Tarragon production of Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes by playwright Hannah Moscovitch
One of the first plays I recall seeing outside of high school was at the Grand Theatre in London, Ontario. It was a production of David Mamet’s Oleanna starring a very young Sandra Oh. And yes I’ve been waiting to namedrop that for about a quarter-century.
It was a gripping, fiery, honest and challenging play about sexual harassment many many years before the #metoo movement or even hashtags for that matter. Ahem.
I had that work in the back of mind heading to the premiere of Hannah Moscovitch’s latest play Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes, which runs at the Tarragon Theatre until Feb. 2. It was billed as something of a new take on #metoo penned by one of the country’s best playwrights.
Both plays have two characters: professor and university student. Both professors have some acclaim and notoriety. In Oleanna, the tension rises from grades and a misunderstanding of the course work leading to a complaint from the student that costs the professor tenure, while in Moscovitch’s work the tension rises at the hand of the young female student and is sexual in nature from the beginning carrying obvious job security risks for the professor, but also severe, if unsaid, risks to the student. Both are plays about power.
Matthew Edison as Jon, the professor, in ‘Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes.’ Photo: Joy von Tiedmann
The professor in Sexual Misconduct, Jon, played very capably by Matthew Edison, is going through quite possibly his third failed marriage and is a bit of a wreck who offers up some half-hearted protestations about why involving himself with a young student is such a bad idea. It doesn’t last long.
That student is Annie. Annie lives across from Jon’s home and is locked out of her house one day thus kick-starting their mutual attraction. With Annie, the audience finds a woman clearly youthful and innocent, but at the same time one that holds a somewhat dark and pessimistic outlook in terms of the realities of how things with the professor might go down.
She’s been a loner, she’s done things of a sexual nature of which she isn’t proud. She wants to be liked. More importantly, she wants to be liked by Jon.
Now, I will say that the play does offer some fresh takes not just in the text but in the structure of the play and the production itself. The play is told from the point of view of the professor, and we find out why with the surprise ending, which I will not spoil here. In this way, the audience gets to glimpse the professor’s inner-workings or lack thereof, which primarily revolve around his ego.
The set is minimalist and fun, the use of an electronic sign is good for a few laughs. The way Annie always enters the stage from the audience is unique and compelling. The direction by Sarah Garton Stanley was spot on and without reproach.
Alice Snaden as Annie. Photo: Joy von Tiedmann
And, without going any further, Alice Snaden’s portrayal of Annie is very moving. She embodies all that youthful optimism and naivete upon first meeting Jon and as the years pass quickly in the 80-minute play, first four years and then more than a decade, the change in her is powerful. And that is no small task.
But the play also offers a bleak look at a typical middle-class life. And, only middle-class life. This kind of thing, one could infer from the play, doesn’t happen other than with a certain segment of society dealing with such overwhelming ennui that sexual misadventures are par for the course almost like a golf membership and a cottage on Lake Joe. Everyone is doing it, apparently. So that’s new, I suppose.
Of course, the grit of the matter. The patriarchal power structures at work that mess with people, the culpability, the aftermath for Annie. Well, it’s all there. It’s the now age-old tale that we have been talking about and creating art around for far too long.
Oleanna ends with the professor beating his student. Here, we find Annie, after more than a decade of trying to come to grips with what happened finally and ironically using the written word to exorcise her demon. But that’s enough said about that.
The play is powerful and clever and funny at times, almost satirical. It’s worth seeing. Sadly this issue is far from over as a new generation of artists must and is bringing more powerful stories forward to add to the conversation.
We asked Jeanne Beker to pick the perfect chalet chic pieces to pack for your ski getaway, whether you’re hitting the slopes or cosying up by the fire. Wrap yourself in these luxe sweaters, puffy parkas and more.
