Music isn’t just entertainment, it’s one of the most powerful, universal forces shaping human behaviour, health, culture, and community. The Promise of Music: the First World Congress on the Social Impact of Music, will convene in Toronto from October 6 to 10, 2025 bringing together an extraordinary roster of global artists, leaders, educators, scientists, technologists and changemakers. Their shared goal? To examine how music can address some of the most urgent challenges of our time by coming together and bringing the music and ideas to Toronto.

What makes this event newsworthy isn’t just its mission, it’s the unprecedented scale and diversity of participation:

• 19 Concerts
• 560 Performers
• 75 Speakers
• 30 Forums

AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS: AR Rahman, Viggo Mortensen, Bob Ezrin, The Hon Romeo Dallaire, Gabor Maté, Chilly Gonzales, Lil Buck, The Recycled Orchestra of Catuera, Afghan National Institute of Music, Jerusalem Youth Chorus, Firdaus Orchestra, Lara Somos, Mully Children’s Family Choir, OrKidstra (Canada), Sinfonía por el Perú Youth Choir (Perú) Sistema New Brunswick Children’s Orchestra, Sistema Toronto, Social Impact Through Music-Making (SIMM), Sunshine Orchestra PLUS Over 70 Speakers including: Dr. Ahmad Naser Sarmast, Tod Machover, Jamie Bernstein, Matthew Bell, Dr. Lukas Pairon and leading international neurologists, developmental psychologists, music therapists, scientists, economists, community organizations, policy makers, educators, arts advocates, and more.

At a time when mental health crises are on the rise, The Promise of Music highlights evidence-based innovations using music. Part music festival, part conference, this incredible gathering goes far beyond performance – it’s about research, impact, and implementation at scale.

What the public will experience:

• Incredible performances from inspirational and exceptional artists and ensembles
• Access to remarkable talents making their Canadian debuts
• International voices rarely under one roof
• First-of-its-kind research and data on music’s measurable effects on health, learning, and community well-being
• Stories with human urgency and global resonance

THE COMPLETE SCHEDULE AND TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT

www.promiseofmusic.com

On September 29th, 2004, the Montreal Expos played their final home game before a grieving crowd at Olympic Stadium. For 35 years, the Expos had been more than a ballclub—they were the first Major League Baseball team to call Canada home and became part of Montreal’s heartbeat, a symbol of pride and identity for Québécois.

Generations grew up with the Expos, celebrating triumphs and enduring struggles. That final game marked the end of an era, and for many, the loss of a piece of themselves. Two decades later, the heartbreak remains, and the same question haunts the city that once dreamed in Expos blue: who’s to blame for the loss of our team?

Featuring rare archival footage and flashbacks of the Expos’ greatest moments, the documentary is equal parts sports drama, cultural love story, and gripping whodunit, unraveling the enduring mystery of how it all came to an end.

WHO KILLED THE MONTREAL EXPOS?
DIRECTOR: Jean-François Poisson
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Richard Speer, Marie-Christine Pouliot, Nick Trotta
PRODUCER: Stéphanie Thibault
LOGLINE: Twenty years after Montreal lost its beloved Expos, fans still want answers.WHO KILLED THE MONTREAL EXPOS? takes a behind-the-scenes look at the controversial decisions, setbacks, and missteps that sealed the team’s fate.

WHO KILLED THE MONTREAL EXPOS? coming to Netflix October 21, 2025.

Last night at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, Mirvish Productions opened their latest, Tell Tale Harbour which is based on The Grand Seduction by Ken Scott and co-written by Great Big Sea’s Alan Doyle (who also stars). The show is a simple story, but one that captivates the heart of the audience effortlessly, this small Atlantic Canada town is about to lose its fish plant – which is the primary way this town sustains itself. They’re offered an opportunity though, along with the other neighbouring towns – they can secure a state of the art frozen french fry factory – but one thing stands in their way – they need a resident doctor so the town bans together to try and swoon the English doctor into making Tell Tale Harbour his home.

