March 6

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS

THIS WEEK’S IMAGE:  Let’s not have any more of this!  Wellesley Cottages in the snow.

OPEN HOUSES

The late winter and early Spring housing market is getting hotter.  Three Open Houses are listed this weekend.  Click here for more details.

NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS

Taking care of Tonka

Photo:  City News

A week ago about 9 pm, Tonka, an American English bulldog, was walking on Cornwall Street with his owner when a shot ran out and Tonka was injured.  The subsequent vet bills for his recovery are near $8000.  This awful incident and the high costs have provoked Marcy Rogers and Maggie Cassella to hold a fundraiser at The Flying Beaver (488 Parliament).  Thursday March 13, 7:30 pm.  There’s no cover charge – it’s “pay what you want” with a suggested gift of $20/$25.  Click here to see the details.  CityNews has a story about the shooting here.

Help the CYC

The Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster) is eligible to win $50,000 from Maple Leaf Sports Enterprise.  The CYC is registered for a Team-Up Foundation Grant to support its children and youth basketball programs.  The Centre needs to win more votes in the competition than the other eligible agencies.  You can help – register here, vote today and then vote daily until March 21.

Volunteer for the Forsythia Festival

Photo:  Brian Summers

The Festival is our local official recognition that Spring has arrived  (and we need it badly this year!) It’s a fun day full of events for kids and their parents, organized by the Cabbagetown Residents Association.  Click here to see the photos from last year’s extravaganza.  Save the date – Sunday May 4, parade at Riverdale Park and events at Wellesley Park.  Volunteers are needed through the day from 9 am to 4 pm.   If you can help out, please contact Lindsay at info@cabbagetowner.com   

Summer opportunities at The Distillery

Here’s a great idea.  The Distillery is hosting a brand new Sunday Market from 10 am to 3 pm from June 1 to September 28.  It’s a place where people who produce special foods, artisan crafts and vintage items can market their goods.  Each vendor will have a 10’ by 10’ booth at no cost (a refundable deposit of $250 will be charged).  The show will be juried to ensure high quality and commitment from each vendor.  For more information and for an application form, click here.  

Allan Gardens is busy

The heavy duty winter weather that we’re experiencing is attracting extra attention to the warm, colourful displays at Allan Gardens greenhouses (Sherbourne and Carlton).  Staff there report that they’re drawing larger crowds and also that these crowds are younger.  The Toronto Star has a great article about the Conservatory.  

Jack Grunsky

Jack is a visual artist and a musician. His latest exhibition of abstract works has just been hung upstairs at Balzac’s Café (1 Trinity St in the Distillery).  His paintings will be there until April 1.  You can also check out his website here.  

Henry Dineen

Henry’s first-ever exhibition is lined up for the Pilot Tavern (22 Cumberland).  It opens on Monday March 10 and runs to April 6.  Judging by the sample that he’s produced, his work is very dramatic and the show should be very strong.  Congrats Henry and best wishes for a sell-out.

Free skating with Glen

Glen Murray, our local MPP, is hosting a March Break skating party at Moss Park Arena (190 Sherbourne), next Tuesday March 11 from 3 to 5 pm.  Everything is free – skating, skate rentals, pizza and snacks. 

New Ideas Festival

The Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley) presents its 26^th annual New Ideas Festival – an eclectic mix of original writing, works-in-progress and experimental theatre.  March 12 to 31.  A different selection of five new plays is presented every week along with staged readings on Saturday at noon.  You can find the detailed program along with ticket info here.  

Big Maggie

Presented by the Toronto Irish Players, Big Maggie is onstage March 6, 7, 8 and 9 at 8 pm at the Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley).  For details, introductions to the cast, times and tickets, click here. 

Panamerican Routes/Rutas Panamericanas

Aluna Theatre presents works from across the Americas – main stage performances, gallery exhibits, installations, concerts and master classes with international artists.  A four-day conference will highlight links between performance and human rights.  The "Across the Americas" exhibit features Julio Pantoja and Benjamin Jacanamijoy Tisoy.  Pantoja’s photography is about women who fight to preserve Mexico’s indigenous corn against genetically modified seeds. Tisoy is a painter from the Inges culture in the Amazon.  Continuing to March 9 at the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E). For program times, details and tickets, click here. 

