Populist conservative leaders like Doug Ford, Donald Trump and the rest foolishly dismiss expertise insisting their hunches and “common sense” solutions rule leaving disaster in their wake. Toronto is paying the price of Ford’s folly
JUNO-winning Toronto R&B rising star Aqyila is ready to take the next step with a great new album about to drop and upcoming gig at the Drake
Beloved veteran indie rockers Tokyo Police Club are calling it quits but not before four nights at History. TPC speak with NEXT about their wild ride
Up-and-coming theatre artist Veronica Hortigüela brings her flare to housing market comedy, The Bidding War, her latest in a string of successful collaborations with director Paolo Santalucia
Gladiators, witches, a folk singing legend and free screenings highlight busy screens season
Comedian Courtney Gilmour pushes her humour past her lived experience as a person with a disability saying she has to prove she can “can talk about
Aqyila
TOP6 SIX
The 6 can’t-miss things happening this winter
1 IN THE
Hot Docs Cinema reopens
When: Wed., Dec. 4–Sun., Dec. 8
Where: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W.
Why you should go: After an internal implosion, Bloor Street treasure the Hot Docs Cinema is back with a full weekend of programming including Your Tomorrow (Fri., Dec. 6, 7 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 7, 5 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 8, noon), a bittersweet look at the fight to save Ontario Place from Doug Ford’s destructive sellout to developers. Also catch the excellent Play it Loud! – How Toronto Got Soul , the little-known story of how Jamaican music became a critical part of Canadian culture and the artists who brought the sound to Toronto. The Wed, Dec. 4 screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Graeme Mathieson, musician Jay Douglas, and producer Andrew Munger. The Sat., Dec. 7 screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Graeme Mathieson.
2 3 4 5 6
Fat Ham
When: Sat., Feb. 15–Sun., March 9
Where: Berkley Street Theatre, 26 Berkley St.
Why you should go: After a strong High Park Hamlet this August, Canadian Stage is giving the story another whirl with this Pulitzer-winning adaptation by James Ijames. Philip Akin’s production of the cookout-set reimagining will star Peter Fernandes, who’s coming off a string of juicy comic roles in productions like The Bidding War and The Master Plan .
The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century
When: Opens Wed., Dec. 4
Where: Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St. W.
Why you should go: Perhaps as penance for getting its diversity credentials shredded after losing its only Indigenous curator, the AGO is pulling out all the stops with a massive salute to the “fiftieth anniversary of hip hop”, with work from artists Derrick Adams, John Edmonds, Deana Lawson and Hank Willis Thomas. A well-timed nod to a culture that thrives on reinvention, even as the AGO fumbles its own.
Krampus Mart: The Toronto Dark Arts Market
When: Sat., Dec. 7
Where: Ground Control, 1279 Queen St. W.
Why you should go: It’s that time of year again! You-know-who is coming.
That’s right: Must be Krampus! Admission is free, so check out the 35+ vendors of all the weirdest and most festive wiccan, satanic and other out-there holiday season gifts at Ground Control. The venue is fully accessible and the organizers promise it will be “mostly” family-friendly–especially considering there’s a Krampus Costume Contest that they say will be “a little horny.”
Andy Kim Christmas
When: Wed., Dec. 4
Where: Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St.
Why you should go: Toronto’s holiday season gets a dose of nostalgia and star power as the Andy Kim Christmas returns to Massey Hall. Celebrating its 20th year, this festive variety show brings together Canadian music icons –including Barenaked Ladies, Broken Social Scene, Alex Lifeson, Molly Johnson, and more – for a night of yuletide jams and feel-good vibes.
31st Annual Riverdale Share Concert
When: Sun., Dec. 8
Where: Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave.
Why you should go: The Riverdale Share is a feel-good annual tradition that brings together the neighbourhood with the great view east of the Don for a good cause. Hosted by Julie Michels, this year’s fest includes stars like JUNO-nominated folk artists DALA, Russell deCarle, Jen Schaffer and the Shiners, Mia and John Sheard, as well as local residents, kids and families, all performing to raise money for local food drives and charities.
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The Hot and Cold List HOT
Olivia Chow gets feisty
Mayor Olivia Chow’s finally ready to take on Vandal-in-Chief Doug Ford after strategically keeping her powder dry and gently prodding rather than fully fighting the city-crushing premier. But Ford’s destruction of bike lanes, the Science Centre and overrule of local government is enough to finally get her fighting mad. Whatever it takes, Olivia!
The return of Adam Giambrone
It seems quaint now, that a semen-stained couch and a chatty lover could derail the political career of horny rising star civic politician Adam Giambrone back in 2010 when the scandal caused him to abandon a run for mayor — a campaign that the most scandalous mayor in history, Rob Ford, would eventually win. Giambrone was a great chair of the TTC while on city council, and he served his post-Toronto penance leading or helping lead transit systems around the world, most recently in Saudi Arabia. He’s now rumoured as possible new CEO of the TTC — a job he should get as the transit organization continues to flounder since Andy Byford left the job in 2017. He should be welcomed back with open arms. Just don’t get feely, Adam.
We’re Co-opBuilding
Housing Again
Politicians of every stripe are suddenly in love with co-op housing again. Housing co-operatives are essentially non-profit rentals where the tenants are also part owners. If you’re the one in charge of deciding what your rental cost will be, why would you jack it up
as much as the free market will allow?
The good news is that there’s a massive co-op project going up across from Kennedy Station in Scarborough and potentially more coming soon, with the mayor’s blessing — after all, she used to live in a housing co-op herself.
We’ve got ice!
So glad the ice rink will be back at Harbourfront Centre following a huge outcry from many who treasure the lakeside rink. Congrats to Ausma Malak and other members of city council as well as the Feds who all found the cash to keep this icy waterfront oasis open.
Reconnecting the Don River and the Lake
Toronto’s visionary re-naturalization of the Don River — remember when the city was visionary? — is a reminder of what can be achieved when politicians think past the next vote and short-term ways to stay in power. The naturalized river route was fully connected with the lake in November, part of a massive project that is creating parks, new neighbourhoods and flood control in the once derelict Port Lands area on the east side.
The Coach Terminal
Toronto’s historic downtown bus terminal is getting a much-needed facelift. Of course, like every renewal project in the city, that obviously means they’re building a towering residential property on top of it. That said, at least this one will be 100 per cent purpose-built rental housing, with 273 affordable homes. The project also includes promises to build health-care facilities and space for local small businesses.
Brad Bradford’s barking
Like a neighbour’s dog that just won’t stop barking, Brad Bradford has become this annoying howl at City Hall. The massively defeated former mayoralty candidate is still dripping in bitterness, offering knee-jerk opposition with inflammatory language to almost any initiative from Mayor Olivia Chow or progressive forces on council. Bradford thinks Toronto has U.S.-style polarization while, to its credit, City Hall, without explicit party lines, sees tons of co-operation between right and left. Even has a tradition of it. So, no need to be a dick about it if you’ve got issues, Brad. Take a breath and tell us what’s bugging you.
The Giller Awards
The late Jack Rabinovitch’s Giller book awards have been a pretty cool, though super-bougie celebration of Canadian books. Anything to raise the profile of Canada’s neglected authors. Well, almost anything. It’s harder to get behind the award, recently presented to author Anne Michaels, after its fumbling of the outcry over its Scotiabank sponsorship, the bank investing significantly in an Israeli arms supplier. Rabinovitch’s daughter Elana has been doing peevish damage control since protests interrupted last year’s ceremony, but taking the sponsor’s name off while keeping the cash and largely ignoring complaints just doesn’t cut it. What was once a glittering night of celebration now seems an overstuffed, tone-deaf gathering of out-of-touch elites.
NIMBYs NeighboursFighting in Tents
There is no overnight solution for Toronto’s housing crisis. Yet, that’s exactly what many noisy NIMBYs across the city seem to expect. Encampments of people experience homelessness are an inevitable symptom of over a decade of Liberal and Conservative governments gutting funding for affordable housing and social services. Now, your neighbours are demanding your local councillor bulldoze those tents — as if that would solve anything. Evicting tents from your local park just makes it some other neighbourhood’s problem. It’s the provincial and federal governments that need to step up and stop downloading shelter costs onto the city. Then we can all focus on the real solution: Building more affordable housing.
Ripping Up Bike Lanes
The city’s traffic situation has gotten so bad even celebrities like Will Ferrell and Taylor Swift can’t believe how long it takes to get across downtown. If you ask Premier Dougie Boy, the problem is all those pesky bike lanes! Yeah, let’s make one of the fastest modes of transportation around the downtown core more dangerous. That’ll fix it! Why should you get to glide past all those parked cars on Bloor on your bike without taking your life into your hands? Who cares that they drove here from Vaughan and don’t pay a cent of property tax to our city? Get in a car and suffer like the rest of those suburban drivers clogging up our streets!
News
Ford’s “hunches” put city at risk
Populists like Ford and Trump sell dumbed-down solutions and self-serving myths
By Michael Hollett
ho needs experts when a self-serving “hunch” will do?
Populist politicians from Doug Ford to Mike Harris to Donald Trump and Victor Orbach like to pretend the world is a simple place made complicated by bureaucrats, whiny, woke leftists as well as elites, which ironically — strategically? — they are actually part of.
And as vengeful Premier Ford tears a destructive swath through this city, ripping up bike lanes, turning people with drug addictions out of safe injection sites out onto the streets to die, shuttering the Science Centre, chainsawing Ontario Place trees and so much more, this city suffers through the results of his erratic hunches and back to basic claims really designed to serve his development pals. Ford, like Trump and the rest, claim it’s always time to just roll up sleeves and take “common sense” solutions to almost any problem; after all, experts aren’t to be trusted in a rightand-wrong world populated by
good guys and bad guys. The “good guys” being anyone who will let them and their business buddies do whatever they want unfettered, and the “bad guys” are anyone who wants a “sober second thought” and any kind of contemplation that locates decisions in a larger context.
