May 25

This week’s image:  Hillside in Riverdale Park West

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 
REVIEW

LOCAL NEWS

The Market is back
The Cabbagetown Farmer’s Market (Riverdale Park, Sumach and Winchester) has started for the summer season.  It’ll continue every Tuesday from 3 to 7 pm until October.  Congrats to market manager Michelle Davidson and her team for attracting new vendors, bringing back our favourites and getting everything organized.
And congrats as well to Michelle and Dan - they’re getting married in September.  No reports yet about the location for their wedding.  Maybe it’ll be among the corn and cantaloupes at a September market.  
This week’s Market had rhubarb, red and green onions, asparagus, cinnamon buns and Fifth Town cheese - among other goodies.
The new vendors for 2017 include Rebel with a Garden, Secret Lands, Waffle Huis, Deebs Yogurt, Speakeasy Fine Foods, Vera and Backyard Urban Farm.  You can get the full vendor list at the Market’s website
Throughout the summer, check out the Market’s Facebook page for weekly announcements about vendors and special events.  

Cabbagetown Farmer’s Market vendors
Periodically, a Market vendor will be highlighted here. 
Nancy Self from Tamarack Farms in Roseneath has prize-winning food on sale at her booth.
Her marmalades have earned wide recognition.  She got a Gold medal for her Damson Plum & Orange at the 2016 Royal Winter Fair in Toronto and a Silver at the 2016 World Marmalade Festival in Penrith, Cumbria in the UK for her Seville Orange.  Both are available at the Market.  

Buy a rain barrel
Cabbagetown South is selling rain barrels ($55 each) and several accessories.  The barrels are available in the regular size and in three colours.  It’s a fundraiser to assist the Association with its community projects.  The final day for orders is Monday June 5.  Pick-ups locally on June 10 from 10 am to 1 pm at 380 Ontario .  For more info and ordering, click here.  

Dancing at the CYC
Eden Higgins is back at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster) and is teaching her recreational dance classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  She’s offering three classes for kids - from 6 to 6:30 pm (for kids 6 to 8 years), from 6:30 to 7 pm (9 to 11 years) and from 7 to 8 pm (12 to 14 years).  Classes are free.  Drop in and register before the class. 

Summer Dance Camp
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre (80 Winchester) offers a week-long Summer Dance Camp for kids ages 5 and up right in the heart of Cabbagetown.  July 17 to 21. Sign up your kids for a week of movement, creation, and fun. Classes are set to vibrant live music from some of the city’s most gifted accompanists. The schedule is jam-packed with dance and music, arts and crafts, and outdoor activities, all fostering self-expression and collaboration.Young artists will create their own dances, characters, instruments, sets, and costumes while learning the fundamentals of contemporary dance in a fun and safe environment. The week will culminate in a showing for the dancers’ families in the historic Winchester Street Theatre.  There’s more information online.

Dogs of Corktown
Poop bag boxes have been installed by Dogs of Corktown around Corktown Common.  Dog owners who need a bag can help themselves and those who have extra bags are invited to donate to the boxes.  Great idea.  

Make a difference
Send a kid to camp with the Neighbourhood Group.  The group serves many high needs areas like Moss Park and St James Town.  Your $75 donation will support a kid for one week. $150 pays for two weeks and $600 covers a full summer program.  Click here to learn more and to make your gift.  

Thanks Linda
Photo:  Linda Eggerer
Linda snapped this photo in mid-May on Seaton Street just south of Dundas - gorgeous Spring blooms. Thanks Linda.
If you have a favourite Cabbagetown picture, send it along and I’ll share it with everyone.
You may know about a nearby garden (including your own) that deserves a nomination to the CPA’s Streetscape in Bloom contest.  Send in your nomination before midnight Saturday May 27 - click here for more info.   

Welcome back
Michelle and her husband visited Cabbagetown last week and came around to the Wellesley Cottages.  They wanted to visit Cottage #1 which her great grandparents - Robert and Mary Ellen McKay -  rented from 1918 to 1922.  She remembers stories about a ghost in the coal cellar and descriptions of the way they used the Toronto Star to patch holes and insulate the walls.  Welcome back, Michelle. 

COMING EVENTS 

Cabbagetown South community yard sale
Saturday, May 27, 9 am to 1 pm. Buy some stuff.  Sell your stuff.  Set up a table in your front yard - it’s a popular neighbourhood-wide event  (Carlton to Shuter, Parliament to Sherbourne) with lots of buyers and sellers.  The event will be advertised on Kijiji and Craigslist.  Rain or shine.  

Cabbagetown street music
The Cabbagetown BIA is bringing back its free street music program from 5 to 8 pm on Saturday May 27.  Enjoy the music from a live band at the corner of Prospect and Parliament.  

