Fans are invited to come out and celebrate the Canada’s Walk of Fame star unveilings of some of their latest inductees Friday, May 26, 2023 between 12:15-12:30 PM! This event will go on rain or shine!
WHAT: Canada’s Walk of Fame is rolling out the red carpet for a special ceremony to unveil 11 newly minted sidewalk stars that will permanently line Toronto’s Entertainment District. Stars for Inductees such as Keanu Reeves, Senator Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire, and Bruce Cockburn will be recognized from the Class of 2020 and 2021, along with an esteemed group of Inductees who will be in attendance to unveil their permanent place in history and share the milestone with family, friends, and fans invited to join in the public street celebration outside of Roy Thomson Hall.
As the organization celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year, Canada’s Walk of Fame has commemorated more than 200 stars to date along King Street and Simcoe Street in Toronto. In 2018, Canada’s Walk of Fame expanded its star unveilings across the country with the launch of the Hometown Stars initiative, providing future Inductees with an opportunity to celebrate their induction with a free public celebration in their hometown.
Canada’s Walk of Fame will also unveil the stars for Inductees Allan Slaight, Bruce Cockburn, Damian Warner, Keanu Reeves and Senator Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire.
More here.
On Saturday, December 3, 2022, more than 800 guests converged at Toronto’s Beanfield Centre for Canada’s Walk of Fame Gala. The jewel event of the year, celebrating Canadian excellence and achievement, welcomed stars, philanthropists and business leaders to celebrate this year’s Inductees and Honourees during an unforgettable night of tributes and performances.
“It is an honour and privilege to bring together so many extraordinary Canadians and tell powerful stories that inspire us, connect us and remind us of why we love Canada,” said Jeffrey Latimer, CEO of Canada’s Walk of Fame. The evening began with star-studded arrivals on the Red Carpet, presented by Cadillac, where 2022 Inductees and Honourees, joined by their family and friends, each unveiled their commemorative star.
Following the red carpet, guests entered the grand ballroom for the 2022 Canada’s Walk of Fame Gala. Hosted by etalk’s Traci Melchor and iHeart Radio’s Jamar McNeil, the evening kicked off with a tribute to 2022 Inductee DEBORAH COX from a medley of Canadian powerhouse artists, including Grammy Award nominees Melanie Fiona and Glenn Lewis, JUNO-nominated James Baley and beloved drag performers Tynomi Banks and Jada Shada Hudson (Canada’s Drag Race), who delivered an electrifying performance of COX’ biggest hits. In addition, Los Angeles-based legendary music producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis flew to Toronto for the first time to present the songstress with her induction.
Also joining the celebration from south of the border was acclaimed American filmmaker and producer Joel Silver (Lethal Weapon, Die Hard), who was on hand to recognize the achievements of DIRECTOR X. Comedian Ronny Chieng (The Daily Show/Crazy Rich Asians) made a special trip to Toronto to pay tribute JUST FOR LAUGHS/JUSTE POUR RIRE. During his funny and powerful speech, Chieng praised the international comedy institution for inspiring him as a child growing up in Malaysia to pursue comedy as a career. Special tributes were also received from internationally renowned comedian Kevin Hart, The Tonight Show’s host, Jimmy Fallon, and 2009 Inductee Howie Mandel made a cameo as a hologram. Accepting for Just For Laughs/Juste pour rire were Bruce Hills, president of JFL and Charles Décarie, CEO and President of JFL Group.
Additional highlights include special appearances from past Inductees Helen Shaver (2004), who presented for awardwinning actor TATIANA MASLANY and Jason Priestley (2016) shared a video message for the ‘She-Hulk’ star. Poet and author Margaret Atwood (2001) returned to honour Canada’s most recognized literary advocate, HEATHER REISMAN, who also received a very personal and heartwarming bespoke poem from Ontario Poet Laureate, Randell Adjei, and award-winning singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie (1998) recognized THE TRAGICALLY HIP for their social and environmental pursuits. In lieu of a Gala last year, some of the 2021 Inductees were also in attendance, including Jully Black, Ajay Virmani, Bob Banting and Melinda Best, who attended on behalf of the late Frederick Banting and Charles Best – researchers who co-discovered insulin over 100 years ago along with 2021 Inductees John
Macleod, and James Collip, and Graham Greene who took to the stage for a special land acknowledgement.
Peter Mansbridge, Amanda Lang and Lisa LaFlamme were there to honour legendary broadcaster BARBARA FRUM. Barbara’s children Linda Frum Former Senator of Canada, and David Frum, social and political commentator, accepted the induction on behalf of their late mother.
