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Category: Culture

Q&A: Hollerado, headlining the side stage at tomorrow’s Edgefest '11

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This Saturday, Hollerado will headline the side stage at Edgefest, but don’t count on seeing them play side stages for very long. Their infectious blend of upbeat pop-rock, quirky lyrics and solid songwriting have made them one of Canada’s most noticeable up-and-coming acts. How can you say no to a band with a hit single about a wise, unapologetic, older woman’s final day on Earth? Bassist Dean Baxter was kind enough to drizzle his brain’s weird juices over our questions.

The Youth North American Bridge Championships are going down in Toronto this month. Wait, young people play bridge?

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Few things are more synonymous with retirement than bridge (thinking hard, we came up with cruise ships and bocce). But with the Youth North American Bridge Championships rolling into Hogtown this month, grandma is about to see a whole lot of pint-sized competition. We caught up with 11-year-old Richard Jeng from the U.S. (one of the reigning kings, along with his brother Andrew) who will shortly arrive in Toronto to defend his crown.

Edgefest ’11 hits Downsview Park tomorrow. Here, a rundown of the main stage acts

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Edge 102.1‘s alternative music smorgasbord, Edgefest, returns tomorrow after a one-year absence. Chicago punk rockers Rise Against are headlining a roster scientifically designed to bust eardrums at Downsview Park. Tickets are still on sale at Ticketmaster, but if you’re on the fence, try this easy litmus test: turn on the Edge for about fifteen minutes — this year’s stable of acts is pretty representative of the usual playlist. Below, a quick roundup of acts on the main stage.

Fringe benefits: a Q&A with Gideon Arthurs, executive director of Toronto's Fringe Festival

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Don’t let the name fool you. The Toronto Fringe Festival is anything but a “small potatoes” performance festival. In fact, it’s become Toronto’s largest theatre festival, with more than 140 associated productions running each summer. In honour of the festival’s kick-off (June 6 — yep, that’s today!), we put Executive Director Gideon Arthurs in the proverbial hot seat — and asked him to give us an idea of what we can expect from the Fringe this year, and from Arthurs in the future.

Band of the Week: The Strumbellas

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Listening to The Strumbellas is like driving over a rickety old bridge between the present and the past. While a lot of their country-tinged contemporaries use banjos and fiddles to replicate the musical traditions of years gone by, the Strumbellas use similar elements to craft something vibrant and new while still paying homage to the past.

Q&A: Nancy Palk, performing in Soulpepper’s rendition of The Glass Menagerie, opening tomorrow

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Nancy Palk says she’s playing the role of a lifetime. The Soulpepper veteran is referring to her latest character, Amanda Wingfield, from Tennessee Williams’ first successful play, The Glass Menagerie. Known for its unique narration and relatable characters, The Glass Menagerie opens at Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre tomorrow. We caught up with Palk to discuss her role and why she considers this classic to be the perfect play.

Our top picks for this year's Toronto Fringe Festival

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Toronto’s highly popular 2011 Fringe Festival opens tomorrow, and with over 150 productions showing in just 12 days, it’s the city’s marathon of theatre. Of course, this being indie theatre, there’s an “anything goes” (pun intended) feel to the variety of productions that range from edgy dramas to daring musicals to, well, puppetry. Though it’s hard to predict which show will be the next Drowsy Chaperone, here are our top picks for this year’s fest.

Five mildly interesting facts about the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition that you may not have known

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Canadian artists will soon be swarming to downtown Toronto for the upcoming Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition (TOAE). Taking place at Nathan Phillips Square, the exhibit will run July 9-11. Admission is free and over 35 cash prizes will be presented to showcasing artists. This annual event highlights Canadian culture and our country’s talented artists. Below is a list of five things that you may not have known about the TOAE, until now.

9 to 5: The Musical is a memorable, if flawed, production

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Over 30 years ago, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton charmed millions of moviegoers with 9 to 5, a soft but often very funny satire of sexism and emerging feminism in American offices. Four years ago, the country-western singer/songwriter presented a musical version for Broadway, writing over a dozen new songs. It had a four-month run and was nominated for several Tonys. After some considerable tampering and improvements, it’s been on tour since the fall of last year.