June 19


This week’s image:  2013 Riverdale Farm picnic
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW

HAPPENING THIS WEEK

Riverdale Farm Aid
The gates open at 5 pm on Thursday evening for the annual fundraiser picnic in Riverdale Farm (east end of Winchester past Sumach).  The auction starts at 7 pm with over two dozen items valued between $60 and $700.  Entertainment by the Lemon Bucket Orkestra begins at 8 pm and the Brendan Canning Band is on stage at 9 pm.   There’s a bbq, a Kids Zone with games and face painting and a presentation by the Dairy Farmers of Canada.  Tickets are $10 – all proceeds from the events will help to create a visitors’ centre at the Simpson House.

Music in the Park
Little Trinity Church is sponsoring a music series in Little Trinity Park (King Street E at Trinity) throughout the summer.  The concerts take place every second Thursday at 7 pm.  The first one is tonight, June 19, with Liam Kinnon.  Bring a blanket or a chair.

Opening Regent Park
Regent Park – also called The Big Park – will open officially on Saturday June 21 from 1 to 5 pm.  Entertainment by the Regent Park School of Music and Coleman Lemieux & Comnpagnie.  North side of Dundas Street East at Regent Park Boulevard.  Justin Skinner has written about the park’s potential and its importance in a new article in Inside Toronto – click here.  

Update - tree replacement by the City of Toronto
Last Fall, our apple tree was removed by the City of Toronto.  Since then, I’ve been giving you a blow-by-blow report on the City’s replacement work.  It’s been a smooth and careful process.
On Tuesday, a landscape truck licensed by the City of Toronto arrived at our house with our new tree.  The crew took about five minutes to plant and water it.  Very neat and tidy.  We’ve been advised to give it a big bucket of water every two days through the summer.
At each step, the City’s staff worked carefully in our garden and cleaned up afterward.  We were kept well informed.  The final tree – scrawny and a bit wilted but nevertheless welcome – is now doing very well.

Cabbagetown Residents Association
The CRA held its annual meeting last week at Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton).  James Wood and Phil Frei joined the Board as directors.  After the business was settled, the members enjoyed beer tastings, frites and a game of Cabbagetown Bingo.  Congrats to Kelly Teahen for winning her Cabbagetown flag. 

Eric is afloat
Eric Murphy has recently enjoyed considerable success with his first book, The Phantom’s Gold.  The CBC has interviewed him (Click here for the radio interview).  His book was also part of Regent Park Reads.  As part of the program, kids from Lord Dufferin and Nelson Mandela Park Schools enjoyed a sail in Toronto Harbour.

Steve Kwan’s Tai Chi classes
Starting on Sunday July 6, Steve is offering free Tai Chi classes from 9 to 10 am on Sunday mornings in Wellesley Park (east end of Wellesley Street).  Join him at the Kids’ Pool near the Wellesley entrance.  Steve has long been teaching Tai Chi classes in our area. Everyone welcome - he conducts a gentle course that’s good for beginners and people of all ages. 

REGULAR SUMMER EVENTS

COBA’s drop-in dance classes
Every Monday from 5 to 6:30 pm in the MDC Partners Courtyard beside the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  Professional dancers from COBA will offer free instruction on a variety of dance styles. 

Riverdale Park Farmer’s Market
Every Tuesday, 2 to 7 pm, Riverdale Park (Winchester & Sumach).  Vendors offer locally grown Ontario produce and there’s also children’s entertainment, a pizza oven and free yoga By Sundara Yoga Studio.

Under the Stars - outdoor movie festival
Wednesday, June 25 – Empire of Dirt.  A young Cree mother moves out of Toronto back to her rural hometown and revisits her troubled relationship with her own mother.  The Regent Park Film Festival is organizing these free outdoor screenings. Every Wednesday beside the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E) at 9 pm.  If it rains, the screenings relocate inside the Daniels Spectrum in the Ada Slaight Hall.

Regent Park Farmer’s Market
Wednesdays from 3:30 to 7:30 pm, Regent Park Boulevard at Dundas.  Vendors offer locally grown produce and there’s live entertainment and specialty vendors.  The market has a website listing special events and weekly produce, click here.  

