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The 10 best Toronto parks to explore while social distancing

By
Nicole Richie
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best Toronto parks
City of Toronto

While practicing social distancing can be hard, there are ways to make it a little easier. As public areas empty and the city quiets, the state of the world can look pretty eerie. Taking a walk or getting outside in a low-risk area might be the best way to find some peace of mind. Here are some of Toronto’s best parks where you can find tranquillity during this turbulent time.

 

Edwards Gardens

 

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Edwards Gardens is one of Toronto’s largest parks. Located in North York at Leslie Street and Lawrence Avenue East, Edwards Gardens spans over 14 hectares of land. Home to Toronto’s Botanical Gardens, this mass of fauna and flora is the perfect place to get outside, but not run the risk of exposure.

 

Etiénne Brûle Park

 

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Just north of Bloor Street West sits Etiénne Brûle Park. This historic park was named after an early French explorer, Etiénne Brûle, the first explorer to venture beyond the St. Lawrence River into what we now know as Ontario. This expanse of green space lives along the Humber River from the Old Mill to around the Baby Point neighbourhood in Etobicoke York. You can find designated fishing areas and significant wildlife in this stretch of greenery. It’s sure-fire way to get your mind off the news.

 

Don River Valley Park

 

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This string of trails along the Don River is usually pretty quiet except for the occasional bikers. The 200-hectare park runs from Pottery Road to the Corktown Common. There is also a ton of public art scattered throughout the Don River trails. This biodiverse spot can be the perfect place to find solitude while still feeling connected to the city.

 

High Park

 

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The west-end park boasts a ton of natural serenity. It has tree-lined walkways, waterfront views and at this time of year, you might even spot a couple of cherry blossoms. The park is spread out across 161 hectares with smaller more designated parks within. There are off-leash dog parks and several different hiking trails. Unfortunately, the High Park Zoo will be closed during this time, but there are still plenty of walking trails to check out.

 

Craigleigh Gardens

 

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Located in Rosedale, Craigleigh Gardens park is a beautiful landscape for our Midtown naturalists. A little smaller, this quiet community park is only 3.4 hectares. Not to worry though, to practice responsible social distancing, take a walk through the mature tree canopies or along the ravine trail that connects to the Don Valley Brick Works.

 

Rouge Urban National Park

 

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As all visitor services have been suspended for foreseeable future, so there is currently no entry fee at Rouge Park. As the park remains open to the public, Parks Canada encourages you to take extra safety precautions when entering the park and to have all essential hiking resources on hand. The monumental park spreads across 7,910 hectares of land connecting Toronto to Markham, Pickering and Uxbridge. There are tons of trails throughout the giant park all filled with some of the densest biodiversity in the GTA.

 

Sir Casimir Gzowski Park

 

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Along Toronto’s waterfront, you can find Sir Casimir Gzowski Park. This string of parks follows the water’s edge from Lake Ontario’s Humber Bay to the mouth of the Humber River. This string of parks and boardwalks features bike lanes, beaches and walking trails, perfect for cyclists looking to get outside during self-isolation.

 

Downsview Park

 

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Downsview Park is an urban greenspace in the northwest part of Toronto. Located at Dufferin and the Allen Road this 240-hectare park is full of cycling routes, walking trails, ponds and wildlife. With a military history, this massive park has had to constantly adapt over hundreds of years. With various nature walks spread across the park, Downsview is a great spot to find some momentary peace.

Leslie Street Split

 

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The Leslie Street Spit is a headland on Lake Ontario full of biodiversity, biking trails and scenic views of the city. This southern extension of Leslie Street is an important bird area, meaning there are tons of different species to check out while exploring.  If you need to get some good content for the gram, this lakeside site has an amazing view of the Toronto skyline. Located on Leslie, south of Lakeshore, access the Spit through Tommy Thompson Park, which serves as an entryway onto the peninsula.