The city continues to suffer through absurdly long construction delays on the Eglinton LRT — no doubt part of why it’s taking so long is that there was a plan created by experts that Rob Ford, with Doug’s blessing, tore up, suddenly deciding to bury part of the line to meet childish calls for “Subways! Subways! Subways!” This U-turn has to have contributed to some of the ill-fated line’s delays.
Now, driving his massive Escalade around this city, sitting high above the traffic,
Ford lashes out at the cyclists, each one not at the wheel of a massive machine like him but getting exercise as they move through town, no exhaust in their wake. While one can argue
details on any one stretch of the routes, it is beyond debate that every major city in the world is embracing bike lanes, pedestrian zones and generally easing out of car-first mentalities.
Cities are safer with bike lanes, and throwing cyclists back out into traffic only makes it more dangerous for everyone. Even the cynical premier anticipates a death toll for his vote-seeking actions as he introduces legislation to protect the province from wrongful death lawsuits.
He’s literally sentencing people to die to create a wedge issue to chase anti-Toronto votes. And the process of tearing up the bike lanes will only create more traffic and hazards. Only to be replaced when 21st-century politicians gain control of the legislature.
Ford doesn’t believe what the experts say it will cost to remove the bike lanes — he has no idea what it will cost since he hasn’t priced it — he just has a “hunch” it’s less than projected by those who actually built
the lanes. History has shown it cost significantly more to remove the bike lanes on Jarvis — another idiotic move of him and his brother — than it does to install them in the first place. That’s just facts, Doug. And, Doug, like you, I’m no expert, but do you think all the construction in Toronto might be contributing to the traffic problems, the lanes closed for much-needed building in this city? For example, Ford’s developer buddies can drop a dumpster blocking a lane of traffic — and it’s usually a bike lane — for a small one-time fee with no incentive to “hurry up” the process. One of these lane-blocking dumpsters helped cause the recent death in traffic of a cyclist on Bloor.
Are we really taking urban planning “hunches” from a man whose straight-faced solution to highway congestion is to build another highway under the highway? Kind of like Wile. E Coyote, burrow-
ing under his schemes and likely to be just as ill-fated. His plan sounds as absurd as Trump’s call for people to drink bleach to fight COVID-19. U.S. comic John Mulaney has a bit equating Trump’s rampage through office with “a horse running through the hospital.” Ford is Ontario’s horse running through the hospital, leaving mayhem and destruction across our city as well as outside the GTA. The question is: What are we going to do about this horse? If we’re not careful, Ford is poised to sneak back in, calling an early election, handing out cheques and pitting citizens against each other to hang onto his ability to grant his pals multi-billion-dollar gifts. We need to do more than complain; we need to be ready before the election is called, helping battle Ford’s reducing all issues to Us vs. Them and like those somewhat annoying T-shirts say “Toronto versus Everybody”.
Rising local R&B star ready for next step
Toronto singer Aqyila has excellent new album, Drake Hotel gig on horizon
By Adam Davidson
Listen to the newest single Limbio
COVER STORY
As 2024 draws to a close, Toronto-born artist Aqyila reflects on a whirlwind year that has seen her elevate her career to the next level.
Born Taahira Aquiyla Duff, Aqyila, has been an exciting prospect in the Toronto R&B scene for a few years, following co-signs from Monica and Lizzo in 2021 and the viral success of songs like Vibe For Me.
However, 2024 has seen the artist go global with viral hits, such as Bloom and Most Wanted, performances across the world and impactful music as she develops as an artist.
The rising R&B star continues her impressive form with her latest single, Limbo. The song showcases Aqyila’s silky vocals and raw lyricism as she continues her evolution as an artist.
The introspective track was inspired by journal entries that the artist wrote in June as she grappled with the complexity of relationships.
“I felt that my heart was caught in two places at once, and I didn’t know how to deal with what I was dealing with,” said Aqyila. “The song is about the uncertainty of where the destination is; you have a feeling of where it’s heading, but you never really know. Life can come at you in so many ways. Sometimes I know how my heart feels, but other times I just don’t know how to feel.”
Journalling is a powerful tool for Aqyila, not only for songwriting but also for mental clarity
and the ability to process complex emotions.
“I started journalling in Grade 6, and I was able to get a good grasp on my emotions, and I learnt that instead of holding feelings in, it felt like such a relief when I would express them onto paper.
“When songwriting came into effect, I found that there were ways I could express how I’m feeling through music. It felt like a weight off my shoulders,” said Aqyila.
Limbo caps off an extraordinary year for the Canadian-born artist as she won the JUNO Award for Traditional R&B/ Soul Recording of the Year for her song Hello and the success of singles like Bloom — which has amassed almost 30 million streams on Spotify alone.
Following the whirlwind year and life-changing experiences along the way, the Canadian has grown to realize the importance of staying grounded.
“My family keeps me grounded. I value being at home and around my family, as it reminds me why I’m doing what I’m doing and why I’m working so hard for an even better life for them is what’s driving me. I’m really content where I am in life; anything else that happens is an addition but I’m really proud of where I’ve brought myself so far,” said Aqyila.
Aqyila will end 2024 with a headline show at Toronto’s iconic Drake Hotel on Dec. 3. It is a moment that the Canadian
artist has been dreaming of for many years.
“I’m really excited [for the show]; I feel like I’m probably going to cry! It’s going to be really surreal. It’s a moment that I’ve always thought about from my bathroom when I’m singing with a hairbrush, looking in the mirror, pretending what I’d do if it was my own headline show,” said Aqyila.
The crowd in attendance will be one of the first few to hear Aqyila perform music from her upcoming debut album, Falling into Place, which is slated for early 2025.
The album gives the listener a journey inside Aqyila’s mind as she lays bare for an intimate portrait of love, heartbreak and her personal journey.
“There are constant themes of love [within the album] — you have love within relationships but also the idea of self-love too. There are introspective songs and songs about actual situations that I’ve been in. It’s a mix of life experiences. All of these things are pivotal and relatable, people go through heartbreak and experience happiness and grief.”
The album contains the dancehall-inspired, Most Wanted, which not only showcases Aqyila’s versatility as an artist but it’s also a track that pays tribute to her Jamaican heritage.
Aqyila’s parents immigrated to Canada from Jamaica, and she vividly remembers being immersed in dancehall and
reggae in her household from a young age.
“It’s a great way for people to connect with me, especially those who might not know I have Jamaican descent and for those who aren’t familiar with some of the vibes and mixing that with R&B elements is really fun,” said Aqyila.
Throughout Falling into Place, Aqyila showcases her versatility with the aforementioned dancehall-inspired, Most Wanted but also pop tracks such as Wolf.
“The artists that do really well are the ones that can genrebend and are fluid and aren’t afraid to try different things,” said Aqyila. “From listening to all different genres myself, I feel like you should want to try new things. It’s a good idea because you never know what will resonate and maybe people will remember you for all these different [genres] and not one specific [sound.]”
Aqyila has her sights set firmly on stardom in the R&B scene and looks set to take a big step towards that with her debut album. However, her ambitions stretch far beyond music as she is interested in an acting career.
The artist launched her acting career with an appearance in an upcoming episode of the Canadian crime drama Murdoch Mysteries and has dreams for future roles in big franchises and movies.
“It’s on my bucket list to get a role in a Transformers movie. I am a huge Transformers fan
because of my mom; she had us watch the old retro TV show. I think I would do an amazing job!” said Aqyila.
“I would love to voice a character in a Disney movie as well or at least have a song synced into a Disney movie.”
Genre: R&B
Rating: NNNN (out of 5)
Sound: Silky vocals with raw lyrics that simultaneously evoke nostalgic R&B vibes with a fresh and modern twist.
If you like: Coco Jones, Mahalia and Bryson Tiller
Best track: Wolf
Release date: TBA
Next: Headline show at The Drake Hotel, Tue., Dec. 3. Why you should listen: Aqyila takes a huge step forward with her debut album, Falling Into Place and showcases versatility with a cohesive genre-bending album that is raw and introspective.
AQYILA
Music
Watch a video on the final
Graham Wright (blond), Dave Monks, Greg Alsop, Josh Hook
tour
Goodbye, Tokyo
Canadian indie stars Tokyo Police Club call it quits with four nights at History
By: Karen K. Tran
Tokyo Police Club are topping it all off with a bow and officially calling it quits at the end of this year. After almost two decades together, the beloved Newmarket, Ont.-born indie band are preserving the romance of Tokyo Police Club (TPC) with a final farewell tour. Known for their pop-friendly indie rock sound and somewhat nonsensical lyrics, millennials and gen Zs will likely recognize their hits, Bambi, Your English Is Good or Hot Tonight, which are Canadian indie rock station favourites.
Canada might claim TPC as its own, but a mighty and dedicated fan base from all over the world has embraced their music. Fans in the comment section of their farewell announcement reminisced about their first concerts, the way they connected with loved ones over the music and offered well wishes for what’s next to come for the band members.
Songwriter/bassist Dave Monks and keyboardist/guitarist
Graham Wright meet me at the back patio of Round the Horn in Roncesvalles for an afternoon beer/coffee. Though they had just played a show together at a festival a few days earlier, the two mention that they still had some catching up to do with each other. Touring isn’t the same as it used to be when you would be stuck in a van for hours on end when all you have to do to amuse yourself is talk to your bandmates. Life gets in the way now, and the band members all have their own families and other projects to deal with.
“It has been three years since we did a proper tour, but that whole time, we were actively either considering new music or doing summer shows,” says Wright. “It always felt to me at least the
Who: Tokyo Police Club Where: History, 1663 Queen St. E.
band was going — although the band was kind of going slowly for a while. It was still fully in movement.”
“We knew we were gonna do something and we were feeling around to see, ‘Are we making new music? Are we doing an anniversary tour?’” adds Monks. “There’s all these ideas we were floating and we decided, ‘We’re saying goodbye.’ Graham said it before that it’s not that we’re ending. It’s that we’re not not starting now.”
