By Ron Johnson
Although when live productions return to Toronto stages is anyone’s guess, one local theatre is doing what it can to remain both relevant and solvent. The 48-year-old Tarragon Theatre is announcing Possility From the Future — Tarragon’s UnGala, a series of online events featuring new works from the theatre’s roster of resident playwrights. The works … Continued
By Ron Johnson
One of the city’s most celebrated chefs, Susur Lee of Lee Restaurant, will begin takeout and delivery service starting today, May 21, and running Wednesday to Sunday, 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. “While this is an unprecedented and precarious time for our industry, I am confident that there is a light at the end of … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Toronto residents will get their first look at the Toronto Zoo’s new Drive-Thru Experience when it opens to the public this weekend. Tickets will go on sale May 22 at 11 a.m. The zoo drive-thru experience will take place on formerly staff-only roads, and pedestrian walkways throughout the site and will even include a tour … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Premier Doug Ford has teased his much-ballyhooed cheesecake recipe for a couple of weeks and he has finally released it via social media this morning. The video episode called Cooking With Doug is just in time for a long weekend family baking project. This long weekend try making my famous cheesecake! I’ve been making this … Continued
By Ron Johnson
The Hot Docs documentary film festival is moving online for 2020 featuring a number of official selections from this year’s program beginning on May 23. Hot Docs Festival Online includes more than 135 films. Audiences will also have access to pre-recorded Q&As with filmmakers and subjects. Additional virtual events are also being planned. The online … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Toronto’s beloved restaurant scene is starting to crumble before our eyes, and if something isn’t done soon, it will soon be unrecognizable. The latest closure since the COVID-19 pandemic is one of Grant van Gameren’s establishments — one of the city’s most celebrated chefs and restaurateurs. A photo of a notice of distress on the … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Toronto’s most prominent food emporium for Indigenous cuisine in the city has announced it is closing down its Bloor Street West location. NishDish made the announcement via Instagram today. “We want to say CHI-MIIGWECH to our community for showing so much love and support during 3 amazing years at our first-ever storefront….. Now we need … Continued
By Ron Johnson
After cancelling its festival in March after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down all public events in Toronto, the Luminato Festival is announcing a virtual program to run June 11 to 13, 2020. The three days of programming will bring artists and thinkers together with audiences from across Canada and around the world. Although the full … Continued
By Ron Johnson
South of the border, a group of the best known and most successful restaurateurs and chefs are beginning class action lawsuits against insurance companies for their unwillingness to pay off claims under business interruption policies. If successful, the payouts could save an entire industry in serious jeopardy. Now, veteran Toronto restaurateur and chef Hemant Bhagwani … Continued
By Ron Johnson
The silly walks quarantine-trend that stretches from England across the pond to the United States and Canada has come to the Toronto neighbourhood of North Leaside. Yes, the sleepy family node near Bayview and Eglinton has its own John Cleese-worthy zone, and people are loving it. This hilarious social media phenomenon seems to have come … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Actor Ayisha Issa earned a Prix Gemeaux for her portrayal of Brittany Sizzla in the highly acclaimed French Canadian series Unite 9, a role for which she also nominated in 2017. Currently, Issa stars as Dr. June Curtis in the CTV series Transplant. The series follows Dr. Bashir “Bash” Hamed (Hamza Haq), a Syrian doctor … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Food delivery app Foodora is shutting down Canadian operations as of May 11 after five years of operation, according to a company press release issued on April 27. “I’m very proud of what foodora has accomplished over the last few years. I’ve been able to witness food delivery grow from its infancy into what it … Continued
