Before Bruce Lee, there was Ip Man. Wing Chun Dance Drama, the critically lauded show, brings to the stage the life of this prestigious grandmaster, recounting his influence on the martial art form of Wing Chun, from its more than 300-year-old origins in Southern China, to global popularity, and his famous student Bruce Lee.

TO Live, ADEM Company Inc., and Canada China Cultural Development Association proudly present the North American premiere of Wing Chun Dance Drama, the multi award-winning show that has sparked a phenomenon in China, for a limited run from December 16, 2025, to January 4, 2026, at Meridian Hall.

Created in 2022 by the acclaimed Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre, Wing Chun Dance Drama is produced by the International Cultural Exchange Association Shenzhen and China Culture, Tourism, Sports, Radio & Television Bureau of Shenzhen China.

A pulse-pounding blend of acrobatic dance, precision martial arts, and cinematic staging with breathtaking visuals, this acclaimed production with a unique Eastern aesthetic, seamlessly integrates Wing Chun, Tai Chi, Baguazhang, Bajiquan, and Praying Mantis Boxing. It has been hailed by critics worldwide for its brilliant fight scenes, outstanding cast and intricate design elements.

“TO Live is thrilled to present Wing Chun Dance Drama this holiday season as part of our year-round dance series. It’s a spectacular production that families can enjoy together—full of beauty, incredible energy, with masterful storytelling and choreography,” said Clyde Wagner, president and CEO of TO Live. “When I first experienced Wing Chun Dance Dramain China, I was amazed by its artistry and the way it blends martial arts and dance into something truly unforgettable. Bringing acclaimed international works like this to Toronto is central to TO Live’s mission, and we look forward to sharing even more extraordinary productions with audiences in 2026.”

Wing Chun Dance Drama features two gripping, inter-woven tales about the relentless pursuit of dreams: the first, set in 1950s Hong Kong, traces the journey of Ip Man, the legendary grandmaster of martial art Wing Chun, and mentor to Bruce Lee. It chronicles his struggles and triumphs as he champions Chinese martial arts and the philosophy that true strength lies in stopping fights, not starting them. The second narrative follows Dachun, a lighting technician with a 1990s film crew, as they work to capture Ip Man’s story, preserving his indomitable spirit for generations to come.

The story features Chang Hongji, principal dancer of the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre and Gold Medal Winner at the 2024 Seoul International Dance Competition, as Ip Man. Acclaimed choreographers Han Zhen and Zhou Liyahave had their dance dramas staged at renowned venues such as the Sydney Opera House, the UN Headquarters and the Kennedy Center.

Wing Chun Dance Drama will take place at Meridian Hall, 1 Front Street East in Toronto from December 16, 2025, to January 4, 2026. Tickets range from $55.50-$159.50 (additional fees may apply) and are on sale now via tolive.com, by phone at 416-366-7723 and 1-800-708-6754, and in person at the Meridian Hall and Meridian Arts Centre box offices.

Wing Chun Dance Drama is recommended for audiences eight years old and above. Run time is 132 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.

For more information, please visit www.wingchundancedrama.com and follow the production on social: Facebook (@WingChunDanceDrama, @TOLive, @ADEMCompanyInc); Instagram (@WingChunDanceDrama, @TOLiveGram, @ADEMCompanyInc); Threads (@TOLiveGram); X (@TOLiveTweets); and TikTok (@TOLiveTok).

About TO Live

TO Live is one of Canada’s largest multi-arts organizations, operating three iconic venues: Meridian Hall, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, and Meridian Arts Centre. In addition, TO Live presents a full range of performing arts, theatrical, and concert events at these venues in both downtown and uptown Toronto. With these two hubs of creativity and content creation, TO Live has a unique place and perspective to activate creative spaces by inspiring local and international artists, connecting audiences, stimulating new ideas, and elevating artistic potential, becoming a catalyst for creative expression that is reflective of Toronto’s diversity.

About Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre

The Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre was established in 2018. It includes an opera troupe, a dance troupe, and a choir, with a total of 140 members. The theatre is primarily focused on creating and performing operas and dance dramas, along with providing public cultural services and fostering cultural exchange. Aiming to blend Chinese style with contemporary trends and an international perspective, the theatre seeks to become a respected art institution in China. It produces both classical and modern works, telling Chinese stories while preserving traditional culture. Since its founding, the theatre has created several original works, including the opera Daughter of the Earth, The Pioneer, the contemporary dance drama Dream Chaser, and the dance drama Wing Chun. The theatre has also participated in significant events, such as the Shenzhen segment of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony.

About ADEM Company Inc.

Founded in 2013, ADEM began as a North American pioneer in event planning, media promotion, and brand marketing for cultural performances. Over the past decade, the company has grown into a globally focused entertainment powerhouse, specializing in cross-border productions and audience engagement. In 2020, ADEM expanded into Asia, establishing regional headquarters in China and Singapore to strengthen cultural exchange and internal collaboration. Today, the network spans key markets including Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea, supported by long-term partnerships with local promoters, media organizations, and government agencies. For more information, please visit: www.ADEM.company.

VICTORIA BECKHAM, a three-part documentary series, gives all of us a front row seat as Victoria prepares for the fashion show of her life. From the teenager who restyled her school uniform, to the Spice Girl who fought to be accepted by a notoriously demanding fashion industry, Victoria Beckham is the story of resilience, reinvention and self-discovery.

From the makers of the Emmy award-winning BECKHAM and the award-winning director of Michelle Obama’s Becoming.

About VICTORIA BECKHAM

Launch date: October 9, 2025
Series: 3 episodes
Production Companies: Studio 99 and Dorothy Street
Director: Nadia Hallgren
Director of Photography: Thorsten Thielow, Patrick Smith, Daniel Carter
Producers: Billie Shepherd
Series Producer: Sophie Todd
Executive Producers: Nicola Howson, Julia Nottingham, Anders Christian Madsen, Nadia Hallgren
Editors: Holly Lubbock, Betsy Kagen, Greg O’Toole, Alec Rossiter, Simon Barker

Gen V Season 2 arrives 9.17.25 only on Prime Video Canada, and star, Vancouver native, Maddie Phillips came to celebrate at its Toronto Premiere, with Q&A moderated by The Movie Podcast, reception and screening hosted by The Royal and Birreria Volo.

Phillips, sporting gorgeous pink locks, is back as Cate this season where we see her being celebrated as a hero, all while a war between the Supes and Humans are looming in the background, under the iron fist rule of Homelander.

Some highlights from the night, including delicious bites at Birreria Volo:

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video Canada/Shawn Goldberg/Mr. Will Wong)

½ PRICE SUSHI + SAPPORO at The Drake is here!
Your Tuesdays just got better. Every Tuesday from 4–10PM, enjoy half-price sushi, half-price Sapporo — perfect for a night out with friends or a midweek treat. Come for The Drake’s famous rolls, stay for the vibes!

This is a low-pressure, high-flavour night out perfect for sharing with friends or turning “just one roll” into three. Half-price. Full flavour. Consider this your midweek roll call.

Don’t forget to check-out their Rooftop Terrace!

Key Details: 

• Tuesdays, 4–10PM 

• Half-price sushi rolls 

• Half-price Sapporo 

Plan your visit now!

Hot off its tiff50 Premiere, all episodes of RISE OF THE RAVEN are available on CBC Gem beginning Friday September 19, 2025, following its sold-out North American Premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival.

A Robert Lantos Production

Synopsis:

The lifelong attempt of fearless army commander János Hunyadi to defend Europe against an Ottoman invasion. Torn between family and duty, he re-shapes the history of the continent against geopolitical intrigues within his own ranks.

(Photo credit: The Orbital Strangers Project)

Paul Feig is back with a stellar cast in THE HOUSEMAID. Today we get new character posters for this Cineplex Pictures release, coming to us December 19, 2025.

