If you happen to be walking along the Harbourfront this weekend, you might stumble across a massive pile of buffalo skulls. This isn’t leftover animal waste from a hunter with an affinity for endangered species, but rather a major feature of the Luminato Festival’s newest installation called Built on Genocide.
The installation was revealed on Sept. 22 and will be available for free viewing until Oct. 24, but the timing of the display, created by Indigenous artist Jay Soule, also known as CHIPPEWAR, seems ideal for this long weekend, when families may be preparing for Thanksgiving. Built on Genocide explores themes of cultural genocide and colonization and reflects on events throughout Canada’s history that have destroyed Indigenous lives.
The main installation of the buffalo skulls reflects the Canadian government’s mass slaughtering of buffalo during the time of colonial railway expansion. In order to take over land that wasn’t theirs, government officials orchestrated the mass killing of buffalo herds to destroy the livelihoods of many Indigenous communities and drive them off their lands.
The artist based the skull mound on historic photos from the late 1800s of piles of buffalo bones after the killings.
“Built on Genocide will address the direct correlation between the genocide of the buffalo and the genocide of Indigenous peoples in Canada,” CHIPPEWAR’s artist statement reads.
Twenty images accompany the display, each reflecting the different ways the buffalo genocide affected Indigenous peoples. A QR code will be available at the front of the display to give more context on the images and themes present in the 14-foot-tall installation.
“Built on Genocide is an expansion of all of my work to date,” said CHIPPEWAR in a statement. “It reveals the truth of settler colonialism, systemic racism and the ongoing reality of being Indigenous in the illegal apartheid state of so called ‘Canada.'”
The dog parent trend just might be overtaken by the plant parent trend soon enough, and nothing has made more sure of that than this pandemic. With fewer opportunities to socialize and a little too much time spent locked up at home, Torontonians have turned to plants in large numbers. Various plant shops across the country reported a “boom” in sales during the first year of the pandemic, as residents cooped up at home looked for ways to bring the outside, inside and to cultivate (no pun intended) new hobbies. So it’s no surprise that more and more plant shops have been popping up too; it seems there really could not be a better time to invest in this kind of business!
Sienna Flora is the latest store to aid in the growing demand for plants in the city. Opening just a few months ago in the Dundas West neighbourhood, this new plant shop is good for more than just stocking up on a few more succulents to line your window sill. Sienna Flora specializes in tropical plants, which includes everything from pothos to bamboo palm to birds of paradise plants.
But even if you’re not a plant lover, you’ll probably want to visit Little Portugal’s newest shop. Owner Anita Cane (yes, like the tropical indoor plant by the same name) has designed the space to be bright, spacious and minimalist in its layout with a south-facing window that shines sunlight in all day, leaving the plants to do the talking.
You’ll find massive monsteras, show-stopping snake plants and cacti of all kinds stationed throughout the shop. Sienna Flora also offers pots, ceramics and every plant care item you can think of as one of only a few one-stop-shop plant stores in the city.
Prices range between $5 for a “lemon ball” sedum and $395 for a 4.5″ tall pencil cactus. Shop online or visit in store at 1344 Dundas St. W.
It’s officially that time of the year again; many of us will be hosting (vaccinated!) gatherings with family and friends over turkey and a large assortment of starches and pumpkin pie for dessert. It’s also a long weekend and there are a range of events happening across the city, featuring everything from fried chicken to fall-focused festivities. If you’re looking for something to do in Toronto this weekend, here are six of the best options to check out.
Just in time for Thanksgiving, Downsview Park will be hosting PumpkinFest, a family-friendly fall festival complete with a large pumpkin patch, midway rides, inflatable corn maze, mini putt, live entertainment and much more. The three-day festival will also include a variety of food trucks and pumpkins of all sizes are available to pick and purchase.
