🦝 Mexican Restaurants, Halloween, and a Baseball Team

Happy Thursday Toronto,

BELIEVE!

Let’s get into it.

West End Updates

New Mexican Restaurant

Last month Alebrije opened in Harbord Village, just a few doors down from Harbord Bakery. This new spot is aiming to evoke the flavours and traditions of Mexican cuisine while using locally sourced Canadian ingredients. Menu highlights include Salmon Tartare Tostada and Birria Beef Short Rib.

The Canadian-Mexican fusion is taken all the way by their logo, a raccoon drawn with an Aztec flair. Although as much as I love the raccoon iconography I do have to say it looks slightly concerning on a food menu. Alebrije is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, you can check out their menu here.

Affordable Drinks on Queen West?

I don’t know if you’ve ever heard this observation but there is a small growing sentiment that Queen West may have lost some of its gritty artfulness and community in recent years. Sorry to be the one to inform you. Currently possessing a five star rating on Maps, the newly opened One Star Bar bar hopes to de-bougiefy a strip that has become very bougie. They’ll be doing battle against the upper-crust through $7 beers, $5 shots, and a menu comprised of pizzas and hot dogs. More info in this Toronto Life article.

Community Initiatives

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

‘Tis (Almost) The Season

Although the Holidays seem very far away, things are already underway for many of our community Christmas-y organizations. Santa For A Senior is one of these organizations. They provide gifts and gift bags around Christmas time for “isolated seniors and marginalized, chronically ill, disabled, or special needs persons” in Southwest Toronto. For many people, these gifts are the only thing they receive for the holidays.

For this upcoming December they’re looking for donations, knitters and crocheters, and kids to make holiday cards. More info on their Facebook page.

Fancy House of the Week

From the outside, 222A Pearson Avenue looks an impressive but avant-garde Minecraft creation. Its blocky, modern exterior then gives way to a cozy, sun drenched interior with top of the line appliances and interior design.

The house is located halfway between amazing Roncy restaurants like Cafe Polonez, and St. Joseph's Hospital where you can be assessed after gorging yourself on schnitzel (or cutting yourself on a pickaxe). 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

Costume Run @ Humber Bay Park - Thursday 6PM
CETWEOK! A 3km run in costume to Great Lakes Brewery followed by a patio hang-out. Details

Dinner With Strangers @ Roof Garden - Thursday 6PM
With Strangers is an organization that runs big dinner parties where you'll socialize and meet cool people. This one's sold out but now you know it's A Thing and you can keep your eye out for future events. Details

Trivia & Karaoke @ Snakes & Lattes - Thursday 7PM
Trivia and karaoke night which is, like almost every event coming up in this newsletter, Halloween themed. $14

Swingin' Soiree @ College St United - Thursday 7PM
Old timey dance party featuring a costume contest. I know for a lot of you hockey parents that title has very different connotation, sorry for the disappointment. $10

Paint Night @ Super Wonder Gallery - Thursday 7PM
A Halloween themed guided paining session with talented instructors, music, and treats. $40

Halloween Variety Show @ Wenona Lounge - Thursday 730PM
"Live music, comedy, spooky storytelling, and more!" $20

One Year Anniversary @ The Wych - Thursday 8PM
"Devlish" celebration of The Wych's birthday featuring drag performances and live music. Details

Gas Station Party @ Canco - Friday 12PM
A new gas station opened up on Dundas West and they're celebrating (with fuel discounts and giveaways). Details

Spacetime @ Lithuanian House - Friday 9PM
A big Hallow’s Eve rave. $50

Cave of Bats @ Dance Cave - Friday 10PM
Halloween dance party playing the hits from the 80's to now. $15

Saturday

Toronto International Festival of Authors @ Multiple Venues - All Weekend
A bunch of cool lectures and workshops with acclaimed writers and teachers. Over 100 events! Details

Toronto Stationary Show @ Parkdale Hall - Saturday 10AM
More than 60 vendors hawking their best stationary wares. Details