The hilarious Musical Comedy focuses on Frank (Alan Doyle) who is determined to do everything in his power to make his little town a warm welcoming for Dr. Chris (Kale Penny) even if that means making the town seem like a slice of London. Caught in the middle of all these lies, indifferent but wanting to ensure she and her loved ones are safe but cannot partake, willingly, with the lies is Frank’s niece, Kathleen (Melissa MacKenzie) who slowly warms up to the Doctor despite her uninterest in playing with the façade. Tell Tale Harbour is hilarious, heart-warming and charming that is lifted by its wonderful Cast and an important part of the 2025/2026 Mirvish season.

Be sure to catch Alan Doyle in Tell Tale Harbour at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto before it leaves November 2, 2025. Tickets now on sale at mirvish.com.

Today we get a new Trailer for JAY KELLY, from Noah Baumbach, starring George Clooney and Adam Sandler. In select theatres November 14, 2025, on Netflix December 5, 2025.

ABOUT JAY KELLY
Director: Noah Baumbach
Writers: Noah Baumbach and Emily Mortimer
Producers: David Heyman, Amy Pascal, Noah Baumbach
Cast: George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Grace Edwards, Stacy Keach, Jim Broadbent, Patrick Wilson, Eve Hewson, Greta Gerwig, Alba Rohrwacher, Josh Hamilton, Lenny Henry, Emily Mortimer, Nicôle Lecky, Thaddea Graham, Isla Fisher, Louis Partridge, Charlie Rowe
Original Score By: Nicholas Britell
Cinematography: Linus Sandgren
Editors: Valerio Bonelli, Rachel Durance
Sound: Christopher Scarabosio
Production Designer: Mark Tildesley
Costume Designer: Jacqueline Durran
Casting By: Douglas Aibel and Nina Gold

Logline:

JAY KELLY, the new film from Academy Award nominee Noah Baumbach, follows famous movie actor, Jay Kelly (George Clooney), as he embarks on a journey of self discovery confronting both his past and present, accompanied by his devoted manager Ron (Adam Sandler). Poignant and humor filled, epic and intimate, JAY KELLY is pitched at the intersection of life’s regrets and notable glories.

tiff50 selection NOUVELLE VAGUE from Richard Linklater will debut across Canada October 31, 2025. We get a new Trailer today.

SELECTED OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Cannes Film Festival 2025
Toronto International Film Festival 2025
Atlantic International Film Festival 2025
Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival 2025
Vancouver International Film Festival 2025
New York Film Festival 2025
Telluride Film Festival 2025
Deauville American Film Festival 2025
Munich Film Festival 2025
San Sebastián International Film Festival 2025

Synopsis:
NOUVELLE VAGUE is Oscar-nominated director Richard Linklater’s love letter to the revolutionary magic of the French New Wave, reimagining the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless, which ultimately cemented Godard as a pioneer of global cinema. As critic-turned-director Godard makes and breaks the rules, a mix of fresh faces and daring talents — including Zoey Deutch as Jean Seberg, Aubry Dullin as Jean-Paul Belmondo, and Guillaume Marbeck as Godard himself — bring his spontaneous, electric film to life. Capturing the youthful dynamism and creative chaos at the heart of one of the world’s most beloved and influential movies, Nouvelle Vague transports us to the streets of 1959 Paris for an ode to the power of cinema to transform our lives.

