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Why hello again West Enders! I hope the summer has been treating you all delightfully thus far. You know I hate to open with a closing, but when a WER reader reaches out to give a local business that’s ceasing operations some last minute love, you better believe I’m gonna do it. The joint in question is Sushi Place on Bloor near Keele, which is closing next month after 13 years. So if you’re craving some raw fish this week, why not spare them a thought? Thanks for this info Kevin!
Using anime depictions of sushi to trigger your appetites/
But enough about fish — how ‘bout what’s going on this week/end? Because there’s plenty, including a world building and map making event, a dope double feature at the Revue, and a friggin’ bike rave!!!
Oh, and a dance party for Furries.
But first, updates!
West End Updates
Looking to watch the Leafs over some Chicken Tikka Masala? Because a new British/Indian sports bar is coming to the Junction
Photo courtesy of Tap N Tandoor via Toronto Life
You’d be right to think combining British, Indian, and sports in a concept would yield exactly one outcome — Cricket. But no! It also creates cool bars with varied menus in The Junction, apparently.
Husband and Wife team Tarun and Noni Verma are opening Tap N Tandoor at Keele and Dundas with a bunch of fusion-food items served sports bar style (Think tandoori nachos.) Although to be fair, I don’t think British/Indian food actually counts as fusion at this point.
A ruined Church is becoming home to a themed art gallery
Like a phoenix rising from literal ashes, St. Anne’s Anglican Church (the site of a monstrous 2024 fire) is about to become something more than a mostly-burned-down heritage site — it’s going to become an art exhibition, where the church becomes part of the very art it showcases.
The first use of the church since it’s fire (which police investigated as arson!!) is called “Where the Wall Meets the Sky” — the sky in question quite visible since the church remains roofless — and will feature a variety of contemporary art, meant to live alongside the flame-damaged ruins. As Art Spin said: "The fire-scarred interior becomes a place of reflection, gathering, and artistic exploration.”
One huge bummer? The former dome of the church featured murals created by the friggin’ Group of Seven. Would have loved to see that art, but will happily content myself with the work of contemporary artists.
The professional secret to dough is out
Ever tried to make dough in your regular mixer?
The results aren’t pretty: Clumpy texture. Stodgy bread. Overheated motors.
So, how do the pros get it right?
Introducing Ooni Halo Core Spiral Mixer.
Its secret is the same dough-making technology that professional bakers have used for decades.
Until now, most spiral mixers have been industrial-sized machines with industrial-sized price tags.
They also only made dough. And that gets a no from us.
To put the same professional tech into the hands of home bakers, we rebuilt the spiral mixer — creating a mighty little machine that can whip, beat and knead to professional high standards.
Want your business to reach thousands of Toronto locals? Respond to this email with some info about what you do!
Fancy House of the Week
Okay let’s make this week’s Fancy House a game. I’ll tell you the details of the house, and you try to guess the list price. If you’re within 250k you win. No cheating. No peeking. Ready? Here we go:
8 Baby Point Terrace is a 4 bed 6 bath “grand custom residence” situated on a 50×140 foot lot in Lambton Baby Point. It has more than 5,000 square feet, “resort-level” amenities, and a custom kitchen with Miele appliances. The show piece of the house is the back yard, with a 685 foot heated floor outdoor pavilion, outdoor kitchen, and 40×13 saltwater pool. The lower level boasts a gym, a recreation space, and a bar.
Is your guess locked in? Once you lock in scroll down to see if you won.
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The list price is…….. $7.8 million! Check out the listing here.
Events
If you have an event you’d like included in a future West End Raccoon, please submit it here.
Thursday/Friday
THROUGH Opening Reception (Art Exhibition) @ Twist Gallery - Thurs 6pm. One for the art nerds, a brief perusal of these paintings makes them look pretty dang nice! Details.
The Spy Who Dragged Me Cabaret @ The Parkdale Hall - Thurs 7pm. It's Cabaret! It's Drag! It's...Austin Powers? Why not. Details.
Questionable - SAPPHIC OVER 30 EDITION: Queer Singles Trivia @ Ground Control - Thurs 7:30pm. "Join us at GROUND CONTROL. This edition is for sapphics 30 years or older. Always trans and enby inclusive." Details.
Poured & Bound: A Boozy Book Swap @ The Gladstone - Thurs 7pm. "Join us for an evening where great books, thoughtful conversation, and good company come together. We're swapping books and sipping on themed drinks!" Details.
