Bingo!

by Kimberly on October 26, 2012

Since moving here in the summer of 1999, Neptune Theatre has produced a wide array of performances some years better than others. This year in particular has delivered some really fine performances and we’re only into the second show of the season on the main stage! Last week I was invited to the opening night performance of Bingo!

Bingo!

Here’s the blurb:

On the eve of their thirtieth high school reunion five classmates come together in a Cape Breton hotel to celebrate the past.  Some are happy to be back home while others see it as an obligation. A few have never left. As tears and liquor flow, decades of dirty laundry is aired and life is re-examined.   Don’t miss this funny, thought-provoking story of friendship, growing up, and the nice guy finally getting the girl. This presentation is a remount of the sold out Mulgrave Road Theatre production by renowned writer, director, actor and Sydney native Daniel MacIvor.

Cokebaby and I had a blast at this performance. Really, I couldn’t find fault in any bit of it. The set was simple yet perfect. Who hasn’t been to a hotel room that looks exactly like that? Or a small town bar emblazoned with the Mooseheads logo on the wall?

Above all else, the casting was absolutely brilliant. Each actor embraced their role and were true to life in so many ways. From the jock who really hasn’t changed, the best friend who’s the brunt of his aggression, to the ones who moved away and the ones who stayed behind. I have to give major props to Heather Rankin who really stole the show with her performance though. She was charming, sweet, funny, and a memorable character.

Overall, Bingo! is a hilarious yet touching play that is very relatable no matter if you’re from a small town or big city. So far, so good in the 50th anniversary at the Neptune Theatre. We’re really looking forward to the rest of the season.

Bingo! runs until November 4.

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Big Day Downtown: The Press Gang

by Kimberly on October 23, 2012

For the third year in a row I was invited to participate in the Downtown Halifax Business Commission’s Big Day Downtown. The idea behind the campaign is to give local bloggers $100 in spending money to do with as they please in Halifax then write about the experience.

A new twist this year paired bloggers together. Due to our time constraints, Danna and I opted to do a blog swap. You can find out about her Big Day Downtown at You Look Fiiine.

In previous years I spread the love around by visiting several locations. This year, I decided to spend it all in one spot. And what better place than The Press Gang? It’s a place that Cokebaby and I had never been despite it being a much loved local establishment. Since it’s a fine dining experience we just never really thought of an occasion to go. We chose a night when we were going to catch a show at Neptune Theatre (review of Bingo! coming shortly).

Photo credit: selkie30 from Flickr

The interior is lovely. It’s an older building with many of the historic characteristics preserved. Bare stone walls and candlelight in recessed nooks, the place has an ambience meant for an intimate dinner. Fittingly, the only way I can describe the service is ghostly. The waitstaff just kind of appeared and spoke in hushed (almost whispered) voices. It made me very self-aware of my own volume even though I’m not a very loud talker.

To start we shared the Henry Platter: Beef Carpaccio on crisp baguette, green peppercorn aioli, and fresh Parmigiano Reggiano. Pork pate with red pepper caviar and rillettes topped with spiced pear chutney ($16). The carpaccio just melted in our mouths. If I was going to order it again I’d work my way from duck to beef because of the progression of flavours. For some reason we wound up doing the opposite.

My entree was the Brome Lake Duck Breast: Red currant and brandy basted duck breast, blue cheese bread pudding, parsnip puree ($36). Every little morsel was perfect. The duck was cooked perfectly and meshed well with the sides. I have to say I’m not ordinarily a fan of parsnip but that puree was heavenly. And the blue cheese bread pudding? Divine. On its own it may have been overpowering but the portion size and blend of other flavours on the plate made for a fabulous meal.

For dessert I had the Creme Brulee: White chocolate and raspberry ($10) and an espresso. A perfect end to a fantastic dinner. Since I’m technically only blogging about the $100 spent on my meal we’ll skip Cokebaby’s special though it probably bears mentioning that he was disappointed by the blandness of his fish and dessert given how amazing my meal was.

Overall, The Press Gang deserves all the high praise I’ve heard about the place. It may be a while before we return again but our next special occasion may very well find us there again.

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Coffee Q&A: Christopher Mercer

September 26, 2012

Tweet Recently I met with Christopher Mercer at Steve-O-Reno’s on Spring Garden Road in Halifax. I’ve been following him on Twitter (@mercerch) for a few years now but this was our first opportunity to chat at length in person. Kimberly: My first question always is how do you take your coffee? Christopher: I could say strong and rich [...]

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Sweeney Todd

September 19, 2012

Tweet Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd! Those are the first lines of an unforgettable performance that Cokebaby and I attended during Neptune Theatre‘s Word of Mouth night last week. If you’ve never heard of the play or the movie, here’s the blurb from their site: This celebrated musical masterpiece of murderous barber-ism and culinary [...]

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Best Camping Spots Near Halifax

August 17, 2012

Tweet We’ve had a lovely summer here in Nova Scotia but it’s not over yet. This week, special guest Taylor Anderson writes about some of the great camping spots around the city of Halifax. In the beautiful province of Nova Scotia, home to plenty of cultural treasures all year, there are equally enthralling camping opportunities. [...]

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TELUS World Skins Tournament contest

July 22, 2012

Tweet The TELUS World Skins Tournament will take place at Glen Arbour July 29-31. I’m pleased to announce a contest for two grounds passes to see the professionals play on July 30 & 31 and one swag bag to accompany the passes.  The bag (pictured) includes: Enviro Bag Travel mug Critter Sunglasses Chocolates Pen Smartphone/Tablet/laptop screen wipes Tissues Luggage [...]

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Coffee Q&A: Jeff White

June 30, 2012

Tweet For your Canada Day long weekend reading pleasure, I bring you an interview with another local entrepreneur. Some of you may know Jeff White as @brightwhite on Twitter. He’s one of the two principals at Kula Partners in Halifax where I sat down to chat over coffee. Incidentally, I was treated to some excellent beverages served fresh from [...]

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Fierce Ink Press

June 8, 2012

Tweet Big news, friends! I’m launching a new business venture with a colleague in PEI and it’s all about — you guessed it — books. Visit Fierce Ink Press for full details. We’re already finalists for The Solution Agency Start Up Challenge (winners will be announced tonight) and will be one of the businesses featured at [...]

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Coffee Q&A: Lisa Roberts

May 23, 2012

Tweet Today we’ve got a brand new Coffee Q&A with someone I met while working at the CBC. Lisa Roberts is a freelance journalist and formerly a staffer at CBC Radio’s Information Morning. You can find her at lisaroberts.ca or follow her on Twitter @lisa_robe. Kimberly: How do you take your coffee? Lisa: I take it with [...]

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La Cage aux Folles

April 19, 2012

Tweet Last night Cokebaby and I attended the production of Neptune Theatre‘s La Cage aux Folles. This hilarious and touching musical tells the story of Georges, the owner of a glitzy and “exotic” nightclub in the French Riviera and Albin, his romantic partner and star attraction – the glamorous chanteuse Zaza. When Georges’ son brings his [...]

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