A) TERRIFIC TIE DYE
“I love what Line is doing, I have been a longtime fan of this great Canadian label. The feel of this hooded sweater is to die for. It’s the cuddliest fabric and I love the indigo dye.” Want, 1788 Avenue Rd., $379.95
B) LUSH LEOPARD
“This is the softest, cuddliest fabric imaginable. A great thing to pop on for après-ski activities like meeting at the bar and having a cosy kind of cuddle up.” Parpar, 1766 Avenue Rd., $88
C) COSY CASHMERE
“This is a gorgeous sweater. It has those wonderful steer skulls on it that give it a western flavour.” Canopy Blue, 2582 Yonge St., $350
D) PRETTY IN PINK
“These have a great hand-knit feel to them. A country chic quality in a great pink.” Poor Little Rich Girl, 2094 Yonge St., $60 (hat), $75 (sweater)
E) SKI YOU LATER
“This is a very chic little sweater in a delicate knit. I love the graphic nature of this, and for skiers who love to layer, this is perfect for a ski getaway.” Andrews, Bayview Village, $398
F) SKI MEETS STYLE
“Burton is one of the true masters of ski design. This is really technically top of the line. It’s a beautiful print, too, the very soft pastel mint green. There’s a great fashion element to it.” Burton, 98 Ossington Ave., $329.99
G) A RAY OF SUNSHINE
“This is just a joyful jacket; such fun detailing with the bright green zips against this yellow. This looks crazy warm.” Hunter, Yorkdale mall, $295
H) A FIRESIDE CARDIGAN
“This is exactly what I want to curl up in front of the fire in. It’s got that great popcorn pattern, and it looks hand knit. A beautiful shade of blush pink and a real rustic and artisanal look to it.” Honey, Hillcrest mall, $145
I) MITT YOU ON THE HILLS
“Very chic little mitts that feel so luxurious and have furry pompom detailing. They feel very trim and will keep your hands snug and warm with a great pop of style.” Parpar, 1766 Avenue Rd., $18
J) VEST IN SHOW
“This Pucci vest makes a statement. It’s beautifully tailored and a real wow piece for your ski getaway.” Sporting Life, 2665 Yonge St., $1,845
K) APRÈS-SKI BOOTS
“A retro feel with the way these boots lace up. Cosy as cosy can be with great treads on the bottom, so you can run around the slopes in these.” Sporting Life, 2665 Yonge St., $495
Trinity Bellwoods has a new lunch-hour source for Mexican eats with the launch of La Canasta Tortas. Set in a small space at Dundas West and Montrose Avenue, adjacent to Bellwoods Coffee and Gelato, La Canasta Tortas is now serving fresh-made Mexican tortas for pick-up via Ritual and delivery via Foodora. Delivery and pick-up are currently available Monday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Tortas are Mexican street food sandwiches, which are typically served on thick buns. Helmed by Michael Lavergne and his son, a culinary student at George Brown College, the restaurant draws on the family’s Mexican heritage (and their frequent trips to Mexico) as inspiration for the menu.
The creamy chickpea salad torta
La Canasta Tortas promises to deliver their own take on the south-of-the-border classic, with options like ham and cheese layered with avocado, jalapeno, black beans, tomato and pickled red onions; and slow-cooked pulled pork slathered with chili ginger adobo salsa. The menu also features plant-based options with chickpea salad or mushroom fillings, as well as with side salads to pair with the hearty sandwiches.
Lavergne and his family are committed to practising a “zero-waste kitchen,” producing menu items in small batches each day with ingredients sourced from local suppliers. They’re also using fully compostable packaging for takeaway and delivery.
To celebrate its kick-off, La Canasta Tortas will be offering free torta tastings this Sunday, Jan. 12 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., with additional snacks provided by Chocosol Traders and Neal Brothers Foods.
THE JUDGES: Pictured above: Suresh Doss, Joanne Kates, Pay Chen, Jacob Richler, Vijaya Selvaraju, Renee Suen, Amy Rosen, Karolyne Ellacott, Jacky Yoh, Solmaz K. Not pictured: Corey Mintz, Sara Waxman, Caroline Aksich, Michelle Jobin
A donation has been made to the North York Harvest Food Bank to acknowledge the contributions of our judges to this story.
From unassuming neighbourhood eateries to big, splashy new venues, 2019 was a busy and exciting year for new restaurants in Toronto. To highlight which new spots stand out from the crowd, we polled some of Toronto’s top food writers, critics, and influencers on their favourite new restaurants of 2019. These are the most groundbreaking and impressive restaurants in Toronto right now according to our expert panel.
Bar Vendetta serves muffuletta sandwiches for part of the day
POST CITY’S TAKE: Few restaurants were more highly anticipated this year than restaurateur Jen Agg’s pasta and wine bar, which had big shoes to fill taking over the space of her iconic restaurant, the Black Hoof. The new restaurant’s decor and menu bear no resemblance to its predecessor. The lean menu features comforting Italian classics that beg to be washed down with selections from the restaurant’s eclectic wine list. In typical form, Agg is breaking the rules with Bar Vendetta. The menu switches to exclusively nachos after midnight, and muffuletta sandwiches only in the early afternoon. In an even bolder move, Bar Vendetta is open from Sunday to Thursday, giving staff Friday and Saturday nights off (a rarity in the restaurant industry). In this way, Bar Vendetta looks to establish itself as neighbourhood restaurant rather than the newest hot spot for trend-driven diners. 928 Dundas St. W.
