By Ron Johnson
Although it won’t hit bookstore shelves in Canada until Sept. 10, Toronto author Margaret Atwood’s new novel The Testaments is already the talk of the town thanks to a Booker Prize nomination. The Booker Prize is the top literary award in the United Kingdom. This is Atwood’s sixth nomination. She won the prize back in … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Every week, west-end resident Alex G. prepares for an intense weekend of barbecuing. He simmers down a secret sauce centred around ketchup, molasses and brown sugar. He pats down hunks of pork ribs with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper and other spices. He trims beef brisket before injecting it with beef … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Geddy Lee will have to head downtown if he wants a seat at one of his favourite restaurants, Cava. The Spanish tapas bistro confirms that the Yonge and St. Clair location has been sold and the business is relocating to the Financial District with a new, expanded focus. Cava has been a longstanding and highly … Continued
By Ron Johnson
When Steve Earle was 19 years old, he strolled into Bishop’s Pub in Nashville, Tenn., and met Texas songwriting legend Guy Clark for the first time. He’d just moved to town from Texas, where he’d met another songwriting legend named Townes Van Zandt. “I said I knew Townes, and I started getting asked to go … Continued
By Ron Johnson
The immersive theatre aficionados from Outside the March (OTM) are at it again this summer with The Tape Escape, opening July 4 and running throughout the month, possibly longer. The production combines immersive theatre with elements of an escape room as it takes over the old Queen Video space in the Annex on Bloor Street … Continued
By Ron Johnson
The 31st edition of the Toronto Fringe Festival hosts more than 150 shows this year. The long-running event boasts a wide range of entertainment available for less than the regular price of a movie ticket. This year’s festival isn’t as widespread as last year’s. But it has established a foothold in Toronto’s east end by … Continued
By Ron Johnson
Celebrated chef and restaurateur Grant van Gameren is teaming up with two alumni from his restaurant Bar Isabel, Nathan Morrell and Ellen Shrybman, to open Piquette, a new wine bar scheduled to hit Queen West next month. Piquette is a French term for a simple and refreshing wine made from pouring water into the leftovers … Continued
