CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
DOORS OPEN
Saturday May 27 and Sunday May 28
140 locations, over a dozen in our immediate area. Here’s our local list, starting at the Lake and moving north to Bloor Street with dates, times and addresses. Free. Visit the website for detailed descriptions and for other listings in Toronto.
The Port Lands Flood Protection Project
South side of the yellow and white Cherry Street bridge, Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm
Revel House
Suite 922, 130 Queens Quay E, Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm
Artscape Daniels Launchpad
130 Queens Quay E, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
Deaf Culture Centre
15 Mill St, Distillery, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
KPMB Architects
Suite 1200, 351 King E, Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm
Little Trinity Church
425 King E, Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm & Sunday, 1 to 5 pm
Enoch Turner Schoolhouse
106 Trinity, Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm
Toronto Humane Society
11 River, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
St Paul’s Basilica
83 Power, Saturday, 10 am to 4:30 pm & Sunday, noon to 5 pm
Daniels Spectrum
585 Dundas E, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
Jarvis Street Baptist Church
130 Gerrard E, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
St James Cemetery & Chapel
635 Parliament, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
St Peter & St Simon Church
525 Bloor E, Saturday, 1:30 to 5:30 pm & Sunday, 12:30 to 5:30 pm
LOCAL NEWS
Remembering Pam McConnell
A statue has been placed at the Pam McConnell Aquatic Centre (640 Dundas E) in Regent Park. It's entitled “Look what we have achieved”. The official announcement says that it’s in memory of our long-serving City councillor who “will be remembered as a tireless advocate for women’s rights and social justice in the City of Toronto.” As part of the ceremony on May 12, two young women were given the 2023 Pam McConnell Award for Young Women in Leadership - Tara Currie for her work feeding homeless people and Hanen Nanaa, founder of the Books Art Music (BAM) Collective.
Supporting Olivia Chow
We’ve asked Cabbagetown residents and community leaders to tell us why they’ve chosen a specific candidate for mayor in this election. We’ll quote different people each week. This week, it’s Kristyn Wong-Tam, our local MPP, who’s supporting Olivia Chow. On April 19, Ms Wong-Tam told Hannah Jackson at Global News that her “high-level energy and ability to solve complex problems are legendary to the communities she has served. She will make an exceptional mayor for our exceptional Toronto. Just watch her.” And she told CBC News, “Olivia Chow was leading the way for many, many years, and she's never stopped giving. She's never stopped contributing. She's always been here for each and every single one of us, whether her hand was visible or invisible…”
Dixonlicious 2023
Dixon Hall’s big fundraiser supports its annual food programs. Tuesday June 6, 6 to 9 pm, Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E). Many of Toronto’s finest chefs, restaurants, breweries and wineries support this evening’s events. It pays for over 30,000 meals given to people in homeless shelters, AIDS programs, children and youth programs, Meals on Wheels and more. Tickets are $100 each and you’ll get a tax receipt covering 70% of this price. Go online for more info and for ticket sales.
Silent auction for Dixon Hall
The silent auction has started and there are dozens of terrific items on it - hotel visits, golf packages, resort stays, paintings, men and women’s clothing, bags, jewellery, skin care products, wine and dinner packages, cooking wares, spa sessions, guitars, Apple watches and more. Over 95 different items just waiting for your bid. It’s all part of the Dixonlicious events in support of Dixon Hall’s food programs.
Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market
The Market opens every Tuesday in Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester). Initial reactions are very good - over 20 vendors, music by Fat Quarter Band, plenty of early Spring veggies, honey, mushrooms, cheese, flowers, eggs and Waygu beef. As usual, there were lots of baked goods, wine, beer and cider and even the popular Nepali momos. And abundant crowds.There’s more info online.
Coming next week
Here’s the list of vendors for next Tuesday May 30 at the Cabbagetown Farmers' Market (Sumach and Winchester). The rotating vendors are Aunt Beth's, Frogpond Organic Farm Winery, Henderson Brewery and Mellona Artisan Products. Click on the image for a larger size.
Underpass Park Farmers' Market
The Underpass Park Farmers Market (29 Lower River) returns to Corktown on Thursday May 25, 4 to 7:30 pm. It runs every Thursday until October. For more info, visit the Market’s Facebook page.
By-election update
Your Voter Information Card was mailed out starting on Tuesday May 23. It’s going to everyone on the voters’ list - so if you don’t receive yours, check here to see whether you’re registered. Friday May 26 is the final day to apply for a mail-in ballot.
The lizard is on the move
The green lizard has disappeared from the former Menagerie Pet Shop (549 Parliament). The building was sold and the store closed. Lizzie is rumoured to be headed to an event space and pub on Geary Avenue.
Submission for the Cabbagetown Short Film Festival
Film makers are invited to submit their work through FilmFreeway. The site has plenty of details and contact info. The deadline is July 1. The Festival happens on Wednesday September 6 in the Winchester Street Theatre (80 Winchester).
Streetcapes in Bloom
Nominate a front garden for this prestigious annual award. It’s given to a garden where the owners have maintained a high quality throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall seasons. Nominations close on June 10. The winner receives a Kitras glass medallion and a portrait of the garden. More details are listed online.
