🦝 Cougars, Closures, and a Closet Sale

What’s up West End!

This weekend marks the end of November and the true start of the festive season. For that reason I’m introducing the new West End Raccoon drinking game: take a shot every time you see the word “Christmas” or “Holiday” in the newsletter.

This replaces the previous WER drinking game where you take a shot every time you notice a spelling error or a link doesn’t work.

Let’s get into it.

West End Updates

Bloor West Food Bank Opens New Location

After five years operating out of St Pius Catholic Church, the Bloor West Food Bank has a space of its own at the intersection of Jane and Annette. The initiative, originally started by a group of neighbours during the pandemic, has gone in a very short period from a small start-up to a registered charity supporting more than 350 households in the community. This new location will allow clients the opportunity to select their food and to wait inside instead of out in the elements.

For more information, and to see how you can support the BWFB, click here to visit their website.

Weekend TTC Closures

It’s a weekend with a West End subway closure! Let’s play a game to make it fun - try to guess one of the stations that will be closed.

Have you picked one?

Are you sure?

Drumroll please!

The closure is between….. Jane and Kipling. If you chose one of those stations (Kipling, Islington, Royal York, Old Mill, or Jane) you are a winner. If you did not, you are a failure!

The closure will last all day Saturday and Sunday, more info here (shuttle buses available, they’re doing track work).

But wait, there’s more! The UP Express will also be replaced with shuttle buses all day Saturday and Sunday while they prepare for the new St Clair station. More info on that closure here.

Community Initiatives

If you know of a local cause that could use a shoutout, reply to this email.

Support the Bloor West Food Bank!

There’s this new food bank on Jane, not sure if you’ve heard of it. Now is a perfect time to give support as they find their feet in a new space and as the holidays put increasing pressure on members of our community.

You can help out by:
1) Volunteering your time
2) Donating food or toiletries
3) Making a monetary donation

They’re also running a holiday fundraiser in which every donation of $25 will enter you into a draw to win Raptors floor seats!

More info here.

Fancy House of the Week

WARM WOOD TONES ALERT! 18 Foxley Street is a beauty of a contemporary house. Just steps from Ossington, this place is fully of the moment. It’s got Gen Z Green, Gen Z Brown, Gen Z couches. My sole concern with the house is that I saw an Instagram Reel warning that Gen Z Green is the new Millennial Grey. The only way to future proof this place is to ask your four-year-old nephew what his favourite colour is and then re-do the cabinets like that.

$4.2 million, check it out.

Events

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

Thursday and Friday

One of a Kind Christmas @ Exhibition - All Weekend
One of the largest annual craft shows in the country and a great place to find and support Canadian small businesses. This is the granddaddy of all Christmas shows with literally hundreds of vendors and booths to check out. Details

Pastel Still Life Workshop @ Shevchenko Museum - Thursday 6PM
Learn to paint with pastels. Also learn what it looks like inside that building on Bloor with the giant face. $45, materials included

Book People Social @ Book People on Queen - Thursday 7PM
It's a literary mixer! Meet other readers, enjoy some music, and head home with new bookmark. $30

Femme POP Dance Party @ Ground Control - Thursday 10PM
The first of a new monthly party celebrating girl power in pop. No cover, details

Stories Begin Here @ Society Clubhouse - Friday 1PM
From a reader: "This event invites mothers and caregivers to explore how stories — spoken, read, and lived — help children build confidence, curiosity, and emotional understanding." Details

Book Launch @ Society Clubhouse - Friday 6PM
A conversation with author Victoria Hetherington about her new book "The Friend Machine", which explores the world of AI companionship. Details

Mixology Class @ Le Dolci - Friday 7PM
(Jeff Foxworthy voice) If a guest at your party asked for a Screwdriver, and you went to go find your toolbox...... you might need to go to this cocktail class. $139

10 Year Anniversary Party @ See-Scape - Friday 8PM
Celebrating the continued success of of one of the West End's most unique venues. Expect karaoke, champagne, cosplay, and Nu Metal. Details

Junction Comedy @ The Alpine - Friday 8PM
See a bunch of comedians you remember from that one thing. $20

Limewired @ The Wych - Friday Night
Y2K danceparty. Round of applause for that great name. Details

Saturday

Window Wonderland @ The Junction - Starting this weekend
Looking into windows is one of Toronto's most cherished pastimes. While usually you look into windows to see how your neighbour decorates or what they're watching on TV, this weekend The Junction BIA is bringing the game to a whole new level.