Fried chicken has been having a moment in the city over the last few years, and it will be the star of the show at the Toronto’s Fried Chicken Fest by Street Eats Market this weekend. The event takes place outdoors at Scarborough Town Centre and admission is free. Some of the featured vendors include The Holy Grill, 6 Spice Rack, Los Vietnamita, The Smoke Stop BBQ, Jerk Brothers, Beignet Shoppe, The Ultimate Food Truck, El Bosco and more. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to various food banks across the GTA on behalf of Street Eats Market. Check it out Saturday and Sunday between noon and 8 p.m.
The Distillery District’s Fall Market is taking place Oct. 9 and 10 (as well as Oct. 23 and 24) at everyone’s favourite cobblestone-studded neighbourhood. Take in the fresh autumnal air as you browse and buy seasonal goods like festive gourds, sunflower birdseed, dried wheat and grass bundles and wreaths, floral bouquets and local honey. Don’t miss the festive photo-op filled with pumpkins, hay bundles and fall leaves, and you can also expect seasonal snacks like butter tarts, pumpkin tarts and fresh pies.
The annual Woodbridge Fall Fair will be happening this weekend, Oct. 9-11 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the Saturday and Sunday and ending at 6 p.m. on the holiday Monday. There will be fun rides for kids and games at the midway, antiques to browse and buy, as well as plenty of sweet treats to enjoy at the fair or bring home for later.
Starting this Friday and running through October 31 is Screemers, a haunted house attraction in Vaughan featuring seven “haunts” where over 120 live actors will be employed to scare the pants off of you. Anyone needing a break can grab a drink at the fully licenced Vampire Lounge and you can fuel up to fend off all those monsters at one of the on-site food trucks. In between the scares, spend time at the (likely also spooky) midway.
If you’re looking for more high-energy plans this weekend, look no further than Latefest. Now in its second year, Latefest is a three day hybrid music festival spotlighting Canadian talent, with a focus on Black artists happening both in person at Paradise Cinema and virtually. In addition to three days of cutting edge music, the fest will also feature discussions among leaders in the arts and entertainment industry, as well as live DJs spinning a variety of tunes.
The Eglinton Way, located at the north end of the Toronto’s Forest Hill neighbourhood and is steps away from Yonge St., has an array of local shops and businesses available to prepare you for the cooler months.
Here are 9 local businesses that you can support this fall.
There’s no denying the pandemic has changed our lives in a multitude of ways, and one of the most significant is how we get together with the people we care about. As cooler weather arrives and more gatherings move indoors, what can you do to make serving healthy, hassle-free, delicious food a snap instead of a slog? Whether you’re having a date night in, hosting a dinner party, or just looking for a quick and easy suppertime solution for the family, The Healthy Butcher has everything you need to take the legwork out of entertaining, so you’ll spend less time in the kitchen and more time socializing with the ones you love. You can find prepared meals, sustainably sourced, 100% Grass Fed butcher cut meats, local, organic produce and more.
Vicky’s has an extensive collection of Israeli jewellery designer Ayala Bar. This unique collection is colourful, imaginative and goes with just about everything. Vicky’s is a tiny shop bursting with antique, vintage, and modern treasures. They will be celebrating 49 years in business on the Eglinton Way and have been helping customers find just the right piece of jewellery for every outfit from casual to bridal.
Get your groove on this fall at the new location of this state-of-the-art dance studio. Registration is now open for fall dance programs, birthday parties and two weeks of free adults fitness and dance programs starting October 3rd. Dance classes for Hip hop, latin dance , ballet , jazz, tap and more are available. There are also monthly date night salsa classes on one Saturday per month.
Internationally renowned jewellery designer Varouj Tabakian’s latest creations have been focused largely on colour. His latest collection features the warmth and richness of Fall colours, from deep blue/green Tsavorite, to purplish-blue green Alexandrite, to the burgundy-reds of Rhodolite Garnet, to the autumn-sun colour of Citrine. Varouj has always had a passion for coloured gemstones and an amazing eye when selecting the most exquisite and exotic cuts imaginable. This along with his artistic talent and perfectionism as an award-winning jewellery designer and goldsmith, make this collection unique and desirable to all jewellery lovers.
