🦝 Laundry Art, Sad Songs, and Cute Kitties

Well, I’ve got bad news and I’ve got good news. In case you are one of those people who absolutely, positively cannot stomach sports and hadn’t heard — both our Women’s and Men’s Olympic hockey teams lost to the Americans last week. 😭 

The good news? The West End Racoon has a new writer…me! (Cam Smonk).

I’m sure this news induces the equivalent response to Nathon McKinnon receiving this stuffed animal with his silver medal:

But don’t worry, Xavier (founder, writer, legend) is still here and we’ll be tag teaming the Raccoon to make sure we’re covering all the interesting goings-ons of The West End, every week. Plus, this issue I’ve added a little feature to the end for the committed scrollers.

Shall we dive in?

West End Updates

Finding beauty in dirty laundry

Two laundromats are becoming art galleries. This has to be one of the most West End things ever — and I love it. The juxtaposition of a space designed for function (and frankly, devoid of charm more often than not) with an art exhibition tickles me pink. While not exactly a third place in the classical sense, adding magic to a communal space frequented out of utilitarian necessity is brilliant. Check out the galleries (or wash your undies) at Dirty Laundry on Dundas or at She Said in Roncesvalles.

Click here to read the excellent Toronto Today article on this phenomenon.

A sad end to Sad Songs Cantina (with happiness ahead!)

Ah Landlords. So frequently the villain of a Toronto tale, and this case is no exception. After a dispute with the landlord (that at the very least included rising lease costs), the beloved Sad Songs Cantina on Bloor has closed. But fear not! Owner Miguel Arguello has promised this isn’t the end of Sad Songs Cantina. And in the meantime, before finding a permanent home, you can still enjoy Miguel’s famous tacos — he’s planning on selling them at various West End farmers markets (exact markets TBD.)

Follow them on their Instagram here for updates!

Relatively Affordable House of the Week

303 Bloor St West is a new build condo, right by our beautiful High Park. Whether you should be buying a new build condo in Toronto right now is for people smarter than me to decide. Fortunately, there are more than 100 million IG Reels on the subject for you to go check out.

If you decide to get one - this is a pretty good choice. It's a 600 sqft 1+1 in a great location, and the building has all sorts of fun amenities like a fireplace lounge and a rooftop terrace. Listed for $574k, check it out.

Events

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

Friday

Super Naughty Show - 2026 @ Super Wonder Gallery - Fri-Sat 8pm
You feelin' randy, baby? This naughty two night show has tons of erotic art, and provocative pop-up performances! Steamy deetz here ;)

The Wine Down @ 67 Wade - Fri 7:00pm
For fans of sensual R&B and wine, this event will surely erase the stress of a hectic work week. Details

The Dark Eighties Dance Party at The Dance Cave! @ The Dance Cave - Fri 10:00pm
If you're a hardliner, this one is just barely East of Bathurst (sorry). But Eighties dance party in a cave? Might be worth crossing the border for.... Details

Joe Sealy Trio - Live Jazz & Dinner @ The Old Mill - Fri 8pm
Dinner and Jazz go together like raccoons and garbage bins. This should be a lovely date night for those looking for options. Details

Toronto Vegan Meetup @ Dosa Mahal - Fri 6pm
Veggie lovers unite! This vegan meetup invites folks to socialize and dine together over an animal-product-free meal. Details

Laughs for Learning @ 783 College st. - Fri 6pm
"We’re beyond excited to announce Laughs for Learning — an unforgettable evening of stand-up comedy, delicious eats, and lively beats in support of Indigenous education!" Details

Jokes & Jams @ Salto Restaurant - Fri 8pm
Comedy? Music? Why should you have to choose how to spend your Friday? Get both at Salto! Details

Saturday

BRAND NEW BITCH @ The Wych - Sat 9:00pm
Before you can be a Drag Queen, you must come up as a Drag Princess. And for those seeking royal ascension, look no further than this "Drag for Newbies" event! Details

