June 5


This week’s image:  Gardening supplies at Parliament & Wellesley
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW

NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS

A tough Cabbagetown resident
This lovely Cooper’s Hawk was snapped visiting a backyard near the cemetery last week.  He’s in a spot where his dinner likes to gather.  This isn’t a guy to fool with, especially if you’re a sparrow.

Lower Don Trail improvements
Paul Raff is a Toronto artist and architect. He’s been chosen to create the new 1.6 km art fence along the lower Don trail.   The trail runs 4.7 km from Pottery Road to Corktown Commons and improvements to it are part of the Pan Am Games legacy projects.  Construction on the new fence will begin this Fall.  You can see the overall plan for the trail improvements here. Mr Raff was selected in a national competition.  His website shows examples of his work as both an artist and an architect. 

Winchester Square gardens
Photo: Victoria Hadden
Local gardeners together with Edwin Huang from Central Neighbourhood House are again planting vegetables in the garden boxes in Winchester Square (Ontario and Aberdeen).  Victoria Hadden reports that the first batch is springing up and a second planting has just taken place.  CNH is helping with a garden shed and an information box for flyers to keep local community members abreast of garden developments.  Two garden boxes are now being reserved for children.  Edwin is also working on the community gardens in the new Regent Park with plans to coordinate between the two projects for future ideas and potential greenhouse spaces.

Luminato’s literary picnic
Photo:  Toronto Star
Luminato Festival runs from June 6 to 15 and as part of it, there’ll be a Literary Picnic in Trinity Bellwoods Park.  Cabbagetown’s Noah Richler is taking part in it and he’s one of several authors who have participated in a short video describing the event.  We’re all welcome to join in – Sunday June 15, noon to 3:30 pm.  Click here to watch the video.

Young Dancers Program
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre is a national leader for contemporary dance education and training. The School’s Young Dancer Program introduces children ages 3 to 17 to creative movement and contemporary dance in a focused and fun environment.  Registration for the Fall term is now open.  For more info, click here. To register, contact louise@schooloftdt.org or call (647) 967-6887.

Meditation with Judy Steed
Every Monday evening from 7:15 pm, journalist, author and ageing expert Judy Steed is guiding 45 minute meditation sessions in the heart of Cabbagetown.  She provides “brain activation in a relaxed setting.  We learn how to build neural structures as we practice compassion for ourselves, understanding how we deal with stress and how we get stuck. We learn to pause in the moment and stay present.  We practice mindfulness.”  $5 per session.  For more information, click here.

Clothing drive
A short while ago, Daniel Bloch and Liora Tal-Bloch organized a clothing drive in Cabbagetown South on behalf of the Regent Park Salvation Army.  They collected over 150 bags.  Congrats to them for their success in this worthy campaign.

HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces
The annual Cabbagetown garden tour happens on Sunday June 8 from 10 am to 3 pm.  It’s a self-guided walk through ten gardens (your ticket includes a map) and several Master Gardeners will be stationed along the tour to answer your questions and offer help for your own gardens.  As a bonus, if you present your ticket at various restaurants and retailers, you’ll also enjoy discounts and coupons for your purchases. You can buy your tickets at several local outlets including Kendall & Co (227 Carlton), Mi Casa (238 Carlton), the Epicure Shop (473 Parliament), Fairway Garden Centre (520 Parliament) and Jay’s Garden Centre (360 Gerrard E).  For last minute tickets and for PayPal redemptions, visit the Cabbagetown BIA office on Sunday June 8. 

Win a rug from Kendall & Co
Here’s a good reason to visit Kendall & Co’s new showroom at 227 Carlton. You can complete a ballot and win a beautiful rug from their collection of wool and round rugs.  No purchase necessary.  (Sorry – only one ballot per person!)  The outdoor rug collection has arrived just in time for your patio and cottage seasons.  Kendall has been a strong supporter of the annual garden tours. Drop in to the store to buy your ticket for Sunday’s tour.  Monday to Friday 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday 11 am to 5 pm. 

The Distillery Sunday Market
Starting this Sunday and running through the summer, the Summer Market features artisanal products from local producers – honey, bakery goods, cheeses, chutneys and sauces, preserves, chocolates and fresh veggies are all included.  Plus there’s a regular exhibition of artwork by Artscape members.  10 am to 3 pm weekly at 28 Gristmill Lane in the Distillery.

