This
week’s image: Spring
crocuses. Photo: Irene DeClute.
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW
NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS
Your
house is worth a lot of money
Nick
& Hilary from Sage Realty (538 Parliament) have posted a new quarterly
report about Cabbagetown’s house sales.
They’ve found that the average sale price for freehold homes in
Cabbagetown sold between January and March hit $1,045,941. There were 17 transactions – 5
rowhouses ($867,880), 9 semi-detached ($928,556) and 3 detached
($1,800,000). Interestingly, there
were fewer deals done in 2014 (17) than 2013 (24) – a trend that’s been noted
citywide. Check out their online
report here.
Sprucecourt
programs for kids – rush announcement
If
you want to join this program, you must act quickly. Registration closes May 1.
Sprucecourt
Public School (70 Spruce) has an opportunity to operate a before-school and
after-school program for kids in JK and SK age brackets. Parents can enroll children in one
segment or both. The morning session
starts at 8 am, the afternoon runs from 3:30 to 5 pm and both include
snacks. The cost is $10 to $12 per
day for the morning, $19 to $24 per day for the afternoon and $29 to $36 per
day for both. If 20 or more parents commit to the programs, then the Board will
approve them.
Contact
Matthew Reid, the principal at Sprucecourt at (416) 393-1522 or email sprucecourt@tdsb.on.ca
Clean-up
day on Saturday
Across
Toronto, people are pitching in to clean winter trash and debris from public
spaces. There are four projects in
our neighbourhood on Saturday April 26 and Sunday April 27:
The
Aberdeen Avenue Residents Group is handling the street and rear lanes plus the
planter boxes at the Green P parking lot, starting at 10 am. Garbage bags are available at 32
Aberdeen and the drop-off point is Winchester Square Garden, before 2 pm.
In
Cabbagetown South, residents are asked to adopt the lanes beside or behind
their homes.
In
Corktown, there are two clean-up destinations: on Saturday, Corktown Commons
and on Sunday, the Richmond Street embankment between Power and St Paul
Streets, between 10 am and 1 pm on both days.
Winchester
Square Gardens
After
the community clean-up on Saturday April 26, the first plantings will happen in
the community gardens at Winchester Square, starting at noon. Everyone who enjoys gardening and
harvesting is welcome to launch the season.
Student
art show
Corktown
artist Gary Smith is presenting his students’ works in his annual show at
Redline Coffee & Espresso Bar (354 Queen E). The show opens on Saturday April 27 at 2 pm. Gary has several classes and workshops
underway. To learn more, email him
at gary@escapewithgary.com
Cabbagetown
walks
The
Cabbagetown Preservation Association is launching the 2014 season with a walk
through the northern part of Don Vale. Meet at the northeast corner of
Parliament and Wellesley. Sunday
April 27, 1:30 pm. Free event.
Forsythia
updates
The
Festival happens in less than two weeks - save the date: Sunday May 4 from 10 am to 3 pm. The parade gathers at 10 am in
Riverdale Park (Sumach and Winchester) and proceeds up to Wellesley Park (east
end of Wellesley Street). Then,
there’ll be kids’ games, entertainers, raffles, a bbq and a beer garden. Among the highlights are the
bouncy castle, pony rides, a visit by a fire truck and entertainment by
Sonshine & Broccoli and the Perry White Trio. The detailed program is available here and info about the parade route is here.
Forsythia
volunteers
The
Festival is still looking for volunteers to help through the day. There’s a special need for help in the
Beer Garden. All volunteers are
automatically entered into the raffle for a $150 food basket from Epicure. Contact Lindsay at info@cabbagetowner.com
Thanks
for the support
Over
two dozen local businesses have given their products and financial support to
the Festival. Their sponsorship
has made the program possible.
Check out the full list here.
CNH
and Neighbourhood Link Support Services
These
two important agencies serving our community and the neighbourhoods east of us
along the Danforth are proposing an amalgamation to expand local services and
guarantee their ongoing strength in the future. The two organizations have compatible cultures and their
programs will fit together nicely. Each one is holding a workshop to explain
the proposal to interested clients and residents – Saturday, April 26, 1:30 pm,
CNH, 349 Ontario (just south of Gerrard). You can learn more about each of them
at their websites: CNH and Neighbourhood Link.
COBA’s
Dance & Drum-a-thon
A
fun-filled day in celebration of the International Day of the Dance. Saturday April 26, 9 to 6 pm. Classes are open to everyone of all
ages and will be offered in Caribbean, Hip Hop, Bollywood, Dance Hall Jazz,
African and more led by a COBA dancers and guest artists. It’s a fundraiser to
support COBA’s children’s dance and drum program. $5/class or $25 for the entire day. Refreshments will be available. COBA Dance Studio in the Daniels
Spectrum, 585 Dundas E, Suite
130. www.cobainc.com
Wine
& web
The
Cabbagetown South Association is hosting a gathering to introduce you to its
website and to tell you about the association’s programs. You’ll find out all of this stuff while
sipping away at a glass of wine – a nice touch. Sunday, April 27, 1 to 2:30 pm, 182 Seaton Street (lower
unit). Please register in advance to help with the numbers – for details and
registration, click here.
