Tessera

J. Emory Parker 🏳️‍🌈@jaspar.bsky.social · 2w ago

I worked with Helen for several years at CP. She was so smart, even-handed, calm and collected... everything you would want a journalist to be in the face of a crisis. She will be missed.

I’m afraid I have terrible news to share 💔 www.statnews.com/2026/10/13/h...

Construction to tear out the Etobicoke bike lanes starts today, but the debate continues between local business and residents. I spoke with both over the Thanksgiving weekend: www.thestar.com/news/gta/bik...

Bike lane debate continues as clock ticks towards Etobicoke removal

Ford government begins ripping up the first of about 19 kilometres of protected cycling routes Tuesday, and neighbours disagree over what comes next.

thestar.com

Celebration of JahVai Roy's life doubles as a call for action against Toronto gun violence and for better youth support programs. My story from Saturday's event: www.thestar.com/news/gta/cel...

Celebration of JahVai Roy’s life doubles as call for action against Toronto’s gun violence

Holly Roy organized Saturday’s event to honour her eight-year-old killed by a stray bullet and turn her experience “into purpose.”

thestar.com

John Reardon is back on "Hudson & Rex" after he was written out of the show following his cancer diagnosis...but there are some things he still can't talk about. Free story link: www.thestar.com/gift-redeem?...

John Reardon is back on "Hudson & Rex." But there are some things he still can’t talk about following his ouster from the show and the fan backlash that followed. My Q&A: www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

John Reardon is back on ‘Hudson & Rex.’ But there are some things he still can’t talk about

The actor was replaced for Season 8 after being treated for tonsil cancer.

thestar.com

Cole Escola'a Tony-winning "Oh, Mary!" is headed to Toronto in 2027. The details: www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

The Broadway dark comedy ‘Oh, Mary!’ is coming to Toronto for the off-Mirvish season

The limited engagement will run at the Royal Alexandra Theatre during the 2027-28 Off-Mirvish season. Dates and casting information has not been announced yet.

thestar.com

Sass Jordan, the Montreal rock and blues singer behind Canadian hits "So Hard" and "Make You a Believer," has died at 65. Jordan was also a longtime judge on "Canadian Idol." www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

Montreal-raised Juno-award-winning singer Sass Jordan dies at 65

Sass Jordan, the Montreal-raised rock singer whose career spanned nearly four decades, has died at 65.

thestar.com

CBC Music's Andrea Warner was an obit queen, who understood that the passing of a musician was an opportunity to reflect on what they meant to the culture. She died earlier this week at 47_. CBC put together a lovely piece on her career. www.cbc.ca/music/andrea...

Saying goodbye to Andrea Warner | CBC Music

We lost one of the very best on Sept. 27.

cbc.ca

Noise complaints about Rogers Stadium to the City of Toronto soared more than 40% this summer. My story on the ruckus that continues at Live Nation's massive outdoor concert venue: www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

Rogers Stadium noise complaints soared by more than 40 per cent this summer

New data shows that calls to 311 spiked during the venue's second season.

thestar.com

EXCLUSIVE: The Phoenix Concert Theatre has found its new home on the city's west end. Plans are underway for a move in 2027, pending city approvals. www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

This historic downtown Toronto music venue is moving to the west end

Plans are underway to reopen the Phoenix Concert Theatre in the building currently housing the Parkdale Hall on Queen Street West.

thestar.com

Gord Downie's purple fedora was at centre stage as the Tragically Hip was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame on Saturday. My inside look from Toronto's Massey Hall where Feist, Loverboy and Roch Voisine were celebrated for leaving their mark. www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

The Tragically Hip, Feist and the songwriting partners behind Loverboy are among the creators being inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. The show streams live on Prime Video tonight. (CP) www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/entertainmen...

The Tragically Hip, Feist to enter Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame

TORONTO - Toronto's indie music scene mainstay Feist and Kingston alt-rock legends the Tragically Hip are among the musical acts set to be inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of

thecanadianpressnews.ca

Neil Peart died just as the COVID-19 lockdowns began, leaving his family, friends and Rush fans little opportunity to mourn him publicly. The filmmakers behind a new documentary hope their film helps process that lingering grief. My story: www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

Neil Peart documentary is a ‘celebration’ of the late Rush drummer, say its filmmakers

'Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple,' screening on CBC Gem, features members of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tool and the Police.

thestar.com

Who are masked rock sensations Angine de Poitrine? After their Polaris Music Prize win, I take a look at their viral rise to fame and how it's inspired some fans to send them wildly creative gifts. www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

Angine de Poitrine is taking over the music world, one polka dot at a time

With their tactile, handcrafted aesthetic and defiantly human live performances, the Quebec experimental music act is an antidote to the slick AI era.

thestar.com

Pete Byrne, vocalist for Naked Eyes who sang 80s hits "Always Something There to Remind Me," and "Promises, Promises," has died at 74. He also did backing vocals on Stevie Wonder’s 1985 hit "Part-Time Lover. " (Variety) share.google/JYvbLZQE4zZs...

