Well the fever dream of the World Cup has left Toronto, and in the end…not so bad right? Some mega celebrations, new fans of Toronto, and Canada made it further than we ever have.
Still. Anyone who had to drive to/from the city during peak game time probably feels like:
Speaking of sports, a delightfully revived sports bar (true to the real spirit of sports bars) has opened in Brockton Village called Maria’s — definitely worth checking out. It’s done by the folks behind Bar Bowie and Milou, so they know what they’re about.
Before we get into things, my buddy Jordan is interested in starting a chess club at the Junction Triangle Library. He just hit 1500 ELO and I’m desperate for someone to knock him down a peg. If you’re chess-interested, feel free to message him at [email protected] with your preferred evening availability. Please, I beg you — I can’t put up with his smugness for much longer.
As for what’s going on this week/end, there’s a’plenty, including multiple outdoor movies, a park opening, and more than one spicy event ;)
But before all that — updates!
West End Updates
Sneaky Dee’s is Saved!
Photo courtesy of Toronto Today
West End Raccoon poll respondants made it clear — they wanted Sneaky Dee’s saved. And to the hundreds of you who answered thusly, prepare thine fist pump, for victory is here! And I could just leave it there, but there’s a surprising twist that I hope will titilate and delight — a bank is the the good guy in this story?!
Yes, there was a ton of grass roots campaigning and local activism to save the iconic dive bar. But the final blow that caused the developer to withdraw their application from consideration happened the very same day RBC challenged the developer on their claimed ownership of the building right next door to Sneaky Dee’s. Seems as though they were getting a liiiittle bit ahead of themselves in terms of what property they actually owned.
West End residents beg Metrolinx for relief from all that noise, noise, noise!
Photo courtesy of Toronto Today. Taken by Daniel Smith.
It is the official opinion of this publication that trains = good. Great even. But the infrastructure to enable them requires a great deal of loud machinery. And if you want it created expediently, it needs to be done at all hours. And when it’s finished, loud diesel trains will be more and more frequent. And if you live meters away from all this hullabuloo…sonic torture, it would seem.
While residents living near the Barrie GO Line have been campaigning for better sound proofing for months, their petitions reached a new fever pitch after a leaked Metrolinx document revealed that the much quieter electric trains that are supposed to replace the current fleet…are delayed. A delay?! From Metrolinx?! Inconvievable!!!
Sponsored by The Minute Givers by Christine Smonk
Follow her on instagram @smonkwrites
Hey folks! Cam Smonk here. Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed my last name bears a striking resemblance to the author featured above. Well, that’s because she’s my wife! And she’s written (a damn good) book called The Minute Givers which is set in Bloorcourt and The Junction Triangle. It’s published by Berkley/Penguin-Random House and hits shelves wherever they sell books January 26, 2027.
But — you can preorder it now, from a local West End book shop (or Amazon, if that’s your thing.) And preorders go a LONG way to showing publishers and algorithms that there’s interest in the book. So if it sounds up your alley, or you want to support a local author/bookstore, or you just want to put a smile on this Raccooner’s face — preorder your copy today! If you’d rather save the dosh, another way you can support is by adding it to your Goodreads “to-read” shelf.
You’ll likely see more Minute Givers content closer to pub date. I’m thinking an interview with the author, asking questions only a husband would be brave enough to ask…
Synopsis: Renee Carron can rewind time. Sixty seconds for every man she’s ever loved: A minute from her childhood pen pal, one from her most recent ex-boyfriend, and now her latest crush delivers number eight.
But when Renee loses a minute of her rewind powers, and then another, and another—each corresponding to a minute giver’s suspicious death—it becomes clear that someone is targeting her exes...and her.
Want your business to reach thousands of Toronto locals? Respond to this email with some info about what you do!
This one’s for the vinyl heads (of which I’m one). What’s your favourite record store on the Best End?
What's your favourite record store on the West End?
Fancy House of the Week
What would you do if you won $15 million dollars? (After donating the first million to support the West End Raccoon of course). Well, one of your options is buying 23 Riverside Crescent. Pretty much everything mansion worthy is in this house. Water access, hockey rink, sauna, pool, hot tub, the works. It could be worth buying. Or you could just give it all to the Raccoon. Up to you. #supportlocal
Events
If you have an event you’d like included in a future West End Raccoon, please submit it here.
Thursday/Friday
Danu Chess Night @ Danu Social Club - Thurs 6pm. Google En Passant. Details.
WEST QUEEN WEST ARTE CRAWL @ West Queen West Art + Design District - Thurs 5pm. Last time you crawled down Queen West it's because that gummy hit just a liiiiittle too hard. Now, do it for the art! Details.
Art Hive @ MOCA - Thurs 5pm. Have you heard the buzz? There's art going down at the MOCA and you can participate. Details.
Outdoor Movie Night at Earlscourt Park @ Earlscourt Park - Thurs 8pm. Fam friendly screening of Pixar's "Hoppers" plus some fresh air in the park! Organized by Councillor Bravo. Details.
2026 Toronto Craft, Food and Market Festival @ High Park - Fri 5am - Sun 9am. Snacks, crafts, and an afternoon spent outdoors. Sounds like a mighty fine weekend. Details.
Community Cleanup: Bloor and Dufferin @ Bloor and Dufferin Intersection - Fri 3pm. You know, come to think of it, Bloor and Dufferin could definitely use a spitshine. Details.
