🦝 One Year of The West End Raccoon

What’s up West End!

Xavier here. This edition marks the one-year and a bit anniversary of the West End Raccoon. Or at least the anniversary of when I started taking it seriously.

The first edition was just a post in a Facebook group with a bunch of events I pulled together. People liked it, so I started sending the events as a newsletter. I remember I was super nervous before sending the first newsletter - 74 people were gonna read it! (By the way, if you’re one of those 74, you’re a real one. I should send you a hat or something). Now we send the newsletter to eight thousand people every Thursday.

I’m so happy with what The Raccoon has become. The best part is stuff like hearing from people who organize events who say that their event was packed and everyone said they came from The Raccoon. Or seeing you guys fill up every single spot available for a volunteer opportunity we share (usually within an hour).

I know stuff like this always goes into thanking “you, the readers”, but seriously - this is all thanks to you, the readers. Thank you to everyone who’s shared us with a friend, who’s gone to an event they saw in the newsletter, or those who just read every week. This thing has been so much fun and we’re gonna keep growing it and improving it. We want Toronto to be a fun city and this seems like a great way to make that happen.

On that note - if you want to celebrate this hallowed anniversary, please respond to this email with any feedback you have. What sections do you like? What sections do you always skip? What do we not talk about enough? What did we do before but stopped but it was your favourite part?

Also - share with a friend who likes to do fun stuff :)

That’s enough sincerity, we’ll go back into the typical smarminess now.

THANK YOU!

West End Updates

A path to improvements for the Junction Triangle

Elsewhere in the world, things are looking rather grim. But here on the Best End things aren’t just pretty darn good — they’re actually getting better. Nowhere is this more exemplified than in the Junction Triangle, which over the next couple of years is going to see many improvements, some seemingly small (a path from Campbell park to Lappin, currently fenced off and private property) to massive, (The Davenport Diamond Greenway!)

In her locally viral video, Davenport riding’s city councilor Alejandra Bravo walks us through these improvements, and how they’ll positively impact the community. And she also demonstrates two things — the power of community advocacy, the effectiveness of the city’s influence when it’s weilded for good, and ultimately how damn SLOW these things happen. Two years for a path?! Grumble. But a very mild, half-hearted grumble because I will definitely take late over never.

Watch the full video here.

Exhibition Place may be getting a massive makeover

In a meeting taking place the very day you receive this newsletter, the future of Exhibition Place is being decided at a meeting with the City, where the Exhibition Place board will try to sell their vision of a new and better Ex — one with a brand new festival plaza, more waterfront access, and incorporation of the “soon” to be built Ontario line. All sounds pretty good right?

Weeeeeelll the City has some reservations. In a statement they put out Monday they noted there needed to be a balance between three zones: spaces to relax, entertain, and exhibit. In their exact words: “There is a risk that the current emphasis on the central Festival Plaza and related programming could begin to blur these distinctions, with the ‘Entertain’ function expanding into areas intended for more passive or heritage-focused use.”

But all in all there seems to be momentum behind the changes from all parties involved, so long as The Exhibition Place board can pull off the zone juggling act.

Read the full story here.

Lets get some CONTROVERSY up in this newsletter. Last week readers overwhelmingly selected Dundas and Dupont as the worst intersection. Will there be as much unity over Pizza slices?! And I’m not talking pies, so drop your pitch forks Sugo fans.

Fancy House of the Week

Maaaan this is a really nice house. I would feel so cool if I lived here. It would probably fix all of my problems, even the back pain. 53 Palmertson, smack dab between Trinity Bellwoods and Bathurst, is a 3 bed 4 bath over 2500 square feet. It has a backyard, a rooftop patio, and was once featured in a Toronto Star article called “Is this the coolest living room in Toronto?”. I don’t even think the living room is the coolest room.

$3.9 million, check it out.

Events

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

Thursday/Friday

MAGPIE MOTANKA-DOLL WORKSHOP @ Shevchenko Museum - Thurs 6pm
Learn how to make traditional Ukrainian dolls! Details.

Gabriel Rutledge - Don't Read The Comments Tour w/ Alex DeWitt @ The Great Hall - Thurs 7pm
Looking for laughs tonight? Find 'em at The Great Hall! Details.

Junction Comedy @ The Alpine - Fri 7pm
Hey, these folks sent us their event on Instagram! Feel free to do the same. Details.

Saddle Up! @ Owls Club - Fri 7pm
Their description is perfect: "Nice people country dancing." Dress like a cowboy and bring cash (small bills preferred). Details.

THE PAR - Animation Mix 'n' Mingle @ The Wych - Thurs 6pm
“Come join the mingle at THE PEG BAR, the social hour for animation people, by animation people. Our mission: bringing you good vibes during tough times.” Details.

Saturday

Earth Week Retreat: Rooted in Earth, Rising in Creativity! @ Trinity St. Pauls Church - Sat 9:15am
"Join us for this day-long Earth week retreat. Come explore your connection to the earth, nurture your creativity and be inspired!" Details.

