October 1


This week’s image:  a new mural in St James Town - "Neighbourhood of Nations"

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW

OPEN HOUSES
Phyllis Grosskurth lived on Spruce Street – her home is now on the market.  And one of the historic Wellesley Cottages is also available.  Click here to see the listings. 

LOCAL NEWS

Meet and greet the candidates in the federal election
Sponsored by the Hugh Garner Co-op (550 Ontario), 7 to 9 pm, Thursday October 1.  The Co-op has announced that three candidates will be there – Colin Biggin (Green), Bill Morneau (Liberal) and Linda McQuaig (NDP).  No word about the Conservative, Julian Di Battista.  He may be obeying the strange directive issued by his party’s Ottawa headquarters that local candidates must stay away from candidates’ debates and other interactive events.  Too bad – his resume looks impressive and it would be good to confirm that with a personal meeting.

Another new mural

Photo:  Rolande Souliere
Rolande Souliere has created a new mural in the Bala Underpass that connects Corktown Common with the Don Valley Trail.  It’ll be officially unveiled on Friday October 2 from 1 to 3 pm.  The underpass is a handy route for pedestrians and cyclists.  Waterfront Toronto has an article in its Newsletter about Ms Souliere and her work. 

VegHeads October Fest
A vegan celebration with music, food and fun people featuring food produced by local chefs and discussions of the benefits of a plant-based diet.  Friday October 2, 5 to 11 pm, Artscape Lounge, Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  Tickets are $10. 

Mad about Margaret’s
A fundraiser on behalf of Margaret’s Housing & Community Support Services, in support of women’s health.  Friday October 2, 6 pm, Ada Slaight Hall, Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  The keynote speaker is Margaret Trudeau and the honourary dinner chairs are Arlene Perly Rae, Glen Murray and Luba Goy.    Tickets are $200, available at (416) 463-1481 ext 118. 

West Don Lands walking tour
Heritage Toronto is leading a walking tour through the West Don Lands.  This neighbourhood has been utterly transformed from an abandoned industrial site to the Pan Am Athletes’ Village to the future Canary District.  It includes Corktown Common.  The Tour is free but you must register in advance.  Tours are happening on Saturday October 3 and Sunday October 4 from 1:30 to 3 pm.  Click here to register. 
 
Find out about Step routines
Brenda holds twice-weekly Step classes at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster, behind the Beer Store).  She’s had queries about her classes and so she’s hosting a special introductory session to demonstrate her techniques.  It’s a perfect time to try the routine, ask questions and get some practice.  It’s on Sunday October 4 from 10:30 to 11 am.
She’s announced her schedule for October.  Her Sunday morning classes will start at 11 am – except there won’t be a class on Thanksgiving Sunday, October 11.  Her Wednesday morning classes start at 9:15 am. 

Gentle Tai Chi
Michael White’s Gentle Tai Chi classes begin on Wednesday October 7.  They’re a gentle introduction to 24-move tai chi that improves flexibility, balance and relaxation in adults. Weekly classes on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club (101 Spruce).  $30/month for four or five sessions.  Contact Michael by email or call (416)   926-9553. 

Toronto Ward Boundary Review
The City of Toronto is drawing up new boundaries for our municipal wards.  Currently, some wards are far above or far below the city-wide population averages.  The review is drafting guidelines for new wards that will be in place until 2030.  They’ve prepared five options for public consultation. 
Three public meetings about the proposals will take place in our area: 
·       Saturday October 3, Holy Rosary Hall (356 St Clair Ave W), 10 am to noon. 
·       Wednesday October 7, Metro Hall, Room 308/309 (55 John St), 7 to 9 pm.
·       Thursday October 8, Riverdale Hub  (1326 Gerrard St E), 7 to 9 pm.  
You can view the options and the background material here.  If you can’t attend a meeting, this document includes a survey that you can submit about the options. 
 
Best wishes to Thirza
Thirza Cuthand is a filmmaker living in Cabbagetown.  Her short film, 2 Spirit Introductory Special 19.99,  will be screened at the 16th annual imagineNATIVE Film & Media Arts Festival on Thursday October 15 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox.  imagineNATIVE is the world’s largest indigenous film festival.  Congrats Thirza.

Cabbagetown Farmer’s Market
The market is still open and featuring goodies from the fall harvest.  It’ll continue on Tuesday afternoons from 3 to 7 pm until mid-October.  Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester). 

IN THE MEDIA

We’re #9
Toronto Life, in its October edition, surveys 140 neighbourhoods in Toronto.  Don Vale/Winchester Park is in the top ten - #9 to be precise.  The survey gives high ranking to our shops, restaurants and heritage homes but we drop down in our diversity ranking (mostly white people and a crippling income spreads.) 
The boundaries that are used here are a bit confusing.  St James Town (from Parliament west to Jarvis) lists at #57.  Moss Park (which seems to include Cabbagetown South) is #32.  Regent Park (including Corktown) comes in at #71. 
Check us out here. 