When it came to TPC, Monks, Wright, Josh Hook (guitar) and Greg Alsop (drums) agreed that it was time to take the band out for one last ride. Before their last record came out in 2018, the band had a big discussion on their future about whether they were ending it or if some of the bandmates would be leaving. Back then, Monks convinced the rest of his bandmates that it was worth it to keep going because he had a vision for a new record — which became the self-titled album, TPC.
It was really rewarding for the band to put out TPC and tour some more, but this time, when the conversation on the future came back around, the band was in total agreement that the end was in sight. Though, it was not as if the band had been working towards a grand finale for a while. TPC had still been writing new music and planning shows
until they made the decision. Take, for example, their double single release — Just A Scratch and Catch Me If You Can, which was released in March 2024 at the same time as their announcement for The Final Tour — these songs capture where the band is today. They’re not old songs that the band dug out to release as bonus tracks to promote a tour, and they’re not songs that the band wrote with the intention of saying goodbye. They’re songs that are genuinely part of their current movement.
“I think they would have been so different if we had written them on purpose to be the last songs,” says Wright. “There would have been some sense of ‘Should we make them sound like the old songs?’ You’re so self-aware all of a sudden, and these ones were — as all of our songs are — explorations of art.”
For almost 20 years, TPC have been sharing their explorations of art with the world. There are seven records in the story of TPC, and though this is the last chapter for this group of adventurers, it’s inevitable that they will reunite. For Wright, he’s currently playing in an Oasis cover band called Parklife as well as Girlfriend Material with Josh Hook (TPC), Jake Boyd (Hollerado) and Joseph Garand. On the other hand, Monks plays in Anyway Gang with Sam Roberts (Sam Roberts Band), Chris Murphy (Sloan) and Menno Versteeg (Hollerado).
Of course, the Tokyo Police Club members plan to stay in touch as friends and consult each other as musical colleagues, but saying goodbye to the band means that their relationships will change.
“It’s like you’re kind of moving with this sense of momentum with the band, and if you lose steam, they pick you up and you keep going,” says Monks. “There’s a whole structure to being in a band — it’s exciting to have a blank slate, but now you’re like, it’s just me in the world. There’s no limits. It’s a very unromantic thing to say, but I think that’s what’s going to hit me first about saying goodbye.” Originally planned as a single farewell show in Toronto, The Final Tour came to fruition at the protest of many of their fans all over the world who wanted the chance to see them play one last time. The tour evolved into a months-long trek across the U.S. and Canada, ending with four shows at History in Toronto and even spurring their fellow Canadian indie band of the era, Hollerado, to reunite and open for two of the Toronto shows, despite calling it quits back in 2019.
Monks and Wright promise that Tokyo Police Club’s decision to end is final, though they joke that they’re not opposed to reuniting in a few years to open the show if their friends in Hollerado wanted to get back together. In all seriousness, Monks and Wright have no idea what they’re doing after the tour ends. And even though TPC as a band is ending, my impression is that it will never really be farewell. There are always new projects and new musical romances that will tie Tokyo Police Club together in some way.
“There’s still a lot of music out there to make,” says Monks. “We don’t have to make this about the future. What we share is this moment.”
THEREDWOOD ORG
Winter Live Music Preview
Who: Finny McConnell
When: Fri., Nov. 29, Sat., Nov. 30
Where: Cameron House, 408
Queen St. W.
Genre: Irish hell-raising
Why you should go: Finny McConnell — main man from the Mahones, Irish hell-raising party band — brings a comparatively subdued show to the Cameron House front room.
Who: Rufus Wainwright
When: Sat., Nov. 30
Where: Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W.
Genre: Cabaret folk
Why you should go: Brooding balladeer with an ever-sosmooth voice, Rufus Wainwright, the Canadian Juno Award-winning artist, performs music from his Grammy-nominated album Folkocracy. Folkocracy is Wainwright revisiting his roots of childhood summers spent at
folk festivals and watching his famous family on stage.
Who: Aurora
When: Mon., Dec. 2
Where: History, 1663 Queen St. E.
Genre: Pop
Why you should go: The Norwegian singer has emerged as one of the leading figures of the alt-pop scene in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. The stunning vocals are a big part of what makes her such an exciting live performer, but it’s also the unique theatricality that makes her a one of a kind.
Who: Lowest of the Low
When: Thurs., Dec. 4
Where: Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W.
Genre: Roots
Why you should go: Venerable Queen West roots rockers the Lowest of the Low play their
classic album Welcome to the Plunderdome plus other tracks from their extensive repertoire.
Who: Junkhouse
When: Fri., Dec. 6, Sat., Dec. 7
Where: The Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W. Genre: Rock
Why you should go: Help celebrate ’70 years of the ’Shoe with these rocking Hammer Heads from Hamilton who were once fixtures at the Queen West club. One of Tom Wilson’s first bands, they’ll play two nights in what will be emotional gigs without founding member, bass player Russell Wilson, who sadly died earlier this year. Fans will come together at the intimate venue to create a special atmosphere full of songs and dancing and remember “Rusty.”
Who: Alvvays with cootie catcher
When: Thurs., Dec, 5, – Sat., Dec. 7
Where: Concert Hall, 888 Yonge St. Genre: Indie
Why you should go: Beloved east coast Canadian band play three nights in support of their remarkable catalogue of music including amazing 2022 album, Blue Rev.
Who: Kylira – A spectacle of ghosts
When: Sat., Dec. 7
Where: TD Music Hall @ Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St. Genre: Metal
Why you should go: A full-scale metal musical production! Featuring symphonic metal, a dance crew, skits, sword fights, monsters and more! Go on a journey with KYLIRA and uncover a world of magic, mystery…and GHOSTS!
Who: Rich the Kid
When: Tue., Dec. 10
Where: Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave.
Genre: Rap
Why you should go: Following the success of Carnival, his viral collaboration with Kanye West, Playboi Carti and TY Dolla Sign, Rich the Kid has re-introduced himself in a big way on the rap scene. The crowd will be electric as he performs big hits like Plug Walk and New Freezer
Who: Kellylee Evans
When: Fri., Dec. 13
Where: Hugh’s Room, 296 Broadview Ave.
Genre: Jazz
Why you should go: If you’re in the festive mood and looking for a wholesome night full of
Continued on page 15
Aurora brings her stunning vocals and theatricality to History, Mon., Dec. 2
Listen to Aurora on Spotify
Alvvays, Sum 41 play multi-show visits
Continued from page 13
stunning vocals, then head to Hugh’s Room to see JUNO-winning artist Kellylee Evans perform songs from her Christmas album, Winter Song
Who: Suki Waterhouse
When: Sun., Dec. 15
Where: History, 1663 Queen St. E. Genre: Pop
Why you should go: Suki Waterhouse is riding the wave of success. The British artist recently supported Taylor Swift during her Eras Tour in London and also dropped a new album, Memoir of a Sparklemuffin. She shows no sign of slowing down, especially with her upcoming North American tour in which she will perform hits like Good Looking and Moves.
Who: Mobb Deep
When: Sun., Dec. 15
Where: The Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne St.
Genre: Hip hop
Why you should go: Celebrate
the 30th anniversary of one of the most critically acclaimed rap albums of all time, Mobb Deep’s
The Infamous. The special event will see Havoc & Big Noyd of Mobb Deep performing classic anthems like Shook Ones Pt. II and Survival of the Fittest and sets from Smif-N-Wessun and Buckshot from Black Moon.
Who: The O’Pears
When: Tue., Dec. 17
Where: Hugh’s Room, 296 Broadview Ave.
Genre: Indie roots
Why you should go: One of the “younger” bookings for Hugh’s, these indie roots rockers with gorgeous voices are on the rise.
Who: BADBADNOTGOOD
When: Tue., Dec. 17
Where: History, 1663 Queen St. E.
Genre: Dance
Why you should go: Canadian instrumental band BADBADNOTGOOD thrill audiences with their innovative take on jazz and hip hop with a performance full of immersive visual effects that will transport the audience into the
world of their music. We gave their latest album, Mid Spiral, 5 Ns.
Who: The Skydiggers Holiday Concert
When: Sat., Dec. 21
Where: Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave.
Genre: Roots mixed with holiday
Why you should go: Canadian roots legends, The Skydiggers bring their annual holiday-infused shows that highlight their gorgeous vices and generally uplifting vibe.
Who: Nicolette and the Nobodies Holiday Party
When: Sat., Dec. 21
Where: Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W.
Genre: Fresh take on old country
Why you should go: We think Nicollette and the Nobodies and their fresh take on vintage country is among the most exciting music around. The Nobodies are joined by Espanola, Bent Neck & the Joints and Ivan Rivers.
Who: Crack of Dawn
When: Sat., Dec. 21
Where: Redwood Theatre, 1300
Gerrard St. E.
Genre: Soul
Why you should go: Canadian soul legends Crack of Dawn bring their big sound to this beautiful room on the city’s east side. The Redwood is a gorgeous hidden gem with great sound that was first a theatre in 1914. This will be a special night as they play vintage hits that are still powerful today.
Who: Joy Oladokun
When: Thurs., Jan. 23
Where: The Axis Club, 722 College St.
Genre: Pop
Why you should go: After recently supporting Noah Kahan on his tour, Joy Oladokun is ready to showcase her talents on her headline tour. The Nashville artist will perform tracks from her new album, Observations From A Crowded Room, during a profound performance in Toronto.
Who: Ben Barnes
When: Fri., Jan. 24
Where: Danforth Music Hall, 147
Danforth Ave.
Genre: Pop
Why you should go: Known for his glistening acting career with roles in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and Shadow and Bone, Ben Barnes has embarked on a singing career, releasing his first single in 2021, and will now be heading on a world tour to showcase his diverse talents to the masses. An actor singing? How can that go wrong?
Who: Sum 41
When: Tue., Jan. 28 – Thurs., Jan. 30
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St.
Genre: Rock
Why you should go: Following the release of their last album, Heaven x Hell, Sum 41 will perform their last Canadian shows, including huge gigs at the Scotiabank Arena. The band will have a nostalgic attachment for many people of a certain age, so rock out to classic hits such as Still Waiting and In Too Deep for one last time.
