🦝 Live Music, Cherry Blossoms, and Bookstores

What's happening in the West End May 1st to 5th.

Author

Xavier Post
May 01, 2025

Goooooood morning West End!

How nice is it to walk around our neighbourhood these days? Flowers are blooming, the parks are full, and smells from BBQs drift through the street.

Me walking down the street near dinnertime.

Kudos to everyone who cooks those nice fragrant meals and makes our area smell so nice. Usually my kitchen smells like something’s burning, but I hope to join you one day.

Featured Events

(Full list of events at end of newsletter)

đź“ą FOUND FOOTAGE FEST: 20th Anniversary Show

Friday & Saturday @ Revue Cinema

"Joe Pickett (The Onion) and Nick Prueher (Late Show) have over 13,000 VHS tapes in their collection and have been taking viewers on a guided tour through their latest and greatest finds for twenty years. To celebrate two decades of this VHS nonsense, they will serve up their all-time greatest clips including the dumbest exercise videos, the craziest public access shows and updates with the most wonderful weirdos they’ve met along the way." $26 Tickets

🎵 Agave: Thea May with a Special Guest!

Monday 730PM @ Burdock Music Hall

Agave is a cross-genre show that helps you discover new genres to listen to and new musicians to follow. It features several acts from around the city, both established and brand new. "Like an event version Spotify’s Pollen playlist." $11 Tickets

West End Updates

Gardiner Construction Well Ahead of Schedule

Construction on the Gardiner was expected to cause lane closures until April 2027. However, due to the accelerated work of construction crews the project is expect to be finished later this year, 15 months ahead of schedule. How crazy is that! Typically it’s safe to estimate any Toronto infrastructure project at 15 months behind schedule. Let’s send the team behind this to Eglington next.

High Park Cherry Blossoms Ready to Bloom

According to our favourite cherry blossom experts, the Sakura trees in High Park (and around the neighbourhood) are ready to reach full bloom at any time now. Once they pop the park is going to be super busy so be sure to plan your visits accordingly. Peak bloom only lasts for around 10 days so don’t dilly dally!

Independent Bookstore Opening in Parkdale

Attention bookworms! Book People on Queen has just opened in Parkdale across from the Gus Tacos. This is super welcome addition to the neighbourhood because up until now there was no bookstore in Parkdale. The store stocks a wide array of titles in its trendy interior, including children’s and young adult books. They also have a section dedicated solely to local independent writers. For more information, check out their Insta.

Fancy House of the Week

We’ve got a bit more of a modern aesthetic this week with 41 Northcote Avenue in Queen West. It’s got 5 beds and 5 baths spread over 5000 feet, 3500 of which is above ground. It’s sleek energy efficient interior is paired with two beautiful outdoor spaces. It’s listed for $3.5 million, but the refrigerator comes with the house so you’re already getting savings from the jump. Check it out.

Events

All Weekend

Hot Docs Film Festival @ Various Locations - All Weekend
This is a massive documentary film festival taking place at multiple locations across the city. In total they're showing 113 documentaries across 169 screenings with a ton of filmmaker Q&As. Details and tickets

Thursday and Friday

Sip & Savour: A Consignment Wine Tasting Experience @ Old Mill - Thursday 6PM
Hello old sport! Fancy a wine tasting tonight? Perhaps with charcuterie as well? Splendid! $70

Question Everything Trivia @ Junction Underground - Thursday 7PM
High energy trivia night featuring pop culture questions. Perfect for those of us who don't know anything about science or history; Less French Revolution, more Dance Dance Revolution. Details

Pressed Flower Jars Craft for Teens @ Parkdale Library - Thursday Night
Use dried flowers to create decorative jars. Details

New Order Fest @ Ground Control - Friday 9PM
Have a Fun Friday instead of a Blue Monday. All New Order, all night. $12

Saturday

Junction Yard Sales @ Fairview Ave & Gilmour Ave - Saturday 9AM to 1PM
I don’t have any links for this but a reader reached out to let me know there will be a multi-family yard sale in The Junction at Fairview Ave & Gilmour Ave. (Will be moved to Sunday in case of rain)

Nature Journaling Workshop In High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Saturday 1PM
Make your own nature journal, then go on a walk and start to fill it up. $30

INTRO TO ELDOA/SOMA TRAINING @ Society Clubhouse - Saturday 130PM
Eldoa is a method to achieve pain relief through body posture. This events will take you through the key stretches to decompress your spine and relieve pain. $25

TOUGH TALKS 00.1 @ Root Down Studio - Saturday 2PM
"An intimate gathering in a nurturing space with artists discussing songwriting, mental health, and life." $24

Hard To Hear It Meet-Up @ Society Clubhouse - Saturday 3PM
This is a communal event for people dealing with hearing loss. Come and make friends, build connections, and explore hearing related vendors. Details

Sound Bath Meditation @ Good Space - Saturday 430PM
Let some soothing sounds wash away your stress & restore your energy. Not a real bath, don't bring soap. $55

