May 29

This week's image:  Riverdale Farmer's Market

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW

IN THE NEWS

Election info
The provincial election campaign is now well underway and judging by the lawn signs, it appears that everybody is in full flight.  There are several questions that usually arise before election day, so here goes –
·       When is it? Election Day is Thursday June 12, 9 am to 9 pm. For locations – see your voter registration card or go to the official website.  
·       Can I vote early? Advance polls are open next week, Saturday May 31 to Friday June 6, 10 am to 8 pm. For locations – see your voter registration card or go to the official website. 
·       How do I know whether I’m on the list? You’ll get a registration card – it’s in the mail now.  Take it with you when you go to vote.  It’ll tell you where to go on June 12 and where the advance polls are located.
·       What identification do I need when I go to vote?  Take your registration card plus any document that has your name on it such as a driver’s licence, birth certificate, passport, SIN card, Ontario Health card. 
·       What if my name isn’t on the list?  In this case, you won’t get a registration card in the mail.  Don’t give up hope.  When you go to vote, you’ll need a document that gives both your name and your address such as an official government document, credit card or utility bills or a driver’s licence.
There are lots of other issues that can be quickly answered.  Check out the official Ontario government website for this information. The official slogan is “We make voting easy” – and this website certainly helps.

So, who are the candidates…
Martin Abell – Progressive Conservative, 25 McMurrich Street, (647) 405-4595, www.martinabell.ca
Mark Daye – Green Party, www.markdaye.ca  
Glen Murray – Liberal, 345 Bloor Street E,  (416) 507-4612, www.voteglenmurray.ca
Kate Sellar – NDP, 555 Parliament Street, (416) 920-6262, www.katesellar.ca/
Altogether, there are twelve people running in Toronto Centre.  You can see the official list at the government website, here.  

Spring is officially here
Once again, the Cabbagetown BIA is putting floral baskets on our lamp posts.  This is a great initiative.  It softens our streetscape and adds lots of colour through the summer enjoyment.  This is a surprisingly expensive project and our local merchants pay the full cost. 

Protecting our tree canopy
ReLeaf is a vigorous local group that’s busy identifying our trees, street-by-street, nourishing and watering new trees planted by the City of Toronto and working with City officials for pruning and removals.  Last November, Justin Skinner wrote about the group’s program in Inside Toronto – click here for this story.  ReLeaf’s website is loaded with info about tree species, City plantings, subsidized trees for private properties and more – click here.  
Starting June 3, ReLeaf will have a booth at the Riverdale Farmer’s Market.

Take a tree tour
James Steenberg from ReLeaf along with Melissa Williams from LEAF will conduct a tour through Cabbagetown to explore our leafy canopy.   Sunday, June 1 from noon to 2 pm.  Meet at Sumach and Winchester.  A $5 donation is requested.  Please register here. 

Little Trinity’s successful renovations
Photo:  Urban Toronto.   The cottages before the reno.
Little Trinity Church has successfully finished rebuilding its workers’ cottages at 339 King E. These two Georgian structures were boarded up for years until the church decided to keep them and started to raise the funds needed for their rescue.  On Sunday May 25, the project was officially re-opened with a restored facade and a new structure behind it that houses the church’s offices, meeting rooms and a kitchen.  Urban Toronto has written about the building’s restoration.

Fundraising for the Farley Foundation
The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association established the Farley Foundation in 2002 to assist people in need by subsidizing the cost of veterinary care for their pets.  It relies completely on donations.  To date, over $2 million has been raised for over 5000 people and their injured or sick pets.  Each year, our own Cabbagetown Pet Clinic (239 Gerrard E) participates.  Throughout the Summer, the clinic staff will be holding bake sales and raffles as well as accepting direct donations.  In the Fall, staff members will be participating in a 50 km bike ride in the Niagara region and they’ll be looking for sponsors.  The clinic’s fundraising goal is $2500.

