April 21

This week’s image - patio season has started.  Here’s the scene outside Brick Bakery in The Distillery.  

CABBAGETOWN 
NEIGHBOURHOOD 

REVIEW

OPEN HOUSES
This week, we have five open house listings - a home on Ontario Street, two on Salisbury, one on Rose Avenue and another on Winchester.  Click here to read about them.

LOCAL NEWS

Save the date
Forsythia Festival - Sunday May 1.  The opening parade travels from Riverdale Park West (Winchester and Sumach)  to Wellesley Park, 10:30 am.  The main Festival program happens in Wellesley Park (east end of Wellesley Street) from 11 am to 3 pm.  It’s our community’s celebration of Spring’s arrival.  Lots of activities for kids.  Live music.  Barbeque and beer gardens for adults.  Raffles, prizes and games.  Here’s a link to the Festival program.   

Forsythia Festival prizes and supporters
Raffles are always a highlight at the Forsythia Festival .  This year, the organizers have rounded up an impressive batch of prizes. They include custom planters for your garden and front walk by Blooming Planter, a family photo shoot by Shawna King, a Norco bike plus a full service tuneup from Cycle Solutions, a Sodastream Source carbonating machine from Royal Home Hardware and a gift certificate for children’s and adult’s programming at CCDT - just to mention a few.  Check out the full list online at the Festival page.  

A reminder - School Board trustee nominations
Toronto District School Board is holding a by-election in our community to fill the vacancy on the Board created by the death of our friend, Sheila Ward.  Nominations are open until 2 pm on Friday May 6.  The rules governing eligibility and the procedures for filing nomination papers are outlined here.  

Deadline extended
The Peggy Kurtin Award recognizes excellence in restoration and renovations.  It’s given annually by the Cabbagetown Preservation Association.  You can nominate a recent restoration for the 2016 award - the new deadline is Saturday April 30.  Click here to see the details and the procedure.  

Waterfront Toronto arts programming
Photo: Connie Tsang, Waterfront Toronto
Waterfront Toronto is developing a pilot program to encourage public arts events along the waterfront - dance, music, theatre, visual arts, performances and more. Up to $5000 will be awarded to artists and groups for proposals that  celebrate the new public spaces and draw audiences into them.  Check out the details here.  

Winchester Square gardening
Saturday April 23 from 10 am to noon - launch day for gardeners at Winchester Square parkette (Ontario at Aberdeen).  It’s time to prep everything and do some clean-ups.  The boxes will be cleaned, compost mixed with peat moss and perennials planted in the shady boxes.  After the work is finished, everybody will retire to a nearby restaurant to compare notes.  

Poopalooza is coming
The second annual poop clean-up day takes place on Saturday April 23.  Volunteers will tackle the upper and lower levels in Riverdale Park and the boulevards around Sprucecourt School.  Bags and gloves provided.  Please bring your own shovel.  Saturday April 23, 10 am at Riverdale Park West (Winchester and Sumach)

Laneway cleaning
Also on Saturday April 23.  Residents can pick up litter in a local lane.  The City of Toronto will provide special collection bags and arrange a waste pick-up point.  The Cabbagetown Residents Association is a registered participant and can make these arrangements for you.  For details and further instructions, email info@cabbagetowner.com 

The season’s first heritage walk
This walk is a partnership between the Cabbagetown Preservation Association and Societe d’histoire de Toronto.  Gilles Huot from the CPA will be the tour guide. It’s offered in French - an English version will be offered in June.  Sunday, April 24, 2 pm, southeast corner of Sumach and Winchester.  

GEMS Walk
On Sunday April 24, 2 to 3:30 pm.  Walk through historic Cabbagetown to see the architectural treasures in the neighbourhood.  It’s a fundraiser for the Huntington Society of Canada - your minimum donation is $25.  Please arrive at 1 pm to submit your contributions.  All donations from the walk will be doubled by an anonymous donor.  Carlton and Sumach (Riverdale Park West).  After the walk, a social will be held at Peartree (507 Parliament).   Visit the Walk’s website for more details and fundraising info.  

Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation
Historian Ted Barris will speak about the role that steamboats played in Canada’s expansion in the 19th century. Tuesday April 26.  Annual meeting, 6 pm. Refreshments and lecture, 6:30 pm.  Members free, guests $12. 106 Trinity Street.