Family Shabbat in the Park @ Bathurst & Dupont Area - Fri 5pm. "Enjoy a Shabbat story, a Shabbat-themed craft, Shabbat blessing and songs, and grape juice and hallah! The formal program will end around 6pm; afterwards, families are invited to stay for more playground time and a bring-your-own picnic dinner." Details.
Lemon Meringue Tart Baking Class @ Kolo Cafe - Fri 6:30pm. Come perfect your French pastry prowess! Details.
SECOND LANGUAGE COMEDY @ Dystopia - Fri 8pm. Imagine going to a comedy show except you didn't speak the language the comedians spoke in. Now imagine THEY didn't know the language they spoke in. Details.
Birds of Paradise: A Fashion Show Inspired by Winged Creatures @ The Super Wonder Gallery - Fri/Sat 8pm. Birds do be dripped out. Now we're swag-jacking them for fashion shows. Details.Support The Raccoon
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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
BAM! In the Summer 2026 @ Wychwood Barns - Sat 9am. You've heard of "starving artists" yeah? Now your chance to feed 'em! Details.
Salsa on St. Clair 2026 @ St. Clair Ave W - Sat 11am - Sun 8:30pm. No, not salsa the dip, silly (although, actually, there will be plenty of that too) Salsa the dance! If you thought the Portugal win turned St. Clair busy wait'll you see it this weekend. Details.
Roncesvalles United Church 16th Annual Book Sale @ Roncesvalles United Church - Sat 11am. This book sale just turned old enough to drive! Details.
P2P's Ethiopian Cultural Fair @ Christie Pits Park - Sat 12pm. "Come enjoy live music, delicious food, drinks, local vendors, and games—plus a live stream of the World Cup! Don't miss your chance to enter our raffle draw to win an Ethiopian Airlines ticket!" Details.
Brew Your Own Kombucha Workshop @ Mosaic Sterling - Sat 2pm. "Curious about kombucha? Join us for a fun and hands-on beginner-friendly workshop where you'll learn the basics of brewing your own probiotic-rich drink at home." Details.
Speed Dating Walk | Ages 32-47 | Toronto @ Trinity Bellwoods Park - Sat 3pm. Single? Getting that tingle that means it's time to mingle? Well come on down to T Bellwoods and meet some like-minded folks...off the apps! Details.
fetNOIR - Medical Theme - Play & Dance Party @ Ground Control - Sat 9pm. My only piece of medical fetish attire is the paper gown they give you at the hospital with my ass hanging out. Details.
Sunday/Monday
CraftPocalypse @ Parkdale Hall - Sun 11am. Much more fun than the Apocalypse I've been told. Details.
Geary Avenue Park Celebration @ Geary Avenue Park - Sun 12:30pm. "Join [Alejandra Bravo] and City of Toronto staff to inaugurate the expanded Geary Avenue Park. Enjoy free refreshments, a face painter, and other park activations." Details.
Cyanotype Printmaking Workshop with Alan Li in Toronto's High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Sun 1pm. "Join us for a delightful afternoon of Cyanotype Printmaking! In this hands-on workshop, you will be creating a collection of 8 original prints inspired from nature at High Park." Details.
Belonging Through Folk Song: A Singing Workshop with Fredy Clue @ Kosa Folk Arts - Sun 2pm. "Welcome to the world of Fredy Clue—a Swedish folk musician blending ancient Nordic folk traditions with original songs, storytelling, laughter, and a healthy dose of queer magick." Details.
Concerts on Connolly (FREE) @ Wadsworth Park - Sun 4pm. Hey, this is my neck of the woods! Free Cuban and Brazilian music, plus an arts workshop. Details.
K!nky Night Market - Summer Edition @ Society Clubhouse - Sun 6pm. Do we really need to censor "kinky" now? Anyway, this is a celebration of all things sex and DEFINITELY is against AI. Details.
TOPS presents The Muppet Movie at Christie Pits @ Christie Pits Park - Sun 9pm. Hard to beat winding down a week with a family-friendly movie in Toronto's best (just this man's opinion) park! Details.
Bike Match Drop-Off at Sorauren Farmers' Market @ Sorauren Farmer's Market - Mon 3pm. Got a spare bike kicking around? Bring it to the market on Monday and donate it to a good cause! Details.
🎵 Live Music Report 🎵
🎵YOO II (Experimental Rock) @ The Garrison - Thurs 8pm
🎵Bebe and Oona (Indie Rock) @ The Baby G - Fri 7pm
🎵Face The Lion (Rock) @ Sneaky Dee's - Fri 7pm
🎵Killotine (Thrash Metal) @ See-Scape - Fri 7pm
🎵Skinshape (Alternative) @ The Mod Club - Fri 8pm
🎵Modern Life Elixir (Pop Rock) @ Hard Luck Bar - Fri 8pm
🎵Jody Glenham (Mood Rock) @ Burdock Music Hall - Sat 6pm
🎵Johnny Dynamite (Post Punk) @ The Monarch Tavern - Sun 8pm
🎵Fully Crazed (Punk) @ Bovine Sex Club - Sun 9pm
🎵Kevian Kraemer (Indie Pop) @ The Drake Underground - Mon 7pm
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. (Calling all bird, lizard and fish people — I like ‘em weird!)
Meet Capitu! Originally, from Brazil she now lives in the Wallace-Emerson neighbourhood. Photo submitted by Leonara Rocha.
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
