CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW
OPEN HOUSES
Now
there are two Wellesley Cottages on the market, along with a beautiful Berkeley
Street Victorian. For details,
click here.
NIGHISTI SEMRET
A
guilty verdict
Adonay
Zekarias was found guilty of the murder of Nighisti Semret. The jury delivered
its verdict in his trial last Tuesday.
Rosie DiManno, writing in the Toronto Star, described the trial and the
final decision and she pointedly noted how hard it is to learn why he did such
a terrible deed. The conviction
carries an automatic life sentence and he will be formally sentenced on Friday.
The murder surprised and shocked the Cabbagetown community and continues to evoke
our sadness about her death. Click here to read DiManno’s column.
GET FIT
Fit
Mama Moves
Fit
Mama Moves is a stretch and movement class for new mothers organized by Elena,
an experienced pilates instructor and yoga practitioner. The sessions are a
fun-filled way to keep you and your baby fit. She’s a new mom herself. Classes run weekly on Wednesdays from 2
to 3 pm from now until July 22 in Riverdale Park (Sumach and Carlton). New moms
are wanted to fill out the group. Bring your baby (2 months and up). A six week session costs $78 and the
drop-in rate is $15, contact fountainstudios@gmail.com
Brenda’s
classes
Brenda
has announced her schedule for the final classes of the season. On both Sunday June 14 and June 21,
there are two Zumba classes, at 10 and 11:05 am. On Wednesday June 17 and 24 at 9:15 am, it’s Step. All of this happens at the Cabbagetown
Youth Centre (2 Lancaster, behind the Beer Store.)
Cabbagetown
Cycling Club
The
weekly ride schedule is now rolling out successfully. The rides leave from Jet Fuel (519 Parliament) and all
riders must either be club members or have a signed waiver before the ride. The
rides are frequently confirmed and cancelled due to weather conditions. Please check the Club’s website
for the ride calendar and times.
The Club’s emails provide up-to-the-minute info that’s useful before a
ride. To be added to the list,
contact Wil at cabbagetowncycling@gmail.com
LOCAL NEWS
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.
Check out the website.
The
Taste of Regent Park
The
Regent Park Farmer’s Market has changed to “Taste of Regent Park” and relocated
to Regent Park (The Big Park) at 620 Dundas E. The new event will be broader, with pizza cooked in the bake
oven, a community meal, local musicians and family events. As the season progresses, there’ll be
local farm produce as well.
It was scheduled to start up this
week. Everybody tried but the rain
blew them away. In the future,
when it rains, the market will be located in 40 Oak Street.
CNH’s
Bright Ideas Symposium
Central
Neighbourhood House will hold its fourth annual Symposium on Saturday June 13
from 10 am to 2 pm. It’s a day of
creativity and innovation where community members can learn about bright ideas
that have happened across Toronto.
This year’s topics will include The Coffee Shed (Common Ground
Co-operative), Scadding Court Community Centre’s Market 707 and The Repair Café. It’s free but space is
limited. To register, click
here.
ROM
Walks
Three
local ROMwalks are scheduled in the next few days. On Sunday June 14 from 2 pm, the walk is in Cabbagetown
south – the meeting place is at Spruce and Parliament. On Wednesday June 17 from 6 pm, the
walk goes through Cabbagetown north – meet at Winchester and Parliament. On Wednesday June 24, the walk is in
The Distillery – meet at St Paul’s Basilica (Queen and Power). These are free
events and usually take about two hours.
For maps and details about other walks, click here.
Riverdale
Park Farmers Market
The
Cabbagetown Residents Association has reported that a group of enthusiastic
organizers are reviving the Riverdale Park Farmer’s Market. It’s scheduled for the usual hours – 3
to 7 pm on Tuesdays from June 30 to the end of August. As a warm-up, Trillium Organics from
Norfolk County will sell eggs and organic produce at a table next to Park Snacks
(Winchester and Sumach) on June 16 and June 30. Watch for announcements about the official opening. Many thanks and best wishes to
everybody involved for pitching in to rescue a worthwhile project.
Regent
Park sewing circle and bazaar
You’re
invited to join a sewing circle and to take part in the bazaar. There are weekly sewing classes plus a
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.)
The next ones are 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 the garden tour organizers
Early
reports indicate that the tour was another success. The gardens had spectacular features and the Master
Gardeners and the garden owners were welcoming and informative.
Congrats
to the Cabbagetown BIA
Musicians
are once again appearing along Parliament Street to liven up the area on
Saturday shopping days. It’s a “pop-up”
event by the BIA. Watch for them
at the Carlton and at Winchester corners. Last week, Sue and Dwight gave us
folk and bluegrass songs for the afternoon. Good music – check out their
website.
Camping
with the 403 Scouts
Our
local Scout troop all went camping in late May.
The little guys - the Beavers and the Cubs - went to
Woodland Trails near Stouffville and the Scouts went to Minden’s Wild Water
Preserve.
In June, the 403 started up its Sea Scout program with sailing and racing
lessons. This is, as Janis Purdy
notes, probably the most diverse and urban Scout group in Ontario. It draws kids from St James Town,
Cabbagetown and Regent Park. Everyone is welcome. Many members rely on bursaries to cover the Scouting
expenses and support from the local community is always welcome.
In
memoriam – Archie Alleyne
Archie
Alleyne, one of the giants of Toronto’s music world, died on Monday June
8. Click here to watch a short
video of his appearance at the 2013 Cabbagetown Festival with Kollage. (The sound begins at about 1 minute
into the clip)
IN THE MEDIA
The
Riverside Bridge
Photo: Carlos Osorios, Toronto Star
The
bridge has had a facelift. It’s
now illuminated by 78 lights in the colours of the Pan Am Games. The project was undertaken by the
Riverside BIA and is the result of several years’ planning and
fundraising. Tara Deschamps has
written about the bridge, its history and the BIA’s project in this story in
the Toronto Star.
Garden
tour coverage
Photo: Nick Kozak, Toronto Star
Helen
Coltrinari and the CPA’s Hidden Gardens and Private Spaces were featured in a
Toronto Star article about garden tours across the GTA. Good story and a great
picture – click here.
And,
of course, Randy and the tarp
Photo: Fred Lum, Globe & Mail
The
Globe & Mail must have had a really quiet day when Kristy Hoffman wrote her
story about the new tarp in Wellesley Park. She did a terrific job. It’s a
wonderfully deadpan piece about a ludicrous topic. It’s been picked up by other
mainstream print and television media, by online media and by bloggers. One resident reported that his sister
who lives in Jamaica saw a television news story about it that came to her via
Newfoundland’s NTV. And what can
we say about Randy’s astonishing photo?
ON STAGE
The
Toronto Jazz Festival
Once
again, the Distillery is offering free performances in Trinity Square as part
of Toronto’s annual Jazz Festival.
It’s an impressive lineup with ten groups running from the Boxcar Boys
on June 17 to the Alex Barro Quintet on June 29. Check out the details 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 June 13, Tom Allen & Joey Wright appear with
Joe Phillips (bass), Lori Gemmell (harp), John Jowett (trombone) & Pete
Gemmell (sax). Tickets are $25 general and $20 students – click here. Soulpepper at the Young Centre (50 Tank House Lane, Distillery)
New
date and new home for the film fest
The
Cabbagetown Short Film & Video Festival is on the move. Its 2015 screening will be in the Ada
Slaight Hall in the Daniels Spectrum at 585 Dundas E. It’ll change its screening date as well to Wednesday
September 9 - just before the Cabbagetown Festival. The new location provides an extra fifty seats in a
spectacular facility.
SHOPPING NEWS
Kendall’s
get out of bed sale
From
Thursday June 11 through Saturday June 13. Pick your choice of select duvet covers plus sheets and
pillow case sets plus pillow case shams for bundled savings up to 60% off. Twin, queen or king – doesn’t matter.
Check out the bedding collection online now.
514
Parliament. Open Monday to Friday
from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday 11 am to 5 pm.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Corktown’s
Dominion on Queen
Sean
Duranovich, the owner-manager of the Dominion on Queen (500 Queen E) reports
that it’s been sold. At this time,
details are sparse. News about the
new owners and their plans will, no doubt, surface quickly. The DoQ is ideally located to cash in
on the crowds at the Pan Am Games.
On its Facebook page, there are scores of very positive, well-deserved
comments and thank-you’s to Sean for his contribution to the neighbourhood and
to Toronto’s music scene.
Macaroni
mix up
Virginia
and Sasha from the 420 Smokehouse (420 Parliament) joined about twenty other
local eateries as vendors at the new Mac ‘n Cheese Festival in Liberty Village
last weekend. The event turned
into a public relations disaster.
