Jun 30 2022 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — The Canadian Press — TORONTO — CBC News is shaking up the anchor roles at "The National" as it makes plans to launch a free 24-hour live streaming channel this fall. The news division of the public broadcaster announced several changes Thursday that it says will help build a new home for local, national and current affairs reporting with […]
Jun 30 2022 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — The Canadian Press — TORONTO — The beloved theatrical smash "'Da Kink in My Hair" will return to a Toronto stage this fall to mark its 20th anniversary. TO Live says Trey Anthony's play about the comings and goings at a hair salon in Toronto's Caribbean community is getting a new production directed by Soulpepper’s Weyni Mengesha, who oversaw […]
Jun 26 2022 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — The Canadian Press — TORONTO — When Josh and Katie Pascoe mapped out their multi-province summer concert tour earlier this year they didn't anticipate just how expensive it would be to fill their van's gas tank. Most of their energy was focused on securing shows for their alt-folk band Fresh Breath after more than two years of pandemic shutdowns […]
Jun 23 2022 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Canadian rockers Arkells have their sights set on major homegrown collaborations for their upcoming album. The Hamilton band offered a glimpse of what's to come on their seventh studio effort "Blink Twice," and it includes songs with Calgary pop twins Tegan and Sara, Halifax-based Joel Plaskett and Timmins, Ont. native Lights. Arkells revealed […]
Jun 23 2022 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — The Canadian Press — TORONTO — McGill University says it's decided to wind down the school's century-old music conservatory amid rising operational costs and falling attendance. The university says it reached "sobering, yet unavoidable" conclusions that made clear the Conservatory was "no longer financially viable nor sustainable." Since it was founded in 1904, the Conservatory offered free space to […]
Jun 23 2022 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Mirvish Productions is lifting mask mandates at its venues starting on Canada Day. The Toronto live theatre company says ticket holders will no longer be required to wear face coverings at its shows, however, it still recommends they do. The protocols are in step with the Stratford Festival and Shaw Festival, which no […]
Jun 22 2022 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — The Canadian Press — TORONTO — When Toronto-raised filmmaker Deborah Chow signed on to direct all six episodes of "Obi-Wan Kenobi," she had some thrilling ideas for where to take the Star Wars universe. One of the most crucial was convincing Hayden Christensen to return to the dark side as Darth Vader. It had been more than 15 years […]
Jun 21 2022 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Moviegoers could be paying a little extra for a seat at a Cineplex theatre this summer. Canada's largest film exhibitor says it has introduced a new $1.50 booking fee that applies to each ticket purchased through its mobile app and website. The move comes as Cineplex representative Sarah Van Lange says the company […]
Jun 17 2022 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Justin Bieber is pushing back the remainder of his North American tour as he deals with the fallout of his Ramsay Hunt syndrome diagnosis. A tour promoter for the Canadian pop star announced that all upcoming U.S. dates for his Justice World Tour have been postponed as Bieber continues to receive medical care […]
Jun 16 2022 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Some of Jean-Marc Vallée's friends, family and colleagues are joining forces to create a documentary on the acclaimed late Canadian director. Montreal company Item 7 says it will produce "Cut Print Thank You Bye," a reflection on the life and career of the auteur who rose from Quebec's film scene to the heights […]
Jun 14 2022 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — The Canadian Press — TORONTO — New albums from Arcade Fire, the Weeknd and Shad are among those longlisted for this year's Polaris Music Prize. The juried award for best Canadian album of the year was narrowed down to 40 contenders who will now vie for a spot on the short list, to be revealed July 14. Other artists […]
Jun 12 2022 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Director Andrew Hamilton says his new concert film "The Onyx Experience" is not only a powerful celebration of Canada's often underappreciated Black rock music scene, but a reclamation of a genre that he was told couldn't be his. The filmmaker recalls being a passionate fan of rock and metal bands while growing up […]
Jun 10 2022 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Justin Bieber says he's been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a virus that has left the right side of his face temporarily paralyzed. The Stratford, Ont.-raised pop singer took to his Instagram account on Friday to explain the reason behind his sudden cancellation of several concerts this week, including two in Toronto. Bieber […]
Jun 10 2022 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Bif Naked is going before the cameras in a new documentary on her life and career from the co-director of "The Corporation." The Canadian alt-punk rocker, who's known for hits "Spaceman" and "I Love Myself Today," has signed on for "Bif Naked: One of a Kind," which will air on Super Channel as […]
Jun 8 2022 — David Friend, The Canadian Press — The Canadian Press — TORONTO — Free streaming service Pluto TV is coming to Canada this fall, the latest in a growing number of ad-supported alternatives to Netflix and other subscription platforms. Corus Entertainment says it has partnered with the service's owner Paramount Global, formerly ViacomCBS, to roll out more than 100 channels of streaming TV series, movies, sports […]