All posts by Cherryl Bird

Cherryl Bird is the founder and editor of Core Magazines, and was an original founder and marketing director of Voice of Montreal (Voice Magazine), now called Vice Magazine. She is the former English editor and advertising executive for Images Interculturelles magazine, an award-winning bilingual (French-English) ethnocultural publication. She has an English/Sociology degree from the University of Toronto and studied Journalism at Humber College. When she's not writing or editing articles for CoreMagazines.com, she creates and executes communications plans and public affairs strategies for the health care and education sectors. Cherryl loves music, travel and all things cultural.
Crunchy, Culture, Wanderlust, Wonderland

Wild bites and 2026 hall of famers for the ultimate CNE food run

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UPDATE: The official 2026 CNE Food Hall of Fame inductees are in! Here is the latest lineup of fairground hits, fan favourites, and best bites to grab before the fair wraps.

Roasted corn on the food counter

An environment full of energy, colour, lights, fun, and festivity, the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) has always been the place for that final summer adventure. Over the last decade, the unique options served on the grounds have become an integral part of the experience.

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CoreLife, Culture, Music

The blueprint for artistic independence: Dolly Parton (1946–2026)

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Country music icon, actress, and cultural titan Dolly Parton — seen by millions as the singer with a heart of gold — passed away at a local cancer centre in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 25, 2026, following a brief battle with cancer. The news was confirmed by her nephew and longtime head of security for more than two decades, Bryan Seaver, who shared a poignant video message on her official Instagram account.

Head and shoulders photo of singer Dolly Parton, wearing curled blond hair, a bandana, hoop earrings and a jean jacket
Dolly Parton, 1977
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Crunchy, Culture

Tim Hortons just turned a Toronto coffee shop into Hogwarts — complete with House Donuts and Snape-level scarcity

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What does it take for fans to travel clear across the city on a Saturday morning? Apparently, a Golden Snitch Timbits Holder and a temperature-activated Patronus cup.

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Crunchy, Culture

How in the world do you gentrify cornbread?

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“I rebuke this in the name of Jesus.” That’s what social media digital creator Kalen Allen says to himself while watching someone empty a can of whole-kernel corn into a bowl of cornbread mix. 

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Culture, Music, Sports, Wanderlust

Shakira, Future, Tyla and iShowSpeed join largest-ever FIFA World Cup music project

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The 18-track Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album brings together artists from six continents, including Shakira, Future, Tyla, Jessie Reyez, Daddy Yankee, iShowSpeed and many more in what FIFA describes as its largest World Cup music project to date.

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Culture, Music, Sports, Wanderlust

Bryan Adams to headline historic FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert in Toronto

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Featuring Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy, Vegedream, AHI, and Wyclef Jean

Toronto is about to take centre stage in one of the most ambitious music-and-sport celebrations ever staged.

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Culture, Pandora's Box, Tech, Wonderland

Val Kilmer’s digital resurrection: AI in filmmaking

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Archival footage and past performances by Val Kilmer have been assembled to recreate his likeness for a role in As Deep as the Grave. He has, in a sense, been brought back to the screen — not resurrected, but digitally reconstructed using artificial intelligence or AI.

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Culture, Music

New Edition, Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton form supergroup for 2026 tour

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The members of New Edition were just sitting back discussing their recent Las Vegas residency experience. Within minutes they booked superstars Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton to join them on tour, but not as opening acts — as co-headliners — performing together on stage at the same time. Here’s how it happened.

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Culture, Music

Iron Maiden announces new Run For Your Lives Europe and North America concert tour dates

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Rock fans who like their music hard, fast and loud love Iron Maiden. And many of them have been asking for the band to visit their hometown.

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CoreLife, Culture, Music

Musician Robbie Gennet on pursuing his passion and fatherhood

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Releasing seven albums in a single year carries a sense of urgency. Seven years ago, a fire destroyed everything Robbie Gennet owned, and that loss appears to be the driving force behind the quickened pace of his creative output.

Continue reading Musician Robbie Gennet on pursuing his passion and fatherhood →