BUSINESS NEWS

Pride of Cabbagetown
Kendall & Co (227 Carlton) is selling an Equal Marriage mug.  $2 from each purchase will be donated to 519 Church Street Community Centre.  It’s Kendall’s way to contribute to the community.  Monday to Friday, 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm.

NOW “Best of” Votes
For the second year, Kendall & Co is on the ballot for two categories in NOW Magazine’s “2014 Best of” competitions.  We can help by casting our votes – for Best Design Store, click here and vote.   For Best Design Firm, click here and vote.  

Cat Busters at Pet Valu
Do you need a cat in your home?  If your life has a funny empty feeling, if you need a creature that will blithely ignore you, if you have a craving for an excitable ball of fur, then drop by Pet Valu (240 Carlton) on Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.  Cat Busters is a cat adoption agency and they’ll fix you up.

Fundraising for the Farley Fund
Cabbagetown Pet Clinic (239 Gerrard E) participates in the Farley Fund – a resource  organized by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association that provides financial assistance for veterinary care for people who need the help but can’t afford it.  Every year, the clinic raises contributions for the fund and then gets an allotment to use with its clients.  The target this year is $2500 which they’ll raise with monthly raffles, a bake sale and a 50km bike ride through the Halton Region.  Contact Shivonne at the clinic (416-928-6761) for info about your donation. 

RESTAURANT & CLUB NEWS

Toronto Jazz Festival
The Festival is happening all across Toronto this week in scores of locations.  Click here for the calendar of events.  Two clubs in our neighbourhood have full programs with exciting musicians – Dominion on Queen (500 Queen E) and The Paintbox Bistro  (555 Dundas E).  Check the CLUBS listings at the bottom of this page for daily details and links. 



Welcome to The Grinning Face
Julie and Keo’s new gelato shop is offering non-dairy handmade gelatos made from coconut milk, including dark & handsome chocolate, roasted banana, Madagascar bourbon vanilla bean, lemon, punch bungee coffee crème brulee and apple cider caramel.  The store is open on weekends from 11 am and during the week by appointment.  540 Parliament.

Art in our cafes

Jet Fuel (519 Parliament) has an interesting exhibition of Nomad paintings by Durang Bo.  They’ll only be there for another week so drop in soon to view them. 

Shelley Ledger’s photography can still be seen in Cranberries (601 Parliament). 

Stuart Graham’s works are hanging in Peartree (507 Parliament) until July 31. 

Cooking classes at Merryberry
Cyril will be holding his next cooking class on Tuesday July 8.  His theme is “cooking with wine”.  There’s no indication yet whether the wine will go into the recipe or into the students or both.  More details soon.  Contact him to save a spot at (647) 348-0411 or visit the restaurant at 559 Parliament.

Menu specials

420 Smokehouse (420 Parliament) has everything smoked – oysters, ribs, chicken and burgers.  Thanks to Virginia and her staff for contributing to the picnic at Riverdale Farm Aid.  They’re grilling peameal bacon sandwiches, sausages on a bun and wings.

Extended F’Amelia (8 Amelia) is getting a big response to Wine Wednesdays.  Half price bottles of wine on the patio. 

Gilead Café (4 Gilead) is hosting Hinterland Wine Company from Prince Edward County on Wednesday June 25 at the Winemaker’s Night.  There’ll be a presentation by the winemaker and a dish to match the wine.  This is the last event for the season.  Reservations at (647) 288-0680

Hey Lucy (227 Carlton) has added several new items to its menu – charcuterie platter, prosciutto pizza, kale salad, parmesan chicken and more.  There’s a revamped wine list as well.  Check it out on the beautiful rear patio.

The Irv (195 Carlton) has a big screen television installed in the back patio for World Cup viewing.

The folks at The Local GEST (424 Parliament) are taking local sourcing really seriously.  They’ve got a nearby farm plot and a backyard herb garden to supply the kitchen with fresh produce.

The Scullery (200 Carlton) has launched a big batch of new salads.  You can find the daily menus on its website here.

