GameTV and Paramount+ in Canada today announced the premiere of HATE THE PLAYER: THE BEN JOHNSON STORY, an audacious six-part mockumentary reimagining of the “dirtiest race in history” that is equal parts absurdist comedy and cultural critique. The first two episodes of the series will premiere March 26, 2026 on GameTV and will be available to stream on Paramount+ in Canada March 27, 2026, with two new episodes released weekly.

The series is created by BAFTA-winning and Emmy-nominated writer Anthony Q. Farrell (The Office, Shelved, Run the Burbs), who also serves as showrunner and Executive Producer.

Directed by R.T. Thorne (The Porter) and Cory Bowles (Trailer Park Boys), the series is set against the backdrop of the 1988 Summer Games and the doping scandal that dominated global headlines. HATE THE PLAYER gleefully blurs the line between fact, fiction, and fever dream as Johnson self-funds a documentary to “set the record straight,” pulling viewers into a world of ethically questionable coaching, performance-enhancing coverups, and misguided redemption.

Shamier Anderson (John Wick: Chapter 4, Invasion) stars as Ben Johnson, with Andrew “King Bach” Bachelor (Greenland, The Babysitter) as Johnson’s American competitor Carl Lewis. The ensemble cast includes Karen Robinson (Schitt’s Creek, Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent), Mark McKinney (Kids in the Hall, Superstore), Ennis Esmer (Blindspot, Children Ruin Everything), Malaika Hennie Hamadi (Bria Mack Gets A Life) and Kristian Bruun (The Recruit, Orphan Black).

Rounding out the supporting cast is a standout ensemble of Canadian comedic talent including Ryan Belleville (Workin’ Moms), Darryl Hinds (Second City), Lisa Horner (Kim’s Convenience), Emma Hunter (Mr. D, Letterkenny), Suresh John (Mr. D, Last Frontier), Jonathan Langdon (Trap), Gita Miller (Workin’ Moms), Andrew Phung (Kim’s Convenience), Dewshane Williams (Hello Tomorrow), Leslie Adlam (Bria Mack Gets A Life) and Arnold Pinnock (Plan B).

The miniseries also features several playful cameos, including appearances by WWE star Chelsea Green, Canadian NASCAR driver Amber Balcaen and Canadian figure skating champion Elvis Stojko.

HATE THE PLAYER: THE BEN JOHNSON STORY is produced by New Metric Media, in association with Bay Mills Studios. Executive Producers include Mark Montefiore, CEO of New Metric Media (Letterkenny, Shoresy, Children Ruin Everything) and director R.T. Thorne, alongside Shamier Anderson and Stephan James for Bay Mills Studios. Lana Maclin and Max Wolfond serve as Producer and Supervising Producer, respectively, for New Metric. The series is distributed internationally by New Metric Media.

Antler, the MICHELIN-recognized Dundas West restaurant co-founded by chef Michael Hunter and creative collaborator Jody Shapiro, officially reopens on February 11, 2026 ushering in a new chapter as it marks its ten-year anniversary.

Since opening in 2016, Antler has helped define modern Canadian cuisine through its focus on wild, foraged, and locally sourced ingredients. Now, after a brief closure and renovation, the restaurant returns with a broader, more holistic expression of Canadiana—one that reflects not only what grows, swims, and roams across the country, but also the diverse cultural perspectives shaping how Canadians cook today.

Reservations are now available via Tock HERE.

When Antler first opened, its emphasis on game meats, foraging, and hunting felt both daring and unfamiliar. The team initially kept chicken on the menu as a “safe” option—only to remove it when guests repeatedly gravitated toward the wild dishes instead.

Over the past decade, Toronto’s dining scene has evolved, and so has its appetite for curiosity. Antler became a touchstone for that shift, earning recognition from the MICHELIN Guide, appearing in Toronto Life’s Best New Restaurant lists, and receiving praise from The Globe and Mail and Toronto Star.

The Evolved Canadiana Concept
At its core, Antler’s philosophy remains unchanged. The team continues to hunt, fish, forage, and travel—bringing lived experiences and stories back into the dining room.