Spring into auction
Toronto Dance Theatre’s second online auction is now underway and it ends at midnight, Sunday May 28.  Check it out now - some real bargains available! Over fifteen exciting items are up for bidding including Blue Jays tickets, TSO tickets, a trip to Stratford, several restaurant packages, fitness, fashion and hair styling gift certificates and more.  Click here to bid.   

Two ROMWalks
ROMWalks are guided walking tours organized by the Royal Ontario Museum. Two local tours are scheduled for our sites over the summer. 
St James Cemetery covers Toronto’s oldest operating cemetery including its chapel, a national historic site and the graves of notable and notorious citizenry.  Wednesday May 31, 6 pm, starting point at the cemetery gate (Parliament north of Wellesley). The tour will be repeated on June 18, July 19 and September 17.
Whiskey, Wharf & Windmill goes through the Distillery District to discover commercial, industrial and residential buildings from the historic Town of York. Starting point at St Paul’s Basilica (Power and Queen). The walk will be offered on June 25, August 2 and October 15.

CPA Annual Meeting
The Cabbagetown Preservation Association is having its annual meeting at 7 pm on Monday May 29 in Dixon Hall (formerly St Peter’s Church, Bleecker and Carlton).  Gilles Huot and Virginia van Vliet will talk about the remarkable people buried in Cabbagetown’s two cemeteries.  There’ll also be a presentation of the annual Peggy Kurtin Award for excellence in restoration. 
The print edition of the Spring CPA newsletter is now being distributed door-to-door.  For your online version, click here.   

Open House at Sherbourne Health Centre
The Infirmary at Sherbourne Health Centre (333 Sherbourne, 3rd Floor) offers medical respite nursing care for people who are socially isolated, homeless or under-housed and who need a safe place to recuperate from an acute medical condition, illness, injury or surgery.  The Open House takes place on Wednesday May 31 from 4 to 7 pm with speeches from 5 to 6 pm.  For more info and for advance registration, click here.  

Outdoor party with Chartwell
Chartwell Retirement Residence is hosting an outdoor party with a live jazz band and an ice cream bar.  Wednesday May 31, 7 to 9 pm, Regent Park Presentation Centre (500 Dundas E).  Everyone welcome - but please RSVP to Vanessa at vtynedal@chartwell.com 

Moms & Dads potluck picnic
Cabbagetown Moms & Dads is sponsoring a potluck picnic in Riverdale Park West (Winchester and Sumach).  Everyone welcome.  Please bring a dish to feed ten or twelve people.  And bring along your kids, your picnic blanket, your plates and cutlery and your beverages.  Picnic table area outside the Farm, Thursday June 1 from 4:30 pm onward.  

Youth job fair
The Centre for Education & Training (599 Parliament) is hosting a youth job fair for people between 15 and 29 years old on Saturday June 3 from 11 am to 2 pm.  There’ll be assistance with resume writing and interview skills.  Interviews on-the-spot with employers including Tim Horton’s, Mcdonalds and Canadian Property Stars.  Positions are open in retailing, customer service and sales, landscaping, food service and more.  Click here to register.   

Ideas Symposium at CNH
Save the date - the Neighbourhood Group will host its sixth annual Ideas Symposium on Saturday June 3, 10 am to 2 pm at Central Neighbourhood House (349 Ontario).  There’ll be celebrated panelists and lots of discussion. Lunch is provided.  It’s free - everyone welcome. To register, call Edwin at (416) 925-4363, ext 103 or go online here.   

Fresh Ideas in puppetry
A day of presentations, demonstrations, discussions and workshops about puppetry.  The evening cabaret presents exciting innovations and new performances.  10 am to 10 pm, Saturday June 3, Aki Studio Theatre, Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  Daytime conference $55, cabaret $25, package ticket $70.  Click here for more info and for tickets.   

DOORS OPEN TORONTO
The annual giant tour of Toronto buildings happens on Saturday May 27 and Sunday May 28.  150 locations are featured this year in honour of Canada’s 150th anniversary.  A full list is available online.  

Local sites
All photos:  City of Toronto, Doors Open
Ten nearby tours are available.  They’re listed below from north to south - click on the names to read the specific tour details online.
Necropolis Chapel & Cemetery, 200 Winchester, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.  
Central Neighbourhood House, 349 Ontario, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.   
Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley, Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, 1 to 5 pm.   
Design Workshop Architects, 507 King E, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.   
Little Trinity Church, 425 King E, Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday noon to 5 pm.  
Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, 106 Trinity, Sunday 10 am to 5 pm.  
Cooper Koo Family YMCA, 461 Cherry, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.  
Mill Street Brew Pub, 21 Tank House Lane in the Distillery, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.  
Stone Distillery Building, 36 Distillery Lane in the Distillery, Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.   
Harley Valentine Studio, 178 Queen’s Quay E, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.  

