NATIONAL POST ARTS

How a road trip to Canada in the ’80s inspired Richard Ford’s latest novel
“I loved that landscape,” Richard Ford says. “What struck me was how different it was from just where I was living at the time, across the border in [Missoula] Montana. It didn’t shock me, it pleased me, in a way. There was something about the landscape up in Saskatchewan … that I had such an affinity for. I think it just settled on me in a profound way.

“When an American — this American, anyway — is in Canada, you’re very aware that you’re in a completely different place,” he adds. (Illustration by Steve Murray)

Cinematic Summer Style

We bet you’ve never seen a fashion spread like this one, brought to you by Style editor Nathalie Atkinson and illustrator Kagan Macleod.

The Quantified Month: May

Sarah Lazarovic renders May’s most notable events in convenient chart form.

Phil Phillips wins American Idol!

Phillips beat out pint-sized singer Jessica Sanchez to be crowned the winner of American Idol 2012. Read our recap to find out how it all shook down!

Why we won’t let musicians rest in peace
It’s called the “death effect” and it’s the same for actors, authors and artists — whether it’s an increase in exposure or a supply-induced demand (no more painter, no more paintings), public hunger for a person’s work grows exponentially following their passing. When it comes to musicians, however, the situation has the added element of necromancy, a sort of pop culture-tinged resurrection. From conspiracy theories claiming fake deaths to companies using technology to revive long-gone artists, audiences refuse to let musicians rest in peace. (Illustration by Steve Murray)

Northstar, Marvel’s first openly gay character, to marry beau in upcoming comic

Wedding bells will ring this summer for Marvel Comics’ first openly gay hero, super speedster Northstar.

The New York-based publisher said Tuesday that Canadian character Jean-Paul Beaubier will marry his beau, Kyle Jinadu, in the pages of Astonishing X-Men No. 51, due out June 20.

Justin Bieber announces North American tour

With seven Canadian dates! Click here for more details.

On The Town: the stars of West Side Story explore Graffiti Alley
Who  Michelle Aravena and Drew Foster, stars of the Broadway revival of West Side Story
Where  Rush Lane, known as Graffiti Alley (runs south of Queen Street West, from Spadina Avenue to Portland Street)
When  May 15, 11:30 a.m.

The actors have been on the road with the show for two years, visiting more than 50 cities, and have stopped in Toronto for a month before heading to Japan. This morning, Kucherawy of TourGuys.ca is leading them down Graffiti Alley in the fashion district.

The alley and the show share a similar look: it’s a marriage of vivid colours and dark, urban grit. Tucked behind store fronts on Queen Street, west of Spadina, the architecture is alive with colour. Garage doors and concrete walls are covered in names written in bubble letters. Random signatures, hearts and RIP messages are scrawled on existing graffiti. A black and red butterfly settles on the art. It looks at home. (Photo: Peter J. Thompson/National Post)