Volunteers needed
Blair’s Run is the mini-marathon that happens at the beginning of every Festival weekend in September.  Crowds gather to run and walk 3 km through Cabbagetown.  It’s a highly successful fundraiser on behalf of the Cabbagetown Youth Centre and the race is the focus for a neighbourhood-wide effort to generate support for the CYC.  Race organizers are now recruiting street captains to coordinate local fundraising and to gather people who want to be runners.  To join up, please contact Sandra sriches@rogers.com or James jameswood604@rogers.com

CONGRATS TO OUR AWARD WINNERS

Indigo Books and Winchester Junior-Senior Public School
On Tuesday, Indigo announced a grant to Winchester School for $116,000 over the next four years to upgrade its library and educational resources.  This gift is one of twenty annual awards that Indigo’s Love of Reading Foundation makes to special needs schools across Canada designed to bolster literacy and to strengthen school libraries. 

CPA Volunteer of the Year
The 2013 winner of the Cabbagetown Preservation Association’s Volunteer of the Year award is Randy Brown.  Randy has organized Arts & Crafts in the Park during the Cabbagetown Festival and has made a major contribution to our community’s life. 

Peggy Kurtin Award
The CPA gives this award annually to a homeowner for excellence in a renovation.  This year, the award goes to 39 Spruce Street for an exceptional rear addition.  This marks the first time when a renovation away from the street façade has been recognized.  Both the CPA and the architect feel that this addition along the lane is a “second front” for this home. 

BMO Seeds Fund
Paul Byron has won a $1000 grant from the 2014 BMO Seeds Fund for his project “Welcome Home”.  His project will engage newcomers and culturally diverse residents in St James Town to create art that will eventually be distributed to apartment buildings in the area.  The paintings will rejuvenate the buildings with art that “welcomes” people who have immigrated to Canada.

COMING EVENTS

Toronto Dance Theatre’s On Display
On Display is a series of ten solos created for TDT dancers by some of Toronto’s most dynamic theatre and visual artists.  These are choreographies by non-choreographers -  a playful, fresh approach to dance across disciplines.  Performances on Thursday May 28 through Saturday May 31, all at 8 pm, tickets $20 to $26.  For tickets, call (416) 967-1365 or click here. Winchester Dance Theatre (80 Winchester).

CCDT at Harbourfront
CCDT’s production of Fulcrum will be staged at the Fleck Dance Theatre in Harbourfront Centre (207 Queens Quay W) at 8 pm on Friday May 30 and Saturday May 31.  The production includes four works – by Colin Connor, Alexander Whitley, Ofilio Portillo and CCDT’s Deborah Lundmark.   For tickets and more information, click here. 

St James Town Arts Party
St James Town Arts is a community-based support network for artists, residents and visitors. Its launch party happens on Saturday May 31 from 1 to 4 pm beside 260 Wellesley Street E.  There’ll be an art exhibition, banner designs, face painting, cultural displays and henna art plus a colouring table, local food, dance demonstrations, music and murals.  Artists who want to exhibit their work can call (416) 944-9697. 

ROM Walks
The ROM is offering two guided walking tours in our neighbourhood.  The first one in The Distillery District happens on Saturday May 31, 2 to 3:30 pm. There is a $30 fee and pre-registration is required, click here. The second is a free event in Cabbagetown North on Wednesday June 11, 6 to 8 pm.  This walk begins at the corner of Parliament and Winchester. 

Sing Toronto
Sing is the Toronto Vocal Arts Festival. It happens from Friday May 30 to Sunday June 1 and features over 100 performances, workshops and interactive events.  This year, the Festival’s new headquarters is in The Distillery with three concerts in nearby Little Trinity Church (425 King E).  The program is packed with pop and jazz groups, classical, barbershop and gospel choirs, and world music ensembles.  You can see the full list here. Passes for daytime events are available at $40 for one day and $65 for the weekend.  Evening events are individually ticketed.   

Toronto Film Noir Syndicate
The season finale screening for the Toronto Film Noir Syndicate features 1957’s The Garment Jungle with Lee J Cobb, Kerwin Matthews, Gia Scala, Richard Boone and Valerie French.  Saturday May 31, 7:30 pm, Dominion on Queen (500 Queen St E), $5. 

Cooking class at Merryberry
On Tuesday June 3 at 6 pm, Cyril will show his cooking class how tea can be a great ingredient for any chef.  He plans to share his recipe for smoked tea and tomato soup and his (previously secret) recipe for Earl Grey crème brulee.  He’ll also demonstrate the close kinship between salmon and tea.  To register, call Merryberry at (647) 348-0411 or drop by in person at 559 Parliament.  $45.

