🦝 Pizza, Poetry, and Parkdale

Happy Thursday Toronto,

They opened the Eglinton Line last weekend!

Even better, according to the people who are really into transit, it’s a pretty good line!

This is great news for the city, but is somewhat bittersweet for people like me who needed the Eglinton construction to make generic jokes about the city. Now how are out of town stand-up comedians going to build rapport with local crowds!?! Won’t somebody think of the touring comics!

As a side note, thank you so much to everyone who reached out to offer support to the Raccoon. I heard from more than 75 people looking to get involved! It’s a lot to go through, I’m slowly working through things and will get back to everyone within the next few weeks.

Let’s get into it.

West End Updates

A Proper Restaurant in Roncesvalles

Proper, a New York-Italian restaurant, opened recently in the old La Cubana Roncesvalles space, a few doors down from Revue Cinema. They have unfortunately not taken my recommendation of launching a North York-Italian spot, but the idea remains for any upcoming entrepreneurs. They’ll instead focus on fresh ingredients and classic dishes; menu highlights include charred octopus and clams on toast.

Check out their website here.

Badiali Second Location Loading……

Apparently news came out about a second Badiali location a while ago and I completely missed it! It’s slated to open in the Annex in the development happening on the former site of Honest Ed’s. I remain as big of a Badiali lover as ever although I sense the culture is slightly shifting against them. I know they’re alway busy and I know there’s a long line. It’s because it’s really really good.

Here’s their Instagram (check out the collab with Bernhardt’s)

Community Initiatives

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

Roncesvalles United Community Meals

“Every Sunday, there’s a free community meal (At Roncesvalles United Church) at 1pm. If you’d like to help out, volunteers usually show up around 10am at the side of the building. It’s a lovely way to connect and contribute. If anyone’s interested in volunteering, they can reach out at [email protected]”

Affordable House of the Week

Okay this is pretty good for a condo with a list price just under $500k! It’s a roomy 1+1 in South Parkdale with 625 square feet of space. You’ve got a solid balcony and big windows facing the lake, and you’re just steps away from tons of cool stuff. The building also has solid amenities like a pool, jacuzzi, and gym. Listed for $498k, check it out here.

Events

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

Thursday and Friday

Art Hive @ MOCA - Thursday 5PM
A free drop-in art making session at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Details

ROMEO + JULIET @ Revue Cinema - Thursday 630PM
Too broke to get tickets for & Juliet? Check out this screening of the Baz Luhrmann Leo DiCaprio classic instead. Details

F-Up Nights @ Stackt - Thursday 630PM
Speakers sharing stories of personal and professional failure. This one features a CP24 host and the Head of Growth at Loop. $34

Olympic Hockey Watch Party @ Parkdale Library - Friday 3PM
A viewing party for the men's team at Parkdale Library. No word on whether celebrations will be shushed. Details

Galentine's Skate @ Bentway - Friday 5PM
Outdoor skating for the ladiiiees. Details

Personalized Poetry @ MOCA - Friday 6PM
"Using a vintage typewriter, Poesy creates custom poems inspired by the stories, gestures, or moments you share. Your poem becomes a keepsake to take home with you." Details

Art Gallery Reception @ 980 Queen W - Friday 7PM
Opening of Mark Bell "Infrastructures" and Morley Shayuk "Yellow Paintbrushes". Details

Lunar Love @ The ROM - Friday 730PM
It's one of those classic Lunar New Year+Valentine's Day parties you're always hearing about. Details

Caught in the Aughts @ Swan Dive - Friday 10PM
Dive bar promising to play only hits from the turn of the millennium. Details

The Heartbreakers Ball @ Revival - Friday 10PM
A masquerade party where all attendees will dress in red and wear masks. If you see Tom Cruise be sure to tell him he’s in way over his head. Details

Saturday

Backyard Bird Count @ High Park - All Weekend 10AM
Help out a worldwide scientific initiative by going to High Park and counting birds. Careful not to count too many crows, you may end up with dreadlocks. Details

Sweet City Fest @ Stackt - Saturday & Sunday
A market featuring 30+ vendors selling all things sweet. Details

Family Day Festival @ Queen's Park - Saturday to Monday
A little winter festival with face painting, curling, ice carvings, and live performances. This is where I typically put a joke about there being clowns performing but only inside the building. Details

Pet Photo Pop-Up @ Pet Valu College - Saturday 12PM
Close Enough To The West End Okay? (a.k.a CETWEOK) A pop-up where they'll take fun pictures of your pets with costumes and props. The photo sessions are to raise money for animals in need. Details

Beer & Chocolate @ Bickford Brewing - Saturday 6PM
A beer and chocolate tasting where you'll sample 4 separate pairings. $35

Singles Dance Party @ Old Mill - Saturday 730PM
A chance for those who aren't coupled up to have some Valentine's Day fun. I think this event may be 40+ but I'm not sure. $25

Heated Rivalry Viewing Party @ Left Field Brewery - Saturday 9PM
There's like this indie TV show you probably haven't heard of, it's about hockey or something. Details

Daft Punk Night @ Lee's Palace - Saturday 10PM
Around the world around the wooorld. Details

Twilight Symphony @ Casa Loma - Saturday 1130PM
Let's step up our Valentine's plans this year. How about a midnight candlelit symphony in a damn castle. BAM! $140

Sunday and Monday

Saigon Sundays @ The Piston - Sunday 7PM
I saw an IG reel that said City Pool is out, The Piston is in. I think it had like 400 likes. Do with that what you will. Details

Sunday Trivia @ Left Field Brewery - Sunday 7PM
This is cool I feel like trivia is always on weeknights. Details

Balls Out Bingo @ Shakey’s - Friday 730PM
Bingo! Details

Kids Are Free Day @ Hockey Hall of Fame - Monday All Day
CETWEOK but a good excuse to take the family to the HHOF. Details

Lunar New Year Banquet @ 530 Dundas W - Monday 630PM
A 12 course traditional Chinese buffet! That's a lot of courses. $129

Heated Rivalry Trivia @ Casette - Monday 9PM
Trivia about that underground TV show. I'll give you a free hint: I think those two main guys have a thing for each other. PS they are running a bunch of these if it’s sold out by the time you see it Details

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵 Jazz Night @ Junction Underground - Thursday 8PM

🎵 Ad Infinitum (Metal) @ The Garrison - Friday 730PM
🎵 Neu Flamenco Night @ NeuLokal - Friday 9PM

🎵 Michael O'Grady (Celtic) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
🎵 Freeloader (Rock Covers) @ Junction Underground - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Christopher Owens (Indie) @ The Garrison - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Sgt Peppers Lonely Boot Club @ The Bell & Beacon - Saturday 10PM

🎵 Sax, Babes, and Vice (Jazz) @ The Local - Sunday 2PM
🎵 Balaclava (Post-Punk) @ Baby G - Sunday 8PM
🎵 Kook Mania (Blues) @ The Local - Sunday 9PM

🎵 Fred Spek’s Camp Duo @ The Local - Monday 9PM

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