Dance-A-Thon @ SoulFuel Fitness - Saturday 11AM
Four hours of beginner-friendly dance classes raising money for St Joseph's Hospital. Details

Toronto Art Crawl Christmas Market @ The Bentway - Saturday 11AM
I warned you that the holidays were approaching! Get all your shopping out of the way early at this one-day Christmas Market. Details

Artist Talk @ MOCA - Saturday 11AM
"A a presentation by Anishinaabe photographer Nadya Kwandibens, whose work centres on contemporary Indigenous identity and representation." $14

Trinity Bellwoods Market @ Trinity Bellwoods - Saturday 11AM
Maybe your last chance to enjoy an outdoor market this year? Details

Day of the Dead @ ROM - Saturday 730PM
Twerk on a T-rex at this spooky museum party. $40

Sloppy Circus @ Assembly Theatre - Saturday 8PM
"We've been down in the lab hybridizing eldritch horrors and clowns! Join us for the late-night double feature circus show!" PWYC

Sanctuary Vampire Bar Reunion @ Ground Control - Saturday 9PM
One-night resurrection of a legendary 90's Toronto goth hangout. $10

Sunday and Monday

Kundalini Yoga @ Society Clubhouse - Sunday 11AM
Beginner friendly yoga sessions to recenter yourself after the playoff celebrations. Details

Eco-Fair @ Wychwood Barns - Sunday 11AM
Earth-friendly Stuff! Clothing swaps, silent auctions, kids activities, vendors. Details

Steel Wheels Record Fair @ Rainhard Brewing - Sunday 12PM
The city's largest record fair, featuring more than 25 vendors from all over the province. Also live music and a bunch of other cool things. $5 entry

One Last Dance @ Imperial Pub - Sunday 8PM
CETWEOK! The legendary Imperial Pub is very sadly closing this November. They're hosting one final Blues dance night this Sunday, which will also begin with a free hour long lesson. Details

TWILIGHT @ Revue Cinema - Monday 630PM
A screening of "Twilight: New Moon", to kick off a series of screenings of the entire quad-ilogy. This is the one where he goes all sparkly. $18

Trampoline Hall @ The Garrison - Monday 7PM
A really cool lecture series where speakers aren’t allowed to have professional experience in the subjects they lecture on. This always sells out super quick, tickets go on sale this morning so move fast! $20

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵 Pete & Bas (Rapping Old Men) @ Lee's Palace - Thursday 7PM
🎵 StarDust Jazz Trio @ Old Mill - Thursday 8PM
🎵 Kevin Graham @ Bluebird Bar - Thursday 8PM
🎵 Thriller Nights (MJ Tribute) @ Burdock - Thursday 830PM

🎵 Tijuana Bibles (Surf) @ The Garrison - Friday 7PM
🎵 Annie-Claude Deschênes + more (Post-Punk) @ St Annes - Friday 8PM
🎵 Kandy Kaos (Dueling Pianos) @ Junction Underground - Friday 8PM
🎵 Genevieve Marentette (Jazz) @ Old Mill - Friday 8PM
🎵 Staig Billings Band @ The Local - Friday 9PM

🎵 Donne Roberts @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
🎵 ‘67 Beaumonts @ The Mezz - Saturday
🎵 Dominic Mancuso @ NeuLokal - Saturday 530PM
🎵 Smokey Mountain Review @ Burdock - Saturday 830PM
🎵 Fatima (Jazz/Funk) @ 106 Ossington Ave Rear Alley - Saturday 9PM
🎵 NeuTurkish Night @ NeuLokal - Saturday 930PM

🎵 Duke St Turnaround (Bluegrass) @ The Local - Sunday 2PM
🎵 Post Animal (Rock) @ The Garrison - Sunday 7PM
🎵 ghosthands and OHON (Alt-Pop) @ Burdock - Sunday 730PM
🎵 Lucas Stagg (Junction Troubadour) @ The Local - Sunday 9PM

🎵 Her Romance (Folk) @ Burdock - Monday 730PM

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