Spring garden tour
Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces happens on Sunday June 8 from 10 am to 3 pm.  Tickets are $15 and they’re available at several local retailers:  Epicure Shop (473 Parliament), Fairway (520 Parliament), Jay’s Garden Centre (360 Gerrard E), Kendall & Co (227 Carlton) and Mi Casa (238 Carlton). Your ticket includes a map to each garden and a list of special offers available at local shops and restaurants.  Click here for more detail. 

Eats & Beats in Riverside
Across the Don Valley, the Riverside BIA is holding its annual spring Festival, Eats & Beats, on Saturday June 7.  From 1 to 6 pm, the streets around Queen and Broadview will be filled with music, art, kids’ activities, walking tours, sidewalk sales and more.  Save the date.

Cabbagetown Residents Association
The CRA’s annual meeting is scheduled for June 11.  The meeting happens at Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) and there’ll be beer flights to taste. Save the date. The CRA’s Board is currently looking for nominees willing to serve for the next year.  If you know someone who’s interested, contact info@cabbagetowner.ca

Bright Ideas Symposium
Central Neighbourhood House (349 Ontario) holds its third annual Symposium on Saturday June 14 from 10 am to 1 pm. It’s a lively discussion of bright new plans for community projects that CNH can endorse and fund.  Lunch is provided.  It’s free.  To register, please call (416) 925-4363, ext 103 or click here.

Riverdale Farm Aid
This is the annual community fundraising picnic to support the programs at Riverdale Farm (201 Winchester at Sumach).  This year`s proceeds will go toward a visitors` Welcome Centre in the Simpson House. On the program – live entertainment with Lemon Bucket Orkestra, a LEGOLAND building pit for kids, a silent auction and food and beverages by local vendors.  Thursday June 19, 5 to 10 pm, $10.  Children are free.  Click here to buy your tickets now.

SHOPPING

See the light at Eclectisaurus
Leslie is offering a rare pair of 1960s brushed steel table lamps made in the United States by Laurel Lamps.  You can see them online here or at the store, 249 Gerrard E.  Wednesday to Friday from 3 to 8 pm, Saturday from  noon to 6 pm and Sunday noon to 6 pm. 

Wooly good sale
Kendall & Co (227 Carlton) will pay the HST on your rug purchases from now until May 31.  There are lots of styles to choose from, including wool, runner, round and outdoor. Kendall has lots of new styles of outdoor rugs for your patio or cottage for the start of the summer season. Monday to Friday 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm. 

Farmers Market in Riverdale Farm
The Farmer’s Market returns next Tuesday June 3. As before, there`s locally grown seasonal produce, organic products and locally made baked goods and food. There`s also a whole list of new ideas – a Facebook page plus monthly handicraft tables, yoga, farmers’ demonstrations, themed market days and special exhibits.  Tuesday afternoons from 2 to 7 pm, June 3 to October 14.  Riverdale Park West (Sumach & Winchester)

PUBS & CLUBS

Good eats at Café Olya
Last Saturday morning, a very literary discussion took place at Café Olya (540 Parliament) with Noah Richler and Sarah MacLachlan.  During our lofty discourse, Noah insisted that the whole world should know that Olya’s croissants were the best pastries he had ever had.  Everybody agreed.

Kristy Boyce at The Flying Beaver
Kristy travelled to Russia during the Sochi Olympic Games to meet and photograph members of the LBGTQ community.  Her photographs, videos and stories will be shown as part of her evening at the Flying Beaver (488 Parliament).  Friday May 30, 7 pm.  It’s a “pay what you want” evening with proceeds going toward her next trip.  Dinner is available and dinner patrons get priority seating for the show.  For reservations, call (647) 347-6567.    

Zim Zum
Every Sunday afternoon, The Local GEST (424 Parliament) hosts a jazz event from 4:30 pm.  This week’s guest is one of the best jazz bands in Toronto, Zim Zum with Colin Flint on bass guitar, Ian Lazarus on alto and tenor sax, Jeffrey Hewer on guitar and Dennis Song on drums and percussion.