Continued on page 17
Alvvays arrive at the Concert Hall from Thurs., Dec. 5 to Sat., Dec. 7
Congratulations to our 2024 Winners
Grand Prize: Gabriel Fredette | St-Hyacinthe, QC
2nd Prize: Dallas | Toronto, ON
3rd Prize: Jackie Art | Calgary, AB
3rd Prize: Mint Simon | Montreal, QC
3rd Prize: Tiger Balme | Toronto, ON
These outstanding young talents have been selected for this prestigious opportunity, set to elevate their careers to the next level.
With access to industry mentorship, national exposure, and professional development, they represent the future of Canadian music.
emergingmusician.ca @emerging.musician
Gabriel Fredette @gabrielfredette
Dallas @dallasrodin
Gabriel Fredette @tigerbalme
Mint Simon @mintsimonsays
Jackie Art @jackieartt
Veteran acts include Suzanne Vega, Billy Joel
Continued from page 15
Who: Wunderhorse
When: Wed., Jan. 29
Where: Lee’s Place, 529 Bloor St. W. Genre: Rock
Why you should go: The British band have built up a reputation as incredible live performers that will give the audience a night to remember. An intimate venue like Lee’s Place will only amplify that experience as tracks like Rain will pack the mosh pit.
Why you should go: Canadian singer-songwriter legend Ron Sexsmith sings the work of even bigger Canadian legend Gordon Lightfoot.
Who: Alan Walker
When: Fri., Feb. 7
Where: Rebel Toronto, 11 Polson St. Genre: EDM
Why you should go: The Norwegian DJ is best known for his hit
single Faded — which has got over 3.7 billion views on YouTube alone. It’s a timeless track that sounds incredible live alongside his other hits with immersive special effects, especially in a relatively intimate venue like Rebel.
Who: Jack White
When: Fri., Feb. 7, Sat., Feb. 8
Where: Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St. Genre: Rock
Why you should go: Jack White is set to perform three shows in Toronto as part of his No Name Tour, one night at History before what promises to be two memorable shows at the iconic Massey Hall. You can expect to hear new tracks from No Name as well as timeless hits such as Seven Nation Army and Icky Thump.
Who: Wallice
When: Sat., Feb. 8
Where: Drake Underground, 1150 Queen St. W. Genre: Indie
Why you should go: 2024 has been a big year for Wallice following the release of her debut album, The Jester, and her
upcoming tour that stops off in Toronto. She is an artist to keep an eye out for as songs like 23 and The Opener show maturity and innate talent in the young songwriter’s work.
Who: Kelsea Ballerini
When: Sat., Feb. 8
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St. Genre: Country, Pop
Why you should go: After a huge 2024, Kelsea Ballerini will elevate her career to the next level in 2025 with her first arena tour. Expect to hear songs like Cowboys Cry Too — the Grammy-nominated collaboration with Noah Kahan — and This Feeling as she showcases her talents on the biggest of stages.
Who: aespa
When: Thurs., Feb. 13
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St. Genre: K-Pop
Why you should go: The K-Pop group that has taken the world by storm will electrify the Toronto audience with a set full of special effects, choreographed dances and electrifying anthems that are made to be heard on the biggest of stages.
Who: China Crisis
When: Sat., Feb. 22
Where: El Mocambo, 464 Spadina Ave. Genre: Pop
Why you should go: The English band will perform in Toronto to celebrate 40 years of their Flaunt The Imperfection, which features hit tracks such as King in a Catholic Style and Black Man Ray. It’s perfect for fans who want to feel nostalgia for the ’80s in an intimate setting.
Who: Jorja Smith
When: Tue., March 4, Wed., March 5
Where: Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St. Genre: R&B
Why you should go: After a successful tour of Asia, the R&B star will bring her falling or flying tour to Canada. Jorja Smith has been one of the leading figures in the thriving U.K. R&B scene for many years and continues to prove why. Her silky vocals and showmanship on the stage just solidify her position as an artist at the top of her game.
Who: Suzanne Vega
When: Tue., March 11, Wed., March 12
Where: Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. Genre: Folk
Why you should go: One of the leading figures of the folk revival of the ’80s, Suzanne Vega has had a glistening career that spans over 40 years. It’s a perfect opportunity to see Vega perform classic hits such as Luka and Tom’s Diner — songs that stand the test of time and are still excellently performed all these years later.
Who: Billy Joel
When: Sat., March 15
Where: Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way Genre: Pop
Why you should go: The Piano Man returns to Toronto after 10 long years for a huge show at the 49,000-capacity stadium. A Billy Joel show is always one to remember as he takes the audience on his timeless discography with hit after hit like Uptown Girl, Vienna and She’s Always a Woman being sung word for word by the adoring crowd.
Nicolette & the Nobodies host a Holiday Party at Horseshoe Tavern on Sat., Dec. 21
Check out the Show Up music video
Stage
Veronica Hortigüela
Photo Credit: Dahlia Katz
What: The Bidding War
Where: Crow’s Theatre, 345 Carlaw Ave.
When: Now, until at least Sun., Dec. 15
Why you should go: Upand-coming theatre artist Veronica Hortigüela appears in new Michael Ross Albert comedy about the housing market, her latest project in a string of collaborations with director Paolo Santalucia.
What: Feast
Where: Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman Ave.
When: Tues, April 1 to Sun., April 27
Why you should go: This spring, Hortigüela take to another mainstage in the Toronto premiere of Feast, a drama about globalization and overconsumption from acclaimed playwright Guillermo Verdecchia.
Comedy at core of actor’s descent into ‘Bidding War’
Fringe star Veronica Hortigüela finds familiar pain in real estate struggle
By: Liam Donovan
The last time Veronica Hortigüela performed on a Toronto stage, the theatre artist wore a bald cap, played a recorder with her nose and spent several minutes rolling around in a sea of lentils. These ridiculous antics helped propel Monks, the five-N clown show she co-created with Annie Luján, to a hit run at the 2024 Toronto Fringe Festival and an October remount at the Crow’s Theatre studio.
As Hortigüela and Luján birthed that live-wire production, they eschewed traditional theatrical labour divisions — playwright, director, actor, designer — in favour of keeping the months-long collaboration wholly between them. The result was absurd, experimental and more than a little Dionysian.
Since graduating from Toronto Metropolitan University with a theatre B.F.A. in 2018, Hortigüela has also been working as an actor in productions created through more conventional processes. At Crow’s Theatre, for instance, she performed in two shows directed by associate artistic director Paolo Santalucia and (co-)produced by The Howland Company: Casimir and Caroline in 2020 and Prodigal in 2023.
Before appearing in Guillermo Verdecchia’s Feast at Tarragon Theatre this spring, she’s returning to Crow’s in another production directed by Santalucia: The Bidding War, a world-premiere comedy about the Toronto housing market by local playwright Michael Ross Albert. Rounding out a sizable ensemble of established performers, Hortigüela plays June, a young woman who returns from abroad to find her childhood home being auctioned off in a frantic, 12-hour bidding war.
Crow’s is marketing the production as a wacky, noholds-barred comedy — an angle epitomized by the show’s chaotic poster, in which a barely recognizable Hortigüela sobs off her mascara in front of a group of scrapping bidders.
But when I catch up with the actor for a mid-rehearsal interview, she’s in a rather more reflective mood, even drawing parallels between June’s life and her own.
“I grew up in Scarborough, and my childhood home as well as my father’s childhood home were sold in the same summer,” she says. “It was incredibly intense. And I [hadn’t before] realized how much you could grieve a place. Having never left Toronto for any significant amount of time, I’ve seen it change tremendously … and I grieve the idea I had of Toronto in my childhood. At the same time, I resent a little bit when people cast a negative light on Toronto as this big, gross, disgusting city, because it carries a lot of responsibility within Canada. I think the play represents how chaotic it is to live here — but that at the heart of everyone’s chaotic struggle is just a desire to find home.”
That’s not to say the production isn’t aiming to be funny.
“The play presents [this struggle] with an incredible amount of comedy and some ridiculously high stakes,” says Hortigüela.
“The humour in the play allows us to unpack these problems and find some catharsis while laughing and hopefully not crying. Because I think you need to laugh to make it through living in the city.”
Laughs are also key to Monks — though in a very different way. When they perform that
show, Hortigüela and Luján are “hoping things go wrong.” But when it comes to a scripted comedy like The Bidding War, consistency is the general aim.
“Part of theatre is being able to repeat something with excellence over and over again, memorize those lines word for word and hit that spot where that light is going to shine at that moment,” says Hortigüela. “And that’s very exciting, to make that set of wheels spin.”
Yet while the contrasting goals of these productions might seem to demand a different set of creative muscles, that’s largely not the case for Hortigüela. “Unless you’re creating art all on your own, it always involves some compromise and collaboration,” she says. “Annie and I have been friends for over 15 years … but still, in a working relationship, it requires compromise and sometimes trusting someone else’s idea — allowing people the grace to take big swings and make mistakes and then maybe backpedal or push forward and through. It’s also really valuable to have people you trust to push your past your comfort zone and to challenge you. And Paolo, I’d say, is very much that person as well.
“So, it’s been really refreshing to move between the two spaces because while they are very different performance styles, there’s actually quite a lot of crossover and some very useful skills going in both directions.”
It’s perhaps in this spirit of collaboration that as our conversation nears its end, Hortigüela is sure to half-jokingly bring the spotlight back to her colleagues. “I wish Annie was here. I wish Annie was always here,” she quips. “And I love Paolo Santalucia.”
HONEY
WINTER
NOW PLAYING: “Big
Stuff”
brings
it, “Bidding War”heats up, the King is back
By Liam Donovan, Andrea Perez and Michael Hollett
What: The Bidding War
Where: Crow’s Theatre
When: Now, until at least Sun., Dec. 15
Highlight: Canadian theatre legend Fiona Reid’s hilarious delivery of the word “fuckboy”
Rating: NNN (out of 5)
Why you should go: In world premieres like Michael Healey’s The Master Plan and Paolo Santalucia’s Prodigal, Crow’s Theatre has made a habit of lampooning the antics of middle-to-upper-class Torontonians. Its latest commission, The Bidding War, by Michael Ross Albert, sells similar baubles. Topical subject matter, an 11-person ensemble and a deluge of hyper-specific references to our Internet-addled culture — it’s well-trodden ground that’s likely to connect with established Crow’s audiences in search of a gentle holiday chuckle.
