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🦝 Flowers, Sourdough, and the Circus

🦝 Flowers, Sourdough, and the Circus

What's happening in the West End May 8th to 12th.

Xavier Post
May 08, 2025

Gooood morning West Enders and welcome to this week’s West End Raccoon.

Spring is in full swing now! This issue features a bunch of new outdoor markets and other springy events to help us all embrace the season.

It’s also Mother’s Day this Sunday! Go spend time with a maternal figure in your life and tell them how much they mean to you. Maybe even take them to a fun event you saw in some e-mail newsletter.

PSA: don’t forget the High Park Sakura trees have blossomed! If you want to brave the crowds to go see them, this will likely be the last weekend of full bloom.

Featured Events

(Full list of events at end of newsletter)

🌸 Blooms for Moms

Saturday 11AM @ The Village Courtyard

The Bloor West Village BIA is hosting a free Mother's Day event this Saturday. Visitors will receive a complimentary flower and professionally-taken photo. The BIA encourages you to make a day of it and support some local businesses before/after visiting. Details

🎪 Cirque Du Soleil - OVO

Until end of June @ Lakeshore West Pavilion

If you’ve driven on the Gardiner recently you’ve probably noticed the big pavilion/tent thingy that’s been erected off Lakeshore West. This is apparently the world’s largest pop-up venue, and for the next two months it’ll host a new Cirque du Soleil show: OVO.

No, it’s not a collaboration with Drake’s October’s Very Own as I first thought. It’s actually a performance that takes you into the world of insects, specifically ladybugs. The show opened last weekend and reviews have been pretty positive. Tickets start at $73

West End Updates

Self Driving Cars Coming to Toronto This Year?

I saw a bunch of headlines this week saying self-driving cars were coming to Toronto this year. Once I read a little deeper I realized that council hadn’t approved full-on self-driving cars, but rather these little 3-foot self-driving delivery robots. Still pretty crazy, but not quite full science-fiction yet.

Twenty of these little robot things will deploy into the city this year to complete deliveries. They’ll have strict speed controls, and will only be allowed in specific areas of the city. Their range will start at Avenue Rd in the East and end at Parkside Drive.

New Bakery Opens in Roncy

The Ossington bakery Dear Grain has opened a new location at the corner of Roncesvalles and Fern Ave. Originally from Hamilton, this spot has exploded in popularity due to its famous sourdough. If you’ve walked through the area you’ve probably already noticed this place, they have a super cool farmhouse-y exterior.

In addition to loaves, the bakery will also sell sourdough pastries, coffee, and ready-to-eat sandwiches. Welcome to the neighbourhood Dear Grain! Here’s their website for more info.

Dundas West Closure This Weekend

A portion of Dundas West will be closed this weekend between May 9th and 11th for construction. The work will cause a hard closure between Pacific and Medland in the Junction, with soft closures (permitting local traffic only) starting at Keele.

Fancy House of the Week

Our fancy house this week is 83 Pearson Ave. It’s located in an area that’s kinda in-between Roncy and Parkdale? Or maybe it just counts as Parkdale. I guess I’m supposed to know this but I don’t sorry. Regardless, the house is amazing. It has that classic red brick exterior but then modern detailing and a beautiful kitchen. The place was apparently owned by a contractor who renovated the interior for his family so you know a lot of care went into it.

For a list price of $2.75 million you get 4 beds, 3 baths, and over 2000 square feet. Check it out.

Fancy House of the Week is brought to you by your West End neighbour of over 20 years: Chris Alward, BMO Mortgage Specialist. Is your mortgage coming up for renewal or are you planning to buy? Don’t just take the first mortgage offer you receive. Contact Chris for expert advice and solutions to make your mortgage work for you, no matter where you bank.

Events

I took some feedback this week and tried to add more free and PWYC events. As always reader ideas are incredibly helpful, please respond to this e-mail with any you have,

Thursday and Friday

Toronto Stitchers and Chatters Club @ Strawbella Café - Thursday 6PM
This is a weekly free social group run by a West End Raccoon reader. “Our group welcomes everyone who enjoys fibre crafts like knitting, crochet, embroidery, beading, and more. It is a casual, no-instruction gathering where people can bring their own projects and connect with others who share similar interests.” They’ll meet every Thursday until the end of summer.

Almost Jeopardy Trivia @ Steadfast Brewery - Thursday 7PM
A trivia night for real trivia-heads. The loose theme for this week is "Eurotrip". Details

What Makes Canada, Canada? @ Henderson Brewing - Thursday 7PM
"A screening of Design Canada and Q&A with Director Greg Durrell exploring the history and impact of graphic design on Canadian identity." $27

Comedy at The Cat @ The Cat Pub & Eatery - Thursday 7PM
A comedy night in support of Warren Park JPS. Details

Parkdale Presents @ The Bell & The Beacon - Thursday 9PM
This is a musical variety night featuring a ton of quick sets from local performers. No cover, PWYC.