Principal Cast:
Guillaume Marbeck (feature film debut) as Jean-Luc Godard
Zoey Deutch (The Politician, The Threesome, Set It Up) as Jean Seberg
Aubry Dullin as Jean-Paul Belmondo
Adrien Rouyard as François Truffaut
Antoine Besson as Claude Chabrol
Jodie Ruth-Forest as Suzanne Schiffman
Screenplay: Holly Gent, Vincent Palmo Jr., Michèle Halberstadt, Laetitia Masson

Country: France
Runtime: 106 minutes
Language: French (with English subtitles)

Executive Producers: Emmanuel Montamat, John Sloss
Producers: Laurent Pétin, Michèle Pétin
Canadian Distributor: Photon Films
U.S. Distributor: Netflix

ABOUT PHOTON FILMS AND MEDIA
Launched in 2010, Photon Films and Media (photonfilms.ca), formerly Pacific Northwest Pictures, is a leading Canadian entertainment company specializing in the development, financing, production and distribution of feature films for the domestic and international marketplace. With an emphasis on high quality films from leading filmmakers in diverse genres, Photon Films brings those films to consumers with innovative forms of marketing and distribution across all distribution platforms.

Recent theatrical releases include the SXSW Grand Jury and Audience Award Winner Bob Trevino Likes It from writer/director Tracie Laymon and starring Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo, Tribeca Audience Award Winner Bad Shabbos with Kyra Sedgwick, David Paymer and Method Man, and the critically acclaimed documentary One to One: John & Yoko from directors Kevin Macdonald and Sam Rice-Edwards. Upcoming films include Youngblood from director Hubert Davis and starring Blair Underwood and Ashton James, and Little Lorraine from director Andy Hines and starring Stephen Amell, Sean Astin, J Balvin, Matt Walsh, Rhys Darby and Stephen McHattie.

A new trailer for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ upcoming animated adventure “Zootopia 2” launches today and features an all-new original song, “Zoo,” performed by Shakira who returns as the voice of Zootopia’s biggest pop star, Gazelle.

In the trailer, audiences get a first look at brand-new characters and a hidden reptile population when rookie cops Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) come face-to-face with a mysterious pit viper, Gary De’Snake (voice of Academy Award®-winner Ke Huy Quan). The film is directed by the Oscar®-winning team of Disney Animation chief creative officer Jared Bush and Byron Howard and produced by Yvett Merino.

“Zoo” music and lyrics are written by Ed Sheeran, Blake Slatkin and Shakira. The song is produced by Blake Slatkin, Alex (A.C.) Castillo, Shakira and Ed Sheeran. The single “Zoo” releases on Friday, October 10. The “Zootopia 2” score is composed by Academy Award®-winner Michael Giacchino and launches as a part of the full soundtrack on Friday, November 21, ahead of the film’s theatrical release on Wednesday, November 26.

In addition to writing and producing the single “Zoo” with Shakira, Ed Sheeran and Blake Slatkin appear in “Zootopia 2” in special cameos as a pair of sheep named Ed Shearin and Baalake Lambkin.

Disney and SiriusXM will also host an exclusive first listen of “Zoo” on Disney Hits (channel 133) on Wednesday, October 8. SiriusXM’s Disney Hits will play the full song every hour through the end of the day ahead of its worldwide release on October 10.

“Zoo” will resonate with fans of the breakout anthem “Try Everything” featured in the original Oscar® winning film “Zootopia” released in 2016. “Try Everything” has been streamed 2.7 billion times worldwide to date.

The “Zootopia 2” voice cast is composed of an astounding pool of talent that also includes Andy Samberg (“Saturday Night Live”), David Strathairn (“Good Night, and Good Luck”), Macaulay Culkin (“American Horror Story”) and Brenda Song (“The Last Showgirl”) who appear as the Lynxleys, one of the most prominent families in Zootopia. Comedian Fortune Feimster (“Crushing It”) previously joined the cast as Nibbles Maplestick, an oddball beaver whose podcast explores reptile mysteries; Idris Elba (“Heads of State”) returns as Chief Bogo, the well-respected head of the Zootopia Police Department; Patrick Warburton (“The Emperor’s New Groove”) voices actor-turned-politician Mayor Brian Winddancer; Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”) stars as Dr. Fuzzby, an adorable quokka therapy animal; and Nate Torrence (“Get Smart”) reprises his role as Clawhauser, Zootopia Police Department’s charming cheetah receptionist.

