Gen X subscribers: rejoice! For Rush is in town this weekend and due to that fact “Rushcon” is also happening with a variety of events across the city (fear not — they spill over to the West End too).

Summer lovers: begin to panic! Because with the Civic Holiday over, we’re officially over half way through this glorious season. Or not — some true optimists are quick to remind me that summer officially ends September 22nd. So you’ve got some time. Summer lovin’ be like:

And in the spirit of an endless summer, we’ve got a (nearly) endless cornucopia of events for your enjoyment! These include multiple block parties, multiple flea markets, and one “back to school” themed party…sexy style.

Now, updates!

As a resident of Carleton Village, which (while lovely) is something of a cafe desert, this news pretty much made my week. Vers, the new caffeine-slinging establishment and community space is inspired by European cafes, and will evolve its menu as the day goes on, with sandwiches and snacks at lunch time, events and even the occasional dinner in the evening.

With a delightful patio space and a gorgeous interior, Vers is a place you could hang out all day. And Vers’ main goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive space. As owner Ella Webber told Toronto Life: “As a queer-built, -designed, -owned and -operated business, we wanted to create a space where everyone feels genuinely welcome.”

Read more here.

Ok, ok, the headline was a little provocative. Some people love this kind of thing! I for one am thrilled they didn’t simply knock the once-church-now-event-space down (Toronto-style). But the clash of gleaming modern tower and 1888 architecture is…something. Neat fact (about an albeit highly controversial figure) — John A. Macdonald laid the cornerstone for this church.

The now-named Randolph Theatre is allegedly in need of a little corporate-lovin’ according to the developers who claim “its current condition is compromised, and it is in desperate need of significant capital investment to ensure its longevity." That’s one way to sell a tower! It’s just a proposal right now, and the community will likely have some feedback, especially since its currently slated to be 40 stories tall — far taller than the 26 stories other Mirvish Village buildings max out at.

Read more here.

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No one’s located the concrete “SMONK” yet, but happy hunting! Hint - it’s north of Bloor (yeah, not a great hint, but it’s something!)

Back to our regularly scheduled polling. This week’s question for you Best Enders — what’s the best strip to spend a Saturday afternoon strolling down and shopping on?

246 Riverside Drive has a lot going on. There are definitely some capitalized words that I should use to describe this place but I’m not sure which ones. Is it Victorian? I know there’s some Tuscan in there. Elizabethan? I’m locking in on Edwardian, final answer. This of course means would mean it was inspired by Robert Pattinson in Twilight.

Regardless, it’s got a lot going for it. It backs onto the Humber, so it has a boat house and dock as you’d expect from any fancy house. It’s also nearly 10k square feet, with a gym, sauna, and wine cellar. There are some really funky looking rooms in this place.

$6.4 million, check it out.

Casey McGlynn Unveils "Meditation Robot and the Sailing Ships", New Solo Exhibition at Bau-Xi Gallery @ Bau-Xi Gallery | Dufferin - Thurs 10am. I can tell you having clicked the link myself this art is absolutely weird and rad. Details.

Sketch & Paint Workshop @ 967 College Street - Thurs 7pm. "Join us for a relaxed sketch and paint experience inspired by the charm of Kensington Market. Create your own masterpiece, connect with others, and unwind." Details.

MORE NOISE PLEASE! x COWARD PATROL PRESENT: A Fundraiser for Toronto's New Noise Festival: SEVERE EXPOSURE! @ BSMT 254 - Thurs 8pm. LOUD NOISE! IN SUPPORT OF MORE LOUD NOISE! Details.

Extravagant Eats Art Show By Stay Curious Artist @ Loohoo - Fri 6pm. Great food isn't just an art, sometimes it's literally art! And sometimes that art takes the form of stickers, apparently. Details.

Killer B Cinema Presents: Attack of the Giant Leeches! @ See-Scape - Fri 7:30pm. You've seen giant gorillas. You've seen 50ft women. But have you seen disgusting, oozing, sucking giant leeches on the big screen? Details.

Board Game Night at Left Field Brewery in Liberty Village Toronto @ Left Field Brewery Liberty Village - Fri 7:30pm. Beer! Board games! Come and be infuriated with a stranger who just stole longest road from you. Details.

Support The Raccoon

Bugs and Blooms: Pollinator Nature Walk in Toronto's High Park @ High Park Forest School - Sat 10am. Not bugged by bugs? Head on down to High Park and peep some pollinators on a lovely nature walk. Details.

Punk Rock Flea Market Toronto @ Hard Luck Bar - Sat 11am. You'd think punk rock and flea markets wouldn't mix. But you'd be wrong. This ain't your grandma's flea market (unless she's rad as hell). Details.

Roncy Flea - August Edition @ Roncesvalles United Church - Sat 10am - 4pm. Flea market with 50 vendors offering vintage, artisanal and homemade goodies. Details.

Korea Town Street Festival @ Euclid and Bloor - Sat 1pm. Party down in Korea Town! Details.

A FREE POP PUNK AND EMO BLOCK PARTY! @ Nickel 9 Distillery - Sat 1pm. Nickel 9 and Samara are throwing a big, fun...sad? block party for the emo heads! And it's FREE! Details.

Scribbles & Strolls: Nature Journaling Workshop In High Park @ High Park Forest School - Sat 1:30pm. "Make your own unique nature journal, then take it for a spin on a guided walk that sharpens your senses and sparks creativity. Capture moments with sketches, notes, and curious observations as we explore the outdoors." Details.

Toronto Tenant Union Summer Social Block Party @ York Jets Field, 2801 Eglinton Ave W - Sat 3pm. Free food, 4x4 soccer games with prizes, meet your Union, meet your Neighbours. Details.

Mixology: Cocktail Class @ Le Dolci Culinary School - Sat 5pm. Budding bartender? Cocktail curious? Mixed-drink motivated? Then this class is for you! Details.

Sampalis Foundation's very first Summer Benefit & Soirée @ Revival Bar - Sat evening. Come for a tipple, some music, and support life-saving gynecological research! Details.

Revue Event: THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT (2004) @ Revue Cinema - Sat 8pm. Playing entirely because it was referenced in Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie. No, really. Details.

The Big Queer Music Jam @ Tranzac Club - Sat 7:30pm. "Hello! My name's Meghan and I run Queer Music Jam 🎵 We're having a jam at Tranzac Club on Sat Aug 8 - we'll be playing through cover songs!! It'll feel like karaoke but with a band - and you can be in the band too!!" Details.

Karaoke Night @ Cassette @ Cassette - Sat 7pm. It's like normal karaoke but somehow flirtier and sexier. Just read the event copy. Details.

fetNOIR: Play and Dance Party @ Ground Control - Sat Aug 8. I know it's a sexy party but do we have to be thinking about back to school this early in August?! Details.

RushCon @ Henderson Brewing Company - Sun 12pm. Rush is in town! What better way to celebrate them, than with a pint of frothy official Rush beer from Henderson's! Details.

Patterns, Paper and Self-Portraits: A collage workshop @ Underscore Projects - Sun 2pm. Taking selfies beginning to bore you? Come find out how to paint 'em instead. Details.

Speed Dating Beyond Small Talk @ Society Clubhouse - Sun 3pm. "Try the matchmaking event that's been dubbed 'Yoga for your Love Life' by singles." Details.

TOPS presents Thelma & Louise at Christie Pits @ Christie Pits - Sun 6pm. They totally cleared that canyon. I refuse to believe otherwise. Details.

Bone Health 101 @ Palmerston Library - Mon 3pm. At least 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will suffer from a fragility fracture in their lifetime. Join a volunteer facilitator from Osteoporosis Canada and learn how to improve your bone health, reduce your risk of osteoporosis and related fractures. Details.

This is Not the Show/Trampoline Hall Party @ The Garrison - Mon 7:30pm. It's simple. Come to the bar. Talk to people in real life. Have a drink, if you're so inclined. Details.

🎵Ben Nichols (Americana) @ The Great Hall - Fri 7pm
🎵Weak Hands (Pop Punk) @ The Monarch Tavern - Fri 7:30pm
🎵Black Budget (Desert Punk) @ The Baby G - Fri 8pm
🎵Ephaisus (Prog Metal) @ Hard Luck Bar - Fri 8pm
🎵Ekoh (Indie Rap) @ The Garrison - Fri 8pm
🎵Johan Miranda (Chamber Rock) @ Burdock Music Hall - Fri 9pm
🎵Tarbox (Post Hardcore) @ Sneaky Dee's - Sat 6:30pm
🎵The Bellwoods (Acoustic Americana) @ Gigli Caffé - Sat 7pm
🎵Riff Wood (Rock) @ The Mod Club - Sun 7pm
🎵AngelMaker (Deathcore) @ Lee's Palace - 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!)

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