CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
CABBAGETOWN ARTISTS
This site introduces local artists to our local community. Six artists are featured here. They’ve been adding new images regularly. It’s a site where you can happily browse and see works by people you know. And you can purchase any that appeal to you. (This image: Jack Grunsky, It’s Jenny)
CABBAGETOWN FESTIVAL - SEPTEMBER 9 to 11
Blair’s Run
It’s back and once again, it’s also a virtual event. That format worked very well in 2021 - over $53,000 was raised last year to support the Cabbagetown Youth Centre and Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club. Volunteers are needed to organize and canvass for street teams and donations - register online.
Join Blair’s Run
Participate with the classic 2 km run/walk or choose your own freestyle event. Teams and participants can do their event together. Do your stuff from Friday September 9 to Sunday September 18. Once you’ve decided, register with the details ($20 fee) and start to fundraise for the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (all donations over $20 get a tax receipt.) The cutoff for the team registrations is Sunday September 17 at noon. There’ll be a celebration in Sprucecourt School yard on Sunday September 18 at 3 pm. More info is available online at the website and updates on Twitter.
The Cabbagetown Short Film Festival
Fifteen short films from the USA, Sweden, Spain, France and the UK. Get your tickets now for the in-person Live Gala on Wednesday September 7 at the Winchester Dance Theatre (80 Winchester). Doors open at 6:30 and the screenings start at 7 pm. One intermission. The program will also be screened online across Canada from September 8 to 10. Tickets for either event are $15 - available now. The program details are online at the website. Details and links for the Virtual Screening are also online.
The Art & Crafts show
New this year - entertainment for your kids with Jennifer Kruk. Also new this year - The Duncan Hopkins Trio will play at noon and 4 pm each day featuring Reg Schwager, Chris Gale and Kevin Turcotte. 180 art and craft vendors. Toronto Public Health will be offering COVID 19 vaccinations during the show. Enjoy a meal from El Nahual Tacos, Haldi and Mis Amigos. Riverdale Park (Sumach between Carlton and Winchester) from 1 pm, Friday September 9 through Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm daily. Check the website for detailed listings.
Parkscape Promenade on Parliament - sneak preview
Come to Parliament Street between 11 am and 8 pm on Sunday September 11 for a day-long entertainment extravaganza sponsored by the Cabbagetown BIA. Parliament will be closed from 508 Parliament south to Carlton and eastbound Carlton will be closed from Parliament to Exchange Lane. It’s a new face for the Festival and a final wrap-up for Parkscape.
Musicians have already signed up to perform - flamenco with Roger Scannura and Valerie Scannura from noon to 1 pm, Franks & Beans from 1 to 3 pm, Trombone Charlotte’s Tiger Band from 3 to 4 pm and the Toronto All Stars Big Band from 4 to 7 pm. More to come!
Poster for the Art & Crafts show
Bill Reddick’s ceramics are displayed on the 2022 poster. The show’s announcement explains, “Bill found inspiration in the classical ceramic tradition of the Song Dynasty. Through his contemporary expression of this ancient tradition, he has developed original techniques, and his works evoke fluency of form and beauty. Bill individually hand makes all of his works in his studio in Peterborough, Ontario”. He’ll be displaying at the show. Learn more online.
Volunteer at Parkscape
The Cabbagetown BIA has put out a call for volunteers to help during the September 11 Promenade. If you’d like to take part, send an email.
LOCAL NEWS
Check out Gerrard Street
Gerrard Street is becoming a shoppers’ destination. The familiar regulars are now joined by exciting new stores and cafes - Fattoush (253 Gerrard E), Pastor Tacos (245 Gerrard E), Pandan Cake (246 Gerrard E) and the new Le Conciliabule (350 Berkeley). Eclectisaurus (249 Gerrard E) is a highlight. For years, locals have dropped in to Stanley’s (Gerrard E at Ontario) and the Beer Store (227 Gerrard E). Old Cabbagetown Physiotherapy (255 Gerrard E) takes care of back aches and Hastings Barber Shop (251 Gerrard E) gives you some panache. Dogs and cats go to the Cabbagetown Pet Clinic and Diggity Dog Grooming (239 Gerrard E) and Dogs in the 6ix (220 Gerrard E) provides daycare, boarding, walking and grooming. (Photo: art by Wajeeha Abbasi at Fattoush, Cabbagetown BIA)
Volunteer at the Waterfront
Waterfront Toronto and the Waterfront BIA are forming a volunteer corps. It’ll tackle all kinds of projects to make the waterfront cleaner, safer and more vibrant. The first job is a community clean-up day on September 10. Visit the Waterfront Toronto online volunteer form. You’ll be contacted about future projects.
