Back Lane Studios, 9 Neepawa Avenue, Toronto, ON (2026)

05/29/2026

This Sunday, May 31st will be the last day of Raffi Anderian's show at Back Lane Studios. The former Toronto Star illustrator will be giving an artist’s talk and answering questions about his artwork!

Come visit us at 3:15 pm at 9 Neepawa Ave in the heart of Roncesvalles Village for the Q&A!

05/28/2026

A visit to Toronto’s McLaughlin Planetarium when he was a child changed Peter Jones’s life! He was inspired by the intricate technologies that could project the heavens on the building’s dome. Budget cuts by Conservative provincial government led to its closure in 1995 and now its demolition in 2026.

Watch the video on our YouTube channel and hear Peter describe the work that went into the Planetarium’s shows.

https://youtu.be/ilvGsewt-pA

05/25/2026

Don Summerhayes was a York University English professor, author, poet, critic and photographer. Back Lane Studios has received boxes of his photos, many from the 1970s.

Can you help us identify the who, when and where for these photos? Do you have stories to share about them? We would love to know. DM us or post a comment!

05/15/2026

Last summer, we were able to interview John Snyder and Michael Gillies about the first Book City store in Toronto, which opened on Bloor in the Annex in the early 1970s. John worked there for 37 years. His wife Kathy Roulston, who is part of our Back Lane community, made all the arrangements for us to facilitate the video. Sadly, John passed away on April 29. His gentle qualities and his knowledge shine through in the documentary. There will be a visitation at Turner & Porter, 2357 Bloor St., this Saturday, May 16, from 2:00-5:00 pm. Our deep sympathies to Kathy and to her family.

Here’s a link to the obit: https://obituaries.thestar.com/obituary/john-snyder-1093778316

Here's a link to John's video: https://youtu.be/z0kFS6ueWSU

05/11/2026

Don Summerhayes was a York University English professor, author, poet, critic and photographer. Back Lane Studios has received boxes of his photos, many from the 1970s.

Can you help us identify the who, when and where for these photos? Do you have stories to share about them? We would love to know. DM us or post a comment!

05/05/2026

Don Summerhayes was a York University English professor, author, poet, critic and photographer. Back Lane Studios has received boxes of his photos, many from the 1970s.

Can you help us identify the who, when and where for these photos? Do you have stories to share about them? We would love to know. DM us or post a comment!

04/30/2026

Artist Raffi Anderian's show opens this evening at our studio at 9 Neepawa Ave. in Roncesvalles. Come see some of Raffi's recent paintings, as well as a collection of award-winning illustrations (like the one with this post) that he did during his 27 years at the Toronto Star. Drop by, 7-9pm.
Raffi Anderian Angie Littlefield Roncesvalles Village Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden

04/27/2026

We’re getting ready for Raffi ANDERIAN’s show, opening Thursday, April 30, 7-9pm at the studio! Drop by and meet Raffi, who was the award-winning illustrator at the Toronto Star for almost 3 decades! We are at 9 Neepawa Ave. in the heart of Toronto’s Roncesvalles Village.
Raffi Anderian .syria

04/21/2026

After Hollywood screenwriter Frances Marion (1888-1973) accepted one of her two Oscars, she made this comment about the golden statuette: "I saw it as a perfect symbol of the picture business: a powerful athletic body clutching a gleaming sword, but with half of his head, the part which held his brains, completely sliced off."
Marion, the highest paid screenwriter in Hollywood for years, had many talents, including a witty sense of humour. Sheis the subject of our next Extraordinary Women event this Sunday, April 26, 12.30 pm, at the R***e Cinema.
Early Cinema expert Charlie Keil joins us for a discussion following the documentary "Without Lying Down: Frances Marion and the Power of Women in Hollywood." Tickets by suggested donation ($16) at BLS-francesmarion.eventbrite.com or at the R***e door.
R***e Cinema Toronto SILENT FILM Festival Toronto Film School Roncesvalles Village

01/24/2026

Despite the snow warnings for tomorrow, Sunday, Jan. 25, the R***e Cinema will be open, and we will be there for our Extraordinary Woman event about silent era director Lois Weber.

Join us for a documentary, a discussion with early cinema expert Charlie Keil, and a screening of two of Weber's silent films. If ever a movie showed how undervalued women’s labour was in the home or on the job, and how privileged men were, Weber’s 1916 film "Shoes" does it!

Weber explored many social issues as a director, making movies that were well received during the progressive years from 1910 to 1920. But then something happened. Suddenly, she was out of sync — both with the changing film industry and the ethos of the times! Even though she was among the most successful and highest paid directors in early Hollywood, she was sidelined and her work forgotten.

Join us at the R***e tomorrow at 12:30 pm to learn more about her.

Tickets are by a suggested donation of $16 on Eventbrite (bls-weber.eventbrite.com) or at the R***e door.

Toronto SILENT FILM Festival R***e Cinema

***e

Back Lane Studios

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