LOCAL NEWS
Save the date - Remembrance Day
Congrats Curran
Curran Stikuts won a decisive and surprising victory in our civic election. Unofficial results from the City of Toronto give him 11,877 votes versus 9,690 votes for Chris Moise. He’s a soft spoken, thoughtful man and many observers thought that habit would be a weakness in a bare knuckle campaign. It wasn’t. He attracted important support from other progressives including voters from labour, social groups and liberal-left camps. Kristyn Wong-Tam’s endorsement was also important to his efforts. In an email to his supporters, he writes, “On Monday, Toronto Centre chose a new voice to represent our communities at City Hall, and I'm honoured beyond words to have the trust of our communities to be that voice.
Best wishes to Chris Moise
Chris Moise is leaving City Council after one term. In his email to his team, he says, “Thank you Toronto Centre. It has been the honour of my life serving you as your City Councillor for Ward 13… I take great pride in all the positives we’ve accomplished since 2022, I hold my head high, and I sincerely thank you for your support.” Mr Moise did indeed achieve many important changes in our Ward and he has every reason to be proud of them. Best wishes to him for his future plans.
509 Parliament
.jpeg)
This building is back in the spotlight. The City of Toronto has approved dramatic changes to its facade. There’s a heritage permit for the work as well as building and traffic permits. (Photo: Irene DeClute)
Introducing Gilles Huot
Gilles is joining the Cabbagetown Neighbourhood Review with regular stories about our community. He’s well-known and admired in Cabbagetown’s heritage groups. He’s an award-winning volunteer who’s contributed through walking tours, community meetings and preservation campaigns. He’s been an important leader at the Cabbagetown Preservation Association and a long-time volunteer with the Royal Ontario Museum. He does all of this in a well-informed and personable style. His first story is below.
Cabbagetown People
Canadian novelist Hugh Garner once described the mid-20th century Cabbagetown as the “largest Anglo-Saxon slum in North America.” Not an enviable honour! But how did it come to that? The first Cabbagetown homes appeared in the mid-19th century but the peak of construction was in the 1880s and 1890s. Cabbagetown’s decline started with the First World War. The Great Depression and the Second World War accelerated it. After the Second World War, most Cabbagetown homes had been turned into sketchy rooming houses. But this situation had a silver lining: some of those sturdy Victorian homes sold cheaply, allowing homeownership to writers, artists, intellectuals, actors, musicians, and dancers. They moved in and breathed new life into the neighbourhood. The Cabbagetown Preservation Association’s Cabbagetown People Program which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026, documents this transformation - click here to visit the site.
By Gilles Huot
Community safety walk
51 Division officers will conduct a safety walk through Cabbagetown South on Thursday November 5 from 2:30 pm. Meet at Anniversary Park (Gerrard and Parliament).
Get your vaccines
Canary District Neighbourhood Association and Gooderham & Worts Neighbourhood Association have organized a vaccine clinic for both covid and flu shots. It’s open for adults and for kids 2+ for the flu vaccine and 12+ for the covid vaccine at Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane) from 11 am to 4 pm on Sunday November 1.
Corktown Chamber Orchestra
The Orchestra’s first performance of the season happens at 8 pm on Friday October 30. They’ll play Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, and Beethoven's 8th symphony. Trinity Church (425 King E), $25, tickets at the door.
Public art at Spruce Street
The Cabbagetown BIA has is inviting Indigenous artists to bid for a sculpture and a mural project at the No Frills wall at Spruce and Parliament. The sculptural artwork will have a $108,000 budget and the mural a $20,000 budget. The application deadline is November 29. For more info and contacts, click here.
Raise the Curtain for Kids!
The silent auction at this fundraiser is full of exciting items - a diamond gift from Alexya Diamond Boutique, a limited-edition print by renowned artist Martin Murphy, framed by 99 Frames, an original oil painting by Mary Corelli, Toronto Symphony Tickets, vintage apparel from Timeless Collective Toronto and an organizing package from The Moving Genie. Anita Bostok and Norman Hathaway from the Bostok Hathaway Real Estate Team are sponsoring it on behalf of the Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre. The funds raised there will pay for 500 tickets to dance events at Harbourfront’s Terminal Theatre for students from schools in Cabbagetown and Regent Park. The evening includes the silent auction, drinks and food at F’Amelia (12 Amelia). Tuesday November 10, 6 pm, $100. For more info and for your tickets, click here or use the QR code.
