Serena Ryder expects ‘intense’ experience at sold-out Halifax shows

Metro Halifax

Anyone lucky enough to have scored tickets to Serena Ryder’s two sold-out shows in Halifax this weekend can expect to witness a little bit of magic.

The affable, Ontario-born songstress is set to hit the stage at St. Matthew’s United Church Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. Ryder told Metro Halifax in a recent interview performing in a place of worship is always an “intense” experience.

“I adore the energy that happens in churches,” she said. “There’s something that seems to have sunk into the walls, into the wood, into the stained glass.”

Add to that the nearly perfect acoustics, and Ryder said there’s really no better venue for listening or performing.

The Halifax shows are just the most recent stop on an eight-week tour that will take the 25-year-old across the U.S. and Canada to showcase her sixth album, is it o.k.

“I love Halifax,” said Ryder, who played Casino Nova Scotia’s Schooner Room back in March.

“I know so many awesome people have come out of there as musicians. People seem to just hang out there…it’s kind of insane.”

Ryder has already made an indelible impression in Canada - taking home the 2008 Juno award for Best New Artist - but is just beginning to make her mark in the U.S., where is it o.k. had its release just a few weeks ago.

“This has been a really long tour, and it’s been great…but I’m looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and playing in front of people who actually know my music,” she said of her long-awaited return to Canadian soil. “There’s a familiarity that comes as you build those relationships.”

A self-confessed music junkie, Ryder said she still finds it “weird” to listen to her own blend of folk, roots, country, and pop. But she’s had no problem sitting down to write while on the road, and says fans can look forward to some new material.

“I’ve been writing a lot, but it will still probably be a while before it’s actually done,” she said. “Hopefully I’ll have at least another year of touring.”

Click this link for more info.

Currently listening to Sarah McLachlan (album: Mirrorball - the complete concert)

I haven’t blogged about it, but you’ve undoubtedly read about the passing away of Senator Ted Kennedy. He was laid to rest alongside slain brothers John and Robert on hallowed ground at Arlington National Cemetery, celebrated for “the dream he kept alive” across the decades since their deaths.

Vice President Joe Biden’s said:

“I think the legacy of Teddy Kennedy can be measured in no small part as a consequence of how we in America look at one another. How blacks look at whites. How gays look at straights. How straights look at gays. How we literally look at one another. And in turn how we look at ourselves. Because when you were with him you had to measure yourself against him. And it always required you to be larger than you were inclined to be.”

To read more about him click here or here. May he rest in peace.

I have a thing for harmonies (must be musical gene in me that also enables me to play the guitars and drums without ever having had tuition. Anyway, from the moment I heard “Two weeks” by Grizzly Bear I have been humming along with them. Now a fan’s taken it upon himself to remake the video into something queerer. Watch the new, animated version here - ain’t it sweet?

As off Friday, there’s an actual Gay Tourist Information Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Welcoming everybody, they’re specifically aimed at helping queer tourists find their way in the Dutch capital. They can be found at Spuistraat 44, Amsterdam.
Hours: Mon-Sat 11.00 - 20.00 hrs,  Sun 12.00 - 18.00 hrs.

In the meantime, internet television and radio programming platform based in Manchester Fruit TV revealed some of its programming. I hope they’ll add programs to pull and appease female viewers.

Last night hurricane Danny made it’s way through Nova Scotia, bringing buckets of rain and strong winds. It caused power outages in Halifax, but nothing major (it lasted about 4 hours before the power came back on).

Here’s an example of a dog who is indeed man’s - or in this case, a woman’s - best friend. Unfortunately, the story has no happy ending.

And who knew George Eads (Nick Stokes on CSI) is such an avid fan of superheroes? And from what I read he’s got quite a hand at drawing them, too!

The Canadian Hurricane Centre in Nova Scotia has issued its first bulletin about hurricane Bill, confirming the storm will have an impact on Atlantic Canada on Sunday.

The centre says Bill is expected to transition into a tropical storm by 9 p.m. Atlantic Time on Sunday as it tracks well south of Nova Scotia, churning out maximum winds estimated at 148 kilometres per hour. Once a Category 4 storm, Bill has weakened to a Category 3 but has the potential of strengthening again.

The Canadian Hurricane Centre’s website — www.hurricanes.ca — includes advice on how to prepare for severe weather, as does a site offered by Public Safety Canada at www.getprepared.ca.

Let’s hope it won’t be a repeat of hurricane Juan (in 2003), which lashed Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and parts of New Brunswick. A Category 2 hurricane, its sustained winds reached at least 154 kilometres per hour, causing $100 million in damage, mostly in Nova Scotia.

