It’s the freakin’ long weekend baybeee (or just about)! And while this May’s been chilly enough that I’m having doubts about how it could possibly be Victoria Day already, it’s dang hard to dampen my mood while the daffodils co-mingle with the tulips.

Speaking of daffodils did you folks know of the existance of Daffodil Hill on Davenport (North side, just east of Dufferin)? It’s is absolutely festooned with all kinds of Daff’s. Might be a bit late too see it in all its glory this year, but mark your calendars for next. It was the passion project of the late, great Florence Watts, and there’s even a sign commemorating her on the hill.

But enough about flowers, let’s talk about the Best End! Some wacky stuff this week like Messi fans charging BMO field and being arrested and reports of a mosquito and tick-heavy summer to come (partly blamed on America!) But also wonderful things, like the second Badiali location opening and the Junction Triangle library fiiinally reopening after its January flood.

And shoutout to Ferdi’s a newly opened English-Swiss lunch spot in the Junction Triangle tucked away in an alley — get the fish and chips. Wowza.

As always, there is also a slew of fantastic events to enjoy, including a family-friendly Spring Fling in Christie Pits, glass jewlery making, and something called “The Catweazle Club.” With that out of the way, update time!

Famous and beloved Queen St. venue The Great Hall is officially on the market to the tune of $19,999,000 (glad they left off that last grand, how else would anyone afford it?!) The 135 year old heritage building was originally envisioned as a home for the Toronto West End YMCA, but is now currently enjoyed as a 1200 person capacity event space.

If you’ve ever seen The Great Hall, inside or out, it’s a pretty darn impressive structure. But get this — it was designed and completed within one year. In 1890. Just to remind you the path between Lappin and Campbell Park is slated for completion over 2 years.

Read the full story here.

Foon Hay Lum Lane is now the name of a laneway in Parkdale — and it’s also the name of the incredible activist, who lived to be 111 and was the first Chinese-Canadian woman to received the Order of Canada.

Bit of some nasty history first — the Chinese Exclusion Act was a piece of Canadian legislation that limited Chinese immigration between 1923 and 1946. This meant that Chinese labourers who were already working in Canada when the act went into effect were often seperated from their family in China, whom they certainly would have brought over.

Foon Hay was one such example. Her husband and her were separated for the majority of their marriage, and she was left to raise two children on her own. But after her husband passed away, at the age of 70, Foon Hay began a campaign to raise awareness about the Chinese Exclusion Act and the racism experienced by Chinese Canadians.

Luckily, Foon Hay lived long enough to visit Ottawa in 2006 and bear witness to then-Prime Minister Harper’s formal apology to Chinese Canadians on behalf of the government. And now you can visit her laneway in Parkdale, and spend a moment with this wonderful woman’s memory.

Read the full story here.

Thought I’d try something a bit different than a poll this week. I have a weird obsession with old Sidewalks. I always take the time to keep an eye to the cement to spot old date stamps. The oldest I’ve found is 1947(1941?) just south of Bloor on Dundas.

So, my challenge to you dear reader, is find me an older sidewalk stamp on The West End! Send pic of stamp and proof of location by responding to this email and you’ll get a shoutout in the next issue.

Wow look at 270 Indian. I think this is one of the nicest houses between 260 and 280 Indian. It honestly might even be number 1. It has this little cabin in the woods that’s an office space - the Raccoon would be 1000x better if I wrote it from there. Unfortunately I write this from my 1 bed and the quality is like this.

$7.6 million - check it out.

Paid In Sweat: CHALLENGERS - With Live Burlesque Performance! @ Revue Cinema - Thurs 6:15
Normally I try to limit myself to one Revue event per week but this one's too good. Challengers didn't turn you on enough the first time you saw it? Now you can see it with live Burlesque! Details.

FUSED GLASS WORKSHOP @ Shevchenko Museum - Thurs 6pm
When I saw FUSED GLASS I thought it was a Thrash Metal show. Nope. Jewlery making! Details.

Knock on Doors in Apartments @ St. George Station - Thurs 6pm
If the recent updates are any indication, we care about renter's rights at the Raccoon. Here you can knock on some doors and help educate folks who might not know theirs! Details.

Poured & Bound: A Boozy Book Club @ The Gladstone Hotel - Thurs 7pm
Part book club. Part drinks night. Join an intimate and curated evening for book lovers and storytellers to connect over cocktails and stories! Do it for the plot and book your ticket. 📚🎟️ Details.

The Jazz Rangers @ Legion 2nd Floor – 1395 Lake Shore Boulevard West - Thurs 7:30pm
Miles And Coltrane at 100. Details.