Looking to buy, sell or refinance a property and not sure where to start? Shabnam Riazi, associate real estate lawyer at Levy Zavet PC, is happy to help both individuals and corporations with their purchase, sale and mortgage closings. Levy Zavet PC is now offering $100 off of your next real estate transaction from October 1, 2021 to November 30, 2021.
North Toronto Soccer Club is offering indoor programs for children and youth ages three to eighteen. There are a variety of programs for beginners as well as 10-week Fall and Winter programs and 17-week leagues available for registration. North Toronto Soccer Club is strictly following all public health regulations for youth indoor sports.
No two kids are alike, so why should all programs be alike? At Oxford Learning® every program is customized to meet the student’s exact learning needs. Unlike in the classroom, the student sets the pace—there is no timeline, no set curriculum to abide by. Their programs put the focus on active learning and critical thinking while developing academic skills so that students develop an understanding not only of what they are learning but why they are learning it. Active thinking leads to better learning, not just in class, but in life. There is currently a 25% off discount for assessments for Post City readers.
This October, Rukaj Gallery will be exhibiting both online and in person at Art Toronto (Oct. 29-31) and the Art Dealers Association of Canada’s Toronto Gallery Week (Oct. 26-31). They’ll be showing an exciting selection of modern and contemporary museum works from their inventory, which you can view in the gallery or in their virtual reality fair booth. Rukaj Gallery also provides custom museum framing, which is done on-site in their gallery framing studio.
Dr. Matthew Orzech and Associates is very happy to welcome back Dr. Khoosal and Jorey-Ann to their staff; as well as welcome their newest member to their team, Priscilla. For the month of October and November, any new patient that visits Dr. Matthew Orzech and Associates and has a New Patient Exam and Cleaning will receive a gift card to a local restaurant or coffee shop along the Eglinton Way – as a way to show their support to their local business neighbours!
Along with cozy sweaters, cooler nights, and Halloween costumes, October is also pumpkin season (and we’re not just talking about pumpkin spice lattes). This weekend, friends and family will be sitting together over a delicious turkey dinner, and for those who still have room for dessert, this will likely include some pumpkin pie. Toronto is bustling with pumpkin pie options, ranging from your classic nutmeg-spiced slice to gluten and vegan-friendly options that are so good, you wouldn’t spot the difference! Here are our top picks in Toronto to grab a pumpkin pie for this weekend.
Almond Butterfly Cafe
Almond Butterfly Cafe is a sleek and chic 30-seat cafe with two convenient locations: the first opened on Harbord Village in 2011, and the next expanded into Trinity Bellwoods in 2019. This cute dine-in bistro and bakery blend is known for various options that welcome the paleo, vegan, and dairy-free diet. Their pumpkin pie follows suit with a complete gluten and dairy-free recipe. In addition, their use of organic coconut milk will satisfy every one of your family members.
This sweet shop was created by a passionate OCAD student named Wanda Beaver, who became known for delivering her signature pies while riding the TTC. Since then, the popularity of the pies has soared, and for a good reason. Every item from Wanda’s Pie in the Sky is made fresh daily, mere feet away from where they are sold in Kensington Market. Their pumpkin pie doesn’t quit on the flavour factor, diving head-first into the classic spice, thick crusts, and specified pastry decorations.
If you’re looking to try something different this Thanksgiving, this trendy bakery is where you want to be. The Rolling Pin offers unique options for pumpkin pies, including pumpkin cheesecake pie, chocolate pumpkin pie, and pumpkin pie jacked up with salted caramel, whipped cream, and candied pecans. Then, of course, there’s always the traditional, made in classic pie size as well as a cupcake pack!
