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🦝 Long Weekend Fun in Toronto!

🦝 Long Weekend Fun in Toronto!

Ice cream, momos, and cute baby cows 🐄

Xavier W
May 15, 2025

Hello everyone and and welcome to this week’s West End Raccoon!

This issue actually marks two months of The Raccoon. When I sent the first issue back in March I could’ve never imagined what this would become in such a short time. That first issue went out to 74 people, this one’s going to more than 4,000!

Thank you so much to everyone who’s shared with a friend, the momentum has been really incredible. I promise to keep trying to write emails worth sharing.

I’m also looking into hosting a West End Raccoon meet-up or event of some kind. It would be really cool if this newsletter didn’t just inform on events, but also brought the community together to make friends and connections. If you’d be interested in something like that, or if you have any ideas for an event, let me know by replying to this e-mail!

Anyway, enough yapping. We’re coming up on a long weekend! That means there’s a ton of stuff going on, let’s get right into it.

A Few Interesting Events

(Full list of events at end of newsletter)

🌸 Casa Loma Ice Cream Festival

Saturday @ Casa Loma

All this warm weather recently means only one thing: ice cream season is upon us. This wonderful season is getting kicked off on Saturday as Chapman’s hosts their first ever Ice Cream Festival at Casa Loma. The festival will feature tons of ice cream related games, performances, and activities. Most importantly, visitors will have the opportunity to try “creative ice cream dishes and a variety of delectable ice cream flavours”. Admission includes free ice cream ($49 adults $29 children)

🍺 Swan Dive Fundraiser

Saturday 3PM @ Swan Dive

Swan Dive is famous local spot on Dundas West that's been around since forever. They’re unfortunately facing eviction and thus this event is being put on to rally the community to support them. The afternoon will feature performances from a bunch of local artists as well as raffles and prizes for visitors. Details

🎭 Brews & Bards

Sunday 230PM and 730PM @ Burdock Music Hall

This is the first show being put on by a new theatre group out of George Brown College. Their goal is to make theatre accessible to newcomers through low-key and fun performances. This weekend it’ll be Shakespeare’s legendary comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The show runs for an hour and a half with live music during the performance and of course beers on tap at the bar. “Part indie gig, part fever dream.” $34 tickets

West End Updates

Christie Pits Baseball Makes International Headlines

Ayami Sato

This weekend Ayami Sato made history in Christie Pits, becoming the first ever female player to play professional baseball in Canada. Sato came to Toronto by way of the Japanese Woman’s Baseball League, and is considered to be one of the the best female baseball players in the world.

Sato had an incredible debut, pitching two perfect innings with a strike-out. While the hometown Toronto Maple Leafs eventually fell 6-5 to the Kitchener Panthers, the game was much more enjoyable than any other Maple Leafs game that took place this week.

New Nepalese Spot Opens in The Junction

Momo Mojo has just opened on Dundas in The Junction between the Keele and Annette intersections. They offer a range of Nepalese and Hakka specialties, with a focus on (you guessed it) momos. Their owner says they hope to truly convey the essence of Nepal. Their menu is pretty affordable, with no plate over $15.99 and plenty around $10. Check it out here.

High Park Zoo Welcome New Baby Cow

Look at that cute face! The High Park Zoo welcomed a new baby highland cow calf this spring. The calf was named via a poll on their Instagram, with the name “Molly McMoo” beating out “Poppy” and “Winnie”. I think the voters made the right choice, although a lot of runners in the comments pushed for the name “Threshold”. Give Ms. McMoo a warm welcome to the world the next time you’re at the park!

503, 504, and 508 Streetcar Routes Disrupted

There’s going to be a bunch of route changes on these streetcars due to construction at Church and King. The disruptions start this weekend and will continue into August. It would take too long to go into all of the specific alterations here but the TTC made a helpful video explaining all of them.

Fancy House of the Week

Welcome to 292 Indian Road. According to the listing it’s a: “gracious Tudor-style residence in the heart of prestigious High Park”. The location is definitely amazing for this one. It’s tucked into a residential neighbourhood just steps from the park, but it’s also like a 5 minute walk from Keele station. The highlight of the house is the third floor, which boasts cathedral ceilings and a walkout deck.

Listed at $3.19 million, the house has 5 beds, 4 baths, and over 3000 square feet. Check it out.

Fancy House of the Week is brought to you by your West End neighbour of over 20 years: Chris Alward, BMO Mortgage Specialist. Is your mortgage coming up for renewal or are you planning to buy? Don’t just take the first mortgage offer you receive. Contact Chris for expert advice and solutions to make your mortgage work for you, no matter where you bank.

Events

Thursday and Friday

Gallery Opening Night @ Latitude 44 Framing - Thursday 6PM
Opening party for a new photography exhibit featuring Micheal Lindon's "Nomads of the Sahara". (Part of Contact Photography Festival) Details

Another Gallery Opening Night @ Northern Contemporary - Thursday 6PM
Lots of cool photography events this weekend apparently! This is the opening for "Perspectives", and the featured photo for the exhibition is the legendary Harvey's on Jarvis (IYKYK) Details.

