🦝 Santa-pocalypse, Pilates, and Oshawa's Finest

Happy almost Friday West End,

I can’t believe that we live in a city that not only named a street “Old Cummer Avenue” but then put a train station there and named it “Old Cummer GO”. That station name sounds like a line from the most controversial Pokemon episode of all time.

Let’s throw it out to the crowd - what’s the strangest street name you’ve seen in the city? Respond to this email and I’ll feature the best answers in next week’s Raccoon.

Let’s get into it.

West End Updates

New West End Breakfast Option

Motto opened recently on Queen West, just a couple of doors down from Trinity Bellwoods. They’re an all-day diner, serving breakfast food from 8AM until 6PM each day. Much like my favourite Nature Valley bars, the Motto menu walks the line between sweet and salty. Things like chocolate and pistachio pancakes for the sweet-tooths and eggs benny + breakfast sandwiches for the salt-tooths.

Check out their Instagram here.

Bollywood Tacos

Here in the West End we’re privileged to receive amazing restaurants from around the world. A quick stroll through the neighbourhood will reveal ramen sports that are huge in Japan, acclaimed bakeries from France, and overpriced burgers from the States. This month we’ve received something that’s as exciting, but might not make headlines in the same way: a taco place from Oshawa. Very few things successfully escape from that city so we need to support those that do.

Bollywood Tacos at Bathurst and College is Mexican-Indian fusion. Mains include butter chicken burritos, fish pakora tacos, and curry lamb poutines. For desert: Gulab Jamun and churros.

Check out their website here.

Subway Closures

Lots of closures this weekend! Line 2 will be shut down from Ossington to St George all day Saturday and Sunday. Line 1 will be closed from Friday to Sunday between Osgoode and College.

More info here.

Community Initiatives

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

Community Fridges TO

Community Fridges of Toronto are a local mutual aid initiative working to combat food insecurity in our community. They maintain several refrigerators across the city that offer 24/7 access to food for those experiencing food insecurity. Two of these fridges are in the West End, one at 124 Brock Ave and another at 782 Adelaide. They’re always in need of volunteers to help them load and clean the fridges, as well as food and monetary donations to help them get filled.

Find ways to get involved on their website.

Affordable House of the Week

Due to popular request we’re trying something new - we’re gonna start mixing in a few more realistic real estate targets into this section of the newsletter. Now of course these will be Toronto-realistic, not realistic-realistic. So for less than $500k, check out this beauty of an apartment at Lansdowne and Dupont. It’s got exposed brick!

This 1 bed + den also has in-unit laundry, more than 600 square feet of space, and a ton of natural light. The building boasts both a gym AND a rooftop garden. (That means if you live here you will become jacked AND tan.)

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 and Friday

Irish Storytelling @ Curiosa - Thursday 7PM
Storyteller Brian Walsh will transport you to 2nd century Ireland with the tales of the hero Fionn Mac Cumhall. Not to be confused with the tales of Fionn MacCools (over-priced chicken fingers in a strip mall). $25

Bass Witch @ The Wych - Thursday 9PM
A queer-femme organized night where guests will dress in their witchiest fit and dance. $11

Peppermint Trail @ Bloorcourt & Bloordale - Friday 12PM
The Bloor BIAs are running a holiday trail where you pick up an activity passport then visit local businesses to complete challenges and win prizes. Details

50 Cent Signing @ Spadina LCBO - Friday 6PM
CETWEOK! 50 Cent will be at this LCBO downtown and if you buy a bottle of his cognac you can get him to sign it and take a photo with him . Details

We Saved You A Seat @ 87 Wade - Friday 7PM
A cozy Christmas get together for artists and creatives where participants will bring something they've created to share with the group. Details

ZODIAC @ Revue Cinema - Friday 930PM
Screening of the spooky serial killer classic from David Fincher and the perfect way to hit your monthly Mark Ruffalo quota. $20

Emo Nightmare Before Christmas @ Sneaky Dee's - Friday 1030PM
If I know one thing about Jack Skellington it's that some people are really really into him. If you’re one of those people this night is for you. $12