This pretty shop is known for its cupcakes that are baked fresh from scratch. With a sweet new flavour unveiled every month, Short and Sweet is very easy to identify on Avenue and Lawrence, with a flamingo pink awning that beckons those with a sweet tooth inside. Their pumpkin pie will remind of the warmth and comfort of home, offered as the Fully Loaded with fresh whipped cream and salted caramel, or the Plain Jane if extra toppings aren’t your flavour.
Every item baked at Bunner’s Bake Shop is allergen-friendly, free of gluten, eggs, soy, and dairy. They also provide a variety of Thanksgiving dessert options, including pumpkin pie cheesecake and pumpkin pie cupcakes. Their classic pumpkin pie is a 9” plate of yummy goodness that’s creamy and spicy with a puffy and tasty crust.
If drive-in movies have been getting a little passé for you, this Halloween season is coming to the rescue! Look no further than Haunted Cinema, the first immersive drive-in movie experience of its kind with a spooky theme that will make you really feel like you’re in the movie.
Think haunted house-movie theatre hybrid with stellar choreography. Intrigued? Haunted Cinema, directed by Hit and Run Dance Productions, will incorporate a choreographed performance that will mirror every jump scare and eerie music moment in the movie on the big screen. You’ll be able to watch the movie from the safety of your car, but don’t say we didn’t warn you when someone comes creeping out from the shadows of your car and scares the popcorn right out of your hands! From Oct. 26-31 at the Ontario Place drive-in, viewers will get to watch two of the best Halloween movies out there – Goosebumps and Scream.
If you’re getting tickets for the whole family, keep in mind that Goosebumps will be a more kid-friendly viewing, while Scream is planned for more mature audiences.
Co-directors Anisa Tejpar and Jennifer Nichols will have the performers doing a few jump scares of their own, as the press release notes that you’ll see characters from the films popping in front of your windshield or right beside your face in the window. Apparently, that may include some props as well – the Ontario Place website notes that lighting devices and rubber and toy props will be incorporated.
“This is not your average Halloween experience,” said Tejpar in the release. “If you’re expecting a run of the mill haunted hayride or a typical pumpkin patch, be prepared to have your expectations blown out of the water.”
Expect to pay $50-$55 per car, to a maximum of four passengers – any more and you’ll be charged $15 per extra person. Tickets are available online.
Toronto’s top Thai chef Nuit Regular and Jeff Regular by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
While some restaurants have seen a massive drop in business over the course of the year, Thai chef Nuit Regular and her husband and business partner, Jeff Regular, found the time to quietly open their biggest restaurant to date.
With its soaring 30-foot ceilings and street decorations, Pai Uptown officially opened for indoor dining in June at 2335 Yonge St., after operating on a takeout-only model since November 2020.
Chef Nuit says that although the pandemic erased revenue, it gave her time to train staff and reinforce company values. She says, if she was going to expand her business uptown, it had to be done the right way: everyone, staff and guests alike, would be treated like kin.
“When people ask, ‘How many of your family are here in Canada?’ I say I came here with my son and Jeff but created my family at the restaurant,” says Nuit. “My staff are my family. It’s not, ‘I’m your boss,’ screaming. It’s more, ‘We’re on a team, and I want to take care of you.’ We sit down together and talk.”
“You hear about things in kitchens, but we could never do that,” adds Jeff. “Our restaurants are an extension of our personalities. All we want to do in the city is create a better, positive atmosphere.”
PAI arrives at Yonge & Eglinton
The space at Pai Uptown is bold and bright, and although its 12,000-square-feet space is spread across two storeys, it’s bathed in natural light and maintains the same secretive, festive vibe as some of the couple’s other famously jumping restaurants downtown. There are private dining rooms and Saturday night DJs, and the restaurant, though large, is destined to provoke intimacy, exploration, discovery and warmth.
PAI Uptown is Nuit Regular’s biggest restaurant to date.
Nuit and Jeff say that they’d long since circled around a midtown location and had often heard requests from guests to head north. Their spicy curries, famous village fried rice, and smoky, tangy pad gra prow are rightly revered. Both the duo thinks the timing is right to invite diners into their kitchen north of Bloor.
