Rabble-rousing feminist and anarchist Emma Goldman died in Toronto in 1940.

Although she only lived in Toronto on three occasions over a 14-year period, and never for more than a year and a half at a time, Emma Goldman had an outsized cultural impact on the city. The well-known anarchist and feminist whom J. Edgar Hoover dubbed “the most dangerous woman in America” filled local lecture [...]

Back in 1901, the holiday weekend was a washout.

Since 1845, Torontonians have been enjoying a holiday on May 24 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday. Following her death in 1901, a federal act declared that date (or May 25 if the 24th fell on a Sunday) would thereafter honour Britain’s longest-serving monarch. While it’s easy to imagine that the decision was made out of [...]

Nova Scotia man has been found guilty of manslaughter after he hit his fiance hard enough to kill her after she bit his penis. ———————————————— James Leopold, 33, (right) told jurors it was an accident when he hit his fiance, Laura Lee Robertson, 47, (left) in the neck in reaction to her biting his penis [...]

In today’s Urban Planner: the Inside Out LGBT Film Festival kicks off; a discussion reflects on the legacy of legendary Canadian author, Mordecai Richler; a photo exhibit opens with a new round of artists; and an art exhibition celebrates Toronto architecture.

FILM FESTIVAL: With Pride Month just on the horizon, the Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival—a festival that promotes LGBT film and culture—returns with another stellar line-up that includes a gala, gallery shows—and, of course, tons of films. Hope to see you there, Mayor Ford! Runs tonight to May 27, locations, times, and ticket prices [...]

Tarragon brings back Michel Tremblay’s play, with new layers of sophistication.

The Real World? Tarragon Theatre (30 Bridgman Avenue) Runs to June 3 Tuesday to Saturday at 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 2:30 p.m. matinees $21–$51 We’ll never quite understand why some audience members aren’t interested in sticking around to ask questions during post-show talkbacks. If your parking’s about to expire, or you have a very [...]

Capturing the smell of the city in images.

The CONTACT Photography Festival runs from May 1 to May 31. We’ll be profiling selected artists and shows throughout the month. Street View Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (952 Queen Street West) Runs to June 3; Tuesday to Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Bruce Gilden, one of seven photographers whose work is currently on display at [...]

Toronto’s extensive work on the silver screen reveals that, while we have the chameleonic ability to look like anywhere from New York City to Moscow, the disguise doesn’t always hold up to scrutiny. Reel Toronto revels in digging up and displaying the films that attempt to mask, hide, or—in rare cases—proudly display our city. Sometimes [...]

Local rapper crafts a touching tribute to a fallen hip-hop legend.

More than almost any other genre, hip-hop has traditionally been averse to anything that resembles a cover. Sampling another rapper’s voice is fine, but borrowing someone else’s bars is kind of unacceptable. Thankfully, local rapper D-Sisive has never been huge on “traditional.” His new release, “Adam,” isn’t actually a cover per se. Instead, it’s an [...]

Corrupt politicians, shady stocks, and professional baseball did—why not you?

Today’s ad may be one of the least visually dazzling we’ve featured, but the man behind it didn’t lack for colour or controversy. Anyone interested in investing in northern Ontario mining stocks might have wanted a second opinion before dealing with Charles Stoneham. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1876, Stoneham entered the financial [...]

An internet trend comes to Toronto, and perfectly illustrates city’s je ne sais quoi.

Hellooo, Toronto! Good morning! How was your commute? Terrible? That’s okay. We have some animated GIFs for you. Toronto Strife, a new Tumblr blog, is part of the super latest crop of web memes: a defining moment for someone is coupled with an animated GIF image on infinite loop and given an explanatory caption. Toronto [...]

The Canadian poet, novelist, and musician was honoured with the Glenn Gould Prize.

Leonard Cohen must have felt a sense of time’s great circle, Monday night. Honoured at Massey Hall as the Ninth Laureate of the Glenn Gould Prize, the iconic Montrealer doffed his fedora to the applauding crowd, cracking jokes and dryly sharing stories from early in his career. In that booming, legendary baritone, he recalled meeting [...]

Each week, Torontoist examines the upcoming TV listings and makes note of programs that are entertaining, informative, and of quality. Or, alternately, none of those. The result: Televisualist. Monday America’s Got Talent is back, and they’ve made a change! This time around, Piers Morgan is gone and replacing him is none other than Howard Stern, [...]

At this year’s instalment of the annual event, programmers struggled to make video games from scratch in just one weekend.

Somewhere in the depths of east-end Toronto this past weekend, fish were flying over volcanoes, marionettes were fighting, and everything was exploding. One false move and you could have been blown to smithereens. Or, with a stroke of a key, you could have been home free. That’s right, it was the seventh annual TOJam. TOJam [...]

Some people get to play for a living. We talked to one of them.

I Want Your Job finds Torontonians who make a living doing exactly what they love to do, in any field, and for any salary, and asks them how they did it. Stephanie Lemoine was a creative child. “I was always playing with Lego and created a lot of my own games and toys and stuff,” [...]

In today’s UP: learn about the history of Toronto’s theatres, help Shakespeare in the Ruff bring theatre back to the east end’s parks, bid farewell to Sandro Perri and Steve Kado, and see more than a dozen comediennes at the Alt Dot.

TALK: Professional Toronto tour guide Bruce Bell, who specializes in pointing out what remains of Old Toronto’s architecture and filling in gaps in the city’s history, will be giving a talk and reading from his new book, A History of Architecture in Toronto, at C’est What this evening. Given that the cozy underground pub is [...]

From a media releaes:

GOOD FOLK: Women of HIP HOP SHOW ft. Invincible, Pri the Honeydark’s w/ special guests Helixx C, Big Tara of ANOMOLIES, DJ Reborn & The Ladies of MAWUUpcoming ShowsPrice: $159:30 PM – May 16, 2012

NEW YORK CITY – Pri the Hon…

From a media release:

Theatre Sheridan’s RENT transfers to the Panasonic Theatre!- next generation of theatre artists get ready to take Toronto by storm -May 16 – 27, 2012 (Preview May 15)Toronto – Presented last December to sold out houses and standi…

From a release:
Ikebe Shakedown at The Rex, Toronto!Ikebe ShakedownTuesday, May 15, 20129:00pm until 12:00am        Brooklyn band Ikebe Shakedown makes their Toronto debut at the finest jazz club in town! Lets see how Th…

From a media release:

EVERYONE ORCHESTRAreleases “Brooklyn Sessions” (Harmonized Recordds – May 15, 2012)NEW YORK CITY – One part fiery conductor, one part sonic ringleader, he wields a whiteboard, flying fingers, and a knowing, joyful grin. His gestu…

From a media release:

PANAMERICAN ROUTES / RUTAS PANAMERICANASAn International Festival of Theatre for Human RightsMay 15 – 27, 2012in association with THEATRE PASSE MURAILLEMulti-Arts, Multi-TalentedToronto – Aluna Theatre proudly presents an interna…