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