Arts + Culture
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Frying Plantain: Growing up between the worlds
When does one come of age? Most of us tend to remember it through definable landmarks: working after school hours, graduation, a first kiss, and the sensation of that first sip of alcohol. But reading Zalika Reid-Benta’s debut novel Frying Plantain reminds us that the journey to adulthood is more subtle than that. It is in the moment when you unravel the meaning of adult conversations you have heard before. It is in the shock at reactions to unexpected events of daily life. Coming of age happens through a series of events in which a child’s awe at the unknown but defined world evolves into the acceptance of its unpredictability.…
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Seven Ways to Survive as a Local Bookstore
Let’s be honest, it is getting harder and harder for local bookstores to survive in the era of Amazon and huge chain bookstores. Moreover, these bookstores — romanticized forever in the movie You’ve Got Mail, starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks — will continue to encounter tough economic turbulences. Recessions come and recessions go, but once you have spread your roots in your people’s hearts, you can sleep more soundly at night. In the meantime, here are seven ways to survive as a local bookstore. One: Be Responsive React to what people in your neighbourhood want and what titles your customers come looking for; you can make a list of…
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Book Lovers
Five Harlequin Novels as Tinder Profiles Single on Valentine’s Day? Instead of going on a disappointing date with Mr. Wrong or scarfing down ice cream while watching rom-coms, why not take a more novel approach to your evening? Our friends at Re:Reading have the perfect solution for the lovelorn hearts of the Danforth—Harlequin novels. With everything from billionaires to princes in disguise (and heat levels that range from sweet to super-spicy) there’s something for everyone craving a little lovin’ this Valentine’s Day. To get you started, we’ve whipped up five Tinder profiles based on novels that you can pick up on the Danforth. Let yourself be swept—er, swiped—away! Against the…
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The Unprecedented Love Story Behind Reproduction
Ian Williams is a Canadian poet and fiction writer. His first title, You Know Who You Are (2010) was shortlisted for the ReLit Awards. In 2011, he published a collection of short stories, Not Anyone’s Anything, for which he won the Danuta Gleed Literary Award. His book of poems, Personals (2012) was shortlisted for the Griffin Poetry Prize. Add to this list, his most glorious one so far: 2019 Giller Prize for his debut novel Reproduction (2019). He currently teaches Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia. Reproduction is a lengthy novel (I know, it’s 446 pages, but hear me out). It revolves around the uncongenial family life of…
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Things We, and Everyone Else on the Planet Earth, Are Talking About From Last Night’s 92nd Oscars
The Oscars are the highlight of many people’s year: movie watchers, fashion lovers, gossip bloggers. From Eminem’s surprise (and surprising!) performance and Billy Porter’s red-carpet lewk, to Natalie Portman’s statement cape, there was something for everyone at the 92nd Annual Academy Awards. Here’s our take on last night’s iconic awards ceremony! Musical Performances Janelle Monae This being the second year without a host, we were on the edge of our seats to see how the show would begin and Janelle Monae did not disappoint! With a show-stopping or rather, starting, original musical number that featured dancing Nazis, we wouldn’t have complained if the Oscars turned into a three-and-a-half hour Janelle…
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Which Billie Eilish Track was Made for Your Star Sign?
It’s Billie’s world and we’re living in it. Before becoming an adult, she had a #1 album, performed on the 45th season premiere of Saturday Night Live, and performed sold out shows across the world. She swept at the 2020 Grammys as the youngest person to take home the Big Four awards (Best New Artist, Album, and Record and Song of the Year) and Pop Vocal Album. At the beginning of the year, it was also announced that she will be recording the theme for the next Bond movie; again, the youngest person to have done so. Have I said we’re all living on planet Billie? She’s said, “I’m the…
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Danforth Reads
At On the Danforth, simply put, we believe in the power of books. Not just to entertain and inspire, but to shed light on some otherwise overlooked issues. That’s why we were delighted to hear the theme of this year’s CBC Canada Reads competition: “one book to bring Canada into focus.” But can one book really hold that much power? We’d like to think so, and what better way to figure it out than by celebrating the format of Canada Reads and arguing amongst ourselves? So we’re hosting a mini Canada Reads debate at onthedanforth.ca: the same five books, a few slightly less famous defenders. Read our arguments, and leave…
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Toronto Light Festival
Toronto is, without a doubt, home to some amazing festivals, markets, and artistic exhibits. Among these is the Toronto Light Festival, which showcases some very talented artists who are using lights to demonstrate their talent and chase away our winter blahs. We headed out to the distillery district to check it out for ourselves, and it was truly a treat for the eyes. Still looking for a creative Valentine’s Day date, or just looking for your next great Instagram post? Head out there and check it out! Otherwise, we have you covered. Check out the video for a sneak peek of the Toronto Light Festival!
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Take our quiz to find your perfect bookstore
Toronto is home to some of the best collections of literature in the world, and with a growing number of independent bookstores charming our favourite neighbourhoods–it can be difficult to decide where to shop for your next good read. What better way to make this difficult decision than by taking a personality quiz and surrendering all responsibility to your friends at On the Danforth Magazine!
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Canada Reads 2020 short list titles as 62nd Grammy Awards fashion
The best season of the year has arrived: awards season. With the announcement of the Canada Reads 2020 short list on January 22, I thought it would be fun to match each book cover with its celebrity counterpart following the red carpet at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards. The only criteria I had was that the outfit had to compliment the book cover and, without fail, these celebrities delivered. Book: Small Game Hunting at the Local Coward Gun Club by Megan Gail Coles (photo cred: House of Anansi) Celebrity: Tyler the Creator wearing Golf le Fleur. (photo cred: Getty Images) Book: Radicalized by Cory Doctorow (photo cred: Macmillan) Celebrity: Jessie…