Mother’s Day weekend is at last upon us. And that means it’s time for brunches, flowers, mimosas and a celebration of the person who had a hand in making all of us so weird. Love you moms. I hope every one of you out there has a child who cherishes you as much as Norman Bates cherishes his mom.

Speaking of Psycho it’s just one of two mom-centric films playing as a double-header at Eyesore Cinema this weekend. And that’s a mere taste of the dozens of cool West End happenings including bird watching, neighbourhood-wide street sales, and of course…an all night sexy party.

But before we proceed to the updates I have to share a West End fact a reader sent me this week (spoilers for Pet of the Week ahead). Did you know the Sphynx cat was originally bred in Roncesvalles in the ‘60s? THE hairless cat was invented on the West End. It’s sometimes called “The Canadian Sphynx.” How freakin’ cool is that?

And without further meow-do…on to the updates!

What’s cuter than a new local bookstore opening? A new local kids bookstore opening! And who better to launch such an establishment than Nadia Alam, a career children’s books illustrator! Nadia has provided the pictures for eight titles already, and is leveraging her passion for children’s literature into her bookstore called “Nuts and Shells Bookstore” (1596 Dundas St. W).

In part, the opening of this store is in honour of Nadia’s father, himself a book lover, who passed away last year. Nadia is going to use the store not only to sell children’s classics like Roald Dahl and Robert Munsch, but also prominently feature local and Canadian artists. All in all a wonderfully wholesome endeavour.

Read the full story here.

I promised myself I was going to stop whining about The World Cup. So I will. Instead I’ll draw attention to the delightful fact that the transit priority lanes on Bathurst have resumed intallation, with a target completion date for the end of May. This includes new signage, red pavement and, parking changes among other things. All of this will be done in a hurry to make sure it’s ready for The World Cup. I question the motivation, but love that it’s happening I guess!

And there’s a rather neat approach that I’m sure many commuters will approve of — all this work will take place overnight with some occasional off-peak daytime construction to minimize disruption. I feel for the labourers who’ve gotta pull a night shift, but just know…we love and respect you. Thank you for not giving us Eglinton PTSD flashbacks.

Read the full story here.

I’m sure you’re all STUFFED after all those slices and sandwhiches. I think it’s high time to stretch our legs and take a walk outdoors. So I ask you — what’s the best park in the West? And I don’t mean purely size-wise (looking at you, High Park-heads). Follow your vibes.

79 Northcote has a lot of shapes going on. The outside is very….. triangle-y and square-y. The inside….. circle-y. This concludes the West End Raccoon architecture report.

It also has an amazing location in Little Portugal. You’d be so close to Badiali that on some Saturdays you can probably line up in your front yard. It’s also got 2500 square feet, a detached garage, and 6 bathrooms. I don’t know why you’d need 6 bathrooms but if you do this is the place for you.

$4.3 million, check it out.

The Laneway: Brand NEW Pop-Up Shop Opening @ Thurs 2pm - Scadding Court Community Centre
"CURATED VINTAGE FINDS, from one-of-a-kind JEWELLERY to BAGS. Step into Market 707’s BRAND NEW POP-UP for thrilling discoveries." Details.

Finally Seen: From Diagnosis to Daily Life @ 1025 Queen St W - Thurs 6:30pm
"A conversation on mental health and neurodivergence in women — and what it means to truly be seen." Details.

Battlegroup Toronto @ The Sword & Board (but meetup at Pizza Pizza next door first!) - Thurs 6:30pm
Oh hell yeah -- Star Trek themed battles with some buds. Sounds like a blast. Details.

The Giant Junction Jumble Sale @ The Junction - Runnymede to Clendenan (and beyond) - Thurs 7pm
A massive multi-street yard sale. The whole community is going to be out selling at the same time. Details.

MORE NOISE PLEASE! PRESENTS: CACOPHONYOUS CATACLYSM @ BSMT 254 - Thurs 8pm
Harsh Noise, Power Electronics, Experimental, Sonic Ritual. (Remember your earplugs!) Details.

YMI Dancing annual contemporary dance show @ Pia Bouman School studio Theater - Fri 7:30pm - Sat 7:30pm
Professional and youth choreographers show their creations. Details.

Beat Therapy with Virgil Thomas @ BSMT 254 - Fri 10pm
House music is a HELL of a lot cheaper than a therapist. Worth a shot! Details.

May Birding in Toronto's High Park: World Migratory Bird Day @ High Park Nature Centre - Sat 10am
Like everyone else over 30, I feel the bird obsession rising within me. I might actually see you at this one! Details.

Roncy Flea-May Edition @ Roncesvalles United Church - Sat 10am
“Free Admission with over 50 vendors offering a wide variety of items that any mother or mother figure or maternal presence would want in their life. Come out and shop and find that special someone a most special gift.” Details.

Charity Watercolour Workshop with Marta Kolotylo @ 2445 Bloor St W - Sat 11am
"Join Help Us Help this spring for a special series of creative workshops led by Toronto-based Ukrainian artist Marta Kolotylo. Whether you are a beginner or simply looking to reconnect with your creativity, these welcoming sessions are designed for all skill levels." Details.

