November 27

This week’s image:  the last coffees of the day at Jet Fuel.

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW

LOCAL NEWS

Welcome Hope Audrey Finkelstein
Hope became a new Cabbagetown kid on Saturday November 15 at 11:37 am.  She joins sisters Lily and Charlotte.  Congrats to Trish and Andrew.  No doubt, Hope will be a star attraction at the 2015 Forsythia Festival.
Do you have a new baby at your home?  Tell your friends and neighbours.  Send along your announcement and pictures to cabbagetownreview@gmail.com.

Your photos are welcome
Do you have a photograph that captures an interesting facet of our lives in our neighbourhood - beautiful gardens, nifty angles on our architecture, hungry diners happily munching away in a pub. Send it in. I’ll publish it and give you full credit for your work.  cabbagetownreview@gmail.com

Outdoor skating in Regent Park
Photo: City of Toronto
There are two rinks in Regent Park.  The North rink (north side of Dundas, west of River) has ice and is open now but apparently the surface is iffy.  The South rink (north side of Shuter, east of Sumach) is being rebuilt with financial support from Maple Leaf Sports and will open officially on January 4.  There’s an unofficial guide to city rinks online where you can find out rink conditions and get directions.
 
Brenda’s classes
Brenda has announced her schedule for her step and zumba classes at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster). On Wednesdays at 9:15 am, step classes.  On Sundays at 11 am, zumba.  Watch for announcements about a Sunday step class at 10 am.  Classes finish for Christmas break on December 17.

Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum
The museum’s latest photo exhibition takes us back one hundred years.  “Close to home - how work, life and play coexist in 1914 Cabbagetown.”  The Opening Reception in the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E) is from 5:30 to 8:30 pm on Friday November 28 and the exhibit continues to January. 

Cabbagetown South Christmas party
The big Cabbagetown South Christmas bash happens next Wednesday December 3, 7 to 11 pm, Retsina (209 Gerrard E).  Tickets are $20 at the door.  There’ll be good food, a big crowd and lots of gossipy chitchat.  Plus raffles and prizes.  Click here to register and to get your tickets. 

The Official Corktown Cocktail Party
Join your Corktown neighbours at Fusilli (531 Queen E) on Sunday December 7 from 5 to 9 pm for the annual Corktown Christmas party.   There’ll be hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and a silent auction.  Sponsored by the Corktown Residents & Business Association. 

Congrats Barbara Brown
Photo:  Irene DeClute
Barbara won the 2014 Streetscapes in Bloom award from the Cabbagetown Preservation Association for her fine front garden at 62 Amelia.  Her garden along with those at 141 Amelia and 266 Carlton was judged at regular intervals throughout the growing seasons.  Her prizes include a watercolour of her garden by Marion Wilson and a wrought iron garden hook and a glass medallion from Kitras Glass.  There’s a write-up about the award here. 

Congrats Sydney and Evie
Cabbagetowner Sydney Payne and her partner Evie Angeluelov are now the Canadian National Junior Women’s Pairs rowing champions.  The national event was held at Elk Lake in Victoria BC on November 9.  Both are members of Canada’s national junior women’s squad.

Cabbagetown Tea Towels
Get your own lovely Cabbagetown Tea Towel, designed by Steve Yeates for the Cabbagetown Preservation Association, at Kendall and Co (227 Carlton). Four designs are available featuring Bay & Gable, Arts & Crafts, Queen Anne and Workers’ Cottages – architectural styles found through the neighbourhood.

Dusty has died
Photo:  Riverdale Farm
Riverdale Farm’s beloved donkey, Dusty, passed away on November 24. He was born almost 20 years ago, raised and cared for at the Farm.  He’ll be missed. As noted on the Farm’s Facebook page, he was very vocal, particularly at feeding times and his braying regularly made people chuckle. 

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS

Eric Morse’s book launch
Cabbagetown photographer, writer and bon vivant, Eric Morse, has completed his book `Roman Spaces`.  Its essays explore Roman Imperial history and find common threads between their ancient experiences and our contemporary ones.  Eric is the Co-Chair of the Security Studies Committee at the Royal Canadian Military Institute and his articles on international affairs appear regularly in the Ottawa Citizen.  The book launch happens on Wednesday December 3 at 7 pm at the RCMI (426 University Ave) – everyone is welcome, no cover charge.