Directed by: Paul Feig
Based on the Novel by: Freida McFadden
Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Sydney Sweeney, Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone
Synopsis: THE HOUSEMAID is a wildly entertaining thriller starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, based on the best-selling book. From director Paul Feig, the film plunges audiences into a twisted world where perfection is an illusion, and nothing is as it seems. Trying to escape her past, Millie (Sweeney) accepts a job as a live-in housemaid for the wealthy Nina (Seyfried) and Andrew Winchester (Brandon Sklenar). But what begins as a dream job quickly unravels into something far more dangerous — a sexy, seductive game of secrets, scandal, and power. Behind the Winchesters’ closed doors lies a world of shocking twists that will leave you guessing until the very end.

Lionsgate presents, in association with Media Capital Technologies, a Hidden Pictures / Pretty Dangerous Pictures production. Based on the book by Freida McFadden. Screenplay by Rebecca Sonnenshine. Directed by Paul Feig.

About Cineplex Pictures
Cineplex Pictures, a division of Cineplex, is a distributor of a wide range of genre films. Recent titles include Flight Risk, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Strangers: Chapter 1, The Queen of My Dreams, The Boy and the Heron, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, SAW X, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, and John Wick: Chapter 4.

Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner and UofT Hart House are putting on a festive night market in celebration of it!

Here are the details:

Event: Hart House Mid-Autumn Festival Market

Experience an enchanting Mid-Autumn Festival celebration! Enjoy cultural performances, delicious mooncakes and many other amazing food vendors, family activities and lots of fun instagrammable activations, and a bustling marketplace of over 30 local vendors under the glow of the full harvest moon.

Date: Thursday, Oct 2, 2025
Time: 3 pm – 9 pm
Location: Hart House, University of Toronto, St. George Campus (Great Hall, RM 1022, The Quad)

Link to tickets

Pricing:
UofT Students, Hart House Staff – $5
Alumni / UofT Staff – $10
General: $15
Group (4-6 guests) – $35
Children (8 & under) – free

Today, HGTV announced a nationwide call for Canadians to show their small-town pride and nominate their community to be featured in the new Canadian original series Home Town Takeover Canada, set to premiere on HGTV and stream on Citytv+ in fall 2026/winter 2027.

Beginning today, Canadians can visit hometowntakeovercanada.ca to share why their town is deserving of this life-changing makeover.

Previously announced as part of Rogers Sports & Media’s slate of new Canadian original unscripted series for HGTV, Home Town Takeover Canada is the first expansion of the popular U.S. “Home Town Takeover” franchise.

Home Town Takeover Canada is on a mission to spark a nationwide small town revitalization movement, starting with one special town. Inspired by the success of three seasons in the U.S., the new Canadian series will shine a light on a Canadian small town facing real challenges and give it the boost it needs to get back on its feet.

“We’re excited to celebrate and showcase the resilience, heart and deep sense of community rooted in small towns across our country,” said Kale Stockwell, Head of Original Programming, Rogers Sports & Media. “Home Town Takeover Canada will not only revitalize one special town but also share the stories of the people who make the selected town so unique.”

Home Town Takeover Canada will see support from HGTV stars Ben and Erin Napier (Home Town, Home Town Takeover) along with fellow Canadian designers and builders all contributing to make a big impact.

HGTV is looking for a Canadian small town that has a population of 20,000 or fewer and is asking for submissions to include photos and videos of the areas in the community that need the most love, whether it be public parks, main streets, gathering places or changemakers’ homes.

Home Town Takeover Canada is produced by RTR Media and will begin production in 2026. Selected location, host and broadcast details to be announced in the coming months.

About Rogers Sports & Media

Rogers Sports & Media is a diverse sports and content company that engages more than 30 million Canadians monthly. The company’s dynamic portfolio of media assets includes more than 50 radio stations, 67 community TV channels, 31 conventional and specialty television channels and more. Rogers Sports & Media delivers unique storytelling through its range of powerful brands: HGTV, Food Network, Bravo, Citytv, Citytv+, Discovery, ID, OMNI Television, FX, Breakfast Television, 98.1 CHFI, KiSS, CityNews and Sportsnet – Canada’s #1 sports network. Rogers Sports & Media is a subsidiary of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX, NYSE: RCI). Visit rogerssportsandmedia.com.

