Art fans! Late night lovers! Enjoyers of sore feet! Your favourite night of the year is upon us…Saturday is Nuit Blanche and the city is going to be dotted with art installations, going straight through until sun-up on Sunday. Literally me if I attempted staying up that late:

But for the art unenthused fear not — there’s plenty of other events to tickle your fancy this week, including a dog market, an art market, a park market…and a kinky social night (for charity!)

Also, just a heads up that Tuesday October 6th is the start of Advance Voting in the municipal elections in the city. Here’s a handy link with all the info you need, including checking to make sure you’re registered.

And with that out of the way, let’s get into it!

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In another devastating blow to the assumption “there must be something better on the East End” beloved music venue Phoenix Concert Theatre has announced plans to move to the West End, specifically into Parkdale Hall. Now, technically this is all just a proposal and the city has the final say. But things are looking pretty good!

Parkdale Hall (originally Parkdale Theatre in 1920) has the same 1300~ capacity as The Phoenix’s current location on Sherbourne St. so it’s a natural fit. But why the move (other than the obvious desire to be in the cool part of town)? The old venue is being redeveloped, although it will continue hosting music acts through 2027 while its West End proposal is vetted.

Read more here.

It was only a few months ago that Loblaws announced it was closing its location on Dundas and re-opening as a No Frills. Now, in a shockingly similar move, the Metro on West Queen West announced they’re ditching the Metro Brand for their budget-friendly Food Basics chain.

Recession indicator much? Because like Loblaws, Metro is completely unambiguous about why they’re making the change. Their spokesperson said “We regularly and carefully assess our network based on local market conditions, and in this case, a Food Basics store is better suited to meet customer needs in the area.” Those needs? Evidently cheaper groceries.

Read more here.

We look at a lot of fancy houses each week, but how about a fancy apartment for a change? This is 1501-206 Bloor St West, in the bougie Museum House apartment building. The building has just 27 units, but each is between 2000 and 5000 square feet. This one, which I’m guessing is on the 15th floor, features 11ft ceilings, a fireplace, and multiple balconies.

The real selling point, of course, is the amazing view. The unit is just across the street from the RoM and has an amazing vista down to the CN tower.Very nice! Unless you’re one of those people who hates how the RoM looks now. Then I would recommend a North facing unit. Or another building.

$7.6 big ones, check it out.

Polymer Clay Tinker Night (Followed by 'Kind of like an open mic') @ Bampot House - Thurs 6:30pm.
Come play with clay! And then stay to yap and chat about....pretty much whatever. The mic is open! Details.

Fresh Hot Babes - Ft. Toronto's Best Newer Fem & Queer Comics! @ Tallboys - Thurs 8pm.
Fem, queer comedy featuring up and coming comedians. Will the comedy be as polished as the old vets? Probably not! But you can see some future-famous acts before they were on everyone else's radar. Details.

Literary Dinner with Harriet Alida Lye @ Downtown Winery - Thurs 7:30pm.
"Join us for an intimate evening with author Harriet Alida Lye, whose novel Motherclown takes readers from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Paris in a tender, funny, and searching exploration of identity, relationships, and finding your way back to yourself." Details.

TKF Kinky Social Kick Off Party @ The Wych - Thurs 8pm.
Get kinky...for charity? The multi-day Toronto Kink Fest kicks off at The Wych with a kinky social kickoff party, proceeds of which go to Friends of Ruby, an LGBTQA+ charity. Details.

Questionable EVERYBODY EDITION - Trivia for queer strangers @ Glad Day Lit - Thurs 8pm.
It's like trivia, except queer, and your team is comprised of complete strangers! Sounds neat. Details.

2026 Fall Baby Show @ Enercare Centre - Fri 1pm - Sun 5pm.
No, you're not going to watch babies run obstacle courses or be judged on the beauty of their coat — this is where parents can learn about the nitty gritty of raising an infant and get some financial advice on how to do so! Details.

The Paranormal Magic Show @ The Powerhouse Recreation Centre - Fri 6pm.
It's like a magic show...but haunted!!! Details.

THE GREAT CANADIAN HORROR FILM FESTIVAL @ Revue Cinema - Fri 6:45pm.
Oh, you know it's officially October when horror film festivals start popping up. Details.

