May 9

 CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 

REVIEW

LOCAL NEWS

A new bridge on the waterfront

Waterfront Toronto unveiled plans for the new pedestrian bridge that will link Villiers Island to the mainland.  It’ll be called the Equinox Bridge.  It’ll link the new Villiers Island parks and residences to Quayside, a new 4.9 hectare area at the foot of Parliament Street.  Thousands of local residents will be able to access the city and Villiers Island across the bridge. The completion date is scheduled for 2026.  There’s more info here. (Image: Waterfront Toronto)

Forsythia Festival

The Festival on Sunday was a success - congrats and thanks to a hardworking group who put it all together. It was a tribute to perseverance. It was raining when organizers arrived to prepare Wellesley Park.  It was raining at 10 am just before the parade.  But it stopped raining. 

By 10:30 am, the parade was underway and the day’s events started up - a magician, face painting, dangling donuts, arts and crafts, a mechanical rodeo bull and a bouncy castle.  

Save the date

Hidden Gardens & Private Spaces is Cabbagetown’s Spring garden tour. This year, there are seven special places to explore. As a bonus, CBC commentator Paul Zammit will be here to talk about your gardens and answer your questions. Sunday, June 2, noon to 4 pm. Tickets are available online - $25 each or five for $100. (Photo: Joanna, Christina and Daniel at the garden tour’s booth at the Forsythia Festival)

Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market

The Market returns on Tuesday May 14 in Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester).  From 3 to 7 pm, rain or shine.  Among the favourites are Alma Bakery, Fifth Town Artisanal Cheese, Murrays Farm, Pacific Provider and Samsara Fields.  Newcomers include Heartee Foods and Gingerbug Brewing.  There’ll be lots more.  Stay informed - check out the Farmers’ Market Facebook page.

Cleaning All Saints Church

Rick Matthews is organizing a fundraiser to pay for repairs at All Saints Church (Sherbourne and Dundas).  The church was badly tagged by graffiti sprays and the cost to clean and restore it is over $3000. Your gift will help cover the costs and make a tax-deductible donation -  just tap this link.  Please put "community clean up" in the "PRIVATE MESSAGE" field and the funds will go directly to the removal costs.

Tents in Allan Gardens

Casual observers feel that the number of tents in the park is rising again.  With the weather turning warmer, this shouldn’t be a surprise.  In other parks, city staff have moved quickly to remove the tents but in Allan Gardens, this doesn’t seem to happen.  The data from the City has been updated to April 26.  9 tents remain in the park. 8 people are living there. One refuses other housing. 2 have housing plans.  

Congrats Beth

Beth is the winner in the second $500 draw for the Cabbagetown BIA’s Shop2Win contest.  She used her receipt from Pet Valu (240 Carlton) - they also won $500.  There’s a new draw every week. We’ve got three more chances to win plus there’s the grand prize of $1500 at the end. Click here for the details.

Community Environment Days

The City of Toronto is sponsoring drop-off opportunities for electronics, reusable and recyclable waste and hazardous goods. The reusable items include sporting goods, books (excluding textbooks), cameras, CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays, dress-up clothing and costume jewelry, clothing, footwear, accessories, linens, musical instruments, board games, eye glasses, walking aids and hearing aids. Bring your own bags and containers if you want loose compost.  Allan Gardens (160 Gerrard E), Saturday May 18, 10 am to 2 pm. 

Tuning up for the Olympics

Sydney Payne and her team mates in the Women’s Eight boat are now in Corgeno Italy, training in preparation for World Cup 2 on May 24 and 25 in Lucerne Switzerland.  It’s their last race before the Paris Olympics.  They have a new boat and they’re pleased with its performance.  (Photo:  Rowing Canada) 

The Pad is open

The Pad (309 Cherry St) is open now for the season.  It’s Toronto’s home for Padel, the new racket sport that’s growing in popularity.  It’s a combination of squash and tennis played on a glass enclosed court.  The Pad offers memberships, clinics and special events. Click here to learn more. (Photo: Justin Robertson, Globe & Mail)

Masonry scam

Another door-to-door construction scam is happening in Cabbagetown. A man claiming to be a masonry specialist offers to repair cracks in the house for $400.  When the homeowner agrees, the guys destroy the bricks or porch and if possible, damage a neighbour’s house.  They then want a lot more money to fix everything.  Thanks to Patricia Brubaker for this tip.  The photos shows two men who've been charged with a roofing scam by Toronto Police Service and Patricia thinks they’re the same two guys doing the masonry scam.

Weird Sisters pop-up

The artists in Weird Sisters got together on Sunday May 5 and held a pop-up at 249 Gerrard E.  They brought along friends from the Brazilian group Teia.  Nifty art - good use of a vacant store space. 