The Toronto Stationery Show @ The Parkdale Hall - Sat 10am
Pencils and paper and pens, oh my! Details.

Beltane Magick Market @ Society Clubhouse - Sat 10am
Calling all wielders of the mystic arts -- proceeds from this market will go to the Wiccan Church of Canada (which this humble newsletter purveyor just learned exists!) Details.

Queerly Beloved Vintage Market @ Nouveau Riche Vintage - Sat 11am
Vintage clothing with some queer flair, and a portion of proceeds gets donated to supporting queer and trans folks! Details.

Flood Safety Block Party!!! @ Rockcliffe-Smythe - Sat 12pm
Flood awareness...made fun! Details.

Alternative All-Gender Clothing Swap @ Ground Control - Sat 1pm
"Join us this spring for the Alternative All-Gender Clothing Swap! Everyone could use a wardrobe refresh and this helps us from buying more stuff and keeping textiles out of landfill." Details.

The Break-Up Diet with Torrance @ Burdock Music Hall - Sat 5:30pm
"In partnership with Burdock Music Hall, Hugh’s Room is proud to present The Break-Up Diet with Torrance, an award-winning, sharp, funny, and deeply human musical journey through heartbreak and the songs that get you through it" Details.

Magic Male Revue - Toronto Ladie's Night @ The Foxxes Den - Sat 8pm
For fans of nude and nearly nude muscular men! Details.

PANIC: 80s/90s Video Dance Party w/ Depeche Mode Spotlight @ Ground Control - Sat 9pm
Dual decade dance-party, Depeche Mode-coded. Details.

DANCE PARTY 2000 @ The Garrison - Sat 10pm
It's got Britney in the banner so you know it's gonna be good. Details.

JUICEBOX - Indie Sleaze-Post Punk-New Wave-Synthpop-Britpop @ The Piston - Sat 10pm
Get sleazey with it at this all vinyl dance party. Details.

Prophecy @ Swan Dive - Sat 10pm
I know our Goth readers were getting worried they hadn't seen a goth event yet. Well fear not! Goth tunes are spinning at Swan Dive. Details.

Dancing Queen: ABBA x Queen Dance Party @ Sneaky Dee's - Sat 10:30pm
Long-time, extremely thorough readers may remember me pining for a 70's dance party. Well this kinda counts! Details.

Sunday/Monday

Know Your Nature: Youth Rangers-led Nature Walk in Toronto's High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Sun 10am
"Join the Youth Rangers for a guided walk through Toronto’s High Park. Our young stewardship volunteers are excited to share what they learned throughout the spring season. Youth Rangers are youth ages 12-16 years who have dedicated their time volunteering on various stewardship projects to help protect nature in High Park." Details.

Toronto Downtown Record Show @ Tranzac Club - Sun 12pm
Bin divers and wax heads beware -- your wallet is in peril this Sunday! Details.

Pink Pop Party @ The Mod Club - Sun 12pm
"The ULTIMATE Pop Party for young girls is coming to Toronto! A spectacular celebration of all things pop, for all the family 💖" Details.

Smythe Park Cleanup @ Smythe Park - Sun 1pm
Just in time for Earth Day! You've been asked to "Meet in front of the pool which is close to Jane Street." Details.

TFS Presents Double Feature: The Lost World & King Kong @ Paradise Theatre - Sun 1pm
Back to back old timey, big ole monsters breakin' stuff. Details.

Aphrodite Unbound - Music in the Atrium @ High Park Lofts - Sun 2pm
"Aphrodite Unbound - Music in the Atrium with Willow Marsh, Rikki LaCoste, and Aurorah, sublime sound-sculpting, driving rhythm, and provocative song" Details.

Anime At The Revue: COWBOY BEBOP: THE MOVIE (2001) @ Revue Cinema - Mon 9:30pm
Wait...Cowboy Bebop is the exact same age as Shrek?! Details.

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵Coach Party (Indie Rock) @ Blood Brothers Brewing - Thurs 7pm
🎵Daya (Singer/Songwriter) @ The Garrison - Fri 7pm
🎵Bellaire (Electronic) @ The Mod Club - Fri 7pm
🎵UADA & MORTIIS (Metal) @ Lee's Palace - Fri 7pm
🎵A Wilhelm Scream (Melodic Hardcore) @ Dance Cave - Sat 8pm
🎵Bass Station X Soul in Motion (Drum & Bass) @ The Junction Underground - Sat 10pm
🎵Kaleena Zanders (Pop) @ The Drake Underground - Sat 11pm
🎵Master Boot Record (Industrial Metal) @ Lee's Palace - Sun 7pm
🎵Skaface (Ska) @ The Junction Underground - Sun 9pm
🎵GELLI HAHA (Alternative) @ The Garrison - Mon 7pm
🎵Kaleena Zanders (Pop) @ The Drake Underground - Sat 11pm

Thank you!

Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon, please enjoy our (very first non-mammal!!!!) 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 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