For the fifth year "Window Wonderland" will transform the neighbourhood into a free outdoor art gallery, with more than 30 artist designed window paintings and wall murals. On top of that, there's an app for the event you can point at the murals to see them come to life. More info here

Pottery Market @ Society Clubhouse - Saturday 10AM
I've covered a lot of markets in this rag but never a Pottery Market! Run by Wychwood Potters, this once a year event will feature creations from 20+ West End potters. Details

Christmas Market @ St. Martin-in-the-Fields - Saturday 10AM
Say it with me folks: "I will not be talked into going to the Distillery District this year." Here's a beautiful and cozy local alternative featuring: "home baking, jams, vintage jewelry, books, and more." Details

Designer Vintage Sale @ 154 Brock - Saturday 11AM
A vintage pop-up and closet sale featuring pieces from Prada, Miu Miu, Marc Jacobs, and more. Details

Sip and Sew @ Working Women Community Centre - Saturday 130PM
Don't let your plans this weekend be as simple as a Sip and Sip event. Let's be productive with our sipping. From a reader: "3hr Intro to sewing workshop with snacks and mocktails. Learn to make a mini tote bag. All materials provided." $50-$60

Walk on the West Side @ West End - Saturday 5PM
An annual art event highlighting creatives who operate in Toronto's West End. Performances from poets, singers, and musicians, plus lots of art. Details

Movie + Family Potluck @ Eyesore Cinema - Saturday 8PM
It's a screening of "The Last Action Hero" (one of Arnold's best) where guests will bring snacks to share with each other. Waffles will also be provided because why wouldn't they be. $5

60s Soul Party @ The Piston - Saturday 10PM
Popular club night playing only 60's soul. This is the rare example of a quarterly event, so if you miss it this time you'll have to wait until Q1 2026. $15

Sunday and Monday

Holiday Artisan Market @ Great Hall - Sunday 11AM
Am I having a hard time writing unique descriptions for all of these Christmas markets? Maybe. Is this a cool market where you'll find great gifts from local producers? Also maybe. Details

Wintour Wonderland @ The Alpine - Sunday 12PM
From a reader: "As seen on Crave TV's "Drag Brunch Saved My Life", join Anoush Ellah & Ava Dia Max at The Alpine for a Drag brunch full of bling, boots, and an unforgettable brunch, guaranteed to be like no other." $17 tickets

Book Fair @ Glad Day - Sunday 12PM
Remember how elite the Scholastic Book Fairs when you were in school? Recapture some of that faded joy at this LGBTQ book fair in the new Glad Day space. Details

Saute Sundays @ West End - Sunday 6PM
A club where the group selects a cookbook, then everyone in the group prepares a recipe from it to share potluck style. Unfortunately this is one of those events that always books up really quickly - this week is sold out but now you know it's A Thing for future events. Details

Mama Needs a Drink @ Comedy Bar Bloor - Sunday 7PM
A comedy night with only cougar performers. "Menopause, marriage, motherhood and the mundane." $25

Brews and Bards @ Burdock - Monday 7PM
A night of Shakespeare and pints put on by George Brown Theatre School. $30

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵 Jesse Whiteley @ Blue Bird Bar - Thursday 8PM
🎵 StarDust Jazz Trio @ Old Mill - Thursday 8PM
🎵 Talel McBriar and Rachel Hickey (Folk) @ Burdock - Thursday 830PM
🎵 Charlie Houston (Indie) @ The Baby G - Thursday 9PM

🎵 Alanna Sterling (Rock) @ The Baby G - Friday 8PM
🎵 Hard Skin (Punk) @ The Garrison - Friday 8PM
🎵 NeuFasil Night @ NeuLokal - Friday 9PM

🎵 12 String Theory (Acoustic) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
🎵 MOONRiiVR (Psychedelia) @ St Annes - Saturday 7PM
🎵 Junction City Allstars @ My House Junction - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Material Girls (Covers) @ Old Mill - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Ruuted (House) @ Junction Underground - Saturday 10PM

🎵 The Ole Fashion (Country/Canadiana) @ Under The Alpine - Sunday
🎵 The Gypsy Rebels (Reggae) @ The Local - Sunday 2PM
🎵 Tony Allen's Fiddle Jamboree @ The Mezz - Sunday 3PM
🎵 Irresponsible Purchase (Indie Rock) @ Burdock - Sunday 8PM

Thank you!

Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon!

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

Have a great weekend, and talk to you next Thursday!
Xavier