There’s landing a big role on your first Broadway tour — and then there’s landing a big role in the Alanis Morissette–inspired musical, where you’ll be singing “You Oughta Know’ every night onstage and sometimes in front of Morissette herself.
That was Jade McLeod’s experience when they landed the role of Jo in Jagged Little Pill — the jukebox musical inspired by Morissette’s album of the same name — which arrived in Toronto on Oct. 24 and runs until Nov. 26.
“Singing in front of her for the first time was wild,” McLeod says. “Now, when I’m faced with a hard thing, I say, ‘You sang “You Oughta Know” in front of Alanis herself. You can do anything.’”
But McLeod says Morissette was always supportive. “She is the most lovely, grounded human being. She sat us all down to have a conversation as a company, and she told me, ‘The audience is in the palm of your hand,’” they recall. “That completely changed how I did everything and put me so much more at ease!”
Courtesy Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade
Perhaps Morissette felt a certain kinship with McLeod — seeing as they are currently the only Canadian in the company. “I was overwhelmed at first moving to a new country,” they say. “But now we’re doing the Canadian leg of the tour and suddenly it’s the Americans who don’t know how to pay for things!”
Growing up surrounded by family members who worked in science and medicine, McLeod says they were always the “odd duck.” Pursuing the arts was something that they say was more about finding a place where they belonged than falling in love with the art itself.
And McLeod wasn’t sure they would pursue a career in musical theatre at first — “Everyone said you’d never make any money!” — until they got bitten by the Broadway theatre dream bug.
“I worked in Canada, and I was getting hired, but never for leading roles, and I started giving up on the idea of making an actual career out of this,” they say. “And then Jagged happened.”
In this version of Jagged Little Pill, McLeod’s character is non-binary, and getting to bring their own life experience to the character as a non-binary actor has “meant everything” to McLeod. “Getting to take this show across North America and interact with queer kids in the audience who have never seen themselves onstage before is just incredible,” they say.
McLeod says audience members constantly reach out to share what it meant to them to see Jo onstage. “I don’t take it lightly, and that’s the nature of this show in general,” they say. “It’s a very cathartic piece of art.”
McLeod also has brought this character to audience members who have never met a non-binary person before. “If I’ve done my job, they’ll have laughed with me, cried with me and fallen in love with me as a human being. That’s the important part — I’m just existing. I’m not advocating. I’m just being me.”
Working with local suppliers in the city, the menu at the recently opened Westend Grill House is as diverse as the city of Toronto itself.
“We picked the best dishes from each region and put our own spin on it, combining contrasting culinary traditions or techniques into a single dish,” says owner Harris Mohan, who recently relocated to Canada from Sri Lanka.
Upon arriving in Toronto, Mohan held several jobs in the hospitality industry, including working as a dishwasher and a line cook. But with a passion for all things culinary, it was always his dream to open a restaurant of his own.
@westendgrillhousebar/Instagram
Inside, the spot is modern and inviting, with cream-coloured, high back chairs, wooden tables, plenty of natural light and a collection of live plants. Westend Grill House can seat between 50 and 60 guests, and also has a banquet hall which can accommodate up to 200 guests for larger functions.
On the menu, diners will find classic steakhouse dishes, like the Australian wagyu steak served with peppercorn sauce and mashed potatoes, or the juicy garlic shrimp finished in white wine and butter. But guests will also find other unconventional items, that are quickly gaining popularity on Instagram, like the wagyu burgers served on a pitch black charcoal-infused bun, topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and a secret pink sauce made from strawberries.
@westendgrillhousebar/Instagram
Save room for dessert — the chocolate chip cookie skillet served with vanilla ice cream is a bestseller, as is the modern tiramisu, which is decked out with gold foil. Always evolving, the restaurant continues to add new seasonal menu items that are just begging to be photographed.
Their playful presentation and plating, from cocktails to desserts, make this spot a must-visit.