What has evolved is the scope. Rather than centering solely on wild game, Antler’s renewed vision embraces a wider view of Canadian abundance: seafood and freshwater fish, vegetables, and farmed ingredients sit alongside the wild. Global techniques and flavour profiles are layered in naturally, reflecting the multicultural reality of Canada today.

“Canadian cuisine, for me, is about what grows here, what’s wild, what’s farmed, and our terroir,” says Hunter. “But it’s also about how those ingredients are interpreted. Canada is diverse—and that has to be part of the story.”

About the Food Program
The updated menu is grounded in approachability, built around recognizable dishes executed with thoughtful, seasonal nuance. Plates are refined but unfussy, designed to feel generous, intentional, and distinctly Canadian.

Expect items like smoked swordfish carpaccio with lemon vinaigrette, blood orange, Granny Smith apple, mostarda, pistachio crumble, and shaved fennel, unveiled tableside, alongside whole BC rainbow trout with charred eggplant caviar, tomato water, carrot nage, and smoked pickerel crème fraîche, and Ontario bison tomahawk with buttermilk corn-dredged onion rings and game jus.

The menu will change quarterly, evolving with the seasons while leaving room for small, thoughtful adjustments along the way.

About the Cocktail Program

Antler’s bar program is led by Sudhan Sivakumaran, lead mixologist and assistant general manager, whose approach mirrors the kitchen’s ethos.

Canadian spirits take centre stage, including cocktails built around Antler Cedar Gin, developed in collaboration between the restaurant and local distillery Nickel 9. The drinks are designed to feel grounded and expressive—rooted in place, without being overly literal.

About the Wine Program

Antler’s wine program is curated by sommelier and general manager Jade White, with a strong focus on Canadian producers. These bottles sit alongside a carefully selected international list that brings balance and perspective to the menu.

The goal isn’t strict locality, but thoughtful balance—highlighting wines that pair seamlessly with the menu while telling a broader story about craftsmanship and place.

About the Space
The renovation is intentionally understated. Lighter finishes, softened textures, and subtle accents reference the outdoors without leaning rustic.
With seating for 40 guests, including 12 at the bar, Antler remains intimate and deeply rooted in its Dundas West neighbourhood, a community that has supported the restaurant through its early years, the pandemic, and beyond.

About the Team
Antler is co-founded by chef Michael Hunter and creative collaborator Jody Shapiro. Hunter leads the culinary vision, while Shapiro shapes the restaurant’s creative and conceptual direction.

Looking forward
Antler’s return arrives at a moment when Canadians are actively choosing to support local restaurants, producers, and homegrown talent. Rather than leaning into nostalgia, the reopening feels forward-looking—confident, reflective, and grounded in the present.

“After 10 years we’re excited to continue evolving what Antler represents.” says Shapiro. “It feels energizing to step into a new chapter that’s rooted in where we came from, but open to where we’re going.”

Antler officially reopens on February 11. Reservations are now available on Tock HERE.
About Antler

Antler is a MICHELIN-recognized restaurant in Toronto’s Dundas West neighbourhood, co-founded by chef Michael Hunter and creative collaborator Jody Shapiro. Known for its thoughtful approach to Canadian cuisine, Antler celebrates local, seasonal, and wild ingredients through an evolved expression of Canadiana that reflects both place and the diverse influences that define modern Canadian cuisine.

After receiving several accolades on the Festival circuit, TWO PROSECUTORS is set to open in theatres.

Selected Official Selections:
Festival De Cannes 2025 (Competition) * world premiere-winner of François Chalais Prize
Toronto International Film Festival 2025
Sarajevo Film Festival 2025
BFI London Film Festival 2025
Adelaide Film Festival 2025
Sydney Film Festival 2025
Palm Springs International Film Festival 2026

Synopsis:
Set in the Soviet Union (1937), summoned with a blood-written note smuggled out of a prison block, an idealistic state lawyer (Alexander Kuznetsov) pushes past the prison’s leery authorities to interview an elderly, broken-down Bolshevik (Aleksandr Filippenko). The young attorney, determined to expose the miscarriages of justice that landed the man in confinement, finds the eye of the state turned on him instead, as an ever-tightening net encircles his investigation. Set at the height of the great purge and drenched in the paranoia of Stalin’s police state, filmmaker Sergei Loznitsa’s latest triumph is a chilling, Kafkaesque thriller about the impunity of power and matter-of-fact horrors of fascism.

