Here are 12 of the best arts and culture events in Toronto this month

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Explore Toronto’s vibrant arts and cultural scene this month with our curated list of the city’s top 12 events. From captivating exhibitions to mesmerizing performances, there’s something for every culture enthusiast to enjoy in the heart of Canada’s most creative city.

1. Go to Just For Laughs

Prepare to laugh until your sides hurt as the highly anticipated Just For Laughs Toronto comedy festival makes its triumphant comeback from Sept. 21 to 30. This uproarious event promises 10 days of non-stop entertainment, featuring an impressive roster of today’s hottest comedians. Get ready to be tickled by the comedic brilliance of Andrew Schulz, the incisive humor of Ronny Chieng, the infectious energy of Leslie Jones, the unapologetic wit of Nicole Byer, the wisdom and charm of Jonathan Van Ness (pictured above), and the uproarious antics of Marlon Wayans, among others. The festival’s dynamic lineup, which also includes cast panels, live podcast recordings and more, guarantees an unforgettably hilarious experience that will leave your spirits lifted and your cheeks sore from laughter. For all the details and ticket information go to Toronto.hahaha.com.

2. See Fall for Dance North

The Fall for Dance North 9th Annual Festival is set to captivate Toronto from Sept. 26 to Oct. 7. Offering an inspiring showcase of dance performances, this year’s event underscores accessibility with tickets priced at $15. Noteworthy highlights include Toronto debuts from renowned companies using dance to drive social change, along with the introduction of the Indigenous-led Tkaronto Open dance competition on Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. For comprehensive details and ticket information, visit the official Fall for Dance North website at FFDNorth.com.

3. Visit the Gallery Weekend

Gallery Weekend Toronto is set to dazzle from Sept. 21 to 24, hosted by AGAC. With a lineup of 25 galleries showcasing over 70 artists, the event offers a fresh perspective on contemporary art. Divided into three curated routes, this year’s weekend promises more than just exhibitions. Engaging artist talks, immersive tours and captivating performances will awaken your creative senses. Don’t miss the chance to witness Anne Low’s Bury Me at Franz Kaka, explore the intriguing blend of Lawler and Noguchi at Beauty Supply Room, and delve into Alyssa Alikpala’s artistic exploration of environment at Joys. This September, let Gallery Weekend Toronto be your portal to a world of artistic wonder. Go to Toronto.galleryweekend.ca for details.

4. See Peter Gabriel

Get ready to immerse yourself in the musical brilliance of Peter Gabriel as he takes the stage in Toronto on Sept. 11 at the Scotiabank Arena. A true luminary in the music world, Peter Gabriel has been captivating audiences for decades with his distinctive sound and thought-provoking lyrics. With a remarkable career that spans from his earlier work with the iconic band Genesis to his solo ventures, Gabriel has left an indelible mark on the industry. Known for hits like “Sledgehammer,” “In Your Eyes” and “Biko,” Gabriel’s Toronto concert promises an unforgettable evening, featuring both his timeless classics and new material from his upcoming album i/o. For more information, go to scotiabankarena.com.

5. Go to Intersection Festival

Experience Toronto’s 13th Annual Intersection Festival from Sept. 1 to 3. This innovative celebration of experimental music unfolds across the city’s venues, offering a diverse and immersive musical journey. The festival kicks off at St. Anne’s Church with N.Y.C. experimentalist William Basinski presenting “The Last Symphony,” accompanied by electronic artist Kuuma. Yonge-Dundas Square transforms on Sept. 2 into a hub of eclectic music, featuring acts like Tiger Balme, Naomi McCarroll-Butler and Christopher Tignor. Sept. 3 offers workshops and insights, including Christopher Tignor’s performance and discussion. The festival culminates with a workshop/performance of Julius Eastman’s “Buddha.” The Intersection Festival remains a cultural beacon, blending international and local talent across genres redefining the Labor Day Weekend. For more information, intersectionfestival.ca.

6. See Festival of Authors

Prepare to embark on a journey of imagination at the Toronto International Festival of Authors, running Sept. 21 to Oct. 1, featuring more than 200 events, showcasing the brilliance of Canadian and international storytellers. The festival offers an array of conversations, readings, performances, workshops and kid-friendly activities, featuring authors such as Margaret Atwood, Billy-Ray Belcourt, Patrick deWitt, Emma Donoghue, Anne Enright, Richard Ford, Masha Gessen, Michelle Good, Charlotte Gray, Catherine Hernandez, Casey Plett, Sarah Polley and Makoto Yukimura. For more details, visit FestivalofAuthors.ca.

7. Go to The Master Plan

From Sept. 5 to Oct 1, Crow’s Theatre presents the highly anticipated play The Master Plan, directed by Chris Abraham. Michael Healey’s biting satire, adapted from Josh O’Kane’s book Sideways: The City Google Couldn’t Buy, sheds light on Toronto’s failed smart city venture involving Sidewalk Labs and Waterfront Toronto. With a talented cast, including Mike Shara and Ben Carlson, the play explores the corporate drama and political complexities behind the scenes. For more information head to Crowstheatre.com.

8. See Janelle Monáe

Get ready for an electrifying experience with Janelle Monáe on her Age of Pleasure tour, taking the stage at Massey Hall on Sept. 21 and 22. Joining them for an unforgettable night of music are the talents of Jidenna, Flyana Boss and Nana Kwabena. This event promises to be a sensational showcase of Janelle Monáe’s visionary sound and unparalleled style. With eight Grammy Award nominations under their belt, Monáe is a singer, songwriter, producer, performer and fashion icon who has left an indelible mark on the modern era. Beyond her musical prowess, Monáe is known for her unyielding activism for social justice and the LGBTQIA+ community.