Riverside Eats & Beats
On Saturday June 7 from 1 to 6 pm, the area at Queen and Broadview will be home to the annual Riverside street festival.  There’ll be family friendly food plus sidewalk shopping, live entertainment, walking tours and Riverdale Artwalk.  Entertainment includes live bands with jazz, blues and celtic rhythms, belly dancing lessons, cooking demos and lots more.  It’s amazing how much can be crammed into a single afternoon – click here for the full program
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Riverdale ArtWalk
On Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm daily, the 16th annual Riverdale Art Walk takes place in Jimmie Simpson Park (Queen at Booth St).  Organized by the Artists’ Network, it’s the season’s first outdoor fine art show and it offers works by 130 artists along with food, entertainment and local community groups. 

COMING EVENTS

ROM Walks
The ROM is offering a guided walking tour in our neighbourhood.  It’s a free event.  The route runs through Cabbagetown North on Wednesday June 11, 6 to 8 pm  beginning at the corner of Parliament and Winchester.

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. This is the group that brings us the new, revitalized Forsythia Festival and it also has an active program to address our ongoing neighbourhood issues.  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
The entertainment lineup at the picnic is now being rolled out – headliners include the Brendan Canning Band and the Lemon Bucket Orkestra.  There are three great prizes for the auction – lunch with TVO’s Steve Paikin, lunch with columnist Christie Blatchford and lunch with best-selling author Terry Fallis. This is the annual fundraiser to support the programs at Riverdale Farm.  It happens on Thursday June 19 from 5 to 10 pm in the Farm at Riverdale Park (201 Winchester).  Funds from this year’s event will be used to expand and improve Simpson House to create a visitors’ centre there.  Adults $10, children under 12 with an adult, free.  Click here to buy your tickets. 

Cabbagetown Festival preliminary meeting
The new organizers of the annual September Cabbagetown Festival are holding a public meeting to present their 2014 plans.  Lido Chilleli and Jessica Haines are bringing new ideas for the program and lots of energy to inject into our annual event.  Drop in to find out what’s on the plate – Tuesday June 17, 6 to 8 pm, Cabbagetown BIA office, 237 Carlton.

Riverdale Farmer’s Market
The Riverdale market opened last week and it’s offering an expanded range of produce and entertainment.  Sundara Yoga provided yoga under the trees next to the tents. This year, there’ll be children’s activities, pizza from the Farm’s wood oven, farmers’ demos and more.  It’s a “producers only” market so customers know that the produce is all grown locally.  Open every Tuesday from 2 to 7 pm in Riverdale Park (Sumach & Winchester).

Regent Park Farmer’s Market
The weekly Regent Park Farmer’s Market opens for its season on Wednesday June 25 from 3:30 to 7:30 pm along the Urban Mews next to the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E). Its vendors include the regular farmers’ fare plus produce from people who have small plots and city gardens.  There’ll be fresh veggies, halal meats, breads and pastries from artisanal bakers, cheeses and spices.  Local chefs will prepare curries, samosas and pies.  The Paintbox Bistro will serve up goodies in a food truck style.    

RESTAURANTS & PUB EVENTS

Good news from The Scullery
Starting next Monday June 9, the Scullery (200 Carlton) will be open seven days each week from 7 am to 7 pm (Monday to Friday) and 8 am to 5 pm (weekends).  Weekend brunch is served from 9 am to 3 pm.  Laura is also expanding the salad menu with a summer list of twenty different choices.

Peter Donato returns
Cabbagetown’s leading cantautore, Peter Donato is acclaimed for his dulcet tones, sweet lyrics and authoritative renditions.  He’s not to be missed.  You can catch his performance at the Flying Beaver (488 Parliament) on Sunday June 8 at 7:30 pm.  As always, there’s priority seating for those who make dinner reservations.  $10/advance and $15/door.

Junior Jazz with Thompson Egbo-Egbo
Get your kids all washed up and spiffy and bring them along to the Paintbox.  Junior Jazz is back with another Saturday morning session at Paintbox Bistro (555 Dundas E).  This time, Thompson Egbo-Egbo’s Trio will present their songs and then show how they’re put together.  Lots of singing and clapping.  Kids will be able to interact with the band on special iPads that are set up to make jamming easy.  Reservations are recommended because these concerts are very well attended, (647) 748-0555.  Brunch available, no cover charge.

The beautiful game at The Local GEST
Gary, Erick, Sean and Tiffany are getting ready for a glorious month of football from Brazil.  Big screens are available indoors and outside on the patio.  The best from FIFA’s World Cup will be shown constantly from its beginning on Thursday June 12 to its spectacular ending on July 13.  Local GEST, 424 Parliament.