Winter clothing drive
Sprucecourt School (70 Spruce) is once again collecting winter clothing donations. Tuesday November 3, Wednesday November 4 and Thursday November 5 from 3 to 4 pm. Drop off your donations at the side door.
Allan Gardens Farmers Market
The Allan Gardens Farmers Market will continue into the Fall and Winter. Open from 10 am to 2 pm every Saturday. Both days at the Children’s Conservatory (19 Horticultural Ave). For more info, click here.
HALLOWE’EN IS COMING
See also the stories in the Restaurant News below
Boo Barn
Hallowe’en on the promenade
Dia de Muertos
A two-day dance festival bringing Mexican traditions to life in unexpected ways. Saturday October 31 and Sunday November 1 from 6 to 10 pm in the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E). Tickets are $10 - click here.
Rose’s ghost stories
Toronto Dance Theatre’s dancers along with guest artists will perform three shows each night on October 29, 30 and 31 - at 7, 8:15 and 9:30 pm. It all happens in the historic Winchester Theatre (80 Winchester). It’ll be “an immersive haunted house where dance, live music, theatrical storytelling and traditional ghost lore come together…” A one-of-a-kind fundraiser. Proceeds support TDT’s artistic program, residencies and facilities management. Tickets start at $50. For more info and for tickets, click here.
Pumpkin walk in Riverdale Park
The Cabbagetown Residents Association is hosting its annual pumpkin walk on Sunday November 1 from 6 to 8 pm in Riverdale Park West (Winchester and Sumach). Bring your pumpkin and get a candle to light it up. Wear costumes. Be ready to tell everyone about your own Hallowe’een adventures. And bring a non-perishable food item for Dixon Hall.
Join the Corktown Pumpkin Parade
Sunday November 1, 5:30 to 7 pm, Sackville Park (420 King E). Children are invited - bring your Hallowe’en pumpkin for everyone to see and enjoy. After that, stay for the guided walk through Corktown. Pay what you can - donations support the Corktown Residents & Business Association.
IN THE MEDIA
The Distillery’s huge Christmas show will start with its official lighting of its giant Christmas tree at 6 pm on November 12. Tickets are now available along with an outline of the schedules and events for the Village. Click here. blogTO has written about the Village and gives a detailed overview of its programs.
Distillery Winter Village
Mural at 140 Carlton
There’s a huge new mural painted on the side of this 22-storey building near Allan Gardens. It’s a portrait of a maple tree in the park painted by Emmanuel Jarus. Toronto Today describes the work and the methods used to put it onto the building. (Photo: City of Toronto)
BUSINESS NEWS
Rapid Photo (434 Parliament) is organizing an evening of drawing poses on the pole with Dynasty Degas. For artists of all levels - bring your own materials. Wednesday November 4, 7 to 9 pm, registration is required, $25.
Drawing on the pole
Pilates at Sequins Studio
Newcomers are often hesitant about joining pilates classes. Sequins (552 Parliament) is offering a beginner’s class with 50 minutes of fundamentals taught slowly and with a very good playlist. There are ten openings so there’s room for questions, individual attention and lots of trial and error. “At SEQUINS, we believe movement should feel good. Move at your own pace and enjoy the supportive challenge. Learn the moves. Learn the language. Find out what your body loves.” To find out more, send her an email.
Aluna Spa
Dora’s new massage therapy spa at 127 Berkeley opened in the summer. It grew from her solo practice into this beautiful wellness space. Her team of Registered Massage Therapists offers a range of massage treatments. Check out her clinic and her team online at her website and her Facebook page.
