November 12

This week’s image:  downtown Toronto from Riverdale Park East, Photo: Louise Koepfler

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD REVIEW

LOCAL NEWS

CPA Fall meeting

The Cabbagetown Preservation Association’s Fall meeting happens on Wednesday November 25, 7 pm at the Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club (101 Spruce).  This year, the program includes a great topic. Scott Weir from ERA Architects will talk about “Tear down or restore? What do you do about a wreck like 24 Sussex Dr?” There’ll also be presentations to the winner of Streetscapes in Bloom, the winner of the 2015 Peggy Kurtin award, to the CPA’s volunteer of the year and to youth groups who will benefit from the proceeds of the 2015 Tour of Homes.  Good stuff - save the date.

Ryan Dineen

Ingram Gallery (24 Hazelton Ave) will be showing Ryan Dineen`s work, Minor Disasters, from Thursday November 12 to Saturday November 28. Cabbagetown art aficionados will recognize Ryan`s work on our iconic mural at Carlton and Parliament.   

Waterfront consultations

Map:  Waterfront Toronto

Waterfront Toronto and the City of Toronto are finishing plans for redevelopment in the Port Lands and the South of Eastern districts.  There’ll be public information meetings about their work on Saturday November 14 from 9 to noon and from 1 to 4 pm in George Brown College (51 Dockside Drive).  You can get info, maps and contacts online here. 

Fall guide to the waterfront

Photo:  Corktown Common, Waterfront Toronto

Check out Waterfront Toronto`s guide to Fall events.  It`s full of info about parks, events and public art.  Click here to read it. 

Triggers

This provocative photo exhibition tells stories of pain, forgiveness, strength and resiliency.  The organizers, FYOU, are focused on the question, ``What does forgiveness mean to you``.  Topics include abuse, racism, murder, rape, loss and suicide as well as the power of forgiveness.  Hallway Galleries, Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E), November 12 to December 23, open daily.

Regent Park Film Festival

Wednesday November 18 to Saturday November 21, Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  The Festival presents films, workshops, panels and activities.  A school program runs on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  The Festival Lounge features films by Toronto Reel Asian International Film festival, the National Film Board, Inside Out LGBT Film festival and ImaginNative Film.  Major films are scattered throughout each day`s program.  For full details, go online here. 

Neighbourhood of Nations mural

The new mural located at the south end of 650 Parliament celebrates the multitude of people who have passed through St James Town over the centuries.  Three artists worked on it – Catherine Tammarro (the left end), Michael Cavanaugh (the centre section)and Poonam Sharma (the right end). They were assisted by Hawk Mason, Sarah Rogers and Gulnar Quaiser.  The work was organized through St James Town Arts, a program of Community Matters Toronto. 

Jennifer Snowdon’s Yoga Classes

Jennifer is teaching her classes from her home on Rose Avenue.  Starting in January, she’s giving ten- week after-school lessons for kids (6 to 10 years old) on Thursdays and teens (11 to 16) on Mondays.  $150 for ten weeks.  For adults, she has a range of services including private and group sessions as well as regularly scheduled lessons.  For all the details including class schedules, registration and fees, go to her website. 

Yoga at Lotus Palm

Sarah Moore, Monica Chang and Alan Florence are all teaching in the Lotus Palm Centre (517 Parliament). November classes include hatha by Monica (Tuesdays, 9:30 to 10:30 am), hips/core yoga by Alan (Fridays, 9 to 10:15 am), gentle hatha by Alan (Mondays, 9:30 to 10:45 am), yin by Sarah (Tuesdays, noon to 1pm and Wednesdays, 6 to 7 pm) and core by Sarah (Fridays, 5:30 to 6:30 pm).  Classes range from $15 to $20 and there’s a flex pass of five available at $80 to use with one class or in any combination.  Contact Sarah at (416) 527-1556 or through her website.  She’ll be able to pass along more information. 

Louise’s photo

Louise snapped her picture (the one used on this edition's header) looking west over Riverdale Park and the Don Valley toward downtown Toronto.  She says, rightly, that the new building at Gerrard and Yonge certainly sticks out.  In fact, if you have a clear view west from your backyard, you can probably see its top floors easily.