“We like the Yonge and Eglinton area and have for a while; it was just a matter of finding the right place, and also the right time,” says Nuit, who has already created five new recipes in her uptown kitchen that she’s since exported to her downtown spots.
A taste of Thai in Toronto
These dishes, including see ew, stir-fried seasonal vegetables with chicken, and khao pad baan nok, fried rice with Thai garlic, Chinese broccoli, tomato, chicken and egg, have long been family favourites.
Before the pandemic, the dishes were deemed too difficult to recreate at scale. The smoke of the garlic, for example, needed to offset the tomato salt just right. With the lockdown, however, Nuit found the time to retrain her cooks. Jeff says that their whole operation has returned since the situation regarding the current pandemic has improved.
Chef Nuit’s Lobster Pad Thai is available every weekend at both PAI locations.
“It wasn’t about making money,” he says. “It was about keeping the same quality and level of service so that, when we got to the end of the road or wherever we are, we wouldn’t put anyone out of work, and our quality was as good — or better — than it was before.”
The entire mission behind the Pai empire has been to export northern Thai cooking, and the northern Thai way of life, to Toronto. During the pandemic, Nuit sent make-your-own Thai meals out in boxes so home chefs could experiment with her recipes.
On launching her book
She also recently published her first cookbook, Kiin: Recipes and Stories From Northern Thailand, which not only features her beloved recipes for Thai chicken wings, khao soi and her signature Chef Nuit Pad Thai, but also links to the retailers that import her ingredients.
“I launched my cookbook during the pandemic,” says Chef Nuit with a laugh, explaining the origin of her project. “I knew people were spending time at home, and I want to connect with people that love food and love Thai food.”
Thai food, since the Regular family opened their first restaurant on Parliament Street, has become more prevalent across Toronto, and they now own eight restaurants, including Sabai Sabia, Kiin, Pai and Sukhothai. Their new spot uptown is perhaps their most ambitious location, but it’s infused with the same unique warmth that customers find not only in the curry, but also in the family behind the brand.
“Thirteen years ago when we first started, there was no pandemic, but it felt like a pandemic to us,” says the chef. “I cooked food and no one came to buy it, but the quality was the same as it is today. Now, we have some money, and we have a team, and it’s still the same mission to take care of the people of Toronto: we try to bring the best Thai food possible to the table.”
“We know that people can’t travel like they would have liked to, but our atmosphere at the uptown location brings our guests to that vacation they missed out on,” Jeff adds. “With food, visuals, service and music, it feels like you’re out of the country, at least for a night.”
A brand new wine bar has made its way to Toronto’s east end.
The Wood Owl is the latest next-door venture from the same team behind Danforth favourite, The Wren.
The cozy interior of the new spot has a retro feel to it, thanks to the wood-paneled walls reminiscent of the 1970s. There’s also velvet, burgundy patterned wallpaper. A series of tan-coloured leather bar stools are stationed at the bar, which is also done in wood panelling. Colourful glass lamps that are suspended from brass chains cast a warm glow in the evenings, and, true to the restaurant’s name, brass owl lamps have nestled their way into the decor.
The Food
All of the food on The Wood Owl’s compact menu was designed to complement the wine list. It features seasonal light bites and mains, as well as nightly specials. For those looking for a quick bite to eat, the ever-changing cheese and charcuterie boards should do the trick. Or, for something different, try the eggplant frites served with tahini and onion jam.
“We’ll change dishes out depending on the seasonal availability of ingredients and when we need to shake things up to keep it interesting!” reads a post on Instagram.