Exploring
the culinary treasures of Cabbagetown South
The
Cabbagetown South Residents Association is visiting The Local GEST (424
Parliament) on May 1 for its Spring Dinner. Meet your neighbours and experience the menu at one of our
newer restaurants. A three-course
prix fixe dinner for $30. Go to
the website to register and buy a ticket.
Jane’s
Walk
The
Jane’s Walk weekend happens on Saturday May 3 and Sunday May 4. In our area, there’s a Kids’ Photo Walk
in Corktown designed for kids ages 4 to 12, a tour of schoolyard gardens by
Green Thumbs Growing Kids, a poor people’s history of Toronto, a radical
history of Allan Gardens, a
journalism tour of 19th century Toronto and a tour of the waterfront
looking at noise pollution and urban development. And, of course, there are scores more walks across the whole
city. Click here for the full
program.
ArtHeart’s
special evening
ArtHeart
Community Art Centre (585 Dundas E, Suite 210) is having an evening full of
great food from Toronto’s new food trucks and great music by emerging musicians
and artists. Wear your favourite
jeans. Bring your friends. Renowned photographer Edward Burtynsky
will be a featured guest. It’s a
fundraiser – tickets are $150. Volunteers who wish to help with fundraising are
needed. Local businesses can make
an important contribution with their gifts. May 6, 6:30 to 9:30 pm, Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas
E). Contact
emma.metivier@gmail.com
Summer
dance programs
The
School of CCDT has three summer programs for young dancers ready for
registration. From June 30 to July
18, Sun Dance (for ages 8 to 20) is offered with the Royal Academy of Dance and
it’s the only summer program in the world to combine RAD ballet and Limon
Modern. Ignite (ages 15 to 22) is a six day choreographic residency with TOES
for dance. It’s offered from July
21 to 26. From July 28 to August
1, Summer Arts (ages 4 to 8) has an exciting mix of creative dance, arts and
music. For more detail and
registration forms for each program, click here.
Kendall’s
renovations
The
changing season heralds a new direction at Kendall & Co. It’ll soon be your one-stop shop for
home furnishings and decorations.
NOW Magazine’s readers poll voted it Toronto’s Best Shop and Toronto’s
Best Interior Design Firm so Kendall has a reputation to uphold. The store is closed for renovations
until early May but the Interior Design Studio is always open. Call (416) 363-9914 or visit http://kendallandco.ca/
Spring
schedule – save these dates
Saturday
May 3 & Sunday May 4 – Jane’s Walk.
Details here.
Sunday
May 4
– Forsythia Festival, Riverdale Park West at 10 am, parade at 10:30 am and
Wellesley Park from 11 am to 3 pm.
Click here for the program and times.
Saturday
May 24
– Cabbagetown South community yard sale.
Click here for more info.
Saturday
May 30
– nomination deadline for Streetscapes in Bloom.
Sunday
June 8
– Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces garden tour, 10 am to 3 pm. Click here to
find out about tickets and program details.
RESTAURANT & CLUB NEWS
Junior
Jazz is back
The
Paintbox (555 Dundas E) presents Autorickshaw as the featured performers at
this weekend’s Junior Jazz concert.
The event is free. It’s a
great morning for kids and there’s a bonus chance for parents to enjoy
brunch. The show runs from 10 to
11 am. Reservations at (647) 748-0555.
As the photo illustrates, it’s a lively hour full of music and
innovative entertainment.
Specials
at 420
Virginia
at 420 Smokehouse (420 Parliament) has a long list of specials for your
enjoyment. On Tuesday, a pound of
wings and a pint for $14. On
Wednesday, half a rack of St Louis ribs for $15. On Thursday, an 8-ounce burger with smoked bacon, cheese and
fries and a pint for $15. Also on
Thursday, smoked oysters are on special – six for $11 and a dozen for $20.
Sunday is the big deal – a quarter chicken and a half rack of ribs with mashed
potatoes and sautéed kale and dessert for $18.95.
Half
way to Hallowe’en
The
Local GEST (424 Parliament) loves costumes. On Saturday night, April 26, it’s time for a look back (or
ahead) to Hallowe’en. Freaks and
geeks are invited to dress up and show up – party time starts at 10 pm with DJ
Mike Reid. At midnight, there’ll be prizes for the best costume.
Cabbagetown
favourites at the Flying Beaver
Peter
Donato returns to the Flying Beaver (488 Parliament) for his monthly
visit. The cantautore will be
tossing out old-time favourites and some new tunes on Sunday April 27 from 7:30
pm. $10/advance tickets and
$15/door.