PUBS & RESTAURANTS

St Patrick’s Day

Photo:  Fair Winds at Stout Irish Pub

Check back here next week for the full list.  It’s always amazing – our restaurant managers always say that they’re just going to be low-keyed on St Paddy’s Day and then an explosion of events takes place.  Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) will be busy for the whole weekend.  Flying Beaver (488 Parliament) is celebrating twice – for the day and for Heather and Maggie’s third anniversary. Paintbox (555 Dundas E) has a brunch.  The Irv (195 Carlton) is giving away a fridge.  There’ll be more – details next week.

Dancers at the HOP

The Julie Mcdonnell Highland Dancers will return for two more amazing performances at the House on Parliament (454 Parliament) -  Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 pm.  Their appearance is also a fundraiser for the school to send the young dancers to competitions and events elsewhere.  It’s “pwyw” – voluntary donations are appreciated.

Peter Donato returns

Peter’s performances at The Flying Beaver (488 Parliament) are now a regular event in the neighbourhood calendar.  As he admits himself, his music has “sparked a resounding chord among those who have listened.” He’s back on Sunday March 9 at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are $10 advance and $15 at the door.  For more info and tickets, click here.  Don’t miss his show.

March break at the Paintbox

Paintbox Bistro (555 Dundas E) is offering four different movie shows for the whole family during March break.  The movies are free with the purchase of Paintbox lunch items.  All movies start from 2 pm. On Monday March 10, it’s “Happy Feet 2”.  On Tuesday, “Despicable Me”.  On Wednesday, “The Croods” and on Thursday, “Epic Movie.”

Tidbits about The Irv

The Irv Gastropub (195 Carlton) is named after Bob Irvine, owner Regan’s late dad.  Bob died of ALS and in his honour, 25 cents from the sale of each pint of Irv’s Light Ale will be donated to a fund for ALS research.  Watch, as well, for a special Spring-time fundraiser.  After successfully launching last Saturday, the pub promptly closed for two days when the furnace failed and a new one was installed.  Every Saturday night from 9 pm, Frank Ryan sings and plays his acoustic guitar.  The Irv has a good Facebook page – see it here.

Welcome to the Fry Haus

Photo:  Jesse Milns, blogTO

Another all-takeout location has opened at 296 Gerrard, just east of Parliament.  Fry Haus offers German influenced food – sausages (made in house), schnitzel sandwiches, potato pancakes.  The fries are handcut and double fried to golden crispiness.  Prices are really attractive.  Open from 11 am to 9 pm weekdays and noon to 9 pm Saturday.

Gilead Café

Jamie Kennedy’s Gilead Café (4 Gilead Place, east of Parliament south of King) has launched a special wine offer for Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Ten great Ontario wines for just $10 over cost.  Included are two Rieslings, two chardonnays, two pinot noirs, a gamay and three blends from wineries like Fielding, Stratus, Twenty Mile Bench, Rosehall Run, Henry of Pelham and more.  Click here for both the wine and menu details.  

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY MARCH 6 TO SUNDAY MARCH 16

Contact info

Alice’s Place, 554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088

Dominion on Queen, 500 Queen St E, (416) 368-6893, www.dominiononqueen.com 

The Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St, (647) 347-6567, www.pubaret.com 

House on Parliament, 454 Parliament St, (416) 925-4074, www.facebook.com/pages/House-on-Parliament

The Irv, 195 Carlton Street, (647) 350-4787, https://www.facebook.com/theirvpub

The Local GEST, 424 Parliament St, (416) 961-9425, https://www.facebook.com/thelocalgest

Mill Street Beer Hall, 21 Tank House Ln (Distillery), (416) 681-0338, http://toronto.millstreetbrewpub.ca/

Paintbox Bistro, 555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555, www.paintboxbistro.ca