Toronto Pan Afrikan Film Festival @ Small World Centre - Fri 11:30am - Sun 6pm. "The 4th Annual Toronto Pan-Afrikan Film Festival (TPAFF) carries the theme EXODUS, a call to witness and reflect on the journeys of Afrikan people across generations." Details.
CANOE down the HUMBER @ Old Mill Toronto - Fri 1pm. Is it even possible to imagine a better Summer afternoon than a lazy canoe down the Humber with some new friends? Details.
Tailgate: A Furry Danceparty @ Lee's Palace - Fri 8pm. "Tailgate is Toronto's newest furry dance party, focused on curating a premier party environment and the best bass music the city has to offer." Details.
Toronto Magician Showcase – Late Night Sorcery @ Comedy Bar - Fri 11pm. Magic is no laughing matter. Especially when it happens after 11pm. Details.
Hey you!
If you enjoy reading The Raccoon every week and you’d like to support what we’re doing here, I’ve opened a donation page where readers can make contributions. Any amount would be be very much appreciated.
Saturday
August Summer Birding Walk in Toronto's High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Sat 10am. August birds are here! And High Park Nature Centre actually admits in their description they'll be "drab" compared to other months. Oh well! Details.
Family Storytime @ Parkdale Library - Sat 10:30am. "Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and activities in this program for children ages 5 and under and their parents or caregivers." Details.
(Goth) Beach Party Market @ Ground Control - Sat 11am. "It's hard to be a Goth in the summer. That's why our idea of 'the beach' includes hanging out in a nightclub with frosty air conditioning, and never going out in the sun without a parasol and SPF 100." Details.
Wild Mushroom Identification & Ecology with Stephan Lukacic in Toronto's High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Sat 1pm. Open Myc(ology) night? Or afternoon. Whatever. Details.
Toronto Pug Takeover @ Christie Pits - Sat 5pm. Fan of the bug-eyed burritos? Bring yours or come admire others at Christie Pits on Saturday! Details.
Black Belt Cinema: THE RAID + THE RAID 2 Double Feature! @ Revue Cinema - Sat 6:30pm. Oh hell yeah -- both The Raids are in my go to "I don't have to compromise on a movie tonight" list. Some of the best action ever put to screen. Details.
SPELLBOUND: Goth Darkwave Post-Punk Video Dance + Nine Inch Nails Spotlight @ Ground Control - Sat 9pm. Bust out your black -- it's a goth attack! Details.
FREAKERS CORNER @ Bampot Tea House - Sat 10pm. A trippy party with some hallucinogenic house! Details.
A FISTFUL OF METAL @ The Wych - Sat 10pm. A party night dedicated to classic metal music. Plus a post-show BBQ afterparty! Details.
A Toronto Bike Rave 2026! @ Secret meetup revealed post registration.... - Sat 7:30pm. For the love of cycling, it's the annual bike rave! Slap on some lights, blast some music, and celebrate a bikeable city. Details.
Sunday/Monday
TFS Presents an Atomic Anxiety Double Feature @ Paradise Theatre - Sun 1pm. I'm sure what with all the forest fires and heat waves, you're DEFINITELY in the mood for an apocalyptic vision of the future called "The Day the Earth Caught Fire." Details.
World Building & Map Making Night @ Three Dollar Bill - Sun 5pm. This is a cool one. Whether you're a writer, Dungeon Master or map-maniac, this session helps you build your world! Details.
TOPS presents Faces Places at Christie Pits @ Christie Pits - Sun 6pm. Escape the city (cinematically speaking) and take a tour of rural France! Details.
🎵 Live Music Report 🎵
🎵Ky Anto (Canadiana) @ High Park Brewery - Thurs 7pm
🎵Black Pontiac (Garage Rock) @ Sneaky Dee's - Thurs 7:30pm
🎵Second Wife (Riot Goth) @ The Painted Lady - Thurs 8:30pm
🎵The Kents (Art Rock) @ Monarch Tavern - Fri 7pm
🎵SHAAANE (Noise) @ Tranzac Club - Fri 8pm
🎵Victoria Alex (Pop-Punk) @ Dance Cave - Fri 8pm
🎵Vanessa Ferlaino (Piano) @ Burdock Music Hall - Sat 6:30pm
🎵Babymorocco (Electronic) @ The Garrison - Sat 7pm
🎵Dean Johnson (Indie Folk) @ Drake Underground - Sun 6pm
Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon, please enjoy our West End Pet(s) 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!)
Meet 15 year old Leica! A resident of (somewhere on the West End). Photo courtesy of Laura.
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
