Met Radio

Met Radio's Sarra Gillani covers the 2026 Breakthrough Jazz Artist Award presented at the Toronto Jazz Festival.

July 3, 2026 - This week, listeners take a dive into the world of one of Toronto Metropolitan University’s rooftop gardens through host Claire Van De Weghe’s interviews with program supervisors. She speaks to farm Manager Arlene Thorness about the essential role these gardens play in keeping visitors healthy, happy, and culturally fulfilled. Program coordinator Nicole Austin discusses how the garden fulfills visitors, and how her programs under the Black Food Sovereignty Initiative give participants connections to culture through the traditional crops they harvest and techniques they practice. She goes further into her multi-generational, community-oriented programs to give listeners an understanding of what sts programs at the DCC Rooftop Gardens apart from others in the city. Bilal Ali Sabry has the news.

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews artist, comedian, and teacher Tiggz. He is known for his work with the Hip-Hop Headucatorz, a collective of DJs, producers, emcees, breakers, and graffiti artists who are also teachers. https://www.instagram.com/erctigz/ https://hiphopheaducatorz.com/

June 26, 2026 - Host Claire Van De Weghe speaks to Toronto 2SLGBTQIA+ activists and organisers about city-based event Abolition Pride on this special Pride episode, an alternative to mainstream festivities that many community members feel have ignored the needs and wants of queer attendees. Starting with a conversation with the founder of the event, Angela Bain, this story explores the event’s history, what caused it to be formed, and what motivates people to keep going today. As Abolition Pride continues, new organisations continue to join, and members continue to protest Toronto Pride’s corporate sponsors and policed events. They discuss what their community has become, how it continues to support itself, and why they believe these spaces matter.

A round up of funding opportunities for youth in the arts, skill-building workshops, and exhibition opportunities, and based on the June 19th, 2026 ArtReach Post-It Newsletter. Website: www.artreach.org Instagram: www.instagram.com/artreachtoronto/ ONTARIO COMMUNITY CHANGEMAKERS GRANT https://ontariocommunitychangemakers.org/apply-now/ CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: HERITAGE TORONTO AWARDS https://www.heritagetoronto.org/programs/heritage-toronto-awards/ THE NATIONAL ANTI-RACISM FUND: EVENT AND YOUTH INITIATIVE GRANTS https://crrf-fcrr.ca/current-grants/ CANNONBURY FOUNDATION - SPRING GRANT https://www.cannonburyfoundation.com/spring-grant 2026 SILVERFISH ARTIST AND WRITER PROGRAM https://silverfish.digital/2026/06/01/2026-silverfish-artist-and-writer-program-open-call/

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews Canadian author and police officer Mike Walton. Walton wrote the fast-paced action-thriller “APOK” book trilogy. The book series follows the chaotic journey of Colonel Miguel Mejia, code-named "APOK", a former military special operative turned police officer. https://michaelwalton.ca/

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews actor Carlos Palacio. He has been on TV soap “Beyond the Gates”, and made guest appearances on “Will Trent” and “RJ Decker”. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9563508/ https://www.instagram.com/carlose.palacio/?hl=en

Met Radio’s Donovan Lacroxi interviews Pablo Jerry. Jerry has balanced multi-hyphenate roles across film and television, working as an actor, producer, and editor. https://www.instagram.com/paulcjerry/ https://www.tiktok.com/@paulcjerry

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews artist KingDarius TheGreat. KingDarius TheGreat (formerly Joe Gator) is an Atlanta-based rapper and songwriter, best known as a co-founder of the hip-hop group C-Side. https://www.instagram.com/king_darius1st/

Met Radio's Donovan interviews actor Gio Perez. He is a martial artist, actor and the host of MA Talk. https://www.facebook.com/gioperezofficial/

Friday, June 19th, 2026 -- Host Claire Van De Weghe speaks with local architect Charles Hazell about the struggle between affordable housing and architectural heritage in West End neighbourhood The Junction. Plus, Mia Johnson interviews community members about their feelings on Toronto establishment Sneaky Dee’s potential demolition after the plot was purchased by developers. Rogene Teodoro has the news.

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews Los Angeles-based actress, content creator, and social media personality Skyla Lynne.

Met Radio's Amanda Shekarchi is joined in studio by Saskatchewan-based Afrobeats artist, Rooky Kamiz. They talk about Rooky’s experience performing in Toronto for North by Northeast (NXNE) for the first time. Rooky reflects on growing up in Nigeria and his move to Canada and how those places influence his music. We also break down some tracks from his latest album "Of Chaos & Cotten Candy."

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews actor and author Jock McKissic. He has released a book "50 Principles to Thrive in Life".

Met Radio's Amanda Shekarchi talks with Tyson Ray Borsboom who recently released his album These Days. This album is a collection of songs reflecting on Tyson‘s past few years and experiences. We dive into the production process, collaborating, with other musicians, and breakdown a few of the songs, including the title track.