9. Go to X Avant

The Music Gallery is set for X Avant XVIII: Neeeerrrrddddssss, a five-day festival taking place from Oct. 11 to 15, programmed by Artistic Director Sanjeet Takhar. This celebration embraces the passion for music creation and transforms the term “nerd” into a symbol of artistic ingenuity. The festival features playful and intricate events, spotlighting artists in electronics, improvisation, visual and sound installations, and more. The opening night showcases Germaine Liu’s Music Gallery commission, “We Made This With Love,” using Nerds candy as the main instrument. Night two, in partnership with the Bata Shoe Museum, presents acoustic performances in a unique setting. Night three explores Indonesian experimental electronic music label Yes No Wave, while night four hosts a community roundtable discussion about the future of the arts. The festival concludes with a concert featuring Beverly Glenn-Copeland’s new album and local artist Teiya Kasahara, celebrating Glenn-Copeland’s remarkable legacy and dedication to music creation.

10. Go to Venus Fest

Step into the realm of musical evolution at Venus Fest 2023, an upcoming and exhilarating not-for-profit music festival set to unfold from Sept. 21 to 23 at the captivating It’s OK* Studios, located at 468 Queen St W. This event offers more than just music. It’s a celebration of transformation and forward movement in the industry. The festival’s lineup is a tapestry of diverse voices, each with a unique story to tell including the incomparable Allison Russell performing on Sept. 21. Other highlights include the electrifying Sister Ray and the enchanting melodies of Deidre. On Sept. 23, the festival wraps up in a crescendo of musical brilliance with the spirited rhythms of headliners Shannon and the Clams. Check out the Venus Fest website for all the great happenings at Venusfest.net.

11. Go to Nuit Blanche

The 17th annual Nuit Blanche Toronto, slated for Sept. 23, will transform the city’s landscapes with more than 80 art projects by nearly 250 artists, exploring the “Breaking Ground” theme that delves into environmental and urban issues. Divided into three curated areas, the event features installations in Etobicoke, downtown Toronto and Scarborough, with artists challenging norms and perceptions. Notable works include Leeroy New’s futuristic boat sculptures, Dana Prieto and Reza Nik’s multimedia engagement with a historical site and Divya Mehra’s critique of colonialism through a magical lamp. Visit toronto.ca/nuitblanche for more information.

12. See Topdog Underdog

Set to take the stage at the Berkeley Street Theatre from Sept. 22 to Oct. 8, Canadian Stage presents a captivating rendition of the American classic Topdog Underdog, by Suzan-Lori Parks. This season’s opener features the dynamic talents of Mazin Elsadig and Sébastien Heins in the lead roles, under the skilled direction of Tawiah M’Carthy. Originally premiered in 2002, the play gained historic recognition for Suzan-Lori Parks as the first Black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Best Drama. It remains a poignant exploration of brotherhood, race and the perpetuating cycle of violence, offering a compelling perspective on the Black experience in America. For further information, visit canadianstage.com.

Toronto’s first fashion club is opening on King Street

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Julia Mastroianni

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Toronto’s first and only fashion club is opening on King Street this weekend and it’s everything it sounds like and more. Just west of Tecumseth Street, you can’t miss the all-black, industrial exterior of Rchive, decorated only by a large window decal that reads “What is A Fashion Club?” and a barcode that directs you to Rchive’s Instagram page and website for the answer.

A fashion club, according to Rchive founders and couple Ion (Jai) Sobaliu and Sadaf Emami, is a place for fashion enthusiasts and adjacent creatives, including photographers, models and artists, to come together to collaborate and create. During the day, Rchive will operate as a retail space featuring a coffee bar with fresh-baked cookies, and at night it will serve as a multi-use event space with a cocktail bar and DJ booth.

With 2,000 square feet, Rchive is equipped to host art installations, showcases, fashion shows and social events. The interior is decorated by white brick and minimalist “snowstorm” tiles, so that the people and clothes will always be the stand-out visual. A window reveals the boiler room, perfectly sized for a DJ booth, and behind there, change rooms offer a place for shoppers to try on clothes.

An example of the founders’ styling work in the new club space.

Overall, the Rchive experience is two-fold. Shoppers can expect a range of very unique and diverse streetwear designers, including vintage and consignment pieces, as well as Rchive’s in-house brand rchiveredux: one-of-a-kind revived vintage clothes with artistic embellishment. In addition, they offer styling services and will soon launch a rental collection to make high-end pieces accessible for the everyday shopper. Sobaliu calls it “your closet away from home.”

Here’s the second part. In the near future, Rchive will launch a membership experience for industry creatives, so that they can utilize the space for their own brands. An additional back room will function as an atelier for designers to work out of. The couple sees this as a solution to cliquey behaviour in Toronto’s creative networks. “Currently in Toronto, everything is very in groups, so we wanted to have a space [dedicated] to anybody in the industry,” says Emami.

This idea has been years in the making. In fact, before the advent of the Fashion Club, Rchive was solely a retail brand.

It started three years ago when the couple began selling Sobaliu’s long-collected clothing archive out of their home in Vaughan. It was obvious from the enthusiasm with which friends and family borrowed from his collection that Sobaliu had strong curatorial instincts, and since he had just graduated from TMU’s Business Marketing program, and Emami from York University, they decided to launch their business online.