Allan Gardens Spring Show
Tulips, fragrant hyacinths and other Spring bulbs along with cool weather primula and schizanthus provide a sea of brightly coloured flowers in the Cool House. The Spring show is combined with the Easter Show - both end on April 30.  10 am to 5 pm, daily. The Conservatory, Allan Gardens (Jarvis and Carlton).  

Community Environment Days
The City of Toronto hosts these environment days to make it easier for us to get rid of awkward unwanted household items.  Computers and peripheral equipment, electronic stuff and hazardous waste. You can also take along goods for recycling to schools and items to donate to other people for reuse. For a full list, check out the City’s website here.  The first one in our area happens on Saturday April 30, Lower Sherbourne Park (Frederick St).  

Prenatal Yoga
Yoga classes that prepare you for your child’s birth.  Learn breathing techniques and safe poses to strengthen muscles used during childbirth. Relaxation techniques and poses will reduce common discomforts such as back aches.  No previous yoga experience ncessary.  These classes run for eight weeks on Fridays from April 29 to June 17, 6:15 to 7:30 pm at the Toronto Birth Centre (525 Dundas E).  Five classes $99, eight classes $160.  Lots of details and registration available online.   

The Extension Room
Jennifer Nichols developed The Extension Method to combine  classic ballet technique with contemporary athletic conditioning.  Her Extension Room (30 Eastern Ave) in Corktown offers classes in ballet fitness, pilates and dance.  
On Saturday April 30, the Pas De Deux workshop  will guide you through the basic concepts of partnering in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.  Join Phillip Payne and Lukas Malkowski and learn the fundamentals of classical pas de deux.  Beginners are welcome.  $30.  To reserve your spot and get more info, click here.  

An evening with Elizabeth Hay
The Children’s Book Bank presents an evening with bestselling author Elizabeth Hay.  Tickets  are $100 and they include a copy of Hay’s latest book, His Whole Life.  Tuesday May 3.  Reception with wine and appetizers at 7 pm.  Author’s presentation at 8 pm.  To buy your ticket online, click here.   Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E)

Team Bloch clothing drive
Liora and Daniel are starting up their third annual Spring clothing drive.  Please call before May 1. Together, you can arrange for delivery of your special donation bags.  Gather up the clothes, shoes, hats, gloves and toys that you don’t need anymore and bag them.  Then place the bags on your porch - Sunday May 8 is the main day for pickups.  All clothing gifts will be used by Oasis Addiction Recovery programs for people in need.  Call (416) 859-8649 and email info@teambloch.com 

Corktown Chamber Orchestra
The Orchestra’s final concert for the season will include Brahms 3.  Thursday, May 12, 8 pm, Little Trinity Church. Extra bass players are needed for this event.  Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 10 pm at Little Trinity Church (425 King E).  For more details, check out the Orchestra’s Facebook page.  

Do you love your Mom?
Win $500 in the NOW Cabbagetown Mom contest plus a gift package from Cabbagetown restaurants and merchants valued at $700.  Just tell the world in 500 words or less why your Mom is the best.  The contest ends on Monday May 2.  To enter, click here.  

Summer camps at Riverdale Farm
The summer camps for kids ages 4 to 12 at the Farm (Winchester east of Sumach) connect children to the animals, soil and plants that are our food sources.  There are hands-on gardening and food activities plus outdoor exploration, music and art programs.  Camps run from July 4 to August 26.  Fees range from $90 to $186 weekly.   Check out the Farm’s Facebook page for details.  

Cabbagetown Festival vendors
The Cabbagetown BIA is offering special early bird pricing for vendors who reserve their booths along Parliament Street in the annual Festival.  The deadline is Friday April 29. For pricing details and for booth registration, email bia@cabbagetownTO.com

Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
Photo:  Toronto Public Library
Today’s CIBC branch at Parliament and Carlton looks remarkably like the original Darling & Pearson classic monumental structure apart from its modern awnings, security doors and banking machine.  As this 1908 promotional photo indicates, the branch was served by a streetcar line along Carlton that turned north up Parliament en route to the Riverdale Zoo.  It was flanked by Victorian houses containing residences and small businesses like a barber and a dentist.  Commercial signs were scarce.  Mature trees provided a touch of nature along Parliament.  For more history and photos, visit the Museum Facebook page

IN THE MEDIA

F’Amelia
Photo:  Lucas Oleniuk, Toronto Star
Here’s a neat idea.  For 13 years, six friends have been meeting monthly for dinner at different restaurants.  They used a bunch of systems to keep their selections fresh and different.  Now, they’re picking street names alphabetically - so they picked F’Amelia at 12 Amelia Street for their “A” choice.  The Toronto Star’s Astrid Van den Broek has written about their dinners and their evening at F’Amelia. Click here.  