New on the menu, The Wood Owl’s Salt Spring Island Mussels feature white wine, fennel, garlic, cream, and herbs, and are served with grilled sourdough.Charred trout, buttermilk marinated cucumber, chive oil, pickled shallots.Rockfish Crudo with B.C. rockfish, sesame and nori oil, avocado, lime, Anaheim chili, and gochujaru.Trout croquettes paired with fennel purée, shaved fennel salad, rye croutons, and orange.Grilled skirt steak, roasted mushrooms, tarragon sauce, pomme allumettes, and horseradishCrispy lamb and shishitos, with braised and crisped lamb shoulder, Shepard pepper sauce, yogurt, charred shishitos and onion petals, hazelnut dukkah, mint.
The Drinks
The Wood Owl has an impressive wine list that includes international white and red wines from Italy, France, Spain, Austria, and Germany. Orange wine, sparkling wines, and rose wines by the glass and bottle are also available, as are three signature cocktails: The Girona Spritz ($16, grapefruit, sweet vermouth, simple syrup, and cava); the Negroni Bianco ($14, gin, lilliet, Veccio Amara del Capo); and the Adonis ($14, Oloroso sherry, sweet vermouth, orange bitters).
The Wood Owl stocks an impressive selection of international wines, including up-and-coming variations of orange wine.
There’s also a rotating selection of draught beer from Ontario breweries that can be found posted on the mirror board.
“These lists will also constantly be in flux. But here’s where we’re starting. Darryl’s made a solid list that’s a nice reflection of his philosophy as a sommelier and wine lover,” The Wood Owl writes in an Instagram post. “They’re bottles from producers just off the beaten path, from slightly lesser-known regions, because he’s confident he can find the same quality wines you’d find in more famous regions, but for better value.”
The Wood Owl is located at 1380 Danforth Ave. and is currently open at 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Thursday. No reservations, walk-in only.
Toronto-based fashion designer Channa Francis isn’t making your typical Raptors swag. Exuding effortless ‘cool’ with thick-framed, yellow-tinted aviator shades, a red cropped windbreaker and chunky gold hoops, she spoke to us about the latest collection for her streetwear brand, Channa Karasi.
Francis started upcycling vintage Raptors jerseys back in 2019 after she was commissioned to create a custom bodysuit for Killa Kels, the resident DJ for the Toronto Raptor’s Jurassic Park. People loved it, and the interest sparked an idea in Francis to create a larger collection. She got to work sketching concepts, sourcing materials from Kijiji, eBay, Facebook Marketplace and local shops and grafting and sewing the pieces to create “The Deconstructed Collection.”
The 4-piece drop included a long and short sleeve bodysuit, a skirt and track pants in sizes ranging from XS to XXXL. She also launched face masks at the beginning of the pandemic, bralettes and a swimwear capsule collection in collaboration with plus-sized influencer and fashion designer Sasha Ruddock of Flaws of Couture. It immediately sold out.
The swimwear capsule collection sold out the same day it dropped. Photo credit: @channakarasi
Francis’ eye for design started young. Her earliest memory is flipping through her mom’s Victoria’s Secret catalogues, copying the designs to create pint-size versions for her dolls. Over time she taught herself to sew and began upcycling clothes for fun, turning jeans into shorts and buying basics from the Gap she worked at in high school. She would spend hours adding eyelets down the side of otherwise simple t-shirts, weaving ribbon through the holes to create edgier pieces from inexpensive basics.
“When I was a kid I was really into sports, but I was also really into fashion, makeup and hair. For me, streetwear for ladies allows me to blend my interests into a style that really expresses who I am. When I create a piece, I’m designing for creative, confident women who want to be comfortable but also make a statement,” says Francis.
Initially self-taught, she took some sewing classes in high school and then later pursued fashion design at George Brown College and fashion management at a private college in New York City.
Francis started her brand seriously as a business back in 2013, selling unisex silk chiffon t-shirts boasting colourful prints. These styles leveraged bright colours and intricate patterns to create an atypical streetwear-inspired look that could be seen on the likes of Grammy Award winning singer Lizzo and TV host Angela Simmons.
Her designs and personal style pull inspiration from music, culture and family, in particular late 90s and early aughts R&B and hip hop, her Jamaican roots and designers like Alexander Wang.
“People want a piece of old, authentic culture,” she says of the appeal of using vintage jerseys for the looks in her collection. Designs like the “Past Present Future” track pant – Channa’s favourite – or the Throwback Skirt, achieve exactly that.
@channakarasi
The track pants feature nylon material, front mesh inserts, side pockets and an adjustable stretch cord at the waist, knee and ankle, incorporating the names of players “Carter” and “VanVleet”– an ode to the team’s past and present.
The skirt is made with the waistband of the Raptors white retro shorts, combined with a full jersey mesh skirt that can be dressed up with a heel for a night out or dressed down with a sneaker and a jacket for a more casual look.
Both items feature the old purple and red logo with the new black and gold colourway.
For those looking to cop the entire Raptors collection – you’re out of luck. The highly coveted line has sold out, but Channa does take custom commissions if there’s a piece you’re dying for. As for designing a similar collection with different sports teams in the future, Channa has no currents plans.
“You want to leave certain things in the past as a designer. So I’m not sure if I’ll re-launch the collection or branch out with different jerseys. That said, people have definitely been asking.”
The queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race will bring the most glamorously fierce Halloween event to downtown Toronto this month.
The 10th anniversary Night of the Living Drag will take place at Meridian Hall on Oct. 16, as part of a live North-American Halloween tour. The zombie-themed show will be hosted by Violet Chachki, a burlesque/aerial performer, and the winner of the seventh season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Fans will get to witness the demise of their favorite queens on stage, as Chachki guide audiences through the untimely deaths of Drag Race alumni Gottmik, Rose, Aquaria (winner of Season 10), Jaida Essence Hall (winner of Season 12), Alyssa Edwards, Kandy Muse (runner-up of Season 13), Plastique, and Kim Chi.
Chachki jokes that, in this show, she’s not only lifting spirits, but she’s also summoning them.
“Halloween is my favorite time of year and I am obsessed with Night of the Living Drag,” Chachki said. “All Drag Race fans know that I have always been drawn to over-the-top costumes, opulent scenery, and jaw-dropping performances that shock and amaze.
It’s Toronto’s first live tour featuring stars from the iconic show since before the pandemic, and Brandon Voss, Night of the Living Drag producer, promises that they are pulling out all the stops with this production.”
“In addition to deadly performances, we’re bringing massive decor installations and a phenomenal lighting system to make it an immersive experience,” Voss noted. “Audiences won’t only be watching the action in the cemetery; they will feel as if they are in it.”
Voss Events’ 10th Anniversary Night of the Living Drag tour will take place in Toronto on Oct. 16, at Meridian Hall. Tickets range from CAD $65–$110. Doors open at 7:00 pm. and the performance begins at 8:00 pm. For those with Meet & Greet tickets, the Meet & Greet begins at 6:00 pm. Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination will be required for all attendees (click here for more information on Ontario’s vaccination passport program).
Ah, the decision to eat out or stay in, get take-out or delivery in Toronto is like a Maple Leafs-Canadiens game on a Saturday night – it divides families and incites debates about quality versus comfort. Well, you can put that discourse on hold, because Chefdrop is here to provide you with the best of both worlds.
Chefdrop is redefining what it means to order in. They curate meal kits (called Drops) prepared by some of Toronto’s most acclaimed chefs and deliver them to your door, either with no prep required or a few simple steps that can be completed in minutes.
Each Drop is pre-portioned and comes complete with the exact ingredients used at the restaurant, plus they provide step-by-step instructions. The Drops are also scalable, meaning that no matter the occasion, there is a Drop that is perfect for any time of day or event.