JOANNE KATES, POST CITY’S FOOD CRITIC: “The best thing about Vendetta is … the vibe, purposefully, carefully, knowingly curated by Jen Agg in painstaking detail. ”
POST CITY’S TAKE: Planta Queen is the third iteration of the Planta brand to hit Toronto, following in the footsteps of Planta Yorkville, which opened in 2016, and Planta Burger, which debuted in 2017. A collaboration between Steven Salm, president of Chase Hospitality Group, and chef David Lee, Planta Queen, like its Yorkville sister restaurant, continues to redefine what plant-based dining can look like. At Planta Queen, chef Lee presents plant-based variations on classic dishes from across Asia. The space, which is inspired by traditional Chinese courtyards, features hand-painted murals by artist Candice Kaye and a striking centrepiece of Japanese maple trees. The menu of small plates is designed to be shared and tables come equipped with Lazy Susans, so you can easily whirl those exceptional eats around to your dining companions. 180 Queen St. W.
SOLMAZ K, @THECURIOUSCREATURE:“I was hesitant to try plant-based dim sum and sushi but was blown away by the flavours packed into the dishes.”
Lapinou presents French dishes with local ingredients in a chic space
POST CITY’S TAKE: Lapinou bills itself as a “neo bistro,” a term that describes chef Jamie Ullrich’s reimagining of classic French bistro dishes with homegrown ingredients. Every element of the menu is hyper-seasonal — the restaurant even uses pickling techniques to preserve fresh ingredients off-season — which means the brunch and dinner menus are always changing. Whereas the food menu focuses on the local, the wine list dives deeper into the restaurant’s francophone influences with French bottles, many of which showcase lesser-known styles of French wine or come from smaller vineyards. The decor takes a cue from the restaurant’s classic-meets-modern theme, marrying exposed brick walls and antique lighting with a dramatic green marble bar. 642 King St. W.
KAROLYNE ELLACOTT, FOOD WRITER:“You’re transported the moment you step inside Lapinou. And the pillow-light gnocchi … truly comforting, it’s really all I want to eat this winter.”
Snacks like snow crab are a perfect match for cocktails and wine at Après
POST CITY’S TAKE: Although a bevy of excellent wine bars has opened in Toronto over the past few years, Après sets itself apart with its dedication to sourcing natural, organic and low-intervention wines. The restaurant features over 200 rotating bottles from around the world, all of which have been selectively curated from ethical vineyards. Après is the little sister to much-loved restaurant Canis and therefore, although the wines are the star here, the food menu is worth trying in its own right. As its name implies (in case your grade school French is a distant memory, “après” means “after”), Après is designed to be a spot where diners chill out after a full dinner at Canis — the two spots are only about a 15-minute walk away from one another along Queen West. Canis chef Jeff Kang has created a menu of small and shareable plates that are made to be eaten with wine. 1166 Queen St. W.
RENEE SUEN, RESTAURANT WRITER:“Chef-owner Jeff Kang pairs unique and food-friendly wines with an equally interesting snack menu in an unfussy environment.”
Dreyfus earns top marks for its ever-changing, bistro-style fare
POST CITY’S TAKE: This self-described “French-ish” bistro is the buzzed-about brainchild of Zach Kolomeir, an alumnus of Montreal’s revered Joe Beef restaurant. The carefully edited menu focuses on soul-warming French fare, prepared with plenty of butter (as the Lord intended) and with ingredients sourced from local farms, fisheries and other small producers. The restaurant’s name is a reference to the Dreyfus Affair — a political scandal involving a French Jewish military officer who was wrongfully convicted of treason in the late 19th century — as a nod to Kolomeir’s Jewish heritage. Jewish culture’s influence on Québécois cuisine is also evident in various dishes that make their way onto the restaurant’s ever-changing menu. The wine list, too, is constantly rotating and emphasizes natural wines. Dreyfus scores as many points for its cosy ambience as it does for its food. 96 Harbord St.
SURESH DOSS, CBC CONTRIBUTOR:“What I love about Dreyfus is that it dismisses whatever trend is currently blanketing the city and swings for the fences with unbridled modern French cooking.”