The following from Dal’s Office of Human Rights, Equity and Harassment Prevention reached my inbox today:

This year, Dalhousie will take part in the Halifax Pride Parade for the first time as a university-wide initiative. We are looking for people to join us and show off our pride and spirit! The parade is the fourth largest in Canada and has been designated a Hallmark Event by HRM. The Dalhousie contingent is asked to meet on Saturday, July 25 at 12:30 at Provo Marshall Drive (in the parking lot at the intersection of Cornwallis and Upper Water Streets, near the HMCS Scotian). The parade begins at 1:30 p.m.

What does it mean if I march in the parade?

Your participation in the pride parade shows that you actively support the Rainbow community at Dalhousie and in the larger community. Because it is open to the LGBTTQ community and supporters, you are not ‘outing’ yourself by marching in the parade. Family and friends are also welcome to march with us. The more the merrier!

What does marching in the pride parade entail?

Participants can be involved as much or as little as they choose. Walk the parade route with the other Dalhousie groups and individuals. Dress up, carry posters or flags, or cheer us on from the sidelines. We have ordered Dal t-shirts in an assortment of rainbow colors to show our solidarity. (The parade route is detailed on the Halifax Pride website: www.halifaxpride.com).

What if I can’t commit to walking for the entire parade route?

We plan to have at least one vehicle with us for the march. If you want to participate but are concerned about the physical commitment, contact us about getting a spot in the van.

Questions? Please contact Gaye Wishart, Office of Human Rights, Equity and Harassment Prevention at gaye.wishart@dal.ca; 494-1137.

See you at Pride!

I flew to the Maritimes on Jean-Baptiste Day, a national Holiday in the French province. When I arrived at Halifax’s airport it was just as hot and sunny as it had been in Montréal. Krista looked smashing in her business outfit - and I couldn’t help but grin to myself as I noticed how some of the guys’ heads turn. We start catching up almost instantly, and making plans on our way back into the city. It feels great to be back in Halifax!

Krista made a very yummie veggie chilli, and we invited our friend Kelly (who’s a vegetarian) over for lunch. We caught up on Kelly’s life, who swapped the west coast for the east coast. After we dropped Kelly off at her 2pm appointment, Krista and I headed for the local comic shop (to stock up on additional “Echo”). Then we shopped for a hoodie for me. The one I got two years ago is starting to get holes… I think I drove Krista a little crazy by being fussy (her words, not mine): I knew exactly what I wanted (a red one with a certain font) and I didn’t feel like settling for second best. I ended up getting a fire truck red hoodie that has HALIFAX across the chest - instead of CANADA. Hey, works for me!

Our friend Anie invited Krista and me for a BBQ at her new crib that night. A great new home, I must add. Her pets (a kittie and a doggie) are just an adorable bunch. We briefly talked about my relocation, and that’s when Anie said she thinks Krista should marry me… Long story short: I freaked out.

The next day I met up with one of Krista’s coworkers who relocated from Denmark for lunch. Being an ICT person herself, she had no trouble getting a job. She’s certainly given me some food for thought.

On Friday Krista and I finally took Foxglove for an actual test “drive”. Thanks to a very weak reverse (there is something wrong with the motor) she has trouble docking the new boat. Trusting me with her life she wanted me the first person to accompany her on the first real outing.
I got a general run down on Foxglove and what she expected me to do when it came down to docking; jump off the boat onto the dock with the lines of both bow and stern, and basically pull the boat in.

Krista is now a member of the Armdale Yacht Club (she suggested it as a place for our wedding ceremony) and so we left from there to McNabs. Once we got to the island we tried docking - and it went fairly well. By the time we were completely done, we suddenly noticed that a pretty heavy fog had rolled in. Me being the laid back person I am talked Krista into going back via the Halifax harbour coast.
And by the time we had turned the boat fog was starting to cover the other side of McNabs. It suddenly seemed like a very bad idea to go back (especially without GPS). Needless to say we had to dock again. The second time went extremely well, and I was instantly promoted to First Mate. The downside: we were probably going to spend the night on the island. I really wouldn’t have mind if I hadn’t a prior engagement to meet two friends for a concert at Alderney Landing.

Long story short: Krista called friend Mike Tilley aka Captain Redbeard for help. He dropped me off at Alderney Landing, and dropped Krista off at the yacht club (where the car is).
The concert was good: Sarah Slean was a great new find (musically), Divine Brown reminded me of a Motown singer (she totally had the attitude according to my friend Kelly) and Paula Cole was awesome. She delivered, in my opinion, and I am glad I was there to witness that.