Saturday

St Jacobs Farmer's Market @ Vaughan or York Mills - Saturday 830AM
Get picked up in a bus at the end of the subway line and taken for a day trip in Mennonite country. Perfect opportunity to shop for all of the chair-lovers in your life! $105

Trails to Treats @ High Park - Saturday 9AM
This group is taking a leisurely stroll through the park and then going to get some donuts. Details

Pilates Reset @ Society Clubhouse - Saturday 945AM
A mat Pilates session to strengthen your core. Consider it a pre-emptive strike on your body before all the holiday calories you're about to slam. $12

Festive Lights @ Queen's Park - Saturday 10AM
Some festive fun at the legislative building. Live music, crafts, nice lights everywhere, and for $10 you can not only meet Santa but eat pancakes with him. I thought he was more of a cookie guy. Details

Weird Holiday Market @ Loohoo - Saturday & Sunday 11AM
Like the other markets but weirder. Details

Portuguese Pop-Up @ Underscore Projects - Saturday 11AM
Selling books in Portuguese, original art, and cheese bread. Details

Wellness Christmas Dinner @ West End - Saturday 5PM
"If your idea of holiday magic is good food, real conversations, and women who actually want to connect… this night is for you." $65

Soul Supper @ Annabel's Music Hall - Saturday 630PM
Forget Chicken Soup for the Soul, how about some Chicken Soup with Soul?! Banquet dinner with a 7-piece band covering Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Luther Vandross, and more. $55

Superkick'd @ Superkick'd Studio - Saturday 8PM
A very fun local wrestling show celebrating its 10th anniversary. $26

Heavy Metal Movie Night @ The Garrison - Saturday 8PM
Screening of the documentary Metal Massacre followed by performance from a Metallica tribute band. $19

FROSTLINE @ Geary Ave Warehouse - Saturday 10PM
A big techo/house rave up on Geary. $13

Sunday and Monday

Caffeinated Holiday Walk @ Bloorcourt - Sunday 1030AM
Café hopping down Bloor. Notice how I put that accent on the e? This is a respectable publication. Details

Sunday Market @ Parkdale Hall - Sunday 11AM
The weekly Toronto Sunday Market has transitioned into Christmas mode! Handmade gifts, seasonal treats, and cozy sips. Details

Seussical @ Wychwood Theatre - Sunday 11AM
A musical for kids featuring all of their favourite Dr Seuss characters (fortunately not ALL of the Dr Seuss characters). Prices vary

Cacao Meditation @ Hansa Wellness - Sunday 4PM
From a reader: "Cacao meditation to open the heart and ground into the body. Group hypnotherapy journey to release 2025 and connect with your desires for 2026" $99

Farmers Market @ Henderson Brewing - Monday 3PM
Despite the chill in the air, Sorauren Market vendors are still bringing farm fresh local products to the West End every Monday. Details

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵 Emilyn Stam & John David Williams (Fiddle) @ Burdock - Thursday 630PM
🎵 Ryan Davis (Americana) @ The Garrison - Thursday 7PM
🎵 Jazz Night @ Junction Underground - Thursday 8PM
🎵 Ted Quinlan (Guitar) @ Blue Bird Bar - Thursday 8PM

🎵 Like Pacific (Rock) @ Dance Cave - Friday 7PM
🎵 The Codas (Rock) @ Burdock - Friday 8PM
🎵 Alison Young (Saxophone) @ Old Mill - Friday 8PM
🎵 Neu Arabesque Night @ NeuLokal - Friday 930PM

🎵 Paddyman (Irish) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
🎵 Beverly Taft Trio @ NeuLokal - Saturday 530PM
🎵 Singles (80s/90s Covers) @ Junction Underground - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Bruno Nesci (Elvis Tribute) @ Old Mill - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Shanick Road @ Shakey's - Saturday 930PM

🎵 Loreena McKennit (Celtic) @ Koerner Hall - Sunday 2PM
🎵 Joanne Di Nardo & Sophie Teixeira (Holiday) @ High Park Presbyterian - Sunday 2PM
🎵 Michael O'Grady (Celtic) @ The Local - Sunday 2PM
🎵 The Capys (Celtic) @ The Mezz - Sunday 3PM

🎵 inVENT (Jazz) @ Burdock - Monday 730PM

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