 Hi, art lovers! | | |  | (TIFF) | | | The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival kicked off Thursday, and CBC News was at the opening night gala for John Candy: I Like Me. It’s a tribute to one of the most beloved stars to come out of this country, and the festival is curiously stacked with documentaries about the pop culture we’re proud to call our own, from Degrassi to Lilith Fair. Before the weekend, I got a handle on what’s going on with all the Canadiana. The TL;DR? Everybody wants something that reminds them of better days.
And we’ve got heaps more TIFF coverage to share. If you’re trying to score a ticket to a screening, there’s still hope for you yet. Not sure what to see? These are the movies we’d queue for all day. Plus, consider these TIFF recos for book lovers and music fans.
We’ve also been hearing from the Canadian filmmakers at TIFF. Yep, Cutaways is back, and we’ve already run essays by Tamara Faith Berger and Clement Virgo (Steal Away), Nicole Bazuin (Modern Whore), Mélanie Charbonneau (Out Standing) and Sophy Romvari (Blue Heron). Watch for more of those first-person stories as TIFF continues this week. | | | | | Because we promised you eye candy ... | | | | |  | Melissa McGill | | This is just an illustration, but later this month, the vision you see before you will be brought to life on Lake Ontario. And if you’re in the Toronto area, the Bentway is recruiting volunteers to be a part of its creation. The project is called A Lake Story and it’s being led by artist Melissa McGill. On Sept. 27 and 28, a fleet of paddlers will take to the city’s waterfront as part of a monumental, colourful happening. Find more info here. | | | | |  | Artwork: Monira Al Qadiri; Photo: Nicholas Knight/Public Art Fund, NY | | An outdoor art gallery is coming to Toronto’s new Biidaasige Park. It’s called the Lassonde Art Trail, and the opening season is scheduled to launch in September 2026. This sculpture by Monira Al Qadiri (First Sun) will be featured in the inaugural exhibition. The piece, which represents the Egyptian god Khepri, was co-commissioned by the Lassonde Art Trail and Public Art Fund. Right now, it’s on display at New York’s Central Park. | | | | |  | Erin McSavaney | | On Sept. 19, Duct Tape Gallery opens an exhibition about a distinctly West Coast subject: the Vancouver Special. Organizers have assembled 28 works inspired by these ubiquitous boxy homes. The featured artists include Ken Lum, Chairman Ting, Sandeep Johal and Erin McSavaney (pictured). | | | | |  | Brian Ricks | | | | | Take a trip to the Bonavista Biennale, where unconventional spaces are activated by contemporary art. | | | | |  | Jonny Vu | | | | | In Yellowknife, Derek Simmers and Lauren Pelc-McArthur are challenging the expectations of what northern art should look like. | | | | |  | Mihaela Bodlovic | | | | | | | Visit a Victorian séance or strap in for a white-knuckled airplane ride with Darkfield Montreal. | | | Share this newsletter | | or subscribe if this was
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I’m Leah Collins, senior writer at CBC Arts. Until next time! | | | | | |
