 |
Dragon all smoke, but no fire in the bellyMirvish’s latest production falls short under weight of expectations |
 |
The fourth annual Allan Awards for theatrical pugnacity and inventionStunning solo shows lead the way as Christopher Plummer and Sandra Shamas continue to amaze |
 |
Adding a splash of colour to live theatreCanadian Stage’s production explores the life of painter Mark Rothko |
February 3, 2012
Q&A with Chris Hardwick, nerd extraordinaire
Chris Hardwick reviews gadgets, writes for Wired, runs a successful blog, acts and does stand-up. Oh, and he’s also a huge nerd. He’s like this generation’s Bill Nye the Science Guy, but cooler. We caught up with Hardwick, who’s performing stand-up for two nights over at Comedy Bar next week, to chat about comedy, Skyrim and the revenge of the nerds.
February 2, 2012
Weekend Warrior: righteous rhythms, beer bashes, derby divas, activists’ antics and more on our weekend to-do
For those of us who will only be tuning in to the Super Bowl for Madonna’s half-time performance, how about jams with a bit more verve? U of T’s New Music Festival (which also premiered Rob Ford: The Opera) comes to an end this Sunday with a performance by the TorQ Percussion Quartet at Walter Hall. Preview the set here, including three tracks inspired by the saga of a washing machine. Did we mention it’s free?
February 1, 2012
Black History Month in Canada: a five point primer
How much do you know about Black history in Canada and in Toronto? How much is there to know? “The average sixteen-year-old in Canada can tell you something about slavery and abolition in the United States,” Toronto author Lawrence Hill once remarked, “but do we know that the story of African-Canadians spans 400 years, and includes slavery, abolition, pioneering, urban growth, segregation, the civil rights movement and a long engagement in civic life?”
February 1, 2012
How to make Ontario Place the coolest venue of all time
Ontario Place is getting a revamp. According to the Globe, most of the park will be closed until 2017 as a panel led by John Tory (yes, that John Tory) tries to figure out how to make it a profitable, must-visit destination. While turning this quintessentially boring “amusement park” into something mind-blowing is no small order, we think it can be done with a bit of imagination. Below, our suggestions for making Ontario Place amazing.
January 31, 2012
Trending in Theatre This Week: The Double, The Laramie Project, Hamlet Live, Closer, The Who's Tommy
In TheatreRUN’s world premiere, two actors and a bassist collide in a schizophrenic world that combines physical theatre with live, jazzy bass. The multi-disciplinary production is dubbed a dark satire, but keep in mind it is adapted from the novella by Fyodor Dostoevski, so, you know, don’t expect jazz hands or anything.
Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst Street, 416-504-9971. Feb. 3 – Feb. 19.
January 30, 2012
Theatre Review: Penny Plain
For those of you who have seen any of the wildly daring, stunningly delicate, profoundly memorable shows written, performed, “acted” and presented by Western Canadian-born-and-raised Ronnie Burkett, who creates, designs and brings to life the most astonishing puppets you have ever seen, he is back with a new show, Penny Plain. I treasure his regular appearances in Toronto, his chosen city for over a decade now.
January 26, 2012
Theatre Review: Avenue Q
Are you a recent college grad? Unemployed? Single? Or perhaps you’re still looking for your purpose in life? Then you belong on Avenue Q. There you’ll find confused-yet-hopeful fleshy and furry characters spontaneously bursting into song about their dreams, concerns and, uh, porn. But unfortunately, Avenue Q isn’t a real place. It’s actually a Tony Award-winning musical that opened at the Lower Ossington Theatre last week.
January 25, 2012
Q&A: singer-songwriter Joanna Chapman-Smith on living in Toronto, traveling and her upcoming album
Joanna Chapman-Smith is a charming and breezy folk singer who mixes sounds from around the world in a hodgepodge of delectable musical delights. She's performed in more than 100 cities in four countries and those travels shine through her music. Recently, she settled in Toronto after a decade-long stint in Vancouver. If you don't know her yet, you're in luck: she's playing at Hugh's Room tonight.
January 24, 2012
Trending in Theatre This Week: Penny Plain, Cruel and Tender, A Brimful of Asha, No Exit, Caroline, or Change
Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes presents an end-of-the-world romance that includes talking dogs and a cross-dressing banker. Warning: despite the usage of puppets, this show is definitely not for children.
Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St., 416-504-9971. Jan. 24 - Feb. 26.
January 24, 2012
Microchips, nanoparticles and Jean-Luc Picard: Nerd Nite hits Toronto
Nerds. They’re practically cool these days. And they’re gathering. Last week, Toronto nerds descended on a local community centre for a monthly get-together of learning and nerdy debauchery known as Nerd Nite. In between pints, they got schooling from brethren on just about anything a nerd may want to know about.
 |
The Great Breslini’s 2012 comedy diet2012 Comedy Diet |
 |
Who’s got a cause? Any cause?Comedy and charity go well together, apparently just like me and mental health issues |
 |
Sign, signs, everywhere signsAstrology queen pens telling new book |
 |
Rae Days are here again!Bob Rae has been a part of the Canadian and Toronto political landscape for decades. And the ideas that make up his new book, Exporting Democracy, have likely been swirling around in his... |
 |
Addicted to sportsAuthor Dave Bidini follows a rag tag group of former addicts across the globe for a soccer tournament |
 |
Raw emotional honesty and musicality characterize incredible new albumToronto-based musician Kathleen Edwards, of her new album Voyageur |
 |
The religious experience of The Good LoveliesThe Good Lovelies are Kerri Ough, Caroline Brooks and Sue Passmore |
Advertisement
Five shows for a November to remember
A world-class actress, a small-town piano virtuoso, a loudmouth from Queens, a brave soul from the past and an animal whisperer make for a memorable month ahead
Five shows to rock your fall
Fight the urge to hibernate and get out for some music, magic, laughs & more at these outstanding October events
September means more than TIFF in T.O.