From Monday to Friday between 1 and 3 p.m., Westend Grill House offers discounted rates on select food items as part of a happy hour special. From 3 to 6 p.m., diners can take advantage of happy hour drink specials, like the $4 beer, $7 house wine, or fun mocktails, like coconut water served straight from a green coconut.
Westend Grill House is located at 4040 Steeles Ave W Unit 1 in Woodbridge and is open Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m.
The Toronto Raptors kick off the season tonight and the team is not predicted to finish dead last this season. But with the loss of Fred VanVleet and a pocketful of question marks, the team is facing an uncertain journey back to the NBA’s promised land.
But, now is a time for faith and a prayer to the basketball gods that every single star in the Raptors’ sky not only aligns but shines bright to enable the team to not just meet the low bar but surpass it.
Here’s what needs to happen for the team to shine this season.
Scottie becomes an all-star
Yes, the Raptors season probably boils down to whether or not the team’s star-in-waiting Scottie Barnes takes the next step to superstardom. Of course, he did roll his ankle in the last pre-season game, but up until that very scary point, he was showing some improvement in his game, especially his outside shooting. We knew he was a handful to deal with running the floor, scoring and passing around the basketball when he can use his natural ability. But the shooting has always been the thing that could either make Barnes an NBA all-star or just a very good player. If it’s the former, and it happens this season, the Raptors could make some noise.
O.G. for Three
O.G. Anunoby is one of the most uniquely gifted players on the team, and a top defender in the NBA. But when he gets the ball near the basket and is confronted with options and decisions need to be made, Raptors fans across the city could be heard bracing themselves for what might happen next. It could be an embarrassing move in the post that ends up with O.G. being stripped of the ball, landing on his rear-end, or worse. Or, it could be a decisive move following by a dunk or a pass-off to a teammate for an easy score. This year, O.G. needs to concentrate on being the league’s best three-and-D player, which is definitely in his wheelhouse, and limiting his forays into the lane to fast breaks where he can use his serious strength as well as the very occasional post-up. The team’s defence is also different this year, and more positional with less switching so O.G. needs to control when he attempts to jump the lane and snag errant passes. If he misses, there might not be anyone there to cover for him and will mean an easy basket for the other team. If O.G. is in the running for Defensive Player of the Year and has a solid three-point shooting average above 40 per cent (he was 38.5 per cent last year), the Raptors will be in business.
The Bench Mob returns
When the Toronto Raptors were most successful, the team had a deep bench that not only held leads in close games but actually expanded them. That particular mob included the team’s current starting centre Jakob Poetl along with a young Fred VanVleet. The bench has not been the same since. But that could change, and if it does it will start with Precious Achiuwa. During the pre-season, Achiuwa was hampered by an injury but when he finally got in a run during the final game, he was impressive. There is no doubting his natural ability as a big man who can run the floor and finish at the basket in addition to hitting the occasional three-pointer. But he is also a ferocious defender when he is into a game and it would mean a lot to the team if he develops the mentality that when he gets in the game, he makes an impact on both ends of the floor. If Precious is the first big man off the bench and plays with energy and under control every game, it would be a huge lift. We think this is his breakout year.
What’s the point?
Okay, we like Dennis Schroder and especially loved watching him during the recent World Cup last summer. He’s got skills, loves to run and is a solid defender. His job this season is to get every player in the starting unit the ball where they want it to make them successful. That, and scoring a few baskets when needed. If he plays under control, does his job in distributing first and shooting second or fourth, it will be a huge win. It will be interesting to see who the Raptors play during the final minutes of close games as opposed to who starts. Our bet is that Gary Trent Jr. finishes close games with Scottie playing point and Schroder on the bench. But, if Schroder steps up his game another notch this season and that choice becomes more difficult, that will mean the Raptors are moving in the right direction.
The microwave
Every team needs a sixth man that can come in and change the flow, making his presence known immediately. During the pre-season, Gary Trent Jr. already showed that he is relishing the opportunity. His shot was falling, but not only that, he also demonstrated a great passing touch, something we haven’t seen much in recent years. It’s one thing to heat up fast like a microwave, shoot the lights out and demand the ball, it’s another when you shoot lights out, know the attention from other defences is coming, and make the right passes in close games. We know he can score, but it’s the other aspects of his game that will be more telling this season. If he is in the running for Sixth Man of the Year, which is entirely possible, it could mean big things for the Raptors.