Stout Irish Pub, 221 Carlton St, (647) 344-7676, www.stoutirishpub.ca

Under the Table, 568 Parliament St, (647) 351-1533

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

THURSDAY MARCH 6

Dominion on Queen

7 pm, Wee Folk Club, $10

Flying Beaver

7 pm, Paul Bellini “Liar Liar Pants on Fire”, no cover

Local GEST

8 pm, Music night with Jeff Barnes & Noah Zacharin

FRIDAY MARCH 7

Dominion on Queen

9 pm, Havana to Toronto Live, $10

Flying Beaver

7 pm, Jennifer Noble (vocals) & Russell Williams (guitar), “Songs from the heart”, $15/advance & $20/door

9 pm, Nathalie Nadon, “Du coq a la ame”,  $15/advance & $20/door

SATURDAY MARCH 8

Dominion on Queen

9 pm, The Imposters blues and roots, $10

Flying Beaver

7 pm, Nice girls benefit show, $10/advance & $15/door

9 pm, Belle’s Boudoir Burlesque Show, $15/advance & $20/door

After the show, Belle’s Bootie Bounce, free dance party

The Irv

9 pm, Frank Ryan’s vocals and acoustics

SUNDAY MARCH 9

Alice’s Place

4 pm, Karaoke

Dominion on Queen

4:30 pm, Jazz with Wintergarten Orchestra, $10

Flying Beaver

7 pm, Peter Donato, “Tibian Blues”, $10/advance & $15/door

Local GEST

4:30 pm, Sunday jazz with Boom for Rent with Brendan Davis, Chris Dale & Adrean Farrugia

Mill Street Beer Hall

1 pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema

MONDAY MARCH 10

Dominion on Queen

7:30 pm, Good neighbours open mic

Paintbox

2 pm,  March Break movie “Happy Feet 2”, free when you buy Paintbox TV dinner

Stout Irish Pub

7:30 pm, Nerd Night pub quiz

TUESDAY MARCH 11

Dominion on Queen

8:30 pm, Hot Club of Corktown “Django Jam”

Paintbox

2 pm,  March Break movie “Despicable Me”, free when you buy Paintbox TV dinner

Stout Irish Pub

7:30 pm, Nerd Night pub quiz

WEDNESDAY MARCH 12

Alice’s Place

9 pm, Karaoke

Dominion on Queen

8 pm, Corktown ukulele jam

Flying Beaver

7:30 pm, Maggie’s Mish Mash, details to be announced

The Local GEST

7:30 pm, Trivia night

Paintbox

2 pm,  March Break movie “The Croods”, free when you buy Paintbox TV dinner

THURSDAY MARCH 13

Flying Beaver

7:30 pm, Marcy Rogers “Taking care of Tonka”, pwyc suggested amount is”, $20/advance & $25/door

The Local GEST

8 pm, Jeff Barnes & Noah Zacharin

Paintbox

2 pm,  March Break movie “Epic Movie”, free when you buy Paintbox TV dinner

FRIDAY MARCH 14

Dominion on Queen

9 pm, Blues by The Mojo Stars”, $10

Flying Beaver

7 pm, Whitney Ross Barris, Nate Hiltz (guitar) & Ross MacIntyre (bass), $10/advance & $15/door

9 pm, The legendary Bitch Diva’s St Patrick’s Day show, $15/advance & $20/door

SATURDAY MARCH 15

Dominion on Queen

9 pm, D B Buxton Sonic Blues bbq, $10

Flying Beaver

7 pm, The O’Brothers Irish Duo $15/advance & $20/door

9 pm, The roast of Ryan Kelly

The Irv

9 pm, Frank Ryan’s vocals and acoustics

SUNDAY MARCH 16

Alice’s Place

4 pm, Karaoke

Flying Beaver

7:30 pm, Sarah Strange & Erin Breen,$15/advance & $20/door

Local GEST

4:30 pm, Sunday jazz

Mill Street Beer Hall

1 pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema

Stout Irish Pub

2 pm, The Fair Wind Celtic Duo