CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
FEATURED ARTIST
Michael Cavanaugh
Winter Blues, acrylic on gallery canvas, 36” x 24”, No framing required. Click here to browse Michael’s work and the other Cabbagetown artists.
LOCAL NEWS
Roofers scam
Get a free tree
The Corktown Business & Residents Association is giving away free trees and Cabbagetown residents are included in the offer. Check the poster to see the varieties that are available. The trees are free. Saturday, April 29, 2023. Email your request no later than March 31.
Eclectisaurus is leaving
Leslie’s lovely store on Gerrard is closing its doors on April 30. That’s a real loss - she’s been a steady promoter of her retail neighbourhood throughout her stay there. She’s planning to convert to an online retail operation, a system that she’s used successfully in the past. All items in the store are now on sale at 30% off. (249 Gerrard E)
New parks
Two new small parks are coming to the Moss Park neighbourhood. The Richmond Street park (1400 square meters) will be located west of Ontario on the north side of Richmond. The King Street park (470 square meters) will be located west of Ontario on the north side of King. There are several ways to contribute your ideas to each project. For design details and for community input opportunities, check out the City’s website.
Vendor alerts
The two big events at the Cabbagetown Festival have opened applications for exhibitors. The Cabbagetown Art & Crafts show in Riverdale Park West runs from Friday September 8 to Sunday September 11. There are two deadlines - March 31 and May 31. Artists can apply for space at the show through the website . The Cabbagetown Festival will happen on Parliament and Carlton from Saturday September 9 to Sunday September 10. Vendors should visit the BIA’s website and apply before May 31 for early bird pricing.
Spruce Court Co-op request
The Co-op at the corner of Spruce and Sumach has a problem with outsiders’ garbage. People are dumping boxes and garbage at the Co-op and the City is then charging the Co-op extra to take it away. Co-op members have started to record names on the boxes so the City can pursue these people.
TUNE-UP YOUR BODY
Parliament Street Fitness
PSF (488 Parliament) welcomes members for a flat $100/month fee. Your membership includes opportunities to join classes on running, HIIT, pilates, yoga and indoor cycling. You can also set up your own exercises on their equipment. Check out the PSF website for the weekly times on the classes and for additional services available to members.
Stretch & strength
Gina Dineen is starting regular Essentrics classes at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster) for both beginners and experienced exercisers who want to add stretch and strength activity to their aerobics. The class includes standing and floor work - please bring your own mat and yoga block. Gina is a L1 Essentrics instructor and she’s been teaching a Zoom class for the past three years. Learn more about Essentrics online. They start on Monday March 27 at 9:30 am. Drop-in style, $5/class.
Step classes
Brenda Brown McNee’s popular step classes at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster) will resume on Wednesday March 22 at 9:15 am. They’ll continue every Wednesday through April. Drop-ins are welcome. Children are also welcome. Fee is $5 or PWYC. For more info, a detailed safety list and an equipment list, email Brenda.
Outdoor skating rinks - final weekend
The outdoor skating season will end on Sunday March 19. The City of Toronto operates three rinks in our area - Regent Park (480 Shuter), Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview) and Sherbourne Commons (61 Dockside). On Thursday, Regent Park and Riverdale Park East are open and Sherbourne Commons is closed. Check the City’s lists for ice conditions when you want to skate.
COMING EVENTS
Apres ski weekends - final weekend
Friday March 17 (noon to 8 pm), Saturday (noon to 8 pm) and Sunday (noon to 6 pm). There’ll be Muskoka chairs, fire pits, marshmallows, beer, wine, hot drinks and tasty menus. Put away your boards and grab your toque. First come, first served - in the Distillery at Trinity Square
Stoner Chicks comedy
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion (243 Gerrard E) presents its regular comedy night on Friday March 24. A super-charged all-female comedy night. Doors open at 8 pm and shows starts at 9 pm. $20. Click here for tickets.
Updates about Duncan Fremlin
Duncan and Whiskey Jack haven’t done a local Stompin’ Tom show in several years and they’re correcting that in April. They’ve developed a new show for this and on Sunday April 23 at 4 pm, they’re presenting it at Oakville's Moonrise Cafe (137 Kerr Street). Their featured guest is Stompin’ Tom’s longtime fiddler, Billy MacInnis. Phone for tickets: 905-844-2655. After that, they’re off on a Maritimes tour from April 26 to May 7.
KIDS STUFF
The Children’s Book Bank
Join the Book Bank for Storytelling in the Park. All families are welcome. Drop-ins welcome. Free books for everyone. 11 am, March 18, Allan Gardens Children’s Conservatory (160 Gerrard E).
Family Drop-in
Enjoy a Spring celebration at Allan Gardens. Daffodil crafts, micro greens to grow at home, bird-song matchup and plant sale. Activities for kids 3 to 8 years old and siblings are welcome. Children’s Conservatory (160 Gerrard E), Allan Gardens. Saturday March 25, 10:30 am.
