Skip to content

Category: Culture

Morning Throwback: in the early 1900s, Casa Loma brought the funk, the whole funk and nothing but the funk

By

Since Casa Loma’s pretty much bankrupt, Sir Henry Pellatt’s great grandniece thinks the castle should go back to its roots and become a major player in the party scene again to recoup some dough. If this picture is any indication of the mansion’s former glory days, we think she’s onto something. Have you ever seen Casa Loma this blown up? And a zip line? By the looks of these crunked people, this place was off the hook. Whatever the heck a musicale is, we want another one.

Hard-hitting arts fest puts human rights centre stage

By

An innovative theatre festival that will shine a light on human rights issues kicks off tonight at Theatre Passe Muraille. For two weeks, Panamerican Routes will explore such topics as immigration, displacement, Canadian mining in Latin America and revolution, through theatre, dance and multi-media shows, as well as workshops, a conference and a photography exhibit.

Theatre Review: West Side Story

By

West Side Story is a remarkably good musical, surely one of the greatest. Since I first saw it half a century ago, this musical has lived in my memory — and those of several million others — with profound pleasure and meaning, like a first kiss in high school.

Now playing: Indie filmmaker Fredrik Gertten takes on food giant Dole

By

At the 2009 L.A. Film Festival, Swedish filmmaker Fredrik Gertten was anticipating the premiere of his documentary Bananas!, about a legal battle between Nicaraguan farmers and U.S. food-giant Dole. Unexpectedly, Gertten received a letter from Dole threatening legal action. The four-person film company fought back against Dole — and they made another film. Big Boys Gone Bananas! is showing at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema.

Theatre Review: The Woolgatherer

By

The Woolgatherer is a play from New Jersey’s William Mastrosimone currently playing in the Junction. Starring Dayle McLeod as Rose and Mark Wiebe as Cliff, the two-act play is an intimate portrayal of an uneasy one-night fling between two broken souls. Performed Chicago-style in an empty storefront — a first for the Junction — the audience is seated with their backs to the street. With only four rows of chairs, you cannot help but be immersed in the action.

Morning Throwback: in the ’40s, Toronto was the land of milk and honey (or maybe just milk)

By

Time magazine’s recent issue has raised all kinds of controversy (while putting a whole different spin on “got milk?”). We don’t know about you, but we prefer to repress our breastfeeding memories. That’s why we’re giving props to these pro-bottle-feeding moms from 1947. Still, regardless of how you were fed as an infant, don’t forget to tell your mom how awesome she is on Sunday with a big ol’ brunch.

Theatre Review: High

By

There’s only one reason audiences are going to head to the Royal Alexandra Theatre to watch High, and thats to see Kathleen Turner. Which is just as well, really, since the story itself is a pretty depressing affair.