CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
LOCAL NEWS
Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces
Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces is Cabbagetown’s Spring garden tour. This year, there are ten special places to explore. As a bonus, CBC commentator Paul Zammit will be here to talk about your gardens and answer your questions. Master gardeners will be stationed along the way to answer your questions. Sunday, June 2, noon to 4 pm. Tickets are available online and at these local stores - The Epicure Shop (473 Parliament), Fairway Variety (520 Parliament), Jay’s Garden Centre (358 Gerrard), Kendall & Co (514 Parliament), St. James Town Steak and Chops (516 Parliament), and Sheridan Nurseries (2827 Yonge). $25 each or five for $100.
Dixonlicious
The 7th annual Dixonlicious is here - June 6, 6 to 9 pm at the Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E). It’s a fundraiser to support the food programs offered by Dixon Hall. You’ll have a great evening with wine, food from local restaurants and craft breweries and a silent and live auction. Tickets are $100 and you’ll get a tax receipt covering 70% of your ticket price. Click here for more info.
Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre
The Centre (439 Dundas E) was one of the stops on last week’s Doors Open event. It’s a fine community resource. The building is clean and bright. Lots of smaller rooms provide workshop areas, classrooms, a kitchen and offices. The food support programs include a breakfast for up to 90 people daily at 9:30 am and lunch for 125 people at 1 pm daily. The food bank is open every two weeks from 10 to 11:30 am. There are programs to help with housing, ID support, clinic referrals, detox and treatments, income supports, legal, educational and community services. The staff welcomed visitors and they were obviously very proud of the work that they do.
The gardens at the Esso Station
Local residents are hoping to clean up and cultivate the neglected garden areas at the back of the Esso Station (581 Parliament at Amelia). Chris Hallett and Margaret Cohan have lots of experience with successful community gardens. They take care of the two award-winning boulevards on Prospect Street beside Butter Chicken Factory (560 Parliament) and Luis H Tacos (556 Parliament). They’ve contacted the presidents of three companies - Tim Hortons, Esso and Couch Hard - to offer their help restoring this property.
Gardening volunteers needed
As mentioned above, the gardens behind the Esso station are badly in need of good care. Volunteers can help with clearing the debris, cleaning out weeds and dying plants and restoring new growth. Before this work can start, the property owners need to agree that this is a worthwhile idea. Chris and Margaret are collecting a list so they can start once they get a green light. If you want to help in any way, email them and they’ll put you on their list.
Scholarship
Tridel and Toronto Community Housing have a scholarship for Regent Park TCHC tenants ages 17 and older. Recipients will get up to $3,000 toward tuition fees and another $500 bursary for expenses like books, transportation and equipment. The application deadline is June 24. For all the details and the application form, click here.
Jason’s GoFundMe campaign
Jason Speek - a popular staff person at Pet Valu (240 Carlton) and at The Great Mallard (Parliament) - suffered a massive heart attack on May 8. Although he’s now at home and able to take short excursions outside, he still faces considerable hardship. His partner, Anthony Lund, launched a Go Fund Me to support him while he isn’t working. So far, over one hundred generous people have contributed more than $8,800.
2024 Toronto Community Champion Award
The award recognizes the hard work and significant contributions made by community organizations in the city. It’s sponsored by the City of Toronto and United Way. Winners from our Ward include the Children’s Book Bank, Community Music Schools of Toronto, Dixon Hall, Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre and the Centre for Independent Living. Congrats and thanks to everyone.
Success at the World Cup
The Canadian women’s eight rowing team won the gold medal at the World Cup races in Lucerne on Sunday May 26. This race is a tune-up before the Paris Olympics in July. Sydney Payne and the team won the gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics and they’re the leading threat to win gold again later this summer. (2023 file photo: Rowing Canada Aviron)
Cabbagetown pilates
Cabbagetown Pilates has been gathering for over five years to practise pilates. Meredith Clinton would love to see her community grow. This class is a Level One combination of traditional pilates exercises with physiotherapy exercises, self massage and meditation to provide a unique full body workout that also fosters the mind-body connection. Minimal equipment is required. All ages and experience levels welcome. Classes happen at 9:30 am every Friday on Zoom. $15/class. Send her an email if you’re interested in joining.
Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market
Fresh veggies and fruit have arrived at the Market. Last Tuesday, Shea and Natalie at Green and Bloom from Amaranth, Ontario brought along lots of organic produce - spinach, rapini, arugula, radishes, turnips, rhubarb, salad mix and six different types of mushrooms. Like all modern farmers, they have a website and an Instagram page. Check out the Farmers’ Market Facebook page to see who the vendors will be next week.
Corktown’s Underpass Farmers’ Market
The market (29 Lower River) opens very Thursday from 4 to 7:30 pm. There’s an impressive list of vendors offering their stuff - for this week’s updates, click here.
More traffic headaches
The City of Toronto will be repairing and resurfacing the Bloor/Bayview ramp off the Don Valley Parkway between June and next April. The City’s website says, “Replacement of old asphalt surface with new asphalt surface, including repairs of any damaged sidewalks and curbs. Work may include the closure of individual lanes or the entire road.”
COMING EVENTS
Community clean-up
Cabbagetown South Residents Association is organizing a clean-up day on Saturday June 1 from 10 am to 1 pm. Residents will attack four lanes and parts of Sherbourne and Dundas. Equipment and supplies will be provided. There’ll be a team on hand from Street Health to handle needles and other paraphernalia. Kick-off happens at Central Neighbourhood House (349 Ontario).
Children’s Book Bank
Start your Pride Month celebrations with Gila Munster at the Children’s Book Bank (585 Dundas E). Saturday, June 1, 1:30 pm.
Kite night at Sprucecourt
Thanks to a generous donation from Castillo+Pardo at RE/MAX Hallmark Realty, the School Council at Sprucecourt purchased make-your-own-kite kits for every student. They’re holding a big kite night on Thursday June 6 from 4 to 6 pm in Riverdale Park West (425 Carlton).
IN THE MEDIA
The Dan Harrison complex
Toronto Community Housing operates the Dan Harrison complex on Sherbourne just north of Dundas Street. For years, it’s been the controversial centre of accusations about drug dealing, assaults, and other crimes as well as complaints about poor maintenance and badly needed repairs. Victoria Gibson and Calvi Leon have written a two part insightful report on the state of this building and TCHC’s responses. For Part One, click here. For Part Two, click here. (Photo: Richard Lautens/Toronto Star)
THEATRE NEWS
Our local theatres have earned multiple nominations in the 2024 Dora Awards. Nominations in the outstanding production category include Canadian Stage’s The Inheritance Part 1 and Soulpepper’s Sizwe Banzi is Dead and Three Sisters. In the outstanding new production category, Native Earth and Frances Koncan are nominated for Women of the Fur Trade and Soulpepper got two nominations for Casey & Diana and for King Gilgamesh & the Man of the Wild. Each theatre company also received multiple nominations in the other categories.
Alumnae Theatre and Soulpepper have new productions on stage and coming soon.
For more news about our theatres, click here.
SHOPPING NEWS
Marilyn’s nail clinic
Marilyn from Diggity Dog Grooming (239 Gerrard E) is back for her monthly nail trimming clinic at Pet Valu (240 Carlton). 9 am to 4 pm, Saturday June 1. $15. She’s very busy, so please call her for your appointment - (416) 920-6814.
Shop2Win
Congrats to Catherine Latulippe. She’s the latest winner in the Shop2Win lottery. She takes home $500 and The House on Parliament (454 Parliament) also wins $500. The final week has arrived - the last winner will be announced soon. If you entered any of the weekly draws, you’ll still be eligible for the $1,500 Grand Prize. Click here for more info.
Kendall & Co
Kendall & Co (514 Parliament) will be selling tickets for the Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces tour. It happens on Sunday. The store will be open from 1 to 5 pm for the event.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Wine tasting at Fusilli
There’ll be four wines to taste along with Fusilli’s homemade hors d’oeuvres. The seating will be limited. Please call for a reservation at (416) 214-5148. Tuesday June 4, 7 pm, $70. 531 Queen.
