Author: Sophie Mitchell

Original Lullabies Take Centre Stage at Allied Music Centre TORONTO — The Lullaby Project Celebration Concert returned to the Allied Music Centre Theatre on June 13, bringing together families, artists, and community organizations for an evening that showcased the power of music to strengthen family bonds and support new parents. The annual event featured 11 original lullabies, each created through collaborations between participating parents and professional artists. The songs were performed live for the first time, marking a significant milestone for families involved in the program. Parents and children from community partners Jessie’s Centre, Birth Mark, and University Health Network…

Alberta craft distillery secures Best Canadian London Dry Gin title and places among the world’s top five young spirits Alberta-based Anohka Distillery has strengthened its position on the international spirits stage after receiving major honours at two of the industry’s most respected global competitions. The family-owned craft distillery announced that its Tempest Dry Gin was named Best Canadian London Dry Gin at the 2026 World Gin Awards, while its This Is Not Whisky Alberta Single Malt Spirit was recognized as a Global Finalist among the top five New Make and Young Spirits in the world at the 2026 World Whiskies…

Coroner’s Office to Examine Circumstances Surrounding 2020 Death Following Interaction with Toronto Police TORONTO — Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner has announced that a mandatory inquest will be held into the death of Sam Mirza, a 30-year-old man who died following an interaction with officers from the Toronto Police Service in 2020. The announcement was made by Dr. Jennifer M. Dmetrichuk, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Toronto East Region, who confirmed that the inquest will proceed under the requirements of Ontario’s Coroners Act. Mr. Mirza died on April 30, 2020, after an encounter with Toronto Police Service officers earlier…

Funding will enhance visitor experience, preserve a national landmark and support tourism growth in Northwestern Ontario THUNDER BAY, Ont. — The Ontario government is investing $319,423 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to revitalize the Terry Fox Monument and Visitor Centre in Thunder Bay, a landmark that commemorates one of Canada’s most enduring symbols of courage, perseverance and hope. The funding will support a series of upgrades to the visitor centre, surrounding grounds and the monument itself, helping preserve the site while improving accessibility, safety and the overall visitor experience. Provincial officials say the project aligns with Ontario’s…

Toronto punk rock band unveils title track from upcoming record, marking a new chapter after more than a decade on the road Toronto punk outfit Doghouse Rose has released “Born To Break Even,” the lead single and title track from its forthcoming album, offering listeners an energetic preview of a record the band describes as its most emotionally ambitious work to date. The single became publicly available on June 19 and serves as the first release from Born To Break Even, the group’s new album scheduled for release on July 31 through Stomp Records. Drawing on influences from melodic skate…

Toronto indie rock outfit The Get Alongs are marking a new chapter in their career with the release of Second To None, the band’s second full-length album, available June 19, 2026 through Having Fun and We Are Busy Bodies. The record arrives after nearly a decade of steady growth for the four-piece band, which has built its reputation through extensive live performances, independent releases, and a grassroots following within Toronto’s music community. Drawing influence from garage rock, power pop, jangle rock and 1990s alternative music, Second To None expands on the sound that helped establish the group while introducing a…

Award-Nominated Canadian Folk Artist Pays Tribute to the Teacher Who Helped Shape Her Musical Journey Canadian folk artist Irish Millie has released “Allison,” a heartfelt new single that pays tribute to the late fiddle teacher who introduced her to music and helped lay the foundation for a rapidly rising career that has earned national recognition and international opportunities. The song, which opens her acclaimed EP Between Then and Now, reflects on the influence of Sally Pirie, the Peterborough, Ont.-based fiddle instructor who first placed an instrument in Irish Millie’s hands when she was six years old. Built around a delicate…

Montréal artist explores lasting commitment and emotional security in a warm, reflective new single Montréal singer-songwriter Silka Weil has released “Forever,” a new single that offers listeners a softer and more relaxed side of her songwriting as she prepares for the launch of her second EP, Midnight Blue, scheduled for release on July 3, 2026. The track marks a departure from the emotional tension and yearning that characterized some of Weil’s recent work. Instead, “Forever” embraces comfort, stability, and the quiet confidence that comes with enduring commitment. Built around a warm and easy-listening sound, the song reflects on the lasting…

City Proclaims June 2026 Black Music Month Amid Growing Recognition of Black Canadian Music History Toronto’s celebrated Little Jamaica Music History Walking Tour is returning for an expanded 2026 season, offering residents and visitors an immersive look into one of Canada’s most influential cultural districts while coinciding with the City of Toronto’s proclamation of June 2026 as Black Music Month. Presented by the Canada Black Music Archives (CBMA), the audiovisual walking tour will run from May 17 through October 18, featuring additional dates, new locations along the route, and private booking options following a sold-out inaugural season that attracted strong…

Lead single from ‘Fell in Love in My Hometown’ highlights the Ontario singer-songwriter’s blend of country, folk and Americana influences Oshawa-based singer-songwriter Bedford Bells has unveiled “Hands at Midnight,” the lead single from his debut full-length album Fell in Love in My Hometown, offering listeners an intimate introduction to a record deeply rooted in themes of love, memory and hometown identity. Bedford Bells is the solo project of Jeff Adams, a multi-instrumentalist whose songwriting draws from country, Americana, folk and acoustic traditions. The newly released single stands out as one of the album’s most emotionally charged and sensual moments, pairing…