The Forgotten
Last year, there was more hype surrounding the Raptors. They were a playoff team and they’d added a piece or two during the off-season to shore up their floundering bench. One of those players was Otto Porter Jr. Those following the team know how poorly this team shoots the three-point shot, which is one of the top keys to success for any NBA team. Porter Jr. shoots 39.7 per cent for his career. He’s older and he’s beat up, but if he comes almost all the way back from the injury that made him miss most of last season, he could still have an impact. It might not be every night. It might be just the coach putting him in the game off the bench to see if he’s making his shots. If he is feeling it, he can change games. If Porter Jr. ends up a regular off the bench keeping to his career three-point average or close to it, he could be a difference-maker.
Spicy P
Every year, Pascal Siakam has to deal with the haters, and it might be wearing on him. You can’t blame him. But, as they say in sports, winning cures everything. If Siakam is in all-NBA form at the start of the season and the team strings together a few wins, it could stem the trade-talk tide and allow Spicy P to concentrate on playing basketball and having fun with his teammates. When playing well, Siakam is a force and an all-NBA talent and his impact cannot be underestimated. In the pre-season, we saw something that, if it plays out, could be huge. We saw Siakam and Barnes working very well together. If the Barnes-Siakam connection becomes a serious thing, the Raptors will be good. Period.
Flynn for three
During the pre-season, new coach Darko Rajakovic was turning to Malachi Flynn as backup point guard every game. More so than in previous years under Nick Nurse when Flynn never had the opportunity to flourish. The young point guard did respond by playing well, running the team adequately, shooting threes and generally not messing it up. That being said, the bench did give up leads more often than not. He has a ways to go to quiet the doubters, but it looks like he’s going to get a shot this season, especially since the team cut Jeff Dowtin and allowed fellow point guard and Toronto native Dalano Banton to sign with the Boston Celtics. If Flynn manages to keep his job and keep the turnovers to a minimum that’s a win. If he actually thrives in his new role, well, watch out.
Coach Darko
When speaking with Chris Boucher recently, we asked the Raptors big man about his new coach. And he responded with what could be described as unabashed enthusiasm, letting us know first and foremost that the biggest difference between now and then is that coach cares. He cares about his players. Now, that’s easy to say now, and that tune could change quickly if the team hits a rough patch right out of the gate and hard decisions need to be made. But right now, we dig what Coach Darko Rajakovic is cooking by fostering a caring environment that is putting fundamentals and hard work ahead of fancy defensive schemes and analytics. If Darko is the real deal, it could be the biggest difference-maker this team has had in years.
All of us
One of the best things about the city is how passionate the fans are. For the Raptors, we show up. And playing at Scotiabank Arena has always given the team an advantage over other teams because of that support. Now that the team is younger and predicted by most to not make the playoffs, will the fans continue to show that love? We hope so. Just that edge, especially when nurturing younger players such as rookie Gradey Dick, and even third-year player Scottie Barnes, is huge. Prop them up, don’t tear them down. You never know what might happen.
So there are the stars that need to align. It’s asking a lot, but if it happens, expect good things this season. Go Raptors.
While November typically sees Torontonians turning to indoor activities to escape the chilly weather, this year promises an extraordinary outdoor East European music festival. BLOK, curated by Toronto’s own Mark Marczyk, the ringleader of Lemon Bucket Orkestra, will come alive on Nov. 18 at The Bentway under the Gardiner Expressway near Fort York.
BLOK is an all-ages festival perfect for families, offering a music-forward extravaganza featuring a diverse lineup of international talents. Headliners include Ukrainian pop sensation KAZKA, Estonian folk enchantress Mari Kalkun, Detroit Party Marching Band with their 18-piece brass punk ensemble, Macedonian-Romani trumpet virtuoso Nizo Alimov from Kocani Orkestar, and the hyper-folk-noir trio Balaklava Blues with special pan-Slavic guest singers Blisk. The festival boasts three meticulously designed stages by ABSRTKT and an immersive 360-degree sound system at The Bentway, promising an unparalleled auditory experience.