“From the start we knew that we wanted to do something different and include people in the community,” says Sobaliu, admitting that they didn’t know exactly what that would look like at the time. When they made the move to Toronto, they immersed themselves in the industry, selling on the market circuit and meeting other creatives.

“The more people we met, the more we got connected with everybody, the vision just became more and more clear,” says Emami. In order to host people and foster more collaboration, they spent eight months renting a 20-by-20-foot cubicle on Keele Street.

That’s when they first conceptualized the Fashion Club, says Sobaliu, who remembers orchestrating a photoshoot in the cubicle and having peers ask if they could also style them, and help them find a photographer. “We wanted to build a one-stop-shop,” says Sobaliu, “so creatives could visit and we could help them develop their brand identity.”

After Keele, they rented their first showroom on Queen Street and hosted more collaborative events like their artisanal Earth Day market featuring local creators and a runway show, and their recent fashion exhibit event.

Now they’re proud to finally have a permanent space to house the fashion community. It hasn’t been without hurdles, they confide, and the process has earned them a newfound respect for every brick-and-mortar business in Toronto.

They navigated licenses and permits, renovations and marketing strategy, but the worst setback was a robbery they suffered earlier this summer. 141 curated pieces totaling approximately $30,000 of inventory were stolen, delaying their initial plan to open in August. “It was a really bad hit, but it taught us a lot about having the right security and the appropriate insurance,” says Emami.

She also says that it helped them trust their instincts as curators. Since the lost inventory included their prized pieces saved especially for their open, they had to improvise newer and even better inventory. Now they’re more optimistic than ever.

Rchive’s doors will officially open to the public Friday, Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. Retail hours will be Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can follow rchive.ca on Instagram to stay in the know about future social events as well.

This Toronto steakhouse now serves exclusive Kobe beef

By

Julia Mastroianni

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3:35 pm

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Considered the best and most exclusive beef in the world, Kobe beef is unmatched in its decadence. Now, Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar in Toronto has added the exclusive delicacy to its new menu. Hy’s Kobe steak is served per ounce, hand-carved and grilled to order.

It would be hard to pass up any of Hy’s tempting steak offerings, which run the gamut from the most tender Alberta Prime filet to bone-in New York striploins and premium dry-aged rib steaks. They’ve been serving Miyazaki A5 Waygu since reopening at their new luxurious Bay Street location. But with this newest menu iteration, Hy’s has taken its steakhouse cred over the top with the addition of certified Kobe A5 Wagyu.

Hy’s is a legend in Canada, operating steakhouses since 1955 and in the Financial District in Toronto since 1970. It has earned its reputation as Canada’s premier steakhouse. But the luxury doesn’t stop with the restaurant’s steaks.

If you enjoy a little theatre with your dinner, indulge in Hy’s iconic tableside service. Caesar salad, Steak Diane and bananas Foster are all prepared with traditional techniques right before your eyes. Seafood enthusiasts will appreciate their generous seafood platter, full of succulent gems like Atlantic lobster tail, jumbo prawns and fresh oysters. The menu boasts new vegan options to satisfy anyone at the table. And of course, Hy’s iconic cheese toast is a true “IYKYK” insider secret.

The restaurant’s aesthetic is casual luxe, with three expansive levels of rich colour palettes and sumptuous seating, enhanced by striking modern lighting and local, contemporary art. The main level bar and lounge, framed by soaring windows and bookcases, is the place to see and be seen. With live music, classic and modern cocktails and spirits and wines from a global cellar, it is perfectly positioned for making new friends and creating new stories. And, if you visit the lounge at happy hour you can indulge in all this luxury for a virtual steal.

Upstairs, the intimate Whiskey Bar is deep with amber treasures. Guests can enjoy a single dram, or indulge in a curated flight and watch the action in the lounge below. Or continue into the elegant main dining room, settle into a velvet booth and prepare for an experience to remember.

A stunning atmosphere and the very best in classic and contemporary steakhouse fare, Hy’s truly has it all. And with a team of industry veterans and professionals, led by general manager Michael Jamieson and chef Des Murphy, the impeccable service standards are famously second to none.

“We are always looking to bring new and interesting items to our menu, and Kobe beef is one of the items we feel defines decadence,” says Jamieson. “Whether it’s a rare spirit, a remarkable vintage or the world’s finest beef, Hy’s guests can always count on being tempted by new and exclusive treats.”

Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar is open seven days a week. Lunch is served Monday through Friday; dinner is served nightly. And every day is a happy day, with the best happy hour around from 3-6 p.m. Visit their Instagram and Facebook pages for more information.

That guy from Stranger Things’ band is playing TIFF street fest this weekend

By

Ron Johnson

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The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is set to unleash its vibrant Festival Street for the eighth consecutive year expanding the excitement beyond the theatres and into the heart of the city. Festival Street, stretching along King Street West from Peter Street to University Avenue, transforms into an open-air experience accessible to the general public. On tap over the next few days is a slew of new and engaging activations, food vendors, photo opportunities, and musical performances. Here’s what’s happening.

Musical Extravaganza

A Night of Jazz (Sept. 7): Kicking off the festivities, the Festival Street Music Stage will host jazz legends Dave Young, Thompson Egbo-Ebgo, and the Jacob Chung Quintet, hosted by Raoul Bhaneja.