ActiveTO - Bayview is closed again
Bayview from Rosedale Valley Road south to Lawren Harris Square and River Street down to Bayview will both be closed on the weekend - Saturday from 7 am to Sunday at 7 pm. Check last minute details online.
Our two Farmers’ Markets
Think tomatoes. Think gazpacho, tomato sauce and lively salads. Fresh tomatoes are here at both markets. And corn, melons, eggplant, new potatoes and greens, The Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market In Riverdale Park West (Sumach at Winchester) is open every Tuesday from 3 to 7:30 pm. Underpass Park Farmers’ Market (29 Lower River Street) in Corktown is open on Thursdays from 4 to 7:30 pm.
Food for The Fridge
Buy some extra produce and leave it at the Volunteer Tent at the Cabbagetown Farmers Market. You’ll be supporting The Community Fridge - a great project to provide food for those in need. Join the volunteer team at Community Fridges TO - click here.
Repair & Run
This pop-up service for bike repairs is open in the Distillery on Case Goods Lane every Sunday until October from 9 am to 2 pm.
Local market at the Distillery
Every Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm, Gristmill Lane in the Distillery. Enjoy local produce and flowers. The market will continue to Sunday October 9.
Spotted at Shuter and Sherbourne
Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
By Sally Gibson. The most popular photograph of boys swimming in the Don River in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century is this shot by photo-journalist William James. “Sandy Banks” was located beneath Sugar Loaf Hill, once the site of the Simcoe’s 1790s summer home, Castle Frank. It’s just north of the Viaduct, seen in the upper left corner, that arrived around 1918. Here the boys – all boys – are stripped down and waiting during a swimming lesson conducted by a City instructor. The boys really couldn’t swim. George Rust-D’Eye reveals in Cabbagetown Remembered that they were held by their belts, some of which can be seen here. The boys showed no shame in swimming naked, but proprieties were maintained. When a train lumbered along the Canadian Northern track, the normally tart-tongued old Cabbagetowner Gordon Sinclair recalled, “we would either kneel in the water, or stand with hands in front of ourselves. (Photo: Swimming Lessons and Skinny-dipping at Sandy Banks ca. 1918 CTA 1244-7339)
IN THE MEDIA
Time for a laugh
Toronto Sun columnist Brian Lilley wrote a sarcastic Tweet mocking Parkscape. Both sides of the argument then jumped in. blogTO picked it up and had some fun. Click here.
COMING EVENTS
Cafe Caribbean
Featuring food vendors, live music and entertainment. It’s part of the Moss Park Market. Saturday August 27, 11 am to 3 pm. 260 Queen.
Boat tours of the waterfront
Last chance to take a watery ride with Waterfront Toronto’s one-hour boat tours of the waterfront. August 27 at 1:15 pm. Meet at the York Slip at the MV Shipsands boat. Early demand for a ride was very strong. Reservations are not available - seats are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Moonlight Market in Regent Park
On-going event. Thursdays and Saturdays from 5 to 10 pm, to September 17. Local crafts, food, entertainment. The east patio beside The Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).
Park Yoga
Every Thursday from noon to 1 pm at Riverdale Farm (Sumach and Carlton) up to Thanksgiving. Sarah Elder is the instructor. PWYC. For listings of other locations and dates and for last minute info about rain cancellations, check out the website.
KIDS NEWS
Register at the Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre
The Fall season starts on September 12 at the CCAC (422 Parliament). The music program is at the heart of its activities. There are one-on-one lessons in several instruments. Music theatre is returning and there’s an adult class on Poetry in Motion. Group programs include art and music theory. Go to the website for details, schedules and fees.
THEATRE NEWS - AUGUST 2022
Ticket sales open at Canadian Stage
Tickets for individual plays in the 22/23 season are now on sale. They’re “presenting vital, joyful stories, mounting large-scale plays …and welcoming back some of our favourite artists”. For info about each play and for tickets, click here.
Queen Goneril - on stage now
On stage August 25 to October 2. King Lear’s daughters in a man’s world. Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane, Distillery). For more info about the play and for tickets, click here.
King Lear - on stage from Saturday
On stage August 27 to October 1. Goneril’s father near the end of his reign. Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane). For online info and tickets, click here.
Fair Use
Native Earth presents “contemporary Canadian vocal music around a theme of cultural reference and quotation … the majority of these pieces will be both world premieres and new commissions.” Saturday September 10, 7:30 pm, Aki Theatre (Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas E). For more info and tickets, click here.
Bad Parent
On stage September 15 to October 9. Ins Choi, creator of Kim’s Convenience, shows how Charles and Norah figure out who they are in relation to each other, their son, and the audience. A humorous and honest story about the rocky rite of passage into parenthood. Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane). For online info and tickets, click here.
IN OUR STORES
Naomi Store
Ahmed is working at Naomi Store (Parliament). The store has been renovated and now has a handsome interior. It’s selling Sudanese furniture, spices, crafts, coffees, teas and lots more. It’s well worth a visit.
ENTERTAINMENT
Musical performances at Parkscape
Performances happen on the Parkscape stage in front of Parliament Street Fitness (488 Parliament) unless otherwise noted. Joseph Landau is an accordionist and singer - he’ll perform folk hits from around the world on Thursday August 25 from 4 to 7 pm. On Friday August 26, the Sean Stanley Trio will perform jazz, swing and blues from 4 to 7 pm. Malia Love brings her powerful voice and dynamic range to sing the music of our greatest artists as well as her own original songs on Saturday August 27 from 4 to 6 pm. The Power of Soul will perform soul, funk and blues from the 60s and 70s on Sunday August 28 from 2 to 5 pm. The Tim Collins Band returns on Wednesday August 24 from 5 to 8 pm. Check the website for times and details.
Buskers in the Distillery
The busker performance program has been extended to early October. Every Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 pm. A new performer appears very day.
Headscratchers’ Trivia
Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) is hosting its popular Headscratchers Trivia every Monday and Tuesday night from 7 pm. Reservations are recommended. Board games are available daily. (647) 344-7676. Free.
Karaoke at Alice’s Place
Friday night karaoke happens at 9 pm every week at Alice’s Place (554 Parliament). Thousands of songs.
Live music and DJs
The Dominion (500 Queen E) brings you live music and DJs every Saturday night from 7 to 11 pm through the summer.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Welcome to Manon and Charles. Their new bakery/cafe, Le Conciliabule, (350 Berkeley) has set up at Berkeley and Gerrard. Their pastries and menu are prepared with a wonderful French touch. Future plans include a liquor licence, small group events, curated cheese offerings, special meals on Fridays and Saturdays and a Sunday brunch. Their in-store shop is offering olive oil, vinegar, sauces, herbs, prepared foods and coffee. They also plan a wine shop with 120 labels on sale.
Win $200 from the HoP and $150 from Epicure
Enter the Give Away Draw to win. The House on Parliament, the Epicure Shop and Bosley Real Estate have teamed up. The deadline is midnight, August 31 and the draw will take place on September 1. Check out Instagram to find the rules and to enter the contest.
Welcome back El Paisa
Delicious Mexican street food. Javier and Sarah prepare it every Saturday from noon to 7 pm and Sunday from noon to 5 pm. They’re working with Super Bargain (441 Parliament) as part of its CafeTO patio.
Summerlicious is back
Summerlicious continues to Sunday August 28. Participating restaurants offer prix fixe three-course menus at lunch and dinner. Lunch prices range from $20 to $55 and dinner from $25 to $75. Local restaurants include The Aviary (484 Front St E), Mengrai Thai Restaurant (82 Ontario St) and Butter Chicken Factory (560 Parliament).Cyril’s soup
This week, it’s sweet potato, ginger and lime - Cyril says, “it’s got a beautiful bright colour, the familiar taste of sweet potatoes, and the Thai touch that coconut milk, ginger, lime and lime leaves bring to the dish.” 3 to 9 cups at $3/cup and 10 or more cups at $2.50/cup. His juice is apple, mango and passion fruit at $9 for 2 cups. Email him with your order.