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY JUNE 19 TO SUNDAY JUNE 29

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 JUNE 19

Dominion on Queen
8:30 pm, Toronto Blues Society presents Harrison Kennedy
6:30 & 10 pm, Toronto Jazz Festival presents Sean Dobbins B-3 organ quartet
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, Jeff Barnes & Noah Zacharin
Paintbox Bistro
8:30 pm, Heillig Manoeuvre, G-Three Music Series and Toronto Jazz Festival, $15

FRIDAY JUNE 20

Dominion on Queen
6 pm, Toronto Jazz Festival presents Bruce Cassidy Quartet
10 pm, Toronto Jazz Festival presents Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo’s Caribbean Jazz Connection
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Scott Thompson returns, $20/advance & $25/door
9 pm, Marcy Rogers, “Lesbians who wear lipstick: the middle ages”, $10/advance & $15/door
Paintbox
9 & 10:45 pm, Michael Dunston & Dave Young`s Tribute to Donny Hathaway, G-Three Music Series and Toronto Jazz Festival,  $15

SATURDAY JUNE 21

Dominion on Queen
4 pm, Toronto Jazz Festival presents Bruce Cassidy’s Hotfoot Orchestra
9 pm, Toronto Jazz Festival presents Que Isso? Brazilian Jazz
Flying Beaver
3 pm, Women’s Artists Network opening, “World Pride Over the Rainbow”
9 pm, Scott Thompson returns, $20/advance & $25/door
The Irv
9 pm, Frank Ryan’s vocals and acoustics
Paintbox
9 & 10:45 pm, Hilario Duran Trio, G-Three Music Series and Toronto Jazz Festival, $30

SUNDAY JUNE 22

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
1 pm, Toronto Jazz Festival presents the York Jazz Ensemble
5 pm, Toronto Jazz Festival presents Murata, Taft & Quarrington
9 pm, Toronto Jazz Festival presents Bruce Cassidy’s Mbaqanga
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Hypnotixx: a slightly naughty comedy hypnosis show, $10/advance & $15/door
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday jazz with Ilana Waldston with Ted Quinlan (guitar) and Jorden Connor (bass)
Mill Street Beer Hall
1 pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema
Paintbox Bistro
8 & 9:45 pm, Barbra Lica, G-Three Music Series and Toronto Jazz Festival, $30

MONDAY JUNE 23

Dominion on Queen
9 pm, Steven Cole group, Toronto Jazz Festival
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Nerd Night pub quiz

TUESDAY JUNE 24

Dominion on Queen
8:30 pm, Wayne Nakamura’s Hot Club of Corktown, Toronto Jazz Festival
Paintbox
9 & 10:45 pm, Jeff King’s Catalyst, G-Three Music Series and Toronto Jazz Festival, $15
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Nerd Night pub quiz

WEDNESDAY JUNE 25

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
8:30 pm, Don Francks, Toronto Jazz Festival
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Karen William’s World Pride Show, benefit for The Healing Place, $20/advance & $25/door
Gilead Café
Winemaker`s night with Hinterland Wine Company
The Local GEST
7:30 pm, Trivia night
Paintbox
9 & 10:45 pm, Stacie McGregor Quintet, G-Three Music Series and Toronto Jazz Festival, $15

THURSDAY JUNE 26

Dominion on Queen
6:30 & 8:30 pm, Ralphe Armstrong & International Detroiters, Toronto Jazz Festival
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
Paintbox
9 & 10:45 pm, Alexis Baro Quintet, G-Three Music Series and Toronto Jazz Festival, $15

FRIDAY JUNE 27

Dominion on Queen
7:30 & 10 pm, Partisans, Toronto Jazz Festival
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Shirley Gnome, $10/advance & $15/door
9 pm, Alex Tate Trio celebrates Toronto Jazz Week, $10/advance & $15/door
11 pm, Mullets & Mom Jeans comedy duo,
Paintbox
9 & 10:45 pm, Anthony Fung Quintet, G-Three Music Series and Toronto Jazz Festival, $15

SATURDAY JUNE 28

Dominion On Queen
4 pm, Beverley Taft’s Bossa Nova Project, Toronto Jazz Festival
9 pm, Wintergarten Orchestra, Toronto Jazz Festival
The Irv
9 pm, Frank Ryan’s vocals and acoustics
Paintbox
9 pm, Archie Alleyne & Jackie Richardson, “Archie’s Final Gig”, G-Three Music Series and Toronto Jazz Festival, $30

SUNDAY JUNE 29

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday jazz with Alison Young’s Trio
Mill Street Beer Hall
1 pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema