What to expect at Toronto restaurants when the city enters Stage 3 of reopening this weekend

It’s another big week for Toronto restaurants as the city prepares to move into Stage 3 of its reopening plan on Friday, allowing indoor dining to resume for the first time since mid-March. Each step of reopening has posed a new learning curve for the city’s restaurants, as they implement new best practices for safely

Q&A: Hollerado, headlining the side stage at tomorrow’s Edgefest '11

This Saturday, Hollerado will headline the side stage at Edgefest, but don’t count on seeing them play side stages for very long. Their infectious blend of upbeat pop-rock, quirky lyrics and solid songwriting have made them one of Canada’s most noticeable up-and-coming acts. How can you say no to a band with a hit single about a wise, unapologetic, older woman’s final day on Earth? Bassist Dean Baxter was kind enough to drizzle his brain’s weird juices over our questions.

How They Met: Paul Gross and Martha Burns share the secret to 37 years of marriage

Not many people can boast 37 years of marriage, let alone a pair of actors. But Paul Gross and Martha Burns, Canadian royalty widely recognized in the theatre world and beyond, certainly can. Their secret? Rarely working together. Though the acting duo met when they were cast in the same play, they’ve since worked together on

How They Met: Canadian theatre power couple’s onstage meet-cute

When the world premiere of a new version of Hedda Gabler takes the stage at the Coal Mine Theatre this weekend, it’s going to be a who’s who of Canadian arts royalty — not least of all director Moya O’Connell. The critically-acclaimed actor, director and theatre artist is bringing to life the Norwegian play’s new

New stage show Ain’t Too Proud provides many moments of pure musical delight

Ain’t Too Proud, the new Temptations-inspired musical on stage now at the Ed Mirvish Theatre is a lot. It’s spectacular, for one. It’s also emotional, and detailed almost to a fault.  The musical, with the full title Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, is a Broadway musical that chronicles The

Ghostwriter star Hannah Levinson returns to Toronto stage in ‘Appropriate’

Many years ago, I first met and interviewed Toronto actor Hannah Levinson alongside her two co-stars who all played the title role in an incredibly successful Mirvish production of Matilda, which subsequently went on tour. Fast forward a half-dozen years and Levinson is now a rising star not just on the stage but in film and

How They Met: Toronto bandmates on finding romance on and off stage

Toronto-based indie band Fast Romantics has their own romantic story in their midst. Lead vocalist and songwriter Matthew Angus and singer-songwriter Kirty fell in love after meeting to rebuild the iteration of the band we know and love today. With a prestigious SOCAN National Songwriting Prize and a Prism Prize nomination under their belts, they’re preparing

Toronto’s new tapas bar ignites the stage with dancers and fire performers

King Street might just be getting some competition as the city’s main district of entertainment. The Annex has just welcomed a brand new Mexican cocktail and tapas bar called Mezcalero, and, between the dancers and fire performers on the floor at last weekend’s opening, it’s already making a statement. General Manager Anthony Walker describes the

3 fabulous festivals to enjoy in Toronto this weekend

Start your summer off right this weekend with a festival to remember in the city. From Friday to Sunday, Toronto is packed with incredible festivals to enjoy. From a food festival in Scarborough to a street festival full of dancing, there’s so much to see and do in the city! Thank you to this week’s

20 questions with Queen Priyanka set to take centre stage at Pride

Since winning the first season of Drag Race Canada, Priyanka has parlayed her success and become the best-known queen in Toronto and probably Canada. Now, we chat with her about her Art Gallery on Ontario show as part of this year’s Pride Toronto festivities, dealing with the ignorant haters and, yes, her fave local restaurants.

Neon lights, sizzling bites take centre stage at GTA Korean eatery

Pocha 1989, an innovative new Korean bar and restaurant opened just a few months ago, and and it’s garnering rave reviews online. The term pocha is a play on the Korean word pojang-macha, which loosely translates to a “street vendor” or “stall that sells comfort food.” Inside the North York location is a dimly lit, Instagram-worthy dining room. Guests are greeted to an artistic display

Film and TV star Sarah Gadon makes her stage debut in ‘Yerma’

The Coal Mine Theatre has battled the pandemic and then a fire that consumed its plucky Danforth Avenue theatre. But the acclaimed small theatre is set for its grand return with entirely new and larger digs and a new show, Yerma, which features the stage debut of acclaimed Toronto film and TV star Sarah Gadon.