Tickets are now available for the start of the seminars and events at the first annual Toronto Cocktail Festival, taking place across the city from October 22 to 26, 2025. More seminars and events are scheduled to follow in the coming weeks. Watch https://www.thealchemistmagazine.ca/tcf/

Presented by The Alchemist magazine, the festival offers a week of immersive experiences that highlight both the artistry and innovation of cocktail culture. More than just a celebration of cocktails, it’s a destination event that aims to showcase Toronto’s award-winning bartenders, chefs, and brand ambassadors.

At the heart of the festival are its two signature gatherings. THE MAIN TCF EVENT: The Gala of Cocktails takes place on October 24 at Water Works. It will be a glamorous evening featuring more than two dozen cocktail stations, DJ, and a gourmet bar bite plate station, hosted by bartenders and brand ambassadors from the city and around the world.

Also headlining the week is the Neighbourhood Cocktail Crawl, a guided exploration of Toronto’s vibrant bar scene. Each cocktail crawl spans three neighbourhoods, with three featured bars per route. At every stop, guests will be welcomed by a brand ambassador, while bar teams serve a signature cocktail paired with a curated bite. It’s a fun, sip-and-stroll experience showcasing the city’s cocktail creativity, block by block.

The festival concludes on October 26 with the Closing Cocktail Brunch at Reign Restaurant & Bar in the Fairmont Royal York. This lively, gourmet 5-course finale brings imbibers together over inventive brunch cocktails and celebratory fare.

The seminar series introduces guests to some of the most engaging voices in the industry. In The World of Liquid Transformations, Massimo Zitti, the 2022 World Class Bartender of the Year and founder of Mother Cocktail Bar, will guide an in-depth exploration of fermentation and its role in sustainable cocktail programs. Meanwhile, Alex Black’s session, The New Wave of Baijiu, will explore the history and offer a rare opportunity to discover one of the world’s oldest spirits and its new place in modern cocktail culture. Both speakers will be available for media interviews.

Or, step behind the bar at Bar XXX for this Classic Martini Seminar, presented by Tanqueray and led by the one-of-a-kind H. Equal parts education and entertainment, this session takes the martini off its pedestal and explores its many personalities: crisp, dirty, dry, or just plain unexpected. Guests will taste three martinis, each paired with a playful amuse bouche, while H shares stories, techniques, and a few surprises along the way. Come ready to sip, snack, and see the martini in a whole new light.

Beyond the seminars, Toronto Cocktail Festival’s event program offers distinctive experiences that showcase Toronto’s dynamic cocktail scene. Step into No Vacancy for Understanding Umeshu– this multi-course experience spotlights the versatility of Choya Umeshu, from bright highballs to bold, spirit-forward cocktails, each paired with inventive Japanese bites. Expect flavour combinations that range from delicate and refreshing to rich, playful, and unexpected, showcasing why umeshu is more than a liqueur; it’s a canvas for creativity. A night of balance, surprise, and exploration, designed for those who love discovery in every sip and bite. Hosted by CHOYA Brand Representative, Shotaro Ozawa and GM and Beverage Director of No Vacancy, Troy Gilchrist.

The Toronto Cocktail Festival proudly supports the hospitality sector by donating a portion of its proceeds to Mind The Bar, a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to mental health.

We recently attended a preview of what to expect:

Toronto’s nightlife is about to change. On Friday September 26, 2025, FYE Ultraclub will open as Canada’s first burlesque inspired ultraclub – a brand-new concept unlike anything Toronto has seen. This sophisticated, high-energy venue is built around world-class burlesque performances, immersive acts, and international DJs.

FYE is located at 7 Saskatchewan Road, Canadian National Exhibition grounds.

With performances on the hour, every hour, FYE offers a nightlife experience that constantly evolves throughout the night, blending elevated service, globally inspired small plates, and striking design with entertainment unfolding all around you.

What to expect at FYE:

-Show-stopping performances throughout the night, from burlesque and aerial acts to unexpected tableside surprises

-Globally inspired small plates by Chef Robert Rainford, paired with signature cocktails

-International DJs rotating throughout the year

More to come! More here.