IN THE MEDIA
More snow news
Here’s a quick follow-up to last week’s experience with strange snow plowing techniques. Matt Elliott at the Toronto Star has done a summary of the complaints received by City Hall about its snow clearing service in 2023. His story is combined with a photo showing the sidewalk piled high with snow from the road at Wellesley Street and Wellesley Ave. (Photo: Ann Kay)
ST PATRICK’S DAY
Stout Irish Pub
Cabbagetown’s Irish home is celebrating from Friday to Sunday with Irish dancers, Celtic music, good food and drink specials. Special brunch through the weekend from 11 am to 3 pm. 221 Carlton.
St Patrick’s Day karaoke
All welcome - no cover. Friday March 17 from 9 pm at Alice’s Place (554 Parliament).
Party in green at the Dominion
7 pm on Friday March 17, St Patrick’s Day at the Dominion (500 Queen E). Live band and lots of good food.
House on Parliament
The HoP (454 Parliament) has planned an Irish inspired menu along with Irish whiskey flights, all weekend.
Keating Channel Pub & Grill
Specials of the day include potato and leek soup, cabbage and corned beef and lamb stew. Prizes and giveaways. (2 Villiers St)
Mill Street Brew Pub
Live music starts on March 17 at 4 pm. Food specials are available all week until March 19. $12 beer steins with Cobblestone Organic Stout and Original Organic lager. 21 Tank House Lane, Distillery.
Super Bargain
Green beer for $6, Jamesons and Proper 12 Irish whiskey shots for $4 and DJ Shamz. Open at 3 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 441 Parliament.
The Aviary
Enjoy an Irish breakfast, corned beef Colcannon and a stout brownie. Get $1 off a pint of Longslice Slickback Stout. St Patty’s celebrations run from March 17 to 19. 484 Front East
The Golden Pigeon
The Golden Pigeon (424 Parliament) is having a cask beer festival for St Patrick’s Day, starting at 6 pm. Beers from Avling, Godspeed, Granite, Left Field and Wellington.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Gustolicious
Gustolicious offers a three-course dinner for $45. Select three courses from the menu to make your favourite meal. The event runs to March 20 at Gusto 501 (501 King W).
Pick 6 at F’Amelia
Every Wednesday, F’Amelia (12 Amelia) will pick six wines - three reds and three whites - and discount them deeply.
El Catrin
Tequila tasting and dinner in the Bodega at El Catrin (18 Tank House Lane, Distillery). It’s your chance to taste rare and hard-to-find bottles. Each Tuesday until March 21, the menu will highlight classic foods that match the featured tequilas and mezcals. For more info and reservations, check it out online.
Cyril’s soup
This week, Cyril’s making butternut squash soup with pears and apples. For delivery on Saturday March 25. $3.50/cup for 3 to 9 cups and $3/cup for 10 or more. His juice is apple, grape, basil and lemon, 2 cups for $9.50. Please order by Wednesday March 22 at 5 pm - send him an email with your order.abeautifulbowl@gmail.com
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY MARCH 16 TO SUNDAY MARCH 26
- For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY MARCH 16
Dominion
6:30 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia
The Aviary
8 pm, Battleship Bingo
FRIDAY MARCH 17
See also the St Patrick’s Day list (above)
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
Distillery
4 to 10 pm, Apres Ski Weekends in Trinity Square
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
8 pm, Stoner Chicks Comedy Show
SATURDAY MARCH 18
Distillery
Noon to 8 pm, Apres Ski Weekends in Trinity Square
Dominion
8 pm, Live music
Golden Pigeon
DJ Disco Party with DJ Tru.MST and DJ ricedreem
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
Noon, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
2 pm, beginner drumming classes with Anna Melnikoff
SUNDAY MARCH 19
Distillery
Noon to 6 pm, Apres Ski Weekends in Trinity Square - final event of the season
Dominion
6 pm dinner and 7 pm, stand-up comedy
MONDAY MARCH 20
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY MARCH 21
Aviary
8 pm, Bird Brain trivia
El Catrin
6:30 pm, Tequila tasting and dinner
Golden Pigeon
7 pm, jazz and $2 oysters
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY MARCH 22
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
7:30 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, euchre night
The Golden Pigeon
7 pm, Random Trivia
THURSDAY MARCH 23
Dominion
6:30 pm, Pubstumpers Trivia
FRIDAY MARCH 24
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
8 pm, Stoner Chicks Comedy Show
SATURDAY MARCH 25
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion
Noon, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
2 pm, beginner drumming classes with Anna Melnikoff
8 pm, Stoner Chicks Comedy Show
SUNDAY MARCH 26
Dominion
6 pm dinner and 7 pm, stand-up comedy
CONTACT INFO
Alice’s Place - 554 Parliament
Aviary - 484 Front East
Bolokelen Malinke Percussion - 243 Gerrard E
Cranberries - 601 Parliament
Distillery - Mill Street and Parliament
Dominion - 500 Queen E
El Catrin - 18 Tank House Lane, Distillery
Golden Pigeon - 424 Parliament
House on Parliament - 454 Parliament
NJ Lounge - 507 Parliament
Stout Irish Pub - 221 Carlton
Super Bargain - 441 Parliament
Wing House - 420 Parliament
