CITY HALL

Here’s what you need to know about the legal hubbub over the Wanderers Grounds and Halifax Common

Last week, members of the Friends of Halifax Common local advocacy group declared that they are ready to sue the HRM over the alleged privatization of the publicly-owned Wanderers Grounds, where Canadian Premier League soccer club HFX Wanderers FC plays its home games.

The reason, according to lawyer Ronald Pink’s cease-and-desist letter to Halifax mayor Mike Savage, is the FOTC’s members believe the Wanderers Grounds have become a de facto private property without public consultation—and that, they argue, goes against rules dating as back as far as the Crown grants from the 1700s.

Do they have a case? Coast reporters Matt Stickland and Martin Bauman delve into the issue in a crossover episode of The Grand Parade and The Wanderer Grounds podcast.

Need to know

🏠 Haligonians who lost their homes in the Tantallon wildfire say navigating relief programs has been confusing and feels “insurmountable.”

🌈 The organizers of Halifax Pride say while it’s been a “long journey” and “hasn’t been easy,” the annual 2SLGBTQ+ celebratory parade will go ahead on July 23 at 2pm. Catch up on Pride at The Coast. 

🔥 More than 100,000 sq. kms of land has burned across Canada this wildfire season—shattering a 34-year record and nearly double Nova Scotia’s land mass.

🦠 Both Queensland and Bayswater beaches are currently closed due to high bacteria levels.

SPONSORED BY CANADIAN MUSEUM OF IMMIGRATION AT PIER 21

July exhibitions at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

There's always something to see and learn from at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 and July is no exception. Hot on the heels of their successful Canada Day celebration, the Museum isn't missing a beat with four exhibitions that won't be here for long.

Make a point to take in one or all of #HopeAndHealingCanada, Destination: Canada, Revealing Chignecto, and 我的昨日拾光 In My Yesterday.

On The Coast

SPONSORED BY THE SHIP’S COMPANY THEATRE

Downed Hearts
by Catherine Banks

Inspired by the Swiss Air 111 disaster that struck off the coast of Peggy’s Cove in 1998, Downed Hearts tells the story of a small island community attempting to cope in the aftermath of tragedy. The play follows Aaron, a young fisherman trying to make sense of what’s happened and what he’s seen as he searches for survivors in the wreckage. One day while out on the water, he finds Belle.

Get your tickets today to find out what happens next.

In other news

😷 Both the IWK and Nova Scotia Health are lifting COVID-19 masking requirements in parts of their facilities, Global News reports. The health authority describes the change as a “measured step.”

☕️ Spring Garden Road’s Glitter Bean Café—a self-described “queer-centric, unionized, worker co-op cafe”—is crowdfunding to stay open after what it describes as “major financial losses” brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Four shows added to The Book of Mormon run in Halifax, and Come From Away tickets coming soon

When the production company Broadway in Halifax announced Come From Away and The Book of Mormon back in March, they were both far enough in the future that single tickets weren’t even available—instead, show-goers had to buy “season packages.” 

As time has passed, however, and brought The Book of Mormon from an eventuality to something that opens in Halifax tonight at Scotiabank Centre, things have become much clearer and simpler if you just want a single show ticket—and demand has been popular enough that four shows have been added to the popular Broadway musical’s run.

Read all about it on The Coast.

Sure things

Looking for something to do this week? Check out these Coast picks:

🗓 Lipsynced: Catch Tom Hearn’s beloved drag improv show at The Bus Stop Theatre—where every scene, Hello City’s improvisers “lip sync for their lives” with help from “some of the fiercest drag assassins.” | July 18 | 8pm | $17.31

🗓 Taproom Trivia: Test your knowledge at Serpent Brewing every Wednesday, with prizes up for grabs. | July 19 | 6:30pm | No cover.

🗓 Pinocchio: The Musical!: The Shakespeare by the Sea troupe brings the classic tale to life at Point Pleasant Park—complete with talking crickets, magic fairies and singing donkeys. | July 20 | 7pm | $15-$50

🗓 Watch Tangerine at Halifax Central Library: Catch a free after-hours film screening of the 2015 cult classic comedy-drama, described as a “milestone in transgender representation.” | July 21 | 6:30pm-9pm | Free.

Find more Halifax events in The Coast listings.

Eat this

🍴 Try a breakfast sandwich at Café GoodLuck: Served in an English muffin with sweet tomato jam, pickled shallots, a toasted egg and cheddar, and garnished with pea shoots, it’s a Coast favourite.