A
week later, Duncan Fremlin and Whiskey Jack will make a rare afternoon
appearance at the Flying Beaver.
Saturday May 3 at 5 pm.
$10/advance tickets and $15/door.
Have
dinner along with the show - dinner patrons get priority seating for the
performances. Call Heather at
(647) 347-6567.
Dinner
for a cure
The
Irv (195 Carlton) is hosting a fundraising event to help with a cure for
ALS. Tickets are $49.99 and they
include an appetizer, a prime rib dinner, dessert and a pint of The Irv’s light
ale. It’ll be a fun night with a silent auction, raffles, live entertainment
and appearances by NHL legends.
Saturday May 3 from 6 pm.
Call (647) 350-4787 or email regan@theirvpub.ca
F’Amelia
Reservations
are now open for both lunch and dinner on Mother’s Day weekend. There’s a special three course prix
fixe menu available. The patio is
now open – one of Cabbagetown’s finest. Reservations are recommended at (416)
323-0666, 12 Amelia.
Dominion
on Queen
The
Wintergarten Orchestra is playing on Mother’s Day from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. Enjoy
an 11 piece big band playing the jazz and blues of the Roaring 20s. Sunday May 11, $10 cover. 500 Dundas W.
CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS
THURSDAY APRIL 24 TO SUNDAY MAY 4
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
Merryberry,
559 Parliament, www.merryberry.ca
Mill
Street Beer Hall, 21 Tank House Ln (Distillery), (416) 681-0338, Facebook and
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 APRIL 24
Flying
Beaver
7
pm, Hypnotixx, A slightly naughty comedy hypnosis show, $10/advance & $15/door
The
Local GEST
8
pm, Jeff Barnes & Noah Zacharin
FRIDAY APRIL 25
Dominion
on Queen
Ori
Dagan
Flying
Beaver
7
pm, Kira Hall & Donavan LeNabat, “Together again (for the first time)”, $10/advance & $15/door
9
pm, Sharron Matthews “Surprise night”,
$20/advance & $25/door
11
pm, Ryan Hinds, “Comedy, cabaret & coffee talk”, $10/advance & $15/door
SATURDAY APRIL 26
Dominion
on Queen
9
pm, Hat Full of Feathers blues & roots, $10
Flying
Beaver
7
pm, Ros Kindler”, $15/advance & $20/door
9
pm, Janet Whiteway, $15/advance & $20/door
The
Irv
9
pm, Frank Ryan’s vocals and acoustics
Local
GEST
10
pm, DJ Mike Reid “Half way to Halloween party”
Paintbox
10
am, Junior Jazz with Autorickshaw, no cover
SUNDAY APRIL 27
Alice’s
Place
4
pm, Karaoke
Flying
Beaver
3
pm, Spectra Talent Contest, no cover, $2/vote
7:30
pm, Peter Donato, $10/advance & $15/door
Local
GEST
4:30
pm, Sunday jazz with Chris Gale-Sax, Reg Schwager, Brendan Davis & Ted
Warren
Mill
Street Beer Hall
1
pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema
MONDAY APRIL 28
Dominion
on Queen
8
pm, Good neighbours open mic
Stout
Irish Pub
7:30
pm, Nerd Night pub quiz
TUESDAY APRIL 29
Dominion
on Queen
8:30
pm, Hot Club of Corktown “Django Jam”
Stout
Irish Pub
7:30
pm, Nerd Night pub quiz
WEDNESDAY APRIL 30
Alice’s
Place
9
pm, Karaoke
Flying
Beaver
7
pm, Duff MacDonald, “Songs in my head”, $10/advance & $15/door
The
Local GEST
7:30
pm, Trivia night
THURSDAY MAY 1
Flying
Beaver
7
pm, Pubstumpers Trivia League hosted by Cajo, no cover
9:30
pm, Karaoke with Cajo, no cover
Local
GEST
9
pm, Open mic with Porter
FRIDAY MAY 2
Flying
Beaver
7
pm, One & done comedy show, $5/advance & $10/door
9
pm, Paul Bellini “Liar, liar, pants on fire”, no cover
SATURDAY MAY 3
Flying
Beaver
5
pm, Whiskey Jack (unplugged), $10/advance & $15/door
9
pm, Emily Raquel sings
The
Irv
9
pm, Bob Irvine Fund for ALS cure, Dinner for a cure, $49.99
Paintbox
Bistro
8
pm, Quinn C Martin & Cole Zeldin, “Ameriquinn Hustle”, $20
SUNDAY MAY 4
Alice’s
Place
4
pm, Karaoke
Flying
Beaver
7:30
pm, Barb Scheffler with Scott Pietrangelo. “Songs in the key of love”, $15/advance & $20/door
Local
GEST
4:30
pm, Sunday jazz with Sherie Marshall, Artie Ross & Mike Cado
Mill
Street Beer Hall
1
pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema