August 29

CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 

REVIEW

CABBAGETOWN FESTIVAL NEWS

Sidewalk sales

Go down to your basement and grab the stuff that you never use.  If it’s a beautiful but neglected treasure - all the better.  Get a table and display your goodies on Saturday and Sunday.  The early morning is often the best time.  Even better - do this with a few neighbours and make it a fun day.

Cabbagetown Short Film Festival

The Short Film Festival launches the weekend events on Wednesday September 4.  There are films from Canada, Norway, Netherlands, Palestine, Spain, Turkey, Ireland and Switzerland. The in-person viewing happens on Wednesday at the Winchester Street Theatre (80 Winchester) and it’s usually a sold-out event.  Doors open at 6:30 pm and shows start at 7:30 pm. Tickets are now on sale - $20.  If you prefer to watch it online, the virtual event happens from September 5 to September 7, $15.

Cabbagetown Art & Crafts Show

165 exhibitors in a dozen categories are showing their works at this year’s show. Check out the website for their details. And be sure to find out about the food vendors - make your trip to the Park a picnic.  Duncan Hopkins Jazz Trio is playing there as well. It all starts next Friday September 6 at 1 pm and continues through Saturday and Sunday in Riverdale Park (Carlton and Sumach) 

Cabbagetown Festival

The big street festival on Saturday September 7 from 11 am to 8 pm and Sunday September 8 from 11 am to 7 pm. There’ll be exotic and delicious food, live entertainment, DJs, a big kids’ zone, 250 vendors and artisans.  Details are available online. (Photo: Cabbagetown BIA)

Blair’s Run

Sunday September 8 from the corner of Carlton and Parliament.  The 2K run is great fun - take along your neighbours, your kids, your dog and even your spouse.  Teams are forming so sign up now.  It’s a fundraiser for the BGC Toronto Kiwanis (101 Spruce) - including the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster).  Volunteer teams will cover their streets getting donations - last year, over $53,000 was raised.  There’s an online registration page.

St James Town Festival

Vendors and volunteers are invited to join the Festival.  It takes place on Saturday September 7 from 1 to 7 pm in the green space north of Wellesley and Ontario.  If you’re interested, send an email to the organizers. festival@stjamestown.org 

Riverdale Farm

The Fall Festival takes place at the same time as the Art & Crafts Show - 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday September 7 and 9 am to 3 pm on Sunday.  There’ll be farm demonstrations with goats and sheep, corn roasts and a pancake breakfast. There’ll be games for kids, face painting and hog and chicken calling.  Line dancing and corn shucking. Riverdale Farm, Winchester & Sumach.

LOCAL NEWS

Traffic delays

Construction will start after the Labour Day weekend on the ramp off the Don Valley Parkway onto Bloor and Bayview.  The ramp’s bridge over Bayview will be repaired and the road will be resurfaced.  The DVP exit and Bayview Avenue will be reduced to one lane in each direction while this is happening.  The target for completion is May 2025.  

Soup deliveries

Cyril has created an imaginative answer to the traffic jams that happen here on Festival weekend.  His early September deliveries will be split in two.  For people who live outside Cabbagetown, his soup - Smoked Tea & Tomato - will be delivered on Saturday September 7.  For those who live between Gerrard and Wellesley, River and Sherbourne, deliveries will arrive on Saturday September 14.  Check the sidebar for the menu details.

Update about the Esso gardens - the Amelia Gardens

The photo shows the next part of the garden to be cleaned and planted.  This narrow frontage along Parliament Street is being filled with fresh soil. There’s a new name for this location - the Amelia Gardens (Parliament and Amelia). The gardeners are now very close to the finish line for the first stage. The area behind the fence has been cleared. It’s been an incredible amount of tough work - congrats for this effort. 

(Photo:  Margaret on the left gets advice from Janet). Several people have helped out in the past week.  Michael Hepburn delivered a load of fresh soil for the front gardens.  Thanks to Catherine, a gift from her garden at home will be used to plant this area.   Janet Porter, a landscape architect, has offered very practical advice about the next steps. Now it’s your turn - it’s time now to start thinking. If you have a suggestion about the possible uses for the gardens,  send an email to Chris. margaretandchris@communitymatterstoronto.org 

A good idea

Carolyn has approached the City of Toronto recommending that garbage and recycling bins be placed at the bottom of the stairs between Wellesley Park and Rosedale Valley Road.  A large number of cyclists, pedestrians, dog walkers and homeless people use this area.  She also recommends more of them along Bayview and Rosedale Valley.  She’s called 311 with this idea and she’s not sure that it’s being taken seriously.  If you want to add your voice, call 311 with case #05522803.

Hockey at Moss Park

The Moss Park House League (140 Sherbourne) is free for kids ages 4 to 16.  It’s the perfect place for kids to play and fall in love with Canada’s game.  There are four leagues, based on the player’s age and experience.  Timbits for kids ages 4 to 6, the morning league for 7 to 9, the afternoon league for 10 to 13 and the teen league for 14 to 16.  In person registration takes place on Saturday September 7 with equipment changes and distribution. Go to the website for more info and registration links.

  

Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre

The CCAC (422 Parliament) is accepting registrations for its Fall semester.  Kids can enrol in classes covering lots of musical instruments along with storytelling and yoga.  Live instruction and online classes.  For more info, check out the CCAC website.

Raffle for Green Thumbs Growing Kids

The Cabbagetown Farmers Market is holding a raffle to support Green Thumbs Growing Kids.  It’s a celebration of GTGK’s twenty fifth anniversary as a garden activity for school kids.  Tickets are $5 or five for $20.  The first prize is a $300 shopping voucher from the Market.  There will be two second prizes of $200 and three $100 third prizes.  The raffle is running until September 24 - tickets are available at the Market’s official tent (Riverdale Park West, Sumach at Winchester).  

Free tree giveaway

The Corktown Residents & Business Association has organized a tree planting campaign.  Order your tree by September 12 and pick it up in the Sackville Playground (420 King E) from 10 am to noon on September 28.  You can select up to four trees or shrubs.  You’ll receive a portable seedling that you can carry in a bag or container. Go to the website to see your choices and to make your request. 

Fair Share Market

Dixon Hall’s Fair Share Market is an affordable farmers’ market with seasonal local produce as well as imported staples.  Pay the $5 minimum or the $20 market rate. There’ll also be entertainment, hot food and refreshments.  The next one happens on Thursday August 29 and then on Thursday September 12, both from 3 pm. Outdoors at 190 Carlton and indoors at 188 Carlton.   

Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market

It’s the peak season at the Market for the best local produce.  All the vendors have an incredible selection of fresh fruit and produce. 

Check out the Market’s Facebook page to see the weekly updates and news. Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester) (Photo:  Cabbagetown Farmers Market)

Corktown’s Underpass Farmers’ Market

The market (29 Lower River) opens very Thursday from 4 to 7:30 pm.  This week, an impressive list of over forty vendors were offering their stuff. For this week’s updates, click here.

Mainstreet Mosaic

The Cabbagetown BIA’s free walking tour - available on its app -  has been extended to the end of the year.  It’s been hailed as a nifty way to learn about our main street and its history. 

IN THE MEDIA

Moss Park safe injection site

This site (134 Sherbourne) isn’t affected directly by the Ford government’s rule closing other sites.  It is, however, being forced to move because a condo has been approved for this location.  The site can’t apply for a new home because the Ontario government won’t approve new applications.  David Rider has written about its loss in the Toronto Star. (Photo:  Richard Lautens)

COMING EVENTS 

Duncan and Whiskey Jack

On Saturday September 28 at 7 pm, Duncan Fremlin and his friends are back in Toronto at The Free Times Cafe (320 College). Over the summer, they’ve been playing in parks from Pancake Bay on Lake Superior to Point Pelee on Lake Erie.  

Says Duncan, "Playing for families who are on vacation and sleeping in the outdoors is as heavenly as it gets for us and yes, we will do it again in 2025". 

Rastafest Regent Park

It’s a celebration of Rastafari and Reggae culture. There’ll be live music by Jay Douglas, Nan McLean, Otis Gale, Shanty Sweets and Gavin Williamson. DJs Chocolate and Black Heart Iniversal will provide the music. Saturday September 7. From 1 to 5 pm, there’ll be family-friendly activities for kids and youth along with food and crab vendors. Concerts will then start at 6 pm and go to 9 pm. Thanks to The Daniels Corporation for their sponsorship. Big Park (620 Dundas E).

