Bayview Post August 2025

CARI-BANANZA AHEAD OF THE GRAND CARNIVAL, CHEFS NUIT REGULAR & ANTHONY ROSE SAMPLE THE BEST JERK CHICKEN

SUMMER REWIND

A lo-fi look at summer in T.O. before algorithms, speed cameras and $9 lattes

Ride at the CNE circa 1967

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Old school summer vibes rule Toronto

That old adage everything old is new again could be the theme of this summer in Toronto with its phone-free dance parties and ’80s style. So we decided to lean into it a little and shine a light on all the good times we’ve had in this city over the decades.

For me, there was nothing better than exploring the rapidly shrinking number of incredible live music venues in the city. The Bamboo in all its socasoaked musical glory will long be remembered. But for others it might be that rickety old roller coaster and the memories you made with your growing family at the CNE.

Check it out and let us know what memories it rekindles for you. Better still, go out and make a few more before the sunny season is gone again.

And we are already thinking about our big anniversary issue

in September, featuring our annual Best of Everything cover story.

Everyone has that favourite spot in Toronto that’s all their own. It could be a favourite restaurant or bar, or it could be something completely different like a little repertory cinema with seats to recline and crickets in the walls.

Yes, I’m talking about you, Fox Theatre — my personal fave. Sure, the new owners got rid of those crickets but those glorious seats and all that charm are still right there. We would love to crowd source a few more personal faves this time around.

To that end I am making a special appeal for you to send your favourite and very secret spots in the city via email to Bestof@postcity.com.

—Ron Johnson

The cherished Fox Theatre

POST INTERVIEW CITY HACKS

T.O. tennis hero is home and hungry for history

Tennis star Denis Shapovalov is part of a large contingent of Canadian talent set to tackle the likes of Carlos Alcarez and Jannik Sinner at the National Bank Open in Toronto at York University until Aug. 7.

What are your earliest memories of picking up a racquet and getting into tennis in the Toronto area?

I would say the earliest memories of me picking up a racket were with my mom and my brother on court. I remember practising with them all the time and always wanting to beat my brother. My mother had played tennis professionally, and she was coaching my brother, so naturally I wanted to get into tennis when I saw them practising.

What does it mean to you to represent Canada on the global stage? Representing Canada means everything to me. Winning the Davis Cup for Canada was one of the most special moments in my career. It’s something every tennis player dreams of winning as it’s the biggest tennis team event in the world. I definitely carry a lot of pride being Canadian and representing Canada. I always try to keep that in mind whenever I’m on the court and try to inspire other fellow Canadians.

How do you handle the expectations that come with being a prominent Canadian athlete?

Do you have things you always do when back in town — restaurants you love, that sort of thing?

I have a few favourite restaurants in town, but I always make sure that I stop at Tim’s and get myself some Timbits.

How has 2025 gone so far?

I’m really proud of how I started the year. I won the biggest title of my career in February in Dallas and had a good run on hard courts after that. I’m feeling healthy, which is most important, and I’m excited to keep it going this year.

Who have been your toughest opponents on tour?

“ I ALWAYS FEEL A LITTLE MORE ENERGIZED PLAYING AT HOME.”

It’s amazing playing the Canadian events, especially when I’m playing at home in Toronto. It’s definitely a really exciting atmosphere being in front of the home fans and seeing so many young tennis fans come out to practices and the matches. I actually really enjoy it, especially getting to meet the younger Canadian tennis fans who say they watch my matches. I always feel a little more energized playing at home.

Novak [Djokovic] is the opponent I’ve struggled with the most throughout my career so I would have to go with him.

How do you stay grounded with the pressures of tour life?

Having a good team around me is super important. I’m really lucky that my fiancée, Mirjam, who is also a professional tennis player, is able to be with me a lot, and having her support is amazing since she has the best understanding about everything going on and understands me as well. We recently got a puppy (Yatzy). He was there in Dallas when I won.

How special is it to return to Toronto to play in front of a hometown crowd?

The National Bank Open in Toronto has a special place in my heart, not just because it’s at home, but because I also won my first ATP match on these courts, so it’s always extremely special coming back and playing in front of the home fans here.

—Ron Johnson

Cool summer hangs in Toronto for you and your hound

Drinking with Rover

Several spots now offer dedicated dog menus, including Beertown with dog-safe beer, Sarang Kitchen’s full Korean tasting menu for pups and Stout Irish Pub’s canine cottage pie. At Lobster Burger Bar, dogs dine on vet-approved, locally sourced meals.

Hound House

Hound House on Queen West is a luxury indoor dog park and co-working space where dogs play under supervision while owners work or relax. Perks include a pet spa, café, boutique, eco-friendly potty stations and a concierge for treats or daycare. Memberships for one dog are $170 a month, and day passes are available for $30, if you can get in.

Best dog park ever

The city has some incredible off-leash dog parks, but nothing compares to the massive Silver Birch Dog Park. This gem sits on Lake Ontario at the eastern end of the Beach neighourhood and has three separate coves and incredible views..

L-R: Denis Shapovalov with his fiancée, Mirjam Björklund, and their dog, Yatzy; Shapo in action

Hound House

Denis Shapovalov is back and climbing the rankings ahead of the National Bank Open in Toronto

ROBOT HEADS

Canuck icons Will Arnett and William Shatner go head to head this month. Shatner is the greatest starship captain ever, whereas Arnett has made us laugh more often than we can count. But which Will rules the roost?

Will Arnett

Toronto, Ont.

Actor

Took theatre classes at the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto and started auditioning for commercials here.

After many failed pilots, Arnett was encouraged to audition for a new show, Arrested Development.

One of the best voice and character actors with notable roles in Bojack Horseman, LEGO movies and more.

Arnett has shown off his hometown for FIFA World Cup ads and stars in the amazing Smartless podcast.

William Shatner

Montreal, Que.

Actor

Starting acting on stages in Toronto at the Crest Theatre and at the Stratford Festival.

Moved to New York City and landed a role as Ranger Bob on the Howdy Doody Show

Landed the legendary role of Captain James T. Kirk on Star Trek, which ran for just three seasons.

Shatner is back in Toronto as part of Fan Expo, running Aug. 21 to 24 at the Convention Centre.

Unusual and out-of-theway places to escape the heat this summer

Adelaide Courtyard

Known for its sculptural fountains and public art installation. The centerpiece is a metal mesh–covered fountain said to represent the head of Adam.

Berczy Park

More park than courtyard, but its playful dog-fountain is one of Toronto’s most beloved public art pieces. The two-tier cast-iron fountain features 27 life-sized dog sculptures.

Anne Johnston Courtyard

Nestled between Minto Midtown’s high-rises, this quiet spot offers greenery and a glowing water fountain — creating a calm, eco-friendly retreat.

Trinity Square

Tucked behind the Eaton Centre, this courtyard connects to the Church of the Holy Trinity with an ornamental pond, a labyrinth and plenty of shade.

Berczy Park

Drake drove a retro ice truck from the Iceman Toronto through downtown as part of a livestream promoting his upcoming album ‘Iceman’, sending the family-run business viral.

SPOTTED

Bike lane protest campaign shows how to stand up to Queen’s Park

Bike lanes in Toronto will not be removed by the province any time soon.

Bill 212, which authorized the removal of bike lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street and University Avenue, was approved in November 2024. Cycle Toronto filed a Charter challenge to the legislation, requiring the government to provide internal staff advice on the proposed Bill.

Those documents state that “Cycling has been shown to have a positive impact on congestion in North American cities… [and] the net result of bike lane removals could simply be more vehicles queued along already congested streets without significant reductions in travel times.”

Well after the court hearing, Cycle Toronto conducted a survey on Bloor Street West near Brunswick Avenue on June 11, between 5 and 7 p.m. that proved staff advice. Some 930 bikes were counted heading east or west while 832 motor vehicles were observed.

Judge Paul Schabas decided in favour of Cycle Toronto this past April, stating, “I grant an injunction suspending the operation of the Target Bike Lane Removal Provision until the release of my decision on the application.”

Premier Ford appealed that in-

junction decision, but the Court of Appeal rejected the appeal in midJuly. Only after Judge Schabas issues his decision on the merits of the case — that will probably be months away — can the province ask for leave to appeal, which might take another month or two. If leave is granted, then the appeal will have to be scheduled and that will take another few months. Then more time until that decision is released. And whatever that decision, one can expect a request of leave for a further appeal.

So one can expect there will be no decision on the matter until sometime in mid-2026 or maybe later, just in time for the next municipal election.

The province awarded the contract to remove the bike lanes to engineering firm Stantec. Cycle Toronto sent a petition to Stantec asking it to withdraw. A demonstration was held at Stantec’s office, which was briefly occupied by protestors. Stantec’s reaction was to withdraw from almost the whole contract, deciding it would only provide advice on removing 1.5 kilometres of a bike lane, then end its participation.

The campaign is one of the most successful examples of opposing legislation taking powers away from

the city. It would be a good strategy to get Rohit Gupta — of Harrington Place Advisors, appointed by the provincial government to make education decisions in place of our elected school trustees who have been removed — to withdraw.

One never knows what else the province will do to undermine the city. Bill 5, passed in June after a great deal of public opposition, permits the province to establish special economic zones determined by cabinet meeting in private and thus subject to lobbyists pushing their own agendas. The cabinet can exempt the zone from any provincial or municipal laws and regulations, creating lawless areas.

Premier Ford has suggested such a zone might be established to permit tunnelling for Highway 401. His love affair with cars might make him decide to create such a zone to get rid of bike lanes. Sounds far-fetched? Creating lawless areas in Ontario is more far-fetched than anyone could ever have imagined when Premier Ford was re-elected in February.

Coldplay T.O. shows highlight anger over dynamic pricing issues

There are few things more stressful than the dreaded Ticketmaster pre-sale queue. True music fans know well in advance when it’s happening. We’ve been waiting, cherished passwords in hand, for that special moment. We log in, one of hundreds or even thousands in a virtual lineup snaking through the interwebs. We hit the sale site, and we see it. The astronomical ticket prices, thanks to Ticketmaster’s very awful dynamic pricing.

This pricing system might have a place in lopping the heads off of the scurrying rats of the resale ticket racket. But when it comes to big shows with the most popular artists in the world, it is a nightmare.

We might despise Ticketmaster for its dynamic pricing that hits true music fans hardest. But you know what? There is more than enough shade to be thrown at the artists as well. Our beloved bands and singers have the option of opting out of this severe pricing option. Just ask the Cure’s Robert Smith who opted out of the pricing option when he played in Toronto and elsewhere.

One of the biggest artists on the biggest tour of all time, Taylor Swift, could have made even more money if she implemented dynamic pricing. But she also would have made it really hard for her real fans. So she said no, and everyone had a fair chance to nab the golden Eras ticket.

Did Coldplay, one of the world’s biggest bands, opt out of dynamic pricing when they played four sold-out shows at the massive Rogers Stadium last month? Heck no.

There was no ticket price range offered, there was just a lineup of fans who had to cringe and bear the incredible weight of skyrocketing prices because they love the band and wanted to be sure they got tickets.

While the coddled Coldplay crooner was dissing the new stadium in Downsview Park, he was also pocketing astronomical sums on the backs of his true fans. Way to go Chris. At least Oasis, the next big band to play Rogers Stadium, realized the issues with dynamic pricing and dropped it for their North American tour.

“When unprecedented ticket demand (where the entire tour could be sold many times over at the moment tickets go on sale) is combined with technology that cannot cope with that demand, [dynamic pricing] becomes less effective and can lead to an unacceptable experience for fans," the band wrote in a statement. Good lads.

So sure, let Ticketmaster know dynamic pricing is bad for real music fans and needs a rethink but also demand your favourite artists just say no.

A bike lane protest in Toronto in front of Queen’s Park

RON JOHNSON is the editorial director of Post City Magazines and is still sore about David Byrne tickets.

