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🦝 Flowers, Backflips, and Italian Sandwiches

🦝 Flowers, Backflips, and Italian Sandwiches

What's happening in the West End April 10th to 14th.

Xavier Post
April 10, 2025

Goooooood morning West End!

Looks like we’re in for some more April showers this Friday and Saturday. But don’t fret! There’s a lot of great stuff going on. Let’s have some fun rainy days.

You this weekend

And we can’t be too far away from nice weather. Right? Right?!?! Someone re-assure me please.

Featured Events

(Full list of events at end of newsletter)

🤼 Toronto Wrestling Club: Springtime Showdown

Friday 9PM @ Henderson Brewing

What gives that happy Spring feeling more than bodyslams and backflips? Toronto Wrestling Club returns to Henderson Brewing this Friday to kick off the season with “slams, suplexes, and great beer!” Tickets are $30.

🚸 Free Children’s Music & Puppet Show

Sunday 1PM @ Type Books Junction

For a more family friendly event this weekend, check out a free children’s puppet show on Sunday after lunch. Hosted by Dr. Bonkers and his puppet Larry, the event promises lots of laughs and sing-a-longs. I’ve actually been a patient of Dr. Bonkers for a while. He’s a little un-orthodox but it’s so difficult to find a family practitioner these days. Details

West End Updates

Subway Closures This Weekend

Be careful when planning trips this weekend; The TTC has announced that Line 2 will be fully closed between Jane and Ossington all day Saturday and Sunday for track work. Luckily shuttle buses will run along the impacted sections of the line (and we all know how effective those are). Early closures will continue throughout the following week, with stations closing at 11pm until Thursday.

Famous Musician Opening Sandwich Shop in Roncesvalles

Toronto’s own Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Charlotte Day Wilson is trading singles for sandwiches with the launch of an eatery in Roncy. The restaurant began as a pop-up last summer at Burdock Brewery, serving Italian style sandwiches along with fresh cannoli. “Tutto Panino” is expected to open this spring, joining a host of other tasty sandwich spots in the neighbourhood.

High Park Cherry Blossoms Expected in Late April

The cherry blossom buds in High Park have begun to shed their bronze exterior to reveal green underneath. According to people smarter than me, this means we are in “Stage 1” of the blooming process, on track for full bloom within 16 to 22 days.

If you want to track the buds process but don’t want to be burdened with a walk in the park, you’re in luck. The High Park Nature Centre posts regular updates on their progress here. If you really need an urgent update, they even have a phone hotline you can call to check in on the flowers.

Fancy House of the Week

If you have a spare 4.7 million laying around, this six bed six bath Edwardian beauty could be yours. 17 High Park Avenue boasts over 6,000 square feet of living space across four stories in addition to two outdoor patios. The listing describes one of the rooms as the “Grand Foyer”. Not just a regular foyer. This place has a Grand Foyer. Check it out.

Events

I tried something a bit different with the events section this week - there are slightly fewer events overall but this time I put a description next to each event. I figured it’s more helpful to get some information on each event rather than just reading a massive list of names and dates.

The Live Music section is still just a massive list at the end, I think that’s still the best format for that.

All Weekend

Spring Maker Market @ MakerBean - Saturday and Sunday 10AM to 5PM
A weekend market for "Makers", as in people who like crafts, projects, and tinkering on stuff. Free admission.

Mask of the Red Death @ Assembly Theatre - All Weekend at 730PM
A modern re-telling of an Edgar Allen Poe classic. "Inside a luxury compound where tech elite shelter from environmental collapse, a resistance brews beneath the surface of a cabaret." $44

Toronto Silent Film Festival @ Revue Cinema - All Weekend
Enjoy your grandparent's grandparents favourite movies this weekend at Revue Cinema. Details.

Thursday and Friday

Almost Jeopardy Trivia @ Junction Craft - Thursday 7PM
Trivia that's like Jeopardy, but not. This week's theme: Gene Hackman & Easter Eggs. Details

Kari-Oke @ Steadfast Brewing - Friday 7PM
Karaoke featuring certified CAN-CON classics. Steadfast will also be unveiling their new Maple "Only Thing We're Good For" beer. Details

Playtime @ Osprey Cafe - Friday 8PM
A small comedy show in Parkdale that's just started at the Osprey Cafe. $12 tickets

SEVENTEEN Club Night @ District 9 Snack Bar - Friday 9PM
I don't know anything about the K-Pop group "Seventeen", but I have to imagine if you do this is your dream event. $22

Cuban Friday @ Lula Lounge - Friday 7PM
The night starts with dinner and then beginner salsa lessons. The dancing continues with DJs and live Latin music playing all night. $13

Mothermorphosis @ AM Coffee Studio - Friday 7PM
An evening for mothers to connect and grow, celebrating change as it comes. $38