Nickelback on Stage (Sept. 8): Diamond-certified rock band Nickelback takes the Festival Street Music Stage to mark the premiere of the band’s TIFF gala presentation Hate to Love: Nickelback. Who knows what might happen!

Other Performances (Sept. 8-10): Electronica and powwow techno artist Classic Roots, RBCxMusic Artist Luna Elle, Toronto Dance Theatre, Doug Tielli, and the Godmother of Canadian Rap, Michie Mee, will grace the stage, providing diverse musical experiences for festivalgoers.

Cinema Park: Outdoor Screenings

Presenting classic films (Sept. 7-16): TIFF’s Cinema Park will showcase open-air screenings in David Pecaut Square. These screenings will feature classics connected to talent from TIFF 2023 Official Selection films, including The Spiderwick Chronicles, Batman, Contact, Superman III (40th-anniversary screening), Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (a tribute to Paul Reubens), Rocky, and four screenings curated by the Next Wave committee, featuring Addams Family Values (30th-anniversary screening), Clueless, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and Where the Wild Things Are.

TIFF Next Wave Block Party with Finn Wolfhard

On Sept. 9, the TIFF Next Wave Block Party takes over and will feature performances by The Aubreys (featuring Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard), Alex Porat, daydream (winner of TIFF Next Wave’s Battle of the Scores), Sho Madjozi, and Grammy Award winner Zakes Bantwini.

Festival Street Art Market

The Festival Street Art Market runs from Sept. 7-16. It’s a bustling hub of fun activities celebrating art and community, featuring contributions from the city’s vibrant film festivals and arts organizations, including Inside Out Film Festival, imagineNATIVE Film Festival, Reel Asian Film Festival, Regent Park Film Festival, Hot Docs, Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT), Muse Arts, REEL CANADA, and Workman Arts.

Festival Street Mural Project

Also running Sept. 7-10, the Festival Street Mural Project sees street artists Darcy Obokata and Tim Fukakusa create an evolving large art mural, a love letter to Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. The mural pays homage to Miyazaki’s influence on artists and film enthusiasts worldwide, coinciding with TIFF’s Opening Night International Premiere of Miyazaki’s latest work, “The Boy and the Heron.”

Additional Activities on Festival Street

Falling in Love with Toronto (Sept. 7-16): The Myseum of Toronto’s “36 Questions That Lead to Loving Toronto” invites Torontonians to rediscover their love for the city through an engaging exhibition.
Morning Mobility Session (Sept. 9): Enjoy a morning mix of movement and meditation in David Pecaut Square with the Group Morning Mobility session by Have a Nice Day Pilates Studio.
Support for Local Businesses (Sept. 7-16): Festival Street also includes five additional vendors from BlackOwnedTO, contributing to the celebration of local businesses and communities.

This Forest Hill neighbourhood has all you need to start the Fall off right

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Dorothy Chudzinski

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As back-to-school and pumpkin spiced latte season settles in, it’s the perfect time to explore the charming Eglinton Way neighborhood. This vibrant community at the north end of Forest Hill offers a delightful mix of boutiques, services and eateries – making it an ideal destination for fall adventures.

This Saturday September 9th from 10am – 3pm the Eglinton Way BIA is presenting their Artwalk Sculpture Launch – where they will be honouring their newly installed sculptures and unveiling plans for installation of 6 new sculptures! Join them at the south-east corner of Chaplin Crescent and Eglinton Avenue West at 10am for the opening ceremony and light refreshments. Throughout the day there will be meet and greets with the artists, and art workshops for all – including LEGO, chalk, collaging and colouring!

With so much to discover along the Eglinton Way, here are a few businesses we’d like to highlight this Fall…

Fall for some Fresh Blooms

Flowers any time of the year can brighten someone’s day or let them know that you are thinking of them. At Tom’s Florist they create extraordinary bouquets and arrangements for any occasion, and with Rosh Hashanah just around the corner they are ready for delivery or pick up any time! Their new location at 572 Eglinton Avenue West is just 2 minutes from their previous location in the Variety store at Eglinton and Heddinton. Call for details 416-352-9188 or email them at [email protected], and be sure to ask about the Fall chrysanthemums that come in a variety of colours and sizes!

Elegant Style for the Fall

A keen eye, incredible talent and passion make Mark Lash one of Canada’s most prominent jewellery designers. At Mark Lash Fine Jewellery you can find a wide variety of lifestyle jewellery pieces from their own collections, as well as imported fine jewellery. The new fall collection has arrived, including two-toned pieces, new drop and hoop earrings and chunky link necklaces and bracelets. And if you’re looking to create your own unique custom designed piece, their design team and onsite workshop specialists are there to help. Treat yourself to a Mark Lash Design!

Registration Open for Little Dancing Feet

Kids, it’s time to get your groove on! At Groove School of Dance, registration is now open for all fall classes for kids ages 2.5 and up. Celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, this amazing studio offers professional and structured lessons in ballet, jazz, hip hop and cheerleading. But that’s not all! They offer camps throughout the year, host birthday parties, run karate and capoeira classes, piano lessons, baby music classes and so much more!

Embrace Fall Beauty

Lylla’s Esthetics takes pride in offering a wide range of esthetic services, specializing in all things brows. With a wealth of experience and expertise, they provide services such as threading, microblading, dermaplaning, lash lift, tinting, waxing, and beauty and brow artistry consultation. Celebrating an impressive milestone of 25 years in business, Lylla’s Esthetics has been serving the Yorkville, Rosedale, and Forest Hill communities with exceptional beauty solutions. To commemorate their anniversary, they have introduced an exclusive brow bundle package (contact for details).

Delicious Flavours For the Fall

Tastes of the Autumn season are happening at Hotel Gelato! They are celebrating Rosh Hashanah, with their seasonal Apple & Honey Sorbet (non-dairy and gluten-free) and are bringing back their perennial favourites Pumpkin Spice Gelato and Lattes. Be sure to drop in during the month of September to try their new house-made baked goods and their lunch specials!

Immerse Yourself in Art and Inspiration

Established in 1981, Rukaj Gallery has 42 years of experience in modern and contemporary fine art, as well as providing a full inhouse framing department. They have recently acquired pieces by William Perehudoff, Jack Bush, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Malcolm Liepke and Victor Vasarely. These new works are on view both at the gallery and online. Visit their website rukajgallery.com to find out more about upcoming gallery shows.

Caring for Your Smile

Wobbly tooth from biting into a crisp fall apple? No matter what your dental needs are, Midroni Family Dental Care offers expert care with a full range of services provided by their friendly and caring staff. Dr. Joshua Tordjman, who has been with Midroni for over a year now, is accepting patients of all ages. Dr. Tordjman provides preventive, restorative, esthetic and surgical forms of dentistry.

Bringing Italian Tradition to the Table

7 Numbers Restaurant is where tradition and taste meet! This Autumn, be sure to book your table at this cherished culinary haven to savour authentic southern Italian cuisine from the one and only Mama Rosa Marinuzzi. Want to learn from the maestro herself? Mama Rosa’s famed cooking classes are back this fall. Find out more at sevennumbers.com

The best restaurants and bars to go celebrity spotting during TIFF

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Broadstreet Support

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1:53 pm

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Chasing celebrities as they filter through town during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is a popular local pastime. But before plunking down a camera-toting keister at just any hotel bar hoping to win the fan photo lottery, some advance research can certainly up the odds of success and Instagram fame.

Idris Elba, Angelina Jolie and Jodie Foster are among the celebs headed to TIFF this year. From Sept. 4 to 14, here are some of the best restaurants and bars to visit for a celebrity-approved TIFF experience — and maybe even a glimpse of your favourite star.

Here is where the best opportunities lie for red carpet shots.

Bisha Hotel is a well-known celebrity hot spot during TIFF, and during normal years where celebrities are guaranteed to attend, this is where many of the events and premiere parties are hosted. Try Mister C, the hotel’s swanky lobby bar, to spot some of your favourite actors – past sightings here include Julianne Moore, Jake Gyllenhaal and Daniel Kaluuya.

American film stars tend to look to the familiar — the Shangri-La Hotel for example. Head to the Lobby Lounge & Bar for their Film Collection cocktail menu, created in partnership with the festival. To mark TIFF’s golden milestone, they’re serving up TIFF 50 Signature Cocktails worth toasting to.

Another is the 1 Hotel in Toronto. With its close proximity to some major TIFF venues, the likelihood of spotting a celebrity being shuttled from the lobby here is high. Located in the hotel, Mexican restaurant Casa Madera is already a major celebrity hot spot, so it might be worth a visit this time of year. Get dressed up, enjoy some fancy cocktails and maybe someone will mistake you for a celebrity!

A popular spot all year round, Minami happens to be in the ideal location for this festival — right across from TIFF Bell Lightbox. Grab a bite to eat here before catching a premiere, and this year you can enjoy some special menu items and a themed cocktail to get you in the mood for cinematic excellence.

And we can’t forget the St. Regis Toronto which, this year, is going big at Louix Louis, the restaurant located on the 31st floor of the hotel. Celebrate the festival’s 50th anniversary with the over-the-top Golden Carving Experience, the decadent 50-layer Golden King’s Cake crowned in gold and sparklers, or the ‘TIFF50’ Caviar and Cocktail pairing — a luxe Macallan Rare Cask Rob Roy served with Ossetra caviar.

Queen West favourite Soluna will guarantee an exciting and celebrity-approved experience. An official hospitality partner since 2022, the venue is hosting a week of rooftop parties, global DJs and themed dinners — with a 4 a.m. extended license to keep the energy high.

Yorkville is still a thing with its unique boutiques, high-end hotels and landmark restaurants such as Sotto Sotto and Sassafraz. But this year, the main event is likely to be Adrak Yorkville – this Indian restaurant is worth a visit. With a team of chefs with Michelin training, you won’t be disappointed dining here even if you don’t get to spot a star or two.

This new Vietnamese restaurant just might serve the best pho in Toronto

By

Jennifer Schembri

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1:04 pm

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Snapinsta.app_278384131_600033675063402_988634584142558728_n_1024 — @ejercitolim/Instagram

Tucked among the upscale dining options on Yonge and Eglinton, there’s a fresh addition — a family-operated eatery offering budget-friendly Asian cuisine, perfectly timed for soup season.

Though it’s named after a river and city in the southern region, Madame Saigon serves up authentic Vietnamese cuisine
from across the country, with a contemporary twist. The restaurant was introduced to infuse the neighbourhood with a fresh culinary experience.

“At Yonge and Eglinton, there were no Vietnamese restaurants,” says Tom Ha, the owner of Madame Saigon. “Nothing that stood out as authentic, delicious and reasonably priced.”

