🗞️ Who won big at the ECMAs?

Good Morning Halifax!

We asked. You answered.

The results of our reader poll are in and, overwhelmingly, you guys think the Loblaws boycott is a good idea, with half of you saying you’ll avoid Loblaws altogether and the other half saying you’ll make an effort to shop there less.

Already small grocers and co-ops around the province are saying business is booming. Gateway Meat market, for example, saw lines out the door over the weekend. So, even if the boycott doesn’t put a dent in big grocery’s bottom line, it’s still a win for the local guy, am I right?

Have a great day!

– Julie

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌧️ 20°

Tomorrow:  🌤️ 17°

Next Day: 🌧️ 12°

7-day forecast

🚗 Driving, biking or busing today? Check out the current traffic conditions and ongoing road closures.

MUSIC

Jenn Grant, Morgan Toney win big at 2024 East Coast Music Awards

After an album to remember, Jenn Grant just had a weekend for the books as well. The Lake Echo-based singer-songwriter is coming home to Nova Scotia with a pair of 2024 East Coast Music Awards, for Song of the Year (“Judy”) and Songwriter of the Year. She won both over the weekend in Charlottetown at the 36th annual ECMAs. It was a weekend of awards that came with a haul of silverware for Halifax artists: Sixteen different Haligonian musicians, media personalities and venues earned recognition over the weekend, with Grant leading the pack. Her two awards tied her for the second-biggest ECMA haul this year, after PEI indie-folk group The East Pointers won a trio of plaques for their 2023 album, Safe In Sound.

“I’m so proud to share [it] with my beautiful and talented friend, family, bandmate and CO-WRITER of ‘Judy,’ Kim Harris,” Grant wrote on Facebook. “Writing and performing this song with Kim about her life, and her mother, Judy, has been such an incredible gift … It means everything, making this magic together.”

It was a special weekend for Halifax’s Kayo, who won his first-ever ECMA for his 2023 album, Trip.

“I’m still on a high,” the St. Lucian-turned-Haligonian tells The Coast. “Still in disbelief. Still exhausted from the weekend … but I think the common denominator of it—and I think many people would agree—is that just that feeling of community, that sense of camaraderie that was definitely felt over the weekend.”

Catch up on all the big winners from the 2024 ECMAs.

🤔 Need To Know

🔥 The HRM has launched a new pilot program that will use cameras and AI to detect wildfires earlier.

🛩️ Premier Tim Houston is being criticized for going on a trade mission to Spain without letting the public know. The Liberals and NDP say since taxpayers are footing the bill for the trips, they have a right to know when and why they are happening.

SPONSORED BY SUPPORT4CULTURE

Support4Culture proudly supports the Screen Nova Scotia Awards!

Celebrating the excellence in filmmaking in Nova Scotia, The Screen NS Awards will take place on May 11, 2024, awarding the great efforts of directors, performers, and all those involved in contributing to the excellence in the NS film industry.

EDUCATION

“No Mow May” is a good start to rethinking bee health across our lawns

To mow or not to mow. That is the question. If you’re interested in helping spring pollinators adjust from winter hibernation into their busy flower season, you might have heard of the No Mow May campaign. 

It asks people to let the grass blades grow long and wild for a month, to help bees and other insects during this transitional period. The Coast spoke with Dalhousie biology professor Paul Manning about how to help encourage biodiversity in human-dominated landscapes, like cities and suburbs.

Read the full story by The Coast’s Lauren Phillips.

🗞️ In Other News

🏢 HRM is considering incentives for developers to convert old office spaces into apartments.

🚨Nova Scotia RCMP charged a youth with attempted murder after he stabbed a 42-year-old man multiple times.

🥪 Parents and officials are still trying to iron out the details of a new elementary school lunch program announced as part of the 2024-25 budget. The initiative is expected to become fully accessible to students of all ages throughout the next four years.

🔥 Halifax Councillor Kathryn Morse wants to ban open fires between mid-March and mid-October to help avoid a repeat of last year’s wildfires. 

🤔 Trivia Tuesday

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Reel Justice/Animating Justice: Dalhousie student Logan Murray curated this short film collection, showcasing “shorts from across Atlantic Canada and the country at large.” Then, the Animation Festival of Halifax presents an additional four short animated films at the Bus Stop Theatre. | May 9 | 6:45-9pm | Pay-what-you-can

🗓 Halifax ComedyFest : With stages around the city featuring more than 30 comedians from across North America, Halifax ComedyFest is the funniest four days of the year. Shows vary from the free Laugh at Lunch event at Halifax Central Library to hilarious pub shows to laughter-filled galas. | May 8-12 | Prices vary by show

🗓 Alan Syliboy presents The Journey So Far: This survey exhibition unveils the extraordinary creative odyssey of artist Alan Syliboy. Born and raised on Millbrook First Nation, this comprehensive showcase explores Syliboy's remarkable career in Mi’kma’ki and beyond through a range of diverse works—from painting, print, drums, mixed media to video, music and in this instance, a specially commissioned wall mural. | Opens May 9 | Free

Have an event to share? Let us know at [email protected].

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🛳️ The Atlantic Sun container ship arrives in Halifax from Liverpool at 5:20am.

➡️ The Pacific Trader container ship leaves Halifax for Kingston at 1pm.

➡️ The Qikiqtaaluk W tanker leaves Halifax for Sarnia at 2pm.

➡️ The Atlantic Sun container ship leaves Halifax for New York at 5pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🍜 Calling all seafood lovers! If you’re in the mood for something spicy, check out the Jjamppong—a traditional Korean noodle soup— at Let’s Ko.

🥟 Pizza corner has a new tenant—Johnny’s Pork Shack— and it’s rumoured to have the best dumplings in the province.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🗑️ The Environment and Sustainability committee wants the city to beef up its littering bylaws and recommended council do just that. The Coast’s Matt Stickland reports on all the changes recommended to address the city’s litter problem.

🎸 Twenty years on from their origins in Heriot Bay, BC, indie rockers Mother Mother are embarking on a worldwide tour that stops in Halifax next March. Catch up on all the news about the show.

That’s it!

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