CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
THE WEEKLY CALENDAR
For your convenience, the list of weekly events in our clubs and pubs is back. It's at the bottom of today's blog.
CHRISTMAS NEWS
Holiday in the Patch
Saturday December 10. The BIA says that, “It’s a day filled with carolling, live music, photos with Santa, and lots of fun for the whole family!” From 1 to 5 pm. Santa will be at the BIA Office (237 Carlton). The Family Fun Zone at Carlton and Parliament has outdoor games, face painting and music. Scavenger hunt in businesses along Parliament - get your map at the Family Fun Zone. The BIA is joining Toronto Police Service from 51 Division to build a toy drive with bins in the Family Fun Zone. Carollers and singers will walk along the business district.
Snowy Houses holiday cards
Alanna Cavanagh has created Holiday Cards featuring her favourite snowy Cabbagetown homes. She’s offering them for sale now and you should order yours soon. They’re selling fast. She tells us that, “Every week I've received a flurry of orders from Cabbagetowners. It's really quite amazing. I am almost SOLD OUT of cards!.” Five cards at $30 plus $6 for shipping. 5.5” by 4.25” with envelopes, blank inside. Special for Cabbagetowners - get 6 cards and free shipping, $30. Email your order to her.
Green Thumb Growing Kids
GTGK has a special colouring book on sale. What Gardeners Know is a guided lesson for kids ages 6 to 14 about gardening from soil to flowers to pollination to fruits and veggies. It’s a GTGK fundraiser and a great gift idea - books are $15 with local delivery and $20 with shipping. More details are available online.
Cabbagetown lights
The Cabbagetown Residents Association is back with its annual Christmas lights contest. Nominate a home with spectacular lights (even your own!). Your photo will be posted on Facebook and your neighbours will vote. Nominations are open now. Contest runs from December 15 to December 26. Click here to get the contact info and the rules.
Food drive
Carolling for Cans took place on Sunday December 4 in the neighbourhood between Amelia, Sumach, Carlton and Metcalfe and the streets in-between. It’s a food drive to benefit the food bank at Saint Luke’s. This year, once again, people left their parcels on their porches for a drive-by event since the carollers couldn’t go door-to-door. Over 75 homes contributed and their gifts filled an SUV. Congrats to Christina Jackson and her team for another welcome success.
Santa is visiting Royal Lepage
Sunday December 10 from 1 to 4 pm. Diane Tobia has scheduled Santa’s visit to Royal Lepage - you’re invited. Drop in for candy canes, hot chocolate, colouring activities and pictures. Lots of fun - don’t miss it.
Jay’s
Jay’s (358 Gerrard at Sackville) has Fraser fir Christmas trees and a big selection of Christmas goodies - poinsettias, table arrangements, outdoor wreathes, boughs and decorative baskets. Over the past 40 years, Young and Jay have been selling their high quality gardening and seasonal decorations at this location. Open daily from 9 am to 6 pm.
Turkeys are now on sale
Mark at St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) is taking orders for your Christmas turkey. He getting them from Heritage Farms. They developed lots of fans at their Murray’s Farm booth in the summer Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market. And ask Mark about his other delicious meals for your holiday specials.
Toy drive
The Yonge Street Mission’s annual toy drive is under way. Over 400 families will be helped. You can contribute - buy new toys and drop them off at 306 Gerrard E. The poster gives you a nifty list of the most needed toys for kids ages 4 to 7.
LOCAL NEWS
Support Sandy MacPherson’s bursary
Community Matters Toronto has set up a bursary in Sandy’s memory. It’s for students from Jarvis Collegiate, specifically from St James Town, who show the potential to influence community health and development. Three young people have already received their awards. Sandy’s friends in Cabbagetown will recognize his spirit in this award. Community Matters is conducting a fundraising campaign and will welcome all gifts, big or small. If you wish to honour his memory, please click here and check out the bursary’s online donation plan.
