🦝 St. Paddy's, Bleachers & Dance Parties

St. Paddy’s day may not be until next Tuesday, but given the events going on around the city that have gone green-themed (and the fact a large swath of Bloor will be closed to accomodate the offical SPD parade on Sunday), I think it’s safe to say:

But in addition to all the green beer I’m sure you’re eager to consume, there’s plenty more to do including not one, not two, but three different decades of Dance Parties going on — 80’s, 90’s, and 00’s.

Plus, a little WER update. We’re now on Reddit! Feel free to use the subreddit to post your events, share local businesses you love, or discuss West End going-ons. Check it out here.

Let’s get to the news part of this letter!

West End Updates

Women’s sports have found a bar to call home on Geary

Ok this one might win our coveted and belove(te)d “Most West End Story of the Week Award” — not only is it a bar making every Sunday night a women’s sports night, the bar in question is the natural wine-focused imbibery Paradise Grapevine on Geary ave.

And they clearly tapped into a market hungry for more women’s sports — as described to Toronto Today by event organizer Constance Osuchowski, Paradise Grapevine transformed its sleepy, low-traffic Sunday nights into full-house crowds. Maybe other sports bars should think about including a women’s sports night, eh?

Read the full story here.

BMO Field’s temporary bleachers have gone viral…and not because people think they’re wonderful

I didn’t set out to make this our sports issue, yet here we are. The TFC have their first home game of the season this weekend, and yet somehow that’s not the most talked about thing at BMO Field. That would be these, uh, “bleachers” installed to accomodate the overflow expected from the FIFA World Cup but they have some Reddit users…nervous.

“That's a lot of stairs to maneuver up with 2 beers and a porchetta sandwich” - Antique_Ad_3549

“Cheap and tacky looking AF, yet super expensive simultaneously. Fits right in with 2026!” - HabsFan77

“This absolutely terrifying” - harperxbunny

Read the full story here.

Fancy House of the Week

“It looks great, it’s really white though.” A sentence that could be equally applied to the University of Western Ontario and 90 Garden Ave. This place is the real deal - big white kitchen, a massive white island, and a white two car garage attached to the back lane with an extra suite above. It does differ slightly from Western when it comes to the price: $3.5 million. There’s an OSAP joke here somewhere but I can’t find it.

Listing here, 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

Make Pasta With Chef Bige @ Henderson Brewery - Thus 7pm
Mama mia! There's a pro chef teaching pasta making at the delightful Henderson Brewery! Details.

Book Launch: Lokum @ Book People - Thur 7pm
Looking for your next good read? Head on down to Book People on Queen for the launch of "Lokum" by Selin Kahramanoğlu. Details

Travel Tales - Comedy X Storytelling @ Free Times Cafe - Thur 9pm
OK this one takes place just East of Bathurst, but I looove the idea of comedic storytelling (instead of classic standup). Details

Astronomy on Tap T.O. @ The Great Hall - Fri 7pm
If your one of the extremely normal people who like spending their Friday nights thinking about Astrophysics (over beer) -- this event is for you! Details

90's DANCE PARTY @ The Garrison - Fri 7:30
Remember an era when things actually seemed to be getting better (even the music?) Relive the glory days of the 90s this Friday! Details

Drunken Cinema: FRIDAY THE 13TH PART III in 3D! - Presented on 35mm! ( Feat. Live Performance by Blood Opera!) @ Revue Cinemas - Fri 9:30pm
Watch Friday the 13th 3 on a Friday the 13th in 3D? Yipee! Details

Rave Cave @ Dance Cave - Fri 10pm
Now this event is a little light on details, but if I HAD to guess I'd say it's a rave...inside a cave. Details 

Saturday

Find Your People. Find Your Place. Discover the Power of Co-Ownership @ The Parkdale Hall - Sat 8:30am
"Housing prices in Toronto have reached a breaking point. But you don’t have to navigate it alone. Co-ownership is helping people – especially women, single parents, seniors, creatives and queer community-builders – secure stable, beautiful homes through collaboration and shared resources." Details.

