🦝 Beer, Strikes & Sacred Jazz

There’re few things I enjoy more than ambling around the West End. It’s made better by the little neighbourhood flourishes that add character to the streets, none moreso than the little libraries people set up. They act as vital community hubs, but also as an aesthetic signifier of the neighbourhood they’re a part of. Here are a few I’ve come across lately:

But lil’ library lovin’ aside, this week’s issue will have a special appeal to fans of beer! We’ve got multiple events at breweries (including a Raccoon first — by special request we’re featuring an event taking place next Thursday) plus a pub crawl down College. I even did an interview with the Head Brewer of Samara Brewing Co. (the West End’s newest brewery) for Sublime Imbibing which you can check out here.

Not a fan of beer? Have no fear! There’s plenty else going on this weekend including a very much NON Easter [but still] egg related activity in High Park, a bunch going on in Parkdale, and of course a dance party or three.

But dinner before dessert. On to the updates!

West End Updates

Teachers and tenants team up in Parkdale rent strike rally

The tenants of 75 Spencer Ave. in Parkdale are not happy about a rent increase their landlord has proposed — a 5.4% above-guideline increase. Sheesh. On March 1st tenants held a rally and began a rent strike, protesting the hike which they say is unfair and unaffordable. And now they’ve been joined by an unlikely ally — Parkdale teachers!

According to teachers like Ashleigh Doherty of Parkdale Public school who spoke with NOW Toronto: “Housing is a huge issue in Parkdale. And when we look at the well-being of students and families in our school, the number one thing really affecting them is insecure housing and the rising cost of living.”

Teachers are organizing a rally on March 26 (today!) at the King St. W and Close Avenue in support of the striking tenants. Hopefully this will teach the landlord a lesson.

Read the full story here.

The beauty of an art gallery in a garage

“It’s an elegant way to go broke.” That’s how Reiley Whelen, one of the four investors in Parlour Gallery, a once-garage-now-gallery descibes her passion project. Along with OCAD students Callum Donovan-Grujicich and Owen Kosmala and fellow art professional Laaya Tabei, Whelen helps bring attention to local artists without grants, corporate funding, or profit. They even pay for artists’ printing and installation costs out of pocket (or with whatever support they get from donations).

Located at 903 Lansdowne Ave (via laneway) Parlour Gallery has a rotating series of exhibitions, each carefully curated by its founders and curators. The idea is the DIY gallery space will be less intimidating and more approachable for up and coming artists than the traditional gallery setting. Now the question becomes — do you prefer laundromat or garage galleries? Because in the West End you literally can make that choice.

Read the full story here.

Had a debate with a fellow Best Ender about our Eastern border street the other day. Care to weigh in?

Fancy (Pent)House of the Week

Look at that balcony….. all that natural light…. the Humber views….. and imagine how cool it would feel to press the “PH” button in the elevator. 1002-30 Old Mill is a really swaggy apartment, just steps from the subway line too. The listing describes it as having an “unsurpassed level of luxury in a river setting”. I’m not an expert on luxury levels in river settings but I think they may be right. $4.2 mil - check it out.

Events

If you have an event you’d like included in a future West End Raccoon, please submit it here.

Thursday/Friday

VEGAN SUGAR SHACK by Sausage Party @ 1672 St Clair Ave W - Thur 10am - Sat 3pm
A vegan event, hosted by "Sausage Party". Huh. But come on over for your favourite sugar shack sweets, only vegan! Details.

The PEG BAR- Animation Mix 'n' Mingle @ The Wych - Thur 6pm
"Come join the mingle at THE PEG BAR, the social hour for animation people, by animation people. Our mission: bringing you good vibes during tough times." Details.

The Sunny Trail Pub Crawl @ The Emmet Ray - Thur 7pm
Lotta beer-friendly events this week/end eh? Here's a College street crawl with beer, games and prizes! Details.

ARS ELECTRONICA @ Pix Film Gallery - Thur 7pm
Roll for Adventure: A First Taste of Dungeons & Dragons (16+) with Kyle Duncan @ Curiosa - Thur 7pm
"Screening of Films from the Animation Festival Ars Electronica on Tour 2025" Details.

Roll for Adventure: A First Taste of Dungeons & Dragos (16+) with Kyle Duncan @ Curiosa - Thur 7pm
"Have you always been curious about Dungeons & Dragons, but never quite known how to begin? This welcoming, story-first event is designed as a gentle first step into role-playing, perfect for adults (15+) who love fantasy, storytelling, and imaginative worlds - no rules knowledge, no experience, and absolutely no pressure required." Details.

CLUB 54: DISCO NIGHT AT DESOTOS @ DeSotos - Thur 8pm
Disco needs no description. But you should know the DJ is called Glitter Inferno which is just plain awesome. Details.

Atist Talk: Kathryn Irwin @ Toronto School of Art (New location!) - Fri 6pm
Come on down and hear from a stained glass artist with more experience making glass art than this writer's been alive for! Details.