Director: Sergei Loznitsa (My Joy, In the Fog, and Donbass)
Writer: Sergei Loznitsa
Based on a story by: Georgy Demidov

Cast:
Aleksandr Kuznetsov as Kornyev
Alexander Filippenko as Stepniak & Pegleg
Anatoli Beliy as Vyshynsky
Andris Keišs as Duty assistant
Vytautas Kaniušonis as Prison governor

Editor: Danielius Kokanauskis
Cinematographer: Oleg Mutu
Composer: Christiaan Verbeek
Production Designers: Jurij Grigorovič, Aldis Meinerts

Producer: Kevin Chneiweiss
Production Company: SBS Productions – Saïd Ben Saïd

Countries: France, Germany, Netherlands, Latvia, Romania, Lithuania
Runtime: 118 minutes
Language: Russian, Ukrainian, English (with English subtitles)

Canadian Distributor: Blue Fox Entertainment Canada

U.S. Distributor: Janus Films

Note: Janus Films will be releasing the film on March 20 in the U.S. In Canada, Blue Fox Entertainment will be releasing TWO PROSECUTORS in theatres beginning on March 27, 2026.

To watch the trailer click here.

Screeners are available upon request.

About Blue Fox Entertainment Canada:

Blue Fox Entertainment Canada launched in advance of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, spearheaded by seasoned industry executives Dave Hudakoc, Ian Goggins and Michael Baker. The company has quickly established itself through the strategic acquisition of Unobstructed View Entertainment—a boutique label specializing in Blu-rays, 4K restorations, and prestige home video releases. With partners such as The Criterion Collection, Arrow Video, and Kino Lorber, Blue Fox Entertainment Canada brings cinephiles and collectors access to some of the most celebrated and hard-to-find titles in contemporary and classic cinema.

Operating in close alignment with its Los Angeles-based counterpart, Blue Fox Entertainment Canada handles all Canadian distribution for Blue Fox Entertainment, as well as other curated partnerships across the independent film landscape.

Upcoming releases include Janus Films’ TWO PROSECUTORS, directed by Sergei Loznitsa which won the François Chalais Prize at Cannes, Kirk Jones’ multiple BAFTA-winning film I SWEAR, and Sophy Romvari’s BLUE HERON winner of the TFCA Awards’ Rogers Best Canadian Film later this spring.

The trailer for “Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice” are now available to download and share. The original R-rated action-comedy from 20th Century Studios will debut March 27, 2026 streaming exclusively on Hulu on Disney+.

“Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice” stars Vince Vaughn, James Marsden, Eiza González, Keith David, Jimmy Tatro, Stephen Root, Lewis Tan, Ben Schwartz, Emily Hampshire, and Arturo Castro, and is written and directed by BenDavid Grabinski, produced by Andrew Lazar, p.g.a., and executive produced by Richard Middleton and Vanessa Humphrey. The film is a hilarious, stylized, R-rated action-comedy about two gangsters and the woman they love trying to survive the most dangerous night of their lives. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s one wild ingredient added to the mix: a time machine.

“Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice” will receive its world premiere at the SXSW Film & TV Festival 2026 on March 14. The film will screen at the historic Paramount Theatre in Austin as part of the festival’s official line-up.

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) is proud to unveil a selection of 2026 Special Award recipients, presented by the Canadian Screen Awards. This year’s honourees — maxine bailey, Hazel Mae, Mike Myers, and Mile End Kicks — will be celebrated for their enduring impact and momentous achievements during Canadian Screen Week 2026, which takes place in Toronto from Wednesday, May 27 to Sunday, May 31, 2026.

