May 9

This week’s image:  a beautiful warm Spring day arrived just in time for the Forsythia Festival.


CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 
REVIEW

OPEN HOUSE ANNOUNCEMENTS 
Two open houses happen this week on Saturday and Sunday - one on Winchester and one in Regent Park.  Click here to read these announcements.  

MOTHER’S DAY SPECIALS

MOM cakes
Velvet Lane (194 Carlton) is making these lovely cakes.  Order yours now -   she’ll sell out!   (416) 262-4159. 

Dominion brunch
Special drinks and brunch menu.  500 Queen E.  10:30 am to 3 pm, Sunday May 12.

F’Amelia lunch and dinner
12 Amelia.  Enjoy lunch or dinner with F’Amelia’s Mother’s Day menus.  At brunch, adults are $39 and kids are $15. For dinner, adults $59, kids $15.  For menu details, click here.  

Buffet brunch at Mill Street Beer Hall
20 Tank House Lane, Distillery. Mother’s Day Buffet on Sunday May 12 from 10:30 am to 4 pm.  Activities for the whole family including brewery tours, face painting, live jazz and NANO-brew samples. Reservations recommended at (416) 681-0338, ext 2.  $26.99. 

Dinner at the Peartree
507 Parliament.  Four individually priced entrees - black angus steak and lobster tail. maple roasted salmon, mushroom and brie chicken and roast beef with Yorkshire pudding.  All served with fresh veggies and rice or Yukon gold potatoes.  Add soup or salad and dessert for a three-course dinner.  Sunday May 12, 5 to 11 pm.  

Cyril’s Mother’s Day soup
Saturday’s Mother’s Day soup is smoked tea and tomato, one of his personal favourites and a favourite with his fans.  The regular version uses half-and-half and the other one uses coconut milk. Both are $8.   
Order deadline is 7 pm on Friday.  He delivers his soups in Cabbagetown. He’s accepting payments by e-transfers and cash. Email him at abeautifulbowl@gmail.com

Happy Mother’s Day
Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) has pop-up cards - a wonderful way to say Happy Mother’s Day. Each is handmade to open with an extraordinary work of art. Click here to see some top choices for your Mother’s Day.  Check out their full selection of greeting cards for every occasion at your local shop for gifts, décor and furniture. 
New extended hours: Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 am to 6 pm, Thursday and Friday from 10 am to 7 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm, Sunday from noon to 5 pm. https://www.instagram.com/kendallandco

Sip & shop at Spruce
Spruce Home Decor (455 Parliament) is holding its second annual Mother’s Day Sip & Shop pop-up. Muni Muni Skincare and Gold Apothecary will be featured.   There’ll be cocktails and nibblies from Daniel et Daniel for you while you build your custom gift box.  Saturday May 11, 10 am to 6 pm.

 Flowers are a perfect gift
Anji at Blooming Flower Bar (559 Parliament) will be open on Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm and on Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.  She's taking orders now for pickup and delivery.  Check out her bouquets online or call 647-350-8076.

LOCAL NEWS

Congrats to the CRA
The Cabbagetown Residents Association created another Spring success at the Forsythia Festival. There were plenty of kids’ activities, lots of people lounging and talking in the Beer Garden, good prizes and fun entertainment.  Thanks, of course, to all the sponsors.  Mark from St Jamestown Steak & Chops brought over 500 hots dogs, burgers and peameal sandwiches and sold them all.  Erin from Stout Irish Pub served her Thai Pa that went down very easily!  Congrats all around, especially to the organizing committee whose quiet efforts produced a lovely day in Wellesley Park.

Welcome Christopher
Photo:  Stephen-Thomas (left) and Christopher.  Cabbagetown BIA photo.
Christopher Chaisson has taken over the reins at the Cabbagetown BIA (237 Carlton).  He began his duties as its Executive Director on Thursday.  Congrats, Christopher, for your new job.
There’s still no news about Stephen-Thomas’s new job.  He says that all will become clear next week. Of course, wherever it is, our best wishes and thanks go with him.

