Arts reporter at @torontostar • former @CdnPressNews @Variety • ➡️Instagram/Threads: dj_friend or https://xitter.cf/t.co/jrME8MdIkO • Story tips: [email protected]
Joined March 2008
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Smart glasses can film you completely unnoticed. Some Toronto nightclubs say that won't fly on their dancefloors.
My look at why some venues banned them, and how wearable technology is sparking a broader debate about privacy.
thestar.com/entertainment/sm…
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner told the Star it has “commenced an investigation into Meta glasses following the receipt of a complaint” and will examine whether Meta has adequate privacy protections. thestar.com/entertainment/sm…
One incident was enough to convince Wiggle Room owner Takin Nateghi to ban smart glasses from his downtown Toronto club.
Free story link: thestar.com/gift-redeem?t=27…
As if “Heated Rivalry” couldn’t get any bigger, the hit Canadian TV series is now headed to movie screens across the country and many parts of the world.
The details: thestar.com/entertainment/te…
Toronto’s @Revuecinema announced plans for a "Heated Rivalry" marathon, saying it rescheduled films booked for that day — including a screening of the Toronto-set “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie” — to make room for the series.
Free gift link: thestar.com/gift-redeem?t=0c…
Drake had a smash this summer with "Janice STFU." Now he's been hit with a lawsuit alleging the chorus came from another songwriter.
The details: thestar.com/entertainment/mu…
Drake's “Janice STFU” interpolates the hook of “I Follow Rivers,” a 2011 song from Lykke Li. According to the legal filings, the idea came from the plaintiff, Aviel Hirschfield, while he was driving to Seattle in a luxury Maybach.
Free gift link: thestar.com/gift-redeem?t=5a…
"[This money is] being sucked out of the Canadian economy and sent to criminals in other countries. And it can be stopped … if a sufficient deterrent message is sent."
If you're wondering who is behind those Jagmeet Singh duffel bag ads on here, know that it's part of a multi-billion dollar scam empire being run out of Eastern European call centers. It's an absolutely massive problem and Canada is a priority target.
cbc.ca/news/ukraine-call-cen…
Backstreet Boys fever hits Toronto as fans snap up tickets for a record-setting run of shows.
My story on the fandemonium around what's shaping up to be a big Y2K moment for the city next year: thestar.com/entertainment/mu…
“Millennials have the money to spend now. Between the Backstreet Boys and Hilary Duff, it feels like our childhood playlist.”
Backstreet Boys announce 12th show for record-breaking Rogers Centre residency.
Free link to my story: thestar.com/gift-redeem?t=62…
Neil Peart died just as the COVID-19 lockdowns began, leaving his family, friends and Rush fans little opportunity to mourn him publicly.
The filmmakers behind a new documentary hope their film helps process that lingering grief.
My story:
thestar.com/entertainment/te…
“Neil was like a big brother to some of these people.”
The directors of new documentary "Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple," on doing justice to the late Rush band member, often called one of the greatest drummers of all time.
Free link to my story:
thestar.com/gift-redeem?t=37…
David Friend retweeted
Construction to tear out the Etobicoke bike lanes starts today, but the debate continues between local business and residents.
I spoke with both over the Thanksgiving weekend:
thestar.com/news/gta/bike-la…
I worked with Helen for several years at The Canadian Press. She was so smart, even-handed, calm and collected... everything you would want a journalist to be in the face of a crisis. She will be missed. – at Toronto, Ontario
Helen Branswell was a gift — to family and friends, to colleagues, and to masses of people whose lives were made better by the work to which she was so devoted. I was lucky to know her.
statnews.com/2026/10/13/hele…
Construction to tear out the Etobicoke bike lanes starts today, but the debate continues between local business and residents.
I spoke with both over the Thanksgiving weekend:
thestar.com/news/gta/bike-la…
Light posts down this stretch of Bloor are plastered with signs that read: “If It Ain’t Broke... Don’t Waste $48 Million to ‘Fix’ It, Mr. Ford.”
Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists says they’re planning a Tuesday evening protest.
Free link to my story:
thestar.com/gift-redeem?t=3b…
David Friend retweeted
Celebration of JahVai Roy's life doubles as a call for action against Toronto gun violence and for better youth support programs.
My story from Saturday's event:
thestar.com/news/gta/celebra… – at Toronto, Ontario
Celebration of JahVai Roy's life doubles as a call for action against Toronto gun violence and for better youth support programs.
My story from Saturday's event:
thestar.com/news/gta/celebra… – at Toronto, Ontario
“I know that pain. I know how it affects families. And that’s why I want to turn my experience — my pain — into purpose.”
JahVai Roy's mom urges greater youth support systems to prevent gun violence.
A free link to my story from Saturday's memorial:
thestar.com/gift-redeem?t=b1…
John Reardon is back on "Hudson & Rex" after he was written out of the show following his cancer diagnosis...but there are some things he still can't talk about.
Free story link:
thestar.com/gift-redeem?t=b0… – at Toronto, Ontario
John Reardon is back on "Hudson & Rex."
But there are some things he still can’t talk about following his ouster from the show and the fan backlash that followed.
My Q&A: thestar.com/entertainment/te…
