March 14

 CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD 

REVIEW


FEATURED ARTIST


Michael Cavanaugh

March Thaw - acrylic on canvas.  Michael says that “mud puddles are my lily pad ponds.” His new website shows more of his paintings.


LOCAL NEWS


Villiers Island update

Villiers Island contains 240 acres that will be used for new housing. It’s the first new community to be developed in the Port Lands and it will be surrounded by parks and green spaces. Waterfront Toronto has scheduled an online public meeting to discuss the latest update to the plans for Villiers Island. Tuesday March 26, 7 to 8:30 pm. Free. For more details and registration, click here.


Commercial taxes

As reported last week, Councillor Chris Moise voted against a motion to reduce the municipal tax burden for small businesses in the current budget.  Councillor Moise sits on seven Business Improvement Boards so he must be aware of the impact of municipal taxes on local businesses.  It’s a serious issue and we would like to hear his reasons for his vote.  A call to his office last week resulted in a perfunctory acknowledgement from a staffer.  Since then, there’s been no reply. Click here to see the amendment - scroll down to number 5.


Relocating the library

The Parliament Street Library (269 Gerrard E) will be relocated into Regent Park as part of Phases 4 and 5 of the revitalization process.  The exact timing hasn’t been settled.  The new facility will include 23,000 square feet of space.  For more info, go to the library’s website.


Sun screen at Allan Gardens

The Parks Department has applied a whitewash coating on the ceiling glass at the Children’s Conservatory (19 Horticultural Ave).  It’s designed to reflect some of the intense summer sunlight.  Other buildings in the park will be treated as well later in the Spring. It’ll be scrubbed off in the Fall.


Tent in Wellesley Park

There’s a new tent in the northeast corner of Wellesley Park.  Its owner is obviously an opportunist - he grabbed a chair that had been discarded on the street and he’s furnishing his settlement.  The Councillor’s office and the health officials have been alerted.  (Photo: Peter Kent)


Allan Gardens tents

Councillor Chris Moise’s Encampment Dashboard lists 5 tents remaining in the park on March 8 - 3 have other housing plans and 2 don’t want to leave.  According to the Dashboard, no one has moved out of the park since January 12. 


The outdoor skating season

The City’s website says that all three local rinks - Regent Park, Riverdale Park East and Sherbourne Common - are now closed for the season. (Photo: City of Toronto)


Pam McConnell Aquatic Centre

The pool (640 Dundas E) is closed for scheduled repairs and will reopen on April 2.  The spa is unavailable and City staff are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. The pool at the Wellesley Community Centre (495 Sherbourne) is open. (Photo: City of Toronto) 


Cabbagetown Festival vendors

The Cabbagetown BIA is welcoming applications from street vendors for the 2024 Festival.  This year, it’ll happen on Saturday September 7 and Sunday September 8.  Categories and prices range from non-profits to national chains.  The deadline for early bird prices is May 31. Click here for all the details.


Roofing scam

The roofing scam currently circulating in Cabbagetown has changed, presumably to dodge residents’ vigilance. The company that their pamphlet describes has a new name - Greater Toronto Roofing & Construction. There’s a website listed on the pamphlet. It takes you to a company with “45 years experience”.  The phone numbers aren’t the same.  Beware of these guys.  One of them, James O’Brien, was arrested in 2023 and charged for pulling this scam. (Photo: Toronto Police Service) 


Juan Chioran

Juan is returning to Stratford to act in two of its productions over the 2024 season.  He’s playing Brother Jeremiah in Something Rotten from May 28 to October 27.  He’s also appearing as Edouard Dindon in La Cage aux Folles from May 31 to October 26.  


Lisa Hemeon’s art

Lisa will be showing her paintings for three more weekends from 10 am to 5 pm in the Tasting Gallery at Daniel et Daniel (250 Carlton).  Her exhibition “Intrepid” will end on Saturday March 30 - don’t miss her show.  .  


