Fashion’s biggest night did not disappoint! The cream of the crop, top of the heap gathered at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for the 2024 MET GALA, celebrating this year’s decided theme “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion“. Elegance bloomed with stars from across all disciplines uniting at the ultra-exclusive affair, which some could have purchased a ticket to at $75,000 US each, and subject to approval above that! We saw a lot of floral inspiration in the fashion this year, paying tribute to the flowers and botanicals of the woods in which the fairy tale is set.

We were in-town as we have in previous years to capture a bit of the excitement. We simply adore New York City, its people, its dining, its welcoming heart and we will continue to visit as long as we can! beanie and I had an absolute blast and this year more than ever we saw fans and spectators out and about in full force. The star power of the Met Gala is undeniable and it is a good thing that everyone’s talking about it. It literally is the greatest night on earth!

Admittedly, we had a shortlist of stars we wanted to meet real bad, and as luck would have it, most of our wishes came true this year. A magical year! To think we were feeling a bit down for part of the night wondering if it was ever gonna happen.

Some highlights from our visit, including a frenetic reel of our sights of Met Gala night!

Also some highlights of our delightful time in the City. The amazing things we savoured. The stars we saw!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Two very exciting food and drink festivals will be taking place this June on HOTEL X TORONTO‘s grounds. Are you ready?

Brunch Fest: Toronto’s favourite 2-day brunch festival, returns Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16, 2024 at The Grounds at Hotel X Toronto. Brunch Fest, presented by TasteToronto will host the city’s top restaurants offering 150+ mouthwatering dishes, mimosas at the Mimosa Bar or Ultimate Caesars from the Matt & Steve’s Caesar Gardens. With smoothie bowls, freshly squeezed juices, and plenty of vegan options, Brunch Fest is a brunch lover’s dream come true! Experience Toronto’s brunch culture like never before while enjoying live music by the St. Royals, DJs, live performances, interactive games and much more!

When: Saturday, June 15, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm and Sunday, June 16, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

Where: The Grounds at Hotel X Toronto – 115 Princes’ Blvd, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3

Tickets: Tickets range from $17.95 to $25.95 and are available here. This is a 19+ event; a valid ID is required for entry.

For more information, visit thebrunchfest.ca

Rosé Picnic: Toronto’s ultimate picnic dedicated to everyone’s favourite pink drink, is happening on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Stanley Barracks Grounds at Hotel X Toronto! New this year, the celebration will kick off with the Summer Solstice presented by Barbados party on Friday, June 21 featuring vibrant Caribbean entertainment, dancers, stilt walkers and tunes by international DJs. Ticket holders for Rosé Picnic or the Summer Solstice party will be entered to win a 5-night all-inclusive vacation experience in Barbados. All Rosé Picnic guests will receive a scoop of Baskin Robbins ice cream topped with Tequila Rose and a break-free glass upon arrival. Running now until Mother’s Day – get two tickets for $99.95 (ends May 13th)!

Summer Solstice Party
When: Friday, June 21, 2024 from 5:00 pm -11:00 pm
Where: Stanley Barracks Grounds at Hotel X Toronto – 115 Princes’ Blvd, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3
Tickets: Available at rosepicnic.com 19+ event, a valid ID is required for entry.
Attire: Dress to impress — pink and white attire is recommended

Rosé Picnic
When: Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: Stanley Barracks Grounds at Hotel X Toronto – 115 Princes’ Blvd, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3

Tickets: Available at rosepicnic.com 19+ event, a valid ID is required for entry.
Attire: Dress to impress — pink and white attire is recommended

For more information visit rosepicnic.com

Today, Disney+ revealed first look images and the premiere date for the upcoming new season of “Criminal Minds: Evolution.” Produced by ABC Signature and CBS Studios, the 10-episode new season will premiere on June 7, 2024 on Disney+ in Canada. The first two episodes will be available to stream at launch with subsequent new episodes dropping weekly on Friday.

In the wake of last season’s shocking finale, the upcoming all-new season of “Criminal Minds: Evolution” picks up as the FBI’s elite team of profilers investigates the deadly mystery of GOLD STAR. As the conspiracy unfolds, the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) is met with an unexpected complication when serial killer Elias Voit negotiates a deal that transfers him to federal custody in the BAU’s own backyard. The team faces its biggest threat yet and cannot emerge unscathed from the mind-bending consequences.