JOHN SEWELL is a former mayor of Toronto.

Get ready for Yonge North subway big dig

The Yonge North Subway Extension is approaching a major milestone, with the tunnelling contract expected to be awarded soon, Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario confirmed this week.

“The procurement process is in its final stages for the awarding of the advanced tunnel contract for the Yonge North Subway Extension and we will have an update soon,” a spokesperson for Metrolinx confirmed. “We must complete all procurement before determining a completion date. This work will set the stage for major construction of the subway extension.”

Three shortlisted teams were invited to submit detailed proposals for the tunnelling work in late 2023. Now, after months of evaluation, officials say they are close to selecting the successful bidder. The contract award is anticipated later this summer.

The project will extend TTC’s Line 1 service roughly eight kilometres north from Finch Station, adding five new stations and improving rapid transit access for communities across Toronto and York Region. The contract includes the design and construction of the twin tunnels, launch and ex-

traction shafts, tunnel-boring machine supply and key underground structural components such as station walls and emergency exit facilities. It also involves relocating utilities along the route.

The three bidding teams, which were shortlisted following a qualifications process assessing technical expertise and project experience, are:

• CrossTransit Group, led by Vinci Construction Grands Projets and Ferrovial Construction Canada;

• North End Connectors, led by Aecon, Dragados Ghella;

• Toronto-York Tunnel Connectors, led by Acciona and Bouygues.

This spring, local resident Sam Cuda and others expressed concerns about the extension, including the project’s direct and indirect impacts on Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.

With five new stations and connections to up to seven other transit services — including GO trains and York Region Viva — the project is expected to serve over 94,000 daily riders, cut commute times by up to 22 minutes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 4,800 tonnes annually.

—Ron Johnson

Contract will soon be awarded for subway construction

School board plan to privatize Lawrence Park Collegiate field hits snag

A growing number of students and parents are calling on the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to stop a controversial plan that seeks the removal of the running track at Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute (LPCI), as well as the partial privatization of its field.

The online petition, “Stop the Removal of Lawrence Park CI’s Track. Stop the Privatization of the School Field,” criticizes the deal’s potential impact on student athletics and public access. As of publication, it has received 772 signatures.

According to the petition, on June 20, the school board announced a joint agreement with the Toronto Scottish Rugby Football Club to convert the school’s natural grass field into a professional-grade artificial turf facility.

The club would invest $1.5 million in the project, with the TDSB matching that investment.

To meet World Rugby standards for competitive play, “the existing six-lane 400m running track will be eliminated.”

The deal would also reportedly give the club “exclusive use of the field” during evenings from Tuesdays to Thursdays, and all day on Saturdays.

Petition organizers argue that

track removal will only hurt student athletics.

“For competitions and training requiring a 400m track, the TDSB says that LPCI students will need to use facilities at John Polanyi CI or North Preparatory JPS. This is unacceptable for an accomplished and proud athletics program that dates back to the school’s founding in

“A broader, more transparent consultation process is needed.”

1936,” the petition states, adding that there are thousands of students from surrounding schools who also rely on the LPCI track for their physical education programs.

Since the deal hands over a public field to a private sports organization during evenings and weekends, this raises “serious equity issues,” the petition states, “and undermines the principle that public education spaces should prioritize students and the broader public good over external use.”

Although the school board said the process included com-

munity letters of support in 2022, those behind the petition are adamant that many students and parents were unaware of and “shocked by the trade-offs” this agreement entails.

“A broader, more transparent consultation process is needed before moving forward,” the petition reads, urging the TDSB to pause the current plan and consider three alternate proposals previously submitted by community members.

These proposals will reportedly provide a “win-win” solution where both the new field and a four- to six-lane, 400-metre running track could be accomplished, without the need for excavation.

“The redevelopment of Lawrence Park CI's field is scheduled for summer 2026,” read a statement from the school board when asked if there is any opportunity to revisit the plan.

The TDSB has also faced criticism over other recent decisions. Earlier this spring, the board announced that it would consider closing more than half of its school pools as one of several cost-saving options to help balance its projected $58 million deficit for the 2025–2026 academic year.

—Nisean Lorde

Adventure Paws Dog Walking

The track and sports field at Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute

Historic Rosedale club getting massive reno

The Toronto Lawn Tennis Club clubhouse is one step closer to getting modernized.

Earlier this year, Toronto City Council approved a zoning bylaw amendment to demolish and rebuild parts of its clubhouse and facilities at 30, 40, 43, 44 and 45 Price St.

ness facilities and administrative offices, all designed to meet current building code/accessibility standards.

The site spans the north side of Price Street wrapping around the eastern end of the street, covering a total site of 1.41 hectares. The club is looking to replace the existing clubhouse and semi-detached dwellings at 43 and 45 Price Street with a new, three-storey structure designed by Williamson Williamson Inc.

The proposed gross floor area of the new clubhouse will be about 6,155 square metres, along with a 110-square-metre storage building. Expect stepbacks at the upper levels to better align with nearby midrise and low-rise buildings. Height is capped at 15.5 metres, again aligning with nearby residential buildings. Members will also enjoy a slew of new green design features, including a 670.8-square-metre green roof, covering about 40 per cent of the available roof area.

“The Club is now seeking to modernize, rebuild and allow for a modest reconfiguration of the existing clubhouse in order to provide a modernized facility and improve the experience for existing members,” reads a planning rationale statement by Bousfields Inc.

Architectural plans submitted to the City of Toronto in February show that the redevelopment will include a one-storey storage building and upgrades to outdoor amenities, including a relocated swimming pool and covered deck. The new clubhouse will feature an updated lounge and dining areas, squash courts, locker rooms, fit-

Getting to and from the club should be easier, too. While vehicle and pedestrian access points will be improved, bicycle infrastructure will really be enhanced, with 114 new longterm parking spaces proposed.

The club was founded in 1876, making it a long-standing institution in the RosedaleMoore Park neighbourhood as well as one of Canada’s oldest active lawn tennis clubs, so not everything will be renovated.

The existing tennis pavilion and courts will be retained, helping to preserve the club’s historic footprint.

—Nisean Lorde

Toronto Lawn Tennis Club

Community donates nearly $125K as bookshop turns page

A beloved children’s bookstore that has been a staple on Mount Pleasant Road for nearly four decades is asking for help from the community as it prepares for a big transition: a move to a new home with the resident shop cat Mable the Third in tow.

Mabel’s Fables, a cherished independent bookstore known for its curated children’s titles and welcoming atmosphere, is facing the demolition of its longtime building at 662 Mount Pleasant Rd. due to a planned condominium development.

Although the change is not one that had been hoped for, founder Eleanor LeFave has secured a new space just a few doors down, at 540 Mount Pleasant Rd.

“A move is not our preference but is now a necessity, as our landlord has informed us of their intention to build a condominium within the next two years,” LeFave shared in a recent GoFundMe campaign launched to help fund the relocation. “Our building will be demolished.”

As of press time, the campaign has raised $121,537 of its $150,000 goal from 622 generous donors. Although the landlords have said that they’ll find

the store a temporary location during construction, LeFave said, “We know that could be even harder to recover from.”

First opened in September 1988, Mabel’s Fables has grown into a local cultural landmark, beloved for its expert staff, inviting atmosphere and unique offerings — including its popular Baby’s First Library gift baskets, birthday book bundles

“A move is not our preference but is now a necessity.”

and Book-of-the-Month subscription program.

Over the years, it has hosted hundreds of author readings, school visits and magical storytime sessions that helped generations of children fall in love with books.

The new location will be on one level and offer more space for community programming.

Plans include baby and toddler classes, book launches, school visits, author presentations, book clubs and baby book showers — continuing

the store’s tradition of fostering a love of reading from the very beginning.

“Mabel’s Fables 2.0 will have the same spirit, the same wonderful books, the same incredible people and kids and yes — the same hardworking bookstore cat,” LeFave said. “But we can’t make this vision a reality without your support.”

The funds raised will go toward moving costs and transforming the new space — including building a customer washroom, installing custom bookshelves and display furniture, purchasing signage and new computers and covering the income lost during the transition period.

“With these funds, we’ll be able to focus on making the new location just as magical as the store has always been,” LeFave added. “We want to continue being a place where kids grow up reading, discovering and dreaming.”

Mabel’s Fables will close its current location on Aug. 23, and the new store is expected to open in early September.

You can follow their journey on Facebook and Instagram and donate through the official GoFundMe page.

—Nisean Lorde

L-R: Mabel the Third, the beloved Mable’s Fables storefront

Luxury Italian fashion, a pottery studio & more

Eleventy, a luxury Italian brand, has officially opened its first stand-alone Canadian store on Bloor Street. Spanning more than 3,200 square feet, the space combines timeless Milanese style with the sophistication of Toronto. Visit the new shop at 102 Bloor St. W.

Wheelhouse Pottery, a new studio dedicated to the art of ceramics, has opened in midtown Toronto. Offering adult pottery wheel classes guided by experienced instructors, you can visit the new pottery spot at 1198 Eglinton Ave. W.

book a lesson with an instructor to learn the basics. Give pickleball a shot at Promenade Shopping Centre, 1 Promenade Cir.

Kwinter’s Hot Dogs, a Toronto institution that made 20,000 hot dogs a week from 1946 to the late ’80s, is making a comeback. The North York familyrun company is bringing the brand out of retirement, and you’ll be able to spot the dogs in the refrigerator of top local grocery stores, including McEwan, Fiesta Farms, Nortown, Olive Branch and Rosedale’s Finest.

Pickleplex Social Club has launched in Thornhill. With the option to purchase a membership or pay for court time by the hour, you can also try out the sport during open play or

Groove Pilates and Wellness Bar is new to the neighbourhood at Yonge and Eglinton. Offering contemporary mat Pilates classes with four options — groove (with music), sweat (to elevate your heart rate), gratitude (with breathwork) and sculpt (with weights and resistance) — you can opt for drop-in, memberships or private reformer classes. You can visit the Pilates spot at 2532 Yonge St.

Maki Mart, a Japanese hand roll company, has launched at 2103 Yonge St. With its menu made of fresh and fast hand rolls only, you can try sweet corn, spicy squid, fatty toro, jumbo shrimp, hamachi and more at the mart.

Luca Faloni will be opening its first Canadian store on Bloor Street. The luxury Italian menswear label will occupy 2,500 square feet across one level and will be sandwiched between Gucci and Lafayette 148 at 130 Bloor St. W.

Sarah Abell, owner of midtown’s Groove Pilates and Wellness Bar

BREAK-INS BY NEIGHBOURHOOD

This month 36% of break-ins were from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.,

Compared to last month there has been a 23% increase in break-ins during the 12 a.m. to

. erffooo has tton orTo e that and cultur T ellnesswood, ashion, ft f beseryve the Explor

As T.O.’s condo market unravels, the rental market heats up

As Toronto’s condo market continues to hit new lows, a new king has emerged — purposebuilt rentals. We spoke with Adrian Rocca, CEO of purposebuilt rental development company Fitzrovia, for his take on the current rental market.

There have been talks of developers pivoting to purpose-built rental. Do you see this actually happening? I'd say some developers will pivot, but purpose-built rental is fundamentally a different business model. To develop effectively in this market, you can't just change who you’re selling to. It requires long-term capital. It requires taking ownership of multiple stages of the supply chain. It also requires a very large balance sheet program. A lot of longtime condo developers are going to miss that piece of the equation.

Is there a future where Toronto becomes like other major cities and people actually rent forever?

Absolutely, and I think Toronto needs to embrace that future. I

spent seven years in Europe, but when I came back, what was apparent was the general negative stigma that was in the market around renting. We need to eliminate that. Renting does not have to be a compromise. If we build the right homes that are spacious and well designed with strong amenity packages, people will choose to rent for the long term. It doesn't have to be a stepping stone. There's a financial benefit,

too, if you look at the implied cost of renting versus owning.