We had the chance to catch Marczyk’s new band Balaclava Blues, one of the festival headlines, this past summer, and if that performance is any indication of what might happen Nov. 18, then Toronto is in for a spectacular day of music.
In addition to the music, the festival will feature installation artist Daria Alyoshkina, known for her large paper-cut artworks exploring Ukrainian traditions. Alyoshkina will also conduct a free workshop earlier in the day, thanks to the support of St Volodymyr Institute.
For food and beverage enthusiasts, BLOK will offer a variety of delectable cuisines and a fully licensed area, with a bustling market featuring vendors offering Balkan to Baltic delicacies and clothing. Additionally, a silent auction organized by the Second Front Foundation Ukraine aims to raise funds for female battalions in Ukraine.
BLOK is making a triumphant return after its initial debut in September 2019. The festival took a hiatus to focus on supporting Ukraine during the war. Its success is due to the generous support of the Ministry of Canadian Heritage and the Ontario Arts Council, as well as numerous community partners, including St Volodymyr Institute, Estonian Music Week, City of Toronto, Small World Music, Toronto Jazz Festival, Polski Piknik, and more.
To ensure a smooth event, BLOK kindly requests patrons to register and make a donation via Eventbrite, allowing for efficient management of capacity and contributions to this remarkable celebration of East European music and culture.
The festival’s schedule, including performance times, will be announced soon.
Get ready, Toronto — it’s time to add some flair to your dining routine!
An immersive dining experience is coming to the city in December, and if you’re a fan of musicals (who isn’t!) this just might be the one experience you don’t want to miss.
Every night, the exceptionally talented waitstaff will transform into a star-studded cast, delivering not just your meal but a full-blown musical performance. Picture this: tables turning into stages, lively show tunes and entertaining acts, all while you nosh on classic diner dishes in a retro space.
The creative minds behind The Broadway Diner, who also happen to be the masterminds behind the wildly popular Karen’s Diner promise a setting that will be an Instagrammer’s dream — neon signs, quirky trinkets and backdrops that scream “share me.”
And no diner experience would be complete without quintessential food offerings. Get ready for mouthwatering burgers, loaded fries and thick freak shakes that come in both spirited and spirit-free versions.
The cocktail menu deserves its own standing ovation and will feature Broadway-inspired concoctions that put a spin on the classics.
So brush up on your favourite musical hits, bring your appetite and immerse yourself in the razzle-dazzle of Broadway Diner — an unforgettable experience where every night is a show and every table is a stage.
Though the exact musical lineup is still under wraps, taking a cue from the Manchester show suggests you can anticipate chart-toppers from musicals such as West Side Story, Hamilton, The Lion King, Rent and beyond!
The Broadway Diner immersive experience is set to unfold from December 8 to December 10, taking centre stage inside the vibrant space of Mado, located at 144 Yonge Street. Tickets are $55 per person and include a burger, French fries and a soft drink. The experience is 90 minutes long.
The Toronto Raptors season just got underway. There are some new faces and a new energy. We spoke with the lone remaining Canadian on the team, Chris Boucher, about the coming season and a few of his favourite Toronto things.
How does it feel to now be thelone Canadian with Dalano Bantonand Khem Birch gone?
Obviously, I miss Dalano and Khem, they’re my boys. But I’m just trying to be understanding and grateful of the opportunity that I’m still with the team.
Are you taking a leadership role,being one of the longest servingRaptors on the team?
Yeah, obviously. Not on purpose, but I think it just worked out that way. Being here for a long time, there’s just a lot of stuff that I know better. And it feels good to just, you know, give my peace and what I know to the young guys.
What makes you most excitedabout the coming season?
