The world’s first, and probably only, Scottish-Canadian country-music star returns to Halifax. Halifax Metro Centre, 451-1221,
www.ticketatlantic.com

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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…

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The pop-country star (“Queen of Hearts,” “Angel of the Morning”) plays an intimate concert in the Schooner Showroom. Casino Nova Scotia, 451-1221,
www.casinonovascotia.com

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In its final show of the season, the association features fiddler/violinist David Greenberg and multi-instrumentalist Chris Norman, performing Renaissance, Baroque, traditional and original music. Woodlawn United Church, www.dartmouthcommunityconcert.ca

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Marking the 25^th anniversary of his hit single “The Lady in Red,” deBurgh is back on tour. Halifax Metro Centre, 451-1221, www.ticketatlantic.com

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Jane Moloney sheepishly fights a smile before blurting out, “I’m proud of this.” Her arms swing wide to show the expanse of the new satellite location of the North End Community Health Centre at 2103 Gottingen Street, a block south of the rabbit warren-like clinic that opened 40 years ago and still serves one of Halifax’s neediest neighbourhoods.

Moloney, originally from New Zealand and now six years a Nova Scotian, became executive director of NECHC in June 2010. Two months later, she convinced the province to commit $70,000 a year to secure a three-year lease. It’s tangible evidence of a community institution that’s pushing—in particular, against a limited budget—to more fully meet its mission: “to support North End Halifax to be a healthy community.”

“I can see we have the potential,” says Moloney, when she contemplates further growth. “We have amazing people, great ideas, a brilliant community that gets on board with stuff. And the challenge is: how are we going to do it in a fiscally responsible way?”

The newly leased and renovated space is called the Johanna B. Oosterveld Building, named for a former executive director who spearheaded the NECHC’s transition from a clinic to a community health centre. It’s a distinction about which Moloney is fierce.

“What community health centres do that’s different is that they belong to their commun-ity… and our intent is to have the direction of our work guided by the needs of our community,” says Moloney, who works with a volunteer board to set priorities and develop a budget, funded primarily by
the Department of Health. “We’re local.”

During the fall of 2011, she led the development of two new programs that address health needs of drug addicts, consistent with a harm-reduction approach. “To be able to treat people where they’re at, rather than tell them where they should be, is the essence of that,” says Moloney.

First, the NECHC is now offering the only community-based Hepatitis C treatment program in Atlantic Canada. “People who have become Hep C positive tend to be living the kinds of lives where it’s difficult to get them into a health care system of any sort,” says Moloney. “To get them managing their lives, managing their nutrition.”

The second is a dentistry program that will operate one day a week out of the new space. “Everybody in the world knows that dental health is a) important and b) inaccessible. For our community it’s even more so,” says Moloney.

Addicts with dental abscesses have a particularly hard time. “They are assumed to be drug-seeking,” says Moloney of their experience at the emergency room. “They may be prescribed an antibiotic if they have
an infection,” but without dental care the abscess will likely return.

Neither program has any new funding attached. Henry Schein, a health-care products company, donated the pricey cabinets and chairs for two dentist offices. The Dalhousie Dental School faculty and students will see the patients.

“I’m constantly thinking, ‘Oh my God, how am I going to provide the front-desk reception costs, and cover the cleaning costs?’” says Moloney, though she has high praise for the Dalhousie Dental School, which is committed to the project even if she fails to come up with the NECHC’s end of the deal. “These sorts of opportunities seem to be the only way [to grow], because we’re not getting more government funding.”

If a harm reduction approach means treating people “where they’re at,” then addressing the social determinants of health means creating the conditions so they end up somewhere different. The North End Community Health Centre does both. Dietitian Jessy Jollymore—a woman with long, corkscrew red hair and a talent for healthy lifestyle start-ups—is largely responsible for the need for the satellite space. The North End Walkers, a weekly walking group she started eight years ago, has grown to 50 people who used to meet in the cramped upstairs board room at the original clinic building.

