smg2_entertainment

4 new historical fiction books celebrate women’s bravery and intellect

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4 new historical fiction books celebrate women’s bravery and intellect

Acts of Love and War Maggie Brookes Viking Canada, 416 pages, $24.00 During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) over fifty thousand men and women volunteer to fight with the International Brigades and to provide humanitarian aid to refugees in support of democracy and to push back against fascism. Protagonist Lucy Nicholson and her Hertfordshire childhood … Read more

Interview: Ben Macintyre on spy book ‘Prisoners of the Castle’

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Interview: Ben Macintyre on spy book ‘Prisoners of the Castle’

“Lying is a very difficult thing to do,” says Ben Macintyre. He, perhaps better than most, should know. Over the course of a career now entering its fourth decade, the British author has carved out a successful and lucrative niche for himself writing about people who lie for a living: spies. The realm of espionage, … Read more

Hamilton author Jamie Tennant releases second novel

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Hamilton author Jamie Tennant releases second novel

Jamie Tennant has a thing about hideous folkloric goblins who sometimes eat children, but, nonetheless, have a knack for insightful conversation. Once you get to know them, it’s hard not to like them. The Hamilton writer’s debut novel “Captain of Kinnoull Hill” featured a mythical elfish beast named Eddie, who haunted an old Scottish castle. … Read more

This ‘Jaws’ play didn’t need a bigger theatre

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This ‘Jaws’ play didn’t need a bigger theatre

The Shark is Broken By Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, directed by Guy Masterson. Until Nov. 6 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W. mirvish.com/shows/the-shark-is-broken or 800-461-3333. They didn’t need a bigger theatre. This behind-the-scenes dramedy about the making of the film “Jaws” originated in UK Fringe festivals, with an approximately hour-long running … Read more

Rare Neil Young tape found in Hamilton vintage music shop

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Rare Neil Young tape found in Hamilton vintage music shop

Someone with a “Heart of Gold” has donated a one-of-a-kind tape to a local store. The year was 1973 when Neil Young performed at McMaster and a student, who does not want to be identified, sneaked a tape recorder into the concert. This week, a local vintage music and movie store went viral on TikTok … Read more

Review: Wayne Johnston’s Newfoundland memoir “Jennie’s Boy”

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Review: Wayne Johnston’s Newfoundland memoir “Jennie’s Boy”

“Jennie’s Boy,” the stunning new memoir from Newfoundland writer Wayne Johnston, begins with the Johnston family once again in motion, having been evicted from another short-lived home in St. John’s (referred to largely as “town”) and forced to return to their hometown, the Goulds, “back to where we came from with our tails between our … Read more

Telling Tales literary festival a hit despite the rain

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Telling Tales literary festival a hit despite the rain

Nothing could have dampened the mood of young readers at children’s literary festival over the weekend, not even a very rainy Sunday. Dozens of children showed up to Royal Botanical Gardens’ Hendrie Park in full rain gear eager to meet their favourite authors. Author Lawrence Hill, one the headlining authors at the festival was glad … Read more

Songwriters to be honoured at Massey Hall Saturday

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Songwriters to be honoured at Massey Hall Saturday

When it comes to music, it all starts with the song. That may seem to be a fairly obvious statement, but one would be amazed how many different quarters within the entertainment industry conclude that the success of certain artists is pegged on everything but the tune: image, performance chops, charisma, fashion, social media followings, … Read more

The Weeknd fans pack Rogers Centre for the long-awaited return of Toronto’s prodigal son

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The Weeknd fans pack Rogers Centre for the long-awaited return of Toronto’s prodigal son

At least he wasn’t Rogered this time around. After being denied the opportunity to kick off his “After Hours til Dawn” world tour here in July due to a nationwide communications shortage from the communications giant, The Weeknd — one of music’s hottest commodities — more than made up for it with a 100-minute bombardment … Read more

Blair Bigham’s book “Death Interrupted”: a doctor’s dilemma

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Blair Bigham’s book “Death Interrupted”: a doctor’s dilemma

What does it mean to die? While the answer might seem obvious, modern technology can keep our bodies and organs alive almost indefinitely. What does that mean about how we make decisions about health care in life and death cases, for our loved ones and for ourselves? Those are some of the questions Dr. Blair … Read more