Curious George and the Golden Meatball @ The Wychwood Theatre - Sat 12pm
For the kiddos! Live music and acting of the beloved inquisitive primate, Curious George. Details.

Ring the Bell @ Bickford Brewing Co. - Sat 12pm
Drink beer and support cancer research with the release of Bickford's "Ring the Bell" white IPA! Details.

Sketching Spring Ephemerals with Alan Li in Toronto's High Park @ High Park Forest School - Sat 1pm
"While spring ephemerals are fleeting, capture their beautiful blossoms through sketching! In this outdoor workshop, our instructor will demonstrate a variety of artist techniques for creating expressive nature sketches. Individual attention and feedback will also be provided." Details.

Songs of Love and Radical Hope @ Tranzac Club - Sat 5pm
"Song Experiment is a monthly song lab hosted by Cassie Norton welcoming unconventional approaches to Song Writing and Song Sharing." Details.

Biały Orzeł 60th Anniversary performance and Gala @ Roncesvalles - Sat 5pm
A whole 60 years of Polish folk dance! They don't offer a more specific location than Roncy, so you may have to go on a hunt! Details.

SONIC BOOM 25th Anniversary Party @ 651 Dufferin St. - Sat 6pm
Holy Moly everyone's favourite record store turned 25! Can you imagine the courage it took to open a record store in 2001? That's the same year the iPod came out! Details.

Liam's Double Trouble: PSYCHO II (1983) & STRAIGHT-JACKET (1964) @ Eyesore Cinema - Sat 7pm
What better way to celebrate Mother's Day than with two back to back movies about (in the words of the event organizers) "batshit motherly centric psychological horror." Details.

Revue Event: MEGALOPOLIS - : Live Cinema Edition hosted by Ben Petrie @ Revue Cinema - Sat 9:30pm
Come see what a movie looks like when a writer/director receives ZERO edits and applies NO feedback! Details.

FERAL @ Three Dollar Bill - Sat 10pm
Get your freak on Westenders! This is a sexy, wild, party all night long. Details.

Toronto Artisan Market @ Trinity Bellwoods Park - Sun 11am
Last week you cleaned up Triity Bellwoods, now you can browse the wares of local artisans in it! Just in time for Mother's Day. Details.

The Lawn Bowl for Mother's Day @ Baby Point Club - Sun 11am
Baby (pronounced "babby") Point is know for it's well-heeled residents and posh homes. Come check it out with some lawn bowling and a champagne brunch! Also I have this hilarious image in my head of a horde weirdo West Enders stumbling back from a dance party and crashing this event. Details.

Tacos & Tuneups @ The corner of Stephen Dr & Riverwood Pkwy - Sun 11am
It’s that time of the year to get the bike out of the garage for some warm weather riding! That means a tune up — and aren’t they just better when they’re free? Plus tacos! Details.

Toronto Maple Leafs Basevall - Home Opener @ Dominico Field at Christie Pits - Sun 2pm
GO LEAFS GO! Baseball is back baybeeee. Grab your park-legal adult beverage of choice and watch our team absolutely STOMP the nerds from Kitchener. Details.

Evolution of a Snake: The Showgirl Experience @ The Royal Theatre - Sun 7pm
A Taylor Swift podcast's live show. Why not?! Details.

21st Century Tango Classes + Practica @ Society Clubhouse - Mon 6pm
"Dance to 21st Century Tangos with Carlos Boeri as your host ! Everyone Welcome!" Details.

Lulaworld 2026 @ Lula Lounge - Mon 8pm (and all week after!)
Another anniversary! “Celebrating 20 years of Global Music at Lula Lounge! From May 11 to 17, Lula Lounge comes alive with seven nights of salsa, jazz, timba, boogaloo, samba, baile funk, Afro-bop, cumbia, and soul, bringing together artists from across Toronto and beyond.” Details.

🎵Spectral Wound (Black Metal) @ The Great Hall - Thurs 7pm
🎵The Cribs (Indie Rock) @ Lee's Palace - Thurs 7pm
🎵Katelyn Tarver (Rock) @ The Garrison - Fri 7pm
🎵Open Mike Eagle (Hip Hop) @ The Sound Garage - Fri 7pm
🎵Brad Mehldau & Kirill Gerstein (Classical/Jazz Fusion) @ Koerner Hall - Fri 8pm
🎵Random Killing (Punk Rock) @ Hard Luck Bar - Fri 8pm
🎵Earth Crisis (Hardcore) @ Hard Luck Bar - Sat 7pm
🎵Keenan Trevon (R&B) @ Drake Underground - Sun 6pm
🎵Rickshaw Billie's Burger Patrol (Doom-Wop) @ The Garrison - Sun 7pm
🎵Pictoria Vark (Indie) @ Monarch Tavern - Sun 7pm

Thank you!

Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon, please enjoy our West End Pet(s) of the Week! Submit yours by responding to this email, with your preferred name/nickname/initials and neighbourhood for a chance to be featured. (Calling all bird, lizard and fish people — I like ‘em weird!)

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