What are the barriers to rental development in Toronto now?

Government levies, municipal charges, and we have very high development charges. I would also add outdated permitting processes. When 30 per cent of our total development costs is municipal fees and levies, that's

an issue, right? Every day that goes by right now where we're essentially down new supply — both in terms of for sale housing and rental — by 60 to 70 per cent, is an issue. We would say, do a full waiver of all development charges for two years. Let's get as much new supply into the market as quickly as possible. And for purpose-built rental, do a 20-year property tax waiver.

Do you sense a shift in Toronto's building priorities, since we're seeing that it's not profitable to build units for investors?

The simple answer is, it needs to. For too long, the system rewarded building the smallest, cheapest units to maximize the price per square foot. That doesn't serve real people. I think that's the future of housing: homes that support real life, not just investment returns.

As the city’s senior population grows, how will that impact the way people build? We're already seeing demand from downsizers who want highquality rentals without the burden of ownership. So we’re focusing on accessible barrierfree units with larger doorways, accessible bathrooms, spacious layouts to accommodate the aging population with familygathering spaces.

A fairytale retreat, an ace oasis and a futuristic build

L–R: Fitzrovia CEO Adrian Rocca, condo developers may pivot to rentals

Three of the most unique properties to hit the market this month, from a west end heritage home to a ravine lot in midtown

DECK OF YOUR DREAMS IN TRINITY BELLWOODS

Jennifer Chalmers, Sage Real Estate

FAIRYTALE COTTAGE IN HOGGS HOLLOW Nestled in a forest and located on a ravine lot almost 200 feet deep, 42 Brookfield Rd. is straight out of a fairytale. This five-bedroom, four-bathroom nature retreat has been around since 1928. $3,699,900, Errol Paulicpulle, Harvey Kalles Real Estate

House.” Handcrafted bronze panels

BASEMENTS MADE PERMANENTLY DRY

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CULTURE

Scott Thompson on hot new doc, art & Arnie ARTS Q&A

Ahead of his band’s live performance and screening of Truth and Dare: Mouth Congress at Hot Docs on Aug. 22, Scott Thompson reflects on queer punk, creative survival and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

What is the band Mouth Congress’s origin story?

It was just a bunch of friends at university figuring things out. We weren’t a typical band. We were actors, writers, filmmakers — just creative people making stuff. The band was really an outlet, especially during the AIDS epidemic. We redirected all that energy — sexual and emotional — into writing songs.

where we were — young, broke, living communally. We had no expectations and just made things happen.

What was it like working with Arnold Schwarzenegger on FUBAR? It was great. Once you get over the nerves of working with a genuine legend, he’s just a guy who likes to work and connect. He’s approachable, fun and talks to everyone like equals. He’s a true leader.

“TORONTO SHAPED US BECAUSE WE WERE YOUNG, BROKE AND LIVING COMMUNALLY.”

What surprised you most about your role in FUBAR? That my character actually had something to do with the plot! I’ve usually been peripheral in my career, but this time I got to be part of the story.

What can fans expect from your August event at Hot Docs?

We’ll screen the documentary, which is filled with lies but also truth — it’s more about telling a good story than sticking to facts. We’ll also do a performance. We’re still figuring it out.

How did Toronto shape the band? Toronto shaped us simply because that’s

The Eh-list of natural wonders

What’s next for you creatively?

I’ll keep doing standup and working on my Buddy Cole show, The Last Glory Hole. I’m also thrilled that my long-in-development movie script looks like it’s finally going to be made. And of course, I’m proud of the Mouth Congress album and documentary finally getting seen. —Ron Johnson

You don’t need to travel far to check out these made-in-Ontario versions of iconic landmarks

An Italy-inspired grotto

A geological marvel on the shores of Bruce Peninsula National Park, you’ll find the Grotto — a magical natural sea cave featuring sparkling waters and limestone cliffs that overlook Georgian Bay. Take a trip to this Tobermory gem and be transported to the iconic Blue Grotto in Capri, Italy.

A slice of desert life

A breathtaking canyon

Formed at the base of a sea a whopping 450 million years ago, Caledon’s Cheltenham Badlands feel more like you’re travelling to Colorado's Red Rocks — or to another planet entirely — than just an hour outside Toronto. The sea of red, clay-like hills can be seen from the viewing platform and boardwalk.

An hour northeast of Thunder Bay, there’s a provincial park that looks straight out of Arizona. Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park is basically a miniature version of the Grand Canyon, with cliffs that plunge 100 metres, dramatic landscapes and arctic plants you can usually only find 1,000 kilometres north.

Aug. 23–24: See Yorkville Avenue transformed into a cultural playground with Yorkville Murals, featuring massive murals, inflatable art, live painting and more.

ONE-ON-ONE

Baby-faced jockey vies for King’s Plate

For 20-year-old apprentice jockey Pietro Moran (dubbed the Baby-Faced Bandit by a Woodbine analyst), racing has always run in the family. Son of fellow Woodbine rider David Moran and former jockey Maria Moran, he’s gearing up for the King’s Plate on Aug. 16.

How did you first get into horse racing?

My parents probably put me on a horse before I could walk! I’ve been surrounded by horse racing my whole life, watching my dad race, and it’s something I always wanted to do.

of fun. And we root for each other all the time.

You won your first stakes race in June last year. How did that feel?

It was pretty surreal, even just to ride in that race so early in my career. I was shocked and so grateful and excited for the opportunity. And luckily, I was on a very nice horse who did a lot for me there.

“MY PARENTS PROBABLY PUT ME ON A HORSE BEFORE I COULD WALK!”

And the King’s Plate is coming up. What’s the goal this year?

Last year was a great experience, and I came in fourth. This year, I’m hoping to win!

Get the most out of summer with these amazing August shows

Sheryl Crow

Recent Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Sheryl Crow is coming to the Theatre at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto on Aug. 16. Prepare for all the nostalgia of hits such as “If It Makes You Happy,” “Soak Up the Sun” and “All I Wanna Do.”

Jonas Brothers

Toronto is going to be burnin’ up when the Jonas Brothers visit for their 20th anniversary Living the Dream tour. Joined by Marshmello and Boys Like Girls on Aug. 21 at Rogers Centre, travel through every Jonas era with them, including solo work.

deadmau5

When Veld Music Festival takes over Downsview Park from Aug. 1 to 3, one very special headliner will be drawing quite the crowd: Ontario’s very own deadmau5. The Grammy-nominated music producer and DJ will take the stage on Sunday — helmet on.

And now you’re racing against your dad! What’s that like? It’s amazing! It’s not every day you see a father and son racing against each other. He beats me; I beat him; it’s a lot

You’re coming back from a pretty serious injury from last year. What did you learn from that experience? Take nothing for granted! You just have to go out every day and enjoy it.

—Julia Mastroianni

deadmau5

THORNHILL DENTAL

CANOE TRIP COUTURE

Bring back the glory days of camp life with this season's most nostalgic trend! From paracord accessories to retro shorts and tie-dye, Jeanne Beker is giving us one final, colourful dose of summer vacation before the school bell rings again.

A. BUCKET HAT, Good Neighbour, $139, 1212 Yonge St. “I love a bucket hat, and this crocheted take on it adds a little artisanal touch to your wardrobe.”

B. SOCKS, Gravitypope, $65, 1010 Queen St. W.

C. BANDANA, Good Neighbour, $75, 1212 Yonge St.

D. CORD SANDAL, Veronica Beard, $375, 111 Yorkville Ave.

E. FISH NECKLACE, 6 By Gee Beauty, $195, 6 Roxborough St. W. “This speaks to the great outdoors; it's whimsical yet classic.”

F. JORTS, Over the Rainbow, $351, 55 Bloor St. W. “You'd get a lot of use out of these shorts, and they've got a little bit of generosity in the leg.”

G. BACKPACK, Filson, $540, 694 Queen St. W.

H. RINGER TEE, Freda's, $135, 45 Elm St. “I love the cap sleeve, and you can get a lot of use out of that. You can dress it up or dress it down.”

FAVE JEANNE’S FAVE JEANNE’S FAVE

JEANNE’S FAVE N

I. BEADED BRACELET SET, Holt Renfrew, $98, 3401 Dufferin St. “This really brings out the little kid in you. You can share these with your besties!”

J. TIE-DYE BAG, Gravitypope, $165, 1010 Queen St. W.

K. BASEBALL CAP, TNT, $89, 87 Avenue Rd.

L. CREWNECK, Peace Collective, SALE $59.25, peace-collective.com

M. ATHLETIC SHORTS, Province of Canada, $78, 104 Ossington Ave.

N. SNEAKERS, Heel Boy, $240, 773 Queen St. W. “These are feminine and flirty but the sole is rugged enough to run around camp!”

O. ROPE NECKLACE, Jenny Bird, $118, jenny-bird.ca “I like the organic feel of this; it's a forever piece that you can just sling around your neck and wear all the time.”

P. ONE-PIECE, Loversland, $189, 215 Ossington Ave.

Jeanne Beker | One of Canada’s most trusted authorities on fashion, now watch her on TSC or tune in to her podcast Beyond Style Matters.

JEANNE’S

TD Wealth Private Investment Advice

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My boyfriend admitted he was a serial cheater

Dear Sangita: I recently discovered that my boyfriend has cheated in every single one of his past relationships ... and always with the same person. The problem is that person is going to be in his life forever — it's his childhood best friend. He says it's not a problem anymore, that he's changed and that I'm "the one." But what if he said that in all of his past relationships? — Once a cheater?

Dear Once: It doesn’t sound like this woman is someone you want in your life, and the same probably goes for your boyfriend. Is this guy worth it? Is this the one you want to invest in? You have to ask those questions. And ultimately it’s not going to be about him, it’s going to be about you. If you’ll continue to feel jealous throughout the relationship, you’ll be the one who has to sit with that. To me it sounds like this woman has such a hold on him that he might not necessarily want to cheat, but he’s in this vicious cycle. This may sound ridiculous, but I would ask her yourself. Say, “I really like this guy. I want to make it work. What are your intentions here?” If she really cares for him, she’ll take that to heart.

But if she tells you that she and your boyfriend are supposed to

be for life, take it or leave it, then you can save yourself the heartbreak of investing in this guy.

Dear Sangita: I lent my friend a lot of money after they said it was an emergency — and now they’re on vacation, posting lobster dinners. Do I ask for the money back or take the loss … or cut ties? — Lending regrets

Dear Lending: I would personally say cut your losses. I know it’s scary to ask for money back, because you think it will affect the relationship. So if you want a gentler way to bring this up in the conversation, you can ask, “Hey, that money that I gave you, how did it work out?” The mistake we sometimes make is to lend money without saying, “Hey, pay it back in six months.” With an open deadline, people will forget — or take advantage. So it might work to give a generous deadline during this conversation, giving your friend plenty of time to pay you back but gently reminding them they still owe you.

Email advice@postcity.com with your questions for Sangita.

Sangita also advises on lending friends money

How Juliet of Dream in High Park found her Romeo

Lili Beaudoin has been travelling around the country performing at different theatres and in films since she was just six years old. Now, she’s in Toronto for a production of Romeo & Juliet at the annual Dream in High Park (running until Aug. 31). Stepping into the shoes of Juliet, the actor shares how the love story of her and her partner, actor and comedian Ryan Beil, emulates the Shakespeare classic in one hilarious way.

How they met

I met my partner so many years ago — we were both in the theatre community in Vancouver, so I had known of him. I think I bartended at a venue where he was performing. We had a lot of mutual friends, and we both became a part of the improv world. It became a thing where we just started talking, and we just couldn't stop.

The first date

It was at Sylvia Hotel, this famous Vancouver hotel that’s covered in

vines, very romantic. We met at the hotel bar there for a drink. We pretty much had immediate chemistry. What was really special about Ryan was, instead of all the nerves being nervous energy, it was just all excited, bubbly, excitement energy! I felt like I could talk to him so easily right away.

