If indie sleaze is back in style, then Chan Marshall, a.k.a. Cat Power, is benefitting from the revival. This month, she’s taking her 2006 album, The Greatest, on a 20th anniversary tour—and dropping a three-song EP called Redux along the way. It features an imaginative rendition of The Greatest’s “Could We” plus covers of songs influential to Marshall, like James Brown’s “Try Me”—an ode to Marshall’s southern US upbringing. March 1, History
Songwriters Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally may be best known for creating music for the Keith Urbans and Reba McEntires of the world, but the Grammy-winning pair have turned their creativity in an entirely new direction: a comedy musical about corn. Set in rural Cob County, the Tony-winning show follows city-bound farmer Maizy on a journey to find a “corn doctor” capable of saving her community’s cash crop. Now headed to Mirvish for its Canadian debut, the eat-your-vegetables musical will serenade Torontonians with songs such as “Corn,” “We Love Jesus” and “Holy Shit.” March 3 to April 5, Princess of Wales Theatre
Vaughan’s Kortright Centre has a sweet answer to the age-old question of what to do with the little monsters over March break: take them to a maple syrup festival. This sappy family activity features tree tapping, syrup tasting and horse-drawn wagon rides to celebrate—at long last—the arrival of spring. For those looking to buy local, Kortright’s gift shop sells all sorts of Canuck tchotchkes and maple products. If you miss it during the break, the festival continues every weekend until April 6. March 16 to 20, Kortright Centre for Conservation
David Macfarlane’s acclaimed memoir about Newfoundland, The Danger Tree, brought the journalist fame. His newest book, On Sports, explores his personal love of the game and distaste for the commercialization of competition. The short text, almost a pamphlet, is the 11th book in the non-fiction Field Notes series from publisher Biblioasis, which includes works by Don Gillmor and Stephen Marche. Out March 24
Liza Minnelli, who turns 80 this month, was a nepo baby before it was cool. Her new memoir, as told to singer-songwriter and long-time friend Michael Feinstein, explores the EGOT-winning actor’s complicated childhood, growing up as a multitalented performer and the strife she faced along the way—including both her mother’s struggles with addiction and her own. Out March 10
The annual non-profit music industry fest Wavelength will reverberate through the west end once again this month. Panellists include MuchMusic VJ turned film director Sook-Yin Lee, whose movie Paying for It premiered at TIFF 2024, and GAMIQ Award–winning keyboardist Sheenah Ko. The three-day event will also host a late-night darkwave DJ set from alt-rock icon Melissa Auf der Maur, who goes by xMAdMx, following the March 17 launch of her new memoir, Even the Good Girls Will Cry. The book details her dramatic upward ascent from Concordia indie kid to bassist for Courtney Love’s outfit, Hole. March 19 to 21, St. Anne’s Church and elsewhere
A smattering of Toronto’s funniest folks will be showcasing their talents across the city during the annual Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival. The event spans 12 days, with more than 75 comedy troupes participating—which means at least a few of them ought to make you chuckle. There’s even a chance you’ll end up watching the next big thing. In 2019, Veronika Slowikowska—who joined the cast of SNL last October—performed in a troupe called My Chemical Bromance. There are also workshops and panels for those looking to strengthen their own funny bones. Prices vary by event. March 4 to 15, various venues
Edward Lander is a Toronto-based writer who is currently Toronto Life’s editorial intern. He’s passionate about features and creative non-fiction. He studies journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University, where he also edits features for the campus newspaper.