ISH FIGHT NIGHT 2025 @ Parkdale Hall - Saturday 5PM
The inaugural event of a new Toronto Muay Thai fight night. If you like watching people get beat up this is perfect. $60

Millegales @ Teddy Beer - Saturday 8PM
Stand-Up Comedy en Español. $17

All of Our Parents Are Immigrants @ Assembly Theatre - Saturday 930PM
Improv comedy show that uses audience prompts to joke about growing up with immigrant parents. $17

La French @ Underground - Saturday 1030PM
Fracophone club night. "Venez célébrer une dernière fois avant l’été, avec le meilleur des musiques francophones!" Billets

Sunday and Monday

International Dawn Bird Chorus Day @ High Park Nature Centre - Sunday 530AM
Early morning hike to appreciate the morning bird chorus. Free

Drag Brunch Saved My Life Egg-travaganza @ Lula Lounge - Sunday Noon
Drag performances, food, and mimosas following the premiere of episode 3 of Drag Brunch Saved My Life on Crave. $20

5th Annual Yoga Fundraiser in Memory of Michael @ Roncesvalles United Church - Sunday 2PM
A slow-paced yoga class raising money for Journey Home Hospice. Details

Back To My Roots: Writers Round @ The Painted Lady - Sunday 230PM
A collection of country artists performing and discussing songs they've written. $19

Exploring the Art of Rust Dyeing @ Koffler Arts - Sunday 430PM
Art workshop where you learn to use rust to make patterns on textiles. All materials provided but it's helpful if you come with basic hand-stitching ability. $35

Tune In w/ Marshall Dragon @ Sounds Good Listening Bar - Sunday 630PM
Imagine going to the club but it's cozy in there. Collective medication, complimentary tea, and candles backed by a relaxing DJ set. $15 or PWYC

Speed Dating @ Ace of Spades Lounge - Sunday 7PM
Time to find love at this event which promises 15 first dates in one night. $22

Thank You Momma: A Collage Workshop @ Arts Market - Sunday 7PM
All ages event to make a lovely collage art piece for Mother's Day. Details

Trans Open Mic & Books Exchange @ Type Books Junction - Monday 7PM
"Drop by on May 5 to eat some snacks, trade some books, and hear original poetry, short fiction/nonfic, drama, and music, and connect with other local trans book lovers." Details

🎵 Live Music Report đźŽµ

Eric St Laurent & Calvin Beale (Jazz) @ NeuLokal - Thursday 7PM
Crystal Shawanda (Country) @ Lula Lounge - Thursday 7PM
Noise Hotel & Separator w/ Charlie Houston (Indie) @ Burdock Music Hall - Thursday 8PM
NORA, SUPERFRAUD & ANIMAL BOY (Rock) @ BSMT254 - Thursday 8PM
St Helen & The Eruptions (Rock) @ Junction Underground - Thursday 830PM

Babe Report (Shoegaze) @ Baby G - Friday 8PM
Hilario Duran (Jazz) @ Old Mill - Friday 8PM
Tak Arikushi Trio (Swing Jazz) @ La Rev - Friday 8PM
Merve Melodia & Stavros Kanichis (Greek & Turkish) @ NeuLokal - Friday 9PM
TECHNOALSON (Techno) @ Junction Underground - Friday 9PM

North Atlantic Drift (Irish East Coast Trio) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
Saturday Jazz Piano @ Gigli Caffe - Saturday 3PM
Micaela Rae Trio (Jazz) @ La Rev - Saturday 530 PM
His Death Was Red w/ Arenas (Indie Rock) @ Burdock Music Hall - Saturday 8PM
The Abja Band + Nirmal & Darpan Duo (Nepalese) @ Teddy Beer - Saturday 8PM
Live Salsa Orchestra @ Rosario's - Saturday 8PM
Wide Open Stage (Variety) @ The Mezz - Saturday 8PM
Otis Wonder and The Hustle (Blues five-piece) @ Old Mill - Saturday 8PM
B.A. Johnston (Folk/Punk) @ Baby G - Saturday 8PM
Roots Vibe Band (Reggae) @ Owls Club - Saturday 9PM
Open Mic & Jam Night @ Shakey's - Saturday 930PM
Echoes of the Moon (House) @ 821 Runnymede - Saturday 10PM

Don Valley Drifters (Bluegrass) @ The Local - Sunday 2PM
The Capys (Irish Trio) @ The Mezz - Sunday 3PM
Elbët Kibreet - Syrian and Lebanese Legends @ La Plaza - Sunday 730PM
Blue Moon (Classic Rock) @ The Local - Sunday 9PM

Have any suggestions for the newsletter? Give me some feedback by responding to this e-mail.

Thank you!

Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon.

Also - sorry for the poll we included last week behaving oddly. When I tested it initially it was working fine but then when it went live it was asking people who clicked it to sign in. Thanks for all of you who filled it out though, the answers were still very valuable.

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Have a great weekend, and talk to you next Thursday!
Xavier