Affordability is the key here, with most menu items priced$17 or below — inexpensive compared to Toronto’s ever-risng dining costs. But it’s not just the lower prices that make Madame Saigon accessible to a wide demographic; the array of options, spanning from soup and pho to noodles and fried rice, offers a variety of choices for diners.

One might be surprised to learn that it’s the famous Cambodian noodle soup that stands as one of Madame Saigon’s most
popular dishes. Made with pork, this soup blends diverse Asian flavours, reflecting the heritage of the chef who hails from Cambodia with roots in Vietnam.

This Madame Saigon location comes following the success of the Scarborough branch which opened shortly before the pandemic. Though much of the menu remains consistent across both locations, there are plans to unveil distinct specials that cater to the unique demands of each neighbourhood.

Though it has only just opened, Madame Saigon is already very busy, and Ha says he never anticipated the “incredibly warm reception” from the com- munity. With fall on the horizon, he only anticipates it getting busier.

“It’s starting to cool down a bit,” he says. “And there’s nothing better than a piping hot bowl of pho on the patio.”

Madame Saigon is located at 2038 Yonge St.

The coolest matching sweat sets for kids you can find in Toronto this fall

By

Julia Mastroianni

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12:42 pm

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One of Canada’s most trusted authorities on style and fashion, Jeanne Beker has covered the industry for more than 30 years. Now watch her in her current style editor role on TSC’s Style Matters with Jeanne Beker or tune into her podcast Beyond Style Matters, available wherever you get your podcasts.

The perfect attire to get comfortable at home (or at piano lessons!) after a long day in uniform, Jeanne Beker has selected the coolest sweat sets for kids to upgrade your extracurricular fashion.

A. REP THE SIX*

“This is adorable, I love anything that celebrates Toronto! The raccoon is so cute for kids.” Streets of Toronto, $50 + $38, 1256 Yonge St. *Streets of Toronto is our online brand. Every purchase of a hoodie or sweatpants goes toward supporting local journalism!

B. FOR YOUR MINIMALIST MINI-ME

“That’s a very classic colour for a kid — it’s sort of whimsical, but also very no-nonsense.” Blueberri, $86.90, 70 Cambridge Ave.

C. FLORALS FOR FALL

“Florals look great on everyone; this set is very playful but also a little fancier.” Deux Par Deux, $70 + $52, deuxpardeux.com

D. WEAR THE RAINBOW

“This looks very playful and cozy. It has rainbow colours in it, and it’s classy with that pale blue.” KolKid, $82 + $82, 674 Queen St. W.

E. READY FOR PLAY

“This is a great sweat suit! I love the seam down the front; it looks tailored.” Roots, $52 + $40, 1 Promenade Cir.

F. GRAFFITI GEAR

“This sweat set is super cool; the scribble print is very artsy. I wish they made this in my size!” Northgirls, $115 + $80, 492 Lawrence Ave W.

G. IT’S CAMO WEATHER

“The fleecy fabric makes this ultra cozy and relaxed and the white camo print is very chic.” Lazypants, $110, shoplazypants.com

H. PERFECT PRINT

“I would wear this in a minute! It’s great that you can mix and match with this set.” Zero20Kids, $99.99, 7700 Pine Valley Dr.

For the best cheese and pepperoni pizza for kids in the city, click here.

The best wings in Toronto to celebrate as the new NFL season kicks off

By

Erin Neilly

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As CFL and NFL football fever takes over, we huddled up with Drew Barrymore’s go-to chef, Anthony Rose — the actor visited Fat Pasha in July — and tasked him with crowning the ultimate spot for championship Buffalo wings for a wing-credible start to football season.

Super Bowl Winner: Bistro on Avenue

“The chicken is very juicy and the sauce is nice with a little bit of spice, but it’s not too hot that you can’t taste the flavour of the chicken. The wing itself is a good size, and there’s lots of meat.” 1988 Avenue Rd., $22.50 — hot sauce bistroonavenue.com

Conference Champs: Drums N Flats

“These wings are huge — just the way I like them. It’s rare to find wings this size. The sauce has a lot of depth — nice and spicy, and the meat itself is really good. This is a solid wing; its juicy and packed with flavour.” 1980 Avenue Rd., $15.99 — Go Bills sauce www.drumsnflats.com

Duff’s Famous Wings

“It’s hot but not over the top. Nice buttery goodness. I’m not crazy about the blue cheese dipping sauce. The chicken is a little dry — a tad bit overcooked. But the sauce on the chicken is great.” 9360 Bathurst St., Vaughan $15.75 — Authentic Buffalo sauce www.duffsfamouswings.ca

Crown & Dragon

“This is a solid wing, not overly spicy. I typically don’t go for anything hotter than “hot” because, otherwise, the wing’s flavour gets lost, so this heat level is just right. Plus it has a great buttery taste as well.” 890 Yonge St., $16 — Buffalo butter sauce www.crownanddragon.com

Allstar Wings & Ribs

“I’m not loving the thickness of the blue cheese dressing. Considering how small these wings are, they’re pretty good, but there’s nothing impressive about them — especially not in terms of size or sauce.” 667 College St., $20.95 — American sauce allstarwingsandribs.com

St. Louis Bar & Grill

“This is a really good wing. This is very similar to the second one I tasted [Bistro on the Avenue]. The wing is not too spicy and is a great size. It’s a throwback to a classic wing.” 808 York Mills Rd., North York, $17.79 — Buffalo ranch sauce www.stlouiswings.com

Toronto’s top graffiti artists buy their supplies at this massive arts shop

By

Julia Mastroianni

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3:35 pm

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Sitting on Spadina Avenue, Toronto Collective is the city’s most prominent dealer of art goods — except their clientele trade paint brushes for spray paint and canvases for brick walls, sneakers and toys.