 

Sunnybrook Park

 

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This 154-hectare green space is the perfect place to spend an afternoon out of isolation. Located north of Leaside and south of The Bridle Path, this foliage-full park has 25 different biking trails, an off-leash dog park and many different walking trails. This scenic area is also home to the historic Sunnybrook Farm and stables.

Click here for the top 10 days trips to take near Toronto.

 

How to make Miku Toronto’s crispy Brussels sprouts

By
Jessica Huras
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0
Brussels sprouts recipe

This week, as many of us find ourselves cooking at home instead of dining out, we’re sharing recipes from some of Toronto’s top chefs and restaurants.

Chef de cuisine Michael Acero says that this simple, savoury Brussels sprouts dish is a fan favourite at both Miku and it’s sister restaurant, Tora. “Not only is this dish warm and tasty, but it’s also chock-full of vitamin C for an immune system boost,” says Acero.

 

 

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Miku’s Fried Crispy Brussel Sprouts

Serves 5 people as a side dish

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Brussels sprouts
  • 10 g canola oil for frying
  • 5 g salt
  • 10 mL red wine vinegar
  • Juice from 1/2 a lemon (to garnish)

Method

1. Trim the ends of the brussels sprouts and cut in half lengthwise through the stem end
2. Heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high heat
3. Just before smoking point, place the brussels cut side down on the pan
4. Turn the heat to medium and brown for at least 3 minutes before flipping and browning the other side for another 3-5 minutes.
5. When the leaves are charred brown and the core tender, remove from heat.
6. Season with salt and red wine vinegar
7. Garnish with the lemon juice and serve

Looking for other recipes to make at home this week? Try Planta’s plant-based mac and cheese or Pizzeria Libretto’s meatballs.

How to make Planta’s comforting plant-based mac and cheese

By
Jessica Huras
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0
planta mac and cheese

This week, as many of us find ourselves cooking at home instead of dining out, we’re sharing recipes from some of Toronto’s top chefs and restaurants.

“Mac and cheese is the epitome of comfort food,” says Planta‘s chef David Lee. “There is nothing like a plant-based spin on a beloved classic.”

 

 

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Planta’s plant-based mac and cheese recipe

Serves 4 people

Ingredients

  • 3 cups plant-based milk of choice
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • Plant-based cheese
  • 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1/4 cup almond flour
  • 2 cups pasta shells
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

1. Preheat the oven at 400 F
2. Start boiling a large pot of salted water for the pasta. When water has boiled add pasta, cook pasta
3. Pour plant-based milk into medium sized saucepan, bring to a boil
4. In a small bowl combine olive oil and flour, whisk together
5. Using a spice grinder or food processor, combine almond flour and nutritional yeast to make a plant-based parmesan cheese
6. When the plant-based milk has come to a boil, turn down the heat and add the olive oil and flour mixture. Mix together on a gentle heat, making sure the flour doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot. Add a couple pinches of salt to taste
7. When the pasta has cooked, drain the water
8. Add the pasta to the sauce and stir on medium-high heat
9. Add the plant-based cheese to the pasta and sauce. Mixing in to melt the cheese. Cook the pasta on a gentle heat for 2-3 min
10. Transfer about two-thirds of the mac and cheese into an oven-safe casserole dish. Add a layer of plant-based cheese, plant-based parmesan and fresh pepper. Add the remaining mac and cheese for a second layer. Add another layer of cheese, parmesan and pepper
11. Bake in the oven for 15-20min at 400 F or until golden brow
12. Remove the mac and cheese from the oven and let sit for a few minutes before serving

Tuck in and chow down on some tasty mac and cheese! We won’t judge if you eat it straight from the casserole dish. Or, find out how to make Pizzeria Libertto’s famous meatballs here.

Top Toronto restaurants offering the delivery we’ve been waiting for

By
Nicole Richie
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Le Phenix cheese puffs

As restaurants have been ordered to shut over COVID-19 concerns, delivery and takeout are still options. While many restaurants have chosen to close up the kitchen until the dust settles, some have decided to switch it up and offer takeout and/or delivery for the first time.

