BLEECKER STREET SHOOTING, NEWS ABOUT MUSIC EVENTS, RESTAURANTS & BUSINESSES

Bleecker Street murder
At 11:26 pm on Thursday March 21, Nisan Nirmalendran was murdered in the front vestibule at 55 Bleecker Street.  An elderly woman entered the vestibule and was trapped there while the shooting happened.  Luckily, she escaped without injury.  The police also want to talk to another man who was with Mr Nirmalendran earlier in the evening.  Finally, witnesses report that 3 or 4 people fled the scene and they described two vehicles that drove away. 
All of this, including portions of the surveillance videos, can be seen at the police website.  If you recognize anything about the incident or the shooter, please call the police at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477)
Nisan is the second son in his family to be murdered.  Our sympathies go out to his bereaved mother and father during this horrible time for them. 

Holy Week at St Peter’s
St Peter’s Anglican Church (190 Carlton) is holding a series of services and events to mark the Easter Season.  There’s a communion service on Maundy Thursday (March 28, 7 pm).  On Good Friday (March 29), the service starts at 10:30 am.  The week concludes with the Easter Sunday service with baptisms (March 31 at 10:30 am).  This is a good opportunity for those who haven’t yet met her to be introduced to Jeanette Lewis, St Peter’s new priest. 

Forsythia Festival King, Queen and Marshall
Don’t forget to nominate a friend, a neighbour or a family member for these roles at the Forsythia Festival.  Pick someone whose contributions to our neighbourhood should be honoured.  Send your nomination together with a brief note telling why you like this person to shannongrimm@hotmail.com by April 19.

MUSIC – SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY!

Stompin` Tom Tribute
On Friday night at 9 pm, an impressive selection of musicians pays tribute to Canadian icon Stompin` Tom Connors at the Dominion on Queen  (500 Queen E at Sumach).  Duncan Fremlin and Bob McNiven (both from Whiskey Jack) toured with Stompin`Tom and they`re in the line-up. 
Whiskey Jack returns to the Eton House (710 Danforth) on April 6 from 4 to 7 pm.  Kids are welcome.  Then on April 10, the group is part of another Stompin` Tom tribute, this time at the Horseshoe (370 Queen W).  Finally, on April 14, they`re at the Cadillac Lounge (1296 Queen W) from 4 to 7 pm.

Roots music
The Cameron House (408 Queen W) together with the Regent Park School of Music is hosting the ``Deeply Rooted`` series.  The third event happens on Saturday March 30 at 8:30 pm and features The Rattlesnake Choir and Samantha Martin.  No cover charge but donations are welcome and all proceeds go to the School. 

Fundraiser
Support the Regent Park School of Music and enjoy a cabaret evening at “Cabaret Concert with Cadence”, a fundraiser being held at First Unitarian Church (175 St Clair Ave W) on Saturday April 6.  Cadence is a Toronto-based a cappala jazz quartet who’ve received worldwide rave reviews.  Light refreshments, cash bar.  Tickets are $40, available online (Visa only). 

Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir
On Friday April 12, the Choir is singing at Metropolitan United Church (56 Queen St E) at a benefit to support the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club (101 Spruce at Sackville).  The choir has a website where you can listen to excerpts from their songs.  http://welshchoir.ca/things-to-do/listen-to-us-sing-2/ They’re good singers and their music alone would be a reason to attend.  The Club’s facility has been beautifully renovated and now it provides ongoing support to over 1100 local kids.  You can see their website here. Tickets are only $25.  If you can’t go, please consider buying a ticket and then donating it to someone who otherwise couldn’t afford it. 

