Morning Throwback: few things are more boring than old-school birdhouses, but here are some anyway
We know what would fix the Pigeon Lady problem: bird houses. Lots of ‘em.
Category: Culture
Album Review: Gentleman Reg’s Leisure Life
Fans of Toronto’s Reginald Vermue, a.k.a. Gentleman Reg, will know that the singer-songwriter can be a bit of a tease. So it comes as no surprise that his fifth long-play, Leisure Life, is being released digitally in three parts. One of them dropped this summer, another earlier this fall and the third is coming out in November. We previewed the new album, and the sometimes-alienating and often groovy power-pop god is back, in full form.
Dana Carvey gets ready to pump Toronto up at the Winter Garden Theatre tonight
For years, beloved comedian Dana Carvey was one of the most popular actors on Saturday Night Live with such characters as Garth and Church Lady. He stepped away from the limelight to be a part of raising his children, but now he’s back in the game. You can catch him live tonight at the Winter Garden Theatre as part of Humour Me: The CEO/Comedy Classic in support of youth at risk. We caught up with Carvey to find out what we can expect.
Morning Throwback: even in the ’40s, there were binders full of women walking the streets
These Toronto women have binder-potential written all over them.
Cineplex to Toronto: you’re about to go VIP, bro
Moviegoing is about to get a whole lot swankier for those cinephiles who are old enough to attend R-rated movies solo: Cineplex Entertainment has just announced that Canada’s first-ever all-VIP standalone cinema will open at Shops at Don Mills in late 2014. So what does VIP mean exactly? Basically, booze, and no kids. Here’s our pros and cons about the elite movie palace.
Theatre Review: Bloodless
Last week I saw a new Canadian company, Theatre 20, using a Mirvish-owned theatre to present its first-born production, Bloodless. What could be more satisfying and exciting than discovering a promising new musical? The only disappointing thing to report: it closes Oct. 28, so you have only a few weeks to catch it.
Morning Throwback: before fist bumps, Torontonians used to “shake hands”
If Toronto strip clubs have their way, hand shakes are about to get a whole lot sexier. (Yes, sexier than these guys).
Rush still find risks to take at their latest ACC show
It would only be too easy for Rush to rest on their laurels. With more than 40 years worth of music to fall back on, the hometown prog-rock trio of frontman Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peart could spend three hours cranking out old reliable hits in their sleep. But as Sunday night’s sold-out ACC performance proved, the newly-minted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees are far from being a nostalgia act.
Heritage Minutes are back; here are our five favourites from the past
After almost a decade, the Historica-Dominion Institute is bringing back the Heritage Minutes, beginning tonight at 6 p.m. First introduced in 1991, the one-minute short films were the ultimate Coles Notes of Canadian history, highlighting iconic Canuck milestones — from the naming of Canada to the 1972 Summit Series — and holding a special place in Canadians’ hearts (mostly because of all the bragging rights). Below, our five favourite minutes from the past.
Meet a Comedy Troupe: Slap Happy
The folks in the Canadian Comedy Award-winning Slap Happy don’t perform together much anymore, which is a shame because when they do, things can get, well, a little slap happy during their long-form improv sets. Luckily for us, they’ll be performing tonight as part of the Big City Improv Festival launch tonight. We chatted with member Dave Pearce about open-mouthed kissing, Xenu and getting stranded in Belgium.
Morning Throwback: before Fearless Felix, jumping was decidedly less exciting
Before Fearless Felix broke the sound barrier with his space jump, Torontonians thought the long jump was the hardest thing ever.
Must-see Movie: Argo
We were pretty disappointed when we weren’t able to snag a ticket to Argo when it screened here at TIFF last month. Based on real events, the dramatic thriller chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis. The film got rave reviews (unfortunately Ben Affleck’s shaggy ‘do did not).