Just playing different, having different schemes, a different defensive mindset, a different image. Taking the new coach’s style will help us to play a different brand of basketball.
What do the Raptors have to doto make an impact this season?
I think we just have to keep the focus on the right thing and focus on ourselves. Every team in the NBA has their own plan and so do we. Continuity is something that works for us, especially with the guys that we have over here.
What do you think will surprise fans the most this season about the team?
The ball movement. I think doing everything together should help. That’s something that they didn’t see a lot. So that should be surprising to them — just seeing how fast we got together.
How’s the new coach, what’sthe biggest difference there?
Oh, how much he cares, I think, how much he cares about the players. The way he talks to them and keeps communication with them, I think that really helps.
And tell me a little bit about yourimpressions of Gradey Dick so far.
He’s really nice. He wants to learn, and he can really shoot the ball. He’s really good with attention to detail. And I think that’s something that’s going to help him and the confidence that he has. Just a great kid to have around.
Now for the short answer questions: what was your first job?
In a restaurant washing dishes, waiting tables.
What’s the worst piece ofcareer advice you’ve received?
Chase the money.
Where would you take visitorsto the city the first time?
Probably on a boat if it’s the summer — bring them on a boat just to see the city from the water.
Favourite restaurant and why?
Akira Back, wagyu tacos.
What do you do to get away from it all?
Play video games.
What’s your fave?
Call of Duty.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Health and family. I think health is definitely happiness.
What is your greatest fear?
God
Which person do you most admire?
My mom.
When and where were you happiest?
Maybe 2019, the year of our [NBA] championship, or the year after, during those times.
If you’re a foodie and you love Halloween, you’re in luck! Toronto has a lineup of fun and freaky culinary festivities to help you ring in the most spookiest day of the year.
Haunted Halloween Food Truck Festival
@cheeseheadz.to/Instagram
Prepare for a spooktacular foodie experience on Oct. 28 and 29. Don your most creative costume and feast on treats from vendors like Jerk Brothers, Heavenly Dreams Ice Cream, Cheese Headz and local craft brewers. 3701 Danforth Ave.
Blood curdling baking
@nadegetoronto/Instagram
Join Nadège’s expert chefs for a Halloween treats master class on Oct 28. Elevate your culinary skills and discover the secrets behind Nadège’s renowned pumpkin pie. Plus you’ll become a chocolate tempering maestro in this delicious learning experience. 78 Queen St. W.
Creepy chocolate tea party
@omnikingedward/Instagram
Until Nov. 5, the Omni King Edward offers a chocolate-themed afternoon tea menu, priced at $75 per person, as part of the Toronto Chocolate Festival. Enjoy an array of chocolate delights, including cocoa shots and unique treats like cocoa-chipotle steak, chocolate orange jaffa madeleine and Hong Kong milk chocolate tea tiramisú. 37 King St. E.
Drive to Deadly Grounds
@deadlygroundscanada/Instagram
If you’re up for a road trip, Deadly Grounds located in Courtice, Ont., offers year-round spookiness in the form of spine tingling concoctions like Campy Crystal Lake Latte and creepy pastries like Sinnamin Skulls and Monster Tuxedo cookies. 1413 Durham Highway. 2, Courtice
This month, a rare books Instagram shop called Bellwoods Books, which has gained quite a following for its collection of antique and vintage books, has opened its first brick-and-mortar location — in the basement in another book shop that is quite new to Toronto. Flying Books also began as a pop-up of its own, a “travelling bookstore” that would open in various local businesses in the city and bring owner Martha Sharpe’s collection of books to different neighbourhoods. In 2021, Flying Books found a permanent home, and now it’s providing the same opportunity for Bellwoods Books.
Flying Books
@flyingbooks_to/Instagram
Before Martha Sharpe opened the Flying Books publishing house, writing school and retail store on College Street, she was the publisher of House of Anansi Press, and later the editorial director of Simon & Schuster Canada.
In 2015, she started selling her own curation of books from a shelf in the now defunct Queen street gift stop Weekend Variety owned by her friend Katharine Mulherin. She aptly titled her micro pop-up “Flying Books,” and evolved it into a traveling shelf that operated temporarily out of various local businesses.
