Olivia Dean to bring soft British pop to S.F.
Though the 'Nice To Each Other' singer-songwriter grew up under the musical influence of artists such as Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse and Carole King, she took baby steps to growing comfortable in the spotlight. She began musical theater lessons as a young teen and participated in a gospel choir. Once she started writing songs at 16, she taught herself guitar and piano, and eventually performed at her graduation concert.
Dean has since gone on to release a full length album, 'Messy,' in 2023 and has a second on the way in September. She has amassed a loyal following with her soft pop tunes and is scheduled to perform at the Warfield in San Francisco on Sunday, Aug. 3.
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The Canadian 'elbows up' attitude was showing. Driving through the countryside from Toronto, we noticed it everywhere, in the nicest northerly way. Maple leaf flaglets fluttering from car windows. 'True North Strong' yard signs. Banners suggesting, as if in code, 'Never 51.' But once we arrived at the Stratford Festival, situated among the rolling plains of southwestern Ontario, the gloves came off. Though the season was planned well before the 2024 U.S. presidential election, this year's productions at the country's (and likely the continent's) largest nonprofit theater seemed to be sending a message. The message was clearest in the three gripping Shakespeare productions I saw during a six-day, seven-show visit. But 'Annie,' no less than Lady Macbeth, had something to say to Canada's neighbor to the south. Until experiencing those Shakespeares in quick succession here, I had never deeply absorbed how so many of the canonical plays are set in motion by the same chaotic figure: a man temperamentally unsuited to the wise use of great power. In 'Macbeth' he is the quick-rising warrior whose wobbly personality (and overcompensating wife) bring on a blood bath of internecine carnage. In 'The Winter's Tale' he is Leontes, the king of Sicily, whose insecurity results in civil chaos. Likewise, Duke Fredrick, in 'As You Like It,' having usurped his sibling's throne, falls prey to fits of Freudian malice that send his country's best people into exile. No matter that 'Macbeth' is a tragedy, 'The Winter's Tale' a romance and 'As You Like It' a comedy. Regardless of genre, all are warnings. And though some suggest the possibility of reconciliation and recovery, not one offers a reliable map. Certainly not 'Macbeth.' (You can't reconcile with a corpse.) Stratford's production, directed by the chic avant-gardist Robert Lepage, imagines Banquo, Macduff and the others as members of a motorcycle gang during the Quebec Biker War of the 1990s, their clan affiliations displayed on the backs of their leather jackets. Macbeth has a greasy salt-and-pepper Prince Valiant; his lady is a groupie in a Bonnie Raitt wig. They live in a roadside motel where a mopey cleaner must mop up the blood. The witches' cauldron is an oil canister. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
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Summer in the city is crowded and sweltering. Use this road trip guide to get out of town and explore the charming places within driving distance of Toronto. Every week, we'll spotlight an Ontario destination, complete with expert picks for how best to enjoy. Happy trails! Most visitors come to town for the drama: namely, the Stratford Festival, famous as North America's largest classical repertory theatre company, which alone is worth the two-hour drive from Toronto. But the picturesque city's creative spirit extends well beyond these stage productions. Stratford also boasts a chef-driven dining scene, shaped by one of Canada's top culinary schools; a pretty, walkable core full of artful boutiques and heritage architecture; and a lively calendar of cultural events, including open-air concerts by the Avon River. Here are some of the best things to do here this summer. Visitors can rent a canoe, kayak or pedal boat at the Boathouse, located right on the riverfront. Paddle or cruise the Avon. Winding past green spaces and theatres, the river is Stratford's central gathering place and a hub for picnics, strolls and open-air performances. Rent a canoe, kayak or pedal boat at the Boathouse , then glide past the city's famous white mute swans, which are ceremoniously released from their winter shelter each spring. For a more relaxed ride, a 30-minute cruise aboard the Juliet III passes the Tom Patterson Theatre and other waterfront landmarks while a guide details the story of how this quiet stretch of river became key to Stratford's cultural identity. The city's stylish shops include Wills & Prior for home goods. Shop like a stylish designer. You'll find some of Stratford's best boutiques along Ontario Street. Bradshaws , a fixture since 1895, is now helmed by Carrie and Jeremy Wreford, who draw on backgrounds in graphic and set design, respectively. The store is stocked with elegant home goods, from Klippan throws to the latest Le Creuset. Just up the block, Wills & Prior is a beautifully styled homewares shop where you can easily go from 'just browsing' to leaving with linen napkins, ceramic mugs and marble soap dishes. They also carry a small but excellent collection of abstract paintings by Canadian artists Shane Norrie and Julia Balfour. 