To help with this initiative Uber Eats has waived delivery fees for more than 100,000 restaurants across Canada and the US. Ritual, Door Dash, Skip the Dishes and other online food ordering services are doing their part so people across Toronto can still get food from their favourite local restaurants while practising social distancing.

Here are some of Toronto’s top restaurants making an effort to curb your quarantine blues.

 

 

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The Chantecler team opened up Le Phenix pop-up this fall after the three-alarm fire at their Parkdale restaurant. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the team has been keeping the public updated via Instagram about the hours of both Le Phenix and Chantecler Boucherie. Le Phenix has created a dine-out menu that is soon to be released on its website and IG. Chantecler Boucherie pantry and butcher shop will remain open with limited hours and will be cashless for the remainder of the outbreak.

 

Favorites Thai BBQ

 

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Favorites Thai BBQ is chef Jonathan Poon’s first restaurant to announce a partnership with online ordering services in Toronto. We are unsure at this point if Superpoint, Paris Paris and Nice Nice will follow suit. After posting on Instagram this past Sunday about the temporary closure of their dining room, they mentioned they were working on partnerships with Resy, UberEats, and Ritual.

 

Annabelle Pasta Bar

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Davenport and Christie’s adorable pasta bar has been very transparent since the announcement of COVID-19’s restaurant regulations. They are dedicated to their regular patrons and remained open as long as it was safe to do so. On March 17, Annabelle announced that their kitchen will remain open during this time and they will be doing takeout and curbside services. They will not be using any third-party apps so make sure to check their IG for hours and pasta options.

 

Cheese Boutique

 

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Swansea’s Cheese Boutique is a dreamland for the cheesemongers of Toronto. Due to current events, the cheese haven decided to limit the number of people in the store, while also providing delivery and pick-up options. A delivery service will be provided by the Cheese Boutique staff. They encourage customers to be patient as they will be taking care of assembly and drop off on their own.

 

Roselle 

 

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Roselle Bakery will be keeping their west and east-end locations open to the public but reducing hours at Roselle West and closing the bathroom of their East-end outpost. Starting March 18, the bakery will also release a limited menu on UberEats. The menu will include pastries like their to-die-for cinnamon buns, croissants and more.

 

Mamakas Taverna

 

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Thanos Tripi’s beloved Ossington restaurants, Mamakas Taverna and Bar Koukla, are closed. But Agora, Tripi’s fast-casual spot for Greek cuisine on Queen West will remain open to the public. And while they don’t have everything one could order at Mamakas, Tripi has added a couple of extra dishes to Agora’s menu to soften the blow. To get your fix, order for pick-up via ritual and online for delivery on either UberEats or Foodora.

 

Aloette

 

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Alo‘s baby sis, Aloette will be providing upscale the perfect food for those candlelit dinners during this social distancing period. Patrick Kriss’s restaurant will be providing a full menu on Ritual and UberEats. Just because we’re stuck at home, doesn’t mean we have to give up fine dining.

 

Playa Cabana

 

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Dave Sidhu has created a community around his Playa Cabana restaurants at Dupont and Avenue and is dedicated to getting his regulars their fix. Sidhu is closing all of his locations except for the original Playa Cabana at 111 Dupont St. This location will be open for regular take-out and delivery service. As they are not working with a third-party ordering app, please be patient and check their website for menu updates.

 

School Restaurant

 

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Liberty Village is known for its plethora of brunch options, but School might be the most memorable spot of them all. Cheesy French toast and stacks of blueberry pancakes will be missed during the next few weeks of isolation. But thanks to UberEats and Ritual all that will really be gone is the hour-long lineup. School’s menu of brunch favourites will be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on these dining apps beginning March 17.