In early November, Jollymore was responsible for the biggest crowd yet to gather in the Johanna B. Oosterveld Building: Hope Blooms’ launch of new salad dressings. More than 30 youth, mostly pre-teens who live around Uniacke Square, manufacture the pretty bottles of Orange Rosemary Dijon and Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette. They plant and weed the herbs at the NECHC’s community garden site on the grounds of St. Patrick’s Alexandra and in a greenhouse in the parking lot of St. Patrick’s Church. The children then follow recipes concocted by Jollymore’s chef daughter, bottle the dressings, put on labels and truck to the Seaport Farmers’ Market to sell them.

“They have to get up at 5:30,” says Moloney. “We were like, ‘That’s going to get old real quick.’”

It has not gotten old. In fact, the kids have a rotating schedule of market shifts because too many of them wanted to go each week. Jollymore has seen the children grow along with the booming social enterprise. (Definition: an organization that uses business strategies to achieve philanthropic goals). They’re more confident and less stressed. And they eat their vegetables. “They’ll pick field cucumbers in the garden and eat them like apples,” she says. “They stuff both cheeks full of cherry tomatoes. You have to envision things long-term.”

Moloney is impressed at how the children’s long-term visions have changed. When they were first asked what they’d like to be when they grew up, she says, “rap star” and “basketball player” were the most frequent answers from the boys.

“Now,” she says, “when you ask them what they want to be, they say, ‘An engineer,’ ‘A microbiologist,’ ‘An actor,’ ‘A nurse.’”

ROOM TO GROW

The North End Community Health Centre is interested in a permanent, larger home where programs like the North End Walkers and the dentistry clinic could co-exist with doctors’ offices and exam rooms.  One possibility: St. Patrick’s Alexandra school, directly behind the clinic on Maitland St., which was closed by the school board in 2009.

“We need to be located within about two square blocks of where we are now,” says Moloney, or many patients won’t feel comfortable accessing the clinic. The bid for the school was also an expression of the health centre’s relationship with the community it serves.

“The board want[ed]… to keep it in community ownership,” Moloney said in November. “We wouldn’t be tearing our hair out if our proposal wasn’t successful, as long as it goes to one of the non-profit bids.” In late January, Halifax Regional Council voted to proceed with the sale of the property to Jono Developments.  The NECHC is working with other community organizations to fight the decision.

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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.

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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!

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This is your last day to discover an exhibition spotlighting H.M. Rosenberg, a 19th-century artist who studied the European masters and then moved to Halifax. 424-5280, www.artgalleryofnovascotia.ca

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This is the time of year that seems most frustrating of all. We get glimpses of great weather followed by bouts of spring gloom. As a wine drinker, I want to shake off those winter blues and sit outside on my deck with a nice cold bottle of Rosé or Sauvignon Blanc. But the good thing about the change of seasons, as slow as they may be, is that we get a chance to hit the restart button on some of our favourite summer activities such as gardening, barbecuing and, of course, trying new wines.

Here are my predictions for the top 10 wines trends of the year in Halifax. Feel free to drop us a note with yours.

10) A spinoff of the continued growth of the “buy local” movement will increase sales of Nova Scotia wines. Our locally produced white and sparkling wines deserve our support; they pair beautifully with Nova Scotian food.

9) The continued progression of the “natural” wine movement. Call it what you want: sustainable, organic, or biodynamic. We want to know what we are drinking and that the grapes were grown and produced in a chemical-free and healthy environment. This principle also applies to packaging; so get ready for lighter bottles and new packaging as the cost of shipping increases along with fuel prices.