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY MAY 29 TO SUNDAY JUNE 1

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
Gilead Café & Wine Bar, 4 Gilead Place, (647) 288-0680, http://www.jamiekennedy.ca/
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
MillStreet 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 MAY 29

Dominion on Queen
Lesley Livingston book launch party
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia League hosted by Cajo, no cover
9:30 pm, Karaoke with Cajo, no cover
Gilead Café
Winemakers Night with Redtail Vineyards
The Local GEST
9 pm, Open mic with Porter

FRIDAY MAY 30

Flying Beaver
7 pm, Kristy Boyce, “Russia & Back again, stories & images from Russia’s LGBTQ community”, pwyc
9 pm, Coffee talk with Ryan J Hinds, $10/advance & $15/door

SATURDAY MAY 31

Dominion on Queen
7:30 pm, Toronto Film Noir Syndicate presents The Garment Jungle, $5
9 pm, Wicked Grin
Flying Beaver
7 pm, An evening with Michael O’Hara, $15/advance & $20/door
9 pm, Gita Wigdorchik & Caroline Martin-Rowe, “Everybody’s Girlz‘``, $10/advance & $15/door
The Irv
9 pm, Frank Ryan’s vocals and acoustics
Paintbox
7 pm, DMCI music gala, dinner & performance, $60

SUNDAY JUNE 1

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Indrit Kasapi, Dinner & cabaret
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday jazz with Zim Zum with Colin Flint, Ian Lazarus, Jeffrey Hewer & Dennis Song
Mill Street Beer Hall
1 pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema

May 22

This week's image: the garden on Prospect street
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW

OPEN HOUSES
Click here to see the open house listings for this weekend.

Doors Open
Over 150 buildings are open for your visit across Toronto on Saturday and Sunday this weekend. In our neighbourhood, several notable sites are worth a trip. 
·       On Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, the Cabbagetown Preservation Association has tours of the Necropolis Cemetery (200 Winchester) and there are guided tours in The Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E) including visits to several tenant organizations within the centre. 
·       In Corktown, the Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley) and Little Trinity Church (425 King E) are open on Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, 1 to 5 pm. 
·       At the Distillery, the Stone Distillery (36 Distillery Lane) is open for guided tours from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Artscape Studios (15 Case Goods Lane) is open from 10 am to 5 pm on both days.
·       On the waterfront, George Brown Campus (51 Dockside Dr), the Trillium Side Wheel Paddler (9 Queens Quay W), the Police Marine Unit (259 Queens Quay W) and Toronto Fire & Marine Station (339 Queens Quay) are among the highlights – all are open Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.

Congrats for Winchester Junior Senior Public School
Photo:  Allan Brown
Indigo Books & Music has a Love of Reading Foundation that annually donates $1.5 million dollars to twenty high-needs elementary schools across Canada to enhance their libraries with new books and educational resources.  To date, the Foundation has granted over $15 million to 170 schools.
This year, Winchester Junior Senior Public School is one of the winners.  The amounts will be made public next Tuesday May 27 at the Indigo store in the Manulife Centre (55 Bloor W). 

Volunteers needed
Blair’s Run is the mini-marathon that happens at the beginning of every Festival weekend in September.  Crowds gather to run and walk 3 km through Cabbagetown.  It’s a highly successful fundraiser on behalf of the Cabbagetown Youth Centre and the race is the focus for a neighbourhood-wide effort to generate support for the CYC.  Race organizers are now recruiting street captains to coordinate local fundraising and to gather people who want to be runners.  To join up, please contact Sandra or James.

DANCE & THEATRE EVENTS

Toronto Dance Theatre’s On Display
On Display is a series of ten solos created for TDT dancers by some of Toronto’s most dynamic theatre and visual artists.  These are choreographies by non-choreographers -  a playful, fresh approach to dance across disciplines.  Performances on Thursday May 22 through Saturday May 24, Wednesday May 28 through Saturday May 31, all at 8 pm, tickets $20 to $26.  Sunday May 25 at 2 pm, pay what you can.  For tickets, call (416) 967-1365 or click here.  Winchester Dance Theatre (80 Winchester).

COBA`s Legacy II
COBA`s second 2014 season presents three performances – Hommage a Erzulie by Jeanguy Saintus, Blood Memory by BaKari I Lindsay and Primal Fete also by Bakari. Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E), May 22 to 24 at 8 pm and May 25 at 2 pm.  COBA is the Collective of Black Artists.  It presents West African and Caribbean dance, music and folklore.  Tickets to Legacy II are $20 to $35 and are available at Eventbrite. 