 

Fourth Man in the Fire Pizzeria

 

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The original Burger Priest‘s pizzeria on Dundas West will be closed indefinitely. But that doesn’t mean their kitchen won’t be pumping out the massive pies and loaded calzones we’ve come to know and love. Regular dining hours (notified on their IG) will continue for take-out and delivery, and as of March 19, they will be open from 11 a.m. onward. Conscious of social-distancing, pick-up will be conducted either curbside or at the patio pick-up window.

 

Coppi

 

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Taking the public health forum into consideration Coppi has launched its’ take-out harvest menu that they hope will make your self-isolation a little easier. The menu features antipasti, entrees and a selection of their canned sauces and homemade products. This menu will be available starting March 17th between five and six p.m. These orders will need to be made 24 hours in advance through email. As of today, their regular menu will also be available, but be sure to continue to check their website as this may change.

How to make Pizzeria Libretto’s famous meatballs at home

By
Jessica Huras
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0
Pizzeria Libretto Meatballs and Sauce_rsz

This week, as many of us find ourselves cooking at home instead of dining out, we’re sharing recipes from some of Toronto’s top chefs and restaurants.

“This meatball recipe is my take on the recipe my mother used to make when I was growing up,” says executive chef Rocco Agostino, of Pizzeria Libretto. “It’s easy to make and slightly spicy with a smokey sweetness from the roasted red peppers.”

“Adding pasta to these tasty meatballs is an option, but enjoying them on their own and using a crostino (grilled bread) to wipe up the sauce on the plate is a great way to enjoy this recipe.”

 

Pizzeria Libretto’s meatball recipe

Serves 4- 6 people

Ingredients

  • 3 ¼ lb mix ground beef/ground pork/ground pork belly
  • ¾ cups breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup parsley, chopped
  • ¼ cup chives, chopped
  • ¼ cup oregano, chopped
  • ½ cup roasted red peppers, pureed
  • ½ cup Parmigiano cheese, finely grated
  • ½ Tbsp salt
  • ½ Tbsp black pepper

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and make sure everything is mixed well
2. Use standard ice cream scoop to portion the meatballs
3. Roll the meatballs in the hand to help eve out the circular share
4. Place meatballs on a large sheet pan lined with parchment paper
5. Bake in the oven at 375 C for 15 min
6. Remove from oven and set aside

 

 

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Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ½ large onion, finely diced
  • 1 Tbsp garlic (2 cloves), finely chopped
  • 1 litre canned San Marzano tomato, pureed
  • ¼ cup basil, chopped
  • ¼ cup bomba (Italian spicy condiment at most grocery stores) or dried chili pepper to taste
  • ½ Tbsp salt
  • 6 slices of crostini from a baguette, index finger thick
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • ½ cup Parmigiano cheese, coarsely grated

Method

1. Add ¼ cup of olive oil to a large enough pot that the meatballs will fit
2. Sauté the onions over medium heat until translucent
3. Add chopped garlic and sauté for another minute
4. Add the tomate sauce and bring to a simmer for five minutes
5. Add the chopped basil, bomba, salt and simmer for another five minutes
6. Add meatballs and drippings left in the tray and simmer for another 15 minutes
7. While meatballs simmer, lightly brush crostini with olive oil and bake in a 375 C oven until light golden. Remove from oven and set aside
8. In a bowl, place 3 meatballs and pour a spoon of sauce over each meatball
9. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp of the grated Parmigiano cheese over top and add one of the crostinos to each plate

And voila! You have Pizzeria Libretto-quality meatballs ready for tasting.

Bianca Andreescu and Ryan Reynolds step up to raise money for COVID-19 relief

By
Samantha Peksa
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0
Bianca Andreescu
Bianca Andreescu (Mauricio Paiz)

Leave it to a global pandemic to bring everyone together. Celebrities across the globe, and here at home, are stepping up to aid in relief as the COVID-19 outbreak escalates.