Toronto Pop-up Orchestra
This new chamber music orchestra is launching itself with an afternoon concert at 598 Yonge, Third Floor, on Sunday April 14 at 2 pm.  Cabbagetown musician Nonna Aroutiounian is a member – she’s a familiar face at Peartree where she regularly works on Saturday evenings and during Sunday brunch.  The concert is a fundraiser (tickets are $10) and will feature pieces by Spanish and Latin American composers, including an original work by Patrick Arteaga.  You can buy tickets at the door or contact nonna.arout@gmail.com  

Reaching Out Through Music
Reaching Out Through Music provides musical and social opportunities for kids in St James Town.  Founded in 2007, the group gives instruction to 75 children ages 6 to 14 in voice, piano, violin, recorder and guitar.  The Children`s Choir has performed in homeless shelters, seniors’ homes and community events.  In 2012, the choir sang with the Bell’Arte Singers and the Riverdale Collegiate chamber orchestra. 
ROTM needs your support to do all of this.  On Saturday April 20, you can hear New Choir, Meredith Shaw and Scott Pietrangelo perform with the Children`s Choir.  There’ll also be a special appearance by the De La Salle Oakland Crusaders Brass Ensemble.  It’s a fundraiser.  Tickets are $20 (patrons $100 with an $80 tax receipt).  The silent auction starts at 6 pm and the benefit concert at 7:30 pm at St Simon the Apostle Church, 525 Bloor (between Sherbourne and Parliament). Buy your ticket at the door or contact (416) 923-8714, ext 205, or jamierotm@hotmail.com  

PET NEWS
 
Catbusters this weekend
Catbusters returns to Pet Valu (240 Carlton) on Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.  If you’ve been yearning for a neat little cat to keep your house interesting, drop by and take a look at these guys.  Catbusters locates suitable new homes for strays and abandoned cats. When you get a cat from this agency, it’s had a wide range of medical treatments and it’s been spayed or neutered.  Catbusters works regularly with Pet Valu stores across Toronto – check out its website. 

Menagerie Pet Shop
Menagerie (549 Parliament) has a great sale underway, clearing out winter gear including Canada Pooch jackets and Muttluk boots, both at 20% off.  Until the end of April (and this is the muddy season!), enjoy a nice do-it-yourself doggie bath at only $10 per dog. This weekend, the shop is closed on Friday and Sunday.  Normal hours resume next week – Monday to Friday from 10:30 am to 7 pm, Saturday 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday noon to 5 pm. 

Cabbagetown Pet Clinic
The clinic’s spring email newsletter is now available, telling us about seasonal prevention measures for our pets.  It’s a good read with an easily understood explanation of the way heartworm develops in dogs.  There’s also a timely reminder that fleas start to wake up in the warm weather.  If you’d like to be on the email list, contact the clinic at info@cabbagetownpetclinic.com. You can see the clinic’s website here.  239 Gerrard E

RESTAURANT NEWS

Thanks to Robert at the Ben Wicks
This newsletter is embarked on a slow but relentless campaign to earn a living.  To date, the realtors listed here each week, along with Kendall & Co and Sinate Creations, have proven to be very generous.  Restaurant and pub owners are now being asked to consider a weekly advertisement.  Robert at the Ben Wicks (424 Parliament) is the first one to agree and he`s certainly set a fine example.  Thanks Robert!

Lamb shanks at Cranberries` Easter Dinner
Once again, Cranberries (601 Parliament) has a special three-course dinner ready for Easter Sunday from 5 to 11 pm.  For starters, you can choose between carmelized butternut squash soup and organic green salad with goat cheese and walnuts.  There are two entrees – roast turkey with cranberry sauce or baked lamb shanks with port wine au jus - both served with mashed potato and seasonal veggies. Dessert is a sticky toffee pudding.  All of this for $25.99.   There are people who have asked for advance notice whenever Siva bakes his lamb shanks, so be prepared for a full house on Sunday.

Another delicious report
Samsara (587 Parliament) is a small restaurant that delivers a big punch at very reasonable prices.  The owner, Selva, offers a lunch ($7.99) and a dinner ($9.99) buffet.  There`s also a limited selection of individually prepared dishes like Kothu Roti ($5.99), butter chicken ($7.99) chilli chicken, shrimp or fish ($6.99), Masala Dosa ($5.99), Idly ($4.99) and Kothu String Hopper ($5.99), plus appetizers and sweets.    At lunch, the choices on the buffet include tandoori chicken, butter chicken, goat or chicken curry, eggplant, dal, potato marsala, saag paneer, aloo gobi, cabbage and rice. Naan is prepared for each person individually. Each item was fresh and hot.  It`s a nice clean spot and Selva is attentive and helpful.  Catering and takeout available, no alcohol.