Adversity, Resilience, Prosperity
Photo:  Irene DeClute
Alan Waterhouse (above, centre) gave a lecture at the CPA meeting about changing lifestyles in Cabbagetown between 1941 and 2011 based on research done for the CPA’s forthcoming book, “Adversity, Resilience, Prosperity”.  A good crowd of fifty people attended the event.  When the finished books are published, a link for purchases will be listed here.

Helena: An Odyssey
Carolyn Watt-Taylor’s new novel was inspired by Kiki Kostakyriakos, the owner of Hair Lift Salon (503 Parliament).  Helena has an illustrious Byzantine history.  The compulsion to redeem it runs from Turkey to Greece and finally to Cabbagetown.  There’ll be a book launch on Sunday November 30 at 4 pm at Mr Greek (526 Danforth) with Greek music and food.

MEDIA REPORTS

Art in the underpasses
Photo:  Globe & Mail
StreetARToronto, a City of Toronto project, has commissioned artists to paint murals in dingy underpass areas across the city.  The new mural on the pillars beneath Richmond and Adelaide is one of the first to be finished.  It depicts the settlers and factory workers who lived in nearby Corktown.  Anwar Ali has written about the project in the Globe & Mail.  Click here. 

Cherry Street reopens
Photo:  blogTO
After delays and dithering by governments and some lobbying by local residents, Cherry Street has reopened to bike and car traffic.  BlogTO has written about it and about future plans for the streetcar line through the area.  Click here. 

Corktown Common wins Popular Science award
Photo:  Waterfront Toronto
Every year, the American magazine Popular Science selects 100 projects for its “Best of What’s New” awards, a recognition of “the innovations that surprise and amaze us – those that make a positive impact on our world today and challenge our view of what’s possible in the future.”  Corktown Common was recognized in the green category for its positive environmental and community impact.  Read the press release from Waterfront Toronto here. 

BUSINESS NEWS

Black Friday clearance at Kendall
Save on wool rugs and runners, round rugs and indoor-outdoor rugs at Kendall & Co (227 Carlton). 15% off special orders placed before December 1, 25% off in-stock rugs, 50% off floor models and 60% off discontinued styles.  When you visit the store, bring a non-perishable food item for the local food bank and save 10% on your holiday gift purchases (applicable on regularly priced retail merchandise, offer not combined with other promos.)  Kendall’s store hours are extended for the holiday season – Sundays noon to 4 pm, weekdays 10 am to 6 pm and Saturdays 10 am to 5 pm.

Victoria Hadden’s calendars and cards
Victoria’s lovely holiday cards and calendars are now available exclusively at Kendall & Co (227 Carlton). 

Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery
The hugely popular Christmas Market returns on Friday November 28 and runs to December 21 from Tuesday to Friday from noon to 9 pm and on weekends from 10 am to 9 pm.  There`s a lot to do and see.  It`s a street market with unique crafts, artists, artisans and world class vendors.  There`ll be beer gardens and outdoor lounges along with street foods.  The program includes children`s activities, pet photos with Santa, a photo contest, a 45` Christmas tree, daily carolling and sing-alongs. Special activities include Morris Dancers, the Young Centre City Choir, the Lemon Bucket Orkestra, Alpine Dancers and lots more.  The daily program is on the Market website. 

Workshops at Little House in the City
Classes and workshops are continuing at Little House in the City (555 Parliament).  These are all hands-on classes and you’ll leave each one with a sample to take home.  For details and registration, click here or call (416) 413-9993. 
Thursday November 27 – Kombucha Brewing.  Instructor is Manjit Bumrah, holistic nutritionist and physiotherapist.  $50
Thursday December 4 – Advanced Fermentation: kimchi and experimentations.  Instructor is Rebekka Hutton from Alchemy Pickle Company.  $50.
 
Do you remember this guy?
Save the dates - Santa’s coming back to Pet Valu (240 Carlton).  Bring your pet and get a timeless photo - $10.  Saturday December 6 and Saturday December 13, 10 am to 2 pm.

ONSTAGE

WINTERSONG by Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre
CCDT’s WINTERSONG celebrates the solstice’s rich winter traditions with motifs of light and life reborn from darkness.  It will warm the hearts of audiences of all ages with its breathtaking tapestry of seasonal dance.  Friday December 12 at 8 pm and Saturday December 13 at 2 pm.  Ticket info here. Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, 207 Queen’s Quay W.