Sipping Ontario’s best wines
Gilead Café (4 Gilead) continues its winemaker’s series on Wednesday nights.  A different winery is presented each week and glasses of its wines are available at half price through the evening.  Jamie Kennedy prepares matching meals.  On Wednesday June 11, wines from By Chadsey’s Cairns in Prince Edward County are being poured.  Reservations at (647) 288-0680

GET OUTSIDE ON A PATIO

F’Amelia and Extended F’Amelia
Two patios are now open and full of good food and hungry people at F’Amelia (12 Amelia) and the new Extended F’Amelia (next door at 8 Amelia).  You can enjoy a grilled steak, fish or chicken at ExFam and a pizza or a full meal at F’Amelia. Wednesdays are Winesday at ExFam – all wines are half price throughout the evening.  Summer hours at Extended F’Amelia - open Wednesday to Sunday from 6 pm, the grill closes at 10 pm.  At F’Amelia - open daily from 5 to 10 pm. Reservations at (416) 323-0666.

Hey Lucy’s patio
Tucked away behind the restaurant, Hey Lucy (229 Carlton) has one of our biggest and most comfortable backyard patios.  The landscaping, furniture and garden features are all exceptional.  David, the manager, has several specials underway to celebrate the opening of patio season including weekend brunch from 10:30 am to 2 pm with $3.99 caesars, $4.49 martinis, $4.99 mimosas and lots of beer specials.

Two patios at The Irv
Both the side and rear patios at The Irv (195 Carlton) have been renovated and both are now open for business.  On Saturday, there’s live acoustic entertainment in the back patio and there are beer and wine specials daily.

A winner at the HOP
Photo: View the Vibe
No surprise to us that the House on Parliament (454 Parliament) has won another big nod of approval.  View the Vibe listed the HOP’s rooftop patio as one of the top ten in Toronto.  They mentioned the HOP’s good cooking and great selection of beers.  “Nothing short of resplendent”. Click here to see the full list.

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY JUNE 5 TO SUNDAY JUNE 15

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 5

Dominion on Queen
9 pm, The Community Soul Project
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia League hosted by Cajo, no cover
9:30 pm, Karaoke with Cajo, no cover
Local GEST
8 pm, Jeff Barnes & Noah Zacharin

FRIDAY JUNE 6

Dominion on Queen
9 pm, Caribbean Jazz Connection with Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo
Flying Beaver
6:30 pm, OITNB screening party, no cover
Paintbox
8 pm, Mike Janzen Trio, $20

SATURDAY JUNE 7

Dominion on Queen
9 pm, The Paul James Band
Flying Beaver
6:30 pm, St Stella, “Burlesque with a bite” – dinner and show, $40, show only at the door, $10
9 pm, Bare Bones Reunion Show with Suzanne Nuttall & Patrick Hutchinson, $10/advance & $15/door
Paintbox
8 pm, Oasis Vocal Jazz presents “Simple Gifts”,  $20/advance & $25/door

SUNDAY JUNE 8

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
4:30 pm, The Wintergarten Orchestra
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Peter Donato returns, $10/advance & $15/door
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday jazz with Boom for Rent
Mill Street Beer Hall
1 pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema

MONDAY JUNE 9

Dominion on Queen
7 pm, Good Neighbours open mic
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Nerd Night pub quiz

TUESDAY JUNE 10

Dominion on Queen
8:30 pm, Hot Club of Corktown – Django Jam
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Nerd Night pub quiz

WEDNESDAY JUNE 11

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
8 pm, Corktown Uke Jam
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Paul Bellini “Liar, Liar Pants on Fire”, no cover
Gilead Café
Winemaker`s night with Chadsey’s Cairn Winery
The Local GEST
7:30 pm, Trivia night

THURSDAY JUNE 12

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 JUNE 13

Flying Beaver
7 pm, Aastha Lal, “Words to laugh by”, $10/advance & pwyc/door
Paintbox
Comedy with Arthur Simeon & Friends, $10/advance & $20/door
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Shipyard’s Monkey Fist IPA sampling and giveaways

SATURDAY JUNE 14

Dominion On Queen
1 pm, Uke Express 101, “A beginner’s welcome at the gates of ukulele heaven,”, $48
Flying Beaver
7 pm, Brenda Lewis & Margaret Stowe, $10/advance & $15/door
9 pm, OITNB screening part 2, no cover
The Irv
9 pm, Frank Ryan’s vocals and acoustics
Paintbox
10 am, Junior Jazz with Thompson Egbo-Egbo, no cover

SUNDAY JUNE 15

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Lemon Tree Creations – gala cabaret & dinner
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday jazz with Sherie Marshall and Colin Flint (bass guitar), Ian Lazarus (alto &tenor sax), Jeffrey Hewer (guitar) & Dennis Song (drums)
Mill Street Beer Hall
1 pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema