Theatre Review: The Penelopiad

There are few writers in Canada who have reached the peaks of international success achieved by Toronto’s own Margaret Atwood. It has long been known that her novels and short stories are almost inevitably satisfying; they are witty, insightful, powerful, meaningful. So how wonderful it is to report that her fine “myth novella” of seven-plus years ago, The Penelopiad, has returned as an astoundingly good theatre production by Nightwood Theatre.

Tony Aspler’s Weekly Wine Pick: a perfect preprandial sipper from Spain

The best wine to stimulate your appetite is a glass of dry sherry. Not far from the region where they produce sherry is the region of Montilla-Moriles, where they make wines in the same style as sherry but they’re cheaper. This fortified wine is crisply dry with flavours of camomile and green nuts. Served chilled it’s the perfect aperitif to make you feel hungry.

Les Miz returns to Toronto this September

With all the recent buzz surrounding the Oscar-nominated film rendition of Les Misérables, it’s almost hard to remember the original musical upon which the movie was based, especially for Torontonians: the Tony award-winning musical hasn’t been performed here for seven years. Well, die-hard Les Miz fans, David Mirvish confirmed with Breakfast Television this morning that a “new version” of the musical will be returning to Toronto. 

Comedian Jackie Kashian brings her dorkdom to Comedy Bar on Friday

Jackie Kashian is a hilarious stand up comedian and a pretty serious dork. Her act (which she’s been perfecting for over fifteen years) is both biting and relatable. She’s also host of the The Dork Forest, a podcast where fellow comedians and other non-funny folk can talk about their most prized dorkdoms. We chatted with the comedian about her favourite guests, what makes people a dork, and why she hates wicker.  

Fast-food feast from the Middle East

Dr. Laffa’s landmark Steeles and Dufferin area eatery serves one of the best shawarmas, thanks to his traditional Iraqi flatbread. The slight downside? Lab results reveal fairly high fat content and sodium levels.

Meet a Comedy Troupe: the Naked Fridays Players

For the past four years, Naked Fridays has been a safe haven for new comics of all kinds to cut their teeth on Toronto’s comedy scene. The show, held in The John Candy Box Theatre, also features the rotating cast of the Naked Fridays Players, a troupe auditioned from the community to do eight-week runs performing sketch exclusively for the show. We chatted with host, Ben Johnson, and producer, Josh Murray, about the show, its players and why Fridays are naked.

Ending bad behaviour at City Hall

With city council reaching the halfway point of its term and the threat of a byelection looming overhead, now more than ever North York needs to take a hard look at the way business is conducted at Toronto City Hall. Last month, council hit an all-time low with elected officials on the attack, slinging insults

Town puts art in the spotlight

I strongly believe that the town of Richmond Hill could be a leading town in developing the arts.   We have the best location in the whole of York Region, an area which can be reached from almost anywhere. We also have a very classy theatre where artists’ backgrounds, professional or otherwise, can display their talent. Most

The simple life

Why live large when you can indulge in small pleasures instead? Here are some cozy condo alternatives in three of Toronto’s best neighbourhoods.

Our favourite flicks from Canada’s Top Ten at TIFF

It may be 2013, but TIFF isn’t ready to let go of the amazing Canadian cinema that premiered in 2012. Starting this Friday, TIFF kicks off its 12th annual Canada’s Top Ten at TIFF Bell Lightbox with 10 days of screenings featuring the year’s 10 best Canadian features and short films, along with Q&A sessions with filmmakers like David Cronenberg and Sarah Polley. Below, our top five Canuck flicks from the fest.

First Draught: Samichlaus, a beer for next Christmas

The LCBO and Santa — or at least the Swiss-German version, Samichlaus — have had a rocky relationship. In 2008, the provincial liquor monopoly mandated a sticker over the Samichlaus-themed beer from Austria, and, in 2010, the AGCO prevented sales entirely on the grounds that it could appeal to children. This year, Ontario’s door is again open to the Austrian holiday beer that bills itself as the world’s strongest lager. 

Meet a Comedian: Josh Saltzman


Josh Saltzman is a different kind of comedian. He’s something of a renaissance jokester, having performed both stand-up and sketch comedy, in addition to shooting his own short comedic films and being a TV writer (Call Me Fitz, This Hour Has 22 Minutes). We chatted with Saltzman about his “small breaks” into the biz, Jason Priestley and writing the best comedy ever.  

First Draught: a beer from Norway’s top craft brewery

Aficionados of Scandinavian food and drink — they are everywhere these days — will be thrilled to see that the LCBO has joined the parade by featuring Nøgne Ø. For as long as supplies last, we’ll have the chance to try five different selections from Norway’s best-known craft brewery. 

Charcuterie king: a profile of chef Grant van Gameren

“I kinda have a confidence complex,” admits Grant van Gameren, renowned Toronto chef. “I always have to do better.” After rising to the forefront of the city’s culinary scene at a little place called The Black Hoof, van Gameren stepped out of the limelight just as the frenzy surrounding the eatery reached a fever pitch.

Meet a Comedy Troupe: Ladystache

Movember has come and gone, but for Allison Hogg and Stephanie Tolev of the comedy troupe Ladystache, moustaches are a year-long thing. Having a knack for for performing TV-themed sketch shows (they recently did a Degrassi one at Comedy Bar), the gals describe their shows as ridiculously silly. We chatted with Stephanie about their favourite Degrassi episode and who has the best ’stache of all-time.

Dave “Bookie” Bookman announces his departure from The Edge

The early ’90s have often been called the glory days of indie music in Toronto. Sure, one could argue the point, but there is no disputing that it was a unique period, when local indie rock (Lowest of the Low, Rheostatics, Barenaked Ladies) and live music in general flourished. And, one factor in the mix was plucky radio station CFNY 102.1.