IN THE MEDIA

Medical clinic at Nelson Mandela Park School

Photo: Toronto Star, Carlos Osorio

A pediatric clinic has opened at Nelson Mandela Park School.  Operated by St Michael’s Hospital, it’s the sixth one in the Toronto school system.  It’s designed to be a comfortable, accessible place for the kids and a convenience for working parents.  Another one at Sprucecourt Junior School opened in 2011. The Toronto Star wrote about it here.   

THE CHRISTMAS MARKET

Market schedules and fees

The Market will run for an extra week this year, starting on Friday November 20 and going to Sunday December 20.  Noon to 9 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 10 pm on Friday and 10 am to 10 pm on weekends.  Closed Monday.
A $5 admission fee will be charged on Saturdays and Sundays.  The event draws huge crowds on weekends.  Organizers hope to spread out the crowds and encourage more people to visit on weekdays.  Customers visiting with strollers and pets are also asked to come on weekdays.  Proceeds from ticket sales will be used by the Festival and by the Daily Bread Food Bank, Plan Canada and the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the Sales Tent on Trinity Street just north of the Distillery grounds. 

Entertainment at the Christmas Market

Over 320 performances will happen onstage at the Distillery during the Market.  Five of these will be major events –

·       Friday November 20,  Opening Ceremonies with Francesco Yates from 6 pm,

·       Saturday November 21, The Next Generation Leahy at 1, 4 and 7 pm

·       Friday November 27, Twisted Sister Dee Snider with Taylor Dayne from 6:15 pm

·       Wednesday December 2, Toronto welcomes the arrival of St Nicholas, from 6:30 pm

·       Sunday December 20, Mill Street carolling challenge from 5 pm.

Each day, carollers will stroll through the market site, Mill Street Brewery will present a daily carol singing at the main stage at 6 pm and Santa’s elves will lead an interactive sing-a-long at 5 pm (Tuesday to Friday) and at 10:30 am and 2 pm (Saturday and Sunday).

Each day will also feature a themed entertainment program –

·       Traditional Tuesdays with bluegrass, roots and traditional music

·       World Wednesdays with world and folk music, dance and performances

·       A Capella Thursdays with a capella singers, choirs, ensembles and carollers

·       Friday jazz nights with holiday jazz

·       Rising star Saturdays with emerging pop, rock, jazz artists

·       Ensemble Sundays with instrumental bands, choirs and dance groups.

The detailed daily programs are all available online here. 

ON STAGE

Duncan Fremlin and Whiskey Jack

Duncan and his friends are appearing again at the Cadillac Lounge (1296 Queen W) on Saturday November 14 from 4 to 7 pm.  Duncan claims that they’ll be playing some old chestnuts and some new melodies.  Kids are welcome.

Soulpepper’s cabaret series

Derek Boyes, William Webster and Nicole Bellamy in “The life of an opera couple, Ernesto Ramirez and Michele Bogdanowicz”.  Soulpepper (Distillery, 50 Tank House Lane). Saturday November 14,  8:30 pm.  Tickets are $20 available here. 

Weesageechak Begins to Dance

Native Earth Performing Arts presents new works and works in development by indigenous performing artists in theatre, dance and interdisciplinary stage productions.  Works by Yolanda Bonnell, Jani Lauzon, Lara Kramer, Brian Solomon, Michelle Thrush, Kenneth T Williams, Animikiig playwrights and many more.  The full line-up and ticket info are available online here.  November 11 to 21, Aki Theatre, Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  

FireWorks Festival

New plays that were developed at the Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley) along with discussion panels and playwright talkbacks – Cottage Radio by Taylor Marie Graham (November 11 to 15) and Radical by Charles Hayter (November 18 to 22).  Tickets and info available online here. 

Spoon River

Edgar Lee Masters’ poems of the dead are brought to life in this stirring musical.  On stage to November 22 at Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane, Distillery).  For details and tickets, click here. 

Impulse

Presented by the School of Toronto Dance Theatre.  It’s an ambitious program of main-stage performances showcasing dancers from all three levels of the School’s professional training program.  Works by Marc Boivin, Danny Grossman, Louis Laberge-Cote, Julia Sasso and Apolonia Velasquez.  November 26 to 28 and December 3 to 5, 8 pm, $20 and $15.    Winchester Street Theatre (80 Winchester).  Tickets are available online. 

