The Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre has over ninety solar panels on its roof – and the sale of this electricity funds dance scholarships for kids from Regent Park. You can learn more about their project. On Saturday April 21 from 4:30 to 6 pm, CCDT and TABIA will host a seminar on solar energy possibilities. You’ll meet people from the industry who can explain their equipment and from CCDT who will tell you how it benefits their Theatre. Refreshments to start (from Mylk Uncookies) as well as a chance to enjoy a cocktail afterward at The Cobourg.Eclectisaurus and the Absolutely Vintage Sale
The Absolutely Vintage Sale features men’s and women’s clothing from the 1890s to the 1970s, all carefully collected from Ontario estates. Plus antique jewellery, accessories, textiles and ephemera. Leslie from Eclectisaurus (249 Gerrard) is joining with Gadabout and Angela McCool at Maple Cottage, 62 Laing Street (off Queen, east of Leslie) on Saturday April 14 from 10 am to 5 pm.Trish Kerr & The Divas
Cabbagetown Festival favourites, Trish Kerr & The Divas are returning here. They’re at the Winchester Kitchen & Bar tonight from 9 pm. Tonight is also time for Keith’s Kitchen Party – a pitcher of Keith’s with a pound of mussels, only $18. Tomorrow night’s All Funk Saturday features The Good Foots with Carrie Chessnut and on Sunday, Beau’s Brewery presents Open Mic with Porter from 9 pm.Au revoir, Benoit
Those of us who enjoy an adult beverage at The Ben Wicks (424 Parliament) are saddened to know that Benoit is leaving. He’s going home to Quebec City and a stint in the opera (his first love!). On Friday April 20 from 8:30 pm, we can bid him Bonne Chance in his new adventure. Entertainment by Jeff Barnes & The Irish Rogues. Complimentary appetizers.The Cobourg Sings
On Saturday April 21 from 8 pm onward, The Cobourg (533 Parliament) is holding its annual evening full of song. Bring your pipes and show the world what you’ve got. Donations from the evening will be given to UForChange to support their work with youth from St James Town.Well done, Kendall & Co
It’s a lot of work but these folks make it look easy. They’ve moved from their Winchester location to their new store at 227 Carlton. Gone is the old interior and the grungy exterior – now , they tell us, it’s inspired by French macaroons. As an opening special, they have fair trade, handmade, New Zealand wool rugs on sale at 10% off. As Eartha Kitt said, “C’est si bon”.Wines from the Loire Valley
JAMcafe (195 Carlton) is hosting a tasting of six Loire Valley wines on Wednesday April 25 at 6:30 pm. As always, chef Av Atikian will guide the tasting and provide hors d’oeuvres that match each wine. Reservations are recommended – (416) 921-1255. $30. For more details, check the website at http://www.jamcafe.net/Ellen Murphy visits Labour of Love
Ellen Murphy makes one-of-a-kind blank books from recycled materials. They’re hand stitched and hand bound. Her latest creation is a miniature blank journal made with recycled paper and reclaimed fabric. She’ll be hosting a workshop at Labour of Love (242 Carlton) on Wednesday May 2 to show us how to make these elegant little booklets. For more details, visit http://www.thelabouroflove.ca/Chandra’s samosas at Epicure
Chandra’s samosas are popular favourites at the Riverdale Farmer’s Market. She’s now offering them at The Epicure Shop (479 Parliament) as well. You can get them with spicy cilantro sauce or sweeter tamarind sauce. Patty also has homemade shepherd’s pie – two servings for $5.Save this date – Reaching Out Through Music
An amazing concert evening is happening on Saturday April 28 at St Simon’s Church (525 Bloor