Pre-Add “Zoo” Single and “Zootopia 2” Soundtrack on Apple HERE

Pre-Save “Zoo” Single and “Zootopia 2” Soundtrack on Amazon HERE

Pre-Order Special 7” Vinyl of “Zoo” Single HERE

Last night, the stars and filmmakers from 20th Century Studios’ “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere” celebrated the film at the 63^rd New York Film Festival at Alice Tully Hall. Stars Jeremy Allen White, Jeremy Strong, Stephen Graham, Odessa Young, Gaby Hoffmann, Matthew Pellicano Jr., David Krumholtz and Harrison Sloan Gilbertson attended the event alongside writer/director/producer Scott Cooper, producers Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Eric Robertson, and Scott Stuber, and executive producer Warren Zanes. They were joined by Bruce Springsteen, and his longtime manager, Jon Landau, who are portrayed in the film by White and Strong, respectively.  

After the screening, attendees of the star-studded premiere – including Anne Hathaway, Whoopi Goldberg, and Gayle King – were treated to a surprise performance by Springsteen. Cooper, the cast, and the legendary rock icon were greeted by a rapturous response from the crowd, who all stood enthralled during Springsteen’s surprise intimate performance of “Land of Hope and Dreams.”    

The film chronicles the making of Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 “Nebraska” album. Recorded on a four-track recorder in Springsteen’s New Jersey bedroom, the album marked a pivotal time in his life and is considered one of his most enduring works—a raw, haunted acoustic record populated by lost souls searching for a reason to believe.  

 “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere” releases exclusively in theatres in IMAX and premium screens everywhere October 24, 2025.   

Canada’s Walk of Fame is turning up the volume on Canada’s next big music stars, today announcing the five winners of the 13th annual RBC Emerging Musician Program, in partnership with Stingray. Celebrated as Canada’s premier platform for discovering and supporting the next generation of musical artists, the program offers career-changing mentorship, development, and performance opportunities.

Taking the spotlight this year are: Third Prize Winners John Fellner (London, ON), Braden Lam (Halifax, NS), and Andie Therio (Montreal, QC); Second Prize Winner Jennarie (Toronto, ON); and  Grand Prize Winner Annabel Oreste (Laval, QC).

“I’m so thankful to God for opening this door in my life,” said Oreste. “I feel like the wind is finally carrying me toward new horizons. I make music to empower and to remind others of their worth. I’m deeply grateful to Canada’s Walk of Fame, RBC, and Stingray for believing in me and broadening my horizons. I’m so excited to share more of my world and my music on a national scale.”

This year’s submissions poured in from across the country, underscoring the strength and diversity of Canada’s musical landscape. A panel of over 20 industry judges reviewed each entry for originality, creativity, and talent, ultimately selecting five recipients whose music spans genres from country and folk to pop and R&B.

“What excites me most about this year’s winners is the individuality and honesty in their music,” said Griffin Sokal, Director of Marketing and Emerging Musician Program Manager, Canada’s Walk of Fame. “Each are at a pivotal moment where talent and drive meet opportunity, and it’s a privilege to help amplify their artistry. Their music is raw, real, and resonant – a reminder of why championing emerging voices matters.”

“At RBC, we’re inspired by the passion and determination of these artists,” said Gayle Corcoran, Senior Director, Social Impact, RBC. “Supporting programs that help early career musicians launch, means investing in the future of culture, creativity and community. That’s why RBC has been a long-standing supporter of Canada’s Walk of Fame and is proud to champion the next generation of Canadian talent.”

“Collaborating with Canada’s Walk of Fame on this program is an incredible opportunity to spotlight homegrown voices,” said David Purdy, Chief Revenue Officer of Stingray. “We believe Canadian music deserves to be heard everywhere. Throughout October, the new Canada’s Walk of Fame channel on Stingray Music will introduce this year’s winners, past alumni, and Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductees to audiences across the country and beyond.”