St James Town Act
Our MPP Suze Morrison has introduced the St James Town Act in the Ontario Legislature.  It’s passed first reading but still has several more steps to go before it’s passed.  She wants to strengthen both tenants’ rights and landlords’ maintenance obligations.  Her summary is online here.   
She’s also circulating a petition to support this legislation - click here to read and sign it.   

Four aspirational projects
Waterfront Toronto has blogged about four new waterfront ideas that will be signature projects for the future.  They include the Jack Layton Ferry Dock, the continuous waterfront walkway, a destination playground in the Port Lands and an iconic cultural destination.  To read about these plans, click here.  

River Street and Gerrard
Construction has started at River and Gerrard on a shaft that will connect to a 10.4 km tunnel running along the Don Valley to the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant.  This will be one of 12 shafts and 5 storage shafts that will store excess rain and snow from extreme storms until the treatment plant can handle it.  Completion of the local construction is scheduled for August 30.  Click here to read all the details.   

CONTACT
Photo:  Ravine by Seth Stevenson at Allan Gardens Conservatory from May 16 to May 31.  
The CONTACT Photography Festival is a big, city-wide event.  Its exhibitions are held in public spaces, restaurants, shops and galleries.  In our neighbourhood, there’s a collection of photographs of the Don River by Nadia Belerique in the Castle Frank subway station - it runs to June 8.  Other shows are taking place in Akasha Art Projects (204D Carlton), Arta Gallery (14 Distillery Lane), Corkin Gallery (7 Tank House Lane), PROOF Studio Gallery (15 Case Goods Lane), the Queen Gallery (382 Queen E), Urban Gallery (400 Queen E), Nookspace (19 Sackville) and Aquavato (256 King E).  Throughout the Distillery until May 31, works by Sage Szkabarnicki-Stuart feature Good Stuff, Bad Stuff.  From May 10 to July 30, there’s a group show in the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E) by Ammar Bowaihl, Bushira Nakitende and Nicholas Williams entitled Am I Wrong to Love?
These are just a few of the events happening here and elsewhere in Toronto.  For the full list, click here.  

SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY

Spring Fling at the CYC
It happens on Friday May 10 from 7 pm. A fun filled celebration at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster) to support the services that the CYC offers to our community. It’s a fundraiser and a birthday party - the CYC is 45 this year.  A live band, cash bar, silent auction, finger foods and more.  $30, available online at eventbrite.ca or in person at the CYC. For more information please call 416-960-1032.

Golf day for the CYC
The Irv (195 Carlton) is organizing a golf day fundraiser for the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster)  Regan at The Irv is pleased with the positive sales so far.  Get your friends together and sign up now.  Your donation of $160 will pay for 18-holes, a cart, prizes, contests and an auction plus a tax receipt.  It’s happening at the Royal Woodbine course on June 5. Email jacklyne@theirvpub.ca or call The Irv at (647) 350-4787.

COMING EVENTS
Listed by starting dates

Free lunch at No Frills
A Toronto Food Stations truck will visit No Frills (449 Parliament) and set up a bbq outdoors at the rear of the building.  Spend $10 or more in store on Saturday May 11 or Sunday May 12 and get a coupon for a free lunch.  10 am to 3 pm.  

Dance schedules in May 
Check below in the Theatre & Dance section for links to each dance company for tickets.  
Momentum with students from the School of Toronto Dance Theatre is being staged until May 11 in the Winchester Theatre (80 Winchester). 
Citadel + Companie is peforming Against Nature from May 22 to June 1 in the Ross Centre for Dance (304 Parliament).
Students from the Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre are performing in Teasing Gravity on May 22 and 23, Light Years on May 24 and 25, and Spring Song on May 26 - all at Harbourfront’s Fleck Dance Theatre (235 Queens Quay W). 
The professional dance company at Toronto Dance Theatre is offering Marienbad at the Winchester Theatre (80 Winchester) from May 23 to June 1.

A memorial tribute for Phil Ogison
Catherine Tammaro and Phil’s friends are staging a memorial concert for Phil on Wednesday May 15 at 8:30 pm at Handlebar (159 Augusta in Kensington).  It’s a musical tribute where some of Phil's longtime collaborators come together and jam with Phil one more time with the aid of their recordings with him.