I crashed at a friend’s place, one who’s been promising me a pancake breakfast for the longest time. So, while I was enjoying a pancake brekkie with friends Krista hauled ass: Foxglove had to clear off the dock at McNabs (government regulation). She called me and asked me to meet her ASAP, as she was on her way to meet Mike to get the boat.
In the end Kelly and I took a cab to Bishop’s Landing (that’s on the Halifax side). We took Kelly for a little cruise along the harbor and back to the Armdale Yacht Club. The sun was out and it was a beautiful day.
The docking went perfect. Krista wants me to stay the entire Summer. I wish!

We went out on a little road trip: I wanted to see the tides at Bay of Fundy, so Krista drives us to Annapolis Valley aka The Valley. Also a great region for fresh strawberries, crisp apple cider and Nova Scotian wine etc. I buy some presents for the family and a friend. At one point, Krista turned on the radio after getting back into the car, and I was instantly happy: Serena Ryder’s “All for love” was on! She dubs Serena Melissa junior *lol* because she thinks Serena sounds like Melissa Etheridge.

I happened to cook us dinner a couple of nights in a row, and on the second night Krista was sitting in (what she calls) her “man chair”, watching TV while I slave away in the kitchen, when she says all that’s missing is a beer and *belch* that she feels like the husband *snickers* An interesting analogy, eh? Anyhoo, I teach Krista how to boil rice - NOT the instant kind - the Asian way. (She thinks it’s funny I don’t know how to boil potatoes… Eh, dude, I’m Asian!) After a few good attemps I think she now has the hang of it.

One rainy morning I decided to install Saffron’s cat door. Having to use pre-millennium tools it took me much longer than anticipated. We had dinner at her mom’s place (I really liked her chicken) and went out for boating after that. While Krista noticed I take to it very quickly, I have to admit I was enjoying boating very much.

I suggest you now get a refill of whatever beverage you were having. There’s one more post to go…

The idiot careening through police barriers and plowing into a crowd of merrymakers cheering their popular queen yesterday in a premeditated assault on the Dutch royal family that killed five bystanders and injured 13 others, made headlines around the world.
I was appalled by it.

On Wednesday an intense brush fire started on the outskirts of Halifax with firefighters still scrambling to contain tall flames whipped up by strong, rapidly shifting winds.When darkness fell, the fire department stopped battling the blaze for safety reasons, although firefighters were watching houses in the area overnight.

The Canadian Red Cross said close to 330 homes had been evacuated by early evening. Officials estimated that about 900 people were out of their homes.

Firefighters said the fire south of the port city was so intense that it was difficult to tell how much damage it had caused to the Spryfield area.
More than 100 firefighters had been called in and waterbombers from New Brunswick were dispatched earlier in the day.

A forest fire in Spryfield lights up the Halifax skyline. (CBC)

A Department of Natural Resources helicopter was helping fight the fire, which sent up billowing clouds of blue smoke that could be seen clearly from downtown Halifax, a 15-minute drive away.
The fire department confirmed it had evacuated some coastal neighbourhoods in Fergusons Cove, a few kilometres east of the main fire.
Strong gusts of wind were feeding the fire, which appeared to surprise firefighters and many homeowners as it flared up in the early afternoon.
Reports from the scene say some homeowners had to run for their lives as the fire quickly shifted direction and grew in intensity, showing the area in hot ashes.
Video images from the Spryfield area showed flames leaping about 15 metres in the air.

The municipal politician for the area, Councillor Linda Mosher, said more than 100 evacuated residents had to be moved from two “comfort centres” and relocate to the command centre as the flames zig-zagged through the trees on the west side of Halifax Harbour.
As the sun went down, the fire was moving closer to the community of Herring Cove, she said.

Fire department spokesman Dave Meldrum said the conditions were becoming more favourable.
“The temperature is falling and the wind is calming,” he said as dusk fell. “That’s helping a lot with the firefighting.”

I just talked to my friend Krista, who has been going over to her mother’s house to work on her boat. She told me there are huge billows of smoke everywhere, with the blaze close. She’s scared the boat (a Cape Islander) is going to burn as well. Her own apartment is just as close to the fire on the opposite side.
She told me the official news is that the blaze is still out of control and nothing can be done until morning, and that she, the kitty and family are fine for now.

I’m crossing my fingers the fire will be contained and extinguished some time tomorrow.

UPDATE: it started raining on May 1st, which helped the firefighters in getting the blaze under control. What a relief.