This year’s Grand Prize Winner is Annabel Oreste of Laval, Quebec, a Canadian-Haitian pop and R&B artist whose music embodies empowerment, resilience, and soul. Known nationally from her run on Star Académie (2021) as Princesse Annabel, she has since built a growing audience with powerful performances and heartfelt songwriting. Her viral cover of Anita Baker’s Body and Soul has surpassed 300,000 views on YouTube, and her singles Trop Jeune—created in partnership with the youth mental health organization Jeune en Tête, where she is an ambassador—and Hero have showcased her artistry on national stages, including Honey Jam 2024 and 2025 (broadcast on CBC Music and CBC Gem). With her debut EP Lovingly set for release in 2026, Annabel is quickly emerging as one of Canada’s most exciting new voices.
Instagram: @annabelorestemusic

The Second Prize Winner is Jennarie of Toronto, Ontario, an independent artist who blends pop, R&B, and jazz into a sound that is soulful, bold, and rooted in emotional truth. Proudly queer, plus-size, and neurodivergent, she creates music that uplifts underrepresented communities and celebrates self-love. In 2024, her empowering track Never Been Small went viral in response to online body-shaming, catching the attention of SZA and Meghan Trainor, amassing millions of views, and surpassing 2 million streams on Spotify. The song was recently featured in Rosebud Baker’s 2025 Netflix comedy special The Motherlode. Jennarie has performed at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival and Pride Toronto, was selected for the RBC x MusiCounts First Up program, and has received support from FACTOR, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Chalmers Foundation.
Instagram: @jennariemusic

The Third Prize Winners:

• John Fellner (London, Ontario), a singer-songwriter who blends indie folk and R&B into a sound that is both intimate and contemporary. Starting out as a JUNO-nominated producer with over 80 million streams to his credit, John discovered a deeper resonance when writing from his own experiences. His thoughtful lyricism and emotional honesty earned him both the Aeolian Hall Songwriting Contest and Slaight Music’s It’s Your Shot Contest in 2023. With a growing presence as a performer, John is now stepping fully into his artistry, crafting songs that connect through vulnerability and depth. Instagram: @johnfellner
• Braden Lam (Halifax, Nova Scotia) blends authentic songwriting with modern indie flair, forging a 21st-century sound rooted in folk tradition. His debut album The Cloudmaker’s Cry earned praise from Billboard, Exclaim!, and Range Magazine, with the single Beautiful Neighbourhoods reaching #7 on the CBC Top 20 and placing in the Top 8 of SiriusXM’s Top of the Country program in 2025. He has performed internationally at The Great Escape (UK), Reeperbahn (Germany), and across Ireland, Scotland, the U.S., and Canada, building a reputation as one of Atlantic Canada’s most compelling young voices.
  Instagram: @bradenlamusic
• Andie Therio (Montreal, Quebec) is a singer-songwriter blending country, pop-rock, and folk into heartfelt songs drawn from her own experiences. She made her official debut in 2022 with She’s Good, a self-written EP that launched her career, followed by her first full-length album Back To You (2023), which earned airplay on SiriusXM Canada and a sold-out release show in Montréal. Since then, she has performed on major stages across Quebec, including Festival Country de Lotbinière, Lasso Montréal, and the Festival Western de St-Tite. After releasing the acoustic mini-album Home Sessions in 2025, Andie is preparing her next chapter with Nomade, the title track of her forthcoming French-language album set for 2026. Instagram: @andietherio

PRIZING DETAILS

The Grand Prize winner receives $20,000 cash, a private studio session at Metalworks Studios, and exclusive performance opportunities at Canada’s Walk of Fame events, including the 2025 Canada’s Walk of Fame Rock the Halls charity concert at El Mocambo on December 20^th, in support of Daily Bread Food Bank.

