🦝 Rescues, Sword Fights and Weird Ducks

It’s a very special weekend, not just for the West End, but the world — Sunday is International Women’s Day! I hope it has you all feeling like Teyana Taylor’s character from One Battle After Another in this scene.

Which reminds me — basically every independent theatre is playing Oscar movies this week and weekend, including some of the more obscure categories (like animated short films), so for our movie-head subscribers, this should be a fun weekend!

Also, in light of IWD, there’s plenty of women-focused events going on around the West End, including a personal fave — women-only sword fighting lessons.

Let’s dive in!

West End Updates

A scary accident and a heroic resolution

Boy you think your job’s tough. A 56 year old construction worker was trapped for over five hours in a 3-4 meter deep pit last week near Lansdowne and Davenport, after a concrete wall collapsed on his leg, pinning him. As you can imagine, the sub zero temperatures did not make matters more pleasant.

But despite incredible logistical challenges, our boys in brown (and high-vis yellow) persisted, and successfully rescued the worker, who survived with serious injuries. Time to renew your sexy Firefighter calendar subscription!

Read the full story here.

Quite a controversial construction conundrum on Queen

Residents of West Queen West are staring down the barrel of a rather…unique looking 27-storey residential tower, that promises to loom over the other buildings on the street which are usually no higher than 6-8 storeys. The building will sit like a funny hat atop a historic Canada Post building. But it’s not the design that’s controversial (if you can believe it) but the fact it’s moving forward — Toronto initially prohibited its construction but have been overruled by the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Now the community is torn — many members are worried it will reduce sunlight at a nearby park and generally impact the character of the neigbourhood. But others (rightfully so) say it adds much-needed density, which will easily be accomodated once the Ontario Line is up and running. Where do you folks fall on it? Take the poll below!

Click here to read more about the controversy.

Fancy House of the Week

Isn’t it crazy how they’ve done the show Survivor for 50 seasons and they haven’t increased the prize once? You’d need to go on and win Survivor 10.4 times just to buy 57 Baby Point. It might be worth it though - the place has a pool, a sauna, a spa, and a full gym. That’s not to mention the giant fountain in the front yard. Maybe I’d just win Survivor once and buy the fountain. Check out the listing here.

Events

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

Thursday/Friday

SBC Mindful Mark Making @ ARTiculations - Thurs 6:30
"This guided session invites you to explore repetition, rhythm and texture using simple materials to build focus and presence in your sketchbook practice." Details.

BLOW UP movie 60th Anniversary Screening @ Revue Cinema - Thurs 6:30
Sex, drugs, photography? Witness the sixties in this iconic British thriller. Details

History of the West Toronto and Junction Industrial Leagues by John Beram @ 145 Annette St - Thurs 7pm
As a Junction lover myself this one sounds tempting. Learn about the connection between industry and sports in this iconic neighbourhood. Or just enjoy a nice walk! Details

The Domino Club: Open Table @ The Annex Hotel - 7pm Thurs
"The Domino Club is a community driven project that celebrates the rich tradition of dominoes culture from across the Caribbean, Latin America, and the diaspora." Details

Connect & Collaborate Toronto March Mixer @ Blood Brothers - Thurs 7pm
"Join us for an exciting in-person event where we help you to kick start your business with purposeful networking!" Details

Bruce McCulloch: The Dark Purple Slice Tour @ The Royal Theatre - Fri 7pm
Blending standup, music and dark humor, you're not gonna wanna miss this Canadian icon at The Royal! Details

A Red Flags & Laughs - Date Night Standup Comedy Show @ DESI FOOD JUNTION - Fri 8:30pm
Have a nosh in between chuckles at this food and funny wombo combo. Details 

Forró night at Lula Lounge with Maria & Friends @ Lula Lounge - Fri 11pm
"Forró takes over Lula Lounge late into the night with a warm, vibrant, and dance driven celebration of Brazilian rhythm and community." Details

Saturday

The Mom Market: Spring Edit @ Dufferin Mall - Sat 11:30am
Ok, I know we shared the Mom Market last week, but that was Winter, and this is the Spring Edit!