Two years later, Flying Books expanded to include a transportable writing school and a mentorship program led by writer Rudrapriya Rathore. The school offers a series of classes, some one-offs and others weeks-long, under the program direction of award-winning writer and teacher Amy Jones.
Always a publisher at heart, Sharpe began discussions with editor Emily Keeler to develop her own publishing house, and together they launched Flying Books Publishing in 2019. Sharpe’s retail selection was still mobile at the time, and the two women operated the publishing business remotely, acquiring their first two manuscripts — Marlowe Granado’s Happy Hour and Anna Fitzpatrick’s Good Girl.
In December of 2021, she signed a lease in the former Paintlounge space on College Street, erecting Flying Books’ first storefront. “It was really a bookstore that was developed in order to seed the publishing program,” she says. They added a third Toronto author to their publishing roster with Tomas Hachard’s City in Flames.
Sharpe gave the space a fresh look, lining the now white walls with new books from indie and big press houses alike, as well as new editions of classic works. Only the basement, which she reserved for storage up until recently, maintained the paint splatters of the former social painting business.
Bellwoods Books
@bellwoods_books/Instagram
Julie Malian has a full-time career in social work, but she’s long maintained a personal interest in collecting rare and vintage books. In 2019, she started to sell some of her books on Instagram to pare down her collection and found that there was a demand. Soon after she started selling from a booth at markets like the Sunday Antique Market, Parkdale Flea and Trinity Bellwoods Flea. When the pandemic started, she continued to sell from her Instagram and transitioned to offering free local delivery to customers.
At the time she also made a purchase from Flying Books, and reached out to Sharpe on Instagram to glean insight about her previous retail model as a traveling pop-up. They met in person for the first time, when Sharpe hosted a pre-renovation holiday pop-up right after signing the lease on her official brick and mortar location.
Malian became pregnant in 2022 and stopped doing book deliveries. After welcoming her first child, Sharpe reached out to her on Instagram and asked if she would be interested in occupying Flying Books’ basement space. Still on maternity leave from her full-time job, Malian felt it was the right timing.
@bellwoods_books/Instagram
“I think we both knew that we have a lot of overlapping customers,” Malian says. “Most of my customers who collect rare and vintage books also regularly collect new books, and are reading the latest that comes out.”
She officially opened the first brick and mortar location of Bellwoods Books in the lower level of Flying Books this month.
The floors are still splattered with paint, and Malian has decided to keep it that way. Her collection includes literature from the 1960 to 1990s, as well as antiquarian books published in the late 1800s, and very rare selections from the early 2000s. Malian also enjoys collecting vintage etiquette books from the 1970s, which Sharpe calls “hilariously quirky.”
A one-stop bookshop
Together, the businesses benefit from the contrast of old and new. Sharpe points out that you can find several new editions of Mrs. Dalloway upstairs, while you can find cool vintage editions downstairs.
Both are curated carefully by their owners, in addition to a team of booksellers in the case of Flying Books, though both owners agree that they share appreciation for many of the same authors, including Doris Lessing, Bell Hooks, Virginia Woolf and Sylvia Plath.
“I’m thrilled to have Bellwoods Books in the downstairs space here,” Sharpe says. “Julie is wonderful and her taste is exquisite. I started Flying Books inside the Weekend Variety, which was a very special store owned by my friend Katharine Mulherin. If it weren’t for Katharine, there would be no Flying Books, and I hope, similarly, that this arrangement creates an opportunity for Julie to grow her business.”
While Flying Books is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. nearly everyday (excluding Sunday when it closes at 5 p.m.), Bellwoods will operate exclusively on the weekend and by appointment during the week.
The Winter Village is set to make a grand return at The Distillery Historic District, igniting the festive spirit for the upcoming holiday season. This year’s event promises to be even more enchanting with the unveiling of a colossal 56-foot-tall Silver Fir Christmas Tree in Trinity Square, marking it as the tallest tree ever featured at the Distillery Winter Village.