BUSINESS NEWS

Richard Silver has moved
Richard is a very prominent and active member of our community.  His name appears regularly as a supporter on community projects.  He`s now, for example, one of the leading contributors to the 2013 Forsythia Festival.  He`s made a big move to Sotheby`s International Realty where he`ll be a sales representative.  In his letters to his clients, he cites Sotheby`s powerful reach on the internet and its extensive local, national and international sales network.  You can continue to enjoy his views, his rants and his listings on his website.

BNI visitors day
On Wednesday morning, 25 people hauled themselves out of bed and into a 7 am meeting that proved to be a warm and interesting introduction to BNI`s Cabbagetown chapter.  Merryberry CafĂ© (559 Parliament) laid out a delicious breakfast. Out-going president Kathy Van Zeyl chaired the meeting which included an impressive exchange of new business opportunities among the members.  These referrals are at the heart of the BNI program and they happen when a member refers a client to another member.  Cabbagetown members are aiming at $500,000 in referrals between themselves in 2013 and they`re on target for the first quarter.  Membership in the group is limited to one person in each business category.  Any business person interested in this worthwhile organization can look at the BNI website, check out the list of categories and then sign up.

Change at Kendall
Kendall & Co (227 Carlton) is now renovating its showroom and phase one is finished. There`s a new, expanded rug gallery highlighting the latest New Zealand wool rugs.  They come in sizes from 2` by 3` to 10` by 14` and there are 8` runners and round sizes in stock as well.  You can see these rugs on Kendall`s website but as Kevin says, you can`t feel them online so drop in and touch them for yourself.
You can also talk to a designer about Kendall`s residential design services and exclusive furnishings.

Radiant lotus qigong for women
At Sundara Yoga (492 Parliament), Karusia Wroblewski is leading this special event.  Qigong is the Chinese version of yoga. Karusia`s course runs from April 20 to May 4, from 3 to 5 pm.  There`ll be a free information session on Saturday April 6 from 3 to 4 pm.  There`s also a description on Sundara`s website.  
Sundara has a new schedule available now for Spring on the website.

Sumach Designs
Pete Lovering has an active graphic and online design service.  You`ll see his work regularly in the Parliament Street News which he publishes.  He`s also done website designs for local groups like the Cabbagetown BIA.  His focus is primarily on design and marketing materials for small businesses.  For print needs, he`ll design logos, business cards, marketing materials, banners and signs and trade shows.  His online designs cover websites, Wordpress, seo, Google advertising and social media.  Contact Pete at Sumach Designs.
 
Happy times
When you see snow drops, you know that Spring is on its way. There are lots of other undeniable signs.   Our backyard feeder now attracts birds in pairs and several of us are watching Wellesley Park to see if the Cooper`s hawks return for another year.  And suddenly - within a few days – everyone stops being grumpy and starts to cheer the weather during our morning walks with our dogs.

CLUBS & PUBS EVENTS

THURSDAY MARCH 28 TO SUNDAY APRIL 7
 
Contact info
Alice’s Place, 554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088
Ben Wicks, 424 Parliament St, (416) 961-9425, www.benwickspub.com
Dominion on Queen, 500 Queen St E, (416) 368-6893, www.dominiononqueen.com  
Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St, (647) 347-6567, www.pubaret.com
Paint Box Bistro, 555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555, www.paintboxbistro.ca
Stout Irish Pub, 221 Carlton St, (647) 344-7676, www.stoutirishpub.ca  
Winchester Kitchen & Bar, 51A Winchester St, (416) 323-0051, www.winchesterkitchen.com  

If there's a cover charge or tickets are sold, we’ve listed the prices. Otherwise, the event is free.