Numbers are on the rise, with the novel coronavirus impacting more than 180,000 cases globally in more than 150 countries. Ontario currently has 180 confirmed cases, with 96 in Toronto.

Canadian tennis icon and Mississauga native Bianca Andreescu is raising money in her own way to help flatten the curve.

“Family/Friends/Fans! I’m donating a signed racquet to in order to give back during this difficult time. YOU can donate for a chance to win with all proceeds going directly to the CDP’s COVID-19 Response Fund. Please donate if you can, $25 goes a long way,” Andreescu wrote in her Instagram post.

 

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Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively are also doing their part. The celebrity couple recently announced they’ll be donating a million dollars to help with COVID-19 relief.

“COVID-19 has brutally impacted older adults and low-income families. Blake and I are donating $1 million to be split between FEEDING AMERICA and FOOD BANKS CANADA,” said Reynolds in his latest Instagram post.

 

 

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This isn’t the first time the Vancouver native has dug deep into his pockets. Reynolds also helped raise more than $300,000 for Toronto’s SickKids children’s hospital with his ugly sweater campaign over Christmas.

What Toronto dentists are doing about COVID-19

By
Samantha Peksa
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0

The novel coronavirus pandemic has escalated quickly in the last week, and businesses across Ontario are shutting down and changing protocols to protect their employees and their customers. It’s now beginning to affect other types of medical care — like your next dentist appointment.

The Royal College of Dental Surgeon in Ontario (RCDSO), which oversees dentists across the province, has issued several directives to address the spread of novel coronavirus in Canada. They’ve recommended all non-emergency dental services be suspended until the first week of April, suspended all travel, permit renewals, and quality assurance programs.

Luna Dentistry, which has offices in Mount Pleasant and Richmond Hill, has quickly updated its website to notify patients that any appointments before April 1st will need to be rescheduled. In the meantime, Luna Dentistry will be providing emergency treatment only.

Davisville Smiles also posted that they would be closed for a week starting March 17, following the RCDSO recommendations.

On Facebook, Polar Dental (which has locations in Yorkdale Mall, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, and Woodbridge), announced on Monday afternoon that they would also be suspending all non-essential services. “Public safety is our number one concern,” read the statement. “The spike in new cases and the call for effective social distancing, make it clear that bold action is required.”

West Village Dental Clinic, in St. Clair West Village, is taking things a step further, and will only see emergency patients by appointment, Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They also specifically noted that cosmetic changes, like a chipped tooth, do not constitute an emergency.

Brush, Floss and Smile has also closed in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and is working to get in touch with clients to reschedule any affected appointments.

Metro Endodontics plans to close its Midtown and Scarborough locations for at least the next week, with the possibility of extending the closure should COVID-19 continue to worsen.

On the other hand, Oakwood Dental assured its patients that they would still be available for emergencies (although they too will close for non-essential treatment).

Dentists likely won’t be the last major industry to shut its doors for the length of this ongoing crisis. On Monday, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa recommended all restaurants and bars close their doors  for the time being.

How to talk to your kids about COVID-19

By
Nicole Richie
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0

Parenting columnist Joanne Kates is an expert educator in the areas of conflict mediation, self-esteem and anti-bullying, and she is the director of Camp Arowhon in Algonquin Park.

When your kids ask about COVID-19, the only wrong answer is: “Don’t worry. We’re all going to be fine.” That’s a guaranteed credibility-buster. Bad for everybody, bad for your relationship. And your kids will worry more, not less, because they’ll get that you’re too scared to tell them the truth. Which then makes them more scared, and reduces your ability to teach and support them.

It’s also helpful to remember that they’re getting all kinds of info – accurate and inaccurate – on social media. Gone are the days when parents could control the message. This means that giving your kids accurate info will be helpful. This also means that depending on the child’s age, a very lightly rose-coloured filter of actual info is a good plan.

