One of the best parts of being a newsletter man is that more often than not, I don’t discover cool new places and things — you folks send ‘em to me! In this case I got tipped off to Hank’s Chill, a hip new slushie joint (in the back of a jewellery store on Dundas, because West End) and I’ll be the first to admit in summer I am a slushie fiend. Thanks Lee A, keep ‘em coming (that goes for the rest of you too!)

Apologies to anyone who braved the torrential downpour to visit The Junction for the Jumble yardsale — that was postponed on account of rain! It is happening this weekend though, so make sure to check out the Events section for details.

But that’s not the only thing happenin’ on the Best End (it’s not even the only neighbourhood yardsale!) — you can also look forward to open mics, fun fairs and not one but TWO witch-friendly events.

Ready for some updates?

We all know the West End’s food scene is really the food scene in Toronto. But nowhere was that made more manifest than in the recent Toronto Life list (their 44th annual — so I reckon they know what they’re on about) where 12/20 restaurants listed were on the West End.

Oh — and to be clear the city wasn’t bisected for this. Down/Uptown split entrants to round out the list. And as for the Least End? One solitary restaurant made the list, and that was “Oldeseoul Tavern” by Leemo Han, the same fella that runs West End faves Oddseoul, Hanmoto, Seoul Shakers, Shaker’s Club, Pepper’s and Made Rite.

A local guide on Google reviews said of the lone eastern inclusion: “Couldn’t be a better addition to the Beaches. As a big fan of their other spots around the city, I was so excited for this to open and it exceeded all expectations. Amazing cocktails and a cool, west-end-style vibe that’s usually hard to find in this neighborhood.” Oof. Tough day to be an East-Ender.

Read the full list here

Who doesn’t love art? Who doesn’t love parks? And really, who doesn’t love free. Well I’m pleased to report that Toronto Art’s Foundation’s summer festival (the aptly named) Arts in the Parks kicks off in Dufferin Grove Park next week on June 5th (rain or shine). There will be music, dance performances and interactive workshops — fun for the whole fam!

As the director and CEO of the TAF told Toronto Today, the vision of the festival is “A vibrant city where all our neighbourhoods are connected to the transformative power of the arts.” That sounds pretty damn good to me.

Learn more here.

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Last week we polled your opinions on iced dairy products — and the result was a tie! Ruru Baked and “My insufferable ignorance” both received the top spot. Genuinely curious which ones I missed — feel free to send ‘em my way!

This week, we’ve got one for the worms. We’re talking bookstores — which is your fave in the West?

We’re really in the era of freeholds in Toronto being listed at or just below $1M. Are they really gonna sell at that price, or is it a gimmick for attention - nobody knows. There’s truly no way to find out. Anyway, here’s another one!

12 MACDONELL AVE IS A BE-YUATIFUL FREEHOLD IN RONCY LISTED FOR JUST 1 MILLION DOLLARS. It’s got 4200 sq feet, a two car garage, and 6 bathrooms?? That is an obscene amount of bathrooms. I can’t imagine what you’d have to eat to get good value out of that arrangement.

Very nice house tho - check out the listing here.

Where the Dragonflies Gather: A Paint-Along with Annie Parkes @ Curiosa - Thurs 6:30pm
Dark, whimsical, paintalong. Plus dragonflies! Details.

Bass Witch Coven Social: Mirror Mirror @ Geary Avenue Warehouse - Thurs 7pm
Another full moon themed event! A queer femme-forward party. Details.

LAUGH OUT LOUD!! - A Toronto Standup Comedy NIght @ Thurs 7pm
More than just nachos and dance parties, come to SD's for your daily dose of laughs! Details.

Campagna sculpture exhibition @ Campagna Bronze studio gallery 2nd Floor - Fri 4pm/Sat1pm
Over 50 driftwood and wax Sculptures on display. Details.

Open Mic @ Parkdale Library - Fri 6:30pm
The one time you won't be told "keep it down!" in a library! Details.

Revue Event: THE END OF THE INTERNET – director in attendance + Hybrid Installation! @ Revue Cinema - Fri 6:30pm
"A film about the invisible operating system of the modern world. From an anarchist squat in Berlin, to a futuristic landscape in Taiwan, to a remote village in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, we encounter a series of figures from the internet decentralization movement." Details.

Poetry and Performance Night @ 1369 St Clair Ave W (Earlscourt Park) - Fri 7pm
Poetry! Performance! Perfection! Details.

A Solo Performance by Christopher House @ MOCA - Fri 7pm - Sat 3:20pm
"Join us for a special solo performance by renowned choreographer and dancer Christopher House on May 29 and May 30 presented within Kimsooja’s "Dimensions of a Needle." Details.