MOTHER’S DAY EVENTS

Flowers by Blooming Flower Bar

Almost Mother’s Day and still no gift?  Act now and Anji at Blooming Flower Bar will ensure that everything’s perfect.  She’ll never guess that it was done at the last minute.  Delivery only. Click here to order.

Fair Trade Jewellery

Just in time for spring and Mother’s Day, select items from the Parliament Ocean collection are on sale. The discount is automatically applied at checkout until May 14th or until sold out. Items on sale include the Lumaca Studs, Cockle Studs, Cornet Charm, Fossil Charm, Pearl Charm in silver, Starfish Charm, Shell Charm, and the Coin Pendant. To May 14 at 576 Parliament

F’Amelia’s Mother’s Day brunch

F’Amelia (12 Amelia) is treating Mom to a special brunch and a mimosa on Sunday May 12 from 11 am to 2 pm.  It’s a three-course meal with a kale salad or steamed mussels, followed by risotto or frittata or pizza and finished with chocolate hazelnut mousse or tiramisu.  There’s a kids’ special for those under 12 - pizza or pasta and ice cream.  Reservations at (416)323-0666. 

Mother’s Day menus at DOVA

DOVA’s Tasting Menu or Vegetarian Menu each offer four courses for $125.  The Kid’s Menu also has four courses - $45.  Sunday May 12.  229 Carlton. 

Karaoke for Mom

The Golden Pigeon (424 Parliament) has karaoke - sing for your Mom, sing about your Mom or sing to forget your Mom.  Hosted by Bert Sugar and Cinnamon Roll.  Sunday May 12, 9:30 pm.

Cluny

Special brunch menu includes smoked salmon hash brown - crisp hash browns topped with horseradish creme fraiche, smoked salmon caviar and  smoked salmon topped with a poached egg. $24. Other special items will be listed on the menu.  Champagne and mimosas.  35 Tank House Lane, Distillery.

COMING EVENTS 

Advance info - Songs from The Journey

A new production celebrating the transformation of Regent Park into a vibrant, thriving community.  It highlights favourite music from The Journey that played in the Daniels Spectrum from 2013 to 2018.  The show with its powerful blend of narration, spoken word, music and dance shows the profound impact of community involvement in shaping the future of urban spaces. It features a dynamic cast of local performers alongside world-class stars - Trevlyn Kennedy and Stacy Darko will be sharing the stage with Canadian icons Jackie Richardson, Quisha Wint and Gavin Hope as well as Charlotte Siegel from the Canadian Opera Company. Produced by The Daniels Corporation in collaboration with The Royal Conservatory.  Koerner Hall (273 Bloor West), 8 pm, June 21. For more info and tickets, click here. 

Farewell party

Regina is closing her shop, Labour of Love (223 Carlton).  She’s doing it with a flair - a farewell party on Thursday May 16 from 6 to 9 pm.  There’ll be refreshments and tissues for all the laughter and tears.  She says, “What a joyous journey it has been being a part of this community, and your lives, over the last two decades. The shop was my stage where I got to play the role of curator, storyteller, friend, babysitter and amateur psychologist, uncovering insights to help you find the perfect gifts.”

A Concert of Hope & Reconciliation

The Church of St Peter & St Simon-the-Apostle (525 Bloor E) presents a Concert of Hope and Reflection in response to conflicts in our world.  Saturday May 11, 3:00 pm. Music for choir and orchestra centred on the themes of war and peace, including Haydn’s Mass in the Time of War. The choir of St Peter and St Simon-the-Apostle will perform with members of the Arcady Instrumental Ensemble, under the baton of Robin Davis, Music Director of the church. Tickets are $30, persons sixteen and under are free, available at the door (cash only please) or through Eventbrite.

Corktown Chamber Orchestra

For its last concert in the season, the orchestra is playing Shostakovich's magnificent 5th symphony, Beethoven's 5th piano concerto with the great Jeff Vidov, and Saint-Saëns intro and rondo capriccioso with one of CCO's very own, the talented Marija Ivicevic.  8 pm, May 15 at Little Trinity Church (425 King E).  Tickets are $25 or PWYC.  

Early bird notice

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 $85 to May 15 and $100 after that - and you’ll get a tax receipt covering 70% of your ticket price. Click here for more info.

IN THE MEDIA

Villiers Island

Waterfront Toronto has released the latest draft of its plans for the future Villiers Island community.  It’ll be sent to City Council in June for approvals.  Alex Bozikovic has written a tough critique of the plan in the Globe & Mail, calling it outdated and too cautious.  He argues for higher densities and less reliance on cars.  

SHOPPING NEWS

Forsythia Festival sponsors

St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) sold 350 burgers, 350 hot dogs and 40 portobello mushrooms at the barbecue. Erin from Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) managed the beer garden and sold her delicious Louis Cipher beers.

