Hamlet is a well known play depicting a son enacting revenge on his uncle for the death of his father. In all Shakespearean tragedies, there are many casualties throughout the play as the protagonist grapples with the choice he will make. Fat Ham by James Ijames, now on at the Canadian Stage, reimagines the story of Hamlet with the protagonist as a Black, queer, southern man. Hamlet has been renamed Juicy, and with his father deceased, his mother marries his uncle leading to a cook-out celebration for the newlyweds. This cook-out is the stage for discussions around queerness, acceptance, expectations,…
Author: Hillary LeBlanc
New to CBC Gem is APEX: The Black Masters, a short film about a Black focused golf tournament in Truro, Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia, often considered the birth place of Black Canada, has had an increasingly large spotlight on them. Filmmakers Amy Mielke and Brittney Gavin also wanted to share the stories of part of the country they call home. Specifically, Gavin who is from Truro, knows first hand the history of the Black golf community. She brought the story, and the knowledge of the tournament’s 50th anniversary to Mielke who agreed the story was something special. Not even a…
Controlled Damage, a play at Neptune Theatre in Halifax, tells the story of Viola Desmond beautifully. Perhaps best known to Canadians as a woman who refused to sit in the ‘Negro’ section of the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow, Controlled Damage shows how much more advocacy and work Desmond had done, but also the intricacies of Black advocacy as a mixed-race or light skin woman. After surviving the Halifax Harbour explosion, Viola went on to be a teacher and though she taught Black students she faced racism from white staff. She left teaching to pursue cosmetology and learned to relax afro-textured hair…
Starvox Entertainment has put on Yippee Ki Yay at their Lighthouse Art Space in Toronto. This very unique experience of the movie Die Hard is still running until January 12th. Richard Marsh, Fringe First-winner, London poetry slam champion, BBC Audio Drama Best Scripted Comedy Drama award-winner first put on the Yippee Ki Yay parody of Die Hard at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022. This parody is more than just a retelling of the film Die Hard. Marsh retells his favourite film with anecdotes of how the movie has impacted his life, love life and lead to his marriage and subsequent…
The Kickback Foundation, started from a sneaker drive, has grown to an organization serving youth which held their first in person graduation this year in the CBC atrium. Kickback is a youth-led movement for change coming out of Toronto, Canada. Artists, athletes, social workers and community programmers came together to serve neighbourhoods similar to ones they grew up in. Founded by Jamal Burger, Kickback’s vision is to redefine communities by breaking down the social barriers that underserved youth face. His love of sneakers became the medium to open conversations and open doors into the world of high-level sport, media and…
The holidays are often a time of shopping and mass consumerism, and some often feel guilt for how they shop or aim to shop as sustainably as they can. If you’re that person then this list is for you. We have featured five Canadian brands that are sustainable ranging from skincare and beauty to coffee and fashion! Check out the list below and shop smart this holiday season. TEAOLOGY Teaology have enhanced their skin care products with the benefits of Tea, and developed a patented technology, Tea Infusion Skincare. The nutrients of a cup of tea are inside each…
On November 30th, Marianas Trench performed at HISTORY as part of their ‘The Force of Nature’ Tour. This tour featured songs from their most recent album Haven, and of course some fan favourites. Marianas Trench, having formed 25 years ago, was met by screaming fans after a member of their team ‘mowed the lawn’ on the stage. When you’ve been a band this long, you’re sure to have insiders and jokes with your fans! The Vancouver group, comprised of Josh Ramsay, Matt Webb, Mike Ayley and Ian Casselman performed three songs from their new album right off the bat before…
This year, the Christmas with the Clemons concert is set to delight! With performances from DVSN, Deborah Cox, Jully Black, Simone Denny and many more – this is a not to miss event. Beyond the holiday cheer, Christmas with the Clemons is also a way that the Clemons family gives back with proceeds going to the Pinball Foundation. This concert showcases the Clemons’ favourite time of year with a stunning array of musical performances. Proceeds will support marginalized and racialized youth in our community through the gift of education. Christmas with the Clemons and the Pinball Foundation were founded by…
The One of a Kind show has currently taken over Enercare centre with hundreds of craft, food sustainable fashion and art makers to get everyone in the holiday shopping mood! Since 1975, the One of a Kind show’s roots have been deeply connected to the culture of craft. They have participated in its growth, and are excited to witness its evolution. One Of A Kind is driven forward is the core belief that craft can enrich our lives with diverse context and perspectives. One Of A Kind show is not only a marketplace, but also a town square, a meeting…
On October 30th, the Canadian Opera Company’s annual Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition took place at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, co-chaired by Lily Li and Al Ramsay. With this yearsHollywood-inspired theme of “Lights. Camera. Opera”, the opera house rolled out the red carpet for arts lovers, trend setters, and passionate leaders of Toronto’s philanthropic community who also love a bit of competition! Guests were invited to witness, and cast their own vote in, the exciting competition finale, hosted this year by Canadian actor and comedian Emma Hunter. The 11th annual Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition, also…
Paris Baguette, a bougie Korean-French fusion bakery has opened another location in Canada and this time, in the heart of downtown Toronto! After opening 6 other Canadian locations, Paris Baguette has opened its 7th location in Yorkville on Bloor street. We spoke with Cathy Charente, Chief Marketing Officer of Paris Baguette who shared with us key features of the latest location. She shared with us that the expansion across Canada has plans to see 100 locations open over the next few years. We’re very excited to be here in this city and community, which is a very vibrant community. Obviously…
On October 15th, Nothing But Thieves and opener Bad Nerves wowed the Toronto crowd that packed into History. The vocal range of Conor Mason was impressive in songs such as new hit City Haunts and Welcome to the DCC . With four albums under their belts the Essex, UK band had a variety of new songs and oldies keeping the crowd singing and jumping on their feet. Fans went wild for Trip Switch, and swayed to slower tune Soda. Though Mason joked about the setlist feeling a bit ‘all over the place’, the crowd was feeling every song as the band delivered perfectly sounding hit…
On September 27th fashion lovers from Burlington and Toronto gathered at One11, a tech hub, on Front Street, Toronto, to celebrate designer Joseph Tassoni’s latest collection. The fashion show was immense with over 140 looks walking down the runway. As if that wasn’t enough to draw in crowds, Tassoni also had celebrity models walking down the runway. These celebrities weren’t just walking to support Tassoni, but to support various charities and endeavours at the heart of Tassoni’s ethos. Tassoni’s fashion show supports the creation of medical gown covers that give dignity to those using them. Created out of sustainable products,…
For over 20 years Cashmere Collection toilette paper has honoured Breast Cancer Awareness month with a fashion show unlike anything else in Toronto. This year, they return with some new elements to keep the show new and exciting! As always, gowns and garments made of the luxurious Cashmere toilet paper with descend down the runway but this time people at home will be able to watch. This year’s show is on October 30, and Canadians can join the live stream at CashmereCollection.ca to vote for their favourite designer. Every vote donates $1 to the Canadian Cancer Society and Quebec Breast…