“Criminal Minds: Evolution” stars Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Zach Gilford, Ryan-James Hatanaka with Adam Rodriguez and Paget Brewster. Felicity Huffman will guest star this season.

The series is produced by ABC Signature and CBS Studios. Erica Messer (“Criminal Minds,” “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders”) serves as showrunner and executive producer, with Breen Frazier, Chris Barbour, Glenn Kershaw and Mark Gordon also executive producing.

“Criminal Minds: Evolution” debuted in 2022 and is currently available to stream on Disney+ along with all 15 seasons of the original “Criminal Minds” series, also available to stream on the service.

In the first Despicable Me movie in seven years, Gru, the world’s favorite supervillain-turned-Anti-Villain League-agent, returns for an exciting, bold new era of Minions mayhem in Illumination’s Despicable Me 4 and we get a new Trailer today! In theatres July 3, 2024.

Following the 2022 summer blockbuster phenomenon of Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, which earned almost $1 billion worldwide, the biggest global animated franchise in history now begins a new chapter as Gru (Oscar® nominee Steve Carrell) and Lucy (Oscar® nominee Kristen Wiig) and their girls —Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Madison Polan)—welcome a new member to the Gru family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad.

Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal (Emmy winner Will Ferrell) and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina (Emmy nominee Sofia Vergara), and the family is forced to go on the run.

The film features fresh new characters voiced by Joey King (Bullet Train), Emmy winner Stephen Colbert (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) and Chloe Fineman (Saturday Night Live). Pierre Coffin returns as the iconic voice of the Minions and Oscar® nominee Steve Coogan returns as Silas Ramsbottom.

Packed with non-stop action and filled with Illumination’s signature subversive humor, Despicable Me 4 is directed by a co-creator of the Minions, Oscar® nominee Chris Renaud (Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets), and is produced by Illumination’s visionary founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and by Brett Hoffman (executive producer, The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Minions: The Rise of Gru). The film is co-directed by Patrick Delage (animation director Sing 2 and The Secret Life of Pets 2), and the screenplay is by the Emmy winning creator of White Lotus, Mike White, and the veteran writer of every Despicable Me film, Ken Daurio.

Genre: Action-Comedy

Cast: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, Pierre Coffin, Joey King, Sofia Vergara, Stephen Colbert, Miranda Cosgrove, Chloe Fineman, Steve Coogan, Chris Renaud, Dana Gaier, Madison Polan

Screenplay: Mike White, Ken Daurio

Director: Chris Renaud

Co-Director: Patrick Delage

Producers: Chris Meledandri, Brett Hoffman

Paramount+ today announced that LET THE CANARY SING, the feature-length documentary exploring the remarkable life and career of Cyndi Lauper, will premiere exclusively on the service in Canada and the U.S. on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 and on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 in the UK, Australia, Latin America, Brazil, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Directed by Emmy® Award-winning documentarian Alison Ellwood, the film made its world premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Festival.

Produced by Fine Point Films and Sony Music Entertainment in association with Concord Originals, LET THE CANARY SING chronicles Lauper’s meteoric ascent to stardom and her profound impact on generations through her music, ever-evolving punk style, unwavering feminism and tireless advocacy. The documentary takes the audience on an engaging exploration of a renowned and pioneering artist who has left a remarkable legacy with her art.

Said Lauper: “Over the years I’ve been asked to do a documentary about my life and work, but it never felt like the right time. Until now. When I first met Alison Ellwood, I knew right away I could trust her to tell my story honestly, which was incredibly important to me, and she succeeded in that. I’d like to thank Alison, the producers, and all of the amazing documentary participants who agreed to be interviewed!”

LET THE CANARY SING is produced by Fine Point Films (THE GO-GO’S, No Stone Unturned, Elián) with Trevor Birney, Eimhear O’Neill, Andrew Tully and Alison Ellwood serving as producers. Lisa Barbaris and Gregory P. Cimino II, Esq. are executive producers. Tom Mackay, Richard Story and Rebecca Teitel serve as executive producers for Sony Music Entertainment. Sophia Dilley and Wesley Adams are executive producers for Concord Originals. Sony Music Vision is the distributor.

Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, will be releasing a companion product to the documentary of the same name. The LET THE CANARY SING companion album is a career-spanning collection that follows Lauper’s career, starting from her days in Blue Angel to her breakout single “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” to the iconic pop stardom that followed. With hits “True Colors,” “I Drove All Night” and more, this collection is a staple for any Cyndi Lauper fan. The album will be released on vinyl and as a digital expanded edition and is available for pre-order here.

The Toronto Jewish Film Foundation is proud to announce its 32nd annual Festival, which will be taking place from May 30th – June 9th, 2024. The TJFF 2024 slate will consist of over 80 films/series from across the globe 36 of which are Canadian premieres, covering a wide range of topics.

TJFF are proud to announce that the Canadian Premiere of MIDAS MAN will kick off the festival’s in-person screenings on Thursday, May 30th at 8:00 p.m. ET. MIDAS MAN is the emotional, heartfelt and often funny story of how Brian Epstein polished four scruffy lads who were going nowhere and in a matter of months turned them into a global phenomenon; The Beatles. Directed by Joe Stephenson, the film stars Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (The Queen’s Gambit) as Brian Epstein.

TJFF are thrilled to welcome special guests for several in-person screenings. Films with guest appearances include: comedies YANIV (Centrepiece film) and ALL ABOUT THE LEVKOVICHES, drama AUCTION, Canadian drama THE BOY IN THE WOODS and documentary films 999: THE FORGOTTEN GIRLS OF THE HOLOCAUST, THE ANARCHIST LUNCH & CROSSING THE RIVER. Star of Israel’s Oscars entry SEVEN BLESSINGS and Tribeca selection THE FUTURE, Reymonde Amsallem, will also make an appearance at respective screenings at this year’s festival and SILVER’S UPRISING will close the Festival with special guests director Dan Shadur and writer Ido Mizrahi.

Other films that will be featured this year are, Sundance Film Festival and Berlinale selection BETWEEN THE TEMPLES, Cannes Film Festival 2023 Critics Week pick THE GOLDMAN CASE with a virtual Q&A with director Cédric Kahn and the Canadian Premiere of THE CATSKILLS by director Lex Gillespie (The Mamboniks, TJFF 2019) which resurrects a vibrant slice of Jewish American life that inspired films and TV series including Dirty Dancing and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

This year’s Festival will also offer several free screenings in their newly-curated ‘City Spotlight’ program which features a retrospective of film and television productions from Winnipeg, including: THE MOURNING SUIT and the beloved cult series LESS THAN KIND which will welcome discussions from filmmakers at their respective screenings. Online screenings in this series will be available for free Canada-wide. For more information on this newly curated series, visit https://tjff.com/tjff-city-spotlight-winnipeg/.

The Festival will again be taking a hybrid approach, making it more accessible to a wider audience – with dozens of virtual screenings and over 40 in-person screenings at local theatres in Toronto. In addition, a selection of virtual screenings as a part of TJFF’s virtual programming can be found at watch.tjff.com.

See below for additional screenings that will be featured at this year’s Festival:

Unspoken
Jeremy Borison | United States
In-person
*Canadian Premiere

Taboo: Amos Guttman
Shauly Melamed | Israel
In-person
*Canadian Premiere
*Programmer’s Pick

Where is Anne Frank
Ari Folman | Belgium, France, Netherlands, Israel
In-person & Online

Just Now Jeffrey
Hylton Tannenbaum, Brett Morris | South Africa
In-person & Online
*Canadian Premiere

Shoshana
Michael Winterbottom | United Kingdom, Italy
In-person & Online

The full 2024 Festival lineup & event list can be found at https://tjff.com/tjff2024-festival-lineup/.

Tickets can be purchased online at https://tjff.com/tjff2024-festival-passes/

You know that we’re a huge fan of Samsonite‘s Spinner series. Last year we glided into New York City with our Elevation Plus Spinner Carry-On, marveling at the smoothness of its roll. By far this is the best piece of luggage we’ve ever owned, both in looks and practicality in a gorgeous Cypress Green and silky-to-the touch polypropylene exterior. It zipped easily, with what seemed like secret compartments throughout, maximing its compact size to the fullest. We loved that it was light and easily so mobile!