THURSDAY MARCH 28
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, “Vexed” – tight harmonies and lots of laughter with Julie Michels, Sophia Perlman & Terra Hazelton , $15 advance, $20 door
Paintbox Bistro
8:30 pm, Miles Jones, the third in the Paintbox indie series. 
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
10 pm, Phill Hood, “The Human Jukebox”

FRIDAY MARCH 29
Dominion on Queen
9 pm, Tribute to Stompin’ Tom Connors, $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm, singer, songwriter and instrumentalist Shane Harvey, $10/advance, $15/door.
9 pm, singing, storytelling and gossip with Sharron Matthews,  $20/advance, $25/door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
10 pm, Soul City Groovement with BTH Band

SATURDAY MARCH 30
Dominion on Queen
4 to 7:30 pm, Ronnie Hayward, pwyc
9 pm, country rock with Glendale One, $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm,”I’m still here and so is my hair”, Marla  Lukofsky’s personal journey with cancer.  $15/advance, $20/door
9 pm, Carla Collins is back with more comedy, $20/advance, $25/door
Paintbox Bistro
8 pm, Comedy with Kate Davis
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
10 pm, Kilowatt, AJ birthday party

SUNDAY MARCH 31
Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
11 am to 3 pm, Rockabilly Brunch with the Cosmotones
Flying Beaver
11 am to 3 pm, Psychic Brunch, $29
8 pm, Chris Tsujiuchi, “Songs in the key of gay major”, $10/advance, $15 door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
9 pm, Beau’s open mic with Porter

MONDAY APRIL 1
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
10 pm,  Industry Night

TUESDAY APRIL 2
Dominion on Queen
8:30 pm – Hot Club of Corktown Django Jam, pwyc
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Nerd Night pub quiz
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
Midnight, epic film night

WEDNESDAY APRIL 3
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
8 pm, Corktown Ukelele Jam, $5
Flying Beaver
7 pm, “Liar Liar Pants on Fire” hosted by Paul Bellini
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
7:30 pm, Smart Ass Trivia
10 pm, Win Prov hosted by Tracy Rowland & Dwayne Mailman, $5

THURSDAY APRIL 4
Dominion on Queen
7 pm, The Wee Folks Club, $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Match Fever & the Dating Games with Maggie Cassella, $10 advance, $15 door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
9:30 pm, Jeff Barnes & Noah Zacharin

FRIDAY APRIL 5
Dominion on Queen
9 pm, Havana To Toronto Live afro-cuban, $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Paula Wolfson “All strung up” with Kirk Elliott, $15/advance, $20/door.
9 pm, Amy Lewis & Jen Calder “Strings attached” acoustical music with James Mulvale, Trish MacAulay & Jordan Alexander,  $5/ advance and door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
8 pm, The Seagull in Four Movements
10 pm, Solar Messiah 13

SATURDAY APRIL 6
Dominion on Queen
4 to 7:30 pm, Ronnie Hayward, pwyc
East end comedy revue with Host Dave Martin & Mike Wilmot, Darren Frost, Jen Grant, Hunter Grant, Julien Dionne, Steph Tolve & Cal Post with pianist Suga Jam.
Flying Beaver
7 pm, “this much I know”, opinionated nonsense with Marilla Wex,  $10/advance, $15/door
9 pm,Donna Greenberg sophisticated, sassy & spicy songs with Jordan Klapman & Kobi Hass, $15/advance, $20/door

SUNDAY APRIL 7
Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
11 am to 3 pm, Rockabilly Brunch with the Cosmotones
7 pm, Landen Veira Quartet jazz and blues, $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Danish Anwar hosts Martha Chaves “Full Spectrum Comedy” with guests Paul Bellini & Robert
Keller. Funds go to Native Women’s Resource Centre, $15 door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
10 pm, Beau’s Open Mic with Porter

STORYTELLING, EARTH HOUR, COYOTES, RESTAURANTS, MUSIC AND LOTS MORE


NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS

Toronto Storytelling Festival
National, international and local storytellers gather in the Daniels Spectrum from Thursday to Sunday.  Some of the featured storytellers include Jay O’Callahan, Sandra Shamus, Marta Singh, Corin Raymond, Louis Bird, Gayle Ross, Ron Evans, Matthew Byrne and Kristin Wardetsky.  It’s a very full program.  Check it out here. 

Earth Hour tour
Earth Hour 2013 happens on Saturday night and for the fifth year, Cabbagetown South Residents Association is holding a candlelight tour to celebrate.   It’s your chance to enjoy this historic neighbourhood and to see it in an entirely new way.  It all starts at Gerrard and Ontario at 8:30 pm sharp.  Bring a candle, a lantern, your kids and your dog. Finish the night with a warm drink and a souvenir to plant in your garden.  Free – but please register so the organizers can prepare.