Tap Ex: Metallurgy

Tapestry Opera’s annual Tap:Ex series explores modes through which opera might assume a 21st-century rebirth. In this third year of the series, Tapestry collaborates with members of F*cked Up, the Polaris Prize-winning punk provocateurs, and two of Canada’s most masterful and versatile opera singers: mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó and tenor David Pomeroy. November 19 and November 20 (8 pm) and November 21 (7 pm and 10 pm), 9 Trinity Street, Distillery, Studio 316.  Tickets are $35 and $25, available online. 

SHOPPING NEWS

Improv your Acting: Studio for the Performing Arts

Tony Babcock has opened his new studio at 410 Dundas E and his courses are now in full stride.  For the past six years, he’s been coaching working actors with in-the-moment training in a wide range of courses from improv to on-camera work.  Check out his website for a full description of his courses. 

Pop Up on Parliament

Richard (left) has opened his pop-up store at 555 Parliament.  He’s selling vintage clothing, dishes, furniture and more from now until the end of December.  Stop by soon or you’ll miss it.  Open daily from 10 am to 7 pm with later weekend hours planned for the holidays.  Best wishes, Richard – it’s a great way to fill an empty space in a busy season.

Cards at Kendall

Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) now has Christmas cards and a line of cards for everyday use.  Be sure to check out the Cabbagetown Christmas card featuring work by a former Cabbagetowner of a house on Sumach Street.  Holiday store hours are now in effect – open daily until Christmas.

21 local winners in the NOW Readers’ choice poll

The results are in.  A lot of our stores, artists, restaurants and pubs were nominated.  That number alone speaks well of the quality and variety in our neighbourhood’s business community.  An impressive number of them were winners.  Here they are –

·       The Distillery District has been voted the winner of the Best Historical Buildings category.

·       The House on Parliament (454 Parliament) is the winner in the Best Pub Grub category.  No surprise – they serve great grub.

·       Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) has won two awards – winner in the Best Design Firm and runner-up in the Best Design Store.

·       Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) must be very proud of their selection as the Best Pub.

·       Sukhothai (274A Parliament) has been voted the winner of the Best Thai Restaurant category.

·       Two local companies have won in the Best Condo Developer category – Daniels Corporation is the winner and Streetcar is the runner-up.

·       Two local theatre companies have won the awards in the Best Large Theatre category – Soulpepper (Tank House Lane, Distillery) is the winner and Canadian Stage (26 Berkeley) is the runner-up.

·       Two Distillery stores have dominated the Best Shoe Store group – Heel Boy (49 Tank House Lane) is the winner and John Fluevog (4 Trinity) is the runner-up.

·       Acting Up Stage (476 Parliament) is runner-up as the Best Small Theatre Company.

·       Allan Gardens Conservatory (Sherbourne and Carlton) is runner-up in the Best Free Hangout category.

·       Once again, Daniel et Daniel (242 Carlton) are winners, this time as the runner-up in the best caterer category.

·       Dr Natalie Archer at Archer Dental (600 Sherbourne) is the runner-up of the Best Dentist category.

·       Fair Trade Jewellery Company (523 Parliament) has won as runner-up in the Best Jewellery Store category.

·       Gotstyle (21 Trinity) in the Distillery is the runner-up in the Best Unisex Clothing store.

·       Kingyo-Izakaya (51B Winchester) is the runner-up in the Best Japanese Restaurant category.

·       Mill Street Brew Pub (Tank House Lane, Distillery) has won as the runner-up in the Best Microbrew category.

·       Our nearby friends (and supporters of the Riverdale Farmers Market) at St John’s Bakery have won runner-up for the Best Bread.

·       Also nearby, the Evergreen Brick Works is the runner-up in the Best Wilderness Area category.

RESTAURANTS & PUBS

Wild game night at F’Amelia

F’Amelia’s (12 Amelia) first annual wild game night – Thursday November 19 at 7 pm.  One seating only.  Your meal will include a five-course tasting menu with an optional wine pairing.  $79 dinner and $140 dinner with wine pairings.  Reservations at (416) 363-0666.  Go to F’Amelia’s website to see a full menu. 