And then, the most important part is to talk to kids about the stuff they (and you) can control). For two reasons: One because we need them to do the right stuff, like hand-washing. And two, of utmost importance for their emotional well-being, when humans feel more in control, we are less anxious.

So teach them age-appropriate ways to protect themselves from contagion: hand-washing, social space…. And that their behaviour affects their friends and family.

And that they likely can protect themselves, cause kids don’t get that sick from it.

And then talk about fear. Because pretending they don’t have it is putting your head in the sand. Tell them about the coping strategies you’re using to calm down. I meditate and practice yoga. That helps. We have house rules about when we won’t talk about it, so we give fear some boundaries.

Then ask your kids what they usually do when they’re scared. Help them make a list of their coping strategies for scary situations, and remind them that coping strategies are very portable. And then – most important – take a deep breath, put on a smile, fake it till you make it, and model optimism for your kids. They need it from you now, more than ever.

Toronto restaurants are starting to close in response to COVID-19

By
Marlene Mendonca
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0
restaurant closings COVID-19

Many restaurateurs across Toronto are making the difficult choice to temporarily shut down amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. 

On Sunday afternoon, Toronto restaurateur and celebrated author Jen Agg took to social media to express her reasons for shutting down all her locations (Grey Gardens, Bar Vendetta, Le Swan, Rhum Corner). 

 

 

“We are shutting it all down, which doesn’t just feel like the right choice or even the only choice at this point, it feels like a moral obligation,” she says in her Instagram video. 

In addition to closing all her restaurants, Agg also suggests buying gift cards to support local business, while also pleading for support from the government.

 

 

Ascari Enoteca and Ascari on King also took to social media to announce their temporary closure.

 

 

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Celebrity chef Susur Lee also announced the temporary closure of Lee Restaurant with a series of Instagram posts. “It’s not goodbye” reads their most recent post.

Other restaurants are also following suit, including, DaiLo, Buena Copa, Nice Nice, and FK Restaurant. Le Phenix and the Comrade are doing delivery only, El Mocambo is postponing their opening. Chase Hospitality Group is also suspending restaurant operations for Kasa Moto, Palm Lane, Planta, The Chase and other affiliated restaurants across Toronto. 

Update: Late Monday afternoon, the city’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, recommended bars and restaurants close down. The recommendations came in light of new evidence regarding the “community transmission” of COVID-19.

De Villa is encouraging bars and restaurants to stick to take-out and delivery service no later than midnight. She also “strongly recommended” night clubs, movie theatres and concert venues close their doors as soon as possible. If businesses choose not to comply, they risk being subject to a daily fine of $25,000.

Seven tips to make your office more eco-friendly

By
Jarrod Daley
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0

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Workplaces play an important role in championing sustainability and have a responsibility to not only reduce waste but to also set a strong example for their employees and for the communities in which they operate.

Reducing waste is not only the good and sustainable thing to do, it is also a great way for businesses to cut out unnecessary costs. Toronto lawyer at Diamond and Diamond, Jillian Carrington, is one of the office’s resident eco-champions and sets an example for others in the office and for her children at home on how to make sustainable choices.

“I’m mindful of avoiding a consumer culture that creates constant waste” she shares. Carrington is a vegetarian, only buys vegan or cruelty-free products and avoids plastic through buying in bulk and bringing a lunch to work. Carrington offers some simple tips that anyone can implement to help make your home and office more eco-friendly.

Switch to eco-friendly cleaning products, wherever possible

“All household products I purchase are vegan and cruelty-free” shares Carrington. “Most labels are pretty good about identifying whether or not a product is designed with eco-friendliness in mind.”

Bring your lunch to work in a reusable Tupperware as much as possible

When you do eat out, re-use the plastic containers your food comes in whenever possible and keep utensils and a reusable straw at your desk so you don’t have to use plastic ones. “I try to purchase products from bulk stores to avoid plastic containers” shares Carrington.