SCARYOKE @ The Wych - Thursday 9PM
The name kinda says it all here. It's karaoke, but it's scary. Scaryoke, get it? Details

David Lynch Tribute Night @ Revue Cinema - Friday 630PM
If you're a Lynch nerd like me, Revue is doing a tribute night with screenings of Straight Story and Blue Velvet. Tickets ($14)

Your Mama's Got Jokes @ The Real Jerk Legacy - Friday 8PM
West End comedians telling funny stories about their mothers. $20

Blair's Birthday Bash @ Junction Underground - Friday 9PM
A big birthday party where everyone's welcome. The night will start with some karaoke and then transition into DJs and dancing. Come make some friends! The event is free, but they are asking for a donation to support the film production of the titular Blair. Details

Wine Fest Toronto @ Enercare Centre - Friday & Saturday
It's an all-you-can-drink wine festival. I don't know if I should be excited or scared. $82

Saturday

Roncy Flea @ 240 Roncesvalles Ave - Saturday 10AM
Roncy Flea kicks off for the season this Saturday. It's always a lot of fun with a ton off cool vendors selling everything from retro furniture to kitschy crafts. Details

Family Birding Walk @ High Park Nature Centre - Saturday 10AM
The birds are back in town! This is a family friendly walk to see some of the birds that have migrated to High Park. $10 Tickets

Mother's Day Buffet @ Old Mill - Saturday 1030AM
Treat your mom to a chef made all-you-can eat buffet. $60

Swansea Historical Tour @ Swansea Town Hall - Saturday 11AM
This is a free 90 minute historical walking tour. Learn all about the Swansea of the past; from French trading posts to the King's Mills. Details

Curiosity Class @ Bloor/Gladstone Library - Saturday 1PM
This is part of a series of philosophy classes designed to help you think about the big questions in life. This weeks subject: "How Love Shapes Us". $18

World Migratory Bird Day @ High Park Nature Centre - Saturday 2PM
This is like the birding walk I talked about earlier but more tailored to serious bird-watchers ages 12+. Details

English Conversation Circle @ Parkdale Library - Saturday 2PM
Learning English? This is a low-key friendly environment to come practice with a bunch of other learners. Details

Paint N Vibe @ The Real Jerk Legacy - Saturday 3PM
Paint, have some drinks, eat, and jam out to nostalgic R&B and hip-hop tunes. $60

Toronto Teen Film Festival @ Revue Cinema - Saturday 4PM
"Created by teens, for teens. To encourage and celebrate young people’s stories and storytelling from Ontario." $10

Wide Open Stage @ The Mezz - Saturday 8PM
This is an open-mic night for local musicians. Enjoy some up-and-coming artists or dust off an instrument and perform. Deets

BRITANNIA: Britpop Dance Party @ Ground Control - Saturday 9PM
"BRITANNIA is the ONLY Britpop Video Dance Party in North America. It's packed with hundreds of Britpop fans dancing to decades of Brit tunes" $12

Sunday and Monday

Toronto Artisan Market @ Trinity Bellwoods - Sunday 11AM
The Artisan Market is back for Mother's Day at Trinity Bellwoods. Lots of local hand-crafted goods up for sale. Details

Mother's Day High Tea for Charity @ The Symes - Sunday 11AM
A fancy high tea raising funds for Shelter Movers, a charity that supports women and families in need. $62

Annual Aggie’s Wildflower Walk @ Lambton House - Sunday 1PM
This is an recurring Mother's Day walk run by Toronto Field Naturalists. It'll be an accessible 4km loop that will allow you to take in all the spring flowers. Details

Toronto Maple Leafs (Baseball) Home Opener @ Christie Pits - Sunday 2PM
There's a big Leafs game happening this weekend, but it's not the one you're thinking of. It's another team also called the Toronto Maple Leafs; a West End baseball team that play in the Canadian Intercounty Baseball League.

Their matches take place at Christie Pits and are tons of fun. This season comes with extra excitement after the team signed one of the best female pitchers in the world out of Japan (A three time Women's World Cup MVP!). Their home opener is this weekend against the Kitchener Panthers. Details (Free)

Crochet Bucket Hat Workshop @ On the Map - Monday 7PM
Fun workshop where you learn to crochet your own bucket hat for the summer. Bring a crochet hook. $40

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵 Eric St Laurent & Sam Broverman (Jazz) @ NeuLokal - Thursday 7PM
🎵 Jane & Kyle (Canadian Fiddle Chamions) @ Burdock Music Hall - Thursday 730PM
🎵 Greg Cockerill (Blues) @ Blue Bird Bar - Thursday 8PM
🎵 Magpie (Indie) @ BSMT254 - Thursday 8PM

🎵 Saul Torres (Rock) @ Rosario's - Friday 8PM
🎵 Isabelle al Jabri (Alt-Pop) @ Burdock Music Hall - Friday 8PM
🎵 Tak Arushi Trio (Jazz) @ La Rev - Friday 8PM
🎵 Mark Kelso (Jazz) @ Old Mill - Friday 8PM
🎵 Nizo's Brass Band (Balkan) @ NeuLokal - Friday 9PM

🎵 Paddy Man (Irish) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
🎵 Julie Michels & Kevin Barrett (Jazz) @ La Rev - Saturday 530PM
🎵 Live Salsa Orchestra @ Rosario's - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Will Powers (Art-Punk) @ Burdock Music Hall - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Jerry From Last Week (Electro-Punk @ Junction Underground - Saturday 830PM
🎵 Seu Quartet (Jazz) @ La Rev - Saturday 830PM
🎵 Yilmaz Avci (Turkish) @ NeuLokal - Saturday 9PM

🎵 The Capys (Irish Trio) @ The Mezz - Sunday Matinee
🎵 Ken Yoshioka & Julian Fauth (Piano/Blues) @ The Local - Sunday 2PM
🎵 Live Mariachi @ Rosario's - Sunday 5PM

🎵 Orchestra: Beethoven's Syphony No. 6 @ Lula Lounge - Monday 6PM
🎵 Sean McCarthy (Jazz) @ Steadfast Brewing - Monday 7PM
🎵 Almost Sunday (Acoustic/Indie) @ Burdock Music Hall - Monday 7PM
🎵 Ky Anto (Acoustic) @ The Local - Monday 9PM

Thank you!

Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon! I hope you all have really awesome Mother’s Day weekends.

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