Pete Byrne, Naked Eyes Vocalist Who Sang ‘Always Something There to Remind Me,’ Dies at 74

Pete Byrne, vocalist for the British new wave band Naked Eyes, died in Los Angeles on Sept. 14 after a brief illness.

share.google

Angine de Poitrine lands the Polaris Music Prize and its sister award for song of the year. Here's my look at what went down at last night's colourful awards show, including Tanya Tagaq blasting Trump and some of the buzz behind the scenes. www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

Polaris Prize 2026: Angine de Poitrine, Slash Need, Begonia and other big moments

The mysterious Quebec rock duo won the Polaris album and song prizes at a gala awards show full of big moments.

thestar.com

Gerrit Graham, who played glam rocker Beef in "Phantom of the Paradise," has died at 77. He also starred in “Demon Seed,” “Child’s Play 2” and “National Lampoon’s Class Reunion,” and was a screenwriter on Disney's “The Little Mermaid” and “Oliver & Company.” (Variety) variety.com/2026/film/ne...

Gerrit Graham, Actor in ‘Phantom of the Paradise,’ Screenwriter and Grateful Dead Collaborator, Dies at 77

Gerrit Graham, actor in "Phantom of the Paradise" and many other films and TV shows who co-wrote a song for The Grateful Dead, died Tuesday.

variety.com

With all the data Netflix has at its disposal, the company still can't figure out how to end a successful series without an abrupt cancellation and multiple unresolved storylines. ‘Sweet Magnolias’ Canceled at Netflix After Five Seasons (THR) www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/s...

‘Sweet Magnolias’ Canceled at Netflix After Five Seasons

Showrunner Sheryl J. Anderson and star JoAnna Garcia Swisher, however, are prepping a new series called 'Ladies of the House.'

hollywoodreporter.com

Four hidden gems you can still see at the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend, including ones about a con artist, a Canadian hero and a pregnant trans man. My picks for TIFF titles to add to your watchlist: www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

4 TIFF hidden gems you can still see this weekend, including stories of a Canadian hero and a pregnant trans man

'Run Terry Run' and 'I Am Mario' are among the under-the-radar delights.

thestar.com

Hudson Williams says he struggled to get back in character as Shane Hollander. My story from the Toronto International Film Festival, where the "Heated Rivalry" star sat for a fireside chat with his fans. www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

‘Heated Rivalry’ star Hudson Williams says he struggled to get back in character as Shane Hollander. And then things clicked

Williams sat down for a sold-out TIFF fireside chat at the Royal Alexandra Theatre Thursday before attending the red carpet premiere of “Yaga,” a new Crave murder-mystery series.

thestar.com

Justin Trudeau is betting on Canadian culture at a moment of heightened tensions with the United States. He's launched a “proudly Canadian” production company with an eye to more than just entertaining. My story with Sheila Reid on what that means: www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

Justin Trudeau's next move: Former prime minister and Katie Telford launch media company

Former prime minister Justin Trudeau and Katie Telford launch media company Hope & Hard Work at TIFF Lightbox.

thestar.com

"Obsession," "Blue Heron" and more... If you can't make the Toronto International Film Festival this year, here's my roundup of five hidden gems I picked at last year's TIFF. They're available to watch at home... www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

From time travel to family ties: Five hidden gems at TIFF

TORONTO - Beyond the glitz of Hollywood red carpet premieres, the Toronto International Film Festival hosts a treasure trove of cinematic gems worth seeking out.

thestar.com

🎞️DISPATCHES FROM TIFF🎞️ Gail E. Lichtman rolled into Toronto on Thursday afternoon as the star of “Gail,” a delightful music doc about the New York transit agent-turned-superfan of Our Lady Peace. It premieres this weekend at the festival. www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

🎞️DISPATCHES FROM TIFF🎞️ Deepa Mehta and the TIFF jury, who decide this year's best Canadian feature, met up at Earl's this afternoon as they prepare to watch 17 films. My quick look: www.thestar.com/entertainmen...