Christopher House’s 20th anniversary celebration
On Monday May 26 at 8 pm, Toronto Dance Theatre celebrates Christopher House’s 20th anniversary as its artistic director.  The evening will be hosted by the National Ballet’s Guillaume Cote and will feature excerpts from his career.  The Globe & Mail’s Paula Citron will interview Mr House after the performances.  Reception with bubbly and nibblies will follow.  Tickets are $50 – call (416) 967-1365 or click here. Winchester Dance Theatre (80 Winchester)

CCDT at Harbourfront
CCDT’s production of Fulcrum will be staged at the Fleck Dance Theatre in Harbourfront Centre (207 Queens Quay W) at 8 pm on Friday May 30 and Saturday May 31.  The production includes four works – by Colin Connor, Alexander Whitley, Ofilio Portillo and CCDT’s Deborah Lundmark.   For tickets and more information, click here. 

COMING EVENTS

Corktown Chamber Orchestra
For its season finale, the Orchestra presents “Land of the Midnight Sun”.  The program includes Sibelius Symphony #2, Estacio’s Such Sweet Sorrow and Grieg’s Peer Gynt.  8 pm, Little Trinity Church (425 King E). 

Cabbagetown South neighbourhood yard sale
17 homes are participating in this big neighbourhood-wide sale (Sherbourne to Parliament, Carlton to Shuter).  Saturday May 24 from 9 am to 3 pm.  If you can’t hold a sale in front of your own home, you can set up in front of Central Neighbourhood House (349 Ontario). It’s a free event for both buyers and sellers. 

Winchester Fun Fair
Ecole Winchester Public School is holding its annual Fun Fair on Saturday May 24 from 11 am to 3 pm.  There`ll be games, rides, music, food and much more for everyone.  Snacks from Daniel et Daniel, Starsky`s Fine Foods and Starbucks.  The auction includes a gift certificate from HairSpa, a five-class pass at Sundara Yoga, a massage by Claudia Salzmann and another from Laurie Ward`s Shiatsu Massage, a waffle baker from Home Hardware, a doggy bed from Menagerie Pet Shop, a gift certificate from CCDT, a child`s jacket from Sarah Cook`s Injeanious Jackets, a portable gazebo from Canadian Tire and gift certificates from Star Nails. You can also bid on tasty meals from F’Amelia, Peter`s Cajun Pizza, Oriental Taste, Magic Oven Pizza and Café California.  15 Prospect Street.

Riverdale Farm events
The Sheep Celebration happens on Saturday May 24 from 10 am to 3 pm.  At 11:30 am and 1:30 pm, there`ll be a shearing demonstration.  Goats take centre stage at 10:30 am and the horse at 12:30 pm.  There`ll be children`s activities throughout the day.  Special guests include the Cabbagetown Quilters Guild, Toronto Guild of Spinners & Weavers and Cabbagetown Regent Park Community Museum.

Beth Kaplan’s book launch
Cabbagetown author Beth Kaplan has published a new book – her third – All My Loving, Coming of Age with Paul McCartney in Paris.  To celebrate, she’s having her official launch at The Local GEST (424 Parliament).  Monday May 26, 6 to 9 pm. 

Cabbagetown Preservation Association
The CPA’s annual meeting happens on Tuesday, May 27 at 7 pm in the Meeting Room at Riverdale Farm.  After the business session, Michael Ormston-Holloway and David Grant will make a presentation about tree canopy on our streets and in our parks.  The CPA is an active association that sponsors the Spring garden tour, the Fall tour of homes, the Peggy Kurtin Award for excellence in restoration and a widely read Cabbagetown quarterly newspaper.  Click here for its website.

Financing your new business
Scotiabank and the Centre for Education & Training (595 Parliament) are co-sponsoring a session aimed at entrepreneurs who want help with a business startup.  Topics will include the importance of a business plan, the amount of money needed for your startup and resources for financing.  Thursday May 29, 10 am to noon, 595 Parliament (main floor).  Please register at the Centre, (416) 964-9797, ext 0. 

St James Town Arts Party
St James Town Arts is a community-based support network for artists, residents and visitors. Its launch party happens on Saturday May 31 from 1 to 4 pm beside 260 Wellesley Street E.  There’ll be an art exhibition, banner designs, face painting, cultural displays and henna art plus a colouring table, local food, dance demonstrations, music and murals.  Artists who want to exhibit their work can call (416) 944-9697. 