Five shows that will add some sizzle to the end of your summer
T.O. boldly goes where no sci-fi fan has gone before
Revive your fascinations with outerplanetary icons, ravishing heroines and men in tights at Fan Expo, where the best names in sci-fi & celebrity converge
Exercise your funny bone at the Fringe
Experimental, hilarious & heart-rending: the Toronto Fringe Festival brings the best in amateur theatre to the fore this month.
Sisterhood of the travelling punchlines
We catch up with Jayne Eastwood and her touring troupe of witty women (plus a guy), just in time for Mother’s Day
From subprime to showtime
The city’s most talented thespians reunite for Soulpepper’s Glengarry Glen Ross, David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize–winning masterpiece about the ruthless world of real estate
Your backstage pass to T.O.'s hottest shows
With the four-day sonic celebration known as Canadian Music Fest rolling in to town this month, we catch up with Toronto’s most talented troubadours and loudest noisemakers, plus a few friends from afar
A marriage of method & madness
After a decade away from the stage, acclaimed playwright George F. Walker returns with a brave look at a family upturned by mental anguish and how salvation comes in many forms
When the walls come down
The darling of Toronto’s theatre scene returns to the Tarragon with her breakthrough drama East of Berlin.
Now you gotta cut loose...
So You Think You Can Dance Canada boogies in to the Air Canada Centre
Stealing laughs from rich & poor
History’s most famous tights-wearing criminal takes to the Toronto stage this month in Ross Petty’s modern comedic take on a medieval classic
Meet me at the Midway
The wild, the wacky, the tacky, the thrilling, plus stars galore! The CNE’s got it all and then a little more — below, five of this season’s most enticing attractions
David Suzuki feted at starstudded Live Your Legacy Gala
Singer-songwriters Chantal Kreviazuk and Lily Frost gave special performances at the Live Your Legacy Gala, a starstudded celebration of the life and legacy of David Suzuki.
Norman Jewison hosts Canadian Film Centre’s annual Barbeque
CFC founder and chair emeritus Norman Jewison and executive director Slawko Klymkiw played host to both Canadian and international talent and over 1,800 attendees at the CFC annual BBQ.
Kurt Browning at National Ballet’s glam gala
The National Ballet of Canada’s fifth annual fundraising gala, Mad Hot: A Russian Seduction, at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, raised an impressive $1 million.
eTalk’s Tanya Kim and CBC’s Matt Galloway chow down at Toronto Taste event
Food lovers and the restaurant community united to raise funds for Second Harvest, at the 20th annual Toronto Taste event, an unforgettable evening of cuisine and libations.
Anne Murray and Louise Pitre attend Windsor Arms bash
The Sisterhood Soiree, a special evening of celebration to recognize the sisterhood of women who have joined together to help move their fellow Canadian women out of poverty, took place recently at the historic Windsor Arms Hotel.
Strombo & Sandie Rinaldo put best foot forward at gala
The White Knight Gala, an initiative of shoe entrepreneur Ron White, took place again this year at the MacDonald family’s Bridle Path estate.
The city’s elite gathers to swing to the sounds of Carnival in Toronto
One of the most anticipated events on the social calendar, the Brazilian Carnival Ball.
Ron James performs for Sunnybrook benefit
Toronto’s elite came out for the Night of Stars, an intimate evening of arts in support of the Sunnybrook’s Orthopaedic & Arthritic Centre.
Acclaimed director Atom Egoyan attends gala fundraiser
An Artists’ Affair at the Four Seasons was a wonderful evening celebrating a partnership between the arts and health.
Peter Keleghan and Leah Pinsent don yoga gear and stretch for charity
The all-day fitness marathon, held at the Liberty Grand, was led by some of the top fitness instructors in the GTA.
Oscar de la Renta comes to T.O. for Healthy Kids fundraiser
The event raised a staggering $750,000 to benefit Healthy Kids International.
Colin Mochrie joins fellow actors at charity Scrabble event
Attendees dined, mingled and competed against Canadian notables, including Peter Kent, Gordon Pinsent and “Sharon, Lois & Bram.”
Roberto Alomar and company at celebrity sports dinner
Close to 1,000 guests descended on the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for the Rogers Conn Smythe Sports Celebrities Dinner and Auction, in support of Easter Seals Ontario.
Subscribe to our email newsletters to get instant updates on local news, events and opportunities in Toronto.
Advertisement
Home | Best of T.O. | Food & Drink | Fashion & Shopping | Deal Estate | News & Crime | Arts & Events | Kids | Classifieds | Archive
About Us | Contact Us | Advertise | My Account
Copyright 2012 Post City Magazines, Inc. All rights reserved.