Olympic medalist Andre De Grasse took to the stage to acknowledge the late LIONEL CONACHER as an inspiration in his career. Also on hand to pay tribute to the greatest all-around athlete were multiple generations of Conachers, including his grandson Lionel Conacher and great-grandchild Chas Conacher who gave a moving speech about his great-grandfather’s legacy.
The 2022 Canada’s Walk of Fame Honourees were also on hand to accept their award, including this year’s National Hero Honour recipient, renewable power entrepreneur, philanthropist and steadfast supporter of Ukraine, JAMES TEMERTY, and acclaimed band ARKELLS who accepted as the 2022 Allan Slaight Music Impact Honourees.
During the gala presentation, the spotlight also recognized future great achievers from Canada’s Walk of Fame ancillary programs, including the organization’s Community Heroes, presented by MLSE and Scotiabank, environmentalist Stella Bowles (2018), humanitarian Abhayjeet Singh Sachal (2019), women’s rights advocate Aditi Sivakumar (2020), and mental health activist Rabiah Dhaliwal (2021). These young Canadians under 30 positively influence the lives of others and make a profound impact in their communities and beyond. Blind music producer, recording artist and grand prize winner of the 2022 Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program, MATTMAC stunned the audience with an original performance. The Garden Hill First Nation native was joined on stage by Indigenous youth dancers from across the country who are part of the Outside Looking In program.
Among the notable guests included former Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper, The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, one of Canada’s most iconic sports figures and 2017 Inductee, Donovan Bailey, Canadian singer-songwriter and 2018 Inductee, Andy Kim, and 2019 Inductee Gil Moore of Canadian power trio Triumph. Yuliya Kovaliv, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Canada, was also in attendance and read a special message from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to celebrate James Temerty’s National Hero Honour.
Toronto-based troubadour Donovan Woods capped off the evening’s celebration with a cover of The Tragically Hip’s “Ahead by Century.”
CELEBRATING GREATNESS: CANADA’S WALK OF FAME 2022, airs Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 7 p.m. ET on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app.
(Photo credit: George Pimentel/Canada’s Walk of Fame)
Call it a homecoming! The Cast and Crew behind LITTLE ITALY brought it all back home for a festive bash at Scotiabank Theatre tonight in Toronto! The Romantic-Comedy directed by Donald Petrie (Miss Congeniality, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days) took over the City last summer and Torontonians have been excited to see this pizza delivered!
Attending the event were Petrie himself and the Film’s stars, Emma Roberts, Hayden Christensen, Andrea Martin, Danny Aiello, Jane Seymour, Andrew Phung, Cristina Rosato, Vas Saranga, Linda Kash, Ava Preston and Nicky Cappella. Producer Vinay Virmani (also a Co-Writer) also was in attendance, as was 6Dad Norm Kelly, Olympian Donovan Bailey and Jaleel White, known best for his iconic role as Steve Urkel in ABC Series Family Matters.
Little Italy centers on a couple who must deal with their feuding, pizza restauranteur families. The Film was show and is set in Toronto.
Our Team had the pleasure of being a part of the fun and in ways it was like seeing a nephew or niece grow-up. We had the joy of visiting the set last summer and it was a blast. We even shared pizza with Roberts! More here.
We ask Director Donald Petrie what makes Little Italy‘s love story so great. He tells us, “This isn’t a singular love story. A lot of the audience are gonna look at the poster and go ‘I know the ending! These two get together!’. And they’re right, they do! But there are a lot of surprise love stories along the way that they don’t know. It’s all about the journey and that’s what makes Little Italy great”.
Emma Roberts
Hayden Christensen with Roberts and also his Nonna
Jane Seymour
Vinay Virmani
Nicky Romero x Ava Preston (they play the younger versions of Christensen x Roberts)
Danny Aiello
Amrit Kaur
Andrew Phung
eOne Films x Mr. Will are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see the delightful Romantic-Comedy, LITTLE ITALY, filmed right here in Toronto!
Screenings take place as follows:
Wednesday, August 22, 2018 7 PM – Toronto
Thursday, August 23, 2018 7 PM – Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Halifax and Victoria.
Please note: the Toronto screening is a World Premiere.