The Second Prize winner receives $10,000 cash, and each of the three Third Prize winners receives $5,000 cash.

All five winners will also receive:

• Exposure on the dedicated Canada’s Walk of Fame music channel launching this October on Stingray
• A performance at Festival du Voyageur 2026 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
• A showcase slot at Departure Fest in May 2026 in Toronto
• A creative workshop and mentorship panel at Toronto’s Arthaus
• One (1) group mentorship session with a Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductee, Allan Slaight Music Impact Honouree, or established artist
• $2,000 toward the production of a performance video
• A personalized artist page on emergingmusician.ca

For more information about the winners and to hear their music, visit emergingmusician.ca.

Canada’s Walk of Fame Socials

Instagram: @CWOFame | Twitter: @CWOFame | YouTube: @canadaswalkoffame | Facebook: @CWOFame
Emerging Musician Program Instagram: @emerging.musician
Hashtags: #CanadaThrives #EMP2025

Canada’s Walk of Fame was established in 1998 by founders Bill Ballard, Dusty Cohl and Peter Soumalias, with Dianne Schwalm and in partnership with Gary Slaight.

Canada’s Walk of Fame gratefully acknowledges the support of its 2025 Partners: Seeing Red, Cineplex Entertainment, The Slaight Family Foundation, RBC, Air Canada, MLSE, NBCUniversal, Stingray, VIA Rail Canada, The Printing House, and Roots.

Canada’s Walk of Fame is a registered charity. Charitable Registration Number 889896924RR0001.

About Stingray 
Stingray (TSX: RAY.A; RAY.B), a global music, media, and technology company, is an industry leader in TV broadcasting, streaming, radio, business services, and advertising. Stingray provides an array of global music, digital, and advertising services to enterprise brands worldwide, including audio and video channels, 97 radio stations, subscription video-on-demand content, FAST channels, karaoke products and music apps, and in-car and on-board infotainment content. Stingray Business, a division of Stingray, provides commercial solutions in music, in-store advertising solutions, digital signage, and AI-driven consumer insights and feedback. Stingray Advertising is North America’s largest retail audio advertising network, delivering digital audio messaging to more than 30,000 major retail locations. Stingray has close to 1,000 employees worldwide and reaches 540 million consumers in 160 countries. For more information, visit www.stingray.com 

Promising ten days of non-stop laughter, JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO is back finally and despite being a bit more humble this go, there are plenty of great entertainers – local and international – in-town to bring the laughter! The Festival runs September 18 to 27, 2025 and here are the names who defined the Festival! Check back daily as we add updated reviews to help in your planning!

AL MADRIGAL

Former Daily Show “Senior Latino Correspondent” Al Madrigal delivered an extended set at the Bluma Appel Theatre. He mused on the cutoff for telling your son the truth about Santa and the Tooth Fairy, when to stop pranking your “little psycho” dad on April Fools Day, and what can happen when you pound a free can of ‘Go Girl’ in Rochester. He also shared his experiences buying unlicensed piñatas for his kids’ birthdays, and how best to “jack IN” your dog. – Nicholas Porteous

RON FUNCHES

Ron Funches returned to Just For Laughs Toronto with a hilarious and contagiously gleeful set about raising his second son, going through his second divorce, and his endless internal struggle over whether he should be a good parent or ‘just eat cookies and die.’ He gave touching insight into the kind of lasting love we all deserve, before ramping into extreme detail about his visions of the Obamas’ sex life. And taking his eldest son to Wrestlemania fuels some incredible laughs at legend John Cena’s expense. Funches performed two shows at Randolph Theatre (736 Bathurst Street). Our only regret is not catching him sooner! – Nicholas Porteous

GABRIEL “FLUFFY” IGLESIAS

Toronto had the absolute honour and pleasure of having Gabriel ‘Fluffy’ Iglesias at Scotiabank Arena for one of the first stops on his 1976 Tour, which started with some openers including Matt Golighty and Martin Moreno, the latter a frequent opener and collaborator with Fluffy. After the openers, we were informed there was a signed (1/50) poster by Fluffy and a meet and greet opportunity backstage – rest assured, this is not a Diddy Party – they assured audiences.

