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🦝 Markets, Yard Sales, and Doors Open TO

🦝 Markets, Yard Sales, and Doors Open TO

What's happening in the West End May 22nd to 26th.

Xavier W
May 22, 2025

Gooood morning West Enders and welcome to this week’s West End Raccoon.

Excited for the weekend? You should be. There’s an insane amount of stuff going on in the city - I think this is the best slate of events we’ve had yet in a newsletter.

Me trying to keep up with events

We’ve got 5 different markets and yard sales, comedy nights, lots of live music, and of course: Doors Open Toronto. Let’s get right into it!

Doors Open Toronto

This weekend is Doors Open Toronto! If you haven’t heard about it, it’s an annual event that gives the public free access to over 150 architecturally, culturally, and socially significant buildings across Toronto. Most of them are buildings you can’t see otherwise, so this weekend is your only chance.

Instead of the usual featured events section, I figured it’d be better to outline some cool places near us you can visit. For more information and a full list of sites, click here.

Scadding Cabin

10AM-5PM Saturday and Sunday

Literally the oldest building in Toronto. A one room log house, originally constructed in 1794 for an assistant of John Graves Simcoe. It’s kept decorated with other artifacts and furniture preserved from the 1790’s. Although it was originally built for the cost of 10 eggs and a chicken, due to inflation in the Toronto housing market the current value is estimated at over 30 eggs.

Parkdale Arts & Cultural Centre

10AM-5PM Saturday and Sunday

This art museum also served as a holding prison for Toronto Mounted Police in the early 1900s. A mix of culture and history: enjoy some West End art and then experience a true part of the olden days.

Ubisoft Toronto

Open 10AM-4PM Saturday and Sunday

“Ubisoft Toronto is a video game development studio. The studio has produced innovative video game projects related to some of Ubisoft's biggest brands, including Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, Watch Dogs and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell.”

Go behind the scenes and see how video games are made, and of course play a couple yourself in the arcade.

West End Updates

Creators Behind Taverne Bernhardt’s Opening New Venture in Little Italy

Carmelina Imola and Zachary Kolomeir are the reigning Queen and King of the West End food scene after bringing us three iconic spots: Dreyfus, Vilda’s, and Taverne Bernhardt’s. The’ve just begun hiring for their fourth venture called N.L. Ginzburg. The restaurant will be at 548 College, right next to BEAR Steak Sandwiches (which is also amazing). According to the announcement it’ll be “A dining room and menu inspired by the simplicity and minimalism of the slow food trattoria, viewed through a diasporic Jewish lens.”

Take my word for it: this place will be great, and will also be impossible to get a table at after a week. Here’s the announcement

11-Storey Condo Proposed in Junction Triangle

A new proposal has been submitted for the vacant lot at Dupont and Osler. There have been several filings in the past for this site; starting with 6 floors in 2021, then a 10-storey a few years ago, and now we’re turning it up all the way up to 11 (stories). The project was submitted by Gariloch Development, who recently built the “Junction Point” condos a few blocks down. More info here.

City Considering Dedicated Bus Lanes on Dufferin

The city are looking into creating bus-priority lanes on Dufferin St between King and Eglington. The idea is to ease congestion for the always slow 29 and 929 buses, with removal of all on-street parking also being considered. If you have an opinion one way or another on this, you can make your voice heard by filling out this public survey.

Fancy House of the Week

This is 115 Gladstone Ave in Little Portugal, just across the street from a school and super close to all those great restaurants on Dundas and on Dovercourt. It’s got 5 beds, 5 baths, a laneway house, and over 2500 square feet. The listing is encouraging you to rent it out but I say it’d be great for a family as well. That neighbourhood is really awesome. 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

Free Car Washes @ Lava Shine Washes - Thursday and Friday
A new car wash opened North of the Junction and to celebrate they're giving out free car washes. Details

Drag Bingo @ Rosario's - Thursday 7PM
Drag Bingo is BACK at Rosario's in The Junction. Details

Disc Golf World Championship Qualifier @ Marilyn Bell Park - Thursday 7PM
This is a qualifying event for the world disc gold championships. It's open to the public, so why not take a shot and see if you've got what it takes? Details

Celebratory Reading @ Type Books Junction - Thursday 7PM
Ain't no party like a poetry reading party! "An event honouring A.F. Moritz, the 2025 Al and Eurithe Purdy Poetry Prize winner, for his book GREAT SILENT BALLAD." Details

Pokemon Trivia Night @ Snakes & Lattes - Thursday 7PM
Take out your rage from your last failed Nuzlocke by thrashing the competition at Pokemon trivia. Details

Age Ain't Nothing but a Number @ Burdock Music Hall - Thursday 730PM
Featuring great Toronto performers aged 40+, reflecting on life at their age. $25

Heavy Metal Movie Night @ The Garrison - Friday 830PM
Screening of a documentary on Bay Area heavy metal followed by a heavy metal show. Sounds heavy. $19

Mingle Bites & Beats @ 3030 Dundas W - Friday 9PM
“A social mixer like no other”. Meet some people, eat some Mexican food, and enjoy….. magic? Details

Saturday

Plant Fair @ Roncesvalles United Church - Saturday 10AM
An outdoor plant fair that will also be raising money for the community. Come find the monstera of your dreams. Cash only for purchases under $50. Details

Community Yard Sale @ 66 Pacific Ave - Saturday 10AM
Yard sale being run by the High Park Tenant's Association. Pick up some cool stuff and meet your neighbours! Details

Green Day @ Swansea Town Hall - Saturday 10AM
Community event full of Earth friendly festivities including free bike and small appliance repairs, battery recycling, and a plant giveaway for the first 100 visitors. Details

Trinity Bellwoods Park Stewardship @ Trinity Bellwoods - Saturday 10AM
A group is getting together to remove burdock (an invasive plant species) from the park. Lend a hand? Details

Linocut Reduction Printmaking Workshop @ High Park Nature Centre - Saturday 1PM
Have you always wanted to learn linocut reduction printmaking? Better question, have you ever heard of linocut reduction printmaking? If you answered yes to either of those questions, this is the activity for you. $100

Turtles On The Move Parade @ High Park - Saturday 2PM
A parade to draw attention to turtle's annual movements featuring handcrafted turtle puppets. Details

Secret Art Party @ ??? - Saturday 7PM
A cool trendy art party with cool trendy people at it. It's so cool and trendy that the location won't even be revealed until you buy a ticket. $22

Roncy Jam Factory Artist Collab @ Roncesvalles United Church - Saturday 7PM
From a reader: "A gathering of artists of all kinds with the idea of creating something that has a story arc. Each person in the circle is invited to contribute something. a song, a poem, a story, a dance, or a piece of art. Without being too serious about it we aim to be a response to what is happening in the world today."

The 48 Hour Film Project @ Revue Cinema - Saturday, Sunday, and Monday
This is the finale of a yearly competition where teams are given just 48 hours to make the best science fiction short film they can. The results of their frantic weekends will be screened at Revue Cinema throughout the weekend. Details

Sunday and Monday

Davenport Village Yard Sale @ Davenport Village Park - Sunday 11AM to 4PM
This was sent in by a reader - a group of neighbours are having a yard sale in Davenport Village. Anyone local is welcome to bring a blanket or table to display goods of their own.

Külasimman @ 3 Madison Avenue - Sunday 11AM
A big block party celebrating Estonian culture. Open to everyone, there'll be food, drinks, and dancing all day. Ain't no party like an Estonian party! Details.

Last Of Us Watch Party @ On Task Studio - Sunday 8PM
A big screening of the Last Of Us finale featuring bingo cards and snacks. PWYC Donation

Sorauren Farmers' Market @ Sorauren Park - Monday 3PM
Yet another amazing market has opened up for the summer. The Sorauren Farmer's Market will run every Monday from now until October. If you're near Roncy or Little Portugal this is a must visit. Details

Art Hive @ Museum of Contemporary Art - Monday 5PM
A free event where the community is invited out to create art, specifically poetry. Details.

True Stories Told Live @ The Garrison - Monday 645PM
A community of storytellers sharing true funny, spooky, and sad tales. Details

Brew Ha! Ha! @ Indie Ale House - Monday 730PM
A cast of well known comedians working out material at an amazing bar, no tickets needed. Details

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵 SoulCity Sessions (R&B) @ Junction Underground - Thursday 8PM
🎵 Victoria Houser (Acoustic) @ Blue Bird Bar - Thursday 8PM
🎵 Eric St Laurent (Jazz) @ NeuLokal - Thursday

🎵 Sonny Xu (Violinist) @ Parkdale Library - Friday 7PM
🎵 Bebe and Oona (Indie Rock) @ Burdock Music Hall - Friday 730PM
🎵 Fifth Element (Jazz) @ Old Mill - Friday 8PM
🎵 Blue Sky Group (Jazz) @ La Rev - Friday 8PM
🎵 V6ix Community (Rap-Rock) @ Junction Underground - Friday 830PM
🎵 NeuTurkish Night @ NeuLokal - Friday

🎵 Jesse Whitely (R&B) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
🎵 Fuses & Context NA (Lo-fi Rock) @ Low Bar - Saturday 5PM
🎵 Robert Ball & Tiffany Deriveau (Jazz) @ La Rev - Saturday 530PM
🎵 Kate Maki & David MacKinnon (Country) @ The Brockton - Saturday 730PM
🎵 Salsa Orchestra @ Rosario's - Saturday 8PM
🎵 The British Legends (Covers) @ Old Mill - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Sentinel Return (Art & Bass) @ Junction Underground - Saturday 9PM
🎵 Noah Abrahamese Quartet (Jazz) @ La Rev - Saturday 9PM
🎵 Weepin' Dave & The Diamond Boys (Country) @ The Bell & Beacon - Saturday 930PM

🎵 Lotus Wight (Jazz) @ The Local - Sunday 2PM
🎵 The Steadfast Strangers (Bluegrass) @ Steadfast Brewing - Sunday 3PM
🎵 The Dusty Millet Band (Rock) @ The Local - Sunday 9PM

🎵 Agave: Ssunday and Chuk Fent (Soul + Indie) @ Burdock Music Hall - Monday 730PM

Thank you!

Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon! I hope you all found something great to do this 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