The official grand opening of the event is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Nov. 16. Santa himself will illuminate the towering Silver Fir tree, ushering in the magic of the season. Tickets are required for this special opening night, and the proceeds from ticket sales will be directed towards three worthy charity partners.
“We look forward to welcoming back Torontonians and visitors from across Canada and globally,” said Rik Ocvirk, Vice President, The Distillery Restaurants Corp and Director, Experiences and Events, The Distillery Historic District. “The Distillery Winter Village is a picture-perfect holiday experience where friends and family gather to take-in the timeless romance and nostalgia of the holidays, stroll the cobblestone streets under the canopy lights, enjoy delicious food and drink, and shop our one-of-a-kind shops and vendor cabins.”
This year, The Distillery Winter Village will be open seven days a week (with the exception of Christmas Day) and will continue its run until the New Year.
The Distillery Winter Village has garnered acclaim as one of the world’s finest Christmas markets, as recognized by Frommers and CNN Travel.
Ticketing Information
In response to feedback from visitors, The Distillery Winter Village has introduced three tiers of ticketing:
General Admission Ticket: Priced at $15 (including HST)
Non-refundable
Non-exchangeable
Flex Ticket: Priced at $18 (including HST)
Non-refundable
Allows for two free date changes, with changes made by 11:59 p.m. the day before the scheduled visit
Changes are subject to date and time slot availability
Express Gate Entry: Priced at $30 (including HST)
Non-refundable
Offers a fast-track entry via Express Entry signs at all gates
Allows unlimited free ticket changes, up to the entry time of the planned visit, even if the new date/time is sold out
The event offers a photogenic setting with white and gold decorations, including a towering 56-foot Christmas tree, a new Candy Cane Forest, seven-foot snow people, enchanting canopy lights, and the iconic “Heart of Christmas” display. For music lovers, the Candy Cane Carolers lead daily sing-along sessions at various times, projecting lyrics onto an iconic building for easy participation. Santa awaits visitors in the Pure Spirits Courtyard, and roaming elves spread cheer. Shoppers can explore a diverse range of gifts, from stylish clothing and home decor to handcrafted accessories, gourmet food, and unique art, both in local shops and festively adorned vendor cabins. Food enthusiasts will appreciate seasonal cabins and outdoor bar experiences, including the new Feliz Navidad bar serving traditional Mexican flavours at the Distillery Historic District.
Explore Toronto’s rich past through the lens of its most historic bars. These iconic establishments have been witness to countless stories, celebrations and the city’s cultural evolution.
Join us on a journey through time as we revisit these five bars that have helped to shape Toronto’s history.
The Wheat Sheaf
@wheatsheaftavern/Instagram
From Great War soldiers, to hippies, all the way up to millennial’s, The Wheat Sheaf has poured one out for just about every generation this city has ever seen. Older than Canada itself, this pre-confederate bar has been a steadfast presence, surviving fires, Prohibition, and urban development. Initially a men’s-only spot until 1969, the building, , holds a mysterious tale of a tunnel connecting it to Fort York, though skeptics doubt its existence.
The Miller Tavern
Opened as the York Mills Hotel in 1857, the Miller Tavern was originally designed as a road house for travelers looking for a pint and a place to rest their horses. In the 20th century it took a debaucherous turn amongst high school students as the Jolly Miller. Now, the Miller Tavern is Hoggs Hollow’s most historic seafood restaurant.
The Maple Leaf Tavern
Maple Leaf Tavern (Dan Seguin, Good Hood, 2015)
Before the people of Toronto knew Great War, they knew the Maple Leaf Tavern. Opening in 1910, this bar was once known as the “kick and stab” for its less than inviting atmosphere. After undergoing a full remodel, the Maple Leaf Tavern is now one of the city’s classier joints. Serving steakhouse fare and a real community tavern atmosphere, this place is far from its days as a down and out drinking hall.