Albert’s chosen coliseum is the unforgiving world of real estate. Our gladiators — buyers and agents both — have heard that a sleek, contemporary house in a decent-ish Toronto neighbourhood is on the market for a mere $1.3 million. Cue the brandishing of swords. The joy of Santalucia’s Guloien Theatre production lies in watching its characters buzz around the space like frenzied worker bees eager for their queen’s attention. Act One is by and large a blast. Oddly enough, though, Act Two is only around 30 minutes of the two hour and 15-minute runtime, giving it the tenor of an epilogue — and a fairly underwhelming one, at that.
This is a lively, agreeable show that Crow’s could probably extend multiple times. But, much of it seems designed to fall in line with the company’s previously established brand. Eat-the-rich satires are already extraordinarily popular — so I’m not entirely sure what this one adds to the conversation beyond some amusing references to Etsy, Substack and OnlyFans. It’s also just not really a win for The Bidding War to feel like something that could be on Netflix: How can a piece of theatre launch an effective critique of capitalism when the show itself almost resembles a product?
What: The Lion King
Where: Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W.
When: Now, until Sun., April 27
Highlight: Magical ensemble that energetically embodies the Pride Lands of Africa
Rating: NNNN (out of 5)
Why you should go: The Lion King, kicking off its second “sit-down” run in Canada, roars to life at Mirvish. This new Canadian production with a Torontonian cast still feels fresh and exciting and worthy of this musical’s long-lasting critical acclaim. The larger-than-life mask and puppetry (by Julie Taymor and Michael Curry) of the animals in the Pride Lands of Africa are a staple for this show which fills the Princess of Wales Theatre to the brim with spectacular design on a macro scale. As the first notes of Circle of Life begin, the ensemble begins to wildly climb through the jungle. Through a combination of hair and makeup (by Michael Ward), costumes (by Julie Taymor) and even stilt work, human actors fade away and magnificent animals appear before our eyes. A gigantic elephant stomps, birds swing overhead of the audience and zebras, rhinos and antelopes sing and dance through the aisles of the theatre, much to the awe of the audience.
The Lion King is nothing new. As someone who doesn’t have a particular nostalgic tie to the story, parts of the musical dragged in pacing, especially in Act II. But I am well aware that this musical’s faults are far outweighed by its fantastical strengths. Debuting in 1997 and winning several Tonys, including Best Musical, this show is certainly a people-pleaser. The bounding and dynamic choreography, the sweeping and pitch-perfect vocals from the ensemble and the familiar story amalgamate into a nostalgic magical night at the theatre.
What: Big Stuff
Where: Crow’s Theatre,
When: Now, until Sun., Dec. 8
Highlight: Improv effortlessly woven into narrative
Rating: NNNN (out of 5)
Why you should go: Two pros deliver fast-paced, funny and profound look at relationships and grief.
REAL-LIFE MARRIED comedy couple Naomi Snieckus (Pretty Hard Cases, Mr. D) and Matthew Baram (The Umbrella Academy, Painkiller) deliver a fast-paced, funny two-hander, Big Stuff, that cleverly explores a relationship 10 years in and also deftly contemplates grief. It’s nuanced, wise, sometimes hilarious and never wallows in easy emotion.
Snieckus and Baram are confident pros
Staging slicker than story in “Moulin Rouge!”
Set at its eponymous cabaret venue in late 19th-century Paris, Moulin Rouge! The Musical follows Christian (Christian Douglas), an aspiring songwriter who makes a splash among the bohemian subculture thanks to his uncanny ability to anticipate some of Oscar Hammerstein’s and Bernie Taupin’s best lyrics. He leverages this superhuman anachrony to co-author a new musical with
who ease in and out of playing themselves and their characters, propelling a flashback narrative, conversing with the audience and each other, and drawing inspiration from notes gathered from attendees at the beginning of the show. The stage features a cleverly assembled mass of packing boxes sprinkled with bric-abrac and keepsakes — or junk according to one of the couple. Snieckus and Baram expertly explore the “opposites attract” trope that will resonate with many couples with one partner more impulsive and emotional — Snieckus — and the other reserved and self-identified “rational — Baram. These differences play out in their attitudes to “stuff” and are
Toulouse-Lautrec (a surprisingly tall Nick Rashad Burroughs) and to romance the consumption-afflicted star performer Satine (Arianna Rosario). This all coincides with Satine being tragically purchased as arm candy by a sinister Duke (Andrew Brewer), who acquires a controlling financial stake in the Moulin Rouge for the sole purpose of keeping her under his thumb.
used to engage the audience as we are asked early to declare which camp we are in. Audience engagement is part of the show, not interrupting the narrative but providing “check-ins” as we move through the story, connecting us with the performers. Periodically, the actors will pull an audience suggestion from boxes the audience filled earlier, briefly digressing as Snieckus or Baram gently questions them about their pick. We’ve all been asked to list an object in our homes that reminds us of someone.
This process of memory brings actors and the audience together and, like the improv moments in the show, is fresh; therefore, somehow more intimate each performance. And these
Though there’s plenty of fun to be had, this adaptation disappoints in several key respects, mostly attributable to the paper-thin book by John Logan. As much as the film has been lauded for its inventive use of pop music needle drops, Logan empties his piggybank into this musical’s jukebox, adjusting for 23 years’ worth of inflation with diminishing returns. The
departures never bring the tale to a full stop or pull us out of the story but are expertly woven into the narrative, elements of the conversations later dropped into the tale, familiar work for these expert improvisers.
For a show not afraid to explore tough topics, Big Stuff is surprisingly uplifting, even empowering, as the actors get the audience to engage and share their own, sometimes sweet, often complicated memories. Some of these moments border on group therapy — in a good way. At the first of his recent Toronto concerts, Bruce Springsteen said, “Grief is the price we pay for having loved well.” Big Stuff expertly explores this bittersweet truth, raising hope for us all in the process.
soundtrack is overstuffed with medley after medley of familiar earworms, winning cheap chuckles from the audience purely from the dopamine hit of brute recognition.
Luckily, the cast is quite strong, even if the material feels a bit like going to karaoke with your most serious Broadway-obsessed friends.
What: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Where: Young People’s Theatre, Ada Slaight Stage, 165 Front St. E.
When: Now, until Mon., Dec. 30
Highlight: Technicolour costumes and illusion-filled set design
Rating: NN (out of 5)
Why you should go: Go only if, like Verica Salt you just have to get your sugary fix from this dull (milk) dud of a show, based more on the book than the movie. Who wouldn’twant to live in a world made of chocolate? A kid’s dream come true: you could stuff your mouth full of cotton candy and live in a world of Pure Imagination.
Well, be careful because, as dentists caution, too many
What: Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Where: CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St. When: Now, until Sun., Jan. 12
Why you should go: To have a few good chuckles at the playfully anachronistic pop music soundtrack
sweets cause a toothache. And much like the Wonka experience in Glasgow, I’m afraid that, in this production, that may be the case.
In the Canadian premiere (of the 75-minute version of the musical), Young People’s Theatre in Toronto presents Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Though there are many things to love about this production, it has a couple of directorial choices and tech mishaps that detract from the magic of Dahl’s chocolate world. Directorially, I’m not sure if the number of actors cast in the show served the production. With only 12 actors, all of the Oompa Loompas were double cast, with some of the
Renee Marie Titus-AK Naderer-Rayven Bailey and Max Heitmann in “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” (Photo Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)
Watch the official trailer
More now playing
Continued from page 21
kids and parents on the tour of the factory. Even I, as an adult, was feeling a bit restless when we hit around the halfway mark of the run, and Charlie hadn’t even received his golden ticket yet. If you’re a parent considering bringing your little one to this show, rewatch the movie. Yes, it’s magical, but it’s also quite dark and there were a few kids in the audience who were upset and one who left crying by the end. YPT recommends it for audiences aged six and up, but it may be a little more fun for the eight- to 10-year-old range due to the slow pace and heavy material.
What: All Messed Up & Nowhere to Go
Where: The Second City, 110 Harbour St.
When: Now, until TBA
Musical-packed December kicks off bustling winter stage season
Craze, Now - Sun., Dec. 15 (Tarragon Theatre, from $72)
This Tarragon world premiere has collaborative bones. Beyond being a co-production with Modern Times Stage Company in association with Theatre ARTaud, it’s co-written by Rouvan Silogix and Rafeh Mahmud, who recently worked together on The Caged Bird Sings , a daring Rumi adaptation at the Aga Khan Museum. The surrealist play reportedly begins with a fierce storm and stars Augusto Bitter, Ali Kazmi, Kwaku Okyere, Lisa Ryder and Louisa Zhu. Tarragon artistic director Mike Payette to direct.
The Master Plan, Tues., Nov. 26 - Sun., Dec. 29 (Soulpepper Theatre, from $85)
Holiday! An Improvised Musical, Wed., Dec. 11 - Sun., Dec. 22 (Factory Theatre, from $35)
This Bad Dog Theatre production has already had a couple of brief test runs, even managing to pick up a handful of Dora Award nominations last year. The veteran improvised comedy group brings it back — which takes playful inspiration from Stephen Sondheim’s Company — for the holiday season.
This new Crow’s Theatre commission by Toronto-born, New York-based playwright Liz Appel is set at Yale, where an English professor is interviewing to lead a new initiative called the “Center for Reparative Thought and Justice.”. Chris Abraham to direct.
La Reine-garcon, Fri., Jan. 31 - Sat., Feb. 15 (Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, from $35)
Highlight: Mainstage newcomer Scott Yamaura’s touching and hilarious take as a Tupperware lid
Rating: NNNN (out of 5)
Why you should go: After some disappointing recent Second City revues, a cast refresh and solid material make this the comedy club’s best show in years. All Messed Up & Nowhere to Go.