Toronto Vegan Drinks - March - 🌼🌿 Bloom & Mingle 🥂 Spring Social 🍲 🌱 @ Thien Tam Asia - Fri 6:30pm
Hang out and tipple with some fellow vegtastic folks! Details.

Cake Watch & Cake: An Opening Day Birthday Party for Samantha Bitty @ Steadfast Brewing Co. - Fri 6pm
This one was sent to us directly from the great folks at Steadfast and DEFINITELY wins our "Most West End of the Week" award. In their words "a drag performer and sex educator hosting her birthday party as a live commented Blue Jays home opener, with MLB tea and sex jokes." Details.

March Fusion Dance @ Dance Annex Studios - Fri 8pm
Why stick with one style of dance when you can have em all! Come practice your Contact Improve and Kizomba at the March Fusion Dance. Details.

Saturday

Toronto Vintage Show! @ Queen Elizabeth Building - Sat 9am - Sun 5pm
Who doesn't love a bunch of old stuff?! Make it yours at the Toronto Vintage Show. Details.

Free Community Income Tax Clinic @ 1313 Queen st. W - Sat 10am
While it may not be the most fun you can have on a Saturday, it could be the most important. This event helps folks with low-income get their taxes sorted out for free. Details.

Toronto Game Expo @ Enercare Centre - Sat 10am - Sun 4pm
Anime! Video Games! Nerd Stuff! Sounds like a blast. Details.

Loohoo Parkdale Day Market @ Loohoo - Sat 11am
Parkdale's popping off this weekend, and this crafty day market is part of it! Details.

Parkdale Developments Walk @ Gallery 1313 - Sat 12:30pm
"Think you know Parkdale? We guarantee you’ll see something new on one, two, or all three of our walking tours this Parkdale Day." Details.

Magic for Littles: Ostara @ 299 Campbell Ave - Sat 2pm
"For the magically minded: Join us for a gentle family gathering celebrating the arrival of spring through storytelling, creativity, and nature activities." Details.

Cyberpunk Legends Demo Night @ The Sword & Board - Sat 3pm
"Join us for a guided Demo night for the latest Cyberpunk narrative card game and get a chance to check it out early!" Details.

Throwback Cinema: THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER - 45th Anniversary Screening! @ Revue Cinemas - Sat 4pm
For fans of these iconic puppets, come celebrate 45 years of my personal favourite Muppet flick! Details.

Sacred Jazz: Tangled in the Blues @ 729 St. Clair Ave W - Sat 4:30pm
"We will once again be meeting the Sacred through jazz, poetry, and reflection." Details.

PANIC: 80s/90s Video Dance Party 23rd Anniversary + 80s Tribute Band @ Ground Control - Sat 8pm
They said it couldn't be done. Two decades in a single dance party?! Details.

Sunday

High Park Eggventure: Who Lays What? @ High Park Nature Centre - Sun 10am
This Egg-focused event is NOT an Easter egg hunt -- it's to get a look at all the different eggs local animals are laying! Come on an eggventure! Details.

Flower Pot Workshop by Toronto Dog Moms @ Samara Brewing Co. - Sun 12pm
Decoupage and dogs and beer! What more could you want from a Sunday afternoon? Details.

Linocut Print Japanese Journal Workshop with Alan Li in Toronto's High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Sun 1pm
Learn some traditional Japanese art in the park! Details.

Double Feature: My Favorite Wife & The Awful Truth @ Paradise Theatre - Sun 1:30 pm
The only thing better than watching Cary Grant look ravishing in one movie, is watchin him look ravishing in two, back to back! Details.

Hidden Gems: A Collage Night at Samara Brewing @ Samara Brewing Co - April 2 (Thurs) @ 6pm
Wait, what? A date not a day? Yeah, Jana and Vicky asked us to share this very cool sounding collage night a week early and we're happy to oblige! Details.

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵 Mother Country (Folk/Mixed) @ Burdock Music Hall - Thur 8:30
🎵 Club Django (Parisian Gypsy Swing Jazz) @ Old Mill Toronto - Fri 6pm
🎵 Chris Patrick (Hip-Hop) @ Dance Cave - Fri 7pm
🎵 Flamingosis (Hip-Hop) @ The Mod Club - Fri 8pm
🎵 AMBIENT AFTERNOON (Ambient/Various Artists) @ Society Clubhouse - Sat 2pm
🎵 Wanted (Metal) @ See-Scape - Sat 7:30pm
🎵 Black Eyes (Experimental Jazz) @ Lithuanian House Basement - Sat 8pm
🎵 Chloe Qisha (Pop) @ The Garrison - Sat 8pm
🎵 KAIRO MCLEAN with The Elements Band (Reggae/DJ) @ BSMT254 - Sat 8pm
🎵 Sam Alfred (Dance/Electronic) @ CODA - Sat 10pm

Thank you!

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.

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