Since the store opened in 2013, co-owners Sean Commandant, or Heistdro, and Shane Chiasson, or Ninja, have been supported by a community of street artists who live and breathe Toronto Collective. The pair seem to know every gen Z-er coming through the ranks and has been dealing materials to the OGs since they opened.

“We were planning and brainstorming exactly how we were going to approach this new business,” says Heistdro. “I took over Bomb Shelter and Montana Colours in 2010 and I brought in Shane to help me bring in two new elements to the brand.”

The first element was the art toys. Toronto Collective boasts a collection of over 20 designers including fan favourite Be@rbricks and KAWS, which can be seen at the AGO on Sept. 27.

“They’re [collectible toys] usually designed and created by artists who come from street art. So there’s a direct correlation with the collective toys and graffiti and street culture,” Heistdro says.

Heistdro, pictured inside the store. Courtesy @torontocollective/Instagram

Ninja, pictured inside the store. Courtesy @torontocollective/Instagram

The other element is an abundance of art supplies outside the usual range of spray paints. Although the latter is their bread and butter, Toronto Collective offers customers hyper-specific art tools adapted for use on sneakers, acrylic toys and just about any medium their heart desires.

Heistdro and Ninja have developed a reputation for being the city’s biggest supporter of street artists. The pair believe that the future of street art lives and dies in the youth. To support this notion, the brand will do anything it takes to ensure artists don’t go down the wrong path.

“If we can have a simple foundation, we’d like to encourage them and show them how they can use graffiti to lead to stable careers,” says Heistdro. “How you can turn that into design work, tattooing and other careers in art.”

Toronto Collective often hosts international artists in the store to demonstrate the capabilities of street art. The pair do so in order to represent the genre and provide young artists with someone to look up to.

Although the team at Toronto Collective is doing its part, Heistdro believes the city can be doing more to ensure young artists prosper.

“It would be really helpful if the city signed on a ton of artists to do murals. It’s hard for artists to prop up their art, so a project like that would give local artists the chance to shine and get the recognition they deserve,” he says.

Toronto Collective is located at 389 Spadina Ave., and is open from Monday to Thursday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every other day.

Toronto’s king of oysters once swapped shucks in exchange for wine

By

Megan Gallant

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1:03 pm

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Rodney’s Oyster House, known for seafood excellence in the city, traces its roots to a 37-year-old Rodney Clark. Working as a commercial artist during the day, he shucked oysters in backyards on the side. Paid in wine for his late-night efforts, Clark, an art school graduate with no business background, opened the restaurant to bring East Coast seafood and charm to Toronto.

How did he achieve 36 years of remarkable success, expanding to locations in Calgary and Vancouver, owning his own oyster farm, garnering praise from celebrities, locals and tourists and earning the title of multi-time Canadian Oyster Shucking Champion?

Simple: it was all because of his passion for oysters.

Rodney opening the doors at Rodney’s Oyster House in Calgary (2015).

No matter how distant Rodney Clark ventures from the oyster kingdom he established on Toronto’s King Street, the siren song of the sea will forever beckon to him. While this is partly attributed to his current retirement on the southern shores of Prince Edward Island, his unwavering connection to oysters persists because he shares his cherished memories of the people he met during his three decade tenure as the leader of Toronto’s groundbreaking new-generation oyster house.

“You can be successful in oysters if you don’t think of the money. You have to think about the oyster,” he explains. He jokes that to this day, he still doesn’t know the combination codes to the safe locks at his own restaurant, because it was never about the financial gain.

“My dad used to say, ‘Serve a good person a good oyster, and you’d have them for life,’ and I had generations of people interested in my food,” Clark explains. “And I still do love meeting people involved in the passion of oysters.”

While Clark has moved on from the business, he’s entrusted the future of Toronto’s seafood to capable hands. He mentored Oyster Boy’s Adam Colquhoun and Guinness World Record holder in oyster shucking, Patrick McMurray. Even the late restaurateur, oysterman, and fellow Canadian Oyster Shucking Champion, John Bil, began his journey at Rodney’s.

“What we did is create a base. We created a foundation to build something on,” says Clark humbly. “And people just went with their own extension or went and did their own things with that.”

Tower of oysters; 3 ways @rodneysoysterhouse/Instagram

Clark’s love for oysters has been handed down to his children. His daughter Bronwen currently serves as the Front of House Manager at Rodney’s Toronto location, while his son Eamon has become a multi-time Canadian Oyster Shucking Champion. Eamon has also embraced his father’s legacy by establishing Little Kitchen Academy, which offers Montessori-inspired cooking classes for kids.

The most important thing for Clark is teaching people to tell the stories of the oysters. “Whether it’s loaded in a bag or fished on the bottom, it has a trip and a journey to your plate, to your fork which must be shared.”

Sharing the story and knowing the oysters has always been the key to his business.

“You can’t just flip it over. Everyone is different. And you have to look at them and say, ‘is this one good enough for that person?’” explains the retired business owner. “And that built the business and that made us almost the juggernaut for oyster houses.”

Driven by passion at the core of Rodney’s Oyster House, Clark reveals that one of his most significant challenges in his career was mastering the business aspects of his operations. He fondly refers to his business partner, Ann-Marie Celestine, as the “Godsend” who provided invaluable assistance on this front.

