Results tagged “virginia”

Leave it to CanStage to somehow, in the midst of extreme internal upheaval what is maybe their darkest financial hour, be simultaneously running two of their strongest shows by far in recent memory. In fact, Palace of the End (which closes tomorrow night) and The Clean House (which runs until March 8) aren't just good shows for CanStage, they would be amazing shows for anywhere. Hopefully, they can win the audiences they deserve, but it's certainly disheartening to finally see the company do something really, really right while knowing what's in store for the future. The abrupt departure of new Artistic Director David Storch a few weeks ago was enough of an unpleasant surprise. But further news reported in The Toronto Star was even more alarming. A total of 10 CanStage staff members have apparently been laid off, including dramaturge Iris Turcott, who, like Storch, will henceforth bear the dubious title of "consultant."

It’s a strange, perhaps undesirable, thing to admit to, but Torontoist spends a lot of time thinking about R. Kelly. Generally it comes down to one core question that we just can’t answer (nor do we think we ever will): Is R. Kelly a genius or a lunatic? Here is a man who has produced some of the most pitch-perfect songs in the sickeningly syrupy ballad category (including possibly the pinnacle, Michael Jackson’s "You are Not Alone") but recently released Double Up, an album that is either the most astonishingly insightful work of parody, damning the entire current culture of hip-hop and R&B, or the drivelings of a man with the attention span of a dog in an exploding fireworks factory.

Hanging out in the city with Torontoist's Summer Reads.

Toronto legend Edwin "Honest Ed" Mirvish has died. He was 92.

American playwright Tony Kushner is one of the most important playwrights of contemporary theatre. He also remains conspicuously under-produced in our fair city. His landmark play Angels in America (since adapted into a popular HBO miniseries) has received only one Toronto production in CanStage's 1996 season, noticeably absent from any season at Buddies. It's unsurprising then, in a way, that Mercury Stage's production of Homebody/Kabul at the Berkeley Street Theatre, a play that caused quite a stir in New York and London about six years ago is its Canadian premiere.

With all that went down this week, we thought we thought we'd cheer everyone up by giving everyone a double dose of dogs.

There are two big things going on in the world of education this week. The first is The National Inner City Conference 2007. Sponsored by the Toronto School District Board and the Ontario Institute of Education Centre for Urban Schooling, the focus is on helping city kids get learned.

Toronto student Soohyun Park took top prize at the CanSpell Cup nashional spelling bee. Her corect spelling of 'hypobulia' trumped 'cerumen' and 'moiety'.

It seems that Bob Rae is the Liberal candidate most likely to get Ontarians to vote for him. However, he is also the Liberal candidate most likely to get Ontarians to vote him. Thus, Bob Rae is the Canadian version of Hillary Clinton. You heard it here first, people!

If you don’t bring home the love tonight, you are so screwed. Here’s Torontoist’s romance Rolodex. Downtowners, head straight to chocolatier JS Bonbons, either the midtown or downtown location. Get the Big Box of Love (about $35) and fill it with handmade chocolates and truffles in unusual flavour pairings –like ginger cardamom caramel or tarragon and black pepper. Cheaper still, a chunk of square Callebaut dark chocolate embossed with -aaaw- a big heart (about $9). For the truly time-strapped, Torontoist strongly recommends playing Willy Wonka with a gift certificate for a hands-on class at the upstairs Chocolate School (about $60). Uptown commuters: before getting on the DVP, take a detour to the Distillery District's Soma Chocolate, open especially for today’s heart-fest. It’s got a more ancient take on chocolate (think spicy Mayan morsels). If you’re still desperate for blooms, pop in to Midge (651 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-488-0875, at Hillsdale), the petite florist and gift boutique named after an Archie Comics character. Less is more, like affordable silver mint julep cups planted with a single striking bloom. Downtown, there’s Cindiloowho (134 Ossington, 416-538-7887, north of Queen), a charming antiques and flower shop for stuffing pockets full of posies, usually for less than $20. And if the day's overload of hearts and flowers has left you dizzy, queezy and as a result especially cheesy, join the Aphrodisiac-of-the-Month Club. (Yes, Virginia, there really is such a thing.)