There were over a dozen more gold sponsors. Buds & Blossoms (2-517 Parliament), Cabbagetown Rovers FC, Castillo and Pardo Real Estate (785 Queen E),  Cycle Solutions (444 Parliament), Hepburn Landscaping, House on Parliament (456 Parliament), Parliament Street Fitness (480 Parliament), Posner Craig Stern LLP (603 Parliament), Revolt (244 Carlton), Salt & Tobacco 521 Parliament), TD Bank (493 Parliament), The Epicure Shop (473 Parliament), and Weenen General Contracting (211 Carlton).

Kendall & Co

This swivel chair is a recent re-upholstery project featuring exclusive fabric from Christopher Farr’s Fogo Island Collection.  Find out about the project - click here.

THEATRE NEWS

New productions in our theatres

Soulpepper’s The First Metis Man of Odesa starts on Friday May 8.  A Public Reading of an Unproduced Screenplay about the Death of Walt Disney continues to Sunday May 12. Canadian Stage has three events with the Musical Theatre Company.  Citadel & Compagnie is staging Living Dances, three pieces by James Kudalka from May 8 to 18.  Click here for links and more info.  

RESTAURANT NEWS 

Slowpoke food project

The Decoy (370 Queen E) is organizing a Slowpoke outdoor cooking event on Saturday May 11 from 5 to 9 pm. The menu includes skewers of chicken, brined pork tenderloin or bined pork shoulder, baba ghanoush, cacchiocavallo impiccato and fire roasted pineapple.  Prices are a la carte.

Distillery’s Bourbon Street North

From Friday May 4 to Sunday June 16, jazz bands will play in The Distillery’s Trinity Square - every Friday at 4:30 pmand on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 pm and at 4:30 pm.  From Monday May 20 to June 16, bands will appear daily at 1 pm. For the daily schedules, check out the list below in our Weekly Calendar.

WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS

THURSDAY MAY 9 TO SUNDAY MAY 19

For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.  

THURSDAY MAY 9

Old Flame Brewery

8 pm, open mic with Landon Doak

FRIDAY MAY 10

Distillery’s Bourbon Street North

4:30 pm - Christopher Plock Jazz Band

Alice’s Place

Karaoke night.

Bisou

4 to 8 pm, tapas night 

Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, live entertainment

Super Bargain

10 pm, DJ Shamz

SATURDAY MAY 11

Distillery Breakfast Tour

9:30 am - coffee, tea, breakfast sandwiches and guided tour, $49

Distillery’s Bourbon Street North

1 pm - Soul Jazz Express

4:30 pm - Loco Zydeco

Decoy Bar

5 pm - Slowpoke food project spring cookout

10 pm - Barker & Meadows live outlaw country music

Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, live entertainment

SUNDAY MAY 12

Distillery Breakfast Tour

9:30 am - coffee, tea, breakfast sandwiches and guided tour, $49

Distillery’s Bourbon Street North

1 pm - Jazz Gangsters

4:30 pm - Happy Pals Jazz Band

The Aviary

11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz brunch wth a live band

Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, live entertainment 

The Golden Pigeon

9:30 pm, Mother’s Day karaoke

MONDAY MAY 13

Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia 

Super Bargain

7 pm, Drag bingo

TUESDAY MAY 14

The Aviary

7 pm, Bird Brain Trivia

The Golden Pigeon

4 pm, $2 oysters

Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia

WEDNESDAY MAY 15

The Aviary

7 pm, Euchre Socials 

8 pm, Karaoke night

F’Amelia

Wine Wednesday bottles over $100 at half price

The Golden Pigeon

8 pm, Spring Trivia

Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, Trivia night

Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, euchre night

THURSDAY MAY 16

Old Flame Brewery

8 pm, open mic with Landon Doak

Decoy Bar

Industry Plant with DJ Fion and DJ Edan

FRIDAY MAY 17

Distillery’s Bourbon Street North

4:30 pm - Rider Raiders Brass Band

Alice’s Place

Karaoke night.

Bisou

4 to 8 pm, tapas night 

Decoy Bar

10 pm - DJ Double Denim

Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, live entertainment

Super Bargain

10 pm, DJ Shamz

The Aviary

Vinyl Night

SATURDAY MAY 18

Distillery Breakfast Tour

9:30 am - coffee, tea, breakfast sandwiches and guided tour, $49

Distillery’s Bourbon Street North

1 pm - Gene Hardy and Sparkjiver

4:30 pm - Jazz Wizards tribute to Jeff Healey

Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, live entertainment

SUNDAY MAY 19

Distillery Breakfast Tour

9:30 am - coffee, tea, breakfast sandwiches and guided tour, $49

Distillery’s Bourbon Street North

1 pm - Ragweed Jazz Band

4:30 pm - Dixie Demons Jazz Band

The Aviary

11:30 am and 1 pm, Jazz brunch wth 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