The interior of ēst, one of its beautifully plated dishes
POST CITY’S TAKE: From the artfully plated dishes to the calming decor, everything about ēst is polished and beautiful. The concept comes from Sean MacDonald, a Calgary-born chef who before his 30th birthday has already taken home the Canadian title in the San Pellegrino Young Chef Competition. His ambitious debut restaurant specializes in tasting menus, both traditional and vegan versions, which focus on creative Canadian cuisine made using local ingredients. MacDonald has also been named a rising talent by the Art of Plating, and diners truly get to eat with their eyes first as each imaginatively arranged plate arrives at the table. Walk-ins can take advantage of the snack menu offered at the bar, which features dishes like aged confit duck on grilled focaccia and veggie-friendly options like red pepper chips with miso eggplant dip. 729 Queen St. E.
JACKY YOH, @THEEVERYDAYFOODIE:“”The tasting menu hits all the right notes in showcasing what Canadian cuisine truly is, with the most remarkable plating I’ve seen in any Toronto restaurant thus far. ”
A pretty plate at Ascari and the restaurant’s equally pretty interior
POST CITY’S TAKE: It’s no small feat that Ascari King West has managed to make an impact in a neighbourhood where other excellent Italian restaurants abound. Leslieville locals have been secretly savouring wonderful wines and house-made pastas at its older sister restaurant, Ascari Enoteca, since 2011, but the restaurant’s move westward put it in competition with Italian heavyweights like Gusto 101, Oretta and Buca. The new King West outpost has allowed Ascari to spread its wings with a larger kitchen and an expanded menu. Those familiar with Ascari Enoteca will see some familiar pasta dishes, but Ascari King West also adds a secondi section to its menu, featuring mains like 30-day dry-aged Ontario T-bone steak and whole grilled sea bass. The new menu brings diners closer to a classic Italian style of eating, with groups sharing antipasti and pasta before moving on to hearty main dishes. 620 King St. W.
AMY ROSEN, COOKBOOK AUTHOR:“It’s as if Nonna packed up her handmade pastas, put on a new hat and headed west.”
At Favorites most dishes are cooked on an open grill
POST CITY’S TAKE: Favorites introduces Toronto to a different side of Thai cuisine, going beyond the pad Thai and creamy curries that are ubiquitous on Thai restaurant menus across the city and instead playing with bolder, more intense flavours. Grills powered by Binchōtan charcoal take centre stage in the restaurant’s open kitchen, fueling a menu focused on perfectly charred dishes like Chiang Mai–style pork sausage and lamb chops with tamarind dip. The restaurant is a collaboration from the folks behind Khao San Road as well as Paris Paris and Superpoint, so there’s an ever-changing list of wines, mainly sourced from small producers, to pair with the fresh-off-the-grill eats. The space, which is tucked behind a Sam James Coffee Bar on Ossington, also channels Paris Paris with its bright, airy decor. 141 Ossington Ave.
PAY CHEN, WRITER AND TV HOST:“Toronto needs more places like Favorites, a casual neighbourhood spot that pushes your taste buds to delightful extremes.”
The plates at Donna’s are as homey as its interior
POST CITY’S TAKE: If you haven’t dined at Donna’s yet, it might seem like an unlikely choice for one of Toronto’s best restaurants of 2019: an unassuming 30-seater set on a nondescript section of Lansdowne Avenue. But the simplicity of Donna’s is exactly what makes it so special. The food is down-to-earth but thoughtfully executed. This comes as no surprise when you consider the background of the owners, a trio of Momofuku alumnai. The menu is ever changing but often features British, Danish and Canadian influences as nods to the various heritages of its owners. Like the menu, Donna’s decor is unfussy and homey, featuring an open kitchen and cheerful clusters of plants. The thing about keeping everything so pared down is that there’s nothing for the food to hide behind. In the absence of flashy plating and stylized decor, you’re left with quality dishes that stand out from the pack. 827 Lansdowne Ave.
VIJAYA SELVARAJU, FOOD YOUTUBER:“Donna’s is an ode to simple food done well. Each of their dishes showcases a handful of quality ingredients that shine in each other’s presence.”