“We are thrilled to honour these exceptional recipients whose creativity, vision, and dedication continue to shape the landscape of Canadian film and television at home and on the global stage,” said Tammy Frick, CEO, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “Their remarkable achievements not only inspire the next generation of storytellers but also remind the world of the extraordinary talent and innovation that Canada contributes to the screen arts. We can’t wait to celebrate them during Canadian Screen Week 2026!”

The 2026 Special Award recipients are:

The Changemaker Award honours a Canadian media professional who is actively engaged in advancing equity and inclusion by confronting racism and discrimination, amplifying underrepresented perspectives, and working toward systemic change within the industry. This year’s award is presented to maxine bailey, a dynamic member of Toronto’s arts community who currently serves as Executive Director of the Canadian Film Centre (CFC). Previously, bailey served as the Vice-President of Advancement at TIFF where she founded Share Her Journey, a fundraising commitment to achieving gender parity both on and off screen.

The Gordon Sinclair Award for Broadcast Journalism, presented to a Canadian broadcast journalist for their exceptional body of work in broadcast journalism, is awarded to Hazel Mae. A member of the Sportsnet’s on-air talent team since 2001, Mae has brought extensive television experience and knowledge to the network’s MLB coverage. Currently a member of the Toronto Blue Jays TV broadcast crew as on-field reporter, Mae brings the sights, sounds, and entertaining player interviews alive for viewers.

The Academy Icon Award, presented to a Canadian individual or institution for their exceptional, ongoing contribution to the media industry at home or abroad, is bestowed upon Mike Myers. Myers is one of the most multi­faceted performers of his generation. As an actor, writer, and producer he has brought an astonishing array of memorable characters to life in film and television, including Wayne Campbell, Austin Powers, Dr. Evil, and Shrek. Among his many accolades, Myers has received stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and on Canada’s Walk of Fame.

The Sustainable Production Award, presented by CBC, recognizes a Canadian production that has demonstrated leadership, innovation, excellent performance, and commitment to integrating sustainable production practices. This year, the award is presented to Chandler Levack’s Mile End Kicks. For this film, sustainable practice wasn’t just operational, it was embedded in the creative and community impact of the project. Led by Eco Set Manager Mérédith Gonzalez-Bayard, Mile End Kicks modelled what meaningful environmental leadership looks like with on-screen depictions of greener behaviours, local sourcing, and strong engagement with neighbourhood businesses. They achieved measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by choosing nearby locations, eliminating idling, facilitating carpooling and active transit, and even offsetting airfare.

All of this year’s Special Award recipients will be recognized at the award presentations taking place from May 28 to May 31 during Canadian Screen Week 2026. The full listing of award categories distributed by presentation will be released on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 alongside the nominees for the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards.

For more information, visit academy.ca. For the schedule of events, visit CanadianScreenWeek.ca.

About the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television
The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is the largest non-profit professional arts organization in Canada with a membership of more than 3,500 emerging and established English and Francophone industry professionals. Founded in 1979, the Canadian Academy is dedicated to recognizing, celebrating, and advocating for Canadian talent in the film, television, and digital media sectors while remaining committed to nurturing all levels of talent through professional development, networking opportunities, and guidance that contribute to industry growth, inclusion, and mentorship. The Canadian Academy annually produces the Canadian Screen Awards, bringing together the screen-based industries to honour and celebrate the country’s top talent in Canadian film, digital media, and English-language television, as well as the Gémeaux Awards, which recognize the best in French-language television and digital media productions in Canada.

​​The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television proudly acknowledges the support of its Leading Media Partner, CBC; Premier Partner, Telefilm Canada; Platinum Partner, Bell Media; and its Lead Partners, Netflix, the Canada Media Fund, Cineplex, and the Cogeco Fund.

For information on membership and programming visit academy.ca.

North by Northeast (NXNE), Canada’s premier festival for music discovery, is thrilled to announce its return to Toronto from June 10–14, 2026, with tickets now on sale for the week-long festival. Today, NXNE also announces its first 100 confirmed artists of the over 300 acts playing NXNE. Celebrating its 31st year, the festival is set to be its most expansive edition yet, featuring over 300 artists across more than 30 iconic venues, alongside high-profile industry summits, marquee events, and new programming highlights for 2026.