Synopsis:
15 years ago, best friends SAL and VINCE, makers of Little Italy’s most storied pizza, had an ugly spat and set up rival pizzerias. Today, their “Pizza Wars” rage on. Sal and Vince divide their time between sabotaging each other’s business and trading insults at the local bar. But not everyone wants war. Sal’s daughter NIKKI (Emma Roberts) (25), and Vince‘s son LEO (Hayden Christensen) (26), have fallen in love. So have Sal’s mother FRANCA (Andrea Martin) and Vince’s father CARLO (Danny Aiello). When Franca and Carlo announce their wedding, Nikki and Leo‘s secret also spills out into the open. Sal and Vince can take it no more. They lay a wager-“Team Sal” will face “Team Vince” in a pizza cookout where the loser leaves Little Italy for good. Sal and Vince succeed in pitting their children against each other. Tempers are raging hotter than wood fired pizza ovens. Little Italy is now a war zone. Who will the winner be? Team Sal or Team Vince? And what of the two couples? Will their love become the victim, or emerge victorious in this ridiculously epic food feud?
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate for us there your City. Also you may click “share” from there for an extra chance. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!
eOne Films release LITTLE ITALY Friday, August 24, 2018.🍕
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
We’ve waited so long for this and are so stoked finally to see the official Trailer for Toronto-shot and set LITTLE ITALY!
Synopsis:
A young couple must navigate a blossoming romance, amidst a war between their families’ competing pizza restaurants.
LITTLE ITALY stars Danny Aiello, Andrea Martin, Jane Seymour, Alyssa Milano, Hayden Christensen and Emma Roberts! Pauline Dhillon and Ajay Virmani produce the Romantic-Comedy.
See the Trailer:
Official Artwork:
We were invited to the set last spring and want to remind you of this delicious tidbit! 🍕
eOne Films release LITTLE ITALY on Friday, August 24, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
Think Romeo & Juliet… meets pizza! Those of us who saw 2014’s entertaining Toronto-made Dr. Cabbie will be thrilled to know that our friend Vinay Virmani is back again, this time as Co-Writer and Producer of LITTLE ITALY. The Rom-Com currently in production in Toronto, has taken over its namesake district these past couple weeks and suffice it to say, we can’t wait till it’s delivered! If all the buzz on publications like Just Jared, US Weekly and The Daily Mail is any indication, you are too! 🍕
Little Italy centers on two dueling pizza shops, Vince’s and Sal’s, the families that own them and a blossoming romance between Nikki (Emma Roberts) and Leo (Hayden Christensen), whose families own the competing restaurants. It is impossible not to chuckle at the signage on-set. Vince’s claims to be the best. Sal’s? It’s even better! There’s also a chalkboard sign greeting you at the door to remind you this in case you even think about going to Vince’s.
Donald Petrie (Miss Congeniality, Grumpy Old Men, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days) directs the Film, while Producers are Pauline Dhillon, Ajay Virmani and Vinay Virmani. The Film’s cast features several familiar faces including Danny Aiello, Alyssa Milano, Andrea Martin, Gary Basaraba, Adam Ferrara, Jane Seymour and more!
We had the pleasure of popping by the set to say “hi” on a couple occasions while it filmed on College St. at a showroom space transformed into the two central pizza shops for the shoot. While it filmed quietly and non-intrusively among the downtown bustle, fans would queue hours across the road with great anticipation for a taste of that star power.
We loved seeing again Christensen, whom we honestly can say is channeling full-on Italian here and this Film is him as we’ve never seen him before, having built a diverse and accomplished résumé over the years. He was just beginning a long day of work when we saw him and he was so gracious to stop for a minute to chat. Perusing Instagram, he has been more than accommodating to his still very ardent fans who were visiting the set daily.
Roberts also has been very giving too to fans and we were thrilled to have a quick minute to chat and goof around. We are a huge fan, especially in some of her more recent work like Scream Queens, The Blackcoat’s Daughter and Nerve, and we also follow her’s and partner Karah Preiss‘ awesome reading Blog, Belletrist.
And did you know that Alyssa Milano also stars in Little Italy? She was a vision sporting some super-vibrant colours and she’s just as awesome as we remember her back in 2010 when she made Sundays at Tiffany’s here in the City. She reminded fans that she will be doing a baseball-related signing next weekend here in Toronto. Follow her Instagram for more here.
Virmani, in perhaps his most ambitious challenge to date, tells us the Film wraps later this month and gave us a sincere thanks for our support and we promise to be there when Little Italy sees its release! We hope you’re just as excited as us about this one.
The Cast of Little Italy say ‘cheese’🍕!
So much fun with this girl earlier on the set of #LittleItaly! 🍕 #EmmaRoberts
A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
With #AdamFerrara on the set of #LittleItaly. You might remember him from #NurseJackie and #TopGear?
A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
… and this Boomerang was every topping on the menu and then some!
p.s. She was eating a Margherita.
eOne Films will release Little Italy, out 2018.
Follow Little Italy on Social Media:
🍕🍕🍕
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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