The relationship I think we were both pretty full on in the relationship right away.

We moved quite fast. We just were really into each other. It's funny — I'm doing Romeo & Juliet right now, and the two of them are right away saying they love each other. And for us, Ryan actually accidentally told me he loved me on our second date. It just kind of slipped out!

I remember, a month into dating, I had already planned this big, month-long trip to Europe. Ryan was coming off a film shoot

and wanted to see me before he left. But on his way home, he got into a car accident! He was so worried about not being able to see me before I went that he just got into a cab and came home, even though he was still in shock. What he gave me was a letter for each country that I was going to, and each letter had pictures and a ton of facts about the country and love notes and sweet little details about how my trip is going and how he's thinking about me. The effort and thought that he put into it was just so sweet.

The secret to success

We laugh so much at home. Ryan is a renowned comedian, and both of us are improvisers, and we have so many inside jokes that it’s impossible to remember a quarter of them. It’s a really fun household and a really fun life with each other. On top of that, we’re very attentive; we’re each other’s go-to. We’ve been together for nine years now — it really feels

like Ryan is not only my partner but a part of my family.

Balancing careers and a relationship

That’s never been much of a struggle for us. We share a career path; we're both actors. So there have been many times where we’ve collaborated, which is nice. I’ve been on a few of Ryan’s podcasts as a guest, and Ryan has come and done shows with my improv company. On top of that, we support each other a lot. Even just this morning. I helped Ryan with two self-tapes, and we're on opposite sides of the country right now!

The future together

There are lots of dreams about moving somewhere new or being able to buy a house one day or travelling. But I'm not too stuck on one thing. I'm really just enjoying where we're at right now. We’ve never done a play together, so that might be nice!

L–R: Ryan Beil told Lili Beaudoin he loved her on the second date

SUMMER REWIND

A lo-fi look at summer in T.O. before algorithms, speed

cameras and $9 lattes

W H AT A R I D E !

THRILL RIDES OF THE PAST THAT YOU CAN STILL TRY TODAY

ROLL WITH IT

POLAR EXPRESS

A longtime favourite since its debut at the CNE in 1969, prepare to spin backwards on a track that features plenty of peaks and dips as the music plays and the speed picks up.

THE ROTOR

A feat of physics that’s been around since 1953, the CNE’s Rotor hits 33 rotations a minute at top speed. Riders stick to the walls and defy gravity as the floor drops away!

FLASHBACK FINDS FOR EVERY DECADE

MINEBUSTER

One of five roller coasters to debut at the grand opening of Canada’s Wonderland in 1981, this rickety wooden roller coaster is still delighting visitors to this day.

CENTREVILLE TRAIN

Centreville Amusement

Park opened in 1967, and the iconic Lil’ Red and Lil’ Blue of the Centreville Train have been chugging along through the park for just as long.

1960s

Mother-daughter-run Mama Loves You Vintage is a major second-hand powerhouse in the city, and it’s packed with 1960s gems — playsuits, minidresses, folk blouses and all that flower power.

Take part in a classic 1970s summer pastime with Suso Skate Co., which runs a summer-only roller skating pop-up under the Bentway. Book your skate size (or bring your own) and time online and get ready to roll through the decades — and if you’re feeling a little rocky, you can even book a skating lesson. For full retro immersion, the popup runs regular themed nights, including Nineties Fridays, Seventies Sundays and Old School Saturdays.

BACK TO THE FUTURE Hop in a time machine this summer with Back to the Future: The Musical, a Broadway favourite that puts a musical twist on the cinematic classic, running until Aug. 31. After you’ve visited 1955 with Marty McFly, you can meet the original Marty at Fan Expo Canada! To celebrate the movie’s 40th anniversary, both Michael J. Fox and Doc Brown himself, Christopher Lloyd, will be appearing at Fan Expo. The expo runs from Aug. 21 to 24, and you can meet the duo in person from Aug. 22 to 23.

1970s

Trust that Courage My Love has all your ’70s needs — they know a thing or two about the decade, considering they opened in 1975! Shop miniskirts, denim flares and endless groovy accessories.

COLLECT THEM ALL Move over, Labubus — start a new hobby this summer by building a new collection of gems from the past. From Tamagotchis and Beanie Babies to Pokémon and action figures, East York’s Treehouse Collectibles has it all. A magical labyrinth filled with toys you haven’t seen in decades, the shop also offers buy/sell/trade and consigning services, in case you’re looking to pare down your childhood collection and make room for new ones.

Kensington Market staple Vintage keeps pretty much all the decades in stock, including a pretty radical 1980s collection. High-waisted denim, bombers and even a very Pretty in Pink party dress can be found here.

SONIC REWIND

Toronto is going to be overrun with all your favourite artists from decades past this month. Party like it’s 1999 with Goo Goo Dolls on Aug. 10 and Blue Rodeo on Aug. 23 at Budweiser Stage, then Oasis from Aug. 24 to 25 at Rogers Stadium. Travel back to the ’70s and ’80s with Styx and Kevin Cronin with Don Felder at Budweiser on Aug. 13, and then Neil Young Aug. 17 and 19. And queen of rock and roll Stevie Nicks visits Scotiabank Arena Aug. 15.

1990s

Chosen Vintage‘s clothing collection runs the gamut of all the top 1990s trends, from grunge to model-inspired minimalism. Graphic Ts, overalls, slinky high-neck maxis — you name it, they’ve got it.

Ontario Place roller rink, 1979

Blue Rodeo at the Forum, 1988

Polar Express, 1981

PIC THE SPOT

Picnics are Toronto’s retro summer anthem — checkered blankets under shady trees, homemade sandwiches, juicy watermelon and a flask of lemonade or iced tea. Riverdale Park and the Toronto Islands remain classic picnic spots. Today, swap your Tupperware for a fully loaded basket from Cured Catering, swap vinyl for Spotify and keep the good vibes sun soaked and care-free.

LAZY HAZY CRAZY DAYS

There’s no better way to feel like a kid again than spending those waning hours of sunlight before dinner outside. Gather a few friends and bring out your favourite toy from the past: pass around a Skip-It (available at Canadian Tire), cool off on a Slip ‘N Slide (available at Toytown), work up a sweat trying to figure out double dutch or kick it really old school with sidewalk chalk.

SCOOP,

HOT AND STEAMIE

Toronto’s love for retro eats runs deep. Michelin chef David Schwartz knows this first-hand: his parents ran one of the city’s first hot dog carts in the ’80s, serving steamies at Yorkville and Hazelton. Today, that same energy thrives at Corktown’s Hangout Street and Queen West’s Food Alley, a colourful patchwork of vendors, where food trucks, carts and pop-ups live on.

A SUNNYSIDE SWIM

Partake in a summer activity that Torontonians have been enjoying since 1925 — go for a swim at Sunnyside Pool. Admission at that time was a whole 35 cents for adults (10 for children). On hot summer days, kids lugging towels would hop on the free shuttle and spend all day in the water, until their parents summoned them home. Some things never change!

PATIO LEGENDS

Nothing says summer in the city like grabbing a patio table in Little Italy. The Sicilian Sidewalk Café — one of Toronto’s very first patios and its oldest gelateria — is still serving up scoops and espresso the old school way. A few doors down, Café Diplomatico is where generations of Italians have cheered for the Azzurri — and yes, we’re still waiting on that next cup.

NEON NIGHTS

Always wanted to experience the magic of an Asian night market? Big since the ‘80s in China and beyond, these bustling bazaars bring summer nights to life — and Toronto’s 15th annual Waterfront Night Market (Aug. 8 to 10) at Hotel X brings that vibe alive. This retro-flavoured fest serves dumplings, wok-fried everything, glowing lights and neon vibes.

B A R CA D E BL IT Z

SPEND A SUMMER DAY LIKE IT’S THE ’70S AT T.O.’S TOP RETRO ARCADE BARS

PEDAL PUSHERS

If summer had a soundtrack in the ’80s, it was the jingle of a Dicky Dee bike. The originals may be gone, but you can still find retro carts at festivals and spots like High Park, peddling Cyclones and sweet nostalgia.

SUNDAE FUNDAY

Since ‘69, Tom’s Dairy Freeze has been dishing out real-deal soft-serve that’s as classic as a banana split and as iconic as its neon sign — plus all your retro faves: sundaes piled high, slushy floats and shakes.

FREEPLAY TORONTO

Spend $10 for a night of endless vintage arcade fun — including 1990s hit Dance Dance Revolution and a pinball alley ranging from a Star Wars theme to Jurassic Park.

ZED*80

A newer addition to Toronto’s vintage arcade scene, visit here for a more intimate and nostalgic experience. Play all day (or night), from Tetris to Nintendo to Skee Ball.

CHILL OUT

Step into the Big Chill and you’re instantly transported to a spot straight from the ’60s, with its candy-pink walls and diner booths. Enjoy classics like Tiger Tail or the creamy, new school Pistachio Kulfi.

TILT ARCADE BAR

T.O.’s largest retro arcade offers over 90 games from across the decades. Travel to the ’70s with Asteroids and Pong or the ’80s with Donkey Kong and Pac-Man.

GET WELL

A cosy bar serving up over 70 beer options, the arcade games here are totally free. Play Centipede, Ghostbusters pinball, Frogger and more as you wait for your IPA.

FROYO FRENZY

Remember the ’90s froyo craze? It began in 1986 when Yogen Früz opened at Promenade Shopping Centre. Scoop your own adventure at Haydn’s Acai, the city’s first self-serve froyo bar at Stackt Market.

Schwartz’s hot dog cart, 1981

Picnic at Woodbine Beach, 1983

Sunnyside Pool, 1926

Funland Arcade, 1970s

Schoo The Toronto Prep

Contact: Fouli Tsimikalis, e sure to clic and b Visit our website school for discerning stud Saturday, November 15, 2 Saturday, February 7, 2 025 and en Houses: arents. Op ents and p ent, co-educatio end

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- 1 ay. October 18, 2025, oryarat Saturda i and Inst or more if uni nal, versity prep kalis@torontoprepschool.com ages. agram p information

Our 36th annual guide features top private schools and extracurricular programs, including student-teacher ratios and real tuition costs.

Toronto Prep School

A combined 60 years of teaching experience has prompted Steve and Fouli Tsimikalis to create an environment that promotes learning, develops leadership and awakens social consciousness through the employment of energetic and handpicked experienced faculty and staff. Toronto Prep offers a rigorous academic curriculum with the opportunity for students to participate in a variety of school clubs and athletics. Each student will receive a MacBook Pro with an extended warranty. Steve and Fouli have determined that it truly takes a village to raise a child. “A faculty working closely with parents/ guardians, smaller classes, supervised extra help before and after school and on Saturdays help students reach their personal potential for success,” notes Fouli. Their passion for teaching is evident.

J. Addison

J. Addison School, located in Markham, Ontario, is dedicated to fostering the development of global citizens through its comprehensive educational programs. Catering to students from early learning through secondary levels (ages 3-18), the school owns modern and extensive facilities designated to offer both day and boarding options, ensuring a supportive and enriching environment for all.

SCHOOL TYPE: Independent School YEAR FOUNDED: 2009

GRADES: 7-12

ENROLMENT: 440

STUDENT/STAFF RATIO: 10:1

TUITION: $36,250 - $38,250

At J Addison School, we believe in nurturing students to become thoughtful, responsible, and proactive members of the community. This philosophy is integrated into every. aspect of our curriculum and extracurricular activities, ensuring that they are well-prepared to make meaningful contributions to society. We are committed to the holistic development of tomorrow’s thinkers. For more detailed information visit jaddisonschool.com

SCHOOL TYPE: Private/Boarding/Day YEAR FOUNDED: 2002 GRADES: K-12

ENROLMENT: 300

STUDENT/STAFF RATIO: 15:1

TUITION: $21,400 to $32,600

WillowWood School

Founded in 1980, WillowWood has a long tradition of delivering targeted, personal education that considers each student’s needs and strengths. Our staff employ a team-based approach to teaching and conduct regular education strategy meetings to discuss how best to deliver the curriculum to each of our students. We are a full facility featuring a fitness room, gymnasium, music room, art room, science lab, and film

SCHOOL TYPE: Private School

YEAR FOUNDED: 1980

GRADES: SK-12

and digital media arts studios. Our location on “School Street”(Scarsdale Road) gives us access to incredible amenities and services that allow us to incorporate swimming, dance, and robotics into our curriculum. Classes are small, the atmosphere is warm, and technology is at the forefront of our teaching methodology.