Muddy Mondays

Drop in to Allan Gardens every Monday morning in August for a family event for your kids ages 3 to 8.  Learning stations will highlight agriculture and nature.  10:30 am to 12:30 pm in the Children’s Conservatory & Edible Garden (19 Horticultural Ave).  PWYC - suggested donation $5 per child. 

Picks & Bricks Country Festival

It’s the last weekend for the Distillery’s big country festival.  There’s live music every day. Events will continue to Monday September 2. It’s all free.  For more info, click here.

Taste of Regent Park

The weekly market in the Big Park (Dundas & Sumach). Every Wednesday evening, 5 to 8 pm until September 4.  Enjoy local vendors, healthy foods, entertainment and cultural food vendors

Cultural bazaar

Every Friday from 3 to 8 pm until September 6, there’ll be a cultural shopping experience on Regent Park Boulevard.  Local crafts, henna, jewellery, clothes and food.

SHOPPING NEWS

Beading workshop

Timeless Collective (574 Parliament) is hosting Lala with a beading workshop.  Saturday August 31 from 10 am to noon. It’s great for kids ages 5 to 12.  Send an email to Lala to register.  lala@timelesscollectivetoronto.com 

Kendall & Co

Elevate your interior space with Kendall & Co’s new whimsical and playful accent pillows - rich in texture and vibrant colours. Click on the photo to see more. 514 Parliament.

RESTAURANT NEWS 

Mikaku Udon Bar

This popular Japanese restaurant is opening its second location at 229 Carlton on Tuesday September 10.  On Instagram, the dishes that they feature look imaginative and are reasonably priced.

Mocktail class

ZERO Cocktail Bar (223 Carlton) is holding a kids’ class.  Chef Aye will teach them how to mix up two non-alcoholic cocktails while having fun in the kitchen.  3pm, Saturday August 31.  Spots are limited - reserve yours online.  $25

Decoy’s Soulful Sunday

Seven DJs, a Soulfood pop-up by Milwaukee’s finest Sydney’s Serving, and a charity event to raise money for food for the homeless.  2 pm to 2 am, Sunday September 1.  370 Queen E

WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS

THURSDAY AUGUST 29 TO SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8

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

THURSDAY AUGUST 29

Distillery Picks & Bricks - final weekend

3 pm, Live music

Noon to 8 pm, Mechanical bull riding

7 pm, Roping cattle contest

Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, City Love open mic and Tito’s bbq

FRIDAY AUGUST 30

Distillery Picks & Bricks - final weekend

3 pm, Live music

7 pm, Line dancing lessons

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, Sarah Fazakerley

Super Bargain

10 pm, DJ Shamz

The Aviary

Vinyl night

SATURDAY AUGUST 31

Distillery Picks & Bricks - final weekend

1 pm, Live music with Big Tobacco & The Pickers

5 pm, Live music with Colonel Tom Parker & The American Pour

Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, live entertainment with Mark Villamor

Wing House

5 to 7:30 pm, Michael Caplan’s Porch Songs

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 1

Distillery Picks & Bricks - final weekend

1 pm, Live music with Stardust Duo

4 pm, Live music with The Odd Country

Decoy

2 pm, Soulful Sunday - multi-genre vinyl with 7 DJs in the lineup

Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, live entertainment with Mekeli Villamor

The Aviary

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

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 2

Distillery Picks & Bricks - final weekend

1 pm, Live music with the Stardust Duo

Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia 

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 3

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 SEPTEMBER 4

F’Amelia

Wine Wednesday bottles over $100 at half price

Golden Pigeon

8 pm, Summer trivia with Rachelle Lauzon

Old Flame Brewery

6:30 pm, Trivia night with District Pizza

Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, euchre night

The Aviary

8 pm, karaoke and wing Wednesday

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5

Old Flame Brewery

7 pm, open mic with City Love and Tito’s BBQ

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6

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 with Jay Blues Trio

Super Bargain

10 pm, DJ Shamz

The Aviary

8 pm, vinyl night

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7

Wing House

5 to 7:30 pm, Michael Caplan’s Porch Songs

Old Flame Brewery

2 pm,  Sarah Fazackerley

6 pm, Hogtown Flea Market

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8

Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, Genevieve Cyr

The Aviary

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

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