ROM Walks
The ROM is offering two guided walking tours in our neighbourhood.  The first one in The Distillery District happens on Saturday May 31, 2 to 3:30 pm. There is a $30 fee and pre-registration is required, click here. The second is a free event in Cabbagetown North on Wednesday June 11, 6 to 8 pm.  This walk begins at the corner of Parliament and Winchester. 

Tree tour of Cabbagetown
James Steenberg from ReLeaf along with Melissa Williams from LEAF will conduct a tour through Cabbagetown to explore our leafy canopy.   Sunday, June 1 from noon to 2 pm.  Meet at Sumach and Winchester.  A $5 donation is requested.  Please register here. 

Farmers Market in Riverdale Farm
The Farmers Market returns on Tuesday June 3. As before, there`s locally grown seasonal produce, organic products and locally made baked goods and food. There`s also a whole list of new ideas – starting with a Facebook page plus monthly handicraft tables, farmers demonstrations, themed market days and special exhibits.  Tuesday afternoons from 2 to 7 pm, June 3 to October 14. 

Spring garden tour
Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces happens on Sunday June 8 from 10 am to 3 pm.  Tickets are $15 and they’re available at several local retailers:  Epicure Shop (473 Parliament), Fairway (520 Parliament), Jay’s Garden Centre (360 Gerrard E), Kendall & Co (227 Carlton) and Mi Casa (238 Carlton). Your ticket includes a map to each garden and a list of special offers available at local shops and restaurants.  Click here for more detail.

Cabbagetown Residents Association
The CRA’s annual meeting is scheduled for June 11.  The meeting happens at Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) and there’ll be beer flights to taste. Save the date. The CRA’s Board is currently looking for nominees willing to serve for the next year.  If you know someone who’s interested, contact info@cabbagetowner.ca  

Bright Ideas Symposium
Central Neighbourhood House (349 Ontario) holds its third annual Symposium on Saturday June 14 from 10 am to 1 pm. It’s a lively discussion of bright new plans for community projects that CNH can endorse and fund.  Lunch is provided.  It’s free.  To register, please call (416) 925-4363, ext 103 or click here.

Riverdale Farm Aid
This is the annual community fundraising picnic to support the programs at Riverdale Farm (201 Winchester at Sumach).  This year`s proceeds will go toward a visitors` Welcome Centre in the Simpson House. On the program – live entertainment with Lemon Bucket Orkestra, a LEGOLAND building pit for kids, a silent auction and food and beverages by local vendors.  Thursday June 19, 5 to 10 pm, $10.  Children are free.  Click here to buy your tickets now.

IN THE MEDIA

Congrats to Soulpepper & Canadian Stage
Soulpepper has earned five winners at the 2014 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards. Three awards were given for  Angels in America – best supporting actor, best supporting actress and best production.  Soulpepper’s Of Human Bondage won for best direction and best design.  Canadian Stage’s London Road won best musical production and best musical director. Its Venus in Furs won best actress and Needles & Opium in its revised version was awarded best new Canadian play.  Announcements have already been made that Angels in America, Needles & Opium and Venus in Furs will all return next season.  J Kelly Nestruck’s detailed story about the awards appeared in the Globe & Mail - click here. 

Don’t let their young age fool you
The Globe & Mail’s Paula Citron wrote a complimentary profile about the Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre (509 Parliament) in mid-April.  The full story is here. 

Woolly good sale
Kendall & Co (227 Carlton) will pay the HST on your rug purchases from now until May 31.  There are lots of styles to choose from, including wool, runner, round and outdoor. Kendall has lots of new styles of outdoor rugs for your patio or cottage for the start of the summer season. Monday to Friday 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm.
 
RESTAURANTS & CLUBS

The patio is open at Extended F’Amelia
Photo:  Toronto Life
Extended F’Amelia Wine Bar (8 Amelia) is home to a newly created front area that brings even more seats to this charming location.  Todd and John will officially open the space on Saturday May 24.  Drop in for summer grill or a glass of wine before and after dinner - open from Thursday to Saturday.