Corktown Chamber Orchestra
Brahms 4th Symphony and Dvorak’s cello concerto plus two modern pieces by James McGrath - Hollywood Nocturne and New York Minute.  Thursday May 16 at 8 pm in Little Trinity Church (425 King E).  Tickets are available at the door and at Eventrite.  $20.  

Pizza in the Park
It’s back - pizza at the bake oven in Regent Park (The Big Park, 620 Dundas E).  Made from scratch, $5.  5 pm, Friday May 17.  

IN THE MEDIA

Cleaning up the Don
Photo:  Talia Ricci, CBC News
50 years ago, Pollution Probe staged a mock funeral for the Don River.  The event was remembered this year at the annual Paddle the Don fundraiser.  Hundreds of people gathered last Sunday to support the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority.  Click here to read the CBC’s report and to see a video of the funeral.  

Driverless transit on the waterfront
Photo:  Sidewalk Labs
NOW Magazine’s Rosemary Frei is worrying that Google’s plans for driverless vehicles in Quayside and the Port Lands is an effort to privatize transit with its driverless vehicles.  Click here for the story.   

KIDS’ STUFF

Daycare at Winchester Public School
Central Neighbourhood House offers daycare programs at the school (15 Prospect) for preschoolers as well as before and after school programs for senior kindergarten and grades 1-3.  For more information, go online here or contact Roshnie Sukraj, the Winchester Daycare manager, at rsukraj@tngcs.org    

BUSINESS NEWS

Gifts for the Cabbagetown Youth Centre
The CYC (2 Lancaster) is one of the most important agencies working in Cabbagetown and St James Town.  Every week, hundreds of kids take part in its programming.
Local business can help out.  The Irv (195 Carlton) is holding a fundraising golf tournament on June 5.  Add your gift for the list of prizes and auction goodies.  Your donation will increase the fundraiser’s impact and add to your store’s profile.
Email or call (647) 350-4787 to make the arrangements.

Shop Local Passport - the last weekend!
The deadline is the end of the shopping day on Monday May 13.  Drop off your completed form at the BIA office (237 Carlton) or leave it with any participating merchant.
The Cabbagetown BIA ’s passport offers scores of prizes from our local merchants.  It’s an easy system.  First, get a passport from a participating merchant.  Second, when you spend $20 or more in a participating business, get a stamp in your passport.  Third, get five stamps. 
There’s a big list of participating retailers and prizes - click here for a copy of the passport to download and the passport details.   

Welcome Matt
Matt Miskuski is the new owner of our local No Frills store (449 Parliament).  He’s got plans to renovate and make it a brand new experience.  New fixtures, new lighting in the produce section, new freezers for the meat section and new lines of organic products.  Welcome Matt and best wishes for all your plans.

RESTAURANT NEWS

Welcome Super Bargain
A new bar has opened at 441 Parliament.  It’s run by the same people who brought us our pizzeria Salt & Tobacco - so you know that it’s going to be good.  It replaces the rundown old discount store called Super Bargain and the new owners kept the name.  Drop in for a quick sip at our latest spot, Super Bargain.

Game of Thrones party
Only two weeks left! Get over to Mill Street Beer Hall (20 Tank House Lane) for the weekly viewing party.  Sundays at 9 pm until May 19. In-house brews and late night menu.

MAY THEATRE & DANCE PRODUCTIONS
Listed by starting dates.

Momentum 2019
School of Toronto Dance Theatre
Winchester Theatre (80 Winchester)
On stage to Saturday May 11
Website and tickets here.  (416) 967-6887

The Brothers Size
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane)
On stage to Sunday May 26
Website and tickets here.  (416) 866-8666

Inner Elder
Native Earth & Nightwood, Aki Studio Theatre (585 Dundas E)
On stage to Sunday May 12
Website and tickets here.  (416) 531-1402 

Welcome to My Underworld
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane)
On stage to Saturday May 25
Website and tickets here.  (416) 866-8666

I swallowed a moon made of iron
Canadian Stage Berkeley Street Theatre (26 Berkeley)
Thursday May 16 to Sunday May 26
Website and tickets here.  (416) 368-3110 

August: Osage County
Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane)
Saturday May 18 to Wednesday June 19
Website and tickets here.  (416) 866-8666

Teasing Gravity - dances for the young and fearless
Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre 
Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront (235 Queens Quay W)
Student matinees
Wednesday May 22 and Thursday May 23
Website and tickets here.  (416) 924-5657

Against Nature
Citadel + Compagnie
Ross Centre for Dance (304 Parliament)
Wednesday May 22 to Saturday June 1
Website and tickets here. (416) 364-8011

Marienbad
Toronto Dance Theatre
Winchester Theatre (80 Winchester)
Thursday May 23 to Saturday June 1
Website and tickets here.  (416) 967-1365

Light Years
Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre 
Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront (235 Queens Quay W)
Public performances
Friday May 24 and Saturday May 25
Website and tickets here.  (416) 924-5657

Spring Song
Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre 
Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront (235 Queens Quay W)
Sunday May 26
Website and tickets here.  (416) 924-5657

by heart
Canadian Stage Berkeley Street Theatre (26 Berkeley)
Thursday May 30 to Sunday June 2
Website and tickets here.  (416) 368-3110

CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS

THURSDAY MAY 9 TO SUNDAY MAY 19

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 MAY 9

Mill Street Brew Pub
5 pm, Live music
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Tilted Dog
10 pm, comedy with Ethan O’Reilly

FRIDAY MAY 10

Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke 
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Pho Pas
Friday night live with DJ Nigel B

SATURDAY MAY 11

Pho Pas
10 pm, Saturday Night Live with DJs Miller Music, RZXE, and LOWD

SUNDAY MAY 12

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Dominion
9 pm, Screening - Game of Thrones

MONDAY MAY 13

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

TUESDAY MAY 14

Stout Irish Pub
7:30 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

WEDNESDAY MAY 15

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
The Tilted Dog
7:30 pm, Smart Ass Trivia with Porter

THURSDAY MAY 16

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Comedy night with Dave Burke and Danish Anwar
Cranberries
8 pm, Righteous Mic Comedy hosted by Johnathan Ramcharan.  PWYC.
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke
Tilted Dog
8 pm, Open Mic with Robert LaBell

FRIDAY MAY 17

Alice’s Place
10 pm, Karaoke
New Town
Oki Doki Karaoke 
Pho Pas
Friday night live with DJ Nigel B

SATURDAY MAY 18

Dominion
8:30 pm, Cody Barton
Pho Pas
10 pm, Saturday Night Live with DJs Miller Music, RZXE, and LOWD

SUNDAY MAY 19

Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Dominion
9 pm, Final night - screening Game of Thrones

CONTACT INFO

ALICE'S PLACE
554 Parliament St, (647) 931-9088, 
ARVO
17 Gristmill Lane, Distillery,  (647) 352-2766
CORKTOWN KITCHEN
354 King St E, (46) 901-1188
CRANBERRIES
601 Parliament St, (416) 925-6330, 
DOMINION PUB & KITCHEN
500 Queen St E, (416) 366-5555, 
EL CATRIN
18 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 203-2121, 
HENRIETTA LANE 
394 King E
HOUSE ON PARLIAMENT
454 Parliament St, (416) 925-4074, 
IMPACT KITCHEN
573 King St E, (416) 306-1986, 
THE IRV
95 Carlton Street, (647) 350-4787, 
JOHNNY G’s
478 Parliament St, (416) 928-1358
THE LOCAL GEST
See below - The Tilted Dog
MILL STREET BEER HALL
21 Tank House Ln, Distillery, (416) 681-0338, 
MILL STREET BREW PUB
21 Tank House Ln, Distillery, 
ODIN
514 King E, (647) 350-6346,
NEW TOWN
413 Parliament Street
PAINTBOX BISTRO
555 Dundas St E, (647) 748-0555
PHO PAS
480 Parliament, (416) 922-0769
QUINCY AFROKITCHEN & BAR
326 Parliament, (647) 989-9127, 
SOCIAL SMITHS
574&1/2 Parliament
SOULPEPPER
Young Centre, 50 Tank House Lane, Distillery, (416) 866-8666,
STOUT IRISH PUB
221 Carlton St, (647) 344-7676,
THE TILTED DOG
(Formerly The Local GEST)
424 Parliament. (416) 961-9425