GAY VIOLINIST IN BORDER TROUBLES FOR CANADA CONCERT

A Halifax-trained violinist who came out as gay in a YouTube video says he hopes to stay in North America for fear of persecution if he returns to his Russian homeland. But Artem Kolesov says getting Canada’s permission to cross the border for a concert is a struggle in itself. Kolesov and the YAS string quartet were set to perform in Halifax Sunday, but the show was cancelled because of his immigration issues. Kolesov, 23, is studying in Chicago, having previously pursued a music degree at Halifax’s Dalhousie University.