Psychic Brunch at Cranberries

Toronto`s most insightful psychics are coming to Cranberries (601 Parliament) on Sunday November 15 from 11 am to 3 pm.  No reservations required (they may already know that you`re coming!)  $40 which includes a 20-minute psychic reading, a $5 food voucher and a bonus 5-minute reading.  In the past, the Psychic Brunch has been a popular success in Cabbbagetown – welcome back.

UPDATE - Cooking class at Merryberry

Cyril has added an extra class about cooking soup on Tuesday November 17 at 6 pm. His class for Monday has filled up.  He’ll be featuring four soup recipes from four countries – Brazil, Japan, France and sub-Saharan Africa.  As Cyril’s fans already know, Merryberry’s soups are constant favourites and he’s often asked to arrange a soup class. 
Save another date – Monday December 14.  The topic will be tapas, Spanish classics and more unconventional bites. 
To book your spot, visit Merryberry (559 Parliament) or call (647) 348-0411.

Peartree`s  22^nd anniversary

A 22^nd anniversary is a remarkable landmark in any restaurant`s  life – very few survive so long.  And Peartree (507 Parliament) has not only survived, it`s flourished.  Good food, comfort and warm service are the keys to its success.  To celebrate the occasion, Peartree has a special anniversary menu available throughout November with 40%-off prices. Dinner for two is $50 with your choice of two appetizers, two main courses and two desserts.  Add two glasses of wine and dinner will be $60.  Check out the menu details online here. 

Mill Street`s Beer School

Every Friday evening at 6:30 pm in the Mill Street Brew Pub (Distillery, 21 Tank House Lane).  You`ll get your lessons right in the brewery.  Learn about beer styles, food pairings and more with beer expert Dan North.  Each session includes four Mill Street samples.  $25.  To reserve your place, call the Mill Street Retail Store at (416) 681-0338, EXT 1. 

Impact Kitchen

Corktown’s newly opened Impact Kitchen (573 King E) offers a special menu of superfoods like kale, lean proteins and cold-pressed juices for breakfast, lunches and dinners.  Its founder and operator, Josh Brouin has been a personal trainer and its chef, Stephanie Tucci, has been a personal chef to high-performance athletes.  There’s a review of the restaurant in blogTO. 

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12 TO SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22

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,
https://www.facebook.com/underthetabletoronto

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

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12

The Irv

7pm, Geoff Willingham
The Local GEST
8 pm, Open Mic with Porter
Mill St Brew Pub
7 pm, Tap That Cask - live acoustic music with Jeff Eager
Under the Table
9 pm, Karaoke

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13

Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Vinyl Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Mill Street Brew Pub
6:30 pm, Beer School with Dan North – For the Love of Hops
Stirling Room
Theatrical Friday with resident DJ Rod Bravo, reserve on the guest list.  $20

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14

Soulpepper Cabaret Series

8:30 pm, Classical corner – the life of an opera couple, $20
Stirling Room
Stirling Saturday.  Reserve on the guest list.  $20

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15

Alice’s Place

4 pm, Karaoke with Vee
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz with Shawn Nyqwist

MONDAY NOVEMBER 16

Stout Irish Pub

7:30 pm, Headscratchers trivia

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 17

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers trivia

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18

Alice’s Place

9 pm, Karaoke
The Local GEST
7:30 pm, Smart Ass Trivia with Porter
Paintbox Bistro
7:30 pm, Corktown Ukelele Jam

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 19

The Irv

7pm, Geoff Willingham
The Local GEST
8 pm, Open mic with Porter
Mill St Brew Pub
7 pm, Tap That Cask- live acoustic music with Miriam Kay

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20

Mill Street Beer Hall

8 pm, Vinyl nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Mill Street Brew Pub
6:30 pm, Beer School with Dan North
Stirling Room
Theatrical Friday reserve on the guest list.  $20
Under The Table
9 pm, Karaoke

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21

Mill Street Beer Hall

8 pm, Vinyl nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Soulpepper Cabaret Series
8:30 pm, Judith Lander & Ghislain Aucoin, Homesongs.  $20
Stirling Room
Stirling Saturdays, reserve on the guest list

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22

Alice’s Place

9 pm, Karaoke with Vee
The Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz with Laura Marks & Ross MacIntyre