But one issue we had, while traveling for two – the other, our precious princess beanie – and also factoring in the irresistible shopping in New York, we had little room for goodies. When travelling with a furry loved one, the pet often case counts already as your one carry-on, meaning that your actual carry-on needs to be checked-in. Seeing that we’re already checking our luggage in, we’re going big(ger)!

We had the joy of using the Samsonte Ziplite 4.0 Spinner Medium for our 2024 trip to New York City, in a stunning Rose Gold. Yeah, I know the colour was huge a few years back, but I still cannot resist it when I see it. It’s a happy colour that transports me emotionally to a happy place, in addition to my literal happy place… The Big Apple!

The Ziplite 4.0 Spinner Medium is everything we need. The roomy piece of luggage is constructed with polycarbonate, which not only feels so good to the touch, it is highly impact-resistant. Boasting dimensions of 26.4 in. x 17.2 in. x 11.5 in. and weighing 8.4 lbs, this not only is big and strong, it manages at once to be light as air. We’re floored by its expandability giving its much more room to work with and versatility. Just when we thought we wouldn’t fit it all in, it did! See it accomplish the impossible here!

You also can lift it comfotably by its top handle when you need to lift it. Its four Airflow Spinner wheels make for an easy, flawless glide.

Security also is a big selling point. This comes built with an Integrated TSA-approved lock available only in the medium and large formats.

Nobody wants to worry when they’re travelling and the Samsonite Ziplite 4.0 Spinner Medium helps us travel carefree!

Also available in Brushed Anthracite, Lagoon, Purple, Silver Oxide and Ice Blue. Retails at $295 CAN.

Click here to purchase.

While we were in New York for Met Gala festivities, you need to see Samsonite‘s JET GALA celebrations, inspired by the big event itself! More on that here.

Samsonite, celebrated for its mastery in luggage craftsmanship, debuted its ‘Jet Gala’ amidst the dazzling ambiance of one of fashion’s grandest spectacles. This innovative endeavor seamlessly intertwines fashion with premium travel essentials, setting a new benchmark for sophistication and panache. Drawing inspiration from the night’s fashion fervor, the ‘Jet Gala’ unveils a collection of ensembles that epitomize elegance, drama, and ingenuity.

Can you guess who inspired which piece above? L to R: Zendaya, Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat, Nicki Minaj!

While the world marveled at the splendor of the Met Gala on May 6th, Samsonite was busy in its creative atelier, fuelled with inspiration to carve out its own iconic moment in fashion. With meticulous attention to detail, three standout looks were carefully selected to serve as muses, each paying homage to the sartorial opulence of the preceding night. As celebrities graced the red carpet, the brand toiled tirelessly, measuring, sourcing, and breathing life into three unique masterpieces for its iconic Proxis luggage collection.

“With the ‘Jet Gala’ we aimed to reimagine the thrill and allure of one of fashion’s biggest nights within the realm of travel and luggage, inviting fashion enthusiasts and trendsetters alike to hop aboard the journey toward a new era of design from the carpet to the ‘runway’” said Erin Reynolds, Brand Manager of Samsonite Canada.

Samsonite’s lightning-fast creation of “fits” set a record pace that even seasoned fashionistas would envy. Commencing this feat moments after the debut of the looks was no small feat. Bringing this to life required a collaborative effort. The brand spared no effort in materializing the three unique costumes in record time, zigzagging around NYC and leveraging numerous connections to achieve this feat. While A-listers retired for the night and jewelry found its way back into vaults in the early morning hours, Samsonite worked tirelessly, pushing the sewing machines to their limits to pull off this feat. Setting up lighting, preparing cameras, capturing stills and videos, and editing before sunrise made this endeavor truly worthwhile.

Erin continued, “This isn’t just a moment; it’s a statement—a testament to Samsonite’s relentless pursuit of pushing boundaries, redefining luxury travel, and having some fun along the way.”

Samsonite adorned its ultra-lightweight and durable Proxis luggage, crafted from Roxkin™ shell material, a proprietary 28-layered polypropylene engineered to withstand the rigors of travel. As each Proxis piece made its grand entrance onto the red carpet, flashes of paparazzi cameras captured their every angle and silhouette, affirming that luggage can indeed steal the spotlight.

Here’s to commemorating the pinnacle of fashion, because Samsonite Proxis isn’t merely luggage; it’s a fashion statement in its own right, deserving of strutting down any red carpet.