Anne of Green Gables: A Children's Musical @ Westminster Chapel at High Park - Thursday 630PM
Free performance of a musical adaptation for a certified Canadian classic. Details

Neon Ride @ Nathan Phillips Square - Thursday 7PM
Neon Riders are a group that meet every Thursday Night to go on a rave-style bike ride. They decorates their bikes with lights and other fun stuff and play music as they ride. It starts at Nathan Phillips Square, but then they ride West so I feel like it's okay to include. Right? Details

Henna with Hina (For Teens) @ Parkdale Library - Thursday Night
Drop-in session where teens can learn about and experience Henna drawing. Details

Toronto's Hottest Menopause Party @ Super Wonder Gallery - Thursday 7PM
A film screening followed by a party to break the taboo around menopause. I don't know if they'd let me into this one but it sounds like a great time. $42

Interactive Burlesque Show @ My House Junction - Thursday 8PM
Burlesque show featuring lots of interaction with the audience. This show features a new performer: Smokin' Dolorés. $20

Theatresports Warriors @ Comedy Bar - Friday 7PM
Toronto's longest running improv comedy show. "Come see the show that helped launch the careers of The Kids In The Hall, Keanu Reeves, Mike Myers, Linda Cash and more!" $23

Board Game Night @ Junction Craft Brewery - Friday 7PM
Come have some drinks and play board games with strangers. All levels of experience welcome. $10

Wedding Dance Crash Course @ St. Olave’s Anglican Church - Friday 8PM
Two hour dancing lesson to help you and your partner prepare for your first dance. Details

Party Pub Crawl @ Track & Field - Friday 9PM
Meet up with a big group of people and have a romp through the West End, hitting 3 bars in one night. Price includes cover and a shot, plus drink deals along the way. $45

Tribute Night @ Bovine Sax Club - Friday 9PM
Shows from David Bowie, The Clash, and Blondie cover bands. $15

Saturday

Sew & Soar @ High Park Nature Centre - Saturday 9AM
A relaxed walk through the park for inspiration followed by hand-sewing felt birds. $30

Junction Farmer's Market @ Baird Park - Saturday 9AM
Who doesn't love a farmer's market? The Junction Farmer's Market kicks off for the summer this Saturday. They'll have vendors offering amazing fresh local produce available every Saturday morning until October. Details

Cute Underground Market @ Loohoo - Saturday and Sunday 11AM to 6PM
"Kawaii themed market happening at Loohoo! Stickers, pins, plushies, crochet, even TATTOOS!! And more" Details

Chess Club @ Runnymede Library - Saturday 2PM
Drop in for a few friendly games of chess. Details

Party Favour Day @ Paradise Grapevine - Saturday 4PM
Outdoor DJ sets on a patio with house wines flowing and food from Burger Drops. Details

Severance: See You In HR @ Comedy Bar Bloor - Saturday 5PM
"An improv comedy show where Toronto’s best comedians create a story inspired by your secrets and gossip from your jobs." $20

Free Shark Movie Doubleheader @ Eyesore Cinema - Saturday 6PM
To help you get in that summer mood Eyesore Cinema are screening two of the worst (and therefore best) shark movies ever made. JAWS: THE REVENGE & SHARK ATTACK 3: MEGALADON. Details

Children's Book Launch @ Type Books Junction - Saturday 630PM
Launch of the children's book "The Bear Out There" by Jess Hannigan. Details

Swing Bandits Saturday Social @ Society Clubhouse - Saturday 7PM
A swing dancing lesson covering the basics followed by a night of dancing. Beginner friendly, no partner needed. $10 to $15

Sunday and Monday

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride - Sunday 8AM
A group of dapper gentleman, who’ll be wearing their finest outfits whilst riding their motorbikes to raise money for men's health. Care to join, old sport?

Poetry Book Launch @ Another Story Bookshop - Sunday 5PM
Celebration of the Toronto launch of "Woman Life Freedom: Poems for the Iranian Revolution". Details

Sunday Night Blues @ Dovercourt House - Sunday 615PM
Similar to the swing dancing event on Saturday. Begins with an beginner friendly Blues dance lesson, followed by a night of dancing to a live Blues band. ($40-75)

Karaoke Night @ Tail of the Junction - Sunday 10PM
Karaoke dance party! Details

YOUNG FRANKENSTIEN @ Paradise Theatre - Monday 6PM
Screening of the 1974 comedy classic. $15

Victoria Day Royal Race @ High Park - Monday 10AM
Very beginner friendly 2km and 5km races taking place in High Park. Details

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵 Chad Price (Punk/Alt Country) @ The Baby G - Thursday
🎵 Papalote (Cuban Folk) @ Blue Bird Bar - Thursday 8PM
🎵 Micaela Rae - EP Release (Acoustic) @ Burdock Music Hall - Thursday 8PM
🎵 Polariods (Alt-Rock) @ Junction Underground - Thursday 830PM

🎵 Shreea Kaul (R&B) @ Parkdale Hall - Friday 730PM
🎵 Tak Arikushi Trio (Swing Jazz) @ La Rev - Friday 8PM
🎵 Sno Daze - EP Release (Indie Pop) @ Burdock Music Hall - Friday 8PM
🎵 Saul Torres & His Band (Rock/Pop) @ Rosario's - Friday 8PM
🎵 Pleasure Craft (Indie) @ The Garrison - Friday 8PM
🎵 Malcolm Strachan & Mike Gibbs @ Junction Underground - Friday 10PM

🎵 Steve Stacey (Country/Folk) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
🎵 Ale Nunez Trio (Jazz) @ La Rev - Saturday 530PM
🎵 Peter Dick Trio (Jazz) @ La Rev - Saturday 8PM

🎵 Anthea Feaver (Folk) @ The Local - Sunday 2PM
🎵 Express (Punk) @ The Baby G - Sunday 7PM
🎵 Maywater (Bluegrass) @ The Local - Sunday 9PM

Thank you!

Thanks for reading this weeks issue, I hope you found some activities for this long weekend!

As always, if you know a friend or family member who might be interested, please share the newsletter with them: www.westendraccoon.ca

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