The festival celebrates and puts forward the best Canadian emerging acts as well as top discovery talent from around the world, including performers from Aruba (activemirror), Australia (Teenage Joans), India (Easy Wanderlings), Germany (nothhingspecial), New Zealand (WHO SHOT SCOTT), the United Kingdom (MOA), and more.

For over three decades, NXNE has served as the heartbeat of the Canadian music scene, providing a launchpad for global superstars like Lizzo, Post Malone, Daniel Caesar, Kaytranada, and The Beaches, who first commanded the stage. The festival returns with a culturally important partnership with AMG (parent company of Billboard Canada and Rolling Stone Canada), amplifying its global reach. This year’s edition will feature artists across 30-plus venues and marquee industry gatherings, including Billboard Canada Power Players, Managers to Watch, Billboard Summit, Billboard Canada: The Stage, Billboard Canada LIVE, and the Canadian Sync Awards.

Anticipating hundreds of thousands of attendees over five days—including stages at Union Station, Billy Bishop, and Pearson Airport—and billions in media impact, NXNE 2026 will stand as a defining cultural moment where music, innovation, and community converge.

Emphasizing an artist-centric approach, NXNE prioritizes accessibility and inclusion, striving to make a lasting impact by empowering and supporting artists through meaningful connections, education, and, above all, providing a platform for performance. NXNE is resolutely focused on dismantling financial barriers for both creators and audiences. This commitment is reflected in its policy of waiving application fees, ensuring that artists receive compensation for their contributions, and maintaining a low all-access festival pass price.

Centered in the heart of Toronto’s vibrant live music scene, the festival delivers a rare moment of cultural concentration across music, design, and nightlife.

Here’s what guests can expect for NXNE 2026 with Programming:

FIRST 100 ARTISTS ANNOUNCED TODAY – We’re thrilled and proud to announce 2026’s lineup of the first 100 emerging artists – each one standing out from a pool of more than 2,000 applications. Artists from Ontario, across Canada, and around the world will play 40-minute sets with a 20-minute changeover – NXNE’s signature format – in 30+ of Toronto’s best live music venues.

NXNE ARTIST HOUSE – The Centre Social Innovation at Queen and Spadina is transformed into NXNE Artists’ House and headquarters – a welcoming space with comfortable seating and an open kitchen/bar will anchor the festival, making it a conducive meeting ground and busy hub for artists for the duration of the festival.

BILLBOARD SUMMIT AT NXNE: Taking place at TIFF Lightbox, this premiere event features masterclasses and panels with cultural innovators. Following the success of 2025’s sessions with deadmau5 and Diljit Dosanjh, the 2026 summit promises bold new perspectives on the industry.

NEXT LEVEL PANELS: A two-day intensive at TIFF Lightbox geared toward industry professionals and creators, covering everything from sync licensing and streaming to touring and songwriting.

BILLBOARD CANADA POWER PLAYERS – A high-level event celebrating the Canadian music industry’s most influential figures and leaders who are shaping the future of global music.

BILLBOARD CANADA MANAGERS TO WATCH: A celebration of the top music managers in Canada, artists, and related music industry professionals, highlighting the momentous career leaps that helped break an artist wide open in a given year, in partnership with MMF.

CANADIAN SYNC AWARDS – Celebrating excellence in music supervision across film, TV, and media – in partnership with the Guild of Music Supervisors.

“The festival grew dramatically last year, our 30th, and we intend to blast past that with an even bigger NXNE in 2026,” says Michael Hollett, NXNE President and Founder. “Band applications are up 100 per cent, we’re close to doubling our number of venues, and our secret shows and underplays will feature arena acts. There’s so much musical talent in Canada and from around the world, and we are thrilled to present the best of it, often at the very beginning of a musician’s artistic journey.”

For more information, tickets, and the full artist lineup, visit NXNE.com.