Toronto Street Cats
Toronto Street Cats works to improve the lives of feral cats by spaying and neutering, by finding homes for them and by building winter shelters.  On Saturday at 1 pm, they’ll be celebrating the construction of one thousand shelters by hundreds of volunteers over the past three years.  Drop in to the Toronto Humane Society (11 River at Queen).

Holy Week at St Peter’s
St Peter’s Anglican Church (190 Carlton) is holding a series of services and events to mark the Easter Season.  The Palm Sunday service (March 24, 10:30 am) includes a dramatic presentation, palms and blessings on the outside of the church with incense.  There’s a communion service on Maundy Thursday (March 28, 7 pm).  On Good Friday (March 29), the service starts at 10:30 am.  The week concludes with the Easter Sunday service with baptisms (March 31 at 10:30 am).  This is a good opportunity for those who haven’t yet met her to be introduced to Jeanette Lewis, St Peter’s new priest. 

Meet the new Riverdale Farm committee
The official announcements have been issued and the Stewardship Group is now in place.  There are nine new people on the committee including several Cabbagetowners. The members’ experience ranges from community organizing to food marketing, law and corporate affairs.  They’re a mixed bunch and the blend promises to be creative and effective.  On Tuesday night, you’ll have a chance to meet them and pass along your own ideas.  The event takes place at the Riverdale Farm Meeting Place at 7 pm.

Donor list for the Forsythia Festival
A committee from the Cabbagetown Residents Association has been gathering financial support for the Forsythia Festival that takes place on Sunday May 5.  The Festival this year promises to offer a lively and expanded program complete with lots of entertainment, kids’ events, a beer garden and picnic nibblies. 
To date, four donors have contributed over $500 (wow!), five gave between $100 and $500 and seven more have donated $50 to $100.  Plus – seven are making sizeable “gifts in kind” and eleven have pledged gifts for the raffles. 
There’s a new Blog dedicated to the Forsythia Festival – click here and bookmark it.  In future weeks, we’ll be telling you program details, the parade route, personality profiles and lots more!

Forsythia Festival King, Queen and Marshall
Don’t forget to nominate a friend, a neighbour or a family member for these roles at the Forsythia Festival.  Pick someone whose contributions to our neighbourhood should be honoured.  Send your nomination together with a brief note telling why you like this person to shannongrimm@hotmail.com  by April 19.

Tiffany is away
Tiffany and Steve are now off on their trip to Matale in Sri Lanka with Habitat for Humanity.  They’ll be part of a team that’s building two new homes in the village.  Local businesses and residents have made donations that will make the trip more affordable for them, including About Thyme Florists, Cycle Solutions, F’Amelia, Kendall & Co, Le Select Bistro, Lennie’s, Menagerie Pet Shop, Royal Home Hardware, Shawna King and Wennen General Contracting.  They held a big fundraiser at Winchester Kitchen & Bar who supported them generously as did the many people who attended.

Cabbagetown cards for the Farm
Anne Pastuszak, a member of the new Stewardship Group, has put together a set of Cabbagetown greeting cards.  Profits earned from their sale will support improvements for Riverdale Park West.  The first batch of 200 cards has been sold and she’s reprinted another set.  Each card is 5” by 7” with the inscription “A Note From Cabbagetown” printed inside.  You can order them ($2.50/each or $9 for four cards) at annepastuszak@rogers.com.   

Coyote progress report
Photo: City News
When one of our local coyotes was shot and killed by a policeman in mid-February, a serious debate began about the way we’re dealing with wild life in our city.  Toronto Animal Services has updated its advice on its website. Since we live in an area where coyotes are occasionally seen, this advice is both calming and worth reading. 
Glenn de Baeremaeker, a City Councillor from Scarborough, has launched an initiative to ban poisoning and killing coyotes.  His ideas have been sent for review to city staff. 
You can read a good summary of the public discussion in this article by Karissa Donkin in the Toronto Star. 