POST CITY’S TAKE: With an extravagant prix fixe menu and a Michelin–two star chef at the helm, Sushi Masaki Saito is truly in a category of its own when it comes to Toronto dining. After being awarded one Michelin star in 2016 at New York’s Sushi Ginza Onodera and a second star in 2018, chef Saito chose Toronto as the location for his first independent venture. His eponymous Yorkville restaurant is Canada’s first edomae-sushi restaurant. Edomae-style sushi involves aging fresh fish to bring out its more nuanced flavours. Saito imports all of his seafood from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market, and the restaurant’s menu changes daily depending on when he decides various ingredients have perfectly aged. The seven-seat restaurant has just two seatings per night, priced at between $380 and $500 per person. It’s pricey and reservations typically take two months to secure, but if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind dining experience in Toronto, this is it. 88 Avenue Rd.
JACOB RICHLER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, CANADA’S 100 BEST:“Sushi Masaki Saito is commendably close to flawless (well, save for the price of admission!). In my experience everything else that’s new rather pales by comparison.… But I live in hope.”
Yorkville’s quaint back-alley bistro, Chabrol, has found a new home, and the fans of this romantic and decadent French bistro can breathe a sigh of relief. The new location means a larger kitchen, and more room for Chef Doug Penfold to work his culinary magic.
This spring, the restaurant will nestle up in a heritage building beside Bar Reyna at 156 Cumberland Ave. And the current Chabrol, tucked in an alleyway off Yorkville Avenue, will remain open for lunch and dinner service for the foreseeable future.
With a new location, comes a new menu. The Cumberland rendition will feature many classics such as their to-die-for roasted apple tarte, along with some fresh concepts from Penfold.
Known for his innovative work at Cava, the chef went on to open Chabrol in 2015 and Tanto in 2018, with former co-owner of Cava, Niall McCotter and Peer to Peer Hospitality Group.
McCotter has since left Chabrol and is now director of operations at King West bistro Lapinou.
The new location will feature an assortment of southern French dishes with a twist. The larger dining room will also feature a raw bar and a more vibrant atmosphere.
The current location has a small prep-kitchen in the lower level of the restaurant, but for the most part, the chefs are cooking right behind the bar. But, with the new location, Penfold and his team have larger kitchen space and will be able to create and experiment with new cooking techniques and different appliances. This means guests can expect even more extravagant dishes from Chabrol.
In terms of numbers, the new space won’t hold many more seats, but the layout is said to be much different than the current cosy hideaway.
While we await the anticipated March 1 opening, head into Chabrol for a leisurely lunch over chestnut soup and a glass of French chardonnay.
Mount Pleasant has a new destination for southern Italian cuisine and great wine with the opening of Balena. Helmed by chef Roberto Granata, who previously led the kitchens at Il Fornello and Mela, the restaurant focuses on ever-changing daily meat and fish dishes, along with classic pastas and shareable snacks.
Darna Middle Eastern Kitchen is now bringing modern flavours of the Middle East to Bayview and Eglinton. Drawing on influences from Lebanon and Israel (where owner Marwan Carmi previously lived before relocating to Toronto), the restaurant offers grilled dishes, traditional oven-baked casseroles and other authentic eats.
The team behind much-loved Greek restaurant Mamakas Taverna expands its domination of the Ossington strip with the opening of Bar Koukla. Styled after the relaxed mezze bars characteristic of Athens and Thessaloniki, Bar Koukla offers rotating small plates and a raw bar featuring fresh seafood imported from the Aegean.
Greek fare, wine and cocktails at Bar Koukla
Parkdale favourite Harry’s Charbroiled has returned under a new name:The Originals Dining Lounge. Grant van Gameren gave the decades-old diner a hip makeover in 2016 when he took over ownership. It looked like the end for Harry’s when van Gameren closed it in October 2019, but the space has been scooped up by two former Harry’s servers and an unnamed private investor with ties to the original owners.
The team behind Italian eatery Nodo is responsible for Toronto’s latest secret bar, Hush Hush, which is hidden behind a modest storefront in the Junction. Details about the bar are purposefully scarce, but Blood Brothers brews and vino from Rosewood Estates Winery are among the drinks on offer.
On The Stick (48 St. Clair Ave. E.) is a casual spot from chef CS Lee, an alumnus of Miku, Chotto Matte and Akira Back. Lee brings a mix of Korean and Peruvian influences to Japanese fare. As its to-the-point name suggests, skewered bites are the focus of the menu, along with pressed sushi.
The Butcher Chef has made its long-awaited debut near the Scotiabank arena. Specializing in local, seasonal meats and produce, the restaurant comes from the same team behind Michael’s on Simcoe.
