Unfortunately we weren’t able to snap any pictures – mainly due to our constant state of shock and awe from the outstanding demonstrations. It was a superb mixture of art, song, comedy, gymnastics, acrobatics and much, much more.

If you don’t yet have tickets you can pick them up online through Ticket Atlantic or by visiting a Ticket Atlantic Outlet, such as the Atlantic Superstore.

The Cirque Du Soleil – Alegria show is in the Metro Center until June 7 and tickets are very reasonably priced. As a heads up when purchasing tickets, the performance in the Metro Center is facing the north side of the center, so keep that in mind if you are choosing your seat locations. We had upper bowl seats on the side of the stage and although we never felt like we missed anything, I believe seats on the end of the center would have been a little better if they were still available.

The theme of the Alegria show was that of the abuse of power and struggle for freedom and the show was about two hours. For some more information and pictures of the Cirque Du Soleil Alegria show check out their official website here.

For me, this was the first Cirque Du Soleil show I’ve seen. I’d love to hear some feedback on this show as well as some of their other performances that people have seen.

A couple weeks ago the Halifax Regional Council deemed the Halifax Public Gardens one of fifty spots around the city where it will be illegal to feed the ducks and pigeons. Being an avid duck-feeder during the summer months and having spent many hours enjoying the public gardens during my years in Halifax, I have a big beef with this new bylaw.

What frustrates me is the reason they quoted as to why they implemented the bylaw. You can find the cbc story here, which states that “Municipal staff said the new rule is needed to protect the birds from an improper diet and to avoid water pollution caused by increased waterfowl waste.”

Firstly, if you go to a park with birds and ducks, expect to see some bird and duck crap – that’s a no brainer. I’m not saying it doesn’t increase the amount, but I’d argue that the public doesn’t mind it in a park.

I think the idea of “protecting the birds from an improper diet” frustrates me the most. Don’t get me wrong, I love the ducks, and I’d hate to see them unhealthy. But where’s the fine for feeding our children McDonald’s? I think more time and effort should be put into the fact that Nova Scotia has the highest obesity rate in Canada than using our resources to fine those few people who find enjoyment in getting outside and walking through the park to feed the ducks. It really doesn’t make sense to me.

I know for me the public gardens was a destination because of the enjoyment from feeding the ducks. I know this is especially true among the elderly and children in HRM. People were actually making a trip out of the house and walking to the gardens to feed the ducks and for those who relied on that walk as part of their daily activity are now in need to find something else they enjoy.

Is there some sort of healthy duck feed you can charge (perhaps quite a premium) for people to feed the ducks with at the Public Gardens? Perhaps fine people who use anything but the feed. I would look into alternative ways to make this a win-win instead of just an outright $200 fine.

Although, something tells me it will last half the summer and it will become too hard to enforce anyway.