'Anne of Green Gables' is now playing as part of the Stratford Festival's 2025 season. Book the hottest tickets in town. Launched in 1953 by journalist Tom Patterson, the Stratford Festival has transformed from a local gamble into one of North America's most celebrated theatre festivals. Traditionally running from April to October — this year, select shows will extend to December for the first time ever — it draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each season for its mix of Shakespeare, new works and musicals. It's a strong year for red-headed heroines: ' Anne of Green Gables ' has emerged as a hit for its warm, faithful storytelling, and 'Annie' has won over audiences with its high-energy choreography. Find the 'secret' beer garden. With a blink-and-you'll-miss-it entrance tucked behind a tree-lined stretch of Waterloo Street, Bru Garden is easy to overlook. Step through the gate, however, and you'll find a spacious beer garden lined with picnic tables and anchored by a food truck slinging smash burgers, schnitzel and loaded fries. For a local pour, order an English pale ale from Stratford's own Black Swan. Fruity spiked slushies are a fun pick on hot days, and there's a solid lineup of non-alcoholic brews, too. With upbeat music playing and the buzz of a friendly local crowd, it's one of the town's best places to unwind. The MusicBarge at Stratford Summer Music. This year, the festival runs until August 10. Listen to live music around town. The annual Stratford Summer Music festival (on now until Aug. 10) has more than 150 musicians playing 45 concerts in venues across the city, from Celtic tunes on riverside stages to jazz in a former church turned restaurant. Also, on Wednesday evenings until Aug. 27, the Stratford Concert Band fills the Upper Queen's Park Kiwanis Bandshell with symphonic classics, pop hits and marches for its free summer concert series . At the Stratford Perth Museum , licensed outdoor concerts on the lawn range from country acts to rock tributes, with proceeds supporting the museum's programming. The Shakespearean Gardens is one of several gardens in Stratford linked by the Avon River. Stop and smell the flowers. Stratford never misses a chance to evoke its Shakespearean namesake — the Ontario city takes its name from the Bard's birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon. The Shakespearean Gardens, first planted in the 1930s, originally featured only botanicals from his plays but now includes more than 60 varieties of flowers, herbs and shrubs. Rising over the beds is a 65-foot chimney, the last remnant of the Dufton Woollen Mill, which was destroyed by fire in 1919. To see more of Stratford in bloom, follow the path along the river to the Festival Theatre, where five manicured gardens burst with vibrant day lilies and other flowers. Feast by the fire. Step inside Braai House and you'll be hit with the scent of wood smoke and sizzling meat. Stratford's South African-inspired grill house centres on a live-fire hearth, visible from the sleek dining room. Watch chefs stoke the flames in the open kitchen as you snack on boerewors (juicy beef sausage with tangy chakalaka relish), or grab a seat on the second-floor patio. Mains like black cod and rump steak emerge perfectly seared, but don't overlook the wood-fired pizzas, crisped at the edges and packed with charred flavour. If you stay: Steps from the Avon River, the Bruce Hotel channels English country-manor charm with a modern twist. Its 25 rooms and suites feature elegant details like marble bathrooms, French doors and crystal chandeliers. Dine at the restaurant, where dishes draw inspiration from local farms, or ring the 24/7 cookie hotline to have freshly baked treats delivered to your door. Want more food and drink recommendations in Stratford? Visit for 'Where Chefs Eat,' featuring chef Randi Rudner of the Prune. WHERE CHEFS EAT: Chef Randi Rudner's favourites in Stratford When she's not teaching future culinary stars or co-leading the kitchen at the Prune — a Stratford institution known for its refined, seasonal cooking — chef Randi Rudner knows exactly where to go for a delicious bite. She spent years working under some of the city's most respected chefs, at restaurants like Pazzo Taverna and the now-closed Rundles, and today helps shape Stratford's next generation of talent through her role as a program manager at the Stratford Chefs School . Here, she shares her go-to spots in town. The Starlight : 'It has a retro lounge vibe. They have a really interesting cocktail program and such talented bartenders, but also the kitchen is strong. They've got a killer weekend brunch, and dinner is small plates influenced by local products and the seasons. It's low-key and a really easy place to go have drinks and snacks.' Bluebird Restaurant & Bar : 'It's owned and operated by Aaron and Bronwyn Linley, who have been in the Stratford restaurant scene for a really long time. It's a very pretty restaurant. The menu (offers) familiar ideas articulated through the lens of the travelling that Aaron and Bronwyn do. They've got a cute patio and nice wines and cocktails.' The Relic Lobby Bar : 'It's a fantastic bar with cool, well-balanced cocktails. Ulises (Sanchez), the owner, is super talented and does a lot of community building by hosting guest bartenders from other restaurants and bars. It's a beautiful room that's styled like an expat lobby bar, and they also have a little, secret speakeasy in the basement.' Mercer Kitchen : 'The food is Japanese beer hall-influenced. They have these fried chicken karaage bites that are satisfying any time of day. They have a huge menu and over a dozen rotating beer taps showcasing interesting microbreweries. It's great if you're a beer drinker because they do flights, and the taps sometimes change over the course of a day.' Lovage : 'It's a French market bistro-style restaurant, and the menu changes regularly. Jamie (Crosby), the chef, is unbelievably talented. It has a great patio and a huge and interesting wine list. It's a beautiful room that's comfortable and casual. You can go for a special occasion, but it's also a great spot for a glass of wine on a random Tuesday.'
