culture
15 essential Pride Toronto parties and events for 2019
NOW critics pick the best comedy, art, stage shows and, of course, parties happening during Pride Month Read more
Vanessa Heins
The best weekend events in Toronto: June 14-16
Including Biziindan! at Luminato, NXNE at Yonge-Dundas Square, Taste of Little Italy, Stackt Market's housewarming, Abbi Jacobson and more Read more
Photo by Jeremy Mimnagh
Luminato review: Four Sisters
The final work in Susanna Fournier’s ambitious Empire Trilogy pays rich theatrical dividends Read more
Paris Is Burning is an urgent reminder of the importance of queer spaces
The dispersion of queer people into a diaspora in the face of gentrification dilutes the ability to organize and ruptures our political power Read more
Photo by Katherine Folger, edited by Marshall Lorenzo
How two East Coasters are changing Toronto's queer comedy scene
Tricia Black and Tom Hearn were barely even out five years ago; now they're becoming role models for the next generation of LGBTQ funny people Read more
Lisa Rochon
Banners in Allan Gardens honour missing and murdered Indigenous women
The public art installation Red Embers was designed by 15 Indigenous women artists and is on display until October 4 Read more
Photo by Don Lee, Banff Centre
Luminato review: The Full Light Of Day
Daniel Brooks's ambitious drama about a wealthy, corrupt Canadian family gets a handsome production, but its characters and narrative need finessing Read more
Photo by Dahlia Katz
Luminato review: KIRA, The Path/La Voie
Fara Tolno's drumming resonates more effectively than the dance in Lua Shayenne Dance Company's West African-influenced show Read more
Samuel Engelking
Photos: Luminato's House Of Mirrors reconfigures the waterfront skyline
The high-art riff on the classic amusement park attraction offers fragmented views of Toronto that change depending on light and weather Read more
Courtesy of Dundas West Fest
The best weekend events in Toronto: June 7-9
Including Dundas West Fest, NXNE, World Naked Bike Ride, House of Mirrors at Luminato, Desifest, U.S. Girls, PUP and more Read more
The best Toronto stage shows to see in June 2019
From lots of Pride-related events to a free, large-scale dance production in The Bentway’s reclaimed space under the Gardiner, here a few of this month's must-see shows Read more
Jonty Wilde
10 Toronto art shows we're looking forward to in summer 2019
Including exhibitions about Toronto's future skyline, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett's movie memorabilia, African portraiture by women and Saskatchewan Read more
Carol Burnett, Pete Davidson and John Mulaney head up JFL42
Nick Kroll, Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness, podcast How Did This Get Made and Marc Maron round out the big names at the eighth annual comedy festival Read more
Toronto Dance Theatre's Christopher House to step down after 25 years as artistic director
After creating over 60 original works for the company, the 64-year-old dancer and choreographer leaves "one of the best jobs in Canada" on his own terms Read more
Kelis to headline Harbourfront Centre's Brave festival
The American musician-turned-chef will cook and tell stories at the second annual arts festival Read more
The 14 best books to read in summer 2019
From a queer Muslim memoir to a history of small-town Chinese restaurants in Canada, here are the season's essential titles Read more
Photo by Emily Cooper
Shaw Festival review: Rope gets a tight, tense production
Jani Lauzon's staging of the murder mystery delivers thrills, chills and fine performances Read more
Photo by Chris Young
Stratford Festival review: modern take on Othello deepens Shakespeare’s tragedy
Nigel Shawn Williams's powerful production shifts the emphasis from jealousy to societal racism and misogyny Read more
Photo by David Cooper
Shaw Festival review: Brigadoon revival feels slight, dated and inconsequential
Even with Brian Hill's updated book, this nostalgic musical about a lost Scottish village evokes head-scratching, not magic Read more
The best weekend events in Toronto: May 31-June 2
Including Jorja Smith & Kali Uchis, Rocketman, Promise Cherry Beach and Anderson .Paak Read more