🦝 Pizzerias, Goths & Underwater Caves

Oh yeah. You can feel it. That kiss of warmth in the sunlight. The trill of migratory birds, returning home. Go on — it’s safe to say it out loud now. Winter…is OVER.

And with a big “buh-bye!” we can bid adieu to the salt and the shovels and wave a big hello to the first wave of serious spring flowers, the majestic and ephemeral Daffodil! I like taking pics of the weird ones around the West End, please enjoy a sampling below.

And just as Spring is in the air, the Raptors are in the playoffs for the first time in four years! Things are really looking up for us Churranno residents.

Nowhere is that more true than the glorious West End. There’s a veritable smorgasbord of events happening this week[end] including a Goth garden market. Hard to get more West End than that. Plus game nights, dance parties, movie screenings and something called “Drunk Clue.”

And with that half-cut cliffhanger, on to the updates!

West End Updates

A hand drawn map of the “real Toronto” triggers some Twitter tiffs

Ok this is hilarious. Someone (likely a subscriber of this very newsletter) claimed Toronto — or more specifically the West End of it (with the exclusion of Libery Village and King West) — to be the greatest city on Earth. I can’t help but agree, but you can imagine the Twitter beef this started.

Interestingly, our West End fan seems to be one of you who subscribes to the ‘Spadina is our border on the East’ theory, but doesn’t seem to have any interest in Bloor-West Village and beyond. Rest assured, dear readers, we at the WER have room in our hearts for neighbourhoods as West as the sun sets (or as cool events and updates require).

Also — and I found this odd — the Blog TO writer who covered this “story” seems completely oblivious as to why these very specific borders for the city were drawn, and in an unironic and neutral tone is like “Now why would anyone think this is the real Toronto?”

Read the full story here.

Profound Pizza is back after a break so that it can keep selling (out) its Detroit-style pizza

Oh yeah. We are so back to pizza posting. Profound Pizza was a low key ghost kitchen, run by Colin Breen, a former corporate drone who hung up his keyboard and turned in his Teams access to pursue his dream — big ole THICC pizza. With the support of his buddy Digs Dorfman (real name), founder of The Sweet Potato grocery store in the Junction, he started turning his iconic 48h fermented dough into extremely full customers.

But business wasn’t just booming, it was ka-blooming and that meant he was selling out earlier and earlier, frustrating customers eager to have a coronary. This led to halting operations and taking some time to upscale, which means Profound Pizza can now sell out slightly later than before. Because by all accounts they are really that good.

Read the full story here.

I have the pleasure of living near Osler and Davenport and the of blaring car horns is the soundscape of my life. And it got me thinking — what is the worst/ confusing/dangerous (and we’ve got some stinkers) intersection on the West End?

Relatively Affordable House of the Week

Take a peek at 424-1410 Dupont, a nifty 1+1 loft with 10 foot ceilings right by Lansdowne and Dupont. This place looks unbelievably blessed but it think that’s supported by how well decorated it is. If I moved in it would still be nice however the massive TV I’d put in would remove a certain amount of je ne sais quoi. But what else would I sit in front of while scrolling Reels!?

Anyway this place is awesome, walk-in closet, balcony, incredible proximity to Food Basics. It’s listed for $499,999, check it out.

Events

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

Thursday/Friday

GET BUSS @ The Wych - Thurs 8pm
This one is a little unclear to me but my best guess is a lineup of DJs and an art exhibit! Details.

All That Glitters @ My House - Thurs 8pm
Burlesque! In the Junction! Thought you ought to know... Details.

free Pizza, with coffee purchase @ Clandestino Wine Bar - Fri 11am
Truly my greatest test of a writer was to think of a description for an event that is literally called "free Pizza, with coffee purchase.” Details.

Board Game Night @ Left Field Brewery Liberty Village - Fri 7pm
Left Field? More like West Field -- come to their LV location and game it up this Friday. Details.

Blood On the Clocktower @ The Grand Order of Divine Sweets - Fri 7:30pm
Calling lovers of social deceptions games, GOODS is hosting an 'advanced version of the game Werewolf' for all experience levels. Details.

Aquatica: An Immersive Underwater Art Experience @ Superwonder Gallery - Fri 8pm - Sun 1pm
Art, installations and an afterparty in an underwater cave!!! Details.

Drunken Cinema: SHREK - 25th Anniversary Screening! @ The Revue Cinema - Fri 9:30pm
Shrek turns 25, and what better way to celebrate this iconic classic than by getting pissed watching it at the local cinema! Details.