Throwback Cinema - Labyrinth 40th Anniversary Screening! @ Revue Cinema - Sat 4:00pm
I'd be remiss if I didn't share one of my wife's all time fave movies (and one of my all time fave cod pieces) playing at the Revue! Details

Toronto Latin Social - Salsa, Bachata & Argentine Tango @ 950 Dupont St. - Sat 7:30pm
Looking to move those hips in the way only Latin dance can? This event is perfect for beginners (no partner required). Details

The Mom Market: Winter Artist Showcase @ Dufferin Mall - Sat 11:30am
A women-led showcase featuring local artists is a fantastic way to warm your heart despite the winter chill. Details

TORONTO CATSTRAVAGANZA @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre - Sat 10am
I'm not sure something called a CATSTRAVAGANZA (in all caps) needs a description, but expect cat competitions and education galore! Details

PANIC: 80s/90s Video Dance Party w/ THE SMITHS Spotlight @ Ground Control - Sat 9pm
"PANIC is a brilliant evening of new wave, post-punk, classic alternatives, synth pioneers, britpop, shoegaze, madchester, new romantic, classic industrial, ska, and more." Details

(Photography) Presentation by Sarah Parsons @ MOCA - Sat Feb 28 - 11am
"The talk, “Constructing Images: Jeff Wall and the Transformation of Photography in the 1980s” examine’s Wall’s early works within a period of radical change for photography" Details

The Empire Strips Back: Burlesque Parody @ The Royal Theatre - Sat 7pm
Ever wondered what the storm troopers looked like under that shiny white armour? Now's your chance to find out! Details

Neon Nights @ Tilt - Sat 7pm
For those who are annoyed by the overplayed soundtracks of arcade games fear not! Tilt is bringing DJ DangerCat to pump some beats while you play some pinball. Details

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari @ Paradise - Sat 2pm
I kid you not, my pickup line to my wife who I started dating 13 years ago was "You want to catch a German expressionist film sometime?" Anyways, worked for me -- and you can't do much better for GE than Dr. C! Details

Sunday

Let's Ride Them Rails!!!! (LRT-r) @ % Arabica Union - Sun 8:30am
Does the event start on the West End? No. Does it mostly take place on the West End? Also no. But if you're a transit nerd who's been champing at the bit for the Eglinton LRT -- I think this event might hold some appeal. Details

Emotional Spring @ The Piston - Sun 7pm
This is your monthly chance to become a neighbourhood legend at The Piston's open mic night! Everyone gets two songs. Details

Winter Tree Identification Workshop in High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Sun 1:30pm
Identifying trees by their leaves? Child's play. For lovers of chilly walks and arbory, this meetup is for you! Details

(MTG) Sword & Board Monthly Premodern Tournament @ Sword & Board - Sun 1:30pm
If the word "premodern" means something other than history to you, you must be a "Magic the Gathering" fan. Details

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵 The Lizards (Psych Rock) @ Rosario's Sat 8pm
🎵 Kingdom of Birds (Grunge Punk) @ 651 Dufferin St. - Sat 8pm
🎵 Saxsquatch (Dance/Electronic) @ Lee's Palace Sat 8pm
🎵 Fullasound Band (Reggae) @ BSMT 254 - Sat 8pm
🎵 Chanticleer (Choral) @ Koerner Hall - Sun 3pm
🎵 Absolute Losers (Rock) @ The Garrison - Sat 8pm
🎵 Hailey Blais and Sam Lynch (Hush Rock) @ Burdock - Fri 8:30pm
🎵 The Beach Men (Surf Rock) @ Junction Underground - Sat 8pm
🎵 Old Man Flanagan's Ghost (Celtic) @ The Local - Sat 2pm

Thank you!

Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon, 1st Smonk edition!

As a reward here’s our inaugural West End Pet(s) of the Week! Share your pet for a chance to be featured by emailing [email protected].

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