The other biggest hurdle, according to Clark, is managing the dual forces of Mother Nature and human nature. In any farming endeavour, he notes the constant struggle against the unpredictable elements, along with competition from larger fish farmers, humorously referring to them as the “Rich Uncle Penniebags” reminiscent of the Monopoly character. He emphasizes the importance of staying attuned to the rhythms of the ocean.

“If the market quivers a bit, your passion will carry you through and so will your knowledge of oysters,” Clark says, emphasizing that he, too, doesn’t claim to possess all the knowledge and remains in a perpetual state of learning about oysters.

In his retirement, Clark intends to remain committed to learning and staying informed about his businesses. He also plans to offer assistance from a distance whenever possible.

Oysters remain an integral part of Clark’s life, as he listens to their “song” from the waters just outside his door. Firmly believing in living life to the fullest to have stories to share, he continues to recount tales of his experiences with oysters and his journey introducing the ocean to Toronto and the remarkable individuals he encountered along the way.

“I’ve met a raft of people, and I’ve appreciated all that they’ve given me. They’ve given me a pleasure to be in the business,” he says. “We were very fortunate to have good people, good guidance, and good oysters. That will take you through the battle.”

Just as his father promised him, having provided Torontonians with excellent oysters, Clark has earned our lifelong loyalty.

T.O. artist Claudia Dey on the striking image that inspired her new novel

By

Julia Mastroianni

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12:56 pm

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A horror film actor, an acclaimed playwright, a fashion designer, a columnist and a novelist — Claudia Dey has done it all. And she’s got the awards and nominations to show for it: her first novel, Stunt, was named to the Globe and Mail’s 2008 “Globe 100” list; her second novel, Heartbreaker, was a finalist for the Trillium Book Award; her play, The Gwendolyn Poems, was nominated for the Governor General’s Award; and her fashion label, Horses Atelier, was featured on HBO’s Girls and has been spotted on many a celebrity.

And with her new book, Daughter, set to be released on Sept. 12, Dey is stepping back into the role of the novelist.

“I’ve always been in touch with some unruly vein,” Dey says with reference to her prolific career. It was something that was fostered and encouraged during her time at St. Clement’s School — she excelled in English there, writing poetry, co-writing a play and exploring any creative venue that appealed to her. She went on to study English at McGill University, then playwriting at the National Theatre School.

Dey drew from her experience of playwriting to add kinetic energy to the novel but notes that she’s a novelist first — then backtracks: “The two forms are actually in conversation for me. This novel particularly obviously has a lot of theatre in its story, but I also wanted it to have a black box theatre feeling to it,” she says. “A limited number of characters, all in relation to each other in a limited number of settings. I didn’t do an acknowledgement or epigraph or a dedication — I wanted the curtain to rise, the novel to play out and the curtain to fall.”

For her latest novel, it begins with an image: “A father and daughter sitting in the back of the father’s favourite restaurant. And I just wanted to understand why it happened, why the relationship had such a dangerous, addictive feel to it,” she says.

Her novel explores the fraught bond between Mona, a playwright with a burgeoning career, and her father Paul, an author who has not published since his bestseller over a decade prior. “The love between them is so fraught, so oppositional, so parasitic, but it is suffused with love, however broken the expression, however self-serving.”

Through their story, Dey offers a fresh perspective on “the shadow side of a conventional relationship.” In culture, we have exhausted the tired theme of mothers and daughters competing for youth and beauty; it has become cliché. “We might obsess over our fathers, but we tend to save our scrutiny and art for our mothers,” Dey says. Daughter, on the other hand, asks us to forgo the commonplace to instead mine the unexplored.

At the novel’s start, Mona is Paul’s confidante: he is having an affair with his publicist. Decades after he has left Mona’s mother, Paul is remarried to a cool tyrant named Cherry and has a daughter Eva. Paul confesses his affair to Cherry. Paul also confesses that Mona knew. Thus the plot begins, as we are thrust into a propulsive ride that is difficult to put down.

As a lifelong voracious reader, Dey pulled from the men of letters of the last century to characterize Paul’s magnetism. “For Paul, I really drew on the kind of sultry men of the canon like the Leonard Cohens and the Sam Shepards and the Philip Roths or Norman Mailers,” she says. “These men who [you ask] do they have all the power, [or do] they have no power at all? These kinds of tormented men who, in a way, were like literary fathers to me as I grew up because the canon was so patriarchal. I loved writing him. He was so seductive to write.”

But Dey is also a lifelong writer, and she says that it’s a very “monkish” pursuit. “You need to want that aloneness. I think of myself as a very private person but a very social writer in the sense that you do write for contact,” she says.

Dey says she’s lucky to have so much support in her life, including people who don’t constantly ask her whether she’s writing about them in her next novel and a partner who understands her process.

“I married a musician, someone who understood totally what it is to have to disappear for months at a time to be in conversation with something,” she says.

For us readers, Dey’s curtain rises and then it falls. What we are left with is a novel that feels at once destructive and restorative. Daughter understands the complexity of family, our inability to choose who we love and the inextricable links that bind us together and make us feel whole. Dey’s prose is a livewire, waiting for a spark that could be set off with a flick of the page.

“To write imperfect dimensional people who are in extremely close proximity in a way that’s dangerous or that blurs the moral code or the social code will always be interesting. I’ll always be drawn to that,” she says.

If this means we’ll get more novels of Dey’s like this one, then thank god.