ENROLMENT: 270

STUDENT/STAFF RATIO: 8:1

TUITION: $21,700 - $27,400

Knowledge Works Learning

In a world undergoing rapid and unprecedented changes, education must evolve to meet new challenges. At Knowledge Works Learning, we are committed to transforming how we teach and prepare students for their future. As advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, social media algorithms, and digital media reshape society, students face increasing difficulties discerning reliable information. Responding to these

SCHOOL TYPE: Tutoring & Classes YEAR FOUNDED: 2024 GRADES: 7-12

challenges, Knowledge Works Learning is intentionally designed as a small, focused institution led by master teachers who can quickly adjust their classes to keep pace with our everchanging world. Through our unique curriculum, we prioritize the development of “practical skills” for the 21st century. To learn more, please email us at knowledgeworkslearning@gmail.com or visit www.knowledgeworkslearning.com.

ENROLMENT: Varies

AVERAGE CLASS SIZE: 4 to 6

TUITION: Varies

Knowledge Works Learning Academy

We offer exciting enrichment courses as well as personalized instruction for Grades 7–12, including one-on-one tutoring, university preparation, and expert support with college and university applications. Our multidisciplinary classes go far beyond the provincial curriculum, fostering higher grades while developing digital literacy, leadership skills, and resilience.

Through personalized career and life counselling, we also empower students to excel academically and socially, cultivating critical thinking skills and developing the character necessary for a life lled with purpose and success. Our students become condent, capable individuals—equipped to thrive in the classroom and beyond.

Dr. Jordan Singer, Academy Director, is an accomplished educator with over 25 years of experience who has helped well over a thousand students gain admission to top universities in Canada, Britain and the U.S.

Through individualized special education instruction, we enable each student with a learning disability to succeed. Because at Dunblaine, we understand.

21 Deloraine Avenue Toronto Ontario Telephone 416 483 9215 www.dunblaineschool.com Call 416-483-9215 to make an appointment.

PRESTIGE SCHOOL

Independent Private School • Grades PS to 12

Prestige School Richmond Hill offers strong academic programs for PS to Grade 12.

We are on the path of becoming an International Baccalaureate® (IB)World School and will start offering IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Grades 1 to 6 in September.

Richmond Hill Campus 11 Headdon Gate (Bathurst & Major Mackenzie) Toronto Campus 21 Eddfield Avenue (Yonge & Sheppard) 416-250-0648 www.prestigeprivateschool.ca • prestige@prestigeschool.com

2025 PRIVATE EDUCATION GUIDE

The Dunblaine School

2025 PRIVATE EDUCATION GUIDE

The Dunblaine School is a not for profit school in midtown Toronto dedicated to providing supportive, individualized education for students with a variety of learning disabilities. While following the Ministry of Education guidelines, the goal of the school is to foster a positive work ethic, increase confidence, and to challenge all students to realize their greatest potential. Through assessments, progress monitoring, and intervention

SCHOOL TYPE: Independent School YEAR FOUNDED: 1969 GRADES: 1-9

Prestige School

Prestige School offers students an accelerated curriculum, close homeschool contact & small class sizes. Younger students benefit from advanced math & science programs, French lessons from JK, & extensive before and after school care. Additionally, students can look forward to intricate arts and crafts lessons, music and dance classes, & computer studies sessions. Older students experience

SCHOOL TYPE: Independent School YEAR FOUNDED: 2003 GRADES: PS - 12

programs, the school addresses the academic, social, and emotional needs of children with varied ability levels and learning styles. Additional professional services include occupational therapy and speech language therapy. If your child is struggling in large classrooms, requires individualized attention and/or special education resources and remedial support, contact us at 416-483-9215 or mbraida@dunblaineschool.com for info.

ENROLMENT: 10-12

STUDENT/STAFF RATIO: 5:1

TUITION: $27,300

individualized learning and 100% university placement. Our after school program strives to support the needs of children through academic, recreational, & social opportunities that enhance school day learning and build upon individual strengths and interests. Our Richmond Hill campus is in the process of becoming an International Baccalaureate® (IB) World School for IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for grades 1-6.

ENROLMENT: 280

STUDENT/STAFF RATIO: 8:1 or 18:1

TUITION: $16,000 - $20,000

Crestwood School

Crestwood School practises the traditional art of teaching by challenging young minds to learn and by structuring experiences that make learning possible. The school’s philosophy is based on tried-andtrue methods of teaching the basics, thus providing students with a solid foundation in the three Rs. Homework and development of students’ organizational skills and good work/study habits are an integral part of the program. At the same

SCHOOL TYPE: Independent School YEAR FOUNDED: 1980 GRADES: JK-Gr.6

time, Crestwood School is concerned with the “whole child” — striving to maintain the balance of a child’s physical, social and emotional development. Each teacher is the key. With a well-planned program, a positive rapport with each and every student and a sense of commitment and dedication, Crestwood School’s goals are met! Crestwood is located in the beautiful wooded valley at Bayview Avenue and Lawrence Avenue.

ENROLMENT: 450

STUDENT/STAFF RATIO: 15:1

TUITION: $21,300-$34,000

“Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.”

— Stevie Wonder

FOOD

SECTION

Jonathan Poon goes from Paris Paris to Portugal

From sipping natural wines at Paris Paris to digging into smoky Thai BBQ at Bib Gourmand–approved Favorites, chef Jonathan Poon has been serving up a world tour of flavours — without ever leaving Ossington. His latest passport stamp? Taberna Lx, a buzzy new spot inspired by the bold, coastal tastes of Portugal.

How does it feel to be cooking again in the original Paris Paris space?

We modified the space quite a bit, so it really doesn't feel like the old Paris Paris at all. So much about the building has changed — we added a second floor to it, we increased the ceiling height in the basement — so everything about it is quite different.

Favourite place to visit in Portugal?

Of the places I've been, Lisbon is definitely my favourite. It's funny that I have a restaurant named Paris Paris because I hate Paris. For me, when I go to Lisbon, I think I understand the feeling when people love Paris and romanticize it so much. I feel like that's how I feel about Lisbon.

“IT’S FUNNY THAT I HAVE A RESTAURANT NAMED PARIS PARIS BECAUSE I HATE PARIS.”

Your menu leans Portuguese, but where do your Hong Kong roots show up?

How Hong Kong and Portuguese cuisine relate is because of its [Hong Kong’s] proximity to Macau, which was a Portuguese colony. On the menu at Taberna Lx, we have a salt cod fritter, which, of course, is very Portuguese, but we're doing it in a very Hong Kong or Cantonese dim sum style. It’s a take on a taro puff but made with potatoes and salt cod instead of taro and pork.

FORKCAST

One-hit wonders

Go-to snack while working in the kitchen?

I am addicted to soda water. That is definitely how I get through my day. It's kind of weird. It's a very unhealthy lifestyle, to be honest, but we need to hydrate in the kitchen a lot, and we don't always want to be drinking something sweet, so soda water works really well for a lot of cooks.

What’s on your kitchen playlist these days?

I'm usually in silence. I like music, but I think, when I'm playing music, I don't actually listen to it, so when the music stops, I don't even notice. I quite enjoy being silent because I literally talk to 200 employees a day between our restaurants. I just like my silence.

—Jennifer Schembri

What if your whole menu was built around one dish? It better be worth it

Not your nan’s scones Who says scones are just for the Brits? At Hiya Scones and Coffee — tucked inside a former barbershop, no less — they're getting a full-on glow up. Flavours rotate regularly and range from sweet (butter caramel, raspberry chocolate) to savoury (chive, bacon & cheese), all served with mascarpone cream or whipped butter. 1389 Dundas St. W.

Steak, fries, repeat Steak frites in Toronto is a tale as old as thyme. Other spots serve it with old school charm and plenty of Bordeaux to match, but J’s SteakFrites keeps things tight: a short, focused menu built around one star — steak, fries and signature sauce. Très bien, indeed. 577 College St

Yolked up

It’s eggs, but elevated. At Koreatown hot spot Egg Club, soft scrambled eggs are stacked on fluffy Japanese milk bread, then loaded with things like bacon, lobster, guac — even corn and cream cheese. No overthinking required, just yolky goodness done a dozen ways. Multiple locations.

We Buy and Sell Antiques, Memorabilia and Estates

Specializing in:

- Antique Oak, Pine, & Teak Furniture (1900s) - Advertising & Memorabilia

- English Fine Bone China & Fancy Teacups

- Old Collectible Toys - Sterling Silver & Jewellery

JERK CHICKEN THROWDOWN

Caribana is back (July 31 to Aug. 4) and so is the city’s craving for authentic jerk. Our resident tasting chefs, Anthony Rose and Nuit Regular, blind-tasted six of Toronto’s top contenders to settle the score.

BURN NOTICE

“The jerk chicken is nice,” said Anthony, who liked the depth of flavours from Mr. Jerk. Nuit agreed it had “good aroma,” though found the rice a little “bland.” Anthony still chose this as his runner-up, noting that the jerk chicken “has more depth than some of the others.”

Mr. Jerk, 209 Wellesley St. E., $15

WINNER

JERKED UP

“This one’s got the spice,” said Nuit, who loved the bold, balanced flavour. Anthony called it “a good jerk chicken,” praising the tender texture and that “little tingle” of heat. Moist, seasoned and “not dry at all,” it was a unanimous win. “The flavour overall,” said Nuit, “is quite good.”

Rap’s, 1541A Eglinton Ave. W., $17

TIED FOR RUNNER-UP

CLUCK YOU UP

“I wanted more punch,” said Anthony about the Real Jerk’s bird, which could’ve used a heavier hand with the seasoning. Nuit, on the other hand, appreciated the tenderness: “The meat was juicy, and the rice and coleslaw are really good,” she said.

The Real Jerk, 647 College St., $19.95

SMOKE SIGNALS

With its kabocha squash and colourful presentation, the jerk chicken dinner from Albert’s stood out. “That’s beautiful,” said Anthony. Nuit liked the creativity: “I love a kabocha!” But the jerk chicken itself didn’t earn such high praise: “I’m not getting the spice,” said Nuit. Albert’s 542 St. Clair Ave. W., $19.49

SIZZLE ME TIMBERS

“This one punches you in the face — in a good way,” said Nuit, who loved the hit of heat from Allwyn’s. Anthony agreed: “I like the spice in that.” The chicken had a deep, peppery flavour, though the slaw missed the mark. “Out of all of them,” said Nuit, “this one stands out.”

CHICK MAGNET

“Pretty,” said Nuit about the presentation of Tropical Joe’s jerk chicken dinner. Anthony called it “the nicest looking plate,” and both liked the herbed potatoes. But the chicken? “Kind of bland,” said Nuit, and “not balanced.”

Tropical Joe’s, 1000 Gerrard St. E., $20.50

Chef Anthony Rose runs Fat Pasha; Nuit Regular leads Pai and the new Tha Phae Tavern.

New Italian eatery only seats 12

Stepping into 1147 Ristorante on Davenport Road feels like walking into the pages of Architectural Digest.

Opened just a few months ago, this refined Italian restaurant offers a truly unique dining experience, featuring an interior designed by Archi Designo. The space is defined by its curved walls, modern sculptures and a palette inspired by nature — both in colour and texture.