Hutch's Storytime @ Burdock Music Hall - Fri 9pm
"It will be a terrific show with some of Toronto's best storytellers. Christel Bartelse, Carsen Cassell, Susan Fischer, Zebulon Pike, Ronit Rubinstein & Andrew Wong will be performing based on the theme of Spring." Details.

Eurolicious - The Party @ See-Scape - Fri 9pm
All you need to know about this party is that there is free bubblegum, lollipops and candy. If the floor wasn't sticky before... Details.

Giant Junction Jumble Sale @ The Junction - Sat 8:30am
Remember this one? So dang cool it made the updates section last week! It was postponed until this weekend on account of rain, but make sure you don't miss it! Details.

Brockton Village Yard Sale Day and Community Party! @ McCormick Park - Sat 9am
Cruise the neighbourhood to pick up some gems. Be sure to bring loonies and toonies for kids' cookies and lemonade! Gather in McCormick Park for giant bubble making, other crafty fun, and a fabulous concert and group parade with the Trash Panda Brass band at noon! Details.

Mask Your Story @ MUSE Arts - Sat 9:30am
"A Creative Workshop on Identity, Migration & Personal Storytelling. What if your story could take shape… and be celebrated?" Details.

EXPO MOM TORONTO @ Parkdale Hall - Sat 10am
For moms and families! Marketplace, kids activities and connection all under one roof. Details.

Carleton Village FUN FAIR 2026 @ 315 Osler St. - Sat 12pm
Hey, this is my neck of the woods! Come on down and have some fun at this fair, proceeds go to supporting neighbourhood kids in need. Details.

Free - Learn about maintaining your car @ Karma Co-op - Sat 2pm
A lovely little event where participants learn (for free) how to fix up a car. The sample car in question will be a 2010 Toyota Camry! Details.


More than moms - afternoon retreat @ Swansea Town Hall - Sat 2pm
"In the midst of the everyday hustle, the mental load, and being everything to everyone — you deserve time and space to exhale." Details.

Gluten Free Garage festival @ Wychwood Barns - Sun 10am
Bread haters rejoice! The OG gluten-free fest is back in town. Details.

Environment Day @ Loretto College - Sun 10am
"Join us at Environment Day to drop off items for reuse and recycling and safely dispose of household hazardous waste. Free bagged compost also available, while supplies last." Details.

Spring Pottery Market at Parkdale Pottery Studio @ Parkdale Pottery Studio (Campbell Ave.) - Sun 10am
Handmade ceramics made by members of Parkdale Pottery Studio (Dupont location) - mugs, bowls, vases and more! Details.

Body Prayer - Outdoor 5Rhythms w/ Layah 2026 @ High Park Nature Centre - Sun 10am
"Imagine moving barefoot on green ground together, a morning sunlit sky arcing overhead, and a gentle warm breeze dancing across our skin. We are in a forest grove in High Park. We are held by a 5Rhythms Wave of music, our breath, and by the sacred beauty of our surroundings." Details.

Brains On! LIVE: Your Brain is Magic (TOW SHOWS) @ The Royal - Sun 11am/2pm
They make podcasts for children now?! Details.

K-Pop Takeover Is Coming To Toronto! @ The Mod Club - Sun 12pm
I know this is a slop free platform but I'd love to know what prompt they gave to elicit this AI gem: "This is not your average event. K-Pop Takeover is where fandom energy meets party chaos - where performance vibes meet club culture, and where every drop hits like a comeback teaser." Details.

Full Moon Mama's Gathering @ 299 Campbell Ave. - Sun 3pm
"Participate in a gentle ritual to harness the energy of the full moon - a powerful time for release, reflection, and illumination." Details.

sWychBack Sunday @ The Wych - Sun 7pm
Celebrating the squads that made the Golden Age of hip hop so Golden. Details.

Coven Coffeehaus @ Swan Dive - Sun 2pm
What better way to chase of the Sunday Scaries than with some boozy coffee and witchy vibes at the Swan Dive? Details.

🎵Lip Critic (Electropunk) @ The Garrison - Thurs 7pm
🎵A Flock Named Murder (Blackened Hardcore) @ Hard Luck Bar - Thurs 7pm
🎵Portland TV (Indie) @ Monarch Tavern - Thurs 7:30pm
🎵Dickson Bonfield (Folk Rock) @ Rosario's - Thurs 9pm
🎵Haute & Freddy (Indie Pop) @ The Great Hall - Fri 7pm
🎵Worrywart (Anxiety Rock) @ The Baby G - Fri 7pm
🎵Mary Droppinz (Electronic) @ The Mod Club - Fri 10pm
🎵Saltwave (Avant Garde) @ Sneaky Dee's - Sat 6:30pm
🎵Bards from the Club (Reggae) @ BSMT 254 - Sat 8pm
🎵James Irwin (Folk) @ Burdock Music Hall - Sun 8pm

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!)

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