Ensure all lights, heating, etc. are turned off at the end of the day

…and especially before the weekend. It’s also a good idea to ask your building manager about green energy options. There could be solar energy substitutions that you can help inspire building management to implement.

Gamify it!

Implementing monthly “green challenges” for teams can make going green fun. You can even introduce competition and leaderboards as well as offer prizes, rewards, and recognition to keep employees engaged and motivated.

Digitize as much as possible

While it’s difficult for a Law Firm, and other traditional industries to go completely paperless, Carrington shares that Diamond and Diamond Law has been able to go paperless in the last year, which has reduced their waste significantly.

Encourage carpooling and green commuting

Companies can provide internal resources and guidelines to help employees identify colleagues who live nearby in order to facilitate carpooling. You could also consider subsidizing at least a part of public transportation costs in order to incentivize employees to take the bus, train, etc. Adding bike locks or secure bike storage options is a great way to encourage cycling – which is not only green but healthy as well.

Add some green to the space

Plants are not only aesthetically pleasing, they also offer a number of physical and mental health benefits (e.g. reducing illnesses, allergens, improving mood and productivity). “I have plants in my office at Diamond Law and in every room in my home!” shares Carrington.

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Mirvish pulls the plug on Toronto performances until April 12

By
Ron Johnson
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0
Hamilton the Musical
The Company — Hamilton National Tour. Credit: Joan Marcus 2018

For the first time in its long history, the Mirvish theatres will be closed at least Apri 12. Performances of Hamilton, Come From Away, Summer and Us/Them will be “suspended” while the touring company production of The Boyfriend, with Kelsey Grammar, will be cancelled.

According to a Mirvish statement, the company will attempt to “reschedule as many performances as possible when conditions become appropriate.”

Patrons now have the option to exchange tickets for a credit to be used for next season, exchange tickets for an alternate show or receive a refund.

There was some question over why it took so long for Mirvish to announce the closure, but also relief that the correct move was made.

Some organizations, such as Soulpepper did not have any stage productions running this week. Others, such as the Tarragon Theatre have cancelled the remainder of the season.

The Factory Theatre has announced its season will be suspended for 30 days, which results in their upcoming production of Ghost Theatre’s One will be cancelled.

At the Crow’s Theatre in the East End, the Necessary Angel production of The Events closed early with last night’s performance.

There is now growing concern over the fate of Toronto’s many small and large arts organizations moving forward.

Prime Minister Trudeau announced a $10 billion package to support businesses. It might be necessary to provide additional money to the arts to help with the rebound.

Theatres, especially small organizations, are requesting that ticket patrons make a good effort to avoid asking for a full refund, and instead consider donating the funds or getting credit or ticket for a later show.

 

Toronto theatre suspends season over COVID-19, asks for support

By
Ron Johnson
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0
Gord Rand in The Runner - Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann

Toronto’s renowned Tarragon Theatre is suspending its 2019/20 season temporarily due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19.

“The health of our patrons, staff, artists, and volunteers are our primary concern,” said artistic director Richard Rose in a statement. “The Tarragon Board of Directors and management have, after careful consultation, come to the difficult conclusion that a pause in the season is necessary.”

The current production of Human Cargo’s The Runner will close on March 15. The production of Three Women of Swatow is currently postponed until a later date.

Toronto’s arts community is being devastated by production cancellations, some will not make it through to the other side.

To try to cope, Tarragon is requesting at this time that patrons consider one of the following instead of simply asking for a refund:

  • Exchanging your ticket(s) to a future performance. All exchange fees will be waived.
  • Providing you with a credit for the value of the ticket(s) for future use at Tarragon Theatre.
  • Donating the value of your tickets back to the theatre for a charitable tax receipt.

But, if these options do not work, full refunds will be available, according to Tarragon. The box office will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the suspension.

Please be kind to our beloved arts organizations during this time. We will need them soon enough to help make sense of what happened and to see a way forward together. That’s what art does, and will continue to do. Keep that in mind.

Be safe.

 

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