With just four tables and never more than 12 guests at a time, the setting is as exclusive as it is elegant — and even the plateware is as Instagram-worthy as the fare itself.

The entire experience is soulful, simple and seasonal, shaped by two chefs with distinct regional roots. At lunch, chef Flavio Catania draws on his Romano-Sicilian heritage to celebrate the purity of Italian flavours with dishes like burrata paired with heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil, or house-made tagliolini tossed with raw shrimp and bright lemon. Come evening, Tuscan chef Michele Rabazzi takes over, transforming dinner into a sensorial journey rooted in gastrotechnique and artful composition.

The dinner menu, entitled “Savage” is a six-course tasting

that blends bold ideas with refined execution. Highlights include aged carnaroli risotto with leek and seaweed powder, trout and dragon fruit ceviche, and rabbit casoncelli with Ontario apricot chutney. For dessert, classic tiramisù and strawberry pavlova close things out on a sweet note.

For those looking to take their experience to the next level, 1147 Ristorante also offers a private wine club, entirely separate from the eatery, to add to its refined approach to dining.

1147 Ristorante is located at 1147 Davenport Rd. —Erica Commisso

Midtown’s top luxury resto returns

Toronto’s old school steak house scene is getting a serious throwback. After more than a decade in hibernation, Centro Steak is set to reopen in the exact spot where it built its name: 2472 Yonge St.

Once a mainstay of midtown dining, Centro helped define the city’s Italian steak house era through the late ’90s and early 2000s. It ran for 25 years before closing in 2013, when owner Armando Mano shifted gears to launch Vita Sociale — a completely revamped concept aimed at appealing to the changing neighbourhood around Yonge and Eglinton.

Vita Sociale opened with a focus on accessible pan-Italian dishes at lower price points, including Roman-style pizza baked in a new wood-burning oven. However, the concept closed shortly after, in 2015.

Since then, the space has seen a few more

changes, most recently housing a sprawling outpost of Cibo Wine Bar.

Now, the original Centro team is quietly stepping back into their old space — bringing the name (and the steaks) along with them. Centro played an important role in Toronto’s dining scene, helping launch the careers of chefs like Michael Bonacini, Marc Thuet and David Lee. It was a spot known for both solid steaks and classic Italian dishes.

It’s still unclear if the reopening will be nostalgic or completely new. So far, there’s only a single “coming soon” Instagram post showing fresh steaks, with no menu or confirmed opening date announced — though longtime fans are eagerly awaiting what’s next.

—Jennifer Schembri

L–R: Sleek and modern design by Archi Designo, octopus and potatoes

Brunch gets turned into works of art at new Thornhill café

Café Atelier is a new brunch destination in Thornhill with a clear mission: to serve thoughtful, comforting food that looks like a work of art. Hailey Lee, one of the founders, says the café is inspired by the brunch culture she’s experienced worldwide — but with a uniquely local and creative twist.

“We’re a small team driven by the desire to inspire people through food and space,” Lee explains. “After experiencing brunch culture around the world, we felt that Thornhill needed a brunch spot that felt both thoughtful and comforting.”

The name “Atelier” means workshop or studio in French — a perfect fit for their approach to cooking. “It reflects our wish to treat each dish as a piece of art — carefully crafted with heart and creativity, like a beautiful painting on a plate,” she says.

rinse the chili powder from the kimchi and sauté it in butter for a softer, more delicate flavour, then finish it with a poached egg and Parmesan cheese for extra richness.”

BRUNCH REMIX

Café Atelier’s take on Korean fried chicken is also unique. “Traditional Korean fried chicken is typically served with a spicy sauce and pickled radish, but our K.F.C bites feature a special butter-garlic-soy sauce and are paired with pickled onions instead. This way, we keep the essence of Korean flavours while creating a new style that fits perfectly into a brunch setting.”

The K.F.C croffle (croissant and waffle hybrid) puts a Korean twist on chicken & waffles.

That creativity shines in the menu, which features Korean fusion dishes done right. Lee, who developed many of the recipes while running a Korean meal kit brand and a Korean restaurant in Toronto for over eight years, says blending Korean flavours with classic brunch fare was a natural step.

“For example,” she says, “traditional kimchi fried rice is usually made with spicy kimchi stir-fried in oil and topped with a fried egg. In our version, we

Signature cocktails include a summer-only Frozen Makgeolli (a Korean alcoholic drink) — “smooth, light, and perfect for warm weather” — and the Espresso Maktini, blending espresso and creamy Makgeolli for a velvety finish. “And our Yuzu Soju Spritz is made with traditional Korean soju and bright yuzu marmalade, finished with sparkling water for a crisp, refreshing taste.”

Lee hopes guests take away more than a meal. “If they leave thinking, ‘I didn’t know Korean food could be this refined and captivating,’ that would be our greatest joy,” she says.

Café Atelier is located at 1450 Clark Ave. W., Thornhill.

—Jennifer Schembri

Cottage Safety Essentials with Diamond and Diamond Lawyers

Tips from Jeremy Diamond and Sandra Zisckind of Diamond & Diamond Lawyers

JEREMY DIAMOND

Jeremy Diamond is a lawyer and member of both Ontario and Florida Bars. Jeremy practices in the area of Plaintiff personal injury litigation.

Summer is just around the corner and many people are looking forward to getting away for the cottage season. Packing the right cottage safety essentials is a great way to prevent many common safety hazards before it's too late.

"It takes an extra two minutes to toss something like bug spray or sunscreen into your bag, but those two minutes can save you from a week of feeling uncomfortable," explains Diamond and Diamond’s Managing Partner, Sandra Zisckind. As the largest personal injury firm in Canada, Diamond & Diamond has seen the aftermath of many cottage weekends gone wrong. When packing for the cottage this season, be sure to pack the following five items that can help make your cottage experience a safe one:

1. Life Jackets

Even if you think you know how to swim, life jackets are essential while in an unknown body of water. In

particular, lake water is hard to predict as the wake from boats can even challenge experienced swimmers who are used to calm waters. "More often than not, a lifejacket will save all patrons out on the water from potentially harmful situations," commented Isaac Zisckind, Partner at Diamond & Diamond. If you’re planning to head out on a boat, it’s essential to make sure that you pack a life jacket for everyone that will be joining you.

2. Sunscreen, Ball Caps and Sunglasses

Ample sunshine is typically a byproduct of a great weekend at the cottage; however, too much sunshine can also damage your skin and eyes if you are not properly prepared. Be sure to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a baseball cap or visor to ensure that you’re ready for the sun should it choose to make an appearance. Most people spend hours outside at the

cottage. As a result, heatstroke and other heat-related injuries can pose serious risks for vacationers who don't take the sun seriously.

3. Bug Spray/Bug Nets

Many cottages are situated in forests, along tree lines, or near the shores of a lake. All of these locations are prime mosquito and tick habitats! Not only are ticks and mosquitos annoying, but they can also carry many diseases. When you’re heading outdoors while at the cottage, be sure to use bug spray and bug nets when possible to avoid bug bites.

4. Fire Extinguisher

All cottages should come with one or more fire extinguishers; however, it’s never a bad idea to pack one when you’re heading to the cottage for the first time. With the prevalence of wood stoves and numerous bonfires, cottages can be a prime spot for a harmless fire to turn into

something much worse. As Diamond & Diamond’s Partner, Jeremy Diamond says, "It takes a second to pack a fire extinguisher to prevent an injury that can haunt you for the rest of your life.”

5. First Aid Kit

Finally, make sure you have a first aid kit with you at all times when at the cottage. It is a good idea to keep one kit in your vehicle if you plan to move around the area and a second kit in the cottage. Your first aid kit should be well-stocked with bandaids, disinfectants, gauze, sting suave, and peroxide. If your first aid kit is from last year, make sure to check the dates on all medications and replace any expired items.

Playful Korean fusion dishes include the K.F.C croffle

341 professionals from 21 specialties

TORONTO’S TOP

WEDDING & PARTY EXPERTS

The city’s 341 most respected wedding and party professionals were chosen after surveying over 500 of their peers. Post City Magazines and Streets of Toronto are grateful to those who graciously nominated their fellow wedding and party experts.

BRIDAL GOWN + SHOES

Becker's Bridal & Formal Inc Liyat Benchetrit beckersbridaltoronto.com

The Brides' Project Helen Sweet the-brides-project.myshopify.com

Diva Bridal Boutique Jasmine Chen divaboutique.ca

Ferre Sposa Bridal Boutique Jennifer Dang ferresposa.com

Grace Loves Lace Megan Ziems graceloveslace.ca

Loversland Danielle Gulic loversland.com

Mona Richie Boutique 905-856-6888 monarichiebride.com

More 2 Love Bridal Laura Pantin more2lovebridal.com

Sash + Bustle Andrea Dineen sashandbustle.com

Superior Bridal Vi Fitzsimons superiorbridal.com

Valencienne Bridal Erin Caravaggio valencienne.com

White Toronto Andrea Anastasiou whitetoronto.com

Whyte Couture

Jaclyn Whyte whytecouture.com

CATERERS

Blazing Kitchen Donnie Blais blazingkitchen.ca

Chef On The Go Catering & Event Services

Roni Prizant chefonthego.ca

Couture Cuisine

Nicole Pieckenhagen couturecuisine.com

Daniel Et Daniel

Daniel Clairet danieletdaniel.ca

elle cuisine

Lauren Mozer ellecuisine.ca

En Ville Event Design & Catering - Toronto Geoffrey Johnson enville.com

Encore Catering Cary Silber encorecatering.com

The Food Dudes Adrian Niman thefooddudes.com

Hawley Crescent Culinary Services

Roger Searle hawleycrescent.ca

High Bar Hospitality & Event Group

Lucas Margulis highbarcanada.com

Kiss the Cook Catering Fia Pagnello kissthecookcatering.com

Marigolds & Onions Al Salomon marigoldsandonions.com

McEwan Catering Mark McEwan mcewancatering.com

Oliver & Bonacini Catering Andrew Oliver oliverbonacini.com

Provisions Kevin Castonguay provisionsto.com

TASTE Culinary Kathy Woodgate tasteculinary.ca

TOBEN Food By Design Elana Kochman tobenfoodbydesign.com

Urban Fare Catering Paul Jannetta urbanfarecatering.com

DANCE CLASSES

Access Ballroom Studio Gil Bynoe studioaccessballroom.com

Blueheel Dance Studio

Caroline Augustin blueheeldance.com

City Dance Corps

Jerome Jean-Gilles citydancecorps.com

JESSICA AUVRAY

MARK McEWAN

CARLEY CHAMBERLAIN

PAGE MAGEN

NAMITA WALSH

TORONTO’S TOP WEDDING & PARTY PROFESSIONALS

Dance Together Project - Toronto

Katya Kuznetsova dancetogetherproject.com

Dance With Me Toronto Egor Belashov dancewithmetoronto.com

DanceLifeX Centre Max Archiputra dancelifex.com

Drey Dance Academy

Dreyser Garcia dreydanceacademy.com

Hips Don't Lie Dance Co Lyana Khatatba hipsdontlie.ca

Joy of Dance Centre Joyce Jones joyofdance.ca

Star Dance Centre Fiona Su stardancecentre.com

Studio North Toronto | Dance Classes Scott Forsyth thestudionorth.com

Yourweddingdance.ca

George Kastulin yourweddingdance.ca

DISC JOCKEYS

Alley Entertainment Ryan alleyent.ca

Britton DJ Service John Britton brittondjservice.com

DJ Floh Back Productions Danny Floh Back flohback.com

DJ Rich Sweet Rich Sweet ejentertainment.net

Evolved Entertainment

Sam Fleming evolvedentertainment.com

Impact DJ Brian Mangubat impactdj.ca

The Magen Group (Magen Boys Entertainment) Jian Magen themagengroup.com

Maximum Music DJ Service

Rod McMahon maximumdj.com

Michael Coombs

Entertainment michaelcoombs.ca

PURE Entertainment & Audio/Visual

Lucas Margulis itspureentertainment.com

Sole Power

Abby Tobias solepowerproductions.com

FLORISTS

Bloomberry & Co.