Harm Reduction Happy Hour @ Low Bar - Friday 8PM
A happy hour with live music raising money for Harm Reduction Advocacy Collective. Featuring PIPER MARU, GUTMACHINE, and LICE. $28

Saturday

Gothic Garden Market @ Ground Control - Saturday 11AM to 5PM
This spooky spring gathering is being hosted by the Toronto Dark Arts Market. "An artisan market dedicated to all things weird and wonderful." Free admission

Spoon Carving Workshop @ Articulations - Saturday 1PM
Carve a wooden spoon with a design on the handle. Perfect for scooping coffee. $70

Sip n’ Paint @ Macedo Winery - Saturday 2PM
Paint paintings and sip sips. $49

South Indian Cooking Class @ 360 Cooking Studio - Saturday 6PM
Learn to cook traditional Indian dishes and then enjoy a meal with wine. $95 food and drink included

Sunday and Monday

Basic Woodworking Lesson @ Site3 - Sunday 10AM
Learn the basics of woodworking. Not included: your father's approval. $170

Toronto Dating Hub April Singles Mixer for Professionals @ Dipped Donuts & Coffee - Sunday 1030AM
Find love and eat donuts! Ages 28+, $21

Learn Beekeeping @ The Bee Studio - Sunday 11AM
A seven week class on how to keep bees starting this Sunday. I've always thought their outfits are cool. $450

SMOKESHOW Drag Brunch @ Lula Lounge - Sunday 12PM
Devine Darlin and Destiny are bringing heat to your brunch and celebrating all things hot! With prizes, mimosas, and more. $16

Coffee Jam @ La Piscina - Sunday 12PM
Coffee Jam is a daytime party powered by caffiene. "Sip on delicious brews, groove to live music, and mingle with fellow coffee lovers." $7

RIPEN: Radical Conversations @ Community outWitch - Sunday 3PM
Women talking to women about sex, desire, and relationships. $35

The Vibey Comedy Show @ Wenona Lodge - Sunday 8PM
Some top Canadian comedians going up: Abdullah Usman, Chris Locke, Tamara Shevon. $20

Crochet & Jazz @ Drake Hotel - Monday 630PM
This is farther East than I usually share but I thought it was cool. It's a beginner friendly crochet session that takes place as you enjoy live jazz music. All materials are provided, tix are $27

Vegan Kimchi Workshop @ Sodaam - Monday 6PM
Spring means it's time to make Kimchi! Learn how at this workshop. $135

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

Eric St Laurent & Calvin Beale (Jazz) @ NeuLokal - Thursday 7PM
Crystal Shawanda (Country) @ Lula Lounge - Thursday 7PM
Noise Hotel & Separator w/ Charlie Houston (Indie) @ Burdock Music Hall - Thursday 8PM
NORA, SUPERFRAUD & ANIMAL BOY (Rock) @ BSMT254 - Thursday 8PM
St Helen & The Eruptions (Rock) @ Junction Underground - Thursday 830PM

Babe Report (Shoegaze) @ Baby G - Friday 8PM
Hilario Duran (Jazz) @ Old Mill - Friday 8PM
Tak Arikushi Trio (Swing Jazz) @ La Rev - Friday 8PM
Merve Melodia & Stavros Kanichis (Greek & Turkish) @ NeuLokal - Friday 9PM
TECHNOALSON (Techno) @ Junction Underground - Friday 9PM

North Atlantic Drift (Irish East Coast Trio) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
Saturday Jazz Piano @ Gigli Caffe - Saturday 3PM
Micaela Rae Trio (Jazz) @ La Rev - Saturday 530 PM
His Death Was Red w/ Arenas (Indie Rock) @ Burdock Music Hall - Saturday 8PM
The Abja Band + Nirmal & Darpan Duo (Nepalese) @ Teddy Beer - Saturday 8PM
Live Salsa Orchestra @ Rosario's - Saturday 8PM
Wide Open Stage (Variety) @ The Mezz - Saturday 8PM
Otis Wonder and The Hustle (Blues five-piece) @ Old Mill - Saturday 8PM
B.A. Johnston (Folk/Punk) @ Baby G - Saturday 8PM
Roots Vibe Band (Reggae) @ Owls Club - Saturday 9PM
Open Mic & Jam Night @ Shakey's - Saturday 930PM
Echoes of the Moon (House) @ 821 Runnymede - Saturday 10PM

Don Valley Drifters (Bluegrass) @ The Local - Sunday 2PM
The Capys (Irish Trio) @ The Mezz - Sunday 3PM
Elbët Kibreet - Syrian and Lebanese Legends @ La Plaza - Sunday 730PM
Blue Moon (Classic Rock) @ The Local - Sunday 9PM

How did you like the new events format? Give me some feedback by responding to this e-mail - even a simple yes or no gets the point across.

Thank you!

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