Can we all agree that three day weekends are entirely civilized? Staring down the barrel of this regular ole two-dayer is a bummer in comparison! But you know what isn’t better when there are three of them at once? Album releases…

I hope you laughed. I also hope the warm weather has warmed your collective hearts. Because now I’m about to dispense with some sad news — beloved purveyor of seafood and seafood-based dishes Honest Weight announced they were closing at the end May. I had no fewer than four people reach out to me personally to share their sympathies — I loved that place. If you wanna try it before it’s gone, hustle in those reservations (I know I have).

And with that out of the way, onto the fun stuff! Including World Goth Day celebrations, neighbourhood wide yard sales and a surprising number of fundraisers.

Update time!

The Junction is an incredible neighbourhood for many reasons. Its gorgeous red brick, its delightful shopping scene and its storied history (did you know alcohol was illegal to sell in The Junction until 2000? That’s not a typo.) But this weekend it’s going to transform into a jumble of yardsales.

"Spring is the perfect time to clear out the clutter, and we thought, why not get the whole neighbourhood to do it on the same day? The response blew us away," event organizer Ira Dubinsky told blogTO. And I agree! Get out there, rain or shine (rain looks likely unfortunately) and restore your dwindling goo-ga and tchotchke collections.

Read the full story here.

I love Doors Open. I think it’s just plain neat to finally venture inside some of the beautiful and historic buildings we pass everyday, unburdened by the cruelty of private property…but enough about my manifesto. Check out what’s open on the West End this weekend!

Unfortunately the list is kinda short. About 20 West End places are open to the public, at least for part of the weekend. Some of the notable inclusions are the MOCA (who have a very cool gallery), West Toronto Bowling club, and a building I’ve always wanted to check out — the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Holy Protection. But in addition to doors being open, there’s also architecture talks (for the nerds), neighbourhood tours and more!

Learn more here.

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Given the heat this week, I think it’s only fair we talk ice cream. Best in the West?

24 Morland is a detached home in the West Junction that’s listed for… $850k? What’s going on here. It’s not a teardown either. It’s got a wall with that modern wood panel thing. And a kitchen. And a roof. The only way this price makes sense is if there’s a Looney Tunes style situation happening where a crane is permanently suspending a massive anvil over the house. Even still it might be worth it. Check out the listing here.

Function in the Junction: Studio 54 Edition @ High Park Brewery - Thurs 7pm
A glammed up fundraiser in support of the Junction Resident's Association! Have some fun and support a vital community org. Details.

Museums After Dark: An Evening of Ghost Stories with Margo MacDonald @ Curiosa - Thurs 7pm
G-g-g-g-g-ghosts?! Details.

Mermaid Ball - Trench Edition @ The Drake Hotel - Fri 7pm - Sun 3pm
"We couldn’t resist bringing this annual costumed celebration back! This year the Ball will be set in the basement Trench level of the Drake Underground only with 2 NIGHTS of exploration available !!" Details.

Aphrodite Cooks: An Intimate Evening of Cooking & Connection @ Aphrodite Cooks - Fri 6:30pm
"Join us for a beautiful, hands-on evening designed for just 12 women—where good food, laughter, and meaningful connection come together." Details.

Board Game Night @ Junction Craft Brewery - Fri 6pm
Try not to spill your hazy IPA all over the Catan board will you? Details.

Puff and Paint: Glow in the Dark Michael Jackson Tribute @ 1350 St. Clair Ave W - Fri 7pm
Most West End of the Week award recipient - go smoke some kush, paint some glow in the dark stuff and listen to MJ. Why not?! Details.

Third Annual TSP Spring 2026 Fundraiser: Spirit of the Annex @ Trinity-St.Paul's United Church - Fri 7pm
Come mingle with Annex dwellers and support a beloved community institution! Details.

World Goth Day Party @ The Dance Cave - Fri 10pm
From us at the Raccoon, we wish a solemn and bleak World Goth Day to all who celebrate. Details.

Beginner Friendly Group Ride @ Osprey Café - Sat 9am
MOTORCYCLE ride fyi. Details.