MUSIC EVENTS

Canadian Music Fest at the Paintbox
For three nights this week, the Paintbox (555 Dundas E at Sackville) presents musicians participating in the Canadian Music Fest.  According to its website, the Fest is Canada’s biggest musical event with over one thousand artists performing in sixty venues across the city. 
On Thursday night - Ben Somer at 9 pm,  Paula Perri at 9: 45 pm and Danielle Duval at 10:40 pm. Tickets $5.
On Friday night, Thompson Egbo-Egbo returns home to Regent Park with his trio.  He’s a graduate from Dixon Hall, the Regent Park School of Music and Berklee College.  Trio members include Thompson on the piano along with Randall Hall on bass and Max Roach on drums.  A three course dinner is available with the performance for $45.  Tickets for the show only are $15. 
On Saturday - Ryan McKinley at 9 pm, Jean on Gene at 9:45 pm and Michael Rault at 10:40 pm.  Tickets $5.
 
JAZZ FM91 at Regent Park
JAZZ FM is doing two live-to-air broadcasts at the Daniels Spectrum this weekend.  From 2 to 6 pm, Brad Barker hosts “Afternoon Drive” from the Paintbox Bistro (555 Dundas E) with live performances, interviews and discussions about the Regent Park neighbourhood.  His featured guest is Thompson Egbo-Egbo with Randall Hall and Max Roach.  Archie Alleyne and Richard Marsella also drop by. 
Jazz 4 Kids happens from 10 to 11 am on Saturday morning in the Paintbox.  It’s an interactive musical workshop for children featuring Free Play Duo that introduces the audience to jazz, pop, world music and technology.  Stay for brunch.

Tribute to Stompin’ Tom Connors
The Dominion on Queen (500 Queen E) has lined up an impressive array of artists to perform this tribute on Friday March 29.  Duncan Fremlin and Bob McNiven from Whiskey Jack are included – both toured with Stompin’Tom in the 1990s. 

Fundraiser
Support the Regent Park School of Music and enjoy a cabaret evening at “Cabaret Concert with Cadence”, a fundraiser being held at First Unitarian Church (175 St Clair Ave W) on Saturday April 6.  Cadence is a Toronto-based a cappala jazz quartet who’ve received worldwide rave reviews.  Light refreshments, cash bar.  Tickets are $40, available online (Visa only). 

RESTAURANT NEWS

New themes at Merryberry
Cyril’s menu theme for April at Merryberry (559 Parliament) highlights literary food.  James Bond’s favourite is the featured cocktail.  Simple fare comes from Catcher in the Rye and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  Pam Houston, Rudyard Kipling, Sylvia Plath, Herman Melville, Virginia Woolf and Toni Morrison each inspired the entrĂ©e selection.  Imagine, for example, boeuf au daube, or clam chowder with chorizo, or crab stuffed half avocado, or red flannel hash.  The meal may be literary, but you’ll never get it from Amazon or Indigo or Kobo – only from Merryberry

Board games at Stout Irish Pub
Erin has announced that Toronto Area Boardgaming Society will host a strategy boardgaming night every second Sunday in the lounge from 5:30 pm.  Check out the list of games that are usually played – click here. 221 Carlton

Congrat’s to Kingyo
Photo: Toronto Life, Renee Suen
This year’s edition of Toronto Life’s list of “best new restaurants” includes Kingyo (51B Winchester), our new Japanese restaurant.  According to the review, “the chaos of the room … is a mere backdrop for some serious Japanese cooking … Comfort never tasted so good”.  Kingyo is open seven days weekly from 5:30 to 11:30 pm.  They have a website and reservations can be made at (647) 748-2121.
 
More congrat’s
Photo: Toronto Life
Four of our neighbourhood restaurants made it into Toronto Life’s 2013 Best Restaurants guide.  F’Amelia (12 Amelia) earned three stars on the Italian list.  Kingyo (51B Winchester) was successful on the Japanese list and so was Omi Sushi  (243 Carlton).  Sukhothai (274 Parliament) was recommended in the Thai section.

