Author: Sophie Mitchell

London, Ont., singer-songwriter Stephen Ingram is examining the complicated relationship between identity, memory and hometown roots with “Leaving Song,” the second single from his upcoming sophomore album, “Silly Things,” due Sept. 25. The track reflects on Ingram’s move from Hamilton to London and the unexpected ease with which he established a life in his adopted city. That experience prompted the musician to reconsider why Hamilton, despite being the place where he grew up, never completely provided the sense of belonging traditionally associated with home. Following lead single “Sour Candy,” which focused on Ingram’s personal development, “Leaving Song” expands the album’s…

TORONTO — The Kensington Market Jazz Festival will return to Toronto from Sept. 18 to 20, 2026, bringing more than 100 performances to intimate venues across the neighbourhood as the artist-driven event enters its 11th year. The festival has announced its first group of participating artists, including Alex Bird, Hilario Duran, Robi Botos, Rich Brown and Jane Bunnett. Its programming will also feature book readings from Marc Jordan and Robert Priest, alongside the premiere of a new Poetry Slam event. Organizers expect the three-day festival to generate thousands of visits to Kensington Market, supporting an area that is home to…

Calgary-based five-piece Godfall is preparing to take its latest material on the road this September, announcing a four-date Western Canadian tour alongside the release of its new single, “Default.” The run will take the band through Alberta and British Columbia, including Godfall’s first performance in Kelowna. The tour begins September 19 and continues through September 27, with stops in Edmonton, Red Deer and the band’s home city of Calgary. The new single focuses on the emotional strain of repetitive routines, obligations and burnout, with the band presenting the song as a reminder to remain engaged with life rather than continually…

CBC has released the official trailer for “Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple,” a new feature documentary examining the artistry, career and enduring influence of Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. The Canadian production is an official selection of the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival and will make its world premiere in Toronto on Sept. 16 before reaching Canadian television and streaming audiences later in the month. Directed by Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn and produced by Banger Films and Elevation Pictures, the documentary brings together rare archival material, personal reflections and performances by prominent musicians to examine Peart’s distinctive approach…

KITCHENER, Ont. — Ontario singer-songwriter Kevin Westphal, known professionally as The Canuck, is turning Canadians’ frustration over rising grocery bills into country comedy with his new single, “The Food Inflation Blues,” a track that uses humour to examine the pressure food costs are putting on everyday consumers. The Kitchener musician said the idea emerged after a conversation with a grocery store manager about steadily increasing prices. Later that evening, Westphal watched a news report discussing record grocery-store profits, prompting him to turn the experience into a song. “I picked up my guitar and ‘The Food Inflation Blues’ just came out,”…

Ontario has expanded Student and Family Support Offices to all 72 school boards across the province, creating a standardized channel for parents and families to escalate education-related concerns and seek assistance when issues cannot be resolved at the school level. The province said the offices are now operating across Ontario as part of a broader effort to increase school board accountability, improve communication with families and strengthen student outcomes. Parents can find contact information for their board’s Student and Family Support Office on the board’s main website. Ontario Sets Response Timelines for Family Concerns Student and Family Support Offices are…

CALEDON, Ont. —  Ontario is moving into another major phase of Highway 413 development, launching procurement for the eastern third of the planned GTA corridor and the Highway 427 Extension while awarding a construction management contract for work that includes the Highway 410 Extension. The provincial government said the eastern-section contract will cover approximately one-third of the Highway 413 corridor. Once awarded, it is expected to become the largest infrastructure procurement ever undertaken by Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation. “In the face of President Trump’s tariffs, we’re doubling down on our plan to build so we can get people moving and…

TORONTO —  The Ontario government is moving ahead with plans to restore motor vehicle lanes on several of Toronto’s busiest streets, launching a request for proposals to examine design options while immediately beginning additional work on Bloor Street West. The provincial initiative covers sections of Bloor Street, Yonge Street, University Avenue, Queen’s Park, Queen’s Park Crescent and Avenue Road, where vehicle lanes had previously been removed to accommodate bicycle infrastructure. The move follows a recent Ontario Court of Appeal decision concerning the province’s bike lane framework. According to the government, the court unanimously determined that decisions over the design of…

CAMBRIDGE, Ont., The City of Cambridge is introducing two digital technologies aimed at streamlining development approvals and accelerating new home construction as the municipality works to expand its housing supply under the federal Housing Accelerator Fund. The city is launching Archistar, an artificial intelligence-powered planning platform, alongside Cambridge Digital Twin, a three-dimensional virtual representation of Cambridge designed to help planners, developers and residents assess proposed developments before construction begins. Municipal officials say the technologies are intended to make the development process easier to navigate, reduce application delays and support the construction of complete and connected communities as Cambridge continues to…

PETERBOROUGH, Ont. —  Peterborough Musicfest is extending its popular 50/50 fundraising program beyond the summer concert season, launching monthly off-season draws as the non-profit organization begins preparations for its milestone 40th season in 2027. The move follows a strong 39th season for the festival’s 50/50 program, which generated $120,930 in ticket sales. Half of that amount — $60,465 — was awarded as prize money to winning ticket holders, while proceeds retained by Musicfest will help support the organization’s free summer concert series. Year-Round 50/50 Builds on Strong Summer Fundraising The first off-season jackpot begins growing on September 1, allowing supporters…