Bunda Lounge at Dundas and Ossington has relaunched as Casablanca Supper Club, a new bar specializing in tapas, cocktails and champagne.
A spread at Balena on Mount Pleasant
Coming soon
Ruby Soho Bar, a “relaxed neighbourhood bar and eatery,” will take over the former Portland Variety space at King and Portland this month. Details of the menu and concept have yet to be announced.
The Avenue Room is expected to begin serving wood-burning oven pizza at Eglinton and Avenue Road beginning sometime this month. The venue will also include an event space accommodating up to 100 people.
Little is known so far about Smokeshow BBQ, a new restaurant taking over the former space of the Mt. Pleasant Rose on Mount Pleasant, just south of Eglinton. We’re going to take a wild guess and assume BBQ will be involved.
Sad to see you go
Summerhill’s Yeah Yeahs Pizza abruptly closed its doors at the end of November. The Nova Scotia–based pizzeria opened its Toronto location in partnership with the owners of Boxcar Social, who discovered YeahYeahs on a trip to the East Coast.
Long-running Queen Street bar Tequila Bookworm recently closed its doors. According to a post on the bar’s Instagram, they’re one of the latest Toronto establishments to be driven out of their space by a hike in rent.
The Tulip Restaurant, one of Toronto’s oldest steakhouses, announced their closure on Jan. 1. The family-owned restaurant had been a mainstay of the east end for more than 90 years.
Midtown’s top brunch spots brought to you by Freed Keewatin — 36 luxury townhomes at Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton — the best new place to live in midtown.
Weekend brunch is a great way to start, or perhaps end, your weekend. Whether you’re into a traditional brunch or something more upscale there are an array of spots to choose from in midtown.
Nestled on the corner of Erskine and Mt. Pleasant, this old jaunt has been around since 1948. That’s over 70 years. They’ve become a staple in the neighbourhood which means you may find yourself standing in a line waiting for a table. They offer an extensive brunch menu which includes everything from their take on eggs benny to challah french toast to huevos con chorizo. Their simple interior offers a relaxed vibe for a slow morning.
While their infamous ultimate grilled cheese put them on the map, this vibrant neighbourhood gem offers an array of sweet and savoury options. Stuffed with ricotta and fresh blueberries, their stuffed french toast is a neighbourhood favourite. Or if you prefer something more savoury, there’s the Betty’s Benny with peameal bacon on a Hawaiian sweet roll. You can also opt for making your own sandwich using their fresh home-made donuts. And if you really want to indulge they offer Greg’s ice-cream for those with a sweet tooth.
Enjoy an Italian-inspired brunch in this ultra chic space right at Yonge and Eglinton. The brunch menu is available from 9am to 4pm on weekends and you can choose from sweet or savoury options and coffee or cocktails. The olive oil-fried pancakes topped with whipped ricotta and draped in grappa maple syrup is a popular choice for those with a sweet tooth. Meanwhile, the two crispy duck eggs will please the savoury crew. For those who think brunch should skew more to lunch, there’s also their fabulous pizza to choose from.
The couple and their son at their backyard wedding
Hannah Moscovitch is making some noise as one of the top playwrights in Canada. Her play Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes has its world premiere at Tarragon Theatre on Jan. 8. Also, her critically acclaimed Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story will also return to the Tarragon this summer. She created this show with her husband Christian Barry and it premiered on a seven-week run off-Broadway in New York City. This is not the first time the pair has worked together — in fact, the pair’s love story is rooted in theatre.
How they met
Christian: We saw and admired each other’s work before we met, so it started as a professional crush between artists. I saw a project of Hannah’s called The Russian Play (I later directed a production of the piece), and Hannah saw a piece of mine called Revisited. We met at Tarragon Theatre. Hannah was in the Playwright’s Unit, and I was the Urjo Kareda Artist in Residence. I kept asking Hannah if she’d like help with her latest play and signing my emails with an “xo.”
The first date
Christian: Our first official date was to an event at Tarragon Theatre! We finally admitted that the series of professional meetings we’d had were actually dates.
Memorable moments
Hannah: Most memorably, at the four-month mark in our relationship, Christian told me he was moving back to Nova Scotia. So I assumed that would be the end of our relationship, which made him cry. That clinched it somehow and I eventually moved to Halifax.