RESTAURANT NEWS
As most of us already know, Rayah (507 Parliament) is battling its landlord. Waya and Zaky always pay their rent. At the end of last year, the landlord gave them additional charges and they asked him for invoices to match his claim. He refused and then threatened to evict them. At another time, he locked them out of the building so now Zaky sleeps there to protect it. They have a simple request - show them the invoices and they’ll pay them. To get this settled, it appears that a court battle is coming and they’ll need thousands of dollars to pay for it. There’s a gofundme campaign underway. Your contribution will be deeply appreciated.
Rayah needs our help
Hallowe’en in our pubs
Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) is home for a Howl-ween costume party - bring your dog in a costume on Saturday October 31 from 3 to 6 pm. Super Bargain (441 Parliament) on Saturday October 31, it’s Studio 54 Hallowe’en dance party with DJ Shadow Brown. Decoy (370 Queen E) has a bunch of DJs - at 8 pm on Friday October 30, Devil’s Night with DJ Detroit Diablo and on Saturday October 31 at 9 pm, Heaven & Hell Hallowe’en with DJ Beurre Black & Bloody Emmons. El Catrin (18 Tank House Lane) has a four-day celebration of Dia de los Muertos with a special menu and a DJ on Friday, Saturday and Sunday plus a live Mariachi band on Monday from 6 pm. Lost Craft (482 Front) is having a Scareaoke night on October 31 from 7 pm. Old Flame Brewery (45 Tank House Lane) has Hallowe’en Jam from 7 to 10 pm on Saturday.
Fusilli
An Italian tasting with wines from Chiorri Umbria. Friday November 6 at 7 pm at Fusilli (531 Queen E). Four course meal with tasting samples of wine at each course. $90. To reserve your place, call (416) 214-5148.
Cosette Coffee
A new coffee shop has opened in Corktown. Cosette Coffee (489 King E) features pastries and coffees - its signature drink is honeycomb latte topped with sponge toffee. Open 7:30 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays and 8 am to 5 pm on weekends.
Holiday gatherings at F’Amelia
From intimate dinners to festive team celebrations, F’Amelia (12 Amelia) offers a warm Cabbagetown dining room, hand made cuisine and welcoming hospitality. Call (416) 323-0666 to make your arrangements.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
Here’s your list, day by day, of events and specials in our clubs and pubs for the next ten days. For contact info, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 29 TO SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8
THURSDAY OCTOBER 29
Johnny Gs
7 pm, Live jazz
La Gloria
4:30 pm, Practice your Spanish
Mill Street Brew Pub
7 pm, Trivia with Quizmaster Jess
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, open mic
FRIDAY OCTOBER 30
Decoy
8 pm, Devil’s Night with DJ Detroit Diablo
El Catrin
Dia de los Muertos with special menu and DJs
Johnny Gs
7 pm, Live jazz
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, live music
SATURDAY OCTOBER 31
Decoy
Heaven & Hell Hallowe’en with DJ Beurre Black & Bloody Emmons
El Catrin
Dia de los Muertos with special menu and DJs
Johnny Gs
7 pm, Live jazz
Lost Craft
7 pm, Scareaoke with DJ Dan and then 9 pm, DJ Dan
Old Flame Brewery
2 to 6 pm, live music
7 to 10 pm, Hallowe’en Jam
Stout Irish Pub
Howl-ween party with your doggies.
Super Bargain
7 pm, Studio 54 dance party with DJ Shadow Brown
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1
El Catrin
Dia de los Muertos with special menu and DJs
Johnny Gs
7 pm, Live jazz
Old Flame Brewery
2 to 6 pm, live music
MONDAY NOVEMBER 2
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 3
La Gloria
4:30 pm, Practice your Spanish
Old Flame
6 pm, locals night
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 4
Golden Pigeon
8 pm, Trivia with Rachelle Lauzon
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, Trivia night
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Euchre night
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5
Decoy
Stout Day with DJ Swap
Mill Street Brew Pub
7 pm, Trivia with Quizmaster Jess
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, open mic
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6
Decoy
9 pm, DJ Diet Coke
Johnny Gs
7 pm, Live Jazz
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, live music
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7
Bisou
4 pm, DJ Antony
Decoy
Bite club Diwali edition
Johnny Gs
7 pm, Live Jazz
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live music
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8
Johnny Gs
5 pm, Live jazz
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live music