Really Really Free Market @ Campbell Park Ice Field House - Sat 10am (Donation drop off starts at 9am)
"Meet your neighbours, donate unwanted items, and take home some new treasures!" Details.

Plant Fair 2026: Parkdale & Toronto Hort Societies @ Roncesvalle United Church - Sat 10am
Calling all green-thumbned! Plenty o' plants for purchase. All money spent contributes to community gardens. Details.

Book-ish Market @ Ground Control - Sat 11am
Ground Control proves its more than a place to get funked up with a book (and stationary and artisan goo gas) market, wrapped in a dark/alt vibe! Details.

Free - Small Appliances & Electronics Repair Cafe @ Karma Co-Op - Sat 12pm
Bring your favourite but not-quite-fully-functional small appliances and electronics. Stay to watch and learn these precious repair skills from our fixers. Details.

Throwback Cinema: A BUG'S LIFE (1998) @ Revue Cinema - Sat 4pm
MAN animation used to look weird. Also how strange is it that two ant movies came out in 1998? This was the consensus fave. Details.

Shimmy Shake Salon starring ImogenQuest @ Gigi's House of Thrills - Sat 4pm
Your weekly burlesque show! Details.

Canadian National Air Guitar Championships 2026 @ Ground Control - Sat 7pm
An instrument I can actually play! Details.

2026 SING! Canadian A Cappella Championships @ Koerner Hall - Sat 7pm
Find out who's got the best pipes in town (Canada?) at the A Capella Championships. Details.

A Long Weekend Drag Bingo @ No Notes Cocktail Bar - Sat 7pm
Well, it's not a long weekend as it turns out. But there will still be Drag Bingo! Details.

Ceol Kids 2026 @ Lee's Palace - Sat 8pm
You're a cool kid right? Come on down to this fundraiser in support of Community Music Schools of Toronto. Details.

BELLWOODS BREWERY DRAG BRUNCH @ Bellwoods Brewry - Sun 10:30am/1:45pm
"Join us for Drag Brunch! Expect an afternoon of high-energy performances with hosts Minhi Wang and Perla, and special guest Tara Nova from Canada's Drag Race Season 5." Details.

May Madness @ Parkdale Hall Sun 11am
Food! Artisan crafts! Summer essentials! Madness!!!! Details.

Trinity Bellwoods Drum Circle @ Trinity Bellwoods Park - Sun 12pm
"The Rhythm is back! Trinity Bellwoods Drum Circle is back for our 14th season of community beats and dance!" Details.

Poetry Workshop With Laboni Islam in Toronto's High Park @ High Park Forest School - Sun 1pm
"Spend a spring afternoon with poetry at the Nature Centre and in High Park. We’ll read and discuss poems attuned to ecosystems, then go on a guided nature walk, responding to poetry prompts along the way." Details.

Buttercream & Botanicals: The Victorian Language of Flowers with Shawna Horgan @ Curiosa - Sun 2pm
"Join us this spring in the Curiosa Common Room, where flowers speak in secret - and every petal carries a message waiting to be understood." Details.

BYOD (Bring Your Own Dog) Yoga @ Society Clubhouse - Sun 3:30pm
May Madness @ Parkdale Hall Sun 11am
Human vs. Pup - who can do the better downward facing dog? Details.

🎵Jesse Solomon (Jazz) @ The Garisson - Thurs 7pm
🎵The Neighbourhood Watch (Indie Rock) @ Lee's Palace - Thurs 7pm
🎵Ace of Wands (Dream Rock) @ The Sound Garage - Fri 7pm
🎵Rachel Bobbitt (Indie Rock) @ The Garrison - Sat 7pm
🎵Chet Faker (Piano) @ The Mod Club - Sat 8pm
🎵Just Mustard (Irish Rock) @ Longboat Hall - Sat 8pm
🎵Cole Pulice (Ambient Jazz) @ Collective Arts - Sat 8pm
🎵Jason Palma (Dance) @ BSMT 254 - Sat 9:30pm
🎵Em Beihold (Pop) @ The Mod club - Sun 7pm
🎵Alex Pangman (Jazz) @ The Old Mill - Sun 8pm

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 bird, 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