Art at Cafune
The exhibit for Sandro Liberato’s art will continue at Cafune (194A Carlton) until early April.  His works are big, colourful and very memorable.  Last week, while I was there to photograph his pictures, Mari Palhares showed off Liberato’s “Wonderful Rio” and then, of course, we started talking about her career.  When Mari is away from Cafune, she’s a drum instructor at Maracatu Baque de Bamba.  Her specialty is Afro-Brazilian drumming.  It seems to me (if anyone’s asking!!!) that her group are ideal candidates to play at  the Cabbagetown Festival.

Hey Lucy is coming to Cabbagetown
The old Margarita’s Mexican Fiesta on Carlton has closed and the site has been purchased by the Urban Dining Group.  They operate a chain of Gabby’s plus two existing Hey Lucy locations in downtown Toronto. They plan to open their third Hey Lucy here.  Hey Lucy emphasizes pizza made in an authentic wood burning oven, fresh pasta, great music and weekend brunches.  We can watch for Martini Wednesdays, Thursday night wines and other specials tailor-made for our area.  Patios are a big feature for Hey Lucy and the hidden patio behind the main building will undoubtedly add to their Cabbagetown atmosphere.  They plan to open on June 17.

SHOPPING NEWS
 
Loosen your hips at Sundara
At Sundara Yoga Studio (492 Parliament, side door), join Alan Gensho Florence for his Lotus Hips Workshop and learn techniques to release tension from even the tightest of hips.  Students with tight hips struggle in seated meditation because they’re so uncomfortable sitting on the floor with their legs crossed. Tight hips can also be at the root of chronic back pain and over time, lack of mobility in the hips can lead to more serious problems like arthritis. If you are already comfy on the floor and would like to get comfortable in padmasana (lotus posture), this workshop will certainly help you to blossom your lotus. Saturday, March 23rd, from 2:30 to 5 pm.

Toronto Urban Photography Festival at MJG
The Toronto Urban Photography Festival is still showing at MJG Gallery (555 Parliament). Mark is hosting works by Stev'nn Hall and Geoff Elliot Simpson in their show "Regulation" long with photographic works by Mark Gleberzon, Sandy Middleton, Tommy Vohs and Lorne Wisebrod. The show runs to March 23. Gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm.  For more information about the Festival, click here.

Business Networking International open house
BNI is a group of local entrepreneurs who exchange business information and new contacts every week.  The Cabbagetown chapter meets at 7 am on Wednesdays for breakfast at Merryberry CafĂ© (559 Parliament). 
Their Visitor’s Day will happen on Wednesday March 27.  They hope to attract more members and this session will be your introduction to them.  If you want to attend, please reserve in advance with Duncan Fremlin at (416) 405-8828.  You can read about BNI and about the Cabbagetown chapter here.
 
CLUBS & PUBS EVENTS

THURSDAY MARCH 21 TO SUNDAY MARCH 31

Contact info
Alice’s Place, 554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088
Ben Wicks, 424 Parliament St, (416) 961-9425, www.benwickspub.com
Dominion on Queen, 500 Queen St E, (416) 368-6893, www.dominiononqueen.com  
Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St, (647) 347-6567, www.pubaret.com
Paint Box Bistro, 555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555, www.paintboxbistro.ca
Stout Irish Pub, 221 Carlton St, (647) 344-7676, www.stoutirishpub.ca  
Winchester Kitchen & Bar, 51A Winchester St, (416) 323-0051, www.winchesterkitchen.com

If there's a cover charge or tickets are sold, we’ve listed the prices. Otherwise, the event is free.

THURSDAY MARCH 21

Dominion on Queen
7 pm, The Wee Folk Club, $10
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Suzanne Nuttall & Jeffrey Michael Straker, $10 advance, $15 door
Paintbox Bistro
Canadian Music Fest presents Ben Somer (at 9 pm), Paula Perri (9:45 pm) & Danielle Duval (10:40 pm),  $5.  For more info, go to www.canadianmusicfest.com
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
8 pm, The Seagull in Four Movements