Soulpepper cabaret
Soulpepper presents “Reading the Danger Tree” with David Macfarlane and Douglas Cameron. Saturday, 8:30 pm, tickets from $15.  Young Centre, The Distillery (50 Tank House Lane). Click here. 
 
Fireworks
Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley). The Fireworks Festival of plays by women finishes this weekend.  You Have to Earn It  by Ramona Bailey and Maria Popoff and Burying Toni  by Catherine Frid.  Both plays run until Saturday November 29.

Soulpepper’s Christmas schedule
A Christmas Carol and Kim’s Convenience start on November 27.  Online info about each play is available here.  Soulpepper Theatre in the Young Centre (50 Tank House Lane, Distillery)

Berkeley Street Theatre, Canadian Stage
Venus In Furs returns to the Berkeley Street Theatre from December 18 to 28. Program details and tickets available here. Berkeley Street Theatre (26 Berkeley)

RESTAURANTS & CLUBS

American Thanksgiving
Americans can drop in to The House on Parliament (454 Parliament) or The Flying Beaver (488 Parliament) and tuck into turkey dinners with all the trimmings.  Canadians can too!  Thursday, November 27.

Local GEST fundraiser
Mike Tuzyk experienced a nearly fatal motorcycle crash in October and he’s now in rehab at Bridgepoint.  He’s facing a long and expensive recovery.  His friends are holding a fundraiser on Saturday November 29.  Proceeds from the sale of Beau’s Wellingtons, Great Lakes, Pommies and Amsterdam will be donated to Mike.  There’ll be a 50/50 draw.  424 Parliament.

Peartree’s anniversary month
November is Peartree’s 21st anniversary. To celebrate, there’s a special menu - a three-course prix fix dinner for two people is $45/couple or, add a glass of wine for each person, $55/couple.  Reservations at (416) 962-8190 or peartree@rogers.com.  507 Parliament.

Jack Grunsky at Peartree
Cabbagetown artist Jack Grunsky will hang his recent pictures at Peartree (507 Parliament) through December.  He describes them as urban realism depicting scenes in Cabbagetown and Toronto.

Shelley Ledger’s Christmas sale
Cranberries (601 Parliament) has been displaying Shelley Ledger’s photographs.  She’s now offering them on sale for Christmas – 10% discounts on all photos in her exhibition with free framing as well.  She’ll also give a 10% discount on all commissions of your pet photographs and she does commissions for original greeting cards and postcards.  Her sale runs on Saturday November 29 and Sunday November 30 from 11 am to 4pm.

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 27 TO SUNDAY DECEMBER 7

Contact info
Alice’s Place, 554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088
Dominion on Queen, 500 Queen St E, (416) 368-6893, www.dominiononqueen.com
El Catrin, 18 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 203-2121,  www.elcatrin.ca/home
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/
Murgatroid, 568 Parliament, (416) 323-9381
Paintbox Bistro, 555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555, www.paintboxbistro.ca
Ronnie B’s Southern Kitchen & Taps, 243 Carlton, (416) 935-1515, www.ronnieb243.com
Stirling Room, 16 Trinity, Distillery District, www.stirlingroom.com
Stout Irish Pub, 221 Carlton St, (647) 344-7676, www.stoutirishpub.ca
Tappo Wine Bar & Restaurant, 2 Trinity Street, Distillery, (647) 430-1111, www.tappo.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 NOVEMBER 27

Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Burlesque bombshell Gracie Klutz hosts trivia plus half-price wings, no cover
The Local GEST
8:30 pm, Open Mic with Porter
Murgatroid
7 pm, Loren SanCartier hosts Comedy Open Mic

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28

Flying Beaver
7 pm, Carolyn Scott with Bob Ashley on keys, “Cheap & cheerful cabaret”,  $10/advance, $15/door
Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Stirling Room
Theatrical Friday, reserve on the guest list.  $20

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 29

Flying Beaver
7 pm, Tim Boyle with Carrie Chesnutt & Jordan Clapman, $15/advance, $20/door
9 pm, Lisa Michelle, “Black binder cabaret”,  $10/advance, $15/door
Local GEST
8:30  pm, fundraiser for Mike Tuzyk
Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Ronnie B’s
8 pm, Sean Stanley
Stirling Room
Stirling Saturdays, reserve on the guest list.  $20

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 30

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke with Vee
Flying Beaver
11 am, Psychic Brunch
7:30 pm, Kevin Morris, “Moving right along, a cabaret” $10/advance & $15/door
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday jazz with Sherie Marshall (vocals), Mike Cado (guitar) & Pat Collins (bass)
Mill Street Beer Hall
1 pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema

MONDAY DECEMBER 1

Local GEST
Christmas food drive for the Daily Bread Food Bank – through December
Murgatroid
5 to 9 pm, Board game nights
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers trivia

TUESDAY DECEMBER 2

Ronnie B’s Southern Kitchen & Taps
7 pm, Euchre
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers trivia

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 3

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Dominion on Queen
7:30 pm, Corktown Ukelele Jam, $6
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Adrian Ross sings, $10/advance & $15/door
The Local GEST
7:30 pm, Trivia night

THURSDAY DECEMBER 4

Dominion on Queen
7:30 pm, Wee Folk Club with Prodigal Daughter and Jay Aymar, $10
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, Paul Schmidt hosts trivia night, no cover
The Local GEST
8:30 pm, Open Mic with Porter
Murgatroid
7 pm, acoustic Open Mic
Under The Table
9 pm, Karaoke

FRIDAY DECEMBER 5

Flying Beaver
7 pm, Mary Catherine Kelly’s Pubaret debut, $10/advance & $15/door
9 pm,The legendary B*tch Diva’s holiday cabaret, $10/advance & $15/door
Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Stirling Room
Theatrical Friday.  Reserve on the guest list.  $20
Under The Table
9 pm, Karaoke

SATURDAY DECEMBER 6

Flying Beaver
7 pm, Melanie Peterson & Blair Packham, $10/advance & $15/door
9 pm, Carrie Chesnutt Studio 54 party, $10/advance & $15/door
Local GEST
6 pm, Trim the tree
Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Paintbox
9 pm, Jordan John & The Blue Devils, $10
Ronnie B’s
8 pm, tba
Stirling Room
Stirling Saturday.  Reserve on the guest list.  $20

SUNDAY DECEMBER 7

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke with Vee
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, That Choir, “A very Christmas cabaret”, $5/advance & $10/door
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday jazz with the Joanne Morra Trio featuring Joanne Morra (vocals), Jeff Hewer (guitar) & Rachel Melas (bass)
Mill Street Beer Hall
1 pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema

November 20

This week’s image:  the first snowfall.  Photo: Ann Kay


CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW


LOCAL NEWS

 
Your photos are welcome

Ann Kay’s beautiful picture (above and on the header) is the first of many successful photos of our neighbourhood that I’ll be running in the Review.  You’re invited to send along your images.  There’s only one rule.  Please show some interesting facet of our lives in our neighbourhood - beautiful gardens, nifty angles on our architecture, hungry diners happily munching away in a pub. If your photo shows us a special quality about our lives, then send it in. I’ll publish it and give you full credit for your work.  cabbagetownreview@gmail.com

Tee Time in Argentina
Marilyn and Louise enjoyed an educational tour to Cafayate, Argentina in October to learn more about local wines.  They took along a vintage Cabbagetown Tee with the date printed on its sleeve – a rare first edition from 2007.  By now, that shirt has probably been washed so many times that it’s impossible to wear it.  But they’re still proud to show it to the world and we’re proud to have their picture here.  If you’re going abroad – anywhere from Etobicoke to Ecuador, take along a Tee and send your picture to us at cabbagetownreview@gmail.com.

Victoria’s art exhibition
Victoria Hadden is having an open house (32 Aberdeen) on Saturday November 22 from 11 am to 7 pm and Sunday November 23 from 11 am to 5 pm.  She’s an artist who does bright, interesting paintings and prints.  You’re welcome to drop by and see her new work.  She’ll also have gifts and stocking stuffers that will be perfect in the holiday season – 2015 calendars, note cards and other small items.  Check out her works at her website. 

Cherry Street is now open 
For the past couple of weeks, there’s been an online petition circulating asking that the City of Toronto and the Province of Ontario get their act together about Cherry Street and Eastern Avenue.  This is a short stretch of roadway east of the Distillery.  The new road has been completed for weeks but these two governments disagreed about a legal issue and so the streets remained shut down.  Over 325 people signed the petition.  Finally, Councillor Pam McConnell has tweeted that the barriers are down and the roads are open.