The traffic maze and the new bike lanes
No updates currently. Jason Diceman at the City of Toronto says that a report from the consultation process will be published and sent to the Infrastructure & Environment Committee of City Council for its June 5 committee meeting and it will be available for the public once the meeting agenda is published on May 29.
Condo proposal at 505 - 509 Parliament Street
Gilles Huot has started a petition opposing this project and it’s attracted over 650 signatures. In his petition, he notes several flaws in the application to the City. Send him an email if you want to join his list and get more info in the future. City of Toronto staff are hosting an online consultation about the condo proposal. Tuesday May 30 from 6:30 to 8 pm. Learn more about the project and express your opinions. Click here to register.
Allan Gardens petition
The Allan Gardens Neighbourhood Group has been formed to start a petition demanding that the City of Toronto take action to remove the tent encampments in the park and to restore local residents’ sense of safety there. Almost 1250 people have signed by Thursday afternoon. To read the full text and to sign the petition, click here. Councillor Chris Moise has issued a newsletter calling for removal of the tents - see his comments here.
More sponsors supporting the Forsythia Festival
Thanks to the businesses and individuals who contributed generously to this year’s Festival. Here’s a list of the silver donors - Cabbagetown Preservation Association, Daniel et Daniel (248 Carlton), HomeLife/Realty One (501 Parliament), Fair Trade Jewellery (576 Parliament) and Velvet Lane Cakes (195 Carlton). The bronze donors were Carlton Dry Cleaners (252 1/2 Carlton), Fairway Market (520 Parliament), Star Nails (442 Parliament), No Frills (449 Parliament) and Labour of Love (223 Carlton). Please show your gratitude with your support for their businesses.
Babies at Spruce Court
Thanks to Shannon Greenwood for this photo of a bunny at Spruce Court. Others have been spotted throughout the neighbourhood. (Photo: Shannon Greenwood)
COMING EVENTS
Winchester Fun Fest
Join the fun for all kinds of activities -yoga, a silent auction, a velcro wall, bouncy castles, book swaps, story times, face painting and more. Free admission - adults are asked to bring a non-perishable food item. It all happens from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday May 27 in the Winchester School yard (15 Prospect).
Spring celebration at the Farm
Riverdale Farm (Winchester east of Sumach) is hosting its annual Spring celebration. Saturday May 27. There’ll be sheep shearing demos in the Lower Francey barn at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm, goat demos in the goat paddock at 12:30 pm and carding, spinning and weaving demos from 10 am to 3 pm in the Meeting House. Admission is free.
Cultural bazaar
Presented by the Toronto Centre for Learning & Development to celebrate Doors Open in the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E). There’ll be music, raffles, food, crafts and more. Saturday, May 27 from 10 am to 3 pm.
Danny Marks
Saturday May 27. He’s at The Duke Live (1225 Queen E) from 9 pm to midnight, $15 - he says it’s “an evening of little bit rock and little bit country with a hint of blues.”
Live jazz in the Distillery
There’ll be live music throughout the weekend - all in Trinity Street Square. On Friday May 26 from 4:30 to 7:30 pm, it’s Occipinti’s Grooveyard. From 1 to 4:00 pm on Saturday, Christopher Plock band and from 4:30 to 7:30 pm, Queen Pepper. On Sunday from 1 to 4:00 pm, it’s Laura Hubert Band and from 4:30 to 7:30 pm, Spitfire Kings.
Doogie and Dun
Fans of refined music will be heartened to know that Doogie & Dun are opening shows with Over the Moon band - Craig Bignell and Suzanne Levesque with steel guitar wizard, Burke Carroll and the best guitar picker in Canada, Paul Chapman. They’re on stage at the Moonshine Cafe in Oakville (May 27), the Redwood Theatre in Toronto (May 28) and the Gibson Centre in Alliston (May 31). Their music is Cowbilly. It ranges from old time Appalachian to Cowboy blues to Western Swing. Details available online.
Cabbagetown Preservation Association annual meeting
The guest speaker is Liz Muir who’ll tell stories from her book, The Unrecognized Contribution: Women & Their Work in 19th Century Toronto. This is the final meeting for Gale Moore as the CPA Chair, a role she has filled for the past five years. Thanks to her for contributing so much to the Cabbagetown community. The business portion of the meeting will cover the CPA’s activities and reports from its officers. Tuesday May 30 from 7 to 9 pm Meeting House in Riverdale Farm (Winchester east of Sumach). Check out the CPA’s Spring Newsletter online.
Annual meeting and special lecture
The Enoch Turner Schoolhouse (106 Trinity) presents Craig Herron speaking about Toronto workers in the 1850s. It was a decade of major change in Toronto with new immigrants, new jobs, new cultures. The Annual Meeting starts at 6 pm, the lecture at 7 pm on Tuesday May 30.
