An Evening with Zadie Smith
Hosted by CBC's Matt Galloway
An Evening with Zadie Smith
Hosted by CBC's Matt Galloway
SHOWS & TICKETS
ABOUT
Zadie Smith is one of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary writers, penning era-defining titles like White Teeth and On Beauty that have delighted and intrigued readers for decades.
Zadie will join us to discuss not only her most renowned, bestselling novels but also her latest book of essays, Dead and Alive.
Dead and Alive focuses Smith's dazzling skills on the subjects that have recently captured her attention. From literary memorials for writers we’ve lost, to trips to the movies, Glastonbury and Kilburn High Road, this is a collection about everything that makes life fizz – love, loss, culture and politics. Comprising 32 essays, 12 of them previously unpublished. Throughout this thrilling collection, Zadie Smith shows us once again her unrivaled ability to think through, critically and humanely, some of the most urgent preoccupations and tendencies of our troubled times.
Novelist Zadie Smith was born in North London in 1975 to an English father and a Jamaican mother. She read English at Cambridge, before graduating in 1997.
Her acclaimed first novel, White Teeth, is a vibrant portrait of contemporary multicultural London, told through the stories of three ethnically diverse families. The book won a number of awards and prizes, including the Guardian First Book Award, the Whitbread First Novel Award, the Commonwealth Writers Prize. White Teeth has been translated into over twenty languages and was adapted for both television and the stage. In 2020 the New York Public Library voted White Teeth one of the 125 most important books of the last 125 years. It is also one of the New York Times 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. A 25th anniversary edition with a new forward by Smith was published in 2025.
Smith has published several collections of essays, Changing My Mind, Feel Free, which received the National Book Critics Circle Award for Criticism, and Intimations which was chosen as one of Oprah’s Best Books of 2020. Her new collection of essays is titled Dead and Alive (Penguin Random House, October 28, 2025). Kirkus called it “A thoughtful, deft collection.”
Zadie Smith writes regularly for the New Yorker and the New York Review of Books. She has received many honors including the City College of New York’s Langston Hughes Medal, the St. Louis Literary Award, the PEN/Audible Literary Service Award, and the Bodley Medal. She is a member of the Royal Society of Literature, a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts & Letters and has been elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Zadie Smith lives in London.
Matt Galloway
Matt Galloway is the host of The Current on CBC Radio One, Canada’s most listened-to radio program.
Each weekday morning, Matt highlights diverse perspectives, bringing together political leaders, bestselling authors, and people living the news.
Matt has been with CBC Radio for more than two decades. He was previously the host of Metro Morning and has anchored CBC Radio's coverage of the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup.
Matt has received many honours for his work, including a Gold Trophy for On-Air Talent at the New York Festivals. Toronto Life magazine has named him one of Toronto's 50 most influential people. In 2015, Galloway received the African Canadian Achievement Award for Excellence in Media. In 2017, he received a Harry Jerome Award for Media, Canada's most prestigious prize celebrating achievement within the Black-Canadian community.
Matt lives in Toronto, tries his best to run every day and is a dad to two daughters.
Your visit
Want exclusive benefits while making a real difference to the important work we do as a charitable, non-profit arts organization?
Become a member today and unlock exclusive benefits – like early access to tickets with members-only presales, monthly ticket giveaways, and an insider's tour of the legendary Massey Hall. Plus, enjoy premium in-venue perks, including private lounge access, priority bar service, and complimentary coat check—all while supporting the vital, mission driven work we do for artists and our community.
Massey Hall is located at 178 Victoria Street (corner of Shuter Street & Victoria). Reach us at 416-872-4255 or [email protected].
By Subway
Massey Hall is a short walk from both Dundas and Queen stations on the Yonge Line.
- From Dundas Station: Walk south on Yonge, then turn left on Shuter Street.
- From Queen Station: Walk north on Yonge, then turn right on Shuter Street.
By GO Transit or VIA Rail
From Union Station, take the Yonge subway line north to Queen Station and exit via the north platform.
Parking
Massey Hall does not have its own parking lot, but several options are available nearby:
- Eaton Centre underground lot (entrance at Yonge & Shuter)
- Green P at 25 Dundas St. E. (at O'Keefe)
- Green P at 37 Queen St. E. (at Victoria)
Bags are discouraged and subject to security screening. Bags larger than 14" x 14" x 6" are not permitted. Allowed bags must be soft-sided and fit completely under your seat.
Massey Hall is committed to creating an inclusive experience for all guests. Recent upgrades include enhanced amenities, accessible seating, and—for the first time in our 126-year history—elevator access to bars, washrooms, and upper levels via the 178 Victoria Street entrance (southeast corner).
The 100 Floor section can be General Admission for designated concerts.
Accessible seating is available on all levels and can be purchased online, or by calling 416-872-4255.
Bars and washrooms are available on all three levels of the venue.
- Floor level guests: Please use the Muskoka Spirits Basement Bar.
- Balcony and Gallery guests: Access the Grolsch Balcony Lounge on Level 2 and GrolschGallery Lounge on Level 3 via the glass corridors through the Allan Slaight Auditorium.
Coat check is available at the Muskoka Spirits Basement Bar. Please note that Massey Hall is a cashless venue, so only credit or debit cards are accepted.
For everyone’s safety, all guests will go through a quick security screening before entering, including bag checks and metal detectors.
Thanks to our official hotel partner, our patrons receive exclusive offers across the Pantages Hotel and Silver Hotel Group locations including:
- Music fans visiting Massey Hall will receive 15% off available room rates at Pantages Hotel
- Music fans visiting Roy Thomson Hall will receive hotel rates of 20% off available room rate at Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown
- Additional preferred rates at partner hotel properties including Hotel Victoria, The Anndore House and Novotel Toronto Centre.
BOX OFFICE & TICKETING INFORMATION
- When you purchase tickets, you will be sent a link to your digital wallet, accessible on any smart mobile device
- Log in using your Massey Hall or Roy Thomson Hall login credentials, no new passwords to remember!
- No app download required and your tickets can be saved in Apple Wallet or Google Wallets
- Tickets include a QR code to be scanned on arrival at the venue
If you do not have a mobile phone, please contact our ticketing and box office team at [email protected] or by phone at 416-872-4255 after purchasing your tickets.
Digital Tickets are paperless tickets accessed through your digital ticket wallet on your mobile device. After purchasing tickets, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to your digital wallet. Log in, select your performance, and your tickets will be ready to scan. You can easily share tickets so each guest has their own. Click here for our Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there service charges?
Service fees cover the operational costs of ticketing and vary by event and promoter requirements.
Can I get a refund?
Refunds are only available:
- If you purchase Booking Protect at checkout (via our third-party partner)
- If an event is cancelled
For postponed events, we’ll contact you with your options.
Cash refunds are not available; alternate arrangements will be offered if needed.
Reach us at 416-872-4255 or [email protected].
The box office opens 3 hours before each event.
Note: All transactions are cashless.