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi chats with the entrepreneur and founder of Rico’s BBQ. The Hickory and Original sauces are available now! https://www.instagram.com/p/DZD041BmUG-/

A round up of funding opportunities for youth in the arts, skill-building workshops, and exhibition opportunities, and based on the June 5th, 2026 ArtReach Post-It Newsletter. Website: www.artreach.org Instagram: www.instagram.com/artreachtoronto/ CANNONBURY FOUNDATION - SPRING GRANT https://www.cannonburyfoundation.com/spring-grant 2026 SILVERFISH ARTIST AND WRITER PROGRAM https://silverfish.digital/2026/06/01/2026-silverfish-artist-and-writer-program-open-call/ UPCOMING WORKSHOP: GRANT WRITING FOR ARTS PROGRAMMERS https://www.artreach.org/workshops LAKESHORE ARTS - MIMICO ARTS FESTIVAL https://lakeshorearts.ca/arts-jam-26/

Met Radio's Amanda Shekarchi interviews multi-instrumentalist artist and producer, June Thrasher. They discuss his synthwave influences and touring. His latest EP "Prairie Thrash" is out now!

Met Radio's Sarra Gillani talks with filmmaker Shane Belcourt about his documentary Ni-Naadaamadiz: Red Power Rising. While this conversation was originally recorded after the world premiere of the film at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, the film is once again screening in the city as part of the ImagiNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival. You can catch it in theatres at TIFF Lightbox on June 3, 2026 at 4:00pm or as part of the ImagiNATIVE online festival from June 8-14.

Met Radio's Karen and Kinza spoke to Fierce & Fabulous Expos' creator Velvet Code ahead of the Expo to talk about what it's like to curate an event like this, the local drag scene and what to look forward to at the Expo. The Fierce & Fabulous Expo is this Saturday, June 6th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. To learn more visit: https://www.fierceandfabulousexpo.com/

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews actress Leslie Sheri. https://stan.store/GreaterThanCinema https://www.instagram.com/greaterthancinema/

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews Ryan Hamilton from Yow! Wings. Located in Brampton, the restaurant is experimenting with many different flavours of wings. https://yowwings.ca/

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews artist, teacher and creative writer, Jon Corbin. https://joncorbin.bandcamp.com/

A round up of funding opportunities for youth in the arts, skill-building workshops, and exhibition opportunities, and based on the May 22nd, 2026 ArtReach Post-It Newsletter. Website: www.artreach.org Instagram: www.instagram.com/artreachtoronto/ UPCOMING WORKSHOP: GRANT WRITING FOR ARTS PROGRAMMERS https://www.artreach.org/workshops GREENHOUSE THEATRE - EARTHVERSE MUSIC RESIDENCY https://greenhousetheatre.live/earthverse WORKMAN ARTS - BEING SCENE JURIED EXHIBITION https://workmanarts.com/being-scene/ LAKESHORE ARTS - MIMICO ARTS FESTIVAL https://lakeshorearts.ca/arts-jam-26/ THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT RACE FESTIVAL @todragonboat

Met Radio's Sarra Gillani interviews Andrea Ramolo, founder and artistic director of Our Music Festival.

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews Tychon Carter & Erin-Ashley Talucci. Tychon is a motivational speaker and the winner of season 9 of Big Brother Canada. Erin-Ashley is a real estate agent, entrepreneur and content creator. They are launching their show on June 2, 2026.

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews trainer and founder of Chip Overseas, Duane Morgan. https://www.youtube.com/user/cdmorgan247

May 22, 2026 -- You Belong Here: An Interactive Exhibition is taking place at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre. Portley Ghartey Johnson speaks to exhibit attendees about what belonging means to them, what drew them to the exhibition and how this exhibit tackles the loneliness epidemic in Toronto. Plus, Premier Doug Ford’s government’s plan to appoint regional chairs became law this month. Local Journalists Kinza Zafar and Mia Johnson take us inside this story. Bilal Ali Sabry has this week's top headlines.

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews artist and actor Jeph Haven. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz4YZ_vAR8ifDPEKMPsj1jw https://www.instagram.com/jephhaven/

May 15, 2026 — May 3rd is celebrated as world press freedom day. Elliot Kelly takes us inside the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada's Celebration. Then, host Emma Amodio speaks with NFB curator Marc St.-Pierre about the Asian Canadian Perspectives channel which honours Asian Heritage month. Plus, this week’s top headlines.

Met Radio's Sarra Gillani reviews all of their Hot Docs 2026 watches including Apolo, The 49th Year, Searching for Drug Peace, My Foreign Land (Minha Terra Estrangeira), The Sandbox, and Black Zombie. This is part of Met Radio's coverage of the 2026 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.

