🦝 Pastries, Puppies & Bizarre Bazaars

Hey there folks, Cam back at it this week. Just wanted to give a big thanks to everyone who reached out! The feedback was very helpful and incredibly kind. You guys are the best!

I had a truly chilling conversation with an Uber driver recently. He’s planning to flee the city for the entirety of the FIFA World Cup’s residency in Toronto. A football fan himself, he sees Toronto devolving into a chaotic hell hole for the entirety of its run, far outweighing any potential increase in revenue for him. There’s a cheerful thought.

The months of Subway shutdowns (to repair for the World Cup), lengthy construction projects, those terrifying bleachers erected in February, and now Uber drivers fleeing the city have me feeling a dread approaching in slow motion. Kinda like:

But on happier notes, there’s lots to look forward to now that the weather isn’t trying to torture us daily. The Raptors are in the playoffs, outdoor events are kicking off, and delightful art exhibits like this one at the Fantail Cafe in Roncy are popping up. Plus, some great events, like one involving beer and puppies. Oh, and one for the kinky of you out there ;).

Sufficiently titillated? Then on to the updates!

West End Updates

Restaurant roommates are delighting the gluten-free crowd (and others) on Queen Street West.

It’s a sign of the times when even restaurants need roommates! Cafe Gigi, which serves up coffee and (gluten free) pastries during the day shares space with The Dirty Laundry which serves cocktails and (gluten free) bites during the evening. A fun concept! And one that can maybe survive the sky-high rent of Queen West. (I guess this is the “Grumbling about rent” issue.)

This concept is the latest from restaurateur Robin Goodfellow, known for happenin’ joints like Bar Raval, PrettyUgly and Vela. If you’re fond of a hip environment, but not so fond of the stretchy protein found in breads and elsewhere, check out Cafe Gigi and the Dirty Laundry!

Read the full story here.

Tenants of a social-housing complex in Corsa Italia-Davenport face a massive 8% rent hike

This one’s going to twist you into knots. Residents of the social-housing complex at 6a Greenlaw Ave found out in January that their landlord, Tahanan Non Profit Homes Corp. was going to raise the rent by 8%. “No way,” you think. “Isn’t it illegal to raise the rent for existing tenants more than 2.1% under provincial law?”

Well get this. After months of advocacy, the tenants heard from the landlord lawyers in March explaining that because they are a not-for-profit (essentially, acting as an organization that can provide lower-rent living situations for folks who need them) they aren’t subject to any rent-raising restrictions. Huh?! The tenants are expected to pay the increase starting in May, or face consequences.

The Landlords claim the increase in revenue is necessary to maintain the building. I claim (assuming their statement is in good faith and not naked greed) they probably could have used some foresight instead of dropping a near 10% rent hike on their low-income tenants out of the blue.

Read the full story here.

Last week we had a serious crust-to-crust, and the results are in. But it was a nail biter - Badiali takes top spot with just under 25% of the votes. North of Brooklyn came second, and apparently I’m a bozo who forgot a spot, because I came third (followed by grams). Anyone who was aghast at the absence of Fresca needs to remember we already decided Bathurst was our border, ok?

Right, with pizza out of the way let’s try sandwhiches. Surely this will be uncontroversial right?

Relatively Affordable House of the Week

Do you love the Chateaus of France, but struggle with the 26 conjugations for every verb needed in the language they speak there? I’m sure that accurately describes you. That’s our key demographic here. Well - what if I told you you could enjoy luxury of a chateau in our very own Swansea? It’s only cost you around $6 million, and you’ll get a wine cellar that is literally comically large.

Check out the listing here.

Events

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

Thursday/Friday

Bee(r)s Toronto March Gathering @ Blood Brothers Brewing - Thurs 7pm
I'm actually not really sure what this is...but it involves both bees and beers! Details.

The Neurodivergent Nostalgia Comedy Show @ Free Times Cafe - Thurs 9pm
"Come check out the best neurodivergent comedy show in Toronto! For $5 you get amazing comedians to laugh with and a side of nostalgia!" Details.

Thread and Air Art Expo @ 2900 Dundas St. - Fri 10am
Come check out some abstract art! Details.

The Sinner's Cabaret @ Revival Bar - Fri 6pm
What better way to celebrate the halfway point to Halloween than with some West End cabaret? Details.

Quilt Showcase: Art Design Craft @ Wychwood Barns - Fri 6pm - Sat 5pm
Hey I got married at the Wychwood Barns! And while definitely less exciting than my nuptuals, a quilting showcase sounds pretty nifty. Details.

Full Moon Mama's Gathering: Moon in Scorpio @ 299 Campbell Ave - Fri 7pm
"Join as we gather in a cozy, judgment-free space to share about the many phases of motherhood, the dark and the light." Details.