But enough about the logistics. Let’s get into the food. Drops are currently available from Rob Gentile, guest judge on MasterChef Canada and Top Chef Canada Nuit Regular of Pai, Victor Barry of Piano Piano, former Top Chef contestant Elia Herrera of Colibri, Phil Nguyen of Nuoc Mam, John Sinopoli of Ascari and Gare de l’Est, Ontario Hospitality Industry’s Top 30 under 30 winner Michael Angeloni of Amano Italian Kitchen and Union Chicken, private chef and TV personality Adrian Forte, Hans Vogels of Momofuku Noodle Bar, and many more. If you don’t see a name that tickles your fancy on this list, check back frequently, as Chefdrop is constantly adding new chefs and restaurants to the roster. Better yet, let your favourite chef or restaurant know about Chefdrop. At the end of the day, it’s all about supporting local.
Chefdrop is also perfect for those who live a little further away from their favourite restaurant and don’t want to be bothered with the hassle of driving/transiting into the city.
Drops range from $25.95 for Union Chicken’s Piri Piri Chicken with Herb Roasted Potatoes and Southern Coleslaw to $350 for Rob Gentile’s Bistecca Alla Fiorentina, Polpo Alla Griglia & Signature Tiramisu Dinner Party. Deliveries are made on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. There is a $9.99 delivery fee for service within the delivery zone (most of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas) and free shipping for all orders over $100. Specifics on delivery times can be found here.
If you haven’t ordered your first Drop and are looking for another reason to eat some delicious food, Chefdrop is running a promotion to celebrate Thanksgiving. Visit Chefdrop.ca and use code “thanksgivingdrop” at checkout for 30% off your first order of $50 or more until Oct.31, 2021.
Chefdrop also helps to feed those in need through the Drop for Drop program. The group has partnered with Youth Forward, Out of the Cold, OYÀ:NA Youth Group, and We Care to get meals to those who need them all over Southern Ontario.
More recently, Chefdrop has partnered with Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization with 35 years of experience in perishable food recovery. Working with Second Harvest, Chefdrop has been able to connect people and food by donating a meal for every order placed.
Whether you’re looking to support your favourite chef or looking to finally stake that balance between going out and staying in, why not try Chefdrop tonight?
If you’re already missing the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) that ended in September, you may be happy to hear that there are many upcoming film festivals gearing up to inspire, entertain, and spook you this fall in Toronto.
Toronto After Dark is a beloved film festival in its 15th year of screening horror, sci-fi and action films from around the world. Each year, 10,000 people attend and participate in the festival. It all kicks off on Oct. 13 and runs until Oct. 17. For the first time, the event is entirely virtual as a safety precaution against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Although this changes the experience, it also allows for the films to be enjoyed by moviegoers across the country. The complete 2021 lineup, tickets, and passes are all expected to become available by Oct. 6. The festival will screen 12 movies (10 feature films, and 2 collections of shorts), which will include filmmaker introductions and other bonus features. Every afternoon throughout the festival, two or three new films will be added to the online streaming portal.
Another one for lovers of the spooky season, the Toronto Indie Horror Festival is set to take place Oct. 6-9. The DIY festival has been screening independent horror films from across the world since 2016. This year, the event will showcase works from Canada, the United States, Australia, Malaysia, Turkey, and more. All feature film screenings are accompanied by a short film. The event will take place at Eyesore Cinema, a communal space at Bloor and Dufferin that sells and rents movies. This year’s festival includes screenings of the scary Australian flick An Ideal Host as well as Massacre Academy (USA), and many more.
Founded in 2009, the Toronto Silent Film Festival returns to Revue Cinema, showcasing adored and acclaimed silent films. Unlike previous years, where the festival ran from Friday to Monday, the event will comprise three mini-festivals over three weekends in November, December, and January. The six screenings will be accompanied by live music in the cinema. On Nov. 6, the festival will showcase 1000 Laffs Comedy Shorts, featuring the works of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. On Sunday, Nov. 7, the festival will be screening Moulin Rouge (1928 UK).
The Great Canadian Sci-Fi Film Festival is part of a series that runs at the Royal Cinema on College St. Watch their self-proclaimed “out of this world” short films and take photos on the red carpet on Nov. 5. Look out for the Great Canadian Comedy Film Festival that runs December 2-5.