Regent Park Film Festival
On screen to December 10 in the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E). It’s a big event. The 20th anniversary Festival includes a general program, a school program and a new industry lounge. Free admission and free child care. To learn about the schedules and details online, click here.
Introducing Level Studio
Luca Campacci, Vinh Le and Carol Ortiz Contreras are the design team at Level Studio (203 Carlton). Luca and Vinh are the Studio partners and graduates from OCAD. Carol has joined as a junior designer. She’s a graduate of Vancouver’s Kwantlen Polytechnic University. The Studio has been open since 2017 and it offers residential interior design with an emphasis on unique, functional spaces. Luca and Vinh also conduct two-hour design consultations. For more information, click here to see their informative website.
Peter Commins
Peter was a familiar and cheery face around Cabbagetown and Corktown. He died on November 23, just three weeks after his 85 birthday. A graduate of Ontario College of Art, he was an industrial designer. His favourite pastimes included sailing and enjoying his Prince Edward County farm. Condolences go to Susan and Jess.
Holiday plant sale
Sunday December 11, 1 to 4 pm, Children’s Conservancy in Allan Gardens (Jarvis and Carlton). The plants include succulents, tropicals, herbs and seeds from Allan Gardens’ plants. Come early - desirable plants sell quickly. Be prepared to line up outside (it may be cold). Masks are appreciated indoors. Bring a bag and make sure that your plant is protected from the cold. The annual sale supports the work done by the Friends of Allan Gardens.
Outdoor skating rinks
The rinks are open. Dig out your skates and get ready to glide. The City of Toronto operates three rinks in our area - Regent Park (480 Shuter), Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview) and Sherbourne Commons (61 Dockside). Check the City’s lists before heading out to the rink - weather conditions may affect the ice.
Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum Historical Tidbit
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Victoria’s cat sitting services
The holidays can be a stressful time but the care of your furry loved ones shouldn't be. Victoria van der Meulen provides quality care for the unique needs of your cats, from administration of medication to afternoon playtime. 20 years of experience and a local in the neighbourhood, Victoria is a quick e-mail away.
IN OUR STORES
Holiday specials in our stores
Drop in to these businesses and enjoy their Christmas specials during Holiday in the Patch on December 10.
On Parliament Street -
Royal Lepage (517 Parliament), The Great Mallard (503 Parliament), HomeLife Realty (501 Parliament), Playground Cafe (492 Parliament), House on Parliament (454 Parliament), Epicure Shop (473 Parliament), Buds & Blossoms (517 Parliament), Kendall & Co (514 Parliament), St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament), Menagerie Pet Shop (549 Parliament) and Timeless Collective Toronto (549 Parliament). The Naomi Store (296 Gerrard E)
On Carlton -
Labour of Love (223 Carlton), Spiritleaf Cabbagetown (238 Carlton), Noushe (200 Carlton), Velvet Lane Cakes (194 Carlton) and Revelstoke Kitchen (195 Carlton)
THEATRE & DANCE NEWS - DECEMBER
Little Dickens
To Sunday December 18, Canadian Stage (26 Berkeley). An adults-only marionettes show. Click here for dates, tickets and more info.
Munsch Garden
December 10, Young Centre (50 Tank House Lane). Presented by the George Brown Theatre School and based on the stories of Robert Munsch. Tickets here.
Larry’s Christmas Cabaret
December 10. Citadel’s (304 Parliament) hilarious and quirky annual holiday tradition - one-night only audience favourite that’s not-to-be missed with its variety of local acts, festive cheer and late-night bar. For info and tickets about both performances, click here.
‘da Kink in My Hair
To December 23, Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane). “Set in a West Indian hair salon in Toronto, it untangles the triumphs and tragedies of the women who sit in Novelette's salon chair … unforgettable, moving, and hilarious stories.” Tickets and more info, click here.
December Dances
December 8 and 9, School of Toronto Dance Theatre (80 Winchester). A main stage performance of ensemble works by Amanda Acorn, David Norworthy, Benjamin Kamino and Sharon Moore. Tickets and more info here.
