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Category: Culture

Meet a Comedy Troupe: the Naked Fridays Players

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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

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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 … Continued

Theatre Review: This is War

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When I heard that a new play was going to be presented by the very gifted Hannah Moscovitch, my ears perked up like a rabbit’s. She is Canada’s most talented playwright of the past few years (East of Berlin, The Russian Play, The Children’s Republic), and I treasure her work. Having seen her latest play, This is War, the day after it opened, I cannot heartily recommend it, as I have all of her others. In fact, I can hardly recommend it at all.

Making art in Mt. Pleasant

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I am happy to announce that a new and innovative pilot project is underway in Ward 25! Many residents have written or spoken to me about the unsightly graffiti spread across the Mt. Pleasant Road overpass’ support columns. The overpass stretches across Alexander Muir Park, a popular dog walking spot, and the graffiti really takes … Continued

Cities are built on support for arts

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I am involved in a wide range of difficult decisions on the City of Toronto: Budget Advisory Committee. We must present a balanced budget while being mindful with property taxes, fees and service charges. Despite this constraint, I am firmly committed to ensuring that the arts and literature receive the funds necessary to thrive in our … Continued

Hockey returns to Goulding Park

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The tradition of outdoor hockey on a natural rink returns to Goulding Park this winter, and along with it a story that would make Don Cherry smile. Hockey in Goulding Park started with an outdoor rink (the arena that encloses it wasn’t built until 1962), and the area has been a hotbed of community hockey … Continued

Enhancing parks in Ward 21

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My office has collaborated closely with city staff and residents to redesign many of the park playgrounds in our ward. In 2009 and 2010, we redesigned and constructed three new playgrounds, including Glen Cedar Park, Laughlin Park and Ben Nobleman Park, in Ward 21. Recently, I joined community members to officially open the new Suydam … Continued

Weekend Warrior: Next Stage Festival, Canada’s Bridal Show, The Motorcycle Super Show, Aria Entertainment Complex, Brewer’s Backyard

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If you’re looking for something more subdued over the weekend, we recommend the comedic stylings of With Love and a Major Organ, part of the Next Stage Festival at Factory Theatre. Actors Julia Lederer, Robin Archer and Martha Ross take you through some of the crazy things people do to find love, satirizing situations such as speed dating and star-crossed TTC moments — because only native Torontonians would understand falling for someone on the Rocket.

Avenue of dreams

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“Uptight” and “condescending” were just two descriptors used to critique North Toronto’s Arta Ghanbari during season one of reality web series The Avenue. The show, which follows four twentysomethings in Toronto, first aired in 2011 with Ghanbari playing the role of fashion editor and villain extraordinaire. “At first, I did mind being portrayed as an … Continued