The proposal
Hannah: It was on Mont Royal in Montreal. Christian told me he wanted to spend his life with me. He had a toy ring in his hand. We called our parents right after, who said, “Super!” The next day we went to an antique ring shop and picked out a ring from the 1880s that I love.
The wedding
Hannah: We got married in our backyard with flowers, champagne, chocolate cake, our son Elijah, who was one, and a few very dear friends and family members. We decided at noon we were going to do it, and got married at 6 p.m. that evening. We didn’t go on a honeymoon.
The kids
Hannah: We have our son, Elijah. He is named after the prophet.
Balancing it all
Hannah: We don’t. It’s chaos.
Secret of success
Hannah: Mutual admiration, jokes, a willingness to back down and an unwillingness to back down. A desire on both our parts for communication and self-improvement. Respect for each other’s emotions and dreams. A similarity in the way we see the world: that love comes first.
Shared hobbies
Hannah: Our shared hobby is that we don’t have hobbies or interests. Sometimes Christian plays pond hockey. That’s about it. The main thing is we both have careers in the theatre, so our shared interest is our work.
The home
Hannah: When we are in Halifax, we live in the north end. Here in Toronto, we call King West home.
Life after retirement
Hannah: We’re not the retiring type. Maybe a house by the sea? It’s hard to plan beyond the six-month mark at this point. We have a toddler. Sometimes it’s hard to plan beyond the 45-minute mark.
Toronto residents will soon be able to purchase up to 59 new marijuana products, such as edibles, extracts and topicals, from retail shelves. The Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS), Ontario’s pot distributor, noted in a press conference that the limited-supply of products will be available for order in retail stores beginning Monday, with shipments taking place later in the week. Products will also be available for purchase online in mid-January.
Here’s a quick look at the initial edibles that will be made available and be shipped out to licences stores across Ontario beginning on Monday. @CityNewspic.twitter.com/BqsgDaGS8q
In a press statement, the OCS noted that they were “excited” to educate people on their Cannabis 2.0 products, and that Tokyo Smoke at 333 Yonge St. will have products available in stores beginning Jan. 8. Over 100 Cannabis 2.0 products are expected to be available for sale within the next few months. Here’s a look at a few products you might expect:
Edibles
Torontonians can expect to pay anywhere between $7 and $14 for cannabis-infused chocolates, cookies, mints, and soft chews. Brands such as Aurora Drift have submitted edibles to OCS for sale:
Drinks — including tea, flavoured soda, and sparkling water — will cost between $4 and $10 on the OSC website. Haven St is one of a few brands that have submitted beverages to the OCS for sale; their infused teas are curated with varying combinations of CBD and THC.
In June, the Government of Canada announced amendments to the Cannabis Regulations setting out the rules to legally produce and sell edible cannabis, extracts and topicals. Amendments were made, in part, to allow for a range of cannabis products to help displace the illegal market.
“These products pose unique health risks, which is why we have taken the necessary time to establish appropriate safeguards,” Health Canada stated in a news release.
On Monday, the Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health (CCMOH), advised Canadians on ways to reduce the health risks associated with using cannabis, in light of the new cannabis products being legally available across the country. They say that the safest approach for people who use cannabis is to simply avoid smoking or vaping cannabis extracts. Those who choose to vape should consider using products that have been obtained from legal, regulated sources, and avoid consuming other substances, such as alcohol, when using cannabis. Click here for their full list of tips.
The OCS is warning consumers that extracts are extremely potent and should be consumed carefully. Click here for more information on their effects. For more information about OCS’ Cannabis 2.0 products, including a potency guide and extraction process, click here.
The City of Toronto cleared out encampments of Toronto homeless in Rosedale Ravine this morning. This occurred despite protests from local groups who argue that the city has a shortage of shelter beds.
The city’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation department conducted a similar sweep of the area last year.
City crews on hand this morning to tear down homeless encampments along Rosedale Ravine Lands. City’s numbers show last week, 15 people were living at makeshift camps, with only 1 person remaining yesterday. @globalnewsto#topolipic.twitter.com/w1qiLPJeeB
“There is no justification for these sweeps in the midst of a deadly shortage of shelter space in the city. People are camped outside in the bitter cold because the housing crisis rages on unchecked and the City’s shelter system is overwhelmed,” read a letter penned by a coalition of groups along with Toronto street nurse and homelessness advocate Cathy Crowe on behalf of the Shelter and Justice Housing Network.
The letter is part of a petition on Change.org directed at Mayor John Tory, who defended the move during a press conference on Jan. 6 citing health and safety concerns.
“It is not safe and it is not appropriate to have people living in encampments in the city, so we go out about dismantling those, the city does, in a very orderly fashion,” Tory said to reporters.
Mayor John Tory with that unmistakable Palm Beach tan explains why he’s sending professional city staff to kick the homeless out of the Rosedale ravines and demolish their encampments. , (That’s @TCDSB trustee @normsworld looking on, in the spirit of Christ, presumably) pic.twitter.com/4JirCv4U6e
According to an article in the CBC, the city, which operates 7,219 overnight shelter beds across its system, gave local homeless residents 15 days notice that they had to leave the area. Mayor Tory assured that anyone evicted from the area today would be able to find space in the shelter system tonight.
He also stressed that the city is making progress on the issue, and needs other levels of government to step up alongside Toronto to continue to make meaningful change.
Some critics of the city’s move to clear out that area point to the neighbourhood of Rosedale suggesting that the area’s well-heeled residents might have had a hand in urging the city forward.
This is Rosedale, home to Toronto’s elite. note the ravines that surround it and separate its multi-million dollar homes from the rest of the city. Those ravines are also home to the homeless who have set up encampments. @JohnTory will be tearing down those encampments Tuesday pic.twitter.com/J3ZY8gZMvq
On the morning the city was set to clear the area, the homelessness coalition held a press conference reiterating that homelessness needs to be declared an emergency and 2,000 more shelter beds should be added to the system.
The shelters are full. There’s no housing. Instead of forcibly evicting people from encampments, we need our city to be honest about the crisis we’re facing, declare an emergency and provide access to shelter and housing for those in need.https://t.co/rsDruqiiIl
— Shelter and Housing Justice Network (@SHJNetwork) January 7, 2020
In one week, community members are invited to gather at the Church of the Holy Trinity where the 1,000th death will be added to the Toronto Homeless Memorial.
Camps for children in Toronto have always been abundant, from theatre and dance to all manner of sports. In the last decade, however, there’s been a noteworthy expansion in the types of skills and activities on offer. Whether it’s learning about money through entrepreneurial initiatives, exploring code or creating robots, the latest wave of local STEM camps are helping kids forge their futures as creative thinkers and leaders.
Explorer Hop, located on Mt. Pleasant Ave. just north of Davisville Ave., offers an array of programs for the next generation of thought leaders. Director Hasina Lookman says the mission of the programs offered is to inspire and create change makers.
Take the Robotics program that uses LEGO blocks to help teach kids the mechanics of building a robot, for example. In a program like this, “Kids go from passive learners – following instructions – to actively creating mechanisms,” explains Lookman. “They are no longer consumers of coding but producers of coding.”
In addition to Robotics, the Young Entrepreneur program provides foundational tools required to launch a startup. Young people learn about starting a business, acquiring capital, and how to sell products through an online store and a pop-up market. Campers need to consider budget, goals, strategy, and target customers.
“You can’t be a change maker if you don’t bring other people up with you,” Lookman contends. One group of kids, aged 12-13, launched a bakery where they bought their own ingredients and baked all the goods. They made a profit of $850.00 and then donated $450.00 to a charity of their choice.
Other STEM day camps offering similar programs are MakerKids, with two locations, one in Bloor West Village and Leaside, whose initiative empowers “kids to be creators, and not just consumers.” They offer programs in Robotics, Coding and Minecraft, and, like Explorer Hop, these programs help to build confidence.
These types of programs are not only fun and engaging for children but they encourage kids to think critically about the logistics of their creation, whether it be a robot, drone, or starting their own business.
The first brick-and-mortar location of buzzed-about bagel purveyors Primrose Bagel Company launches this Friday, Jan. 10.
The self-described “bagel lifestyle brand” announced via Instagram that their much-anticipated storefront in Oakwood Village, north of St. Clair, will be serving “a curated selection of items you might find at a NY style bodega,” including smoked fishies and salads, soups, and, of course, hand-rolled, malt-boiled bagels.
Primerose bagels (Gareth Hoom)
Although Primrose is comparing its new storefront’s menu to a NY bodega, their beloved bagels are positioned as “decidedly Toronto” rather than the familiar New York or Montreal styles, featuring fluffy interiors and crispy exteriors.
Their new location promises hot bagels accompanied by eclectically-flavoured spreads like concord grape jam and wasabi-tobiko, along with coffee and ‘nosh’ like potato knish.
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