Wintersong
December 9, 10 and 11, Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre (509 Parliament. This longstanding seasonal favourite is back again at the Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront (207 Queen’s Quay). It features a world premiere by Colin Connor, plus works by Rodney Diverlus, Alyssa Martin, Carol Anderson, and Apolonia Velasquez. Click here for more info.
Extended run to January 7
Alice in Wonderland
To January 7, Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane). Soulpepper says this Alice is “a new adventure for all ages. Bad Hats Theatre’s contemporary spin on Wonderland takes us down the rabbit hole with Alice, a girl with a lot of questions.” Click here for tickets and info.
Crazy Dave Goes to Town
December 14 to 16. The Centre for Indigenous Theatre presents Daniel David Moses’ play, the story of David McLeod. Aki Studio Theatre (585 Dundas E).
RESTAURANT NEWS
NJ Lounge
It’s a busy Saturday night at NJ Lounge (507 Parliament). From 6 to 8 pm, here’s a live band playing jazz and Afrobeat. From 10 pm to 2 am, it’s an Ugly Christmas Sweater party with DJ Cashmere.
ZuZu
Cafe Zuzu (565 Dundas E) has a bustling, cheery atmosphere. It’s full of young people working and talking together. Tyler, the manager, believes that they want space outside their condos to enjoy a more sociable atmosphere and he welcomes them. The food is good - sandwiches, pizza and pastries are available at lunch. I had a bacon and egg sandwich on a sourdough muffin - scrumptious. In the near future, the side room will open for community events on Mondays. It’s currently open from 9 am to 6 pm and will expand for dinner hours in the holidays. Zuzu is part of the Gusto restaurant group. Check out the details online.
New chef at F’Amelia
Welcome to Chef Craig. He’s bringing his classical training and experience in Italian and French cooking to F’Amelia (12 Amelia). Todd says that the new dishes are spectacular.
Welcome Ju Sushi
A new sushi restaurant has opened at 383 Dundas E. Ju Sushi’s menu is a Korean-Japanese fusion. Licenced. It’s open from 5 pm to 1 am, Monday to Thursday, 5 pm to 2 am Friday and Saturday and 5 pm to midnight on Sunday. Check out the menu and photos of the dishes online here.
Stout Irish Pub
Erin has posted a new website. It’s easy to read and informative. And just a reminder - the patio is still open for your pups. To make your pal more comfy, Stout has special Pawtio Plates.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY DECEMBER 8 TO SUNDAY DECEMBER 18
- For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 8
Dominion
7 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
7:30 pm, Group drumming classes for beginners with Anna Melnikoff
FRIDAY DECEMBER 9
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY DECEMBER 10
NJ Lounge
6 to 8 pm, Live music - jazz and Afrobeat
10 pm to 2 am - Ugly Sweater party with live music, DJ Cashmere and dancing
Dominion
7 pm, Live music
SUNDAY DECEMBER 11
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
1 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
Dominion
7 pm, Stand-up comedy, “Guy on Knes” with Danny Adhim
MONDAY DECEMBER 12
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY DECEMBER 13
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 14
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
7:30 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
THURSDAY DECEMBER 15
Dominion
7 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
7:30 pm, Group drumming classes for beginners with Anna Melnikoff
FRIDAY DECEMBER 16
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY DECEMBER 17
Dominion
7 pm, Live music
SUNDAY DECEMBER 18
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
1 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
Redwood Theatre
3 pm, Duncan Fremlin & Douglas John Cameron fundraiser for the Daily Bread Food Bank
Dominion
7:30 pm, Stand-up comedy
CONTACT INFO
Alice’s Place - 554 Parliament
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion - 243 Gerrard E
Dominion - 500 Queen E
NJ Lounge - 507 Parliament
Redwood Theatre - 1300 Gerrard E
Stout Irish Pub - 221 Carlton
