Phew — it seems like we survived the latest smokepocalypse. Sure, there were a few days where the sky turned alien-invasion-orange, but we’re still here, albeit with slightly crispier lungs!
Yes, I know I opened the last issue with a smoke-joke too. Hopefully I won’t have to again (until next summer). But if that had you seeing double, there’s also more Honest Ed news…a park bearing his name just opened in Mirvish Village (and it’s cute as a button)!
Ok, now on to the fresh stuff. This week’s street fest is a biggie — Ossfest is back for one day only, so throw on your thrifted designer cowboy boots and head on down!
And as usual, a ton of events for your attending pleasure, including multiple outdoor movies, a dance party for the decrepit, and — of course — a Shrek-themed rave. Why not on the West End?!
Update time.
West End Updates
As if the Junction Triangle wasn’t spoiled for beer enough, Bar Volo is opening a bar and bottle shop
A rendering of the future spot via @bar_volo/instagram
Not to speak of something East of Bathurst, but I have extremely happy memories spending waaaaayyyy too much money at the OG Bar Volo spot on Yonge when I moved to the city. Sipping on Gose like it was wine as a 22 year old, turning my snooty nose up at the pathetic lager drinkers…but I digress.
Bar Volo is opening its second Bottega Volo just behind the Clock Factory building in the JT. It’ll serve Italian-esque sammies, snacks and coffee during the day (along with imported beer and pantry staples) and act as a great place to grab a bevvie in the evenings. Halo Brewery die-hards need not take heed.
Toronto wins! …the award for slowest street cars in the world 😅
Yup — those red dots are us.
And, while the reasons are varied, it seems at least a lot of this slowness comes down to how frequently they make stops. Yes, yes, streetcars exist on the East End too. But in particular, the Toronto Today article highlights the stretch on the Queen 501 between Dufferin and Ossington.
Four streetcar stops…in 800 meters? Math nerds out there have already deduced that’s a stop roughly every 200 meters. For those who need a visual, that’s the exact same distance between exiting Ossington Station on Ossington or exiting Ossington Station on Delaware Ave.
There’s a lot more at play here, more than this wee update can encompass — highly encourage you to check out the comprehensive article linked below.
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In a nailbiter, the Water Tower juuuuuust edged out the Footbridge for most iconic Best End landmark in last week’s poll.
This week, the streetcar thing has a lot of people disagreeing. More stops means more access…but slower trips. What’s the West End’s take?
Should the TTC remove stops to increase streetcar speed?
Fancy House of the Week
DEAL ALERT! 57 Baby Point was initially listed for $10.4 million, but now they’ve dropped the price to a measly $9.8 million. I sense weakness! Time to pounce. If we all put in offers around the $500k mark I’m sure they’ll crumble to one of us. It’s worth it too - this is absolutely one of the nicest houses I’ve ever thrown in this section. The pool/backyard set-up is unbelievable.
Events
If you have an event you’d like included in a future West End Raccoon, please submit it here.
Thursday/Friday
A Benefit for PARC! - Punks for PARC @ The Parkdale Hall - Thurs 7pm. "Join us on July 23rd in solidarity to defend supportive housing, protect harm reduction, and fight for our neighbours. This night of live local music will raise funds that help people move from homelessness into safe, deeply affordable homes with the supports they need to rebuild their lives." Details.
THE READING TYPE BOOK CLUB: THE DISPOSSESSED @ TYPE Junction - Thurs 7pm. One of my all time favourite Sci Fis. Free, no registration required, drop in to read and chat about The Dispossessed. Details.
African Artistry: A September Collective Experience @ Dundas West Studio - Thurs 9am - Sun 6pm. "This summer, September Collective opens a curated space in the heart of Dundas West where you can discover handcrafted modern objects from African and diaspora artisans, participate in cultural activations, and connect with a community that believes your home should tell a story." Details.
MORE NOISE PLEASE PRESENTS: CATERWAULING CLAMOUR & CONTORTION @ BSMNT 254 - Thurs 8pm. Come learn what the heck the genre "Concrete Noise" sounds like! Details.
HeHeHeated Rivalry @ Tallboys - Thurs 8pm. Just when you thought there was nothing left to milk from Heated Rivalry...they do a comedy show themed after it. Details.
Tarot Tea Party Meetup @ Articulations - Fri 6pm. Come sip some tea and nerd out over Tarot at Articulations! Details.
Shrek Rave @ Lee's Palace - Fri 10pm. Do you think in France they call him Shreque? Anyway: "SHREK RAVE RETURNS! Unleash your inner ogre this summer! IT'S DUMB JUST COME HAVE FUN. WHO CARES. COOL IS DEAD. idk hahaha." Details.
Hey you!
If you enjoy reading The Raccoon every week and you’d like to support what we’re doing here, I’ve opened a donation page where readers can make contributions. Any amount would be be very much appreciated.
Saturday
Interstellar Punk Bazaar (3rd annual!) @ 1407 Dufferin St - Sat 10am. 20 vendors and live punk music all dang day -- what's not to love? Details.
Dog Park Workout: Move your Mutts & Butts, Toronto! @ Sir Casimir Gzowski Dog Park - Sat 10am. Come get shredded with your furry friend! Details.
Beyond the Farmers' Market: A Botanical Review of Fruits in Toronto's High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Sat 10am. "Fruits are more than apples, peaches, pears and plums! Discover the botanical fruits of native plants in High Park on a guided nature walk." Details.
Trinity Bellwoods Market - presented by Queen St. Marketplace @ Trinity Bellwoods - Sat 11am. More like a Park-et am I right? Details.
OssFest @ Ossington Ave - Sat 11am. Boy howdy, and you thought Ossington was busy on a regular weekday! Come for one of Toronto's premiere street fests. Details.
Lula Community Salsa Classes @ Lula Lounge - Sat 1pm. Rubs hands hungrily Free salsa? Sign me up! Wait...you mean the latin dance?! Shakes hips seductively Sign me up! Details.
Beginner Tree Identification Workshop in Toronto's High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Sat 1:30pm. Maybe not as exciting as birds, but I guess trees are pretty cool too. Details.
DANCE 'TIL DUSK @ Ground Control - Sat 5pm. Omg -- I feel seen. This dance party is for the decrepit elderly like myself -- it starts at 5pm and ENDS at 9pm. I might actually go to this one. Details.
Mayimbe Night: All-Level Salsa Class and Social @ Dovercourt House - Sat 8pm. "Start your night with an All-Level Salsa Class, then stay for the social dancing and the exciting choreography performances! DJ Pablo will be spinning the best salsa and bachata!" Details.
Munchiez: The Island Edition @ The Annex Hotel - Sat 8pm. "Toronto's food-inclusive experience returns with reimagined Caribbean-inspired flavours, tropical cocktails powered by Wray and Nephew & Appleton Estate, music, games, and island vibes." Details.
Sorauren Park Summer Movies - Arrival @ Sorauren Park Town Square - Sat 8:45pm. The event description was very to the point: "Outdoor movie 'Arrival' - bring your own chair." Details.
Dumpster Raccoon: PSYCHO BEACH PARTY (2000) @ Revue Cinema - Sat 9:30pm. You know I had to include a screening put on by "Dumpster Raccoon Cinema." Details.
FERAL (Sexy party) @ Three Dollar Bill - Sat 10pm. I'll put it this way -- the dress code's first suggestions are jockstraps and thongs. Details.
Sunday/Monday
Colour Theory @ Parkdale Hall - Sun 11am. "A spectrum of creativity fills the Hall in every shade imaginable. Art, design, and handmade goods bursting with pigment and passion." Details.
Magic the Gathering: Commander @ Danu Social House - Sun 5pm. Get your freakin' nerd on with some MTG Commander at Danu. They even have loaner decks in case you don't want to spill beer on yours. Details.
TOPS presents O Brother, Where Art Thou? at Christie Pits @ Christie Pits Park - Sun 6pm. Get ready to have the iconic soundtrack stuck in your head for the next week! Details.
Intuitive Meditation Circle & Social @ Trinity Bellwoods Park - Mon 4pm. "Our meditations seek to connect the student directly with the Divine. All are welcome and this is a non-denominational event, although the Divine, the Ascended Masters, and the Angels may be mentioned at anytime." Details.
100 years of the ups and downs of the bicycle: From the Bicycle Craze to Doug Ford @ Palmerston Library - Mon 6:30pm. "In Wheeling Through Toronto, author Albert Koehl takes the audience on a 130-year ride through the rich history of the bicycle in Toronto. By understanding how we got here, we can begin mapping a way forward, one in which the potential of cycling is maximized." Details.
🎵 Live Music Report 🎵
🎵Babe Rainbow (Psychedelic Rock) @ Lee's Palace - Thurs 7pm
🎵Mees Salomé (Progressive House) @ Standard Time - Thurs 7pm
🎵AfterMath (Thrash Metal) @ Hard Luck Bar - Fri 6:30pm
🎵Brittany Jean (Folk) @ Burdock Music Hall - Sat 6pm
🎵Anthony Green (Experimental Rock) @ Lee's Palace - Sat 7pm
🎵Boyhood (Pop) @ Dina's Tavern - Sat 7pm
🎵Irie Vibes Band (Reggae) @ BSMT 254 - Sat 8pm
🎵Jennifer Castle (Folk) @ The Garrison - Sat 8pm
🎵BabyChiefDoit (Hip-Hop/Rap) @ The Mod Club - Sun 7pm
🎵Heavy Lungs (Post Punk) @ The Baby G - Mon 8pm
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!)
Meet Muffin and Crumpet! They are residents of West-Queen West, turned 8 this spring, and were adopted from the Annex Cat Rescue. Photo submitted by @teenaintoronto.
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