The show neither oversimplifies to pander to tourists nor sticks in flimsy, local content jokes that don’t draw laughs but do tick the box requiring attempts at hometown yuks. Instead, Second City has had a cast refresh with four new members, along with two returnees, each a skilled comic. It’s nice to see this justifiably revered Toronto institution re-discover its comedy legs with the best cast and show in years.
Michael Healey’s 5-N satire about Toronto’s inability to get things done was such a success at Crow’s Theatre last year it’s back. Chris Abraham’s propulsive direction and the rock-solid seven-person cast will incorporate three new faces for this Soulpepper remount Healey himself.
Oraculum, Sun., Dec. 1 - Sat., Dec. 14 (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, from $13)
Created by Denim and Pythia, two of Canada’s premier drag artists and revolving around an online psychic reading website, the piece will use performance, puppetry and projection to shed light on themes of gender and spirituality.
The Wizard of Oz: The Toto-ly Awesome Family Musical, Fri., Dec. 6 - Sun., Jan. 5 (Winter Garden Theatre, from $45) Replaces the Ross Petty panto with Petty himself on board CanStage presents The Wizard of Oz, having already premiered in 2018. Ted Dykstra directs and Julia Pulo, the production’s Dorothy, made a memorable turn as Anne Boleyn in Mirvish’s Six last year.
Each year, the Soulpepper Academy gives five emerging theatre artists a chance to develop their craft through 26 weeks of paid training. The 2024 cohort — Alicia Barban, Belinda Corpuz, Ben Kopp, Ruaridh MacDonald and Haneul Yi — is music-oriented and will make up the cast of this family-friendly musical based on the children’s poems of Dennis Lee, which was itself devised by former Academy members back in 2012.
Into the Woods, Sat., Dec. 28 - Tues., Dec. 31 (Koerner Hall, from $75)
This year’s iteration The Royal Conservatory of Music of presenting star-studded concert versions of Sondheim classics is as stacked as ever: music directed by Paul Sportelli, will star Tess Benger, Gabi Epstein, Sara Farb and other experts in the tricky art of Sondheim performance.
Last Landscape, Sun., Jan. 12 - Sun., Jan. 26 (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, from $13)
This Bad New Days production promises to blend clownish irreverence with dystopian darkness. Last Landscape will use the company’s idiosyncratic brand of physical theatre as a launching pad for a meditation on ecological grief and interspecies care.
The first-ever co-commission between the Canadian Opera Company and Opéra de Montréal, this new opera centres the historic Queen Christine of Sweden, whom her father raised as a boy during the Scientific Revolution.
People, Places and Things, Sun., Feb. 9 - Sun., Mar. 2 (Coal Mine Theatre, from $63)
The GTA has played witness to a surprising amount of work by English playwright Duncan Macmillan recently, from his adaptation of Rosmersholm (at Crow’s Theatre in September) to his solo show Every Brilliant Thing (coming to Brampton’s Rose Theatre from Nov. 27 to 30). This rehab-set 2015 drama about addiction will add to the pile when it makes its Canadian Premiere at the intimate Coal Mine Theatre under the direction of Diana Bentley.
Fat Ham, Sat., Feb. 15 - Sun., Mar. 9 (Berkeley Street Theatre, from $34)
After a strong High Park Hamlet this August, Canadian Stage is giving the story another whirl with this Pulitzer-winning adaptation by James Ijames. Philip Akin’s production of the cookout-set reimagining will star Peter Fernandes, who’s coming off a string of juicy comic roles in productions like The Bidding War and The Master Plan
Denim brings delight to “Oraculum” production at Buddies in December.
Experience a dazzling spectacle of art and light.
Celebrate the season with:
• A captivating light show.
• Free performances.
• Creative workshops and free activities for the whole family.
• Warm chai and delicious food. Visit agakhanmuseum.org/lutd for more information
Screens
Blockbusters heat up the holidays
Wicked
What:: Movie, 161 mins.
When: Now
Rating: NNN (out of 5)
Where: In theatres
Why you should watch: After a seemingly endless promotional cycle, the big-screen adaptation of the beloved musical has finally materialized, and just like witches in the land of Oz, there’s the good and the bad. Cynthia Erivo delivers a powerful vocal performance as Elphaba, a young witch ostracized for being green, and Ariana Grande brings precise comedic timing to the shallow queen-bee Galinda. But the film feels overlong (diehard fans may disagree, but it’s unclear if splitting the film in two parts does more than pad the plot and some wallets) and its unimaginative approach to lighting makes the great costume and production design fall flat. And Erivo remains a dominating presence in the film even though in dark scenes, and next to Grande, she is severely underlit. For a film about a woman othered by the colour of her skin, it’s a serious misstep.
Gladiator II
What: Movie, 148 mins.
When: Now
Where: In theatres
Genre: Historical drama
Rating: NNN
Why you should go: “Are you not entertained?” Not so much — Gladiator II can’t match the intensity, compelling narrative, bloody battles and, well, the entertainment levels of the 24-year-old original. Heartthrob of the moment Paul Mescal does his best but largely seems lost as Lucas, who we will eventually learn is the son of Russell Crow’s Maximus from the original film. Pedro Pascal, the previous heartthrob-of-the-moment, is virtuous as a Roman general with a conscience but, like Mescal, seems to wander throughout the film rather than purposefully propel any kind of story. Plot details pop to the surface like ancient bones emerging from an unsettled grave, and the fights aren’t as grand, bloody or focused as in the original. Of course, it’s cool seeing gladiators riding rhinos and sea battles in the
Continued on page 26
Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good in ‘Wicked’
Dylan biopic, Baby Girl more Mufasa, free flix at library
Continued from page 25
Colosseum, but it all feels emotionally bloodless despite the gore.
Movie, 100 mins. Wed., Nov. 27 In theatres
Family
tion of Blue Ivy Carter), Mufasa traces the origin of the feud between Mufasa and Scar (think Wicked with fur!).
Nosferatu
What: Movie, 132 mins.
When: Wed., Dec. 25
Where: In theatres
Genre: Horror
Why you should go: Director Robert Eggers has made a name for himself with gloomy period horror films like The Witch and The Lighthouse that fuse tropes of arthouse cinema with dark folklore figures. And who is more iconic, both in folk tales and in film, than the vampire?
Why you should go: Escape the grey November days with a few hours in colourful ancient Polynesia! The inevitable and hotly anticipated (at least by those under 4 feet tall) sequel to Moana (2016) is crashing into theatres this month, reuniting most of the cast of the original (including Dwayne Johnson as the demigod, Maui). Three years after saving her island from a blight by defeating a volcanic demon and restoring the goddess of nature, Te Fiti, Moana (voiced byAuli’i Cravalho) is now chief of her people and is called once again on a perilous journey across the ocean to save her ancestors.
Starring Bill Skarsgård, Lily-Rose Depp and Willem Dafoe, this remake of F. W. Murnau’s 1922 classic sticks close to the gothic look of the original with the craggy mountains, the candle-lit rooms and the terrified maiden in the thrall of a monster. If you are looking for something dark this holiday season, you’ve come to the right gothic castle.
A Complete Unknown
Movie, 98 mins.
What: Movie, 135 mins.
When: Wed., Dec. 25
Where: In theatres
Why you should go: The most enticing film title of the year belongs to Can You Ever Forgive Me? Director, Marielle Heller’s, latest drama. Based on the novel of the same name by Rachel Yoder, Nightbitch stars Amy Adams as a frazzled and fed-up stay-at-home mom who takes up running at night and begins to suspect that she’s turning into a dog. Could this surreal and satirical take on motherhood and suburban malaise earn Adams her long-delayed Oscar?
Mufasa: The Lion King
What: Movie, 118 mins.
When: Fri., Dec. 20
Where: In theatres
Genre: Family
Why you should go: While some may have thought 2019’s remake of The Lion King was slightly soulless and a smidge cynical, those people were in the minority since the film quickly became the highest-grossing animated film of all time (until Inside Out 2 dethroned it this summer). Now that the long-awaited sequel is finally coming out, will Mufasa reclaim its place at the top of the pride? Directed by Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) and featuring a returning all-star cast (with the new addi-
Genre: Drama
Why you should go: Timothée Chalamet fans rejoice while Bob Dylan fans may dread a new biopic of the artist out on Christmas Day. Directed by biopic maestro James Mangold (Walk the Line, Ford v. Ferrari ), A Complete Unknown follows Dylan’s early career as a folk star, culminating with the outcry surrounding his performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. The film also stars Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Ed Norton as Pete Seeger, and Elle Fanning. Whether or not we need another film about the musical icon (we rarely really get a say in these things), you can spend your holiday trying to name all the actors playing illustrious folk figures in the background.
INDEPENDENT and INTERNATIONAL FILMS
Maria What: Movie, 123 mins.
When: Wed., Nov. 27
Where: In theatres
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: After Jackie (2016) probed the First Lady’s psyche post-assassination and Spencer (2021) brought us into a stifling Christmas with
the Royal family, Pablo Larraín completes his trilogy on famous 20th-century women under the blazing lights of the stage with Maria. Following the legendary opera singer Maria Callas in her final days in Paris, Maria is an intimate portrait of a larger-than-life persona. Don’t miss a reportedly incredible performance by Angeline Jolie in theatres Wed., Nov. 27 and on Netflix Wed., Dec. 11.
Queer
What: Movie, 135 mins.
When: Wed., Nov. 27
Where: In theatres
Genre: Drama
Why you should go: The year isn’t over and we are already getting another film from prolific Italian director Luca Guadagnino. After this spring’s tennis love triangle and social media sensation, Challengers, Guadagnino brings us another sexually charged drama with Queer. Based on the novel by William S. Burroughs, Queer follows a lonely 40-something American expat living in Mexico City who begins a relationship with a young man. Guadagnino translates Burroughs’ hallucinatory prose into a luscious and surreal exploration of love.
Hard Truths
What: Movie, 97 mins.
When: Fri., Dec. 6
Where: In theatres
Genre: Drama
Why you should go: Don’t miss the latest drama by legendary British director Mike Leigh (and this year’s TIFF standout,) Hard Truths. It stars Marianne Jean-Baptiste as the irascible Pansy, who directs her angry nitpicking at everyone from her family members to service workers. Darkly funny and deeply compassionate, Hard Truths is a masterful exploration of family, contemporary England and learning to love even those we don’t always like.
The Brutalist
What: Movie, 185 mins.
When: Fri., Dec. 20
Where: In theatres
Genre: Drama
Why you should go: One of the buzziest films to come out of TIFF this year is Brady Corbet’s period drama, The Brutalist. After his divisive 2018 drama Vox
Lux — which painted a glittering, apocalyptic portrait of contemporary America through pop stardom and school shooters
— Corbet returns with a new vision of the complex country. The film follows an architect who arrives in the U.S. after fleeing post-war Europe and stops at nothing to rebuild his career and his life in a new country. Starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce and boasting an eye-catching trailer, The Brutalist is this winter’s must-see.
Baby Girl
What: Movie, 114 mins.
When: Wed., Dec. 25
Where: In theatres
Genre: Drama
Why you should go: If you’re hoping to get away from the family on Christmas Day, you might want to try the erotic thriller Baby Girl. It stars Nicole Kidman as a CEO who embarks on a twisted affair with one of her company’s interns (Harris Dickinson), risking her reputation and her family. Director Halina Reijn (Bodies Bodies Bodies) updates a classic erotic thriller trope (the boss who almost loses it all for a sexy but unhinged underling) for the age of girl bosses, power dynamics and age-gap relationship controversy. Don’t bring the kids!
FREE FILMS
Holidays at the Library
What: Movie
When: Until Fri., Dec. 27
Where: Various branches
Genre: Drama
Why you should go: One of the city’s most reliable destinations for free films does not disappoint this holiday season, whether you’re looking for family fare, comedies, classics or contemporary dramas. Some highlights include The Holdovers (2023) at North York Central on Dec. 4, The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) at Palmerston on Dec. 27, The Third Man (1949) at the Reference Library on Dec. 20, and Carol (2015) at Bloor Gladstone on Dec. 27. No library card required!
Merry Christmas at Alliance française de Toronto
What: Movie, 116 mins.
Continued on page 28
Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal clash in the Colosseum in Gladiator II
Watch the official trailer
Streaming highlights include Yacht Rock, back stage Beatles and Maniscalco’s “Bookie”
Continued from page 27
When: Thurs., Dec. 5 and Thurs., Dec. 12
Where: Spadina Theatre
Genre: Various
Why you should go: Looking to take in some French film this winter? Look to Toronto’s French-language community hub, Alliance française de Toronto. Throughout the year, it programs free French films (don’t worry there are English subtitles!) from around the world at the Spadina Theatre. This winter, warm up with the
epicurean period film Delicious (Eric Besnard) on Dec. 5 and Merry Christmas (Christian Carion), the 2005 historical drama set on the front lines of the First World War on Dec. 12. Check the website for a full schedule of upcoming screenings.
Seven Veils with Atom Egoyan
What: Movie, 119 mins.
When: Mon., Feb. 10
Where: Innis Town Hall
Genre: Drama
Why you should go: Canadian director Atom Egoyan’s
latest film is a mysterious and stylish exploration of artistic creation, trauma and sexual dynamics in the workplace. Seven Veils stars Amanda Seyfried as a young theatre director who begins to lose her grip on herself as she prepares a new staging of Salome . Shot while Egoyan was directing the same opera (and using footage from the actual performance), Seven Veils is a slippery, complex look at the creative process and the politics of creation. Don’t miss this special screening including a Q&A with the director.
FESTIVALS
Regent Park Film Festival
What: Movie, various runtimes
When: Thurs., Nov. 28 to Sun., Dec. 1
Where: Ada Slaight Hall in Daniels Spectrum
Genre: Various
Why you should go: One of the most vital and exciting festivals in the city returns to Downtown East this winter with a slate of features, shorts, workshops and panels. Some highlights of this year’s program include Boxcutter, which follows a Toronto-based rapper as he prepares for a life-changing show; Girls Will Be Girls, a queer coming-ofage story set in the Himalayas; and a pair of Palestinian shorts, Vibrations from Gaza and The Diary of a Sky
Doc Soup
What: Movie, various runtimes
When: Various dates from Dec. to April
Where: Hot Docs Cinema
Genre: Documentary
Why you should go: Now that Hot Docs Theatre is open again, there is no better time to support this vital institution and no better way than their running festival of new documentaries, Doc Soup. This December, catch a screening of Play it Loud! — How Toronto Got Soul (Graeme Mathieson), which chronicles the life and career of Jay Douglas and how Toronto became a hub of Jamaican music. And this January, catch The Cowboy and the Queen, Andrea Nevins’s ode to “horse whisperer” Monty Roberts who developed an unlikely friendship with Queen Elizabeth II.
European Union Film Festival
What: Movie, various runtimes
When: Until Thurs., Nov. 28
Where: Spadina Theatre
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: Looking to discover films you won’t see in theatres? Look no further than Toronto’s long-running festival of new European cinema. From
a Finnish coming-of-age drama (Light Light Light) to a gritty Romanian historical thriller (Freedom), and a Slovakian romantic comedy (Never Say Never) to an immersive Ukrainian documentary (The Hardest Hour), the festival offers compelling stories from all corners of the European Union.
CLASSICS
Paradise Book Club presents Rebecca
What: Movie 130 mins.
When: Fri., Nov. 29
Where: Paradise Theatre
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: One of Toronto’s favourite indie bookstores, Type Books, has a new book club … and this one doesn’t need an invitation. Join hosts Kevin Greenspan and Claire Foster as they discuss one of the most beloved gothic love stories of all time, Rebecca. Daphne du Maurier’s 1938 novel — about a nameless young wife, her tortured new husband and his impossibly glamorous deceased wife — inspired a bidding war for the film rights before it was even released. The victor was Alfred Hitchcock, whose 1940 adaptation, starring Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine, is a complex and haunting take on the modern classic.
The Holiday
What: Movie, 131 mins.
When: Thurs., Dec. 5
Where: Fox Theatre
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Why you should watch: Join the Fox Theatre, columnist Jen Kirsch and author Julia McKay to celebrate the Christmas rom-com with one of the most beloved films from the genre, The Holiday (2006). Directed by Nancy Meyers, The Holiday stars Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet as two very different women who swap houses for the holidays and — of course — find love. McKay will be on hand to discuss the film and discuss her festive rom-com novel, The Holiday Honeymoon Switch. Wear your cosiest outfit and grab some white wine from the concessions for the ultimate comforting Christmas film.
Scrooge Night
What: Movie, various runtimes
When: Mon., Dec. 23
Where: The Revue
Genre: Various
Why you should watch: In honour of our favourite holiday misanthrope, The Revue is hosting a night of screenings about Ebenezer Scrooge. First up is Edwin L. Marin’s charming 1938 adaptation of the Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol, about a cantankerous businessman confronting the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. And stick around for the 1988 Bill Murray comedy Scrooged, which reimagines the heartwarming (and scary) story of redemption in a cutthroat corporate setting.
Laws of Desire: The Films of Pedro Almodóvar
What: Movie, various runtimes
When: Until Sun., Dec. 29
Where: TIFF Lightbox
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: Pedro Almodóvar’s films are all deeply entertaining, visually sumptuous, funny and haunting. But in case you aren’t already a convert, TIFF Cinematheque presents a comprehensive retrospective of the Spanish auteur’s work. From a family haunting (Volver) to a matador love triangle (Talk to Her) to a sci-fi film infused with gender anxiety (The Skin I Live In) and a semi-autobiographical masterpiece (Pain and Glory), Almodóvar’s works are singular and unforgettable. And don’t miss the director’s latest film, The Room Next Door, starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, which opens this winter.
STREAMING
Our Little Secret
What: Movie, 100 mins.
When: Wed., Nov. 27
Where: Netflix
Genre: Christmas
Why you should watch: Christmas movies of the Hallmark and Lifetime variety have always been massively popular, but in the last few years, they’ve gone mainstream and viewers are openly celebrating their favourite film formula (a variation on “big city girl goes back to hometown and meets a handsome local”).
Netflix has caught on to the trend and become a destination for the fluffy, festive fare. If you’ve already watched the one about the sexy snowman (Hot
Frosty, released Nov. 13), don’t miss Our Little Secret, starring Lindsay Lohan and Ian Harding as exes forced to spend the holidays together.
Beatles ’64
What: Movie, 96 mins.
When: Fri., Nov. 29
Where: Disney+
Genre: Rockumentray
Why you should watch: More than just Baby Boomer Bliss, director David Tedeschi uses footage from brilliant documentary filmmakers Albert and David Maysles who followed The Beatles behind the scenes and onstage with their raw and honest view of the two weeks the Fab Four debuted in the US, including on The Ed Sullivan Show, conquering America along the way. Amazing fan footage that resonates today in the wake of Taylor Swift’s Toronto takeover.
Yacht Rock
What: Movie, 95 mins.
When: Fri., Nov. 29
Where: Crave
Genre: Rockumentary
Rating: NNNN (out of 5)
Why you should watch: A pre-YouTube web series, Yacht Rock mocked the smooth ’70s sounds from L.A., naming a genre in the process. It’s the inspiration for this not-too-series but affectionate look at the surprisingly enduring sound that is even having a comeback. Steely Dan is the Yacht Rock Rosetta Stone, inspiring acts like Doobie Brothers, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, Toto and more. And somehow, Michael McDonald is playing with almost all of them. A jazzy vibe with heartfelt, raw lyrics, sometimes corny lyrics with an R&B influence. Originators of the music are interviewed as well as those they inspired, including Questlove and Thundercat. Black “Yacht Rockers” like George Benson and Al Jarreau are all celebrated, and the creators of the Yacht Rock series are among those interviewed showing a deep understanding and love of the music they so expertly lampooned. Part of HBO’s “Music Box” series.