2026 Oscar Nominated Shorts: Animated @ Paradise - Sat 2:30pm
Have you always wanted to have an opinion on EVERY Oscar category? Now's your chance to check out the animated short nominees! Details

KOTD x WORLD DOMINATION 9 @ The Mod Club - Sat 3pm
Here's an existential question for you -- does a rap battle belong in the music section of a newsletter or the events section? Anyways, there's a rap battle this weekend! Details

REUNION: International Women's Day Dance Party (All Ages + Alcohol-Free) DAY PARTY @ 141 Bathurst St - Sat 3pm
Ladies night? How about ladies day...party! This alcohol-free all ages rager is the perfect way to celebrate International Women's Day. Details

New Cat City Rescue and Sanctuary Benefit Show @ See-Scape - Sat 8pm
A punk rock benefits show to raise money for a cat sanctuary! This might win our coveted "most West End of the week" award. Details

Lose Yourself, A Y2K Music Video Dance Party @ The Piston - 10pm 
Fun fact, I had my first sip of Champagne on Y2K (I mean why not the world was gonna end right?) But it didn't, and now you can party it up at The Piston! Details

Sunday/Monday

IWD Wellness Event @ Old Mill - Sun 10am
Women-focused events are popping OFF this weekend for IWD, and this one focuses on wellness, and thriving in your middle age. Details

Weird Duck Time Nature Walk in High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Sun 10am
Hadn't you heard? IT'S WEIRD DUCK TIME! No really, buncha odd ducks are visiting us during migration, and you can see 'em live on Sunday. Details

Mutt Gala @ Blood Brothers - Sun 12pm
Three words -- Doggy. Fashion. Show. Need a fourth? Beer. Details

Give a Girl a Sword 2026 @ 100 Symes Rd. Unit 200B - Sun 1pm
All girl/women sword fighting training sesh? What better way to celebrate IWD weekend! Details

Live Drawing and Q&A with authors/illustrators FRANCES LEE & ALINA TYSOE @ TYPE Books Junction - Sun 1pm
"Join us on Sunday, March 8th @ 1pm for Live Drawing and Q&A with authors/illustrators FRANCES LEE & ALINA TYSOE. Ideal for ages 6-12. This event is free and open to everyone." Details

Kizomba Dance Class @ Dovercourt Dance House - Sun 3pm
If you're like me and hadn't heard of Kizomba it's " a social dance and music genre that originated in Angola during late 1970s to early 1980s." And now you can learn it this weekend! Details

Scrabble in the City: Spring Forward Social @ The Rhino Bar and Grill - Sun 5pm
Let me help you win -- AA, QI, XI and XU are all officially recognized two letter Scrabble words. Details

Big Chick Energy Presents: 5 B.C.E. - Toronto Sketchfest @ 1115 Queen St. W - Sun 10pm
It's hard to imagine a better name for an all-woman sketch comedy group than "Big Chick Energy"

Board Game Designer Night @ Sankes & Lattes Annex - Mon 6pm
"Calling all creators! Join us for Board Game Designer Night at Snakes & Lattes Annex. Playtest, share, and bring your ideas to life!"

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵 Alejandro Escovedo (Alt Roots Rock) @ Longboat Hall - Sun 7pm
🎵Glitterer (Melodic Post-Hardcore) @ NOT DEAD YET - 7:30pm Sat
🎵International Women's Day Event (Singer Songwriter) @ Koerner Hall - Sun 7pm
🎵Worry Club (Bedroom Pop) @ The Garrison - Thurs 7pm
🎵Abysmal Whore (Metal) @ Sneaky Dee's, Sat 6:30pm
🎵manu (Electronic) @ The Mod Club - Fri 9pm
🎵Spritual Cramp @ Lee's Palace - Fri 7pm
🎵K.Maro (Rap) @ The Mod Club - Sun 7pm
🎵Jessica Spurell (Folk) @ Burdock - Sat 9pm
🎵Whose Cat is Dead (Psych Rock) @ Rosario's - Fri 9pm
🎵Bearings (Rock) @ The Dance Cave - Thurs 7pm

Thank you!

Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon, please enjoy our West End Pet(s) of the Week! Submit yours to [email protected], with your neighbourhood for a chance to be featured.

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