8) The growth of new ways to serve wine. Enomatic machines are popping up in top restaurants and retailers in Halifax. They allow the seller to open more expensive bottles without fear of spoilage. A few years ago I could never imagine being able to order a Brunello or Amarone by the glass. Now Halifax restaurants like Onyx, The Bicycle Thief and Five Fisherman all have great wines by the glass at a range of prices. Are you ready for wine on tap? This is a huge trend in the U.S. and it has been in Europe for many years. The kegs keep the wine fresh and lower the cost and impact of shipping. Who will be the first innovator of this in Halifax?

7) Social media and technology. The effect of instantly being able to research a wine through Google or a QR code will increase our knowledge and our experimentation of new wines. The iPad has arrived in Halifax as a tool to order wine in a restaurant. Watch for several restaurants to have iPad wine lists by the end of the year.

6) Sparkling wine consumption increases. I may be going out on a limb here, as Halifax is not exactly the wine trend-setting capital of Canada, but elsewhere in the world people are waking up to the joys of sparkling wines. They pair well with almost any food, are lighter in alcohol and are darn fun to drink. Watch for an increase in the sales of Nova Scotia sparkling wines and of Prosecco, the sparkling wine of northern Italy. Mixology is becoming more visible in Halifax bars and restaurants and you will see more sparkling wine being used in cocktails. Bellinis anyone?

5) The Pinot Grigio and Malbec fads continue. Easy-to-drink Pinot Grigio is a gateway product for new wine consumers and a great aperitif wine. Watch for improved quality and Pinot Grigios from different countries. Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are the same grape. Try a Pinot Gris from New Zealand or Australia and see the differences and how good this grape can taste.

Malbec is a flavourful, easy drinking red wine, but be careful of the cheaper ones as over-planting in Argentina and worldwide popularity has resulted in some poor examples. The ones over $15 are still great values.

4) Spanish wine sales increase. Spain has some of the best wine values in the world. But, with so many different regions and a lack of understanding of the native grapes from wine consumers, Spain has never really caught on in a big way. Winemakers are now blending native grapes with more familiar varietals.  Garnacha (AKA Grenache) is gaining recognition, Tempranillo is becoming more popular and the white wines of northern Spain are fantastic. Bring on the tapas!

3) Value versus cheap. As our knowledge of wine increases we will be looking for values at different prices, versus say just under $15. Value can come at almost any price and the satisfaction of a great bottle at $25 that tastes like $50 is a strong as one for $15 that tastes like $30. In Nova Scotia we are challenged with some of the most expensive wine prices in Canada, so value is even more important.

2) Increase in purchase of blends. As Bordeaux has done for hundreds of years, other winemakers combining juice from different grape varietals to make blends that play on the strengths of each unique grape profiles. This is another way a winery can increase value and also allows the introduction of funky new names and packaging.

1) Sweet wine is here to stay. The Millennials are now 21 to 30 years old. This “juice-box generation” grew up on sweet drinks and they are now drinking wine. If the sales of Apothic Red last year in Halifax are any indication, watch for more of these types of wines, with increased sugar content, to be introduced to the market. Most new wine drinkers start with sweeter wines, and as they become educated and their palate changes, they graduate to drier and more expensive wines.

The under-$25 wine review

Beyerskloof Chenin Blanc/Pinotage 2011
South Africa, $17.50, Bishop’s Cellar

This wine is a blend of two of South Africa’s signature grapes and is a great way to bring in spring. It is chock full of floral notes and grapefruit with bright notes of acidity throughout. The finish is nice and spicy, offering something different if you like a lighter style white wine. It is a definite seafood wine and would pair nicely with fried shrimp. 88/100

Tenuta Olim Bauda Barbera 2010
Italy, 22.50, Bishop’s Cellar

The Barberas of Piedmont Italy are designed to be drinkable everyday table wines and this one is no exception. What I love about this type of wine is the lighter mouth feel of fresh cherries as opposed to the heaviness of many other reds we tend to drink. The finish is long and smooth and it has a nice balance of flavour and acidity. Drinkable on its own but better with spaghetti and meatballs.  90/100

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