May 28


This week’s image: gardeners getting their supplies at Fairway Market

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW

OPEN HOUSES
There’s a cluster of open houses at Wellesley near Parliament this weekend.  For details, click here.  

LOCAL NEWS

The Local Farm market
The Local GEST (424 Parliament) has a farm lot north of Toronto where staff and volunteers are growing farm-fresh produce to use in the restaurant.  There’s plenty of food available and the GEST is hosting its own farmer’s market on the patio on Saturdays from noon to 4 pm.  Drop by for samples and a chance to serve fresh veggies for dinner. 

Women’s ride
The Cabbagetown Cycling Club is holding a 60k women’s road ride to the zoo on Saturday May 30.  Roll out time is 7:30 am from Jet Fuel (519 Parliament).  Women make up over half of the club’s membership and this ride marks International Women’s Ride day.  Guests as well as club members are welcome and there will be waivers available before the ride.  Light snacks and refreshments at Jet Fuel after the ride.
The Club now has a full schedule every week.  Check out ride details at its website.  

Pan Am Torch relay
From Saturday May 30 to July 10, the Pan Am Torch relay will cross Canada and visit over 130 communities.  It’ll start its journey in Harbourfront and then it goes to The Distillery District on Saturday May 30.   
In The Distillery, there’ll be music, events for the family and Pan Am celebrations from 1 to 6 pm.  The torchbearer is Chris Hadfield and he’ll arrive at the Distillery at 5 pm.
It’s back in this area several times.  On June 28, it’s part of Pride Parade. On July 4, it crosses the Bloor Street viaduct.  It’s in Riverdale’s Withrow Park on July 5 and at the Regent Park Aquatic Centre on July 6.

100in1Day
Thanks to Hillary Browning for pointing out that Toronto’s second annual 100in1Day is coming next Saturday, June 6.  It’s a day when we’re all challenged to do one small deed to improve our city.  There are several registered events in our area. 
·      Cabbagetown ReLeaf is offering a two-hour tour of our urban forest, from noon to 2 pm. Meet at Riverdale Park, Winchester and Sumach. 
·      At 340 Gerrard E, musicians of all talents and skill levels are invited to play their instruments and be given a ten-minute recording at Sounds of the City, noon to 4 pm. 
·      Passersby, friends, neighbours and families are welcome to plant a pipe-cleaner garden in an abandoned gas station lot.  11 am to 4 pm, Sherbourne and Carlton. 
·      In Regent Park, The Toronto Youth Food Policy Council is leading a “walkshop” to focus on food issues for ethnic minority groups, immigrants and marginalized people.  10 to 12 am, Regent Park Community Food Centre, 40 Oak St.  
For the full listing of citywide events, click here.  

Pan Am report - Corktown Commons summer closing
The Corktown Commons will become part of the athlete’s village at the Pan Am Games and it’ll be fenced off over the summer from June 1 to September 30.

Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces
The 2015 garden tour takes place next Sunday June 7 from 10 am to 3 pm.  Small gardens offer up real treasures.  This event is always a highlight for hundreds of avid gardeners who want to visit them.  Master gardeners will be located in several gardens and they’ll be available to answer your questions.  You can buy your tickets ($15) locally and at several retailers outside Cabbagetown.   Click here to get more information and to buy online.  

Regent Park Farmer’s Market
The market will start up on Wednesday afternoon June 10.  It’s being transformed into “The Taste of Regent Park” and it will be located in The Big Park.  Details will come soon – check the Facebook page regularly.  

Cabbagetown Residents Association annual meeting
Save the date – 7 pm, Wednesday June 17, Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton).  The CRA is just finishing a busy year with successes at the Forsythia Festival and an informative online website that’s full of good tips for local homeowners.  The meeting will hear reports about its program and then elect new directors to the Board.

Streetscapes in Bloom
Nominations close on Friday May 29. Every year, judges from the Cabbagetown Preservation Association receive nominations for the annual best-garden award.  Over the summer, they watch as the nominees’ gardens grow and change.  In the Fall, a winner is selected and given a watercolour painting of the garden, an art glass medallion by Kitras Glass and an iron garden crook.  You can read about the award and the winning criteria here. Any Cabbagetown resident can nominate a garden.  Send your selection to helenc.hmc@sympatico.ca

Regent Park sewing circle and bazaar
You’re invited to join a sewing circle and to take part in the bazaar.  There will be four sewing classes plus a weekly bazaar with jewelry, traditional clothes, bags, food and a spa.  The event is happening outside the Daniels Spectrum on Regent Park Boulevard south of Dundas (the rain location is indoors in the Artscape Lounge.)  Friday June 5, Friday June 12, Friday June 26 and Friday July 10. The sewing classes are $10.  The bazaar fee is $5 each or $20 total.  To register, call Sureya at (647) 349-2244.

Congrats to Daniel and Liora
Daniel and Liora spearheaded their second neighbourhood clothing drive last weekend.  They distributed advance publicity, organized a volunteer team, worked with the service agency and then collected all the donations.  It was a great success and well worth all the effort.  Over 170 bags of clothing were given to Oasis Addiction Recovery Society for the benefit of its members.  Our thanks to them for their generous leadership.  Daniel Bloch and Liora Tal are the folks in Team Bloch. Realtors with Harvey Kalles Real Estate.

ON STAGE

CCDT’s Space Interrupted
Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre (509 Parliament) presents Space Interrupted as part of Harbourfront NextSteps 2015.  It includes a Canadian premiere by Colin Connor, recent works by Ofilio Sinbadinho, Alexander Whitley and Deborah Lundmark.  8 pm, Friday May 29 and Saturday May 30 at the Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre (207 Queen’s Quay W).  Tickets and more information online here.  

Sing! Vocal Arts Festival
The fourth annual a capella festival happens this weekend in The Distillery and surrounding sites.  There are free outdoor events plus ticketed performances, workshops, sing-alongs and classes (all sold as single events, day passes and weekend passes).  The headline events are sold separately.  The free performances on The Distillery’s outdoor stage run from noon to 2:30 on Saturday and from 11:15 am to 6:30 pm on Sunday.  Check out the full schedule here.  

Soulpepper’s Cabaret Series
The cabarets happen every Saturday night at 8:30 pm and they showcase established artists, new talents and innovative groupings.  On Saturday May 30, “Furtive & Furvent, a Stray Dog Salon” with Colleen Allen, Anne Michaels, David Gray, David Sereda, Rosemary Sullivan and more.  Tickets are $25 general and $20 students – click here.  Soulpepper at the Young Centre (50 Tank House Lane, Distillery)

newchoir at Koerner Hall
We last heard from newchoir just after its successful debut at New York’s Carnegie Hall.  Next on its list – Koerner Hall (273 Bloor W) at 8 pm, Saturday May 30. The concert is The Art Of Rock and Canadian indie music icon Sarah Slean will appear along with the choir.  Tickets are $40 and they’re almost sold-out. For more program details and for your tickets, click here

Stitch
Presented by Native Earth Performing Arts at the Aki Studio theatre (Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas E), June 3 to 12.  Cliff Cardinal’s play tells the story of Kylie Grandview, a single mom and one of the nameless faces that blip across the screen in internet pornography.  Her tragic self-destructive decisions result in the loss of her child.  Click here for more details and for ticket purchases.  

Mitchell Cohen’s Journey
In his day job, Mitch Cohen builds buildings, revitalizes Regent Park and plays a big part in creating Toronto’s future with his leadership role at the Daniels Corporation.  He’s also a composer and musician. In fact, he’s written a musical about the transformation of Regent Park - The Journey, A Living History of the Regent Park Revitalization.  It documents the community’s history through the lives of its residents and its dazzling cast includes local residents and peformers along with Jackie Richardson, Thompson Egbo-Egbo and Jeremiah Sparks. He wrote its first song on the day when the demolition crews started to knock down the first building.   8 pm, June 20 at the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  Tickets are $25.  Click here to read more and to buy your tickets.  

SHOPPING

Olive oil at St Jamestown
Mark has arranged tastings for a line of olive oils and balsamic vinegars from Italy.  The olive oil is from Calabria in southern Italy.  The Fazari family has been bottling it for three generations. The balsamic vinegar is from Modena in the north.  As an added  treat, there are mustards from Savoy Chef here in Canada.  The samplings will continue this weekend so stop in for a taste.  St Jamestown Steak & Chops, 516 Parliament.

Kendall has coasters
Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) has a new edition of Cabbagetown coasters.  These feature street signs from the neighbourhood. They’re handmade locally using upcycled ceramic tiles.  Visit the new store at Winchester and Parliament to get your garden tour tickets – don’t wait, they can sell out. Open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. 

Corktown update
blogTO has surveyed the burst of new business activity in Corktown.  The article summarizes the menus and products offered in seven new restaurants and three new shops.  It`s well worth a read, click here.  