It was announced today that Connor Marsden’s high-concept genre film VIOLENCE has signed on Rohan Campbell (HALLOWEEN ENDS, The Hardy Boys) and Maddie Hasson (MALIGNANT, The Recruit). The film is produced by Julian Geneen for Grand Touring Productions, William Woods (THE KID DETECTIVE) for Woods Entertainment, Albert Shin (THE WHITE FORTRESS) for Timelapse Pictures and Maddy Falle (DADA) for Obvious Allegory. The thriller, penned by Marsden, Woods and Devin Myler will go to camera next month in Sudbury.

VIOLENCE is an operatic punk rock thriller set in an alternate 1980s, where our anti-hero Henry Violence is caught in the middle of an intensifying drug war. The film will be scored by NOWHERE2RUN, comprised of members of two-time Grammy Award-nominated Code Orange and has attracted genre legend Steven Schneider (the PARANORMAL ACTIVITY franchise and INSIDIOUS franchise) as an executive producer, along with EP’s Tom Spriggs, Andrew Bronfman, Andrew Webster, Mark Stevens and Sam Sutcliffe.

“The team breathing life into this film has equalled my decade-long passion in a way I could only dream of,” said Marsden. “I can’t wait for audiences around the world to meet these characters, brought to life by this remarkable cast.”

VIOLENCE is financed by Ursa Major, Game Theory Films, Redlab, Good Movies, and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund. Rohan Campbell is represented by Andrew Tsoules for CAA and Andrew Webster for Webster Talent Management and Maddie Hasson is repped by Kevin Volchok for UTA.

(Photo credit: Tiziano Lugli)

North West, making her Hollywood Bowl debut, alongside Tony® and GRAMMY® Award-winning Broadway star Heather Headley and Grammy Award winner, Tony Award nominee and the voice and spirit of The Lion King, Lebo M., will join “Lion King” franchise originals Billy Eichner, Bradley Gibson, Ernie Sabella, Jason Weaver, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane and special guest Jennifer Hudson on the Hollywood Bowl stage for the previously announced “Disney’s The Lion King 30th Anniversary – A Live-to-Film Concert Event” on May 24 and May 25. Emmy® Award-winning Disney Branded Television and Fulwell 73 Productions will reunite to capture the magic of these performances in the second music concert installment in their franchise, with the Disney+ Original special “The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl” streaming at a later date. The special will celebrate the 30-year evolution of “The Lion King,” from the original 1994 animated film to the 1998 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical to the 2019 dramatic live-action film.

In “Disney’s The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl,” fans will experience life in the Pride Lands as a full orchestra performs Hans Zimmer’s rousing Oscar®-winning musical score led by conductor Sarah Hicks. Immersive live performances of the beloved songs written by Sir Elton John and lyricist Sir Tim Rice — including “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” (Academy Award® for Original Song), “Circle Of Life,” “Be Prepared” and “Hakuna Matata” — will be performed by the original cast members, Oscar winner Jeremy Irons (Scar, 1994), Oscar and Tony Award winner Nathan Lane (Timon, 1994), Billy Eichner (Timon, 2019), Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa, 1994) and Jason Weaver (Young Simba, 1994). Special guests include Bradley Gibson and Heather Headley (Simba and Nala, respectively, in the Broadway stage production) and recent EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson. Cast will perform select numbers for the first time at the Hollywood Bowl, featuring the Broadway show’s award-winning and artistically acclaimed costumes, set design and innovative puppetry. Tickets to the Hollywood Bowl performances can be purchased at the links below.

May 24

May 25

“The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl” is produced by Disney Concerts, Fulwell 73 Productions, AMP Worldwide and Live Nation-Hewitt Silva, the incredible team that produced the four-time Emmy-nominated “Disney’s Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl” and the Emmy Award-winning “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium.” Gabe Turner and Sally Wood are creative showrunners, Paul Dugdale serves as director and Misty Buckley is production designer.

Since the 1994 debut of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Oscar-winning original global phenomenon, the story of “The Lion King” has dazzled audiences around the world, including with the record-breaking, Tony Award-winning stage musical (1998), the 2019 live-action box office blockbuster, animated series and sequels, as well as long-running successful shows in the Disney Parks. “Mufasa: The Lion King,” directed by Barry Jenkins, will be in theatres this December 2024.