So I guess it’s wildfire season again. Toronto be feelin’

But at least it coincides with a historic heat event! So you wouldn’t want to be outside anyways, right? Right?

I hate to say it, but there’s been a slew of closure announcements over the last week. PG Clucks said they couldn’t afford to continue without raising prices (which they refuse to do), Electric Bill also blamed rising costs (and a closed patio) for their coming August closure, and beloved pasta masters Famiglia Baldassarre are ceasing their restaurant operations next month to focus on selling their wares to other businesses.

But enough bad news, how about some fun stuff? Despite the heat, there are absolutely a ton of outdoor events including a slew of them put on by the High Park Nature Centre. Oh, and it’s the 20th anniversary of BIG ON BLOOR which should appeal to lovers of street food and street closures.

And now…updates!

Honest Ed’s, the old art lofts at Ossington and Dupont, inumerable historic buildings downtown…Toronto isn’t exactly known for its practicing preservation of beloved landmarks. But inspite (or perhaps because) of this fact, many local artists have used these vanished structures as inspiration for their art, which is currently featured at Worth Gallery on Dundas West.

Chris Krawczyk, a coordinator for the exhibition shared his thoughts on Toronto’s habit of shuttering landmarks with Toronto Today: “A lot of people see a closure and think the business just wasn't good enough,” he said. “But so often we're outpaced by inflation by so much, and we lose beloved spaces — not because it doesn't work, but because society is eating itself.” Strong statement. But it resonates.

If you’d like to reminisce, check out the exhibition this weekend.

Read more here.

This is a short and sweet one. We might not be getting Honest Ed’s back, but dang it if I won’t settle for the sign! Mirvish Village, the mixed retail/housing development that took over the corner of Bloor and Bathurst is putting back up those twinkly lights.

Not just that, they’re also setting up an “Honest Ed’s Alley” which will cator to “creative, innovative and passionate entrepreneurs and small business owners” and act as a Tokyo-themed shopping street. Neat!

Read more here.

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Well I guess this ended up being the Landmark Issue! So we might as well poll it. What’s the most iconic landmark on the West End?

It’s a walkout basement townhouse listed for under $500k. I’ll write some other stuff but that’s the gist of the house this week - pretty good deal right? I know it’s technically a basement but it’s not thaaat basement-y, especially with those big windows. Plus, the street entrance means you’ll never again have to wonder what exactly that smell is in the elevator.

It’s at 102-5 Sousa Mendes Street by the way. The listing is here, and if you’re wondering who Sousa Mendes is and how we named a street after him, his crazy life story is here (he’s a beast).

Explore Nature with Shakespeare in Toronto's High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Thurs 6:30pm. Normally when you think "Shakespeare in the park" you're thinking of an outdoor play...not the case this time! Details.

2026 Art Battle Canadian National Championship! @ The Great Hall - Thurs 6:30pm. This is an Art Battle, this is an Art Battle. This is...ART BATTLE. Shout out to my 90's kids who get that reference. This is a night of competitive painting! Details.

This Is Trans: JOY @ Tranzac Club - Thurs - Sat 8pm. "Dead Name Theatre, in Association with ReDefine Arts, welcomes you to our first ever trans and non-binary musical theatre revue, This Is Trans: JOY." Details.

Queer Emo Nite TO V.26 @ DROM Taberna - Thurs 8:30pm. "Toronto's queerest, saddest and wildest party, bring your most fabulous outfits down to the mosh pit and make some new queer sad friends!" Details.

"Small Movements" - Performance by Adam Basanta @ MOCA - Fri 6/7:30pm. "Experience Small Movements, an intimate physical sound performance by multimedia artist Adam Basanta. Basanta creates delicate sonic compositions through the interaction of handheld microphones, speakers, cassette recorders, custom software, and everyday objects." Details.

Golden Hour: Pottery, Painting & Natural Wine @ Bloor & Dufferin // Secret Outdoor Location - Fri 6:15pm. Join The Pottery Club, Laura Dawe, and Grape Witches for a special outdoor evening of pottery, joyful painting, and natural wine in a private west-end garden. Details.

Nakedly Ever After: An Animated Fairytale Burlesque Parody @ Longboat Hall - Fri 9pm. If your primary problem with animated Disney movies was the lack of nudity...then this is for you! Details.

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Surprising Snakes Family Nature Walk in Toronto's High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Sat 10am. "Celebrate World Snake Day by spending the morning with High Park Nature Centre learning about the different snakes who call Ontario home." Details.

Art + Information + Trust: a presentation by Dr. Amy Marshall Furness @ MOCA - Sat 11am. Maybe the most important event this weekend -- all about "information literacy" in the age of AI slop. Dr. Furness is also a "Chief Librarian" which is such a cool title. Details.

20th BIG on BLOOR Festival @ Dufferin and Bloor - Sat 12pm - Sun 9pm. BIG on BLOOR is all grown up! Come check out this annual great time on Bloor. Remember to hydrate! Details.

Board Game Lunch at Junction Craft Brewery @ Junction Craft Brewery - Sat 12pm. Is there anything that goes together better than beer and boardgames? Details.

Toronto BrazilFest 2026 @ Earlscourt Park - Sat/Sun 12pm. "The biggest Brazilian cultural festival in Canada returns for TWO unforgettable days of music, food, dance, and pure energy! 🎶💃🌴" Details.

🧚DOLL FUNERAL FAIRY MARKET TRINKET SALE + SWAP🧚 @ Doll Funeral - Sat 1pm. I grant Kensington temporary West End status to share this quirky, little object swap where you can trade trinkets, cursed or otherwise. Details.

Edible & Medicinal Plants of Ontario with Stephan Lukacic in Toronto's High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Sat 1pm. Tired of potatoes? Find some new plants to munch on! Details.

$20 Joke Writing Workshop @ Society Clubhouse - Sat 3pm. Jokes on you! I'll teach you joke writing for $19.99. Details.

Obsession (Movie) @ Revue Cinema - Sat 6:45pm. Hey, if you're going to check out the flick all the kids are OBSESSED with, may as well do it at one of the most charming cinemas in town, right? Details.

Fruity Faerie Summer Party @ Bampot Tea House - Sat 9:30pm. In the words of the event organizers, you can expect: "DJs, Photos, Vendors, Fruity Gay Shit." Details.

VAMPIRE DISKO AT THE DANCE CAVE @ The Dance Cave - Sat 10pm. Bust out your body glitter (they mean Twilight vampires right?) for this bloody good time. Details.

It's All Good '90s Music Video Dance Party @ The Piston - Sat 10pm. Comparatively it really did seem like it was all good in the '90s didn't it? Details.

Artists25 - Portrait Workshop @ A25 Studio - Sun 10am. Perfect for painters pining to perfect their portraiture! Details.

Ravensburger Puzzle Competition @ Snakes & Lattes Annex - Sun 11am. "If you have a competitive spirit, and love to make puzzles, pair up with one of your friends to compete against other teams and race for the best place!" Details.

Workshop: Make Your Own Sun Cream with Zinc! @ Karma Co-op - Sun 12pm. Perfect for those folks who'd prefer to avoid petroleum products in their sun protection. Pay what you can! Details.

TOPS presents It Must Be Heaven @ Christie Pits Park - Sun 6pm. It Must Be Heaven sounds like an incredible movie...its title could also describe the West End! Details.

Spin Class Local @ Danu Social House - Sun 6pm. Listen to artists showcase their recent albums, chat with them about it, and basically hang out and have a good time at Danu. Details.

Moth Night in Toronto's High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Mon 8:30pm. High Park is popping off this issue! Come peep some weird moths. Bug-covered streetlamp not included. Details.

🎵No Cure (Hardcore) @ Hard Luck Bar - Thurs 6pm
🎵Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears (Blues) @ Longboat Hall - Thurs 7pm
🎵Ol' Time Moonshine (Metal) @ Junction Underground Toronto - Fri 8pm
🎵Lemon Bucket (Gypsy Punk) @ The Great Hall - Fri 9pm
🎵Active Mirror (Indie Rock) @ Sneaky Dee's - Sat 6:30pm
🎵Angine De Poitrine (Experimental Rock) @ The Mod Club - Sat 7pm
🎵Arlo (Rock) @ The Great Hall - Sat 10pm
🎵Miracle Blood (Post Hardcore) @ Bovine Sex Club - Sun 9pm
🎵BALTHVS (Psychedelic Funk) @ Lee's Palace - Mon 7pm
🎵Wax (Hip Hop) @ The Mod Club - Mon 7pm

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