BUSINESS NEWS

Outdoor colours at Kendall & Co
Kendall & Co's (514 Parliament) outdoor rugs keep the party going - rain or shine - during this season of backyard entertaining and cottage living. Made of durable, mould/mildew-resistant synthetic fibres that are safe on wood decks and patios. Check out Kendall’s website for available styles and sizes. Plus …. select wool rugs are now 25% off and floor models are 60% off!  Store hours: 10am to 6 pm Weekdays and 11am to 5 pm, Saturdays.

Distillery Sunday Market
The Sunday Market returns to the Distillery on Sunday May 28.  It runs each week through the summer from noon to 5 pm.  Outdoor vendors will sell food specialties and artisanal treats.  

Adina Photo & Customer Framing - new address
Adina has owned her shop for over 25 years and she’s just moved into her new address at 2 Homewood. Originally a photographic store, it has evolved into a framing studio. a photography studio with a great reputation on Google for flattering ID photos for passport, visas and Linkedin and a specialty in photo restoration. 
Store hours are 9:30 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday and noon to 4 pm, Saturday. (416) 960-9252. Check out our website here.  

IN THE MEDIA

Toronto Community Housing
Photo: Carlos Osorio, Toronto Star
On Tuesday May 23, the Toronto Star did a useful and upsetting article about the condition of houses owned by TCHC across Toronto.  It spells out the kinds of repairs needed, the financial problems involved and the implications for TCHC residents.  The article identifies Cabbagetown properties which it describes as “the most severe” in the system.  There’s a map that shows the locations of individual properties.  Click here to read the story.   

ON STAGE

Sing - The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival
The Festival is underway at various venues across Toronto - here are the events happening at local venues.  For full program details and tickets, go online
The School Day Workshop for middle school and high school students with the New York Voices - 9:30 am to 2 pm, Friday May 26, $30/student, Little Trinity Church (425 King E).  
Masterclass workshops May 27 with New York Voices (noon), Blue Jupiter (1:30 pm), musica intima a cappella choral singing (3 pm) and Better Solo Singing with Elaine Overholt (4:15 pm), Little Trinity Church (425 King E).
Workshops for university and post-university emerging artists by the Contemporary A Cappella League with New York Voices (noon), Blue Jupiter (1:30 pm), musica intima vocal ensemble (3 pm) and Better Solo Singing with Elaine Overholt (4:15 pm), $30, Little Trinity Church (425 King E).
Intimate Voices - a classical showcase with musica intima vocal ensemble.  Saturday May 27, 7:30 pm, $25, Little Trinity Church (425 King E).
Doors Open in the Distillery - concert at the Stone Distillery Building, Sunday May 28, noon to 3 pm..

Emerging Voices
Photo:  Omer Yukseker
Toronto Dance Theatre’s season finale - choreographed by Alicia Grant and Emily Law.  May 24 to 27 at 8 pm and May 28 at 2 pm. On stage at the Winchester Theatre (80 Winchester), $20 to $25.  Click here for more info and tickets.   

Serious Games
Dancers from the Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre (509 Parliament) appear at Harbourfront’s Next Steps.  8 pm, May 26 and 27.  Fleck Dance Theatre,   (235 Queens Quay).  Tickets available online.  

RESTAURANT NEWS 

Young, Live & Local
The Local GEST (424 Parliament) presents Cabbagetown’s showcase for young musicians.  This week’s artists include Jen Bell with Kai Murin-Jones, Dave Wilton & Friends, Effie Sky & the Blue Pill and Evan Simms & the Valley Bones.  Saturday May 27, 9 pm. No cover.  

Spoken Lives
These are the stories that women tell.  Neverdun Learning by Cynthia Armour, Single by Choice or by chance with Jackie Porter and From the dance studio to the fields of Africa with Sarina Condello.  Tueaday May 30, 6 pm, Paintbox Bistro (535 Dundas E), $20.  Tickets are available at the door or online.     

The mango tango at Merryberry
Mangos are featured in Cyril’s next cooking class.  He says that it’s one of his favourite foods.  He’ll be offering savoury recipes and luscious desserts.  To register, call (647) 348-0411 or drop in to Merryberry (559 Parliament). Wednesday June 7, 5:30 pm, $45.

THEATRE & DANCE CALENDARS 
Addresses, online info and current events.

AKI STUDIO THEATRE
Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas E

Paprika Festival - to May 28
Online info and tickets here.

Dinner with Goebbels - May 31 to June 2
Online tickets and info here. 

Fresh Ideas in puppetry - Saturday June 3
Online info and tickets here. 

ALUMNAE THEATRE
70 Berkeley Street

InspiraTO 10-Minute Play Festival - June 1 to 10
Online tickets and info here.