REVERIE - A dreamlike evening of embodied rest, reflection & restoration. @ Grateful Den - Fri 6:45pm.
"Join us for a deeply nourishing evening of Breathwork, Yin Yoga, Guided Meditation and Reiki where we'll gradually move from the pace of everyday life into a softer, quieter state." Details.

Killer B Cinema Presents: Srigala! @ See-Scape - Fri 7:30pm.
Come watch Indonesian Friday the 13th on Friday the 2nd! Details.

A Twisted Fairytale: A Theatrical Fashion Experience @ The Super Wonder Gallery - Fri 8pm - Sun 2am.
It's a fashion-forward, performance-art-driven, fairy tale experience! What don't you get? Details.

Picklefest Toronto 2026 @ Henderson Brewery - Sat 11am - Sun 6pm.
Get piiiiiickled homies! It’s a giant pickle themed market with performances and music. Couple beers, couple pickles, a brine drinking contest?! Lezzzgoooo. Details.

Trinity Bellwoods Market @ Trinity Bellwoods Park - Sat 11am.
Get your butt to the park, and park it at the park market! Details.

Tea Blending with Katie Cyr @ Depanneur - Sat 12pm.
"Enlighten your senses and your knowledge of teas and tisanes in this interactive tea blending workshop with Katie Cyr, Certified Tea Sommelier and founder of The Monarch Tea Co." Details.

Arts Market @ St. Stephen-in-the-fields - Sat 2pm.
"Arts Market featuring artists who are trans, queer, disabled, BIPGM and allies, with mutual aid fundraising and community resources, free entry." Details.

Nuit Blanche @ Across the city - Sat 7pm.
Yup — Nuit Blanche is once again upon us. Come see art installations, odd, exciting, and occasionally not backed by corporate cash! Details.

BAM! Nuit Blanche Night Market @ Wychwood Barns - Sat 7pm.
"Join us for a night of contemporary art! BAM! Nuit Blanche Night Market is back. This market supports local artists of all career stages! Shop and explore the work of various talents within our diverse community!" Details.

Pet First Aid & CPR Course @ Pack of Paws Dog Daycare - Sun 9am.
"Pet parents and pet professionals alike can benefit greatly from a Pet First Aid and CPR course. You will feel well-prepared to address any accidents, emergencies, or injuries involving pets in your care." Details.

Dogtober Market @ Parkdale Hall - Sun 11am.
It's like a regular market, but with more wagging tails! Details.

(Free screening!) The Sheep Detectives @ Hot Docs Cinema - Sun 1pm.
A family friendly free screening of the latest Hugh Jackman movie...featuring sheep! Details.

Mother Boo Book Launch and Halloween Party @ Type Books Junction - Sun 1pm.
Free book launch with crafts, storytime, and treats for kids 3-8. Both the author (a Junction local) and the illustrator will be on-hand. Costumes welcome but not mandatory! Details.

Fully Automated Smash Community @ Danu Social House - Sun 4pm.
Come find out just how remarkably bad you are at Smash compared to people who play with wired controllers. All skill levels welcome, naturally. Details.

Annex Social Game Night - Play Board Games & Make Friends! @ Snakes and Lattes Annex - Mon 6pm.
Some nights, you just want to step away from a screen and get your longest road stolen by a complete stranger. Details.

QUESTIONABLE INTENTIONS: Murder on the Dancefloor - a murder mystery @ Insomnia - Mon 6:30pm.
A Murder Mystery Dance Party?! This is hitting a lot of good keywords for a popular West End Raccoon event. They just need to get a market in there. Details.

The Trampoline Hall Lectures @ The Garrison - Mon 7pm.
A very popular and long running Toronto lecture series where speakers talk about subjects they’re passionate about - but not professionals in. Details.

Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon, please enjoy our West End Pet of the Week! Submit yours by responding to this email, with your preferred name/nickname/initials and neighbourhood for a chance to be featured. (Calling all bird, lizard and fish people — I like ‘em weird!)

As always, if you know a friend or family member who might be interested, please share the newsletter with them: www.westendraccoon.ca

Hope you folks have a fantastic weekend.

Cam Smonk & Xavier