🦝 Markets, Saunas, and a New Brewery

What’s going on West End,

I have no respect for this current batch of snow. It arrived way too early and we all know it’ll be gone in a day or two. I’m not taking out my boots, my winter coat, nothing. That will only happen if and when real winter arrives and earns my respect. I don’t appreciate these fake winters wasting my time.

Let’s get into it.

West End Updates

New Brewery in The Junction

Samara Brewing is the newest brewery in the West End, having opened its doors about 3 weeks ago. They’ll utilize a unique business model in which they’ll brew beer and then sell it to you to drink. You can even bring your dog, But it won’t only be beer on the menu! Samara is next-door neighbours with Nickel 9 distillery, and is partnering with them to offer Canadian made spirits in their showroom as well.

Of course, it’s always a risk serving alcohol in The Junction. The people of that neighbourhood have shown time and time again they can’t be trusted with the drink. How quickly we forget the lesson of Joe Curley’s demise back in 1897. Tut-tut.

More info about Samara here.

Different Temperatures on Geary

Don’t like the temperature in Toronto? JUST WAIT FIVE MINUTES. Or, alternatively, check out SANA, the new spa that just opened on Geary near Blood Brothers. They’ve got three different saunas each at different intensities and then cold plunges to rotate through between steams. After your session you can wind down at their Eastern-European inspired bar and restaurant (for spa guests only). More details on their website.

Community Initiatives

If you know of a local cause that could use a shoutout, reply to this email.

Beancounters Wanted

Are you or do you know someone in the financial world who’s looking to give back to their community while padding their resumes? West Toronto Neighbourhood House is looking for volunteers to help file income tax for “seniors, newcomers, youth, parents, people experiencing homelessness, and others”. More info here.

Fancy House of the Week

HUMPDINGER ALERT! 35 Worthington Crescent is like, a really nice house. It has like a kitchen that’s super nice, and then when you go upstairs there’s like a big bedroom that has like a closet and bed and everything. Outside, there’s a pool which you could like jump in and swim around and then in the basement there’s a gym which is for like working out and stuff. For a paltry $4.2 million this gets the WER stamp of approval - check out the listing here.

Events

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

Thursday and Friday

Dirty Trivia @ Painted Lady - Thursday 7PM
Like a regular trivia night except with scandalous questions and prizes. $14

Centre Stage Jazz @ Junction Underground - Thursday 8PM
Learn to sing a jazz song and then get up and perform on stage with a live band. $50

WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT? @ Revue Cinema - Friday 1PM
Revue are screening this detective classic to help keep the kids occupied during PA Day. Details

Self-Help Me @ Burdock - Friday 630PM
Launch of Self Help Me: The Book, by Dena Jackson, a comedian and motivational speaker. The event will feature comedy and motivational speaking. $34

Eurolicious @ SeeScape - Friday 9PM
Dance to "the best in 90s/2000s Bubblegum Euro and Eurodance!" Yaaaa ve are liking to danse yaa. $12

DYSFUNKTION @ The Wych - Friday 9PM
A monthly dance party playing genres like future funk, UK garage, & tech house. This is the one-year anniversary event so I would expect some extra funkiness. Details

Stop Making Sense @ Hot Docs Cinema - Friday 915PM
The West End's monthly screening of Stop Making Sense! This one will be a party like atmosphere with sing-a-longs and the volume maxxed out. Details

Saturday

Handmade Holiday Market @ St Olave’s - Saturday 10AM
Another handmade holiday market like the one in Roncy but this one is in BWV. It'll be a bit smaller and will have photos with Santa and food options. Details

Birding Walk @ High Park - Saturday 10AM
Walk and observe the non-cowardly birds who don't run off during winter. Damn yellow-bellies. Details

Morning Code @ Creeds Coffee - Saturday 1PM
Meet-up and grind with other tech people. No not like that. Details

Solo & Childfree @ MTCC - Saturday 130PM
A social group for single and childfree women 30+. This weekend they're heading to the National Women's Show. Details

Barkada Market @ Stackt - Saturday & Sunday
A holiday market focusing on Asian-owned businesses. Details

Paul Mescal Night @ Paradise Theatre - Saturday 4PM
Doubleheader of AFTERSUN and THE HISTORY OF SOUND. $19

MOCA After Hours @ MOCA - Saturday 8PM
This is like the ROM After Dark events in that it'll be a party with a DJ in the museum but edgier and cooler because MOCA is edgier and cooler than that stuffy old museum. $30

Mindful Miles @ Roncesvalles - Saturday 8PM
Mindful Miles sounds like the name of the least exciting superhero of all time. It’s not that though is it. It's actually a group of people who try to start every Saturday with a communal 8km walk. This specific walk will be followed by an optional creative journalling session. Details

Throat Coat Karaoke @ Danu Social House - Saturday 9PM
What I think is a new? karaoke night at Danu Social House who always put on good events. I don't understand where the throat coating comes in so proceed at your own risk. Details

Sunday

Pondering the Pond @ High Park - Sunday 10AM
All ages easy hike around Grenadier Pond where you'll learn about it's history. Details

Toronto Clean-Up @ Humber Bay Park - Sunday 12PM
A large group that are cleaning Toronto's shoreline from Mississauga to Pickering. They're passing through the West End now - lend a hand? Details

Interactive History Walk @ City Hall - Sunday 12PM
CETWEOK! An interactive murder mystery and history walk in downtown. Details

Karaoke + Poetry Party @ Burdock - Sunday 2PM
From a reader: "One of a kind book launch by Michael V. Smith that examines what it was like to grow up and come out as queer at the end of the millennium under the shadow of AIDS. This event marries a unique performance of karaoke songs with spoken word." $11

Sunday Gayme Brew @ Steadfast Brewing - Sunday 430PM
Games for gays! Details

Rock 'n Roll Sunday @ Dovercourt House - Sunday 630PM
A one hour rock 'n' roll dance lesson followed by a dance party with live rock music from Nicholas Campbell & The Metre Cheaters. $20-60

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵 Becca Stevens (Folk) @ Burdock - Thursday 8PM
🎵 Emmett Watters @ Danu Social House - Thursday 9PM

🎵 Ulcerate (Death Metal) @ The Garrison - Friday 730PM
🎵 Afternoon Bike Ride (Indie) @ Baby G - Friday 8PM
🎵 Ben Sures & The Tall Tales (Roots) @ The Mezz - Friday 9PM
🎵 Sara Maria (Pop/EDM) @ Burdock - Friday 9PM
🎵 Waylon Crybaby @ The Bell and Beacon - Friday 9PM

🎵 Paddyman (Irish) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
🎵 British Legends (Cover) @ Old Mill - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Dirt Dragon (Y2K Covers) @ Annex Social - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Everly Lux (Folk/Pop) @ Burdock - Saturday 830PM
🎵 Robyn Ottolini (Pop) @ Lee's Palace - Saturday 9PM
🎵 Country Crooner @ The Bell and Beacon - Saturday 930PM

🎵 Michael O'Grady (Celtic) @ The Local - Sunday 2PM
🎵 Kate Weekes (Folk) @ Burdock - Sunday 8PM
🎵 Dusty Miller (Blues) @ The Local - Sunday 9PM

🎵 Maria Aragon (R&B) @ Burdock - Monday 8PM
🎵 Rory Lavelle @ The Local - Monday 9PM

Thank you!

Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon!

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