FRIDAY MARCH 22

Dominion on Queen
7 pm - Book launch, “Every Never After” with young adult writer Lesley Livingston
Flying Beaver
7 pm, British pop rock sensation Kieran Strange, $10/advance, $15/door.
9 pm, Comedy cabaret and coffee talk with Ryan G Hinds and featuring Chris Tsujuichi, Red Herring and MC Jazz,  $10/advance, $15/door
Paintbox Bistro
2 to 6 pm, live broadcast with JAZZ FM’s Brad Barker and featuring Thompson Egbo-Egbo to celebrate the music of Regent Park.
8 pm , Canadian Music Fest presents Thompson Egbo-Egbo Trio with Randall Hall on bass and Max Roach on drums. Three-course dinner and performance, $45 and performance only $15.  For more info, go to www.canadianmusicfest.com
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
8 pm, The Seagull in Four Movements
10 pm, Shotgun Wedding Band

SATURDAY MARCH 23

Dominion on Queen
4 to 7:30 pm, Ronnie Hayward, pwyc
Flying Beaver
7 pm, David Benjamin Tomlinson “Memoirs from Cracktown”,  $15/advance, $20/door
9 pm, pop, soul and jazz with “Red, Whyte & Tollar”, $10/advance, $15/door
Paintbox Bistro
10 to 11 am, an interactive musical workshop for children with Free Play Duo, Jazz 4 Kids by JAZZ FM91.
Canadian Music Fest presents Ryan McKinley (at 9 pm), Jean on Gene (9:45 pm) & Michael Rault (10:40 pm),  $5.  For more info, go to www.canadianmusicfest.com
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
8 pm, The Seagull in Four Movements
10 pm, Winchester anniversary party

SUNDAY MARCH 24

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
11 am to 3 pm, Rockabilly Brunch with the Cosmotones
4 pm – Fundraiser “Vocal Support” for the We Are Jose campaign, $10 minimum, pwyc
Flying Beaver
11 am to 3 pm, Psychic Brunch, $29
7:30 pm, comedian, actor, speaker and writer Sabrina Jalees, $10/advance, $15 door
Stout Irish Pub
5:30 pm – Toronto Area Boardgaming Society presents Strategy Boardgaming Night
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
10 pm, Beau’s Open Mic with Porter

MONDAY MARCH 25

Dominion on Queen
7 pm, Ukelele 101
7 pm, Book launch with Robert J Sawyer “Red Planet Blues”
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
10 pm,  Industry Night

TUESDAY MARCH 26

Dominion on Queen
8:30 pm – Hot Club of Corktown Django Jam, pwyc
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Nerd Night pub quiz
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
9 pm, film night with “Paris Is Burning”

WEDNESDAY MARCH 27

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
8 pm, Corktown Ukelele Jam, $5
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, “The Rules of Romance”, classic and original romantic songs with Micah Barnes $10 advance, $15 door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
7:30 pm, Smart Ass Trivia
10 pm, Win Prov hosted by Tracy Rowland & Dwayne Mailman, $5

THURSDAY MARCH 28

Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, “Vexed” – tight harmonies and lots of laughter with Julie Michels, Sophia Perlman & Terra Hazelton , $15 advance, $20 door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
Phill Hood, “The Human Jukebox”

FRIDAY MARCH 29

Dominion on Queen
9 pm, Tribute to Stompin’ Tom Connors, $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm, singer, songwriter and instrumentalist Shane Harvey, $10/advance, $15/door.
9 pm, singing, storytelling and gossip with Sharron Matthews,  $20/advance, $25/door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
10 pm, Soul City Groovement with BTH Band

SATURDAY MARCH 30

Dominion on Queen
4 to 7:30 pm, Ronnie Hayward, pwyc
9 pm, country rock with Glendale One, $10
Flying Beaver
7 pm,”I’m still here and so is my hair”, Marla  Lukofsky’s personal journey with cancer.  $15/advance, $20/door
9 pm, Carla Collins is back with more comedy, $20/advance, $25/door
Paintbox Bistro
Comedy with Kate Davis
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
Kilowatt

SUNDAY MARCH 31

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
11 am to 3 pm, Rockabilly Brunch with the Cosmotones
Flying Beaver
11 am to 3 pm, Psychic Brunch, $29
8 pm, Chris Tsujiuchi, “Songs in the key of gay major”, $10/advance, $15 door
Winchester Kitchen & Bar
10 pm, Beau’s Open Mic with Porter