ON STAGE

Soulpepper’s Cabaret series
The intimate Saturday night cabarets continue at Soulpepper (Distillery, 50 Tank House Lane). The Stray Dog Salon: Sleeping Dog with Colleen Allen, David Grey, Anne Michaels, David Sereda and Lorraine Segato. Saturday October 3,  8:30 pm.  Tickets are $20 available here. 

Soulpepper Concert Series
Soulpepper (Distillery, 50 Tank House Lane).  Albert Schultz’s Frankly Sinatra plays on Friday October 2, Sunday October 4 and Sunday October 11. With  Steve Hunter (piano), Colleen Allen (reeds), Jamie Gatti (bass), James Rhodes (trumpet) and Tom Roach (percussion). Tickets from $22, available online here. 

Now playing

The Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley).
Antigone runs until October 3.  Click here for tickets and info.

Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane) 
More information about each play here
The Play’s the Thing, to October 17
Happy Place, at Soulpepper, to October 17
Marat/Sade, at Soulpepper, to October 17
Yours Forever, Marie-Lou, to October 17

Huff
A solo show with Cree playwright Cliff Cardinal, presented by Native Earth.  Huff is a wrenching and darkly comedic tale of Wind and his brothers who are struggling with substance abuse and the death of their mother.  October 10 to 25 in the Aki Studio Theatre (585 Dundas E).  Tickets are $15 to $30, available online. 

The Beckett Trilogy (Not I, Footfalls and Rockaby)
Berkeley Theatre (26 Berkeley), on stage from October 13 to November 1.  Tickets and more information here. 

BUSINESS NEWS

Now or Never
This beautiful loveseat with a classic skirt is one of the items in Kendall & Co’s floor model clearance.  Handcrafted in Canada.  Regularly $2,295, now $899  (discontinued style).  Ask our Décor Associates about our Now or Never sale.  514 Parliament.  Open Monday to Friday from 11 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. 

RESTAURANT NEWS

Fundraiser at The Local GEST
The Local GEST (424 Parliament) will host a fundraiser for Lindsay George to purchase medical supplies and defray travel expenses.  She’ll be working at a medical mission in Shirati, Tanzania with the Canada Africa Community Health Alliance, a charitable organization that brings health and education to remote communities.  The goal is $5200 and a tax receipt will be issued for gifts over $20.  Saturday October 3, 7 pm.  There’ll be a silent auction, raffles, a 50-50 draw and music by DJ Mike Reid. 

Paintbox wine series
At the Paintbox (555 Dundas E), Chris Klugman will lead you through a series of different varietals and he’ll suggest food and wine matchups with each wine.  On Thursday October 1 at 6:30 pm, riesling and sauvignon blanc.  $28.  Register online here. 

The White Elephant
Corktown’s White Elephant (366 Queen E) has closed. 

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1 TO SUNDAY OCTOBER 11

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
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
Under the Table, 568 Parliament St, (647) 351-1533,

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

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1

The Irv
7pm, Geoff Willingham
The Local GEST
8 pm, Jeff Barnes & Noah Zacharin
Mill St Brew Pub
7 pm, Tap That Cask with live acoustic music
Paintbox
6:30 pm, Wines series featuring tastings of riesling and sauvignon blanc, $28
Under The Table
9 pm, Karaoke

FRIDAY OCTOBER 2

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 OCTOBER 3

Local GEST
7 pm, Fundraiser for Lindsay George, raffles, draw, DJ
Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Soulpepper Cabaret Series
8:30 pm, Colleen Allen with David Grey, Anne Michaels and David Sereda and special guest Lorraine Segato in Stray Dog Salon:  Sleeping Dogs,  $20
Stirling Room
Stirling Saturday.  Reserve on the guest list.  $20

SUNDAY OCTOBER 4

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke with Vee
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz with Diane Roblin/Reconnect
Mill Street Brew Pub
5:30 pm, Brewmaster’s Dinner with live music by The Clearing, $69.95

MONDAY OCTOBER 5

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers trivia

TUESDAY OCTOBER 6

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers trivia

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 7
 
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
The Local GEST
7:30 pm, Smart Ass Trivia
Paintbox Bistro
7:30 pm, Corktown Ukulele Jam

THURSDAY OCTOBER 8

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  

FRIDAY OCTOBER 9
 
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 OCTOBER 10
 
Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Soulpepper Cabaret Series
8:30 pm, Berlin & the City of Light with Patricia O’Callaghan, Robert Kortgaard (piano) and Andrew Downing (double bass),  $20
Stirling Room
Stirling Saturdays, reserve on the guest list

SUNDAY OCTOBER 11

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke with Vee
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz with Joanne Morra