Stephie Teotico bloomberryandco.com

Blush And Bloom Rebecca De Oliveira blushandbloom.ca

Cool Green & Shady Amber Richman coolgreenandshady.com

Creations by Gitta Gitta Stein creationsbygitta.ca

De Novo Floral Design Ann L. denovofloral.com

Derêves Floral Studio 647-779-1811 derevesstudio.com

Fête Boutique Floral + Events

Paulina Sazon feteboutique.co

Flower Treasures Christine Parker flowertreasures.com

The Flower 597 Yena Song flower597.com

Gatto Flowers Ignazio Gatto gattoflowers.ca

Hunt and Gather

Tellie Hunt huntandgatherfloral.com

May Flowers

Annie Shuttin mayflowers.ca

Pink Twig Floral Boutique Amy Saleh pinktwig.ca

Precious Flowers

Sarah Goncalves preciousflowers.ca

Opening Night Flowers Nicholas Smith openingnightflowers.com

Rachel A. Clingen Wedding & Event Design rachelaclingen.com

Rikki Marcone Floral & Event Design rikkimarcone.com

Stemz Fiona Liston instagram.com/stemzflowers

Sweetpea's Sara Jameson sweetpeas.ca

FOOD TRUCKS

BeaverTails

Pino Di Ioia beavertails.com

Caffeine Cruiser Donnie Blais caffeinecruiser.net

The Food Dudes Adrian Niman thefooddudes.com

Funnel Cake Express Samantha Rockett funnelcakeexpress.com

The McEwan Group Mark McEwan mcewangroup.ca

Me.n.u Food Truck Allen Tan menufoodtruck.ca

Provisions Catering and Events Kevin Castonguay provisionsto.com

Rancho Relaxo To Go Donnie Blais ranchorelaxotrucks.com

TOBEN Food By Design

Elana Kochman tobenfoodbydesign.com

Tut's Egyptian Street Food Amr Elmazariky tutsrestaurant.ca

FURNITURE RENTALS

Detailz Couture Event Rentals 416-743-7328 www.detailz.ca

Divine Furniture Rental

Steven Devine divinefr.com

Element Event Solutions

Allison Freeman elementeventscanada.com

GTA Dance Floors Pouya Khalili gtadancefloors.ca

LUXE Rentals

Linda Chiou luxerentals.ca

R5 Event Design

Raviv Kunets r5e.ca

Simply Beautiful Decor Angelica Sala simplybeautifuldecor.ca

Southern Charm Vintage Rentals

Hayley Windross southerncharmvintagerentals.com

Table Tales Tianna Christofi tabletales.ca

The Ultimate Wedding Project Will Klemmer theultimateweddingproject.com

HAIR STYLISTS + MAKEUP ARTISTS

Allyssa Helm Beauty & Co. allyssahelm.com

Artistry by Jas Jasmine Kaur artistrybyjas.com

Barbers of London

Andrew Billones barbersoflondon.com

Beauty By Sabrina Sabrina Perpetua beautybysabrina.ca

Blowdry Lounge Beni Sicilia blowdrylounge.com

The Blush Parlour Shira Ben theblushparlour.com

Bridal Hair Collective Amy Griffiths bridalhaircollective.com

Bridal Secretary Makeup & Hair

Design Studio

Betty Hsueh bridalsecretary.com

SANDRA DANSO-BOADI

BENI SICILIA

KIMI ARYA

RICH SWEET

JUDY NGUYEN

POST CITY X WEDDING & PARTY PROFESSIONALS

RICHARD BEER EJ ENTERTAINMENT

A Toronto special events xture for over a decade, Richard Beer—better known as “DJ Rich Sweet”—has earned a reputation for bringing his personal air and expert music curation to every function. From elegant weddings to high-prole lm wrap parties and brand activations, he’s become a sought-after talent for premium events. At EJ Entertainment, Richard brings his expertise to lead a team of DJ/MCs dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences. Can you walk us through your process of working with clients to bring their vision to life for their special day?

It all starts with a phone call or virtual meeting to understand the client’s vision for their event’s music. EJ Entertainment has a talented team of experienced event DJs, and we focus on pairing each client with the perfect t for their unique celebration. Clients trust our DJs to use their expertise to choose songs that will light up the danceoor, while also sharing specic selections, genres or cultural music that are meaningful to them and their guests. We collect this information during our consultation and through our easy to use online client portal, along with any other key details.In addition to DJ services, it’s also important to learn if we can help enhance their event with MC, photobooth or lighting options. We like to think the client isn’t just hiring a DJ, but an entire team of people dedicated to help make their event a success!

8-114 Bowes Road, Concord ON 905-731-5675

ejentertainment.net | @ejentertainmentltd

TORONTO’S TOP WEDDING & PARTY PROFESSIONALS

Carley Artistry

Carley Chamberlain carleyartistry.com

Corrie Elle Artistry corrieelleartistry.com

Fancy Face Inc.

Brittany Gray fancyfaceshop.ca

Hair By Banks & Co. Brittney Banks hairbybanks.com

Jen Evoy Makeup Studio jenevoymakeupstudio.com

Kirsch Cosmetic Studio

Susan Kirsch kirschcosmeticstudio.com

Kroma Salon

Stephanie Karellas kroma-salon.com

Lavish Flair

Katherine Torrez lavishflair.com

Louminous Makeup

Louisa Liao louminous.ca

Makeup By Rebecca K.

Rebecca Kupferstein rebeccakmakeupartist.com

Michael Fels Beauty | Hair & Makeup michaelfels.com

Michele Gomes Makeup And Hair michelegomes.ca

NB Beaute

Nilou Behdjani nbbeaute.ca

Prettiface By Suzanne Cyr prettiface.com

Satine Studio

Satine Yang satinestudio.com

Shannon Petrolito & Co. shannonpetrolito.com

Sky Beauty Toronto Sky Metz skyshapirobeauty.com

Toronto Beauty Group

Jessica Jean Myers torontobeautygroup.com

Truefitt & Hill

Frank Nardi truefittandhill.ca

West & Co. Bridal and Beauty

Danielle West westandcobeauty.ca

HONEYMOON HOTELS

Bisha Hotel Toronto Aaron Harrison bishahoteltoronto.com

The Broadview Hotel 416-362-8439 thebroadviewhotel.ca

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel

Toronto Downtown

Umesh Srivastava hilton.com

Fairmont Royal York Kelly McKinney fairmont.com

Four Seasons Hotel Toronto fourseasons.com/toronto

Gladstone House Alex Dela gladstonehouse.ca

Kimpton Saint George Hotel Nabeel Toubayly kimptonsaintgeorge.com

Old Mill Toronto Hotel Colin Hogg oldmilltorontohotel.com

The Omni King Edward Hotel

Patrick Cappa omnihotels.com

Park Hyatt Toronto Bonnie Strome hyatt.com

The Ritz-Carlton Daniel Fournier ritzcarlton.com

Shangri-La Toronto Kari Koskela shangri-la.com

Windsor Arms Hotel George Friedmann windsorarmshotel.com

HONEYMOON TRAVEL AGENCIES

Claudia Cole Events claudiacoleevents.ca

Destination Wedding Collection by Go Travel Vacation

Camilla Hershoff-Schelle gotravelvacation.com

Goway Travel Bruce Hodge goway.com

Kensington Tours Helen Gointsis kensingtontours.com

NOW Destination Weddings 416-367-8264 nowdestinationweddings.com

St. Clair Travel Agency Ltd Carlo Angona stclairtravel.com

Sunwing Vacations Inc. Stephen Hunter sunwing.ca

Total Advantage Travel & Tours

Robert Townshend totaladvantagetravel.com

Ultimate Destination Weddings

Tracy Sinclair ultimatedestinationweddings.ca

Zebrano Travel

Wendy Davis zebranotravel.com

INVITATIONS

Aktiv Art & Design Christine Perchal aktivart.ca

Dreamers Invitations

Ricky Bagri dreamersinvitations.ca

Esco Invitations

Eugene Beker esco4u.com

Eternal Invites Anika Rahman weddingwire.ca

G Designers

Gurpreet Kaur gdesigners.ca

Palettera Custom Correspondences

Deborah Lau-Yu palettera.ca

The Paper Boutique Adriana DiSalvo thepaperboutique.co

Paper Damsels

Michelle Sciberras paperdamsels.com

Paper & Poste

Beckee Kavanagh paperandposte.ca

The Polka Dot Paper Shop Jenna Wiegand thepolkadotpapershop.com

Raquel Walman Creative Studio raquelwalman.com

So Pretty in Print Tina Caranci soprettyinprint.com

Stephita Wedding Invitations Tyson Wong stephita.com

JEWELLERS

Alexis Gallery Custom Engagement Rings Alexis Smith alexisgallery.com

Damasci Osama Hafez damasci.com

Diamondboi Designs Nuno Rocha diamondboi.com

Diamonds For Less Serko Mikaelian diamondsforless.ca

Edwards & Davies Adam Ollerenshaw edwardsanddavies.com

Jewellery by Varouj Varouj Tabakian varouj.ca

Kimberfire

Jonathan Goldberg kimberfire.com

Liane Vaz Designs lianevaz.com

Livia Diamonds Aret Oymakas liviadiamonds.com

Made You Look Jewellery Sarah Dougall madeyoulook.ca

National Jewel Creations Kevin Kliaman nationaljewelcreations.com

Pamela Lauz Jewellery 647-201-5289 pamelalauz.com

Randor Jewellery Randy Moss randor.com

NARELLE ALLEN

ADAM OLLERENSHAW

SHIRA BEN

ANTHONY LEWIS

REBECCA KUPFERSTEIN

POST CITY X WEDDING & PARTY PROFESSIONALS

Luxurious custom designed florals and complete room decor for weddings, corporate events, fund-raising galas and social occasions.

TORONTO’S TOP WEDDING & PARTY PROFESSIONALS

Serli & Siroan

Daniel Siroan serliandsiroan.com

Solitaire & Alex Armen Alex Armen solitairejewellery.com

LIVE MUSIC + BANDS

Bongo & B Entertainment

Peter BonGiovanni bongoandb.com

Boutique Entertainment

Lauren Roy boutiqueentertainment.ca

Brent Miller Live brentmillerlive.com

Denise Fung Harpist

Denise Fung denisefungmusic.ca

The DNA Project Anthony Lewis thednaproject.ca

The Fox Music Liam Calhoun thefoxmusic.com

G. Pinto

Grenville Pinto gpinto.com

Gareth Bush Music garethbushmusic.com

Liz Craig Pianist lizcraig.ca

Main Event Music

Marc Shapiro maineventmusic.ca

The Next Level Entertainment

Stacey Renee thenextlevelentertainment.ca

Parkside Drive

David Barnes parksidedrive.ca

Sole Power Productions

Abby Tobias solepowerproductions.com

Soular

Sandy Mamane soular.ca

St. Royal Entertainment

Andrew St. Royal stroyalentertainment.com

StereoFlavour Entertainment

Stacey Yerofeyeva stereoflavour.ca

Tiffany Jazz Trio

Tiffany Hanus tiffanyhanus.com

Wellington Music Orsi Lengyel wellingtonmusic.com

NAIL SALONS

Cozy Nails John Kim cozynails.com

Empress Nail Lounge 416-975-4404 empressnaillounge.ca

Deco De Mode Toronto Anna Piloyan decodemodetoronto.com

Kuko House Charlene D'Aoust kukohouse.com

Lime Nails Beauty Bar 647-772-4700 limenails.com

Loft Nail Studio Ibolya Nagygyorgy loftnailstudio.com

Mo.Mo Beauty Nails Ying momobeauty.ca

The Nail Artistry Co. Simy Soberano thenailartistryco.square.site

Sarang Nails & Beauty My Nguyen sarangnails.com

Sixth Sense Spa & Nail Lounge Vivian Thai 6sensebeauty.com

Tips Nail Bar + Beauty Leeanne Colley tipsnailbar.ca

Urban Nails

Kevin Nguyen urbannails.ca

OFFICIANTS

All Love Weddings Andy Althoff-Burrows alllovecelebrations.ca

All Seasons Weddings Casey McKibbon allseasonsweddings.com

All You Need Is Love ~ Weddings

Jeremy Citron allyouneedislove.ca

Ceremonies With Choice Martin Frith ceremonieswithchoice.ca

Chris Yu The Wedding Officiant

416-994-7146 chrisyutheweddingofficiant.ca

Enduring Promises Rinette Emerson enduringpromises.com

Garry Francis Officiating Services

905-442-8260 garryfrancis.com

Helen Sweet Officiant helensweetofficiant.com

Kaysha Lopez 855-939-3382 myweddingofficiant.ca

Married by Liv Olivia Quintyne instagram.com/marriedbyliv

The Marry Men Inc.