Resurrection LXIII ft. Phil Gonzo & Kill Instinct @ See-Scape - Fri 10pm
"Resurrection's Morgan Von Darque teams up with Kill Instinct and Phil Gonzo to bring a pulsing tidal wave of dark, heavy electronic music to transport you all to the space between worlds, where chaos and discord do not exist!" Details.

Saturday

Authentic Relating & Circling Immersion @ 151 Sterling Rd Studio 4 - Sat 8:45am - Sun 5pm
"Join us for a transformative weekend of embodied, experiential learning in conscious communication, human connection, conflict navigation, speaking your truth, and empathetic listening." Details.

Gothic Garden Market @ Ground Control - Sat 11am
I think we found our "Most West End of the Week" event winner. A garden market, but make it goth. Details.

Maker Bean Annual Spring Maker Market 2026 @ The Maker Bean Cafe - Sat 12pm - Sun 6pm
Calling all makers (and lovers of things made!) This market features local artisans, pluss activities for kiddos and a fundraiser. Details.

KNOWLEDGE: DAY & NIGHDNB GATHERING @ Boogie - Sat 5pm
DNB + BBQ = Acronyms you're gonna wanna check out this weekend! Details.

Liam's Double Trouble: MAN'S BEST FRIEND (1993) & BAD MOON (1996) @ Eyesore Cinema - Sat 7pm
A double feature of some 90's canine carnage. Details.

A Saturday DRAG BINGO @ No Notes Cocktail Bar - Sat 7pm
"If you’re looking for a fun night out this spring, Messy Margaret is bringing Messy’s Drag Bingo back to No Notes Cocktail Bar on Saturday, April 18th at 7pm." Details.

SPELLBOUND Video Dance Party. GOTH / DARKWAVE / POST-PUNK / INDUSTRIAL w/ She Past Away Spotlight @ Ground Control - Sat 9pm
For when the 80's and 90's dance parties are too cheerful and upbeat. Details.

Love Shack @ Swan Dive - Sat 10pm
I'll let the official description shine here: "🌹 Love Shack babyyyyy 🌹 all rock & roll all night, no cover • cheap drinks • free pool What more can you ask for?" Details.

It's All Good 90's Music Video Dance Party @ The Piston - Sat 10pm
While decade-themed dance parties may seem older than time immemorium, this is actually the tenth anniversary of music video dance parties at The Piston. Details.

Bangerz Only: 2010s Dance Party @ Sneaky Dee's - Sat 10:30pm
Dance music from a decade I actually remember! Details.

Hannah Montana: 20th Anniversary Party - Toronto @ Supermarket - Sat 10:30pm
Winner of this week's "most niche dance party" award Details.

Sunday/Monday

Down to Earth Market @ Parkdale Hall - Sun 11am
"Shop sustainably, think locally, and celebrate our planet. Featuring eco-friendly vendors and green goods for conscious living." Details.

All in the Family with Mountsberg Raptor Centre in High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Sun 1:30pm
Come learn about real-life Raptors. Clever girl. Details.

Becoming an Ally 4th Edition Book Launch @ Another Story Bookshop - Sun 6pm
"In this new edition, the author has built on the previous three editions, but also started fresh, writing an accessible guide to what structural oppression is, where it came from and how it spread." Details.

Drunk Clue @ The Baby G - Sun 7:30pm
"Not the board game! Not quite the movie! Something Drunker!” Details.

Resin coaster workshop @ Rainhard Brewing Co. - Mon 4:30pm
Every good beer needs a good coaster! Make your own at Rainhard. Details.

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵Lexa Gates (Rap) @ The Mod club - Thurs 7pm
🎵Tia Brazda (Jazz/Soul) @ Old Mill Toronto - Fri 6pm
🎵The OBGMs (Punk) @ Lee's Palace - Fri 7pm
🎵Poison Ruin (Punk) @ The Garrison Fri 8pm
🎵Rage in the Junction: Live at Rosario's (RATM Cover Band) @ Rosario's - Fri - 8pm
🎵Mars Hotel with Zuffalo (Grateful Dead Covers) @ The Mod Club - Sat 7pm
🎵Said The Whale 20th Anniversary Tour w/ Bye Parula (Indie) @ Lee's Palace - Sat 7:30
🎵Courtney Marie Andrews (Indie/Folk) @ Longboat Hall - Sun 7pm
🎵Pacifica (Indie Rock) @ The Garrison - Mon 7pm
🎵Dana Reid and Cody Ellis (Singer/Songwriter) @ Burdock Music Hall - Mon 7:30pm

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 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