Fluffy went on for an unprecedented two hours and went nearly 30 minutes past curfew, ensuring that everyone got their money’s worth at the show. He told us that he is being sued by singer Bobby McFerrin for $750k because his last tour was named ‘Don’t Worry Be Fluffy’ and he’s still working through it. – Justin Waldman

ZARNA GARG

Things are happening quickly for this Indian-American Queen of Comedy who not only recently opened for Tina Fey & Amy Poehler on their tour, she also starred in acclaimed 2025 film A NICE INDIAN BOY. Toronto got lucky this year to see Zarna Garg at Elgin Theatre two nights at JFL Toronto 2025, bringing her unique perspective and “Indian Auntie logic”, before the sold-out crowds, drawing big laughs from the audience. Whether she’s joking about the very specific needs of brown people versus white people, her mother-in-law or her now-adult kids’ dating lives, she promises an enlightened experience where the audience will leave the show enlightened and wiser. And wiser we are with her energetic wisdom! – Mr. Will

BRITTANY SCHMITT

On the first night of JFL Toronto, we went to the Comedy Bar on Bloor West to see Brittany Schmitt. Before her show started, she had two openers consisting of Karis Anderson and Crystal Ferrier, who both absolutely slayed and got us all amped-up for Brittany to grace the main stage. Anderson and Ferrier played to their strengths (gender stereotypes and cultural comedy), the laughter was uproarious.

Schmitt’s hilarious set consisted of a more crude and vulgar humour – but if you’ve seen her Comedy before, this is truly what is expected. If you haven’t, think a combination of the sexual jokes of Sarah Silverman and the depravity and darkness of Nikki Glaser. She delivered a 60-plus minute set that involved some crowd work, including ripping on some Gen Z audience members who thought ‘their phones were more entertaining’. The set was honest, hilarious, and dark, a name to look out for! – Justin Waldman

ABBY GOVINDAN

28-year old Abby Govindan described her completely self-inflicted viral fame in “Pushing 30”. From the day she issued a formal apology for calling people from the San Fransisco Bay area “annoying” to the extended saga when she pretended to be the creator of Emily in Paris. She also shouted out her dad’s copious use of emojis, everyone’s reluctance to publicly admit they know who Mia Khalifa is, and running into ‘Pakistani uncles’ all over the place. – Nicholas Porteous

SABRINA WU

This up-and-coming Comedian caught our eye first in the raunchy Comedy ROAD TRIP and we’ve been a huge fan since. While this isn’t Wu‘s first Just for Laughs Toronto run, we were eager to see more and they did not disappoint, back with one show at each Comedy Bar location on the west and east end of the City. Awkward sexual jokes and a blend of heartfelt personal anecdotes that explore the American-Chinese cultural conflict growing-up in the U.S. highlight the set, jampacked with supporting talent, including their coming out story to their grandma after a tragic accident! Need more Wu, who recently was seen in Apple TV+‘s MURDERBOT. – Mr. Will

JACOB BALSHIN

Things have taken off very quickly for local hero Jacob Balshin, whose viral food reels, which work both as deadpan satire and actual “influencing”. But does that translate to an actual live Comedy Show? The answer is a resounding yes! Balshin certainly knows how to bring the laughs with a range that spans from local humour, to raunchy jokes (he literally ad libbed a song about circumcision), commentary about the messed-up state of Toronto, to endearing family anecdotes. Very impressed he was able to fill his entire timeslot with polish, yet still have something for another show at a sister Comedy Bar on the opposite end of the City on a 30-minute turnaround. – Mr. Will

