September 5

 CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 

REVIEW




A PERSONAL VIEW


Congrats to the Festival organizers.  New ideas are happening everywhere.  The Art & Crafts show, while keeping the high standards from its past experiences, is now also much friendlier and easier for artists to manage.  The Short Film Festival has continued its successful expansion online.  The Cabbagetown Festival on Parliament is bigger and livelier than ever and much more successful financially.  And Blair’s Run is back with resounding success after the COVID shocks.  Thanks everybody - you’ve created a memorable weekend.


A FEW RANDOM HIGHLIGHTS TO TEMPT YOU


Jazz comes home

Jazz Shukla performed proudly at the Paris Olympics in her 800 metre race.  She’s back with us in this year's Blair’s Run.  In 2017 as the photo shows, she became the first woman ever to win Blair’s Run and she still calls it her favourite race of the year.  Welcome, Jazz.


Sidewalk sales

Christina Jackson and Frank Prendergast are having a giant sale at 89 Winchester.  They’ve collected lots of stuff from other neighbours and they’re planning a splashy event - music, free freezies for the kids and more.  It’s their way to support Dixon Hall. There’s even a draw - tag them with your best garage sale finds and you’ll be eligible to win a $100 coupon at St Jamestown Steak & Chops.  7 am to 1 pm, Saturday September 7.


Bling fundraiser

Maggie De Bruyne has organized a jewellery fundraiser on behalf of the Children’s Book Bank and the Cabbagetown Youth Centre.  9 am to 3 pm, Saturday September 7, 286 Carlton. The rain day is Sunday September 8.  Maggie has collected used jewellery and fashion accessories - from elaborate Victorian to cool modern - and refurbished it.  Her friends have made generous donations.  All of this lovely bling will be on sale. Last Year’s event earned over $3000.  


Cabbagetown Art & Crafts Show

Cabbagetown artist Ruth Wagner is one of the 165 exhibitors showing their works at this year’s show. You can find her at Booth 70.  If you want to search for other friends or artists, go to the website and click on Artists Directory.  Make your trip to the park into picnic - visit the food vendors and enjoy the sounds from the Duncan Hopkins Jazz Trio.  It all starts next Friday September 6 at 1 pm and continues through Saturday and Sunday in Riverdale Park (Carlton and Sumach)  


Popular Cabbagetown Festival highlights

Go Freddy Go is back at the House on Parliament (454 Parliament) on Saturday afternoon. The cutting of the cabbage is the official start to the Festival.  A lovely big cabbage is sliced up by visiting dignitaries - 11 am on Saturday, Carlton and Parliament. There are demonstration matches at the Cabbagetown Boxing Club (2 Lancaster) on Saturday from 1 to 3 pm. There’ll be seven entertainment stages including a new Indigenous Celebration stage and a live DJ at Ontario Street.  The Cabbage Patch Kids Zone is returning with bouncy castles, kids’ stage and face painting.  Details are available online. (Photo: Cabbagetown BIA) 


Meet an artist

Michael Cavanaugh will be hanging out on Carlton Street near Daniel et Daniel (248 Carlton) on Saturday afternoon.  Chat with him and find out about his art show that’s scheduled for mid-November at the D & D showroom.


Festival treats

18 patios where you can watch the passing parade and enjoy great food. F’Amelia (12 Amelia) will set up a tent in front of its patio with wine and sangria specials along with oysters. Bisou (350 Berkeley) launches its @pintxo.to Pop-up on Friday from 5 to 9 pm with Michael Wiiliams, MuchMusic VJ. On Saturday, there’ll be a pizza party from 1 to 9 pm with special guests Cindy from Butter Cup Studio, Courtney from Genuwine Imports and DJs International Habib and BikeThug. St Jamestown Steak & Chops (516 Parliament) is serving its grilled hot dogs, burgers and pea meal bacon sandwiches on Saturday and Sunday. The tent will be set up outside the store from 9 am to closing.


Festival shops

250 vendors will line the streets with local and artisanal goodies.  Kendall (514 Parliament) is having a giant clear-out sale.  They’ve reached into every corner of their warehouse, basement and store and found amazing treasures. Stop by for some really good deals on furniture, gifts, home décor, and more. Cycle Solutions (444 Parliament) is hosting PWA cyclists who will perform outside the store. Double Take Thrift Store (310 Gerrard E) has a booth on Parliament Street with unique finds and up-cycled products.


Good news about Blair’s Run

By Thursday afternoon, 231 people have registered for the Run and pledges have reached $33,500. The teams are doing a great job - Wellesley Street has collected almost $8,500. Young people are doing the job - Maia Sraga got over $1,000 and she lives out-of-town! The Run happens rain or shine on Sunday September 8 at 8 am for race start at 9 am from the corner of Carlton and Parliament. It’s great fun - take along your neighbours, your kids, your dog and even your spouse. It’s a fundraiser for the BGC Toronto Kiwanis (101 Spruce) - including the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster). There’s an online registration page.


Riverdale Farm

Grab some corn on the cob and stroll through the Farm (Winchester & Sumach).  The Fall Festival takes place from 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday September 7 and 9 am to 3 pm on Sunday.  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.


St James Town Festival

Saturday September 7, 1 to 7 pm, Ontario Street north of Wellesley.  The Festival highlights include live entertainment, lots of cultural food, local vendors and family-friendly activities.  


LOCAL NEWS


Stevie Cameron

Ms Cameron died this week at the age of 80.  She had a remarkable life, full of great writing and community service.  She was awarded the Order of Canada in 2012 in recognition of her achievements.   She was an experienced journalist, starting at the Toronto Star in 2017, and the author of five books on politics and crime. In the community, she was an active supporter of the Out of the Cold program for homeless people and Second Harvest.  The Globe & Mail has an obituary about her online. (Photo: Patrick Doyle)


Update about the Esso gardens - the Amelia Gardens

Check out the gardens at Parliament and Amelia during the Festival.  Your ideas will be welcome.  The narrow strips along Parliament Street have been planted.  The rear area behind the fence has been cleared and is now ready for final ideas and planting.


Register on Saturday for 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.


The 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. The next one happens on Thursday September 12 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)


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.


IN THE MEDIA


Moss Park subway station

Construction has started on the Moss Park station (Queen and Sherbourne) on the new Ontario Line subway.  It’s one of two stations in Corktown.  Metrolinx says that it will serve 7,300 people in its busiest hours every day.  It’s intended to relieve congestion on the 501 Queen streetcar and the 75 Sherbourne bus.  23,600 local residents will live within a ten minute walk of the station. The CBC has a report on this stage of the project’s construction. (Image: Metrolinx)


COMING EVENTS 


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.  It’s all happening in The Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E).  

Plant sale

Drop in to Allan Gardens on Saturday September 7 for a sale featuring volunteer propagated plants and a demonstration on vermicomposting.  11 am to 3 pm in the Children’s Conservatory & Teaching Garden (19 Horticultural Ave).


THEATRE NEWS


Alumnae Theatre

Alumnae (70 Berkeley) is staging Fierce by George F Walker from Friday September 6 to Saturday September 21.  

From September 25 to October 6, Alumnae presents Low Pay, Don't Pay.  Click here to see news and links from Alumnae and other theatres.


RESTAURANT NEWS 


New hours at Fusilli

Throughout September, Fusilli (531 Queen E) will close on Monday and Tuesday.  Open for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday and open for lunch on Friday.


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.


WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS


THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5 TO SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15

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


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, @pinto.to with DJ Michael Williams


Decoy

10 pm, DJ Charlie Costello


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


CABBAGETOWN FESTIVAL


Bisou

1 to 9 pm, pizza party with crafts demo, wine pouring and DJs.


House on Parliament

Saturday afternoon - Go Freddy Go


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


CABBAGETOWN FESTIVAL


Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, Genevieve Cyr


Super Bargain

3 pm, Paint nite -  A beautiful mind


The Aviary

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


MONDAY SEPTEMBER 9


Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia 


TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10


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 11


F’Amelia

Wine Wednesday bottles over $100 at half price


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 12


Decoy

10 pm, DJ Record Detective


Old Flame Brewery

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


FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13


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, Mark Villamor with Mike India street food


Super Bargain

10 pm, DJ Shamz


SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14


Decoy

4 to 8 pm, Sunset Dubbin with Spiritual World Selectors and N1 SOUND & Craigslist


Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, Eunice Tan with Toto’s BBQ


Wing House

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


SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15


Decoy

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


Old Flame Brewery

2 pm, Benji Crane with Tastes of Telengana


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