Follow NXNE: Instagram | TikTok | X / Bluesky

About NXNE:
For more than 30 years, NXNE has been the heartbeat of new music in Canada — a cultural institution that unites artists, fans, and industry leaders while shaping what comes next. More than a festival, NXNE is a platform for discovery, a launchpad for emerging talent, and a global meeting ground for the most influential voices in music and culture. Generations of artists, from The Beaches to Post Malone, The Arkells, Lizzo, Daniel Caesar and Kaytranada, first stepped onto the NXNE stage before defining their eras.

North by Northeast (NXNE) has been Canada’s leading festival of music discovery since 1995. Canadian and international stars from Billy Talent, Haviah Mighty, and Sam Roberts to Lizzo and The Lumineers all performed critical NXNE showcases early in their careers.

Originally formed in partnership with Austin’s SXSW, founder Michael Hollett continues to lead NXNE as president and CEO, along with Managing Director Barbara Hefler. The festival’s primary goal remains to showcase and support emerging musical talent from Canada and around the world while promoting Toronto’s live music scene.
www.nxne.com

About ArtsHouse Media Group (AMG):

ArtsHouse Media Group is a premier music media company and publisher producing bilingual content that resonates with audiences across Canada and beyond. As the parent company of Billboard Canada, Billboard UK, Rolling Stone Canada, Rolling Stone Quebec, Waveland Canada, Climate Library, and Arts Help, AMG collaborates with diverse creators to elevate voices and deliver compelling narratives. Through innovative storytelling and strategic partnerships, AMG connects local culture with global audiences at the forefront of the new cultural economy, redefining the media landscape.

NXNE is generously supported by FACTOR, the Government of Canada, Ontario Creates, Experience Ontario, and the City of Toronto.

Today, Prime Video announced a March 30, 2026 premiere date and revealed the official trailer and key art for Rory McIlroy: The Masters Wait, a feature-length documentary from Everyone Else, in association with Firethorn Productions, about Rory McIlroy’s winding road to his 2025 Masters victory and completing the career Grand Slam. The documentary will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

There are rare moments in sport when time seems to collapse—when years of heartbreak and longing compress into a single breath. For Rory McIlroy, that moment came on No. 18 green at Augusta National Golf Club in April of 2025. After a gripping playoff with Justin Rose, the final putt dropped, and Rory fell to his knees, gasping as though he had been holding his breath for fourteen years. Rory McIlroy: The Masters Wait captures that moment and unpacks the relentless pressure, devastating failures, and unwavering determination that made his triumph so profound—the story of a prodigy who became a champion, was knocked down year after year, and rebuilt himself into one of sport’s most resilient figures.

Rory McIlroy: The Masters Wait is centered on Rory’s battle with one of the most storied and revered golf courses in the world: Augusta National, home of the prestigious Masters Tournament. To fans, Augusta National represents golf’s ultimate cathedral—pristine fairways, blooming azaleas, with a Tournament steeped in tradition and glory. But to Rory, Augusta National became a place of fears, failures, and expectations that tormented him for fourteen years. From his devastating 2011 collapse when he blew a four-shot Sunday lead at just 21 years old, to the near misses, disappointments, and outright heartbreaks that followed, Augusta National became his nemesis—the one place that refused to yield even as he conquered the other three major championships: the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, and The Open. The Masters remained elusive, the missing piece that prevented him from completing golf’s most exclusive achievement, the career Grand Slam. Built around the dramatic final round of the 2025 Masters and unfolding hole by hole, the film is a cinematic battle between man and course, revealing why sport is never just sport, but myth played out in real time.

Directed by Drea Cooper, Rory McIlroy: The Masters Wait is an Everyone Else production, in association with Firethorn Productions. The film is produced by Dan Lindsay, TJ Martin, Zoë Morrison, and Ben Piner. Cooper also serves as executive producer.

In addition to Rory McIlroy: The Masters Wait, Prime Video will also air two additional hours of first and second round coverage of the Masters, beginning with the 2026 Tournament next month. The Masters will stream live on Prime Video from 1:00 – 3:00PM ET on Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April 10, leading into ESPN’s broadcast coverage on both days from 3:00 – 7:30 PM ET.