A new park in the Don Valley
Photo:  Globe & Mail
The City of Toronto along with Evergreen is working on a plan to convert 500 acres in the lower Don Valley from Pottery Road to Front Street into a new park space.  It’s a bold and exciting plan that will make the Valley more accessible to residents and with opportunities for walks, biking and personal enjoyment.  The Globe & Mail’s Alex Bozikovic wrote about progress to date - click here to read the story.  

ON STAGE

YOU Dance
The National Ballet brings YOU Dance to Regent Park and the Daniels Spectrum from Monday April 25 to Friday April 29.  There will be student workshops at Nelson Mandela Park and Lord Dufferin schools followed by four afternoon performances for students at The Daniels Spectrum.  At 7 pm on Thursday April 28, there will be a free performance for students, families and neighbours at The Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  

The Rape of Lucretia
Benjamin Britten’s first opera is based on the life of a Roman housewife in 509 BC.  Presented by MY Opera, the setting is transplanted to mid-Twentieth Century Rome.  It’s a dark story about gender and violence.  April 29 and 30 at 7:30 pm and Sunday May 1 at 2:30 pm.  Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  Program details and tickets available online here.  

Save the date - SING
SING, The Vocal Arts Festival returns to Toronto from Wednesday May 4 to Sunday May 16.   Concerts, performances and workshops happen all across the city and feature international stars, a cappella workshops and lots of outdoor performances.  Free concerts will start on Saturday May 7 and Sunday May 8 in The Distillery’s Trinity Square and continue in the Dance Makers Studio (Third Floor, 9 Trinity Street) and in Little Trinity Church (425 King E).  For concert schedules, go to the SING website.  

Singular Bodies
Toronto Dance Theatre (80 Winchester) presents ten solos created by a who’s who of Toronto’s visual and performance artists with a fascinating range of styles and views about the body in a visual arts practice. 
TDT has teamed up with the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Daniel Faria Gallery and the Museum of Contemporary Art for special discounts on ticket purchases.
Performances at 8 pm to Saturday April 23.  Box office at 80 Winchester.  Call (416) 967-1365.
For online info about the performance, about the discounts and about ticket sales, click here.  

Double bill at Aki
Luu hlotitxw: Spirit Transforming is the signature new dance work from the Dancers of Damelahamid.  It’s a meditation on introspection, self-discovery and change.  7 pm, April 21 to 23.
NGS (Native Girl Syndrome) dives into street culture and its drug filled disassociated personas take a dynamic journey into addiction, loss and alienation.  9 pm, April 21 to 23.
Both performances in the Aki Studio Theatre, Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  $25 each and $40 for the double bill.  Call (416) 531-1402 for the double bill.  Single tickets online here.  

On stage now
Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley).  August: Osage County - to April 23.  Tickets available here.  
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane).  Jitters - to April 23.  The Great War - to May 14. Online info here.  
Canadian Stage (23 Berkeley) .  Das Ding - to May 1.  Click here for more info and tickets.  

BUSINESS NEWS

Part-time clerical job available
Medirex (499 Queen E) is a Corktown-based company that provides health-care services and products for an international customer base.  It’s looking for a person to do part-time clerical work on its database information and customer support. This is an ideal job for a local person.  For more information about Medirex, click here.  To apply, contact Ken Caskenette at kenc@medirexsys.com or call (416) 363-9313, extension 104.   

Jobs at The Irv
The Irv (195 Carlton) is hiring cooks and servers.  Current smart serve and food handler’s certificates are needed.  Send your resume by email to info@theirvpub.ca or drop it off at the pub.  

Free delivery
Menagerie Pet Shop (549 Parliament) has a handy home delivery system for items purchased in the store.  It’s free on orders over $20.  Pet supplies can be bulky and heavy - this service helps you get your stuff right at your door.  Just phone or drop into the shop and make your delivery arrangements and times - Monday, Thursday and Friday from 11 am to 2 pm and 2 to 6 pm.  Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 am to 2 pm and evenings after 6 pm.  Sorry, no wekend deliveries. (416) 921-4966.  Check out Menagerie’s products and services online.  

Welcome Rapid Photo
As mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Jim Lynch has retired and Rapid Photo (434 Parliament) have taken over his business.  Jessica Tower is the new manager.  Lots of new products have already been introduced.  Your photos can be printed on mugs, tee shirts and coasters.  Your old VHS tapes can be transferred to DVD.  Bring in your pictures and have them scanned for a permanent record in a modern format.  As before, passport pictures and film processing are available.  Open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm.  Closed Sunday.  