TODD BARRY

This veteran Comedian shone bright at Randolph Theatre, putting his mastery of crowdwork on full display. A fan in the front row taught him a new word “clown”, as in making a clown out of someone and he went to town with the word, sparing no victims in his vicinity! Barry, with his signature deadpan delivery, also amused the crowd with funny anecdotes about brushing his cat Michaeleen‘s teeth, which had the audience in stitches. – Mr. Will

CHLOE RADCLIFFE

Chloe Radcliffe has been tipped to be one of the next big breakout stars in Comedy. The New York native delivered a frenetic hour of Comedy at Comedy Bar, one of two shows, flexing her two-time national championship debate-winning skills with various audience members over what she should call her mailing list, and alternative names for Oakville. She also called out which parts of the body should be okay to stare at, jokes that are too mean to say in Canada, and why hooking up with a strange mailman is a kink unto itself. – Nicholas Porteous

PATTI HARRISON

Patti Harrison delivered an explosive, mind-bending set which morphed from jokes to heartfelt ruminations to a McDonald’s-coded powerpoint presentation, a PSA, and finally a podcast comprised of audience volunteers who “didn’t look like they wanted to do it”. She checked-in about the state of her Comedy, what defines “normal” looking people, the duality of porn and true crime, and why the venue probably didn’t trust her to have control of the lighting. She made sure at least a few people in the audience were high-fiving at the right moments. – Nicholas Porteous

COREY B

We first discovered Corey B during Covid with his food reels which made him a viral sensation. His commentaries and sometimes recipe duplications brought us great joy. Looking back, this proved a successful move, leaving audiences wanting more of his boisterous humour and quick wit and now they have a chance to see him live. Marriage jokes, a forced healthy lifestyle (after his wife overcame a terminal illness), and bidet humour highlight his act, playing at Randolph Theatre to a packed house of enthused fans who live for his bathroom humour! – Mr. Will

MARIA BAMFORD

Maria Bamford rocked the Bluma Appel Theatre on JFL Toronto 2025’s closing weekend. She brought her signature Comedy to a completely sold-out theatre, gave an audience member $20 Canadian because “the audience never gets paid for their participation”. Bamford delivered a well-rounded and great 60-odd minute set. She talked about everything from politics, briefly including apologizing for her country, doing jobs (weirdly for Grimace), and some jokes about her abode and where she resides in Los Angeles. If you’ve never seen Bamford before, check her recorded specials, she is a must-see! – Justin Waldman

DROP OUT IMPROV

Dropout Improv took over Meridian Hall and delivered a stellar evening of short form games, scenes and spontaneous songs. They explored a first date (or “big FD”) at a casino, a town hall regarding a turtle takeover (full of Torontonians with embarrassing names), and what happens when you find your old Tamagotchi in the attic—and it’s not happy to see you. They also staged a proposal at a haunted house in Niagara Falls, and spent a good chunk of the evening dissecting an unauthorized, AI-generated promo image for the show, as well as the mean comments in the group chat it inspired. – Nicholas Porteous

HIGHLIGHTS PART TWO:

More here.

(Photo/video credit: Nicholas Porteous/Justin Waldman/Mr. Will Wong)

Paul Thomas Anderson‘s ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER debuts atop the Box Office with $22.4 million from 3,635 theatres for Warner Bros. What is looking like an early frontrunner for Best Picture, this gets a stellar 97% on the Tomatometer.

In second is GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE: THE MOVIE with $13.5 million from 3,500 theatres for Universal Pictures, coming in with a solid 79% on the Tomatometer.

Third is THE CONJURING: LAST RITES with $7.5 million in its fourth weekend, a tally of $161.7 million for Warner Bros.

DEMON SLAYER: INFINITY CASTLE is in fourth with $6.4 million for Sony Pictures, a total $117 million grossed domestically.

THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 debuts with $5.2 million from 2,690 theatres for Cineplex Pictures and Lionsgate. 15% on the Tomatometer for this Horror sequel.