COMING EVENTS


African Dance Workshop

Soulpepper (50 Tank House Lane) and Esie Mensah have organized a Workshop on Saturday March 16 from 1 to 3 pm.  She’s the Movement Director of Three Sisters, currently on stage at Soulpepper.  It’s free - for “folks of African descent and for those who appreciate African culture.”  


Eid Bazaar & Market

Local vendors will be selling henna, jewellery, clothes and more - Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas E), 2 to 7 pm.  Every Wednesday until April 3.  


Riverdale Farm drop-in

From March 11 to15 during March break, Riverdale Farm (Winchester and Sumach) is open for special events.  There’ll be farmers’ demonstrations in the Lower Francey barn and crafts, refreshments and a playroom in the Simpson House.  9 am to 5 pm, free.


Brenda’s step classes

Brenda holds her step classes at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre (2 Lancaster behind the Beer Store) every Wednesday morning at 9:15 am.  Her class on March 13 was cancelled because of the school break.  For the rest of the month, she’s back on track. Everyone is welcome.  $5.  


Apres Ski in the Distillery

From Friday March 15 to Sunday March 17, the Distillery’s Apres Ski will be open from 1 to 7 pm with games, marshmallow roasts, warm drinks and tasty snacks.  Party in your parka on Saturday from 3 to 7 pm with @mystmilano.  Dogs are welcome.  (Trinity Street in the Distillery)


SHOPPING NEWS


Cabbagetown Cares

This is the Cabbagetown BIA’s fundraising campaign on behalf of the food banks at Saint Luke’s United Church (353 Sherbourne) and Dixon Hall (188 Carlton).  When you buy one specific item at a participating merchant, the proceeds go to these agencies.  Ask at each place about its special features - and be sure to thank them of their generous support. The campaign will run through March.  Six restaurants and eight merchants are participating. 


Biophilia

Toronto author Deirdre Buryk will demonstrate the ways to effortlessly prepare meals using seasonal, local bounty.  She’s the author of Peak Season.  Saturday March 16, 1 to 2 pm.  Biophilia is a celebration of human connection to nature.  It continues to March 30 at Labour of Love (223 Carlton).  Lawrence Bernstein’s photographs and Elham Hazfi’s art will hang in Labour of Love throughout the exhibition’s events.   To learn more and to register, go to Eventbrite.


Get ready for Easter

Mark at St Jamestown Steak & Chops is ready to provide your favourite Easter meals.  Check it out at the store.


IN THE MEDIA


Regent Park shooting

The appalling Regent Park murder of two people and the wounding of another person have been a major news story over the past few days.  Two police officers were also wounded while chasing down the suspect.  During the police searches, they had a heavy presence in Riverdale Park. Bryann Aguilar and Joanna Lavoie reported on it for CP24.  (Photo: Andrew Francis Wallace, Toronto Star)


THEATRE NEWS


Soulpepper’s Three Sisters continues this week. J Kelly Nestruck has written a glowing review about it in the Globe & Mail.    Alumnae’s The Children is on stage and continues to March 23.  Citadel’s Sex Dalmatian will end its run on Saturday. Native Earth’s Dead Elephants will be on stage until Sunday March 17. Click here for links and more info.


RESTAURANT NEWS 


St Patrick’s Day events

Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) enjoys two celebrations - on Friday March 15 and Saturday March 16, it’s St Practice Day.  On Sunday March 17, it’s the official St Patrick’s Day.  Mill Street Brew Pub (21 Tank House Lane) has a special menu until March 15 with Irish soup, beef stew and lamb burger.  On Saturday, there’s live music in the Brewpub at 6 pm and a DJ in the Beerhall at 5 pm.  On Sunday at 5 pm, the DJ is back. The Golden Pigeon (424 Parliament) is holding its St Paddy’s Weekend events on Saturday and Sunday with food specials and drinks, Irish dancers and karaoke.  The Aviary (484 Front East) has a three day celebration with Longslice green beer and live entertainment on Sunday.  The House on Parliament (454 Parliament) and The Keating Channel (2 Villiers) are planning weekend events.  Watch out for rivers of Guinness.