Baby Time @ Bloor/Gladstone Library - Fri 11am
Bring your lil ones under 18 months for some stories and music! Details.

Drunken Cinema: ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING (1987) - Presented in 35mm! @ Revue Cinema - Fri 9:30
Come get a buzz on and enjoy this part-movie-part-game that earned it's fame by being one of the only family-oriented films that drops the F-bomb....twice! Details.

The Weekend Night @ Lee's Palace - Fri 10pm
What better way to kick off a long weekend than a Weekend themed dance party? Shoutout to my co-worker Chirag who proudly sits in the Weekend's top 1% listeners on Spotify. Details.

Family Storytime @ Parkdale Library - Sat 10:30am
"Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and activities in this program for children ages 5 and under and their parents or caregivers." Details.

Blooming in Bloor West Village @ Bloor St. W & Beresford Ave N - Sat 11am
Ring in Spring with a bloomin' good event featuring art, music and a scavenger hunt! Details.

HIP-TURN-IT IN THE PARK @ Trinity Bellwoods Park - Sat 2pm
"Toronto, come catch some organic uplifting healing music… and butter 😏🫚✨ This Saturday we’re launching Hip-Turn-It in the Park — a brand new daytime community gathering series bringing music, movement, healing vibes, and family picnic energy to parks across Toronto 🌿🎶💃". Details.

Silent Book Club @ Danu Social House - Sat 2:30pm
I've always loved the idea of book clubs, but am truly daunted by the grind of reading books I'm not into. Silent Book Club solves that problem! Details.

Third Saturday Classes + Dance Party @ Society Clubhouse - Sat 7pm
"Welcome to Toronto’s inclusive dance community! Everyone is welcome no matter their gender, race, sexual orientation, relationship status, ability, weight, faith, or profession. Come as you are!" Details.

Alternative Karaoke: May Mayhem! @ The Alpine - Sat 7pm
Time to bust out the weird songs you always wish they had on the books. Details.

Shambhala Pre-Party @ The Mod Club - Sat 9pm
Shambhala Music Festival fans, this one's for you! Get absolutey shamball'd at the Mod Club this Sat. Details.

Spring Fling @ Parkdale Hall - Sun 11am
"Fresh finds, flirty vibes, and a market bursting with colour. Your spring love affair with local makers starts here." Details.

Spring Spectacular @ Christie Pits - Sun 11am
Family fun in the the 3rd most popular park (as voted by you) on the West End! It's first in my heart... Details.

Cosmic Homeostasis XXXII @ Tranzac Club - Sun 12:30pm
"[A]n afternoon of ambient interstellar electroacoustic drift vibes." Details.

Pottery n Pints @ Rainhard Brewing Co. - Sun 1pm
I reckon throwing clay is a bit more fun after a few pints! Come to hone your pottery skills over a pint at Rainhard this Sunday. Details.

The Catweazle Club @ 1033 College St. - Sun 7:30pm
Hard to beat that name! Come for a cozy night of unplugged music and intimate engagement. Details.

All Vinyl Everything - Victoria Day Long Weekend '26 Edition @ The Drake Hotel - Sun 10pm
Come hear the warmth of vinyl spun by some talented old-school DJs. Details.

ALL REQUEST Video Dance Party - May Long Weekend - NO COVER @ Ground Control - Sun 10pm
A cover-less customer appreciation party! Come request songs that make people go "So that's why they don't usually play this in the clubs!" Details.

SUH BLUE 2026 @ NEST - Sun 10:30pm
Paint the town blue this weekend at a blue-colour-themed late night DJ set and dance party. Details.

21st Century Tango Classes + Practica @ Society Clubhouse - Mon 6pm
"Dance to 21st Century Tangos with Carlos Boeri as your host ! Everyone Welcome!" Details.

🎵Gully Boys (Pop Punk) @ The Dance Cave - Thurs 7pm
🎵The Anti-Queens (Rock) @ Lee's Palace - Fri 10pm
🎵Dylan Forshner (Sludge Rock) @ Bampot House of Tea - Sat 6pm
🎵Maitreya (Prog Metal) @ Sneaky Dee's - Sat 6:30pm
🎵King Tuff (Garage rock) @ The Sound Garage - Sat 7pm
🎵Blues R & D (Blues) @ The Bell and the Beacon - Sun 6pm
🎵(Hed) P.E. (G-punk) @ The Garrison - Sun 7pm
🎵Marina Satti (Pop) @ The Mod Club - Sun 7pm
🎵Emerson Woolf & the Wishbones (Folk) @ The Drake Underground - Sun 7pm
🎵Teutonic Waltz (Metal) @ The Baby G - 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