The Toronto Music Experience (TME) has reached a major milestone in its journey to elevate Toronto’s reputation as a world-class music city with the appointment of Neil Shankman as its first Executive Director.

Following an extensive search for a leader who embodies both the strategic rigor of a global executive and the soul of Toronto’s music scene, Shankman has been selected to guide TME into its next chapter, marking the ambition of TME from a bold visionary concept into an operational and dynamic cultural institution.

Shankman brings a unique blend of leadership experience and lived musical credibility. Over the course of his career, he has served on leadership teams at global technology innovators including Google Canada, Clio, and Wave, as well as professional services firm BDO Canada. He has also built ventures as an advertising and media entrepreneur and shared his expertise as a professor at the Schulich School of Business.

Complementing his executive background is a lifelong commitment to music. Shankman is an alumnus of the Royal Conservatory of Music and the Berklee College of Music, and has worked as a concert promoter and producer – experience that grounds his leadership in the realities of the music ecosystem TME aims to celebrate.

“Being the first Executive Director of the Toronto Music Experience is a profound honour,” said Shankman. “I am incredibly grateful to our donors and the Board for their support, which has laid the foundation for this next chapter. Our vision is bold: to create an experience and institution that moves beyond the traditional, using music as a lens to tell the vibrant story of our city’s impact on global culture, and I am eager to lead this effort.”

Shankman joins TME at a pivotal moment as the organization advances toward its goal of establishing a permanent physical destination by 2031. Under his leadership, TME will activate an ambitious 12-month Ignition Plan aligned with the Board’s North Star vision to amplify Toronto’s profile as a global music capital.

“Neil’s appointment represents more than a new hire,” said Lorna Day, Chair of TME. “It signals the evolution of the Toronto Music Experience into its next phase of growth and impact. We are deeply grateful to the many supporters who have stood by TME over the past several years as we built the foundation for this moment.”

Shankman has officially begun his role and will be connecting with members of the Toronto Music Experience community in the coming months.

About The Toronto Music Experience (TME)

The Toronto Music Experience (TME) mission is to build a bold new cultural destination dedicated to celebrating Toronto’s unique, multicultural music legacy — past, present and future. Located in an accessible downtown location, TME will preserve and showcase the city’s extraordinary music history across all genres, including jazz, blues, classical, pop, folk, rock, reggae, hip-hop, Latin, Indigenous, electronic and world music.

Through exhibitions, events, performances and educational programs, TME will honour Toronto’s musical heritage, highlight today’s artists and inspire future generations of performers, writers, creators and music industry leaders. Working in collaboration with communities across the region, TME aims to foster a deeper appreciation for the music and cultural diversity that define the city.

The Toronto Music Experience is a registered Canadian charity and a member of the Canadian Museums Association and the Ontario Museum Association.

For more information, visit www.torontomusicexperience.com.

On March 12, Little Italy’s Radici Project, located at 588 College St, will welcome MICHELIN-starred pastry chef Aiko Uchigoshi as guest chef for a special one-night dining experience. The seasonal dining experience brings together chef Emiliano Del Frate’s Global fine-dining pedigree and chef Aiko’s mastery of elegant Japanese desserts. Chef Aiko will present her desserts, crafted with specialty ingredients sourced from Japan, across both the Immersive and Essence menus. The eight-course Immersive menu featuring five savoury dishes, one petit fours from chef Emiliano, and 2 desserts from chef Aiko, will be priced at $195 (plus taxes & gratuity). The five-course Essence menu, featuring four savoury offerings from chef Emiliano and one dessert from chef Aiko, will be priced at $110 (plus taxes & gratuity), with an option to add another dessert at an extra cost. Reservations can be made for the Immersive menu HERE and Essence menu HERE.

Designed as a cross-cultural experience, the menus pair savoury courses from executive chef and co-founder Emiliano’s Italian-Japanese techniques, with Aiko’s precise, detail-driven pastry work.
Originally from Italy, chef Emiliano has trained at internationally acclaimed kitchens including DaNico, Noma, and Don Alfonso, and has played a key role in shaping fine-dining restaurants in Toronto and abroad. At Radici, he upholds sustainability while exploring the dialogue between Italian and Japanese cuisine.
Hailing from Yamaguchi, Japan, chef Aiko Uchigoshi brings more than 2 decades of impressive knowledge and experience in the art of pastry. She incorporates her mastery of Japanese flavours and French baking techniques into her breathtaking desserts and has been awarded multiple times for her skill in the sugar arts and cake craftsmanship. Chef Aiko began her career with Aburi Restaurants Canada in 2012 and was an important member of the Miku Toronto opening team when the restaurant brand expanded in 2015.

Reserve your seats now via OpenTable HERE and HERE to enjoy this special dinner!

About Aiko Uchigoshi
Chef Aiko Uchigoshi is the MICHELIN-starred Executive Pastry Chef at Aburi Hana and also leads the pastry programs at Minami Toronto, Miku Toronto, and Aburi Tora at Yorkdale. She brings over two decades of experience and a mastery of Japanese flavours to her elegantly crafted desserts, shaped by her journey from Yamaguchi to the heart of Toronto’s Aburi culinary scene. Uchigoshi has won multiple awards in sugar and cake competitions in Japan, notably securing first place for three consecutive years in a distinguished pastry competition for chefs under 23, a reflection of her refined technique and creative artistry.

About Radici Project
Radici is a contemporary Italian-Japanese restaurant located in Toronto’s Little Italy. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Chef Emiliano Del Frate and Kayo Ito, Radici offers Italian-Japanese cuisine through a seasonally evolving menu rooted in sustainable practices and the use of Canadian ingredients. The restaurant features a dual-concept layout, with a casual à la carte natural wine bar at the front and an intimate chef’s table experience at the back. With thoughtful sake and wine pairings and a serene, locally inspired space, Radici brings a new kind of storytelling to Toronto’s dining scene.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the Club House® brand is partnering with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to conjure two enchanting new products inspired by Butterbeer™, the wizarding world’s iconic flavour. The new Club House Harry Potter™ Butterbeer Finishing Sugar and Extract bring Hogsmeade’s frothy favourite straight to Muggle kitchens everywhere—no Floo Powder required.

“We’re proud to collaborate with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to share the magic of Butterbeer™ with fans across Canada,” said Traci Wildish, Vice President, Canada Consumer Sales & Marketing at McCormick & Co., Inc. “Whether it’s a sprinkle of our Club House® McCormick® Butterbeer™ Finishing Sugar or a dash of the Extract, Canadians can bring a touch of wizarding wonder to their kitchens—transforming everyday desserts and drinks into something truly spellbinding.”

The Limited-Edition Lineup Includes:

Club House® Harry Potter™ Butterbeer Finishing Sugar ($5.99 MSRP): No foolish wand-waving or silly incantations—just robust, melt-in-your-mouth, butterscotch deliciousness that adds a sprinkle of enchantment to your everyday favourites. Mix a dash or two into cookie or brownie batter to add the buttery sweetness of cooked caramel and a hint of vanilla to every bite (and maybe even earn a few extra house points from Professor McGonagall).

Club House® Harry Potter™ Butterbeer Extract ($14.99 MSRP): Reminiscent of the foam on a mug of Butterbeer™, create a captivating taste experience by adding a few drops to your favourite recipes like pancakes and cupcakes, to ice cream floats and hot chocolate. The iconic flavour is sure to provide an enchanting blend of smooth caramel and a creamy sweetness that you won’t find in wizarding textbooks
Witches, Wizards, and Muggles alike can raise their goblets to Butterbeer™ Season with Club House® Harry Potter™ products rolling out across Canada for a limited time, while supplies last. Visit www.clubhouse.ca/en-ca/harry-potter to find a local retailer and ideas on how to make recipe magic at home. Fans can also follow Club House on Instagram and TikTok for inspiration and more product news and updates.