Apparently, the early predictions called for a crowd of 20,000 people –
and over 55,000 showed up. People
bought food tickets but vendors sold out and couldn’t serve them. And the organizers left piles of
garbage throughout the site. But - we don’t have to
wait until next year to enjoy a plateful. Virginia will happily serve one up
at 420 Smokehouse.
The
Irv’s big dinner
Regan
and the staff at The Irv (195 Carlton) have teamed up with Mill Street Brewery
to offer a big Beermaker’s Dinner.
Monday June 15. There`ll be
gift bags, hors d`oeuvres, a three course dinner and four Mill Street brews to
match the food. $60. For tickets,
call (647) 350-4787 or email regan@theirvpub.ca.
You’re
invited
The
Paintbox Bistro (555 Dundas E) is bringing back its Hummingbird Open Mic on Monday
June 16. It’s open to all ages and
it’s free. Plus there’ll be
complimentary light refreshments.
A live band will be on hand to accompany you. The sign up at 6 pm and the program starts at 7 pm. To register, go to the Facebook
page and add your name to the comments.
Wild
Women are back
The
Paintbox is also hosting the fourth chapter of Lorraine Segato’s Wild Women
(don’t get the blues) on Monday June 29.
Her guest performers include Colleen Allen, Miku Graham, Michelle
Willis, Saidah Babba Talibah, Roula DSaid, Iskwe, Diane Flacks, Suzie Vinnick
and Brita B. Doors open at
6:30 and show starts at 7:30 pm.
Tickets are available here , $20/advance, $25/door.
The
Local GEST
A
film crew arrived at the farm plot that’s operated by The Local GEST (424
Parliament) near Sutton on Thursday.
It’s part of the build-up for the reopening of the Riverdale Farmers
Market. The farm has been
supplying goodies for The Local GEST and for its Saturday afternoon produce
table in front of the pub. When
the market gets underway. The farm will have produce available there as well.
CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS
THURSDAY JUNE 11 TO SUNDAY JUNE 21
Contact
info
Alice’s
Place, 554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088,
https://www.facebook.com/alicesplacetoronto
Cranberries,
601 Parliament St, (416) 925-6330
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 JUNE 11
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 Mirian Kay
Under
The Table
9
pm, Karaoke
White
Elephant
Open
mic
FRIDAY JUNE 12
Mill
Street Beer Hall
8
pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Odin
9
pm, Pre-summer Summer Party with DJ Justin and DJ Gabe
Stirling
Room
Theatrical
Friday with resident DJ Rod Bravo, reserve on the guest list. $20
White
Elephant
7
to 10 pm, D’Arcy Good
SATURDAY JUNE 13
Mill
Street Beer Hall
8
pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Soulpepper
Cabaret
8:30
pm, Tom Allen & Joey Wright with Joe Phillips (bass), Lori Gemmell (harp), John
Jowett (trombone) & Pete Gemmell (sax), $20 and $25
Stirling
Room
Stirling
Saturday. Reserve on the guest
list. $20
SUNDAY JUNE 14
Alice’s
Place
4
pm, Karaoke with Vee
Local
GEST
4:30
pm, Sunday afternoon jazz with Beverley Taft (vocals). Nathan Hiltz (guitar)
& Artie Roth (bass)
Mill
Street Beer Hall
1
pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema
MONDAY JUNE 15
The
Irv
Beermaster’s
Dinner, $60
Stout
Irish Pub
7:30
pm, Headscratchers trivia
TUESDAY JUNE 16
Paintbox
Bistro
7
pm, Hummingbird – all ages open mic. Sign up at 6 pm.
Stout
Irish Pub
7:30
pm, Headscratchers trivia
WEDNESDAY JUNE 17
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 18
The
Irv
7pm,
Geoff Willingham
The
Local GEST
8
pm, Open Mic with Porter
Mill
St Brew Pub
7
pm, Tap That Cask with live acoustic music by Don Campbell
White
Elephant
8
pm, Open mic night
FRIDAY JUNE 19
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
White
Elephant
7
pm, Brendt Thomas Diabo
SATURDAY JUNE 20
Mill
Street Beer Hall
8
pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Soulpepper
Cabaret
8:30
pm, An evening with Kevin Fox, $20 and $25.
Stirling
Room
Resident
DJ Rod Bravo, reserve on the guest list
SUNDAY JUNE 21
Alice’s
Place
9
pm, Karaoke with Vee
Local
GEST
4:30
pm, Sunday afternoon jazz with Zim Zum
Mill
Street Beer Hall
1
pm, Jazz brunch with Tyler Yarema