Hangout Street
Seven restaurants serving tasty street food have now opened in shipping containers at 181 Parliament, just north of Queen. You’ll find Jordanian food, Mexican tamales and churros, all-day breakfasts and more. Big barrels are set up as tables. Open 24/7 but hours for each place will vary.
Distillery’s Bourbon Street North
Jazz bands will play in The Distillery’s Trinity Square - every Friday at 4:30 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 pm and at 4:30 pm. From Monday to Thursday, bands will also appear daily at 1 pm. For the daily schedules, check out the list below in our Weekly Calendar.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY MAY 30 TO SUNDAY JUNE 9
For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY MAY 30
Distillery’s Bourbon Street North
1 pm, Noah Abrahamse & The Mumbo Jumbo Combo
Old Flame Brewery
8 pm, open mic with Landon Doak
FRIDAY MAY 31
Distillery’s Bourbon Street North
4:30 pm - Chicken ’n Waffles Band
Alice’s Place
Karaoke night.
Bisou
4 to 8 pm, tapas night
Mill Street
8 pm, Friday nights with Humble Mike
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, live entertainment
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
The Aviary
Vinyl Night
SATURDAY JUNE 1
Distillery’s Bourbon Street North
1 pm - Laura Hubert Band
4:30 pm - Ben Harvey & the Ornamentals
Decoy Bar
10 pm - This must be the place with DJ Moe Funk & DJ Scootz
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment
SUNDAY JUNE 2
Distillery’s Bourbon Street North
1 pm - Chloe Watkinson & the Jordan Klapman Band
4:30 pm - Alex Pangman & the Alleycats Jazz Band
The Aviary
11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz brunch with a live band
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment
MONDAY JUNE 3
Distillery’s Bourbon Street North
1 pm, Marigold
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY JUNE 4
Fusilli
7 pm, wine tasting with hors d’oeuvres
Distillery’s Bourbon Street North
1 pm, Japs Cunanan Quartet
The Aviary
7 pm, Bird Brain Trivia
The Golden Pigeon
4 pm, $2 oysters
7 pm, Live music on the patio
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY JUNE 5
Distillery’s Bourbon Street North
1 pm, MmM Trio with Ali Rashid
The Aviary
7 pm, Euchre Socials
8 pm, Karaoke night
F’Amelia
Wine Wednesday bottles over $100 at half price
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, Trivia night
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, euchre night
THURSDAY JUNE 6
Distillery’s Bourbon Street North
1 pm, Berridge Combo
Old Flame Brewery
8 pm, open mic with Landon Doak
FRIDAY JUNE 7
Distillery’s Bourbon Street North
4:30 pm - Trash Panda Band
Alice’s Place
Karaoke night.
Bisou
4 to 8 pm, tapas night
Decoy
10 pm, DJ Charlie Costello
Mill Street
8 pm, Friday nights with Humble Mike
Old Flame Brewery
7 pm, live entertainment
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
The Aviary
Vinyl nights
SATURDAY JUNE 8
Distillery’s Bourbon Street North
1 pm - Kenny Kirkwood Band
5 pm - Serafin Sun
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment
SUNDAY JUNE 9
Distillery’s Bourbon Street North
1 pm - Ori Dagan & New Orleans Jazz
4:30 pm - Sing Out Choir
The Aviary
11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz brunch with a live band
Old Flame Brewery
2 pm, live entertainment
CONTACT INFO
Alice’s Place - 554 Parliament
Aviary - 484 Front East
Bisou - 350 Berkeley (at Gerrard)
The Vibrational Apothecary - 243 Gerrard E
Cranberries - 601 Parliament
Decoy Bar - 370 Queen E
Distillery - Mill Street and Parliament
El Catrin - 18 Tank House Lane, Distillery
Golden Pigeon - 424 Parliament
House on Parliament - 454 Parliament
Johnny G’s - 478 Parliament
Keating Channel - 2 Villiers St
La Gloria Mexican Coffee - 453 Parliament
Mill Street Brew Pub - 21 Tank House Lane, Distillery
NJ Lounge - 507 Parliament
Old Flame Brewery- 45 Tank House Lane, Distillery
Playground - 492 Parliament
Stout Irish Pub - 221 Carlton
Super Bargain - 441 Parliament
Wing House - 420 Parliament