Old Flame Brewing

Old Flame & Friends House Warming Party with awesome tunes, delicious beers and delicious food. Seven craft breweries will be special guests.  Saturday March 23, noon to 6 pm, 43 Tank House Lane. 


Welcome Pisac Peruvian Bistro

Pisac (195 Carlton) has taken over the space that Revelstoke previously used.  Chef Renzo Galleno uses authentic Peruvian ingredients.  His restaurant was a major success at its former home on Dupont Street.  For menu details and ordering info, go to his website. He also has a Facebook page and Instagram.


Cyril is taking a holiday

After he makes his clam chowder (see below) for March 23, Cyril is off to a family event in France.  He’ll return in time to make his April 19 and April 25 deliveries.  For March 23, his juice is apple, kiwi, spinach and lime and his soup is New England clam chowder.  Soup - $4.50 per cup for 3 to 9 cups and $4 a cup for ten or more.  Juice - $9.50 for two cups.  Deliveries on Saturday March 23.  Please email him to place your order.


WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS


THURSDAY MARCH 14 TO SUNDAY MARCH 24

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


THURSDAY MARCH 14


Distillery

1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski


FRIDAY MARCH 15


Stout Irish Pub

Noon, St Practice Days


The Aviary

St Paddy’s Day celebrations with Longslice green beer


Decoy Bar

6 pm - Fairweather Brewing on tap

10 pm - DJ Double Denim


Super Bargain

10 pm, DJ Shamz


Distillery

1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend and all-day happy hour 


SATURDAY MARCH 16


Labour of Love

1 pm, recipes from Peak Season with Deirdre Buryk


Stout Irish Pub

Noon, St Practice Days


Mill Street

5 pm, live DJ in the beerhall

6 pm, live music in the brewpub


The Golden Pigeon

St Patrick’s weekend with a special menu, drinks, karaoke, dancers and more.


The Aviary

St Paddy’s Day celebrations with Longslice green beer


Distillery

1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend and DJ with Myst Milano


SUNDAY MARCH 17


House on Parliament

St Patrick’s Day Irish menu and dancers


Stout Irish Pub

11 am, St Patrick’s Day - Celtic music, food and dancers


Golden Pigeon

St Patrick’s weekend with a special menu, drinks, karaoke, dancers and more.


Mill Street

5 pm, live DJ


The Aviary

11:30 am, Jazz brunch

St Paddy’s Day celebrations with a live band from 7 pm and Longslice green beer


Distillery

1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend


MONDAY MARCH 18


Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia 


Super Bargain

7 pm, Messy’s Drag Bingo


TUESDAY MARCH 19


Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia 


The Aviary

7 pm, Bird Brain Trivia


The Golden Pigeon

4 pm, $2 oysters

7 pm, live jazz


WEDNESDAY MARCH 20


F’Amelia

Wine Wednesday bottles over $100 at half price


The Golden Pigeon

8 pm, Bar Trivia with Rachelle Lauzon


Old Flame Brewery

6:30 pm, Trivia night with Heather Rover


Stout Irish Pub

7 pm, euchre night


The Aviary

7 pm, Euchre Socials 

8 pm, Karaoke night


The Vibrational Apothecary

7:30 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou


THURSDAY MARCH 21


No events listed


FRIDAY MARCH 22


Super Bargain

10 pm, DJ Shamz


Decoy Bar

10 pm - Oakeve presents hip hop, R&B, funk and soul jams


Distillery

1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend and all-day happy hour


SATURDAY MARCH 23


Labour of Love

1 pm, Culinary workshop with Elham Hazfi


Old Flame Brewing

Noon, Old Flame & Friends House Warming Party


Decoy Bar

9 pm - Troglos with BassKase


Distillery

1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend and DJ Obukum


SUNDAY MARCH 24


The Aviary

11:30 am, Jazz brunch


Distillery

1 to 7 pm, Apres Ski Weekend


Super Bargain

3 to 5 pm, Paint nite


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