Met Radio's Karen Young reviews the documentaries Ghost in the Machine and Ceremony. This is part of Met Radio's coverage of the 2026 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. Assets Used: 0:20-0:39 Trailer clip for Ghost in the Machine 2:36-2:56 Trailer clip for Ceremony

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews actress and host Vanessa Herring. On her show “That's A Wrap” Herring interviews other actors. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DX8D90AKhX8/

A round up of funding opportunities for youth in the arts, skill-building workshops, and exhibition opportunities, and based on the May 8th, 2026 ArtReach Post-It Newsletter. Website: www.artreach.org Instagram: www.instagram.com/artreachtoronto/ CALL FOR FILM SUBMISSIONS - RENDEZVOUS WITH MADNESS FESTIVAL https://workmanarts.com/rendezvous-with-madness/submissions/ MUSE ARTS - HAPPENING MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL https://happening.musearts.ca/ CALL FOR FILM SUBMISSIONS - ALUCINE LATIN FILM + MEDIA ARTS FESTIVAL https://alucinefestival.ca/ CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - REELWORLD FILM FESTIVAL https://filmfreeway.com/reelworld

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews author Mike Marsbergen. The books "Another Life" and "Loner Style Justice" are available on Amazon. https://www.instagram.com/mikemarsbergenauthor/

Met Radio's Nicaille Paula Sison reviews təm kʷaθ nan (Namesake). This is part of Met Radio's coverage of the 2026 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.

Met Radio's Amanda Shekarchi interviews artist Jillian Shelver.

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews artist Temi.

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews producer, writer, and director Greg Carter. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0141646/

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews cinematographer Trey Walker. Mud Films is his production company. https://mudfilms.us/about

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews actor Charlie N. Townsend. He is known for his work in "The Night They Came Home" and "Sins Of The Bride". https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10700029/ https://worstthingmovie.com/charlietownsend

Met Radio's Rojhin Taebi interviews musician Roshanak.

May 1, 2026 -- Ceremony, a documentary directed by Nuxalk filmmaker Banchi Hanuse, had its Canadian premiere at Hot Docs, one of North America’s largest documentary festivals. Portley Ghartey-Joshnson speaks with Qwaxw Siwallace, who appears in the film, about the significance of bringing Ceremony to Hot Docs, and the broader importance of Indigenous storytelling. Plus, the Ontario government’s proposed Bill 101, also known as the “Putting Student Achievement First Act,” is drawing criticism from disability advocates and education groups across the province. Host Emma Amodio speaks with David Lepofsky, chair of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance, to learn more. Harsh Kumar has the top headlines of the week.

A round up of funding opportunities for youth in the arts, skill-building workshops, and exhibition opportunities, and based on the April 24th, 2026 ArtReach Post-It Newsletter. Website: www.artreach.org Instagram: www.instagram.com/artreachtoronto/ BREAKTHROUGHS FILM FESTIVAL - CREW CONNECT https://www.breakthroughsfilmfestival.com/crew-connect/application PAPRIKA FESTIVAL 2026 https://paprikafestival.com/festivals/2026/ CALL FOR PROPOSALS - ARTS EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS https://workmanarts.com/employment-opportunities/education-course-proposals/ CALL FOR FILM SUBMISSIONS - ALUCINE LATIN FILM + MEDIA ARTS FESTIVAL https://alucinefestival.ca/ CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - REELWORLD FILM FESTIVAL https://filmfreeway.com/reelworld

Kejo Buchanan, guide of Jali Journey, in conversation with Carine Au Micro Beninois musician, band leader and symbiotic dancer based in Montreal.  Carine Au Micro shares methods on developing the Afrobeat Folk style of Doto N'Ase (2022) album and previous Ola Si (2018) EP. In her native Mino language, Carine’s stories touch on memories of Benin, love, grief and optimism for the future. Her advice to fellow storytellers is to remain sincere and “stay real to your feelings and don’t be afraid to express those feelings”. Visit https://carineaumicro.com Host: Kejo Buchanan Artist: Carine Au Micro

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews Amy Lyndon. Lyndon is a celebrity booking and acting coach. https://thelyndontechnique.com/about-amy-lyndon/

Met Radio's Donovan Lacroxi interviews actor Sean Cully. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13801694/bio/?ref_=nmmi_ql_1

Met Radio's Donovan interviews actress Michelle Carney. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14892614/

Met Radio's Amanda Shekarchi interviews artist Ron Loos.

April 24, 2026 -- This week marks eight years since the 2018 Toronto van attack, an act of gender-based violence that killed 11 people. The anniversary is now recognized as Anne Marie D’Amico Day of Kindness and Love, and highlights the ongoing need for gender-based violence education and support. Host Emma Amodio speaks with Rachel Morrison from the North York Women’s Shelter about the work they do and why centring kindness matters. Then, Kinza Zafar takes listeners to the “ice man” sculpture, where people react to Drake’s latest stunt. Plus, Olivia Chow weighs in as firefighters move in to hose it down.