March Drag Brunch with Miss Moço @ The Drake Hotel - Sat 11am/2pm
"Find the brunch Queen of Toronto, Miss Moço, every Saturday at The Drake Hotel. Over the years, Miss Moço has built up an incredible community around weekly drag brunch." Details

Access to Art: Portfolio Development Workshop @ MOCA - Sat 12pm
"Are you an artist who’s new to Canada and interested in building your art portfolio? Join us at MOCA on Saturday, March 14 for a portfolio development workshop led by artist and instructor, Emily Joyce." Details

Parkdale's Seedy Saturday @ The Public - Sat 1pm
Seeking some seed-swapping? This is for everyone who's ready to get gardening! Details

The Wedding Party – A Dinner Theatre Escape Room @ The Old Mill - Sat 6:30pm @ 141 Bathurst St - Sat 3pm
"Blending escape room puzzles with live actor interactions, The Wedding Party is an immersive theatre-based experience where participants play a crucial part in the bride and groom’s happily ever after…or not…." Details

IWD Supper Social @ Album Studios - Sat 7pm
International Women's Day was last weekend, but the spirit lives on at this women-led supper! All proceeds go to The Shoebox. Details

Jeremy Hotz: Très Misérables Standup Show @ The Great Hall - Sat 7pm
For those of you who like a little misery with your comedy.

Salsa Saturday with Etiqueta Negra + DJ Van Gogh + Baila Boogalo! @ Lula Lounge - Sat 8:30pm
"Enjoy two sets of live classic salsa by a full salsa orchestra + a DJ spinning Latin hits, Top 40, Reggaeton and other dance floor faves." Details

fetNOIR: Fetish Play & Dance Party - THEME: Femme Fatales & Dangerous Dicks @ Ground Control - Sat 9pm
For fans of fet play. All I can say about this one is they have, and I quote, "[a] dungeon play area with dungeon master" Details

Fast Times 80s Dance Party @ The Piston - Sat 10pm
When you're done with the 90s dance party on Friday, go back in time to the 80s at The Piston on Saturday! Details

Sneaky St. Patrick's Day 2000s Dance Party at Sneaky Dee's @ Sneaky Dee's - Sat 10:30
Do West End bars collude to divvy up the decade-themed dances? Anyway here's the 00's (with a St. Paddy's spin!) Details

Sunday/Monday

March Birding Walk in High Park @ High Park Nature Centre - Sun 10am
Spring is here. Don't take it from me -- this walk is specifically to catch a sight of some of the first spring birds returning to the park! Details

Lucky Finds Market (St. Patrick's Day) @ Parkdale Hall - Sun 11am
"Chase your fortune through a lineup of handcrafted treasures, local treats, and golden deals. A little luck never hurt a market haul." Details

Record Fair @ Boogie - Sun 1pm
Who doesn't love bin diving for vinyl? Here's you chance. Details

Winter Fireside Meditations @ Dovercourt Park - Sun 3pm
A delightful fireside meditation amongst the community (plus marshmallows!) Details

The Oscars LIVE at The Revue! @ Revue Cinema - Sun 6pm
I struggle to imagine a better place to watch the most prestigious celebration of cinema than at an actual cinema! Details

LESSONS I LEARNED THE HARD WAY - VOCAL HEALTH FOR PROFESSIONAL SINGERS @ 1100 Bathurst st. - Sun 6pm
Given the all caps event title, I'm guessing the hard lessons involved LOUD SINGING! Details

Art Hive at MOCA x Sorauren Farmers' Market @ Henderson Brewery - Mon 4:00pm
"At this pop-up series, the community is invited to participate in a creative workshop. Each session offers a space to experiment with art materials and techniques through suggested activities, opportunities to connect with fellow participants, and a chance to reflect on your creations." Details

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

🎵 Daniel Romano's Outfit (Rock) @ The Great Hall - Thur 7pm
🎵 Afuterie 2 (electronic) @ Lee's Palace - Thur 8pm
🎵 TRAITRS (Goth Rock) @ Lee's Palace - Fri 8pm
🎵 Dracula's Daughter (HyBrid) (Goth Rock) @ See-Scape - Sat 10pm
🎵 ELECTRIC BLUE NOTE Concert (electric-jazz versions of Blue Note classics) @ 254 Lansdowne - Sat 7pm
🎵 After Life, Obstruction & Sedition (Metal) @ Duffy's Tavern - Fri 8pm
🎵 Sweet Pill (Emo) @ Lee's Palace - Sun 8pm
🎵 marcel - Bends - Tijuana Taxi (varied) @ Monarch Tavern - Thur 7pm
🎵 John Shambles (Lo-fi alt rock) @ The Mod Club - Fri 7pm
🎵 Mozzy Dee (Rockabilly) @ Horseshoe Tavern - Thur 10pm

Thank you!

Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon, please enjoy our West End Pet(s) of the Week! Submit yours to [email protected], with your preferred name/nickname/initials and neighbourhood for a chance to be featured.

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