CANADIAN CONTEMPORARY DANCE THEATRE
509 Parliament

Serious Games (Next Steps at Fleck Dance Theatre) - May 26 and May 27
Online info and tickets here.

CANADIAN STAGE
26 Berkeley 

Onegin - to June 4
Online info and tickets here.

SOULPEPPER
50 Tank House Lane, Distillery District

For Coloured Girls - on stage to June 3
Tickets and info here.

Porgy & Bess - on stage May 27 & 30, June 1 to 3 and June 9.
Online info and tickets here.

TORONTO DANCE THEATRE
80 Winchester

Emerging Voices - May 24 to 28
Tickets and info here.

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY MAY 25 TO SUNDAY JUNE 4
  • For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.  
  • If there's a cover charge or tickets are sold, the prices are listed.

THURSDAY MAY 25

New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

FRIDAY MAY 26

Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke 
Dominion
9 pm, DJ Dash
Fuse
10 pm, Ladies night and dancing, ladies free, others $10
Johnny G’s
8:30 pm, Live Greek music with Dimitra (vocals), Vassilis (keyboard) and Vaggelis (bouzouki)
Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Friday nights with Humble Mike 
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Quincy
African weekends with DJ Fox and a guest DJ

SATURDAY MAY 27

Dominion
9 pm, Garrick the DJ
Mill Street Beer Hall
5 pm, Saturday nights with Humble Mike
Quincy
African weekends with DJ Fox and a guest DJ

SUNDAY MAY 28

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke with Vee
Dominion
11 am, Brunch & Beats live with Grump
The Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz with the Artie Roth Trio
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke

MONDAY MAY 29

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

TUESDAY MAY 30

Paintbox
6 pm, Spoken Lives, $20
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

WEDNESDAY MAY 31

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Local GEST
7:30 pm, Wednesday Night Trivia
Paintbox
8 pm, Corktown Ukulele Jam, $12
Quincy’s
Latin Wednesdays with DJ Fight - reggaeton, merengue, rumba salsa, Afromusic and more.  $10.
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Art & Ales, $25 with coupon

THURSDAY JUNE 1

The Local GEST
8 pm, Jeff Barnes and Noah Zacharin
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Paintbox Bistro
4 to 7 pm, taping of the Nikki Clarke show

FRIDAY JUNE 2

Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke
Johnny G’s
8:30 pm, Live Greek music with Dimitra (vocals), Vassilis (keyboard) and Vaggelis (bouzouki)
Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Friday nights with Humble Mike
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke 
Quincy
African weekends with DJ Fox and a guest DJ

SATURDAY JUNE 3

The Local GEST
8 pm, Young, Live & Local
Mill Street Beer Hall
5 pm, Saturday nights with Humble Mike
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Quincy
African weekends with DJ Fox and a guest DJ

SUNDAY JUNE 4

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke with Vee
Dominion
11 am, Brunch & Beats
The Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz with Joanne Morra

CONTACT INFO

ALICE'S PLACE
554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088, https://www.facebook.com/alicesplacetoronto
ARVO
17 Gristmill Lane, Distillery,  (647) 352-2766
CORKTOWN KITCHEN
354 King St E, (46) 901-1188
CRANBERRIES
DOMINION PUB & KITCHEN
500 Queen St E, (416) 366-5555, https://www.facebook.com/DominionTO/
EL CATRIN
18 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 203-2121, https://www.facebook.com/elcatrin.ca
FUSE
366 Queen St E, (647) 347-3873, http://fusedining.com 
HOUSE ON PARLIAMENT
IMPACT KITCHEN
THE IRV
95 Carlton Street, (647) 350-4787, https://www.facebook.com/theirvpub/
JOHNNY G’s
478 Parliament St, (416) 928-1358
THE LOCAL GEST
424 Parliament St, (416) 961-9425, http://www.thelocalgest.com/
MERRYBERRY CAFE
MILL STREET BEER HALL
21 Tank House Ln, Distillery, (416) 681-0338, http://millstreetbrewery.com/toronto-beer-hall/
MILL STREET BREW PUB
21 Tank House Ln, Distillery, http://millstreetbrewery.com/toronto-brew-pub/
ODIN
514 King E, (647) 350-6346, https://www.facebook.com/odinhus
NEW TOWN
413 Parliament Street
PAINTBOX BISTRO
555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555
QUINCY’s AFROKITCHEN & BAR
326 Parliament, (647) 989-9127,  https://www.facebook.com/cometoquincys/
SOULPEPPER
Young Centre, 50 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 866-8666,
STOUT IRISH PUB
UNDER THE TABLE
568 Parliament St, (647) 351-1533, https://www.facebook.com/underthetabletoronto