Friday Night @ Collective Arts - Fri 7pm
Technically it's a Friday Night @ every place in Toronto, but at Collective arts there's comedy, live music and beer! Details.

Killer B Cinema Presents: Golden Bat! @ See-Scape - Fri 7:30pm
This movie looks incredibly bad, in the way it will be so, so good. Details.

Saturday

Sorauren Park Spring Swap @ 50 Wabash Avenue - Sat 9:30am
Does the thought of buying yet ANOTHER set of hockey equipment send chills down your spine? Pop by Sorauren Park this Saturday for a swap! Details.

Trinity Bellwoods Park Stewardship @ Trinity Bellwoods Park - Sat 10am
Not just for crackin' beers and tokin' doobs - a visit to TB Park can mean a meaningful community contribution! Details.

Twinkle Twinkle @ 76 Wychwood Ave. - Sat 10am
For the kiddos! An interactive play for children 1-5 -- set in space! Details.

Spring Fest @ Colborne Lodge - Sat 11am - Sun 5pm
"FREE EVENT! Gather with family and friends to celebrate the magic of cherry blossom season as the park comes alive with spring." Details.

Every Worker Should Have Equal Labour Rights, Mayworks @ Charles Street Video - Sat 6pm
"Join curator and artists for an opening reception. Group exhibition curated by Nima Esmailpour, presented in collaboration with Charles Street Video." Details.

HOMECOMING Group Exhibition by VYTIK ART COLLECTIVE @ She Said Gallery - Sat 6pm
Remember this place? It's the laundromat gallery in Roncy! Check out their exhibition this week. Details.

Kahaani Cafe: Table# 7 - The Stories We Carry @ Paradise Theatre - Sat 7pm
"Built on the belief that South Asian stories deserve a world class stage, this one night of live music, live storytelling and pure magic you cannot afford to miss. Set inside an intimate café, one table becomes a witness to life’s changing desires, through stories of youth, responsibility, love and surrender." Details.

Nu Metal Club Night! @ See-Scape - Sat 10pm
Do we still call it 'Nu' Metal? Shouldn't it be 'Uld' Metal by now? Details.

Sunday/Monday

Coffee, Pints and Prem: Liverpool vs Manchester United Watch Party @ Loons Pub - Sun 10am
Everyone knows 10am pints don't count when the game is on! Details.

The Bazaar of the Bizarre: Circus Side Show 2026 @ The Parkdale Hall - Sun 11am
This event wins the award for most compelling title of any event this weekend. Their description states you'll see "captivating performances from freaks, magicians, and dancers who will leave you spellbound and transfixed." Details.

Pints for Puppies @ High Park Brewery - Sun 2pm
Puppies? Beer? Charity? If you don't attend this you're a monster (or busy, or a cat person, or a seltzer-preferer). Details.

Nuit Verte #GreenMarketTO 10th Anniversary @ 87 Wade Avenue - Sun 7pm
Maybe it's just because Earth Day was so recent, I read green here as "environemental." Nope - it's weed. Details.

Tell Me I'm a Good Girl Play Party @ BirdHaus - Sun 7pm
Throw on your leather and latex for this kinky play party fundraising for a short film! Details.

sWychBack Sunday - Beer, Rhymes & Life - Celebrating Hip Hop @ The Wych - Sun 7pm
A night for the hip hop heads. Details.

Toronto West Grand Opening Sale - Modern Beauty Supplies @ 3402 Dundas St. W - Mon 8:30am
"Join us on May 4 for our Toronto West Grand Opening Storewide SALE 🎉 Enjoy swag bags, in-store education, PLUS enter to win 1 of 18 prize packs valued at OVER $184!" Details.

The Perfect Date: STAR WARS: EPISODE IV - A NEW HOPE (4K Restoration!) @ Revue Cinema - Mon 6:30pm
May the 4th be with you. A New Hope in 4k on the perfect day. Details.

Opera Pub @ Tranzac Club - Mon 7pm
Opera music and booze (and friends!) at the Tranzac. Details.

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵Mo Lowda & the Humble (Indie) @ Lee's Palace - Thurs 7pm
🎵LShaun Kirk (Blues/Soul) @ The Painted Lady - Fri 6:30pm
🎵Dry Cleaning (Indie/Alternative) @ The Masonic Temple - Fri 7pm
🎵Pastel Blank (Art rock) @ The Baby G - Fri 8pm
🎵Seasonal Birds (Folk) @ Bampot Tea House - Sat 6pm
🎵Alex Lakusta (Jazz Rock) @ Burdock - Sat 6:30pm
🎵The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis (Jazz) @ 918 Bathurst Centre - Sat 7pm
🎵Gladie (Indie Rock) @ The Baby G - Sat 8pm
🎵Yasgur's Farm (Funk Rock) @ The Local Pub - Sun 2pm
🎵Dropout Kings (Emo) @ Sneaky Dee's - Mon 6:30pm

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 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