The Gladstone Hotel
The Gladstone (James Salman, 1952)
Opened in 1899, this turn of the century hotel was the safest in Toronto. Smack dab in the centre of Parkdale, this bar was filled with traveling workers and family members that were visiting the city. The Melody Barwas opened in the Gladstone lobby in the 50’s. The reimagined Gladstone House continues its commitment to culture, art, and diversity, preserving the building’s rich history and iconic original architecture.
The Black Bull
The Black Bull (City of Toronto Archives, 1972)
A Toronto landmark since 1833, this bar has arguably been around longer than any on this list. The reason this bar has been excluded for the title of Toronto’s oldest bar is that it was named the Clifton House for several decades before changing back to its original name, The Black Bull. A boarding house with a rough reputation, this was a meeting spot for farmers and city dwellers to relax over a pint or two. Today it sports a massive patio where Queen Westers come to sip sangria on Saturday afternoons.
With just over a week left of Halloween season, you might be wondering how to make the most of it. Luckily, Toronto is full of scary, creepy and ghostly events to give you a good haunting before Oct. 31! Here are nine thrilling and chilling Halloween events happening in Toronto, from haunted tours to spooky séances.
EERIE EVENTS
Eric Woolfe in Doc Wuthergloom’s Haunted Medicine Show.
Monster mash
Eldritch Theatre presents Doc Wutherloom’s Here There Be Monsters, a T.O. Halloween tradition since 1999, where Doctor Pretorious Wuthergloom, the infamous necromancer and arcane medicine showman, regales audiences with ghoulish tales, Oct. 25 to Nov. 5. 922 Queen St. E.
Commune with the dead
An intimate and genuine Victorian séance awaits a select group as the acclaimed Jaymes White brings his mystical event right to downtown Toronto. The terrifying Isabella Street Seance runs until Nov. 25. Tours start at 640 Church St.
Halloween in a museum
Embrace the Halloween spirit at ROM After Dark’s special event on Oct. 27, RAD: Trick or Treat, a costume-friendly party that transforms the entire museum into a spooky wonderland with activities like face painting, photobooths, crystal ball readings and a thrilling pumpkin scavenger hunt, all while enjoying live music. 100 Queen’s Park
Mind-bending shenanigans
Join Mysterion Mindreader at Jokers Theatre & Comedy Club in Richmond Hill, on Oct. 28, for a spine-chilling Halloween celebration featuring a full séance with the infamous “Walt the Doll,” known as “Canada’s Annabelle,” and experience Mysterion’s mind-bending psychic entertainment. 115 York Blvd.
TERRIFYING TOURS
Scary strolls
What could be spookier than a spine-tingling journey through Toronto’s dark history with the Original Haunted Walk? Delving into ghosts, graveyards and unsolved mysteries, the walk departs from the Hockey Hall of Fame’s courtyard for a chilling tour, revealing the city’s eerie and supernatural tales. 10 Front. St. W.
Ghost town à gogo
Experience an actual ghost town come to life at Haunting of Hexwood, a viral sensation turned spine-chilling immersive town of terror. Here, the supernatural blurs with reality, featuring eerie attractions and immersive horror, from Oct. 6 to 31, at the WFW Backlot Film Studio in Pickering. 3800 Sideline 32
Death march
Join a lantern tour of Fort York and its historic surroundings, where you’ll hear thrilling tales of a haunted lighthouse, the Battle of York, explore a burial ground and uncover the fort’s paranormal mysteries. 250 Fort York Blvd.
FUN AND FRIGHTFUL FLICKS
Courtesy rockyhorrorto.com
The Time Warp again
Don’t miss the Torontonian Halloween tradition at Hot Docs Cinema where the annual Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween special offers a nightmarishly delightful experience as the cult classic plays onscreen alongside a live music performance. 506 Bloor St. W.
All the scares
The Revue Cinema has been hosting two+ weeks of horror flicks and special events, including the classic A Nightmare on Elm Street,The Blair Witch Project, a 45th anniversary screening of Halloween on Oct. 31 and much more. 400 Roncesvalles Ave.