This weekend - Regent Park Film Festival
The 12th annual Regent Park Film Festival runs from November 19 to 22 with four days of films, workshops and discussions.  Highlights include the Emerging Directors’ Spotlight, a workshop on digital activism, a breakfast and movie for the whole family and the closing event, Rock The Casbah.  For the full program and tickets, click here.  Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas E

On stage now
Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley) presents Fireworks Festival, plays by women.  Schedules, details and tickets are available online here. http://www.alumnaetheatre.com/fireworks.html
You Have to Earn It by Ramona Bailey and Maria Popoff is playing from Friday November 14 to Saturday November 29. 
Burying Toni by Catherine Frid runs from Thursday November 13 to Saturday November 29. 

Sir John Franklin’s lost ships
John Geiger will lecture about the adventures of the crew that finally found the Erebus, one of the legendary ships from the doomed Franklin expedition.  He’s the author of “Frozen in Time: the Fate of the Franklin Expedition” and the CEO at the Royal Canadian Geographic Society and he participated in the recent discovery.  Tickets are $20 (it’s a fundraiser for Toronto’s First Post Office) – call (416) 865-1833.  Monday November 24, 7 pm, Enoch Turner Schoolhouse (109 Trinity). 

Speaker’s Night at the CPA
Alan Waterhouse is the featured speaker at the Cabbagetown Preservation Association’s next meeting,  Monday November 24, 7 pm, Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club (101 Spruce at Sumach).  His talk, “Adversity, Resilience,Prosperity” looks at social change in Cabbagetown from 1941 to 2011 and its effect on the lives of individual people living here.  It’s also the launch for the CPA Cabbagetown People’s book by the same title. 

Award for Streetscape in Bloom
The CPA has announced its Streetscapes in Bloom winner.  Congrats to Barbara Brown.  Her garden at 62 Amelia Street has earned the 2014 prize. She’ll receive her award at the CPA meeting on November 24 at the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club.  (101 Spruce).  You can read the latest Newsletter online here. 

Early bird deadline - Cabbagetown South Christmas party
Just a couple of weeks to go before the big Christmas bash – Wednesday December 3, 7 to 11 pm, Retsina (209 Gerrard E).  Tickets are $20 at the door and $15 early bird before November 26.  There’ll be good food, a big crowd and lots of gossipy chitchat.  Plus raffles and prizes.  Click here to register and to get your advance tickets. 

Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum
The museum’s latest photo exhibition takes us back one hundred years in Cabbagetown.  “Close to home - how work, life and play coexist in 1914 Cabbagetown.”  The Opening Reception in the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E) is from 5:30 to 8:30 pm on Friday November 28 and the exhibit continues to January. 

Helena: An Odyssey
Carolyn Watt-Taylor’s new novel was inspired by Kiki Kostakyriakos, the owner of Hair Lift Salon (503 Parliament).  Helena has an illustrious Byzantine history.  The compulsion to redeem it runs from Turkey to Greece and finally to Cabbagetown.  There’ll be a book launch on Sunday November 30 at 4 pm at Mr Greek (526 Danforth) with Greek music and food.   

Carolling for cans
Carolling for Cans is a musical food drive – a volunteer community effort for the food bank at St Luke’s United Church. This year’s carolling takes place on Sunday December 7 from 6:30 to 9 pm. Last year, the carollers collected over 700 pounds of food and $600 in cash. 

Development in Riverside
Streetcar Developments recently bought the beautiful old Victorian building at Queen and Broadview.  Plans have been announced to renovate it and create a boutique hotel on the site.  A building that has long been a blight will be transformed into a landmark. 

Tour of Homes
The 2014 Tour was cancelled and was sorely missed.  The Tour’s sponsors, the Cabbagetown Preservation Association, has been exploring ways to revive it.  The CPA has announced that the 2015 Tour will take place on its normal date in September and then will be offered on a biennial basis after that.  If you’d like to suggest a home (including your own) for the Tour, contact the CPA at cpa@cabbagetownpa.ca.

A student’s view of our neighbourhoods
Nishi Kumar has written a refreshing story about Cabbagetown, St James Town and the Church-Wellesley Village in U of T’s Varsity Magazine.  The article describes these neighbourhoods in a literate way that draws out the familiar features that we recognize while giving them a fresh perspective.  Click here. 
 
BUSINESS NEWS

Bird sightings
The winter sightings are now in full swing – juncos, chickadees, nut hatches, woodpeckers, cardinals are all visiting feeders in the area.  An American woodcock was found last week near Riverdale Park.  Cooper’s Hawks have settled into the St James Cemetery.   Pet Valu (240 Carlton) has a selection of wild bird seed and can do special orders for feeders.  Menagerie Pet Shop (549 Parliament) has seed in bulk barrels and in bags.

Workshops at Little House in the City
Classes and workshops are continuing at Little House in the City (555 Parliament).  These are all hands-on classes and you’ll leave each one with a sample to take home.  For details and registration, click here or call (416) 413-9993. 
Thursday November 27 – Kombucha Brewing.  Instructor is Manjit Bumrah, holistic nutritionist and physiotherapist.  $50
Thursday December 4 – Advanced Fermentation: kimchi and experimentations.  Instructor is Rebekka Hutton from Alchemy Pickle Company.  $50.

Cabbagetown BNI Chapter
The Cabbagetown BNI is a networking group that meets for breakfast every Wednesday and offers each member referrals and new business leads.  If you have a business that relies on referrals, you should check out BNI.  The Cabbagetown group are having an open house on Wednesday November 26 at 7 am at Merryberry (559 Parliament).  $10. 

Watch for it – The Distillery’s Christmas Market
Friday November 28 to December 21 in The Distillery District, celebrating the traditional sights, sounds and scents of Christmas.  Ontario’s best crafts, artists and artisans offering unique Christmas gifts.  Check it all out here. 

Cabbagetown Tea Towels
Get your own lovely Cabbagetown Tea Towel, designed by Steve Yeates for the Cabbagetown Preservation Association at Kendall and Co (227 Carlton). Four designs are available featuring Bay & Gable, Arts & Crafts, Queen Anne and Workers’ Cottages – architectural styles found through the neighbourhood.

RESTAURANT NEWS

Mill Street Brew Masters Dinner
Mill Street is sponsoring a five-course dinner complete with beer pairings.  There’ll be dishes from Distillery neighbours – Brick Bakery, Soma Chocolatemaker,  Vom Fass, Maisonette and Greg’s Ice Cream.  $59.99, 6:30 pm, Friday November 21. Mill Street Beer Hall (21 Tank House Lane).  Info and tickets, click here. 

Gilead and Spring Water Sake
Jamie Kennedy’s Gilead Café (4 Gilead Place) is teaming up with the Spring Water Sake Company (51 Grist Mill Lane, Distillery) to host a Local Food Movement Dinner.  Monday November 24, $120 per person.  The evening will start with a 6:30 pm reception and tour at Spring Water Sake’s brewery.  At 7:30 pm, there’ll be a four-course dinner with sake pairings nearby at Gilead.  Reservations at (647) 288-0680 and online. 

Murgatroid
Caleb’s new Open Mic nights are underway at Murgatroid (568 Parliament).  On Thursday November 20 – it’s an acoustic music night.  Next week on Thursday, it’s comedy night opened by Loren SanCartier.  Sign up at 7 pm for an 8 pm start-up. 

Soulpepper cabaret
Soulpepper presents “Three little maids” with Janet Martin, Debora Joy and Barbara Dunn-Prosser. Saturday, 8:30 pm, tickets from $15.  Young Centre, The Distillery (50 Tank House Lane). Click here. 

Jack Grunsky at Peartree
Cabbagetown artist Jack Grunsky will hang his recent pictures at Peartree (507 Parliament) through December.  He describes his art as urban realism depicting scenes in Cabbagetown and Toronto.

Peartree’s anniversary month
November is Peartree’s 21st anniversary. To celebrate, there’s a special menu - a three-course prix fix dinner for two people is $45/couple or, add a glass of wine for each person, $55/couple.  Reservations at (416) 962-8190 or peartree@rogers.com.  507 Parliament.

Shelley Ledger’s Christmas sale
Cranberries (601 Parliament) has been displaying Shelley Ledger’s photographs.  She’s now offering them on sale for Christmas – 10% discounts on all photos in her exhibition with free framing as well.  She’ll also give a 10% discount on all commissions of your pet photographs and she does commissions for original greeting cards and postcards.  You can see samples of her work on Facebook. Her sale runs for two days at Cranberries – Saturday November 29 and Sunday November 30 from 11 am to 4pm.

Music at The Local Gest
This week, Whitney Ross-Barris sings an eclectic mix of jazz standards with Nathan Hiltz on guitar.  4 pm, Sunday November 23.  On Thursday, November 27, Jeff Barnes and Noah Zacharin at 8 pm.  424 Parliament.

