little odd and eclectic pieces available. Whether I’m fawning over a collector’s item record or guffawing at some strange taxidermy, Plan B always has a twist in store for me. For my latest visit, I was drawn in for the opening cocktail reception for HOUSEWERKS (midcentury furniture and house wares).

Now, it seems to me that turn of the century antiques are commonly cherished and findable in Nova Scotia but 1950s/60s era pieces, not so much. HOUSEWERKS owner, Daun Windover, has been collecting for most of her life, scoring unusual finds at auctions and antique stores over the years.

“Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to have a 1950s house wares store but instead I’ve spent all these years collecting. I absolutely love all the colours and lines of the Atomic Era,” she describes.

The furniture and home accessories available are rare items such as a teak kitchen table and chairs made in Denmark, vibrant glassware and vases in modern shapes, shiny tea and coffee sets and unusual mood lamps. Part of me feels like I’m browsing amidst a Mad Men art department sale. The pieces are kitschy and it’s like I’m in an awesome time warp where all the phones have large buttons, ladies have buffount hairstyles and everybody has a tumbler in hand.

The opening reception is full of good cheer, wine a flowing and ladies spinning records. Everyone seems to pick up a few items, myself included. I couldn’t resist a red tinged mood lamp that I’m imagining will look great on my mantle or bookshelf.

Plan B president Bob Chiasson also happens to be on hand and seems proud to add HOUSEWERKS to the mix. With a colourful background as a film and television set decorator and props master, Chiasson has always specialized in period pieces. Eventually, he found that he had collected enough items that he could easily open his own antique store but believes that the associated costs would be astronomical to maintain.

“Instead, I’ve cobbled together a group of vendors. Everyone’s come together much like the different departments on a film set to make it work. Our customers are collectors, art students and hipsters and we’ve got a fantastic location right on the gateway to the North End,” he says.

Since merchants don’t have to be at Plan B all the time and the cost to rent space is very reasonable, it’s the ideal way for many small business owners to get their merchandise seen. According to Windover, she’s found a space where her house wares fit in perfectly.

“It’s a great way to feed my obsession and put it back out there to share,” she says with a satisfied smile.

Meanwhile, the co-op itself is ever growing with a new café opening in May, monthly art exhibits opening, band nights, DJs, dancing and more. Chiasson seems happy with the evolution and perfectly in his element.

“I could keep working in the film industry forever,” he says knowingly. “But it’s great to have a Plan B.”

- Nicole

Daun Windover proudly displays her wares.

HOUSEWERKS

Even more HOUSEWERKS for your decorating pleasure…

Reverend Bob rings up my cool new lamp.

One of the many regal mascots overseeing the establishment.

Guest post by music blogger Megan Couture.

I’m in a bit of a lull from my concert reviewing schedule (the next review I have planned is Rich Aucoin on May 4 at Michael’s Bar & Grill on Young Street (I honestly cannot wait!), so I thought I’d do something a little different and give you a peek of what I’ve currently got on repeat:

Machu Picchu – Old Man Ludueke

Ludueke paints a lyrical picture of landscapes both vast and familiar, made all the better by his always-present banjo. Warm, sweet and lyrically darling, I hear this song and I think of summer.

Drinking Games – Library Voices

Rich harmonies and an upbeat tune, this is pure, fun music. Bonus points to this track for starting out acapella, like a ’50s-era doo-wop tune.

Shake it Out – Florence + the Machine

Listening to Flo’s encouraging words is a new ritual to start my day off right. I’m late jumping on the Florence + the Machine bandwagon, but lately I cannot get enough of her haunting voice and inspired lyrics.

Pocketful of Rocks – Forest City Lovers

I was quite saddened to learn that Forest City Lovers, an adorable indie band based out of Toronto, is no longer. This little gem, a slightly romantic, slightly sad ditty is adorable and perfect. It gets stuck in my head and I find myself humming it around the office on a regular basis.

Stop, Drop, Roll – Can’t Stop Won’t Stop

Funky, hilarious hip-hop that’s reminiscent of something you’d find in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Bonus for anyone that’s offended by bad language: Can’t Stop Won’t Stop finds other ways to cleverly dis haters.

How Come You Never Go There (Remix by Beck) – Feist

Not always the biggest fan of Canada’s favourite indie darling, but this fresh remix from Beck is a well-crafted take on a solid song.

No Church in the Wild – Jay-Z & Kanye West, feat. Frank Ocean

OK, so do not listen to this if you’re offended by bad language. Jay and Ye lay it down on this slinky track that tackles the issues of fidelity, religion and losing yourself when one lives too hard. (Not that I know anything about that at all, I’m taking a wild guess here.)

P.U.S.H. – Rich Aucoin

It’s like Rich Aucoin and Daft Punk had a rad, synthy baby. And that baby partied real hard, all the time. Such a dance jam, if you’re feeling a little down, pump this up.

Guest blogger Leanne Salyzyn is an insolvency counselor, licensed restructuring professional and trustee in bankruptcy. Post a comment or contact her on Twitter with your personal-finance questions.

Although there is only a week to go before the 2011 income-tax filing deadline, there are still people who have yet to file their taxes for 2010 or even prior years. This may seem strange to those that regularly file. Most people understand their responsibility to file and reap the benefits of filing in the form of income-tax refunds or credits such as Child Tax Benefits or GST.

Sill however, there are those gripped in fear of filing because they know they paid an insufficient amount of income tax throughout the year and will owe once they file.  So, instead of dealing with the issue head on, they avoid filing in the hopes they will fly under the radar long enough to perhaps gather the money to eventually pay the arrears. Some fail to file because although they may be great in their craft/trade, they are terrible accountants or bookkeepers. Excuses range from “being too busy to file” to “cannot afford to pay someone to prepare the return.”  The end result remains the same. Time passes and the return doesn’t get filed until, in many cases, the Canada Revenue Agency, catches up with them.

I have a cartoon in my office of two castaways on a desert island looking very ragged and forlorn. One man asks “do you think they’ll find us?” The other says “don’t worry, I owe Canada Revenue.”  No matter how many times I read it, the message still rings true. You can only hide for so long.

Although it’s never too late to clean it up, it’s best to stay on top of filing the returns from year to year to avoid unnecessary penalties, interest and judgments by the Canada Revenue Agency. It is imperative to recognize throughout the year if insufficient income tax is being deducted at source. Many people think their tax situation remains static from year to year even though their personal situation may change. Recognizing how changes impact taxes is key to avoiding a future tax problem.  Dual sources of income, such as a full time job and an additional part time job, may bump you into another tax bracket causing an income tax debt at years end. Investments surrendered during the year  might be considered taxable income and as often they have only a minimal amount of income tax withheld at source. Self-employed persons such as sub-trades are responsible for their own income tax installments which all too often get missed due to fluctuating income.

Avoidance can only continue for so long. Eventually the ostrich must lift his head out of the sand.  Reduce stress and view filing taxes a matter of “spring” financial cleaning.  Gather all tax documents and organize them into two piles: an income pile and a tax deduction pile.  Schedule time in your busy life to fill out the necessary tax forms and either paper file or net file. If you are feeling overwhelmed with the task at hand, enlist the help of others, such as a tax preparer or accountant.  The end result will be a decluttered financial closet. Ignorance may be bliss but knowing where you stand with the tax man is always better than not knowing.