Congrats for the HOP
Photo: View The Vibe
The House on Parliament (454 Parliament) has been listed as one of Toronto’s top ten rooftop patios by View the Vibe.  The article includes high praise for the menu, especially the Caesar salad, calamari, scotch eggs and prime rib dinners.  The HOP’s list of craft beers is “amazing”.  Click here for the review. 

Junior Jazz is back
The highly popular jazz breakfasts for kids returns on Saturday May 24 at 10 am in the Paintbox Bistro (535 Dundas E).  This month’s artist is Kwasi Dunyo, a master drummer from Ghana. He’ll show the audience how to play African instruments and invite them to join African drumming, dancing and singing.  Junior Jazz is free, brunch is available.  It’s a crowded event so reservations are recommended at (647) 748-0555.

Alana Bridgewater
Every Sunday afternoon, The Local GEST (424 Parliament) hosts a jazz event from 4:30 pm.  This week’s guest is Soul singer Alana Bridgewater whose recent credits include parts in Hairspray, We Will Rock You, The Wizard of Oz, Broadway and Beyond, and the Women’s Blues Revue.

Kristy Boyce at The Flying Beaver
Kristy travelled to Russia during the Sochi Olympic Games to meet and photograph members of the LBGTQ community.  Her photographs, videos and stories will be shown as part of her evening at the Flying Beaver (488 Parliament).  Friday May 30, 7 pm.  It’s a “pay what you want” evening with proceeds going toward her next trip.  Dinner is available and dinner patrons get priority seating for the show.  For reservations, call (647) 347-6567. 

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY MAY 22 TO SUNDAY JUNE 1

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
Gilead Café & Wine Bar, 4 Gilead Place, (647) 288-0680, http://www.jamiekennedy.ca
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 MAY 22

Flying Beaver
7 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia League hosted by Cajo, no cover
9:30 pm, Karaoke with Cajo, no cover
Gilead Café
Winemaker`s night with Redtail Vineyards
Local GEST
8 pm, Jeff Barnes & Noah Zacharin

FRIDAY MAY 23

Flying Beaver
7 pm, Kiss a ginger comedy night benefit, $10 at the door, $5 for a ginger

SATURDAY MAY 24

Dominion on Queen
9 pm, Big John & the Honking Swans
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Carla Collins, $20/advance & $25/door
9 pm, Carla Collins, $20/advance & $25/door
Paintbox Bistro
10 am, Junior Jazz presents Kwasi Dunyo
6 pm, dinner. Two sets, 8 & 9:30 pm, JPEC’s piano plus presents Pat LaBarbera Quartet, $20

SUNDAY MAY 25

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Sarah Strange & Erin Breen, “Manaret”, $15/advance & $20/door
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday jazz with Alana Bridgewater
Mill Street Beer Hall
1 pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema

MONDAY MAY 26

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Nerd Night pub quiz

TUESDAY MAY 27

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Nerd Night pub quiz

WEDNESDAY MAY 28

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Gilead Café
Winemaker`s night with Pearl Morrisette Estate Winery
The Local GEST
7:30 pm, Trivia night

THURSDAY MAY 29

Dominion on Queen
Lesley Livingston book launch party
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia League hosted by Cajo, no cover
9:30 pm, Karaoke with Cajo, no cover
The Local GEST
9 pm, Open mic with Porter

FRIDAY MAY 30

Flying Beaver
7 pm, Kristy Boyce, “Russia & Back again, stories & images from Russia’s LGBTQ community”, pwyc
9 pm, Coffee talk with Ryan J Hinds, $10/advance & $15/door

SATURDAY MAY 31

Dominion on Queen
7 pm, Toronto Film Noir Syndicate
9 pm, Wicked Grin
Flying Beaver
7 pm, An evening with Michael O’Hara, $15/advance & $20/door
9 pm, Gita Wigdorchik & Caroline Martin-Rowe, “Everybody’s Girlz‘``, $10/advance & $15/door
The Irv
9 pm, Frank Ryan’s vocals and acoustics
Paintbox
7 pm, DMCI music gala, dinner & performance, $60

SUNDAY JUNE 1

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Indrit Kasapi, Dinner & cabaret
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday jazz with Zim Zum with Colin Flint, Ian Lazarus, Jeffrey Hewer & Dennis Song
Mill Street Beer Hall
1 pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema