MICHELIN-recommended fine dining restaurant Lucie and The Social Catering & Co. is excited to announce their partnership with the Canadian Opera Company (COC). The partnership will officially kick off with an exclusive dining experience as part of the Centre Stage Gala at the COC on October 30, 2024. The event will take place at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, where 200 guests will be served a unique menu designed by Lucie’s executive chef, Arnaud Bloquel.

The Canadian Opera Company is the largest opera performance organization in the country and one that is renowned for its artistic excellence, ambitious sense of innovation, and deep commitment to the development of emerging artists.

The company performs with the acclaimed COC Orchestra and Chorus, led by Johannes Debus and Price Family Chorus Master Sandra Horst, and operates out of Canada’s first purpose-built opera house, the stunning Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts which attracts thousands of arts and culture lovers every year from locally and abroad.

Throughout the COC’s regular season, Lucie will also offer a three-course pre-theatre menu that will provide guests with an opportunity to enjoy a curated dining experience prior to attending performances. This menu will be available at Lucie’s location at Scotia Plaza, which offers nearby parking at a discounted rate of $13 for four hours. This partnership offers theatre lovers the chance to enjoy a dining experience alongside the artistic performances of the Canadian Opera Company.

In addition to creating an unforgettable dining experience for the COC’s signature event and major gala, Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition, Lucie will oversee culinary offerings for all donor engagement activities and Board meetings, as well as curating exceptional concessions for all attending a live opera performance.

“The Canadian Opera Company is delighted to welcome Lucie and The Social Catering Co. as our preferred culinary vendor. This collaboration is a wonderful extension of the longtime friendship Yannick has had with myself and we look forward to elevating our patrons’ visits to the opera house with thoughtfully curated and impeccably prepared items that cater to the senses as holistically as the opera-going experience itself,” says Christie Darville, COC Deputy General Director.

As part of the collaboration, The Social Catering & Co. will serve as the exclusive catering partner for the Canadian Opera Company.

VENOM: THE LAST DANCE struts into top spot in its opening weekend with $50 million from 4,131 theatres for Sony Pictures. It gets 39% on the Tomatometer. Best opening for the Franchise still goes to 2021’s VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE with $90 million. This will be the final film in the Trilogy starring Tom Hardy.

Second is last week’s champ, SMILE 2 with $10.8 million, a two week total of $42 million for Paramount Pictures.

Third up is THE WILD ROBOT with $6 million, a tally of $110 million over five weekends for Universal Pictures.

CONCLAVE is set to debut with $5.3 million from 1,753 theatres for Focus Features/Elevation Pictures. Rotten Tomatoes score is an excellent 92% for this TIFF ’24 selection.

Fifth is TERRIFIER 3 with $4.5 million for Cineverse, a run of $45.2 million over three weekends – very impressive for this small budget Horror.

Global icons ROSÉ and Bruno Mars have released a new single “APT.” A note from ROSÉ going into detail about the song’s conception: “‘APT.’ is actually my favorite Korean drinking game that I play with my friends back home. It’s so simple, puts a smile on your face, and breaks the ice at any party,” ROSÉ explains. “One night in the studio I taught my crew how to play the game. Everyone was fascinated, especially when I started the chant, so we played around with it and I said we should make a song out of it… and after Bruno joined the track, the rest became history!”

Absolutely addicted to this tune!!

Here’s a quick explanation how the Drinking Game works for those who don’t know!

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music Canada)

We finally get a new Trailer for this exciting Holiday release – OUR LITTLE SECRET, starring Lindsay Lohan, penned by Toronto’s own Hailey DeDominicis! Arrives November 27, 2024 on Netflix.

LOGLINE: Two resentful exes are forced to spend Christmas under the same roof after discovering that their current partners are siblings.

DIRECTOR: Stephen Herek

WRITER: Hailey DeDominicis

PRODUCERS: Lisa Gooding, Mike Elliott

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Lindsay Lohan, Joseph P. Genier

CAST: Lindsay Lohan, Ian Harding, Tim Meadows, Jon Rudnitsky, Henry Czerny, Judy Reyes, Chris Parnell and Kristin Chenoweth, Dan Bucatinsky, Katie Baker, Jake Brennan, Ash Santos, Brian Unger

Take a look behind the scenes of A COMPLETE UNKNOWN. Set in the influential New York music scene of the early 60s, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN follows 19-year-old Minnesota musician BOB DYLAN’s (Timothée Chalamet) meteoric rise as a folk singer to concert halls and the top of the charts – his songs and mystique becoming a worldwide sensation – culminating in his groundbreaking electric rock and roll performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. A Film By James Mangold. Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, Norbert Leo Butz, Dan Fogler, and Scoot McNairy.