Richelieu
What: Movie, 90 mins.
When: Fri., Nov. 29
Where: CBC Gem
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: Canadian Screen Award-nominated
workplace drama, Richelieu (PierPhilippe Chevigny) stars Ariane Castellanos as an interpreter hired by a factory that employs migrant workers from Guatemala. As she navigates office politics, tensions rise and she develops a deep sense of solidarity with the exploited workers.
Bookie
What: Series, Season 2
When: Thurs., Dec. 12
Where: Crave
Genre: Drama
Rating: Why you should watch: Everybody’s favourite rage comic Sebastian Manisclko is sympathetic here, and always, because ultimately as much fury as he emits, he is always the biggest victim of his fury.
Squid Games Season 2
What: Series.
When: Thu., Dec. 26
Where: Netflix
Genre: Thriller
Why you should watch: One of the most popular streaming series of all time, pitch-black dystopian drama Squid Games returns for its wildly anticipated second season. The series follows a group of desperate contestants as they risk their lives in a series of gruesome games for the chance to win a giant piggy bank of money. While the first season’s creative cruelties didn’t quite deliver a biting class critique, it was potent enough to capture the world’s imagination (and inspire some truly ill-advised celebrity Halloween costumes.)
Severance
What: Series, Season 2, 10 episodes, 50 mins.
When: Fri., Jan. 17
Where: Apple+
Genre: Science Fiction
Why you should watch: Another eagerly anticipated return this winter is Dan Erickson’s workplace sci-fi drama Severance, back for its second season.
Starring Adam Scott and Patricia Arquette, Severance follows a man who has agreed to split his work self and his home self into two consciousnesses, but he and his coworkers grow increasingly suspicious of the company they’re trapped in. After the nail-biting finale of the funny, tense and thoughtful first season, expectations for the new episodes are very high.
Don’t think twice, it’s Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan in A
Comedy
International touring comedians like Randy Feltface and local, homegrown stars like Russell Peters come home for the holidays
By: William Molls
Who: Randy Feltface
Where: Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave.
When: Mon., Dec. 2
Why you should go: Look, a purple, Australian puppet doing stand-up comedy isn’t for everybody. That said, the hilarious, Toronto-based Adam Christie opened for Randy on his recent U.K. tour, so, obviously, whoever books for this puppet has excellent taste. Randy Feltface has a surprisingly elaborate backstory, explored in previous solo shows like Randy is Sober and Postcards from Purgatory. Be prepared for this puppet to have an existential crisis on stage, mixed with some light, observational comedy.
Who: Johnny Pemberton
Where: Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor St. W.
When: Fri., Dec. 6 & Sat., Dec. 7
Why you should go: Johnny Pemberton seems to show up in everything these days, most recently as Thaddeus in Amazon Prime’s Fallout TV series. You’ll also recognize him from Armando Iannucci’s In the Loop, 21 Jump Street, 22 Jump Street, Ant-Man, New Girl, Kroll Show, Superstore and even Law & Order: SVU. As a stand-up, he’s performed at Just for Laughs and SXSW. This is your chance to see him in real life rather than in everything you binge-watched over the past two years.
What: CBC Radio’s Laugh Out
Loud with Ali Hassan
Where: Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W.
When: Fri., Dec. 6
Why you should go: Attend this special, free taping of CBC Radio’s Laugh Out Loud featuring Martha Chaves and Ryan Dillon and enjoy complimentary coffee, hot chocolate or other holiday treats, all in support of Daily Bread Food Bank.
What: Nour Hadidi & Friends
Where: Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor St. W.
When: Sat., Dec. 7
Why you should go: Nour Hadidi (featured in NEXT Winter 2023) is one of the Toronto stand-up comedy scene’s brightest stars.
She hosts this monthly showcase of local talent at Comedy Bar, which is reason enough to go — but count on an excellent showcase of the city’s best stand-up comedy talent as well.
What: Che Durena
Where: Comedy Bar Danforth, 2800 Danforth Ave.
When: Fri., Dec. 13 & Sat., Dec. 14
Why you should go: Haitian Canadian comedian Che Durena is taping a special on the Danforth over four shows. He’s appeared at Just for Laughs and Crave TV, and his debut album, Tales From My Butthole, is available now on Spotify.
Who: Russell Peters: Relax
World Tour
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St.
When: Sat., Dec. 14
Why you should go: It’s your boy, Toronto. Peters is one of the most famous stand-up comedians to ever come out of this city — the first ever to sell out Scotiabank Arena in 2007. He had the potential to be Canada’s Kevin Hart, but these days, he feels a bit more like Canada’s Dane Cook. That’s because he relied too heavily on catchphrases and racial-stereotype-based material that got stale quickly. His material has — thankfully — evolved since his heyday in the mid2000s, though. It’s worth giving Peters a chance to play the role of elder statesman in Canadian comedy.
Who: Matt Rogers
Where: Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave.
When: Sun., Dec. 22
Why you should go: Best known for being the co-host of the Las Culturistas podcast with SNL’s Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers is a sketch comedy veteran and self-titled “Prince of Christmas,” so it’s a real honour for Toronto that such holiday royalty is spending this special time of year performing here.
Russell Peters brings his “Relax” tour home to Toronto Sat., Dec. 14
Watch a Russell Peters clip
Courtney Gilmour returns as Wonder Woman
Talented comic pushes humour past lived disability experience
By: William Molls
id Courtney Gilmour feel any pressure about producing a follow-up to her JUNO Award-nominated debut album?
She tells me she felt a different kind of pressure: “It was simply trying to ignore this nagging feeling of, like, ‘Okay, so you recorded your debut album, it’s all no-hands jokes,’” she says.
Gilmour is a congenital triple amputee, and on her first album, Let Me Hold Your Baby, much of her material is about her lived experience as a person with a disability.
“Now, you have to prove yourself as, like, a comic who can talk about anything else.”
Instead, Gilmour says she decided to go “completely the other way” with her new material.
“I was like ‘No. Hell no. I’m just going to do a whole other album, completely full of all of these disability jokes because this is what I want to do. This is what’s on my mind right now.’”
That theme — having to navigate the expectations others have about her disability — is clear throughout Wonder Woman, in which she explores ideas such as “Disability is performance, disability as a superpower — or is it? — or, you know, things I’m conflicted about within my experiences,” she says.
In the album’s titular track, she talks about how people in her life will call her “Wonder Woman” for wanting to do basic things for herself, which leads to a hilarious comparison of her day-to-day life to that of Wonder Woman, concluding that these people need to show the latter way more respect.
Wonder Woman is her first album since making it to the semi-finals of Canada’s Got Talent in 2022, an experience that brought her national recognition as a stand-up. Talking about her newfound Canadian celebrity,
she tells me, “I occasionally get recognized in airports, so I’m really living large over here.”
“It was all filmed during the pandemic, and COVID protocols were still pretty rigid,” she says about her experience on the second season of the show, lamenting that the series was still finding its footing in the post-pandemic media landscape.
“I do feel like my run on it was just what I, personally, needed at that time as a comedian who hadn’t really spoken to or seen people on a regular basis in a long time, but it was maybe not as like, you know, rocket launching as it could have been,” she says.
Instead, it’s an experience she rates as an important milestone for her career, saying, “It was the first big thing I did in Canada that really reminded me that, yeah, I do have big goals. I do want to do, you know, TV stuff, and I do want to get my name
out there.” Among those goals she achieved, she says, “I got to make Jason Braceley laugh, which is, like, honestly, one of my biggest to date.”
Her performances on Canada’s Got Talent featured bits from her first album, Let Me Hold Your Baby, which she describes as “a compilation” of all her most polished material from across her career up to that point. “Basically, everything I’ve ever written to date, let’s just get all of that recorded. It was all quality material that I totally stand on and could rely on because I had done it so many times.”
With Wonder Woman, Gilmour was starting from scratch. As a result, she says she found it became a much more “intentional” album. “I was performing at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival back in February, and I was writing an eight-minute set centred around a theme. I noticed that my theme
was all sort of coming together in a very specific way that felt personal to me and was touching on subjects that I really wanted to talk about,” she says.
On Wonder Woman, she discusses being rejected by a major label when going to record her first album. While she won’t name names, she says it “wasn’t, like, a small-potatoes label” that told her they didn’t believe her disability material would translate well in an audio-only medium. “I was just surprised by the lack of willingness to strategize that.” In contrast, she has nothing but praise for Comedy Records, the label she’s worked with for both this album and her debut.
Gilmour deftly rebukes the pressure she was feeling not to focus her material on her own lived experience with a line that hits the nail on the head: “People will listen if it’s funny.”
Courtney Gilmour isn’t trying to be anyone’s hero
Courtney Gilmour isn’t trying to be anyone’s hero
Courtney Gilmour on ‘Canada’s Got Talent”
Canada thrives because of its people.
Canada’s Walk of Fame is proud to recognize and celebrate remarkable Can adians who exemplify excellence, compassion, and impact, and we are hono ured to shine a light on their achievements.
William Prince
With four award-winning albums, William Prince has become a significant force in Canadian music, known for his talent and meaningful contributions. From Peguis First Nation to major stages, his songs of self-discovery and shared humanity resonate deeply, offering solace and reflection to listeners.
Multiple JUNO Awards, a Grand Ole Opry debut, and international recognition have extended William's influence far beyond music. His collaborations with icons like Neil Young and The Tragically Hip, and his impactful efforts— like hosting A Day to Listen and composing a song for Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope—highlight his commitment to positive change in the music community
Launched in 2010, the Canada’s Walk of Fame Allan Slaight Music Impact Ho nour is presented to a musician, duo, or group that continues to make a po sitive impact with their talent and benevolence in the field of music. It is named for Allan Slaight (1931 - 2021) , 2020 Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductee , Canada’s broadcast pioneer, music leader and promin ent Canadian philanthropist.