IN THE MEDIA
Maple House at Canary Landing
The Globe & Mail’s Alex Bozikovic has written about these three buildings being built near the Distillery on Mill Street in an area called Maple House at Canary Landing. Two were designed by COBE, a Danish architecture firm, and the third by architectsAlliance, a Toronto firm. He has strong praise for the two Danish buildings and equally strong criticism of the Toronto design. (Photo: Fred Lum, Globe & Mail)
The Distillery’s twentieth anniversary
Lane Harrison posted a story at CBC News about the Distillery’s history and its growth over the past twenty years into one of Toronto’s premier tourist and retail locations.
KIDS NEWS
Children’s Book Bank birthday
Congrats to the Children’s Book Bank - 15 years old in May. To celebrate, there’ll be visits from authors, artists and storytellers and literacy-themed giveaways for children of all ages. On May 27 and 28, there’ll be a huge sale for grown-ups at the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E). All proceeds from the book sale will support the Book Bank’s children’s literacy programming. Check the website for specific dates and times.
FOR YOUR BODY
Distillery yoga in Trinity Square
Every Sunday from 9 to 10 am in Trinity Square. Hosted by Pure Yoga Toronto.
Parliament Street Fitness
PSF (488 Parliament) offers both personal fitness opportunities and weekly organized classes. Their class schedules will be shown here every week, fresh from their blackboard in the gym. Updates will be posted every Monday. Click on the picture for a bigger image.
At the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster)
Step classes - Brenda Brown McNee’s popular step class at 9:15 am Wednesdays. Drop-ins are welcome. Children are also welcome. $5 or PWYC. For more info, email Brenda. Stretch & strength - Gina Dineen’s weekly Essentrics class, Mondays at 9:30 am. Drop-in style, $5/class.
IN OUR STORES
The Great Mallard
Market season is here and The Great Mallard has a booth every Tuesday from 3 to 7 pm in beautiful Riverdale Park West. This week, Wayne Singer from Singer’s Cesars was Mallard’s guest vendor. He shared his story to market goers about growing up in Cabbagetown. 503 Parliament.
Kendall welcomes Cabbagetown
This little number is beyond romantic. It’s richly embroidered on a luxurious cotton satin with an Art Deco flair, checkerboard detailing and punchy but complimentary colour combinations. Inspired by 1930s interiors and by glamorous parties. At Kendall & Co (514 Parliament)
RESTAURANT NEWS
Ice cream is back again
The ice cream window is open again at 565 Dundas. This year, Cafe Zuzu is offering up the goodies.
Patios and buskers in the Distillery
Over 150 patio seats are arranged along Trinity Street in the Distillery. And buskers are appearing throughout the district on Fridays from 4 to 8 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 8 pm.
Cyril’s soup
Cyril has vacation plans - he’s left for France and will return for deliveries in mid-June.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY MAY 25 TO SUNDAY JUNE 4
- For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY MAY 25
No events listed
FRIDAY MAY 26
Trinity Square, Distillery music
4:30 to 7:30 pm, Occipinti’s Grooveyard.
Distlllery buskers
Summer Busker series, 4 to 8 pm.
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY MAY 27
Trinity Square, Distillery music
1 to 4:00 pm, Christopher Plock band
4:30 to 7:45 pm, Queen Pepper
Distlllery buskers
Summer Busker series, noon to 8 pm.
The Vibrational Apothecary (formerly Bolokelen Malinke Percussion)
Noon, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
2 pm, beginner drumming classes with Anna Melnikoff
SUNDAY MAY 28
Trinity Square, Distillery music
1 to 4:00 pm, Laura Hubert Band
4:30 to 7:30 pm, Spitfire Kings.
Distlllery buskers
Summer Busker series, noon to 8 pm.
Super Bargain
9 pm, Industry night with DJ Shamz
MONDAY MAY 29
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY MAY 30
Aviary
8 pm, Bird Brain trivia
Golden Pigeon
7 pm, jazz and $2 oysters
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY MAY 31
The Vibrational Apothecary (formerly Bolokelen Malinke Percussion)
7:30 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, euchre night
The Golden Pigeon
Bar trivia with Rachelle Lauzon
THURSDAY JUNE 1
No events listed
FRIDAY JUNE 2
Distillery music
1 to 4 pm, live music
Distlllery buskers
Summer Busker series, 4 to 8 pm.
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY JUNE 3
Distillery music
1 to 8 pm, live music
Distlllery buskers
Summer Busker series, noon to 8 pm.
The Vibrational Apothecary (formerly Bolokelen Malinke Percussion)
Noon, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
2 pm, beginner drumming classes with Anna Melnikoff
SUNDAY JUNE 4
Distillery music
1 to 8 pm, live music
Distlllery buskers
Summer Busker series, noon to 8 pm.
Super Bargain
3 pm, Sunday Funday
CONTACT INFO
Alice’s Place - 554 Parliament
Aviary - 484 Front East
The Vibrational Apothecary (formerly Bolokelen Malinke Percussion) - 243 Gerrard E
Cranberries - 601 Parliament
Distillery - Mill Street and Parliament
Dominion - 500 Queen E - closed permanently
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