Searchlight Pictures release A COMPLETE UNKNOWN this Christmas.

(Photo/video credit: Searchlight Pictures)

Samsonite, the global leader in premium travel gear, has reached new heights in innovation by sending its lightest-ever suitcase, Proxis, to the edge of space. In collaboration with the pioneers at Sent Into Space, this groundbreaking launch, which took place just outside Las Vegas, Nevada, showcases the remarkable fusion of travel technology and aerospace innovation. The Proxis suitcase, designed with cutting-edge materials, returned to Earth fully intact, demonstrating Samsonite’s commitment to both durability and forward-thinking design.

Designed to redefine travel, Proxis features Samsonite’s groundbreaking Roxkin™ outer shell, renowned for its remarkable combination of lightness and strength. Weighing just 4.6 lbs, Proxis was selected for this space-bound mission, showcasing the brand’s relentless drive to push the boundaries of what’s possible, not just on Earth but beyond.

“Sending Proxis into space is a bold testament to our century-long commitment to durability and design. This experiment with ‘Sent Into Space’ demonstrates how our case delivers performance under the most challenging conditions, withstanding not only the rigors of Earthbound travel but also the ultimate test – space- exemplifying the remarkable balance we’ve achieved between lightweight design and rugged durability, setting a new standard in the luggage industry”, says Erin Renolds, Brand Manager Canada.

The launch, held under the crystal-blue sky at a secure launch site in the Mojave Desert, attracted an intimate crowd of space enthusiasts and industry insiders. As the Proxis ascended into the edge of space reaching a height of over 130,000 feet, it embodied a message of limitless exploration and adventure—a new frontier for the future of travel.

The journey was accomplished using stratospheric balloon technology, leveraging the natural buoyancy of renewable hydrogen gas to lift Proxis high into the region of Near Space. The one-of-a-kind spacecraft, designed by Sent Into Space engineers, was equipped with a flight computer with satellite and radio communications systems that allowed the team on the ground to track the craft’s position in real-time and recover it swiftly on its return to Earth. A self-deploying parachute system brought the craft down at a safe and controlled speed, while a fleet of 360° and 4K camera systems documented the incredible journey.

“The Proxis was a perfect passenger for our flight,” said Sent Into Space’s Head of Projects, Dr Chris Rose, “Incredibly robust, even in the freezing vacuum of space where the temperature drops below -65°C, but light enough to meet our stringent weight requirements—I’d love to take one on every spaceflight!”

Upon its return to Earth, the Proxis suitcase landed flawlessly, completely intact and without a single scratch. The advanced design and durability of Samsonite’s Roxkin™ outer shell were put to the ultimate test, enduring the extreme conditions of space travel and the controlled descent through the atmosphere. This extraordinary feat reinforces Samsonite’s commitment to creating resilient, high-performance travel gear that not only withstands the rigors of Earthbound travel but proves itself in even the most extreme environments.

This was a real-world demonstration of the Samsonite Proxis’ strength and lightness. This test was achieved with no artificial intelligence involvement.

Get ready to indulge in the most salacious guilty pleasure of the year! Today, Prime Video unveiled the enticing official trailer and key art for Cruel Intentions and announced all eight episodes of the highly anticipated series will premiere November 21, 2024 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Twenty-five years after the iconic film captivated audiences with its provocative drama, sex, and scandal, this series introduces a new class of cruel characters who are ready to take their games and manipulation to a whole new level. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the film or new to the twisted tale, the series promises binge-worthy fun that audiences won’t want to miss.

In this new adaptation, Cruel Intentions follows the elite students of Manchester College, a Washington, D.C.-adjacent university, where reputation means everything, fraternities and sororities are the gold standard, and two ruthless step-siblings, Caroline Merteuil and Lucien Belmont, will do anything to stay on top of the cutthroat social hierarchy. After a brutal hazing incident threatens the entire Greek Life system, they’ll do whatever is necessary to preserve their power and reputation – even if that means seducing Annie Grover, the daughter of the Vice President of the United States. Hearts will be broken, loyalties will be tested, and secrets will be revealed in this modern-day royal court that is Manchester College.

Cruel Intentions stars Sarah Catherine Hook as “Caroline Merteuil”, Zac Burgess as “Lucien Belmont”, Savannah Lee Smith as “Annie Grover”, Sara Silva as “Cece Carroway”, John Harlan Kim as “Blaise Powell”, Khobe Clarke as “Scott Russell”, Sean Patrick Thomas as “Professor Hank Chadwick”, and Brooke Lena Johnson as “Beatrice Worth”.

The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television, Amazon MGM Studios, and Original Film. Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher serve as co-showrunners, writers, and executive producers. Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty of Original Film also executive produce along with Roger Kumble. Moritz produced the original film, which was written and directed by Kumble. Bruce Mellon along with Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi of Iervolino & Bacardi Entertainment are producers.

Melissa Barrera‘s star continues to rise and it should come as no surprise. She’s absolutely magnetic. She was stellar in Starz series LIFE, enchanting in Jon M. Chu‘s IN THE HEIGHTS and she branded herself a Scream Queen with starring roles in SCREAM and SCREAM VI. Barrera even starred TIFF selection Carmen, the directorial debut of Benjamin Millepied.

The Actress is now in Toronto filming an upcoming Peacock Spy Thriller series alongside Simu Liu, Brian d’Arcy James and more and will be here for about five months. Amidst her busy filming schedule, she found time to promote her acclaimed anti-Rom-Com-Horror YOUR MONSTER, which won raves at Sundance. It gets a release here this Friday, October 25, 2024 via Renaissance Media.

And guess what? She popped-in to surprise fans at a screening of the Film last night at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas!

See the Trailer:

The Film is a delight! Think, a very dark quirky cousin to Beauty & The Beast! With Musical Numbers too!

(Photo/video credit: Renaissance Media/Mr. Will Wong)

Emmy-nominated Actor LEWIS PULLMAN was in Toronto recently for a two-night engagement at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern with his Indie band ATTA BOY. The Band, for which he drums, also includes Actress Eden Brolin (daughter of Josh), supported Richy Mitch & the Coal Miners at the intimate show, which drew a packed house both nights.

The son of legendary star Bill Pullman is continuing the family legacy with a superb body of work including very memorable roles in LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY and TOP GUN: MAVERICK. He appears next as Sentry in Marvel‘s THUNDERBOLTS which includes a very star-studded Cast led by Florence Pugh.

Pullman is so down-to-earth and was very casually hanging at the bar throughout the show, chatting with attendees and fans. He was so nice about it, introducing himself to me as if I had no idea who he was. Of course we know who you are, STAR!

See our Snap:

(Photo/video credit: Marvel/Mr. Will Wong)

Featuring songs from the viral band Rare Americans. This animated punk rock musical is the first animated feature film for Crooked City Studios and Solis Animation. The Film makes its premiere in North America at SPARK ANIMATION 2024!

Set in 1993, (S)KiDS follows a group of disaffected teens navigating their last year of high school as they uncover a dark truth about their Principal.

DIRECTOR: Les Solis
ANIMATION DIRECTOR: Lou Solis
WRITER: Les Solis (screenplay)
STORY BY: Jared Priestner and James Priestner
PRODUCER: Leah Solis
EDITORS: Greg Zajac and Sean Janisse
ORIGINAL SONGS: Rare Americans
ORIGINAL SCORE: Jan Cajka

STARRING: James Priestner, Will Letos, Les Solis, Cameron Lovell, Michele Garceau, Duran Ritz

“Bringing (S)KiDS to life was a whirlwind two-year adventure. This 80+ minute punk rock musical was realized through the dedicated efforts of 20 talented artists who became dear friends. As we prepare for the North American premiere at Spark Animation, we reflect on current events, with protests erupting on college campuses worldwide, often met with brutal crackdowns. The story of (S)KiDS and its punk rock idealism debuts at a time when younger generations are more aware and empathetic than ever, challenging our moral courage to speak out,” says (S)KiDS screenwriter-director Les Solis.

“(S)KiDS is my favorite recording experience in my career. When we started writing (S)KiDS two years ago, I knew it was a bold project to tackle. How many independent bands have you heard of making a feature-length animated punk rock musical?! The recording process was intense and, short of a better word, almost magical. We recorded 23 songs in less than three weeks, working 12 hours a day. We set up a makeshift studio at my brother’s house, stayed there, ate every meal together, and listened to the songs we just recorded as we ate. It was a collective effort by everyone to get this project over the finish line! I am so excited for our fans to see it around the world,” adds Rare Americans frontman and (S)KiDS co-creator James Priestner.

“(S)KiDS was born out of a collaboration with independent band Rare Americans. As an independently run studio ourselves, the story of being misunderstood outcasts rang true for both our camps. Having our North Americna Premiere at Spark Animation helps to assure us that maybe our little group of Canadian punk-rockers, in torn jeans and safety-pinned shirts, might actually belong somewhere. Maybe there are a lot more outcasts like us than we realize,” says (S)KiDS animation director Lou Solis.

“We are extremely excited that (S)KiDS will North American premiere at this year’s Spark Animation. It’s such a unique film that features entirely new songs by Rare Americans and showcases our animation, which is aesthetically different from a lot of styles currently out there. We’re really hoping that this labour of love will broaden our reach and continue to unlock more opportunities to welcome more people into this special community we’ve been building these last few years,” comments (S)KiDS producer Leah Solis.