Jason Chellew & Michael Andrew themarrymen.ca

The Marrying Lady Tade Credgeur sheisthemarryinglady.com

My Wedding Officiant Devon John myweddingofficiant.ca

Sarah Bunnett-Gibson 416-768-9322 sarahbunnett-gibson.com

Toronto Wedding Officiant

Robin Ellingwood gtaweddingofficiant.ca

True Ceremonies

Aaron Milic trueceremonies.com

XO. Life Celebrations

Tracy Richards xolifecelebrations.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS

515 Photo Co. Mike Caringi 515photoco.com

AGI Studio

John Lin agistudio.ca

Alix Gould Photography Alix Gould alixgould.com

The Art of Weddings

Photography Mike Day theartofweddings.com

Beautiful Life Studios Jake Michael beautifullifestudios.com

Christopher Luk 416-629-2238 chrisluk.com

Diego Moura Photography 647-530-3403 diegomouraphotography.com

The Eastcore Jamieson Dean theeastcore.com

Everlasting Moments Paunch Kalia everlastingmoments.com

Eyekahfoto Angie Choi eyekahfoto.com

Jennifer See Studios 416-737-2871 jenniferseestudios.com

Jessilynn Wong Photography 416-889-2040 jessilynnwongphotography.com

Judy Nguyen Photography 647-545-2665 judynguyenphoto.com

Kim Lovell Photography 416-827-1800 kimlovell.com

Luminous Weddings Ryan Van Der Hout luminousweddings.ca

Mango Studios Mo Govindji mangostudios.com

Olive Photography

Anastasia Oliver olivephotography.ca

Phototerra Studio Tally Greenberg phototerra.com

Purple Tree Wedding

Photography Lisa McElroy purpletree.ca

CARMEN LUK

HOZEFA HARARWALA

VIVIANA KOHON

DANNY BUI

LIZ CRAIG

TORONTO’S TOP WEDDING & PARTY PROFESSIONALS

Rhythm Photography Anita Rozīte rhythm-photography.com

Rita Kravchuk Photography 647-929-7186 ritakravchuk.com

Rosetta Li Wedding Photography 647-833-4272 rosettaliweddings.com

Samantha Ong Photography + Cinema samanthaongphoto.com

Scarlet O'Neill scarletoneill.com

Tara McMullen Photography 416-454-8272 taramcmullen.com

Timeless Tree Weddings Tommy Nguyen timelesstreeweddings.com

Whitney Heard Photography 519-697-2771 whitneyheard.com

TUXEDOS + SUITS

Andrew's Formals

Nick Alampi andrewsformals.com

Garrison Bespoke Michael Nguyen garrisonbespoke.com

King & Bay Bespoke Solutions

Hozefa Hararwala mykingandbay.com

The London Bespoke Club

Kunal Arora londonbespokeclub.com

Moores Clothing For Men

Joseph Aboud mooresclothing.ca

Style Code

Catherine Bourgouin style-code.ca

Suitsupply Fokke de Jong suitsupply.com

Surmesur Morgan surmesur.com

Tip Top Lance Itkoff tiptop.ca

VENUES

Archeo Stuart K. distilleryevents.com

The Arlington Estate Ramy Sallal thearlingtonestate.com

Art Gallery of Ontario Mckenzie Ring ago.ca

Casa Loma Nick Di Donato casaloma.ca

The Eglinton Grand Sam D'Uva eglintongrand.com

Eglinton West Gallery (EWG) Isaac Drookman eglintonwestgallery.com

Evergreen Brick Works Jen Angel evergreen.ca

Four Seasons Hotel Toronto fourseasons.com/toronto

Gladstone House Alex Dela gladstonehouse.ca

The Globe and Mail Centre Michelle Pyne globeandmailcentre.com

GRACE Venue Toben Kochman gracevenue.ca

Graydon Hall Manor Nicole Pieckenhagen graydonhall.com

The Great Hall 416-792-1268 thegreathall.ca

The Guild Inn Estate 416-260-8000 guildinnestate.com

Hotel X Toronto

Fariyal Hasham hotelxtoronto.com

Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex

Nick Di Donato libertygrand.com

Malaparte Michael Bonacini oliverbonacini.com

Old Mill Toronto Colin Hogg oldmilltorontohotel.com

The Omni King Edward Hotel Patrick Cappa omnihotels.com

Parkview Manor 416-391-5888 parkviewmanor.ca

Park Hyatt Toronto Bonnie Strome hyatt.com

The Pop-Up Chapel Co. Alicia Thurston popupchapel.ca

Propeller Coffee Co. Losel Tethong propellercoffee.com

The Storys Building David Berlad storysbuilding.com

The Symes Viviana Kohon, Namita Tandon-Walsh and Caitie Yue thesymes.ca

The Warehouse Jason Smith thewarehousevenue.com

Windsor Arms Hotel George Friedmann windsorarmshotel.com

York Mills Gallery Isaac Drookman yorkmillsgallery.com

VIDEOGRAPHERS

Aperture Lane Ryan Walters aperturelane.com

Beautiful Life Studios Toronto 647-725 7731 beautifullifestudios.com

Big Ticket Productions Jesse Cappe bigticketproductions.com

Corinne McDonald Films Inc. corinnemcdonaldfilms.com

Curio Studios Clifton Li curiostudiosfilms.com

DMS Video Productions Darren Sager dmsvideo.com

Everlasting Moments Paunch Kalia everlastingmoments.com

Henjo Films Henry Shepherd henjofilms.com

Kismet Creative 647-699-4690 kismetcreative.ca

Modern Frame Media Phong Nguyen modernframemedia.com

Naturally Captured Jeremy Robertson naturallycaptured.com

Norris Films Norris Wong norrisfilms.com

Outside In Studio Ricardo Padilla outsideinstudio.com

Origin Weddings Danny Bui originweddings.ca

QT Films Don Tran qtfilms.com

Redstone Pictures Richard Saunders redstonepictures.ca

SDE Weddings 647-350-6699 sdeweddings.com

Timeless Tree Weddings Tommy Nguyen timelesstreeweddings.com

Xpression Video Productions Danny Avelar xpressionvideo.com

WEDDING CAKES

Bobbette & Belle Allyson Bobbitt bobbetteandbelle.com

Cake Creations by Michelle Michelle Spagnoli cakecreationsbymichelle.com

Crumb & Berry

Emily Smith crumbandberry.com

Daan Go Cake Lab Christopher Siu daango.com

JESSILYN WONG

LIAM CALHOUN

JYOTI SAINI

GIL BYNOE

ALANA KLEIN

Fine Cakes by Zehra Zehra Khan finecakesbyzehra.com

Fruitilicious Cakes

Sandra Danso-Boadi fruitiliciouscakes.com

Irresistible Cakes Alex Jasu icakes.ca

Just Temptations Masud Ahmed justtemptations.com

Melanie's Cakes

Melanie Kerr melaniescakes.ca

Manal Bashir Pastry Co. Manal Bashir manalbashirtoronto.com

Nadia and Co. Nadia Corella nadiaandco.com

Patricia's Cake Creations Maria Drewnowska patriciacakes.com

The Rolling Pin

Vanessa Baudanza therollingpin.ca

Sugar Suite Kenzie Goodall sugarsuitecakes.com

TORONTO’S TOP WEDDING & PARTY PROFESSIONALS

WEDDING PLANNERS

A To Z Event Management

Angela Zaltsman atozeventmanagement.ca

Ashley Pigott Events 416-456-6008 ashleypigott.com

Bisous Events

Jessica Auvray bisousevents.com

Blush & Bowties

Alexandra McNamara blushandbowties.ca

Designed Dream Events Fidan Ismayilova designeddream.com

Devoted To You Weddings & Events

Carmen Luk devotedtoyou.ca

Envision Weddings Kimberly Skubic envisionweddings.ca

Fab Fête Event Planning

Boutique Michelle Garber fabfete.ca

Impresario Events

Zerlene Mekdeci impresarioevents.ca

JOY by Janice Janice Carswell joybyjanice.com

Karina Lemke Wedding & Event Design 416-937-9357 karinalemke.com

Kimi Arya Events 647-271-4556 kimiarya.com

Liv Chic Events Olivia Quintyne livchicevents.com

Lovever Weddings & Events

Emma Ye lovever.ca

Luxe Designs - Planning Florals and Décor Tristan Da Silva luxedesigns.ca

Mad Bash Group Lynzie Bremner madbash.ca

MUSE Event Co Ellie Eccleton museeventco.ca

WEDDING & PARTY EXPERTS: METHODOLOGY - To create the list, Post City contracted DataJoe Research to facilitate an online peervoting process and Internet research process. DataJoe Research is a software and research company specializing in data collection and verification, and conducts various nominations across North America on behalf of publishers.

To create the list, we paired DataJoe Research’s online peer-voting process with an Internet research process to identify success characteristics.

Finally, DataJoe presented the tallied result to the magazine for its final review and adjustments. We recognize that there are many good wedding and party experts who are not shown in this representative list. This is only a sampling of the huge array of talented professionals

Narelle Janine Events Narelle Allen narellejanine.com

Open Sky Weddings

Amanda Chapman openskyweddings.com

Perfect Planners

Vicky Nicholas perfectplannersweddings.com

The Pop-Up Chapel Co. Alicia Thurston popupchapel.ca

SJ Soirée Jyoti Saini sjsoiree.com

Swoon Events Alana Klein swoonevents.ca

Trade Sensation Events Inc. Carla Belem tradesensation.com

Velvet Bordeaux Events Ashley Caldaroni velvetbordeauxevents.com

within the region. Inclusion in the list is based on the opinions of responding wedding and party experts in the region. We take time and energy to ensure fair voting, although we understand that the results of this survey nomination and Internet research campaign are not an objective metric. We certainly do not discount the fact that many good and effective experts may not appear on the list.

Disclaimers: DataJoe uses best practices and exercises great care in assembling content for this list. DataJoe does not warrant that the data contained within the list are complete or accurate. DataJoe does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All rights reserved. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without written permission from DataJoe.

FIDAN ISMAYILOVA

CHRISTOPHER LUK

SHANNON PETROLITO

BEFORE AFTER

Before you go... take a look at how much our city has changed over the years.

The Snowbirds debuted at the Canadian International Air Show in 1972 and are now known for their precision formation aerobatics.

From a vibrant 1977 street bash to a massive carnival — Caribana’s energy just keeps getting bigger!

©Richard Dumigan

© Jack Dobson

1 POST ROAD #106

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Highly desired ground floor suite at most prestigious condominium.

ELEGANT ST. ANDREWS RESIDENCE

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8,500

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BAYVIEW RIDGE CHATEAU

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LUXURIOUS LIVING IN YORK MILLS

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PALATIAL OLD COLONY ESTATE

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Classic centre hall home situated on large 50’ x 174’lot in Lytton Park.