RESTAURANT NEWS

Mother’s Day specials
Coming next week, the menus, hours and special offers for your Mother’s Day brunch and dinner experiences.  

Welcome two new Asian restaurants
Two interesting new Asian restaurants have just opened on Parliament Street.
Silk Bistro (446 Parliament) offers an extensive Thai menu with curries, noodles and vegetarian dishes along with various rice options, soups and salads.  Opening special - 25% discount on your food orders until Sunday April 24. Silk Bistro has a website here.  
Yummy T & J (587 Parliament) has a pan-Asian menu with Thai, Japanese and Chinese dishes.  Favourites include Thai lemon soup, teriyaki, General Tao chicken and red and green curries.  Takeout and delivery are available - free delivery on orders over $20. Click here to see Yummy’s website. 

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY APRIL 21 TO SUNDAY MAY 1

  • For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.  
  • If there's a cover charge or tickets are sold, the prices are listed.

THURSDAY APRIL 21

Dominion
8 pm, Reid Henry
The Irv
7 pm, live music with Geoff Willingham
The Local GEST
8 pm, Open Mic with Porter
Mill Street Brew Pub
7 pm, Beer and cheese pairings with acoustic music

FRIDAY APRIL 22

Dominion
8 pm, The Great Grantsby
Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Friday Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Mill Street Brew Pub
6:30 pm, Beer school with Dan North, $25

SATURDAY APRIL 23

Dominion
8 pm, Better Half
Mill Street Beer Hall
9 pm, Saturday Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective

SUNDAY APRIL 24

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke with Vee
Corktown Kitchen
11:30 am, Jazz at Sunday brunch with Dakota (guitar) & Matt (keyboard) Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz with the Steve Koven Trio

MONDAY APRIL 25

Local GEST
7:30 pm, Euchre night with Joane
Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

TUESDAY APRIL 26

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

WEDNESDAY APRIL 27

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

THURSDAY APRIL 28

Dominion
8 pm, Katey Gatta
The Irv
Geoff Willingham, live acoustic music
Mill Street Brew Pub
7 pm, Beer and cheese pairings with acoustic music
Paintbox
7 pm, Seven-course collaborative with OGPyramid Organic & Fair Trade Tea

FRIDAY APRIL 29

Dominion
8 pm, DJ Frankenzstein
Mill Street Beer Hall
8 pm, Friday Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective
Mill Street Brew Pub
6:30 pm, Beer school with Dan North, $25

SATURDAY APRIL 30

Dominion
8 pm, Lost & Sound
Mill Street Beer Hall
9 pm, Saturday Nights with DJ Humble Mike of the Record Collective

SUNDAY MAY 1

Alice’s Place
4 pm, Karaoke with Vee
Corktown Kitchen
11:30 am, Jazz at Sunday brunch with Dakota (guitar) & Matt (keyboard)
Local GEST
4:30 pm, Sunday afternoon jazz

CONTACT INFO

ALICE'S PLACE
554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088, https://www.facebook.com/alicesplacetoronto
CORKTOWN KITCHEN
354 King St E, (46) 901-1188,  https://www.facebook.com/CorktownKitchen 
CRANBERRIES
DOMINION PUB & KITCHEN
500 Queen St E, (416) 366-5555, https://www.facebook.com/DominionTO/
EL CATRIN
18 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 203-2121, https://www.facebook.com/elcatrin.ca
HOUSE ON PARLIAMENT
THE IRV
95 Carlton Street, (647) 350-4787, https://www.facebook.com/theirvpub/
LITTLE SHMIDDY’S HOT MEAT HOUSE
584 Parliament St, (416) 961-1600, https://www.facebook.com/ 
THE LOCAL GEST
424 Parliament St, (416) 961-9425, http://www.thelocalgest.com/
MERRYBERRY CAFE
MILL STREET BEER HALL
21 Tank House Ln, Distillery, (416) 681-0338, http://millstreetbrewery.com/toronto-beer-hall/
MILL STREET BREW PUB
21 Tank House Ln, Distillery, http://millstreetbrewery.com/toronto-brew-pub/
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, https://www.facebook.com/PaintboxBistro/
SOULPEPPER
Young Centre, 50 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 866-8666,
STOUT IRISH PUB
UNDER THE TABLE
568 Parliament St, (647) 351-1533,