TORONTO — Pop superstar Taylor Swift is set to kick off the first of six shows in Toronto tonight.
The singer brings her record-breaking tour for a Canadian leg that hits Rogers Centre this weekend and next.
The visit has sparked myriad side events including several fan-focused parties and tourism promotions.
It also has the city bracing for possible traffic snarl as downtown workers and concertgoers hit the streets at around the same time.
Here’s the latest:
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TAYLGATE OPENS DOORS
Toronto’s unofficial Taylor Swift-adjacent party Taylgate has opened its doors for fans.
The event at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre is just down the street from the concert venue.
Inside, there’s a beading station for fans to make their own friendship bracelets, as well as numerous setups for photo opportunities.
They include a giant pair of hands making the shape of a heart, a big blue guitar and a large metal snake meant to represent Swift’s “reputation” era.
Taylgate is billing itself as a concert pre-party, a waiting place for parents of ticketholders and an alternative event for those who didn’t get tickets.
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MAYOR’S BRACELETS
Toronto’s mayor is getting in the Taylor Swift spirit today, showing off an arm of friendship bracelets at a city council meeting.
Olivia Chow says she was at a Taylor Swift-themed bracelet-making event at a Toronto Public Library branch last night and she ended up with eight, including one with the words “bike lane.”
Chow says it was a joyful time, making and exchanging bracelets, and seeing people connecting through sharing and through music.
She says welcome to all the Swifties in town and to the popstar herself.
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TAYLOR TRAFFIC
Parts of downtown Toronto will be closed to cars today in anticipation of Taylor Swift concertgoers.
Some roadways near Rogers Centre are restricted to local traffic or closed altogether for an expected influx of people attending tonight’s concert or side events.
Dozens of buses and streetcars have been added to routes around the stadium.
The GO Transit system, which connects the Greater Toronto Area, added extra trips and extended hours in some regions.
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LABOUR STRIFE
Skyrocketing hotel prices during Taylor Swift’s concerts have spurred labour action by a group of hotel service workers in Toronto.
They say they will hold a rally today outside the Fairmont Royal York to demand salary increases as they seek a new contract with the hotel.
The union arm Unite Here Local 75 represents 8,000 hospitality workers in the Greater Toronto Area.
Some hotel rooms and short-term rentals in Toronto are priced up to 10 times more than other weekends, with some advertised for as much as $2,000 per night.