By Ron Johnson
Let’s get one thing straight — Hamilton is a great musical. It’s a heady production, full of insight and ideas. It’s challenging and deep despite being remarkably entertaining. The songs are fantastic. It’s like they were written for the pop charts and not a Broadway production. But there they were in all their “Helpless” glory. … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Long-running Chinese restaurant Sea-Hi Famous Chinese Food announced that it will be closing for good at the end of the month on Feb. 29. The restaurant posted the information on its Facebook page stating that the restaurant has been in business for 59 years. “We know the restaurant will be missed,” the statement read. “We … Continued
By Ron Johnson
The world premiere of a new immersive digital exhibition featuring the works of Vincent Van Gogh will open in Toronto this spring. Immersive Van Gogh is produced by Lighthouse Immersive, the same savvy production company that brought The Art of Banksy exhibition to the city back in 2018. “Immersive Van Gogh is astonishing in scale, … Continued
By Ron Johnson
A new film from Toronto director Brandon Cronenberg is getting serious attention and praise for a successful premiere and run at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Possessor is billed as a gruesome thriller set in a futuristic age of identify theft. Some film critics seem overwhelmed by the level of violence and … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Toronto is getting 366 more units of affordable housing at Mirvish Village. A financing agreement was announced at a press conference on Jan. 16 between the developer, the city and the federal government. The Mirvish Village development includes six residential buildings and 916 units. The mixed-use community includes 100 per cent rental dwellings at the … Continued
By Ron Johnson
A bi-annual celebration that was once considered to be the leading fashion event in Canada is on hiatus. For the last 20 years, Toronto Fashion Week celebrated Canadian fashion, arts, and culture by allowing local designers to present their work to the world on chic catwalks across Yorkville. But on Tuesday, TFW organizers stated that … Continued
By Ron Johnson
When eTalk correspondent Lainey Lui strutted down the stairs to the red carpet at the Golden Globes on Sunday night, people couldn’t help but stare. As she told the CBC, it was because her dress was “spectacular and eye-catching.” Lui’s rose-ombre floor-length pleated gown, with cut-out sides and a thigh-high slit that would make Angelina … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Musical comedy The Boy Friend is set to premiere at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto this March, starring Kelsey Grammer, best known as Dr. Frasier Crane, to lovers of ’80s sitcoms. “I’m delighted to be in The Boy Friend,” Grammer says. “I look forward to being a part of this charming and funny … Continued
By Ron Johnson
One of the first plays I recall seeing outside of high school was at the Grand Theatre in London, Ontario. It was a production of David Mamet’s Oleanna starring a very young Sandra Oh. And yes I’ve been waiting to namedrop that for about a quarter-century. It was a gripping, fiery, honest and challenging play … Continued
By Ron Johnson
The City of Toronto cleared out encampments of Toronto homeless in Rosedale Ravine this morning. This occurred despite protests from local groups who argue that the city has a shortage of shelter beds. The city’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation department conducted a similar sweep of the area last year. City crews on hand this … Continued
By Ron Johnson
There were many serious, tragic and incredible news stories that gripped Torontonians this past year from the federal election to the climate strike movement to the Toronto Raptors winning the NBA championship. Our top stories were more community focussed, and reveal important grassroots achievements and pressing concerns over how the city is developing. Here are … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Toronto’s newest fandom-themed bakery opened their doors in West Queen West last week, and the owners are hoping to change the way you think about sweets — one geek-treat at a time. The Grand Order of Divine Sweets (a.k.a. The GOoDS) is the brainchild of award-winning cake designer Sam Lapointe (from Cakes Cove fame) and … Continued