RESTAURANT NEWS

Under the Table
Renovations are happening here from Friday May 29 to Monday June 1.  Under the Table (568 Parliament) is closed over the weekend and will reopen on Tuesday.  If you`re feeling stressed out by this, try reading some of the great five-star reviews that Kim and Betty are getting from their customers on Yelp.  Click here.  

Little Shmiddy’s Hot Meat House
It’s always fun when local people start to bubble about a good restaurant.  Little Shmiddy’s (584 Parliament) has been collecting very enthusiastic fans.  Andrew, writing in an email, said “Normally I don’t send out endorsements or such but in this case, I want to encourage everyone to try it.  The food was absolutely outstanding.”  Variations of these comments are being heard widely – try them out.

Toastr party
The White Elephant (366 Queen E) is home for the May edition of the Toastr party. 9:30 pm to 2 am, Saturday May 30.

Odin games night
Tuesday June 2 from 6 to 10 pm.  The event is hosted by games designer Paul Tseng.  All ages welcome – no cover. 514 King E

Mill Street Beer Hall
It`s time for the Beer Hall`s fourth anniversary.  Jeff Eager is providing the music.  There are samples of bierschnaps. It all happens on Thursday June 4 at 21 Tank House Lane in The Distillery.

The Scullery
The Scullery has watermelon rosemary lemonade.  The little umbrella makes it taste even better.  A great summer drink. 200 Carlton

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY MAY 28 TO SUNDAY JUNE 7

Contact info
Alice’s Place, 554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088, https://www.facebook.com/alicesplacetoronto
Cranberries, 601 Parliament St, (416) 925-6330
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
House on Parliament, 454 Parliament St, (416) 925-4074, www.facebook.com/pages/House-on-Parliament
The Irv, 195 Carlton Street, (647) 350-4787, http://www.theirvpub.ca/
The Local GEST, 424 Parliament St, (416) 961-9425, http://www.thelocalgest.com/
Merryberry, 559 Parliament, www.merryberry.ca
Mill Street Beer Hall, 21 Tank House Ln, Distillery, (416) 681-0338, http://toronto.millstreetbrewpub.ca/
Murgatroid, 568 Parliament, (416) 323-9381, https://www.facebook.com/MurgatroidTO
Odin, 514 King W, (647) 350-6346, https://www.facebook.com/odinhus
Paintbox Bistro, 555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555, www.paintboxbistro.ca
Soulpepper, Young Centre, 50 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 866-8666,  http://soulpepper.ca/performances/music_at_soulpepper.aspx
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, https://www.facebook.com/underthetabletoronto
White Elephant, 366 Queen E. (416) 364-9999, www.whiteelephant366.com

If there's a cover charge or tickets are sold, the prices are listed. Otherwise, the event is free.

THURSDAY MAY 28

The Irv
7pm, Geoff Willingham
The Local GEST
9 pm, Open Mic with Porter
Mill St Brew Pub
7 pm, Tap That Cask with live acoustic music by Eddie Culjak
Under The Table
9 pm, Karaoke
White Elephant
Open mic

FRIDAY MAY 29

Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Stirling Room
Theatrical Friday with resident DJ Rod Bravo, reserve on the guest list.  $20
Under the Table
Closed for the weekend for renovations
White Elephant
7 to 10 pm, Sean Pinchin

SATURDAY MAY 30

Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Soulpepper Cabaret
8:30 pm, Furtive & Furvent, A Stray Dog Salon, $20 and $25
Stirling Room
Stirling Saturday.  Reserve on the guest list.  $20
White Elephant
9:30 pm, Toastr Party

SUNDAY MAY 31

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

MONDAY JUNE 1

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers trivia

TUESDAY JUNE 2

Odin
6 to 10 pm, Games night
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers trivia

WEDNESDAY JUNE 3

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
The Local GEST
7:30 pm, Trivia night with Jill
Paintbox Bistro
7:30 pm, Corktown Ukelele Jam

THURSDAY JUNE 4

The Irv
7pm, Geoff Willingham
The Local GEST
8 pm, Jeff Barnes and Noah Zacharin
Mill St Brew Pub
7 pm, Tap That Cask with live acoustic music by Jeff Eager
Mill Street Beer Hall
4th anniversary party
White Elephant
8 pm, Open mic night

FRIDAY JUNE 5

Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Stirling Room
Theatrical Friday with resident DJ Rod Bravo, reserve on the guest list.  $20

SATURDAY JUNE 6

Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Soulpepper Cabaret
8:30 pm, Denzel Sinclaire, Look what they`ve done to my song, $20 and $25.
Stirling Room
Resident DJ Rod Bravo, reserve on the guest list

SUNDAY JUNE 7

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