Thursday night delights at F’Amelia

On Thursdays through November, F’Amelia (12 Amelia) is offering special high quality tasting events.
On November 20, it’s a $5 beer and cribbage tournament.  You don’t have to play crib to get in the door.  All beers served in Extended Famelia are $5.  
On November 27, East meets West with the finest oysters and chardonnay from two of California’s best wineries, Kistler and Schramsberg. 
For reservations and more information, call (416) 323-0666.

Paintbox
There’s a very busy lineup at Paintbox (555 Dundas E) this week.  On Thursday, Chris Lowry plays guitar, tickets are $10.  On Friday, Michael Dunstan appears, $20.  And on Saturday, Denis Sching plays piano, $10.  For reservations, call (647) 748-0555 or visit online. 

Kanpai at Carlton and Parliament
The corner spot (where Ginger used to be) is currently under construction and the new restaurant hopes to open by year-end.  Kanpai will serve Taiwanese-inspired small dishes like meat skewers, wok-fried seafood and various fried rice dishes along with “kegged cocktails”.  There’s a nice introduction in Toronto Life’s online edition.  You can also check out its progress on Twitter. 

Brussels sprouts are #1
Cyril conducted a survey and gathered lots of opinions about a possible Brussels Sprouts cooking class at Merryberry (559 Parliament).  He feared that it was the “world’s most hated veggie.”  In fact, he even had to cancel an originally scheduled lesson.  Happily, he’s learned to give it more respect.  He set a new date, December 2 at 6 pm and this time, he’s sold out.  He’s going to explore a soup, a pie and a coleslaw and he promises that not one Sprout will be boiled or steamed in the process.   If you’re disappointed about missing this lesson, just call him because another lesson just might Sprout up on his schedule.  (647) 348-0411.

Under The Table
Kim and Betty have been going crazy lately.  They’re exhausted and so they’re running away for a week to refresh and recharge their batteries.  Under the Table (568 Parliament) will be closed from November 17 to 24. 

CLUBS & PUBS DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 20 TO SUNDAY NOVEMBER 23

Contact info
Alice’s Place, 554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088
Dominion on Queen, 500 Queen St E, (416) 368-6893, www.dominiononqueen.com
El Catrin, 18 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 203-2121,  www.elcatrin.ca/home
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/
Murgatroid, 568 Parliament, (416) 323-9381
Paintbox Bistro, 555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555, www.paintboxbistro.ca
Ronnie B’s Southern Kitchen & Taps, 243 Carlton, (416) 935-1515, www.ronnieb243.com
Stirling Room, 16 Trinity, Distillery District, www.stirlingroom.com
Stout Irish Pub, 221 Carlton St, (647) 344-7676, www.stoutirishpub.ca
Tappo Wine Bar & Restaurant, 2 Trinity Street, Distillery, (647) 430-1111, www.tappo.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 NOVEMBER 20

Dominion on Queen
7:30 pm, Wee Folk Club with Bram Morrison and Dave McKinnon, $10
Flying Beaver
Private party – cabaret closed, pub is open for drinks and dinner
The Local GEST
8:30 pm, Open Mic with Porter featuring Kayt Lucas
Murgatroid
7 pm, acoustic Open Mic
Paintbox
7:30 pm, Chris Lowry (guitar soloist), $10
Under The Table
Closed this week

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 21

Flying Beaver
7 pm, Christopher Sawchyn sings, $15/advance & $20/door
9 pm, Matt Rubel, “Serious business”, $10/advance & $15/door
Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Paintbox
7:30 pm, Michael Dunston $20
Stirling Room
Theatrical Friday.  Reserve on the guest list.  $20
Under The Table
Closed this week
 
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 22

Flying Beaver
7 pm, Bill Merryweather returns, $15/advance & $20/door
9 pm, Bill Merryweather returns, $15/advance & $20/door
The Irv
9 pm, Frank Ryan’s vocals and acoustics
Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Paintbox
7 pm, Dennis Sching (piano soloist) $10
Ronnie B’s
8 pm, Snooky Tynes
Stirling Room
Stirling Saturday.  Reserve on the guest list.  $20

 SUNDAY NOVEMBER 23

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke with Vee
Flying Beaver
7:30 pm, fundraiser for the documentary “Jesus meets the gay man”, $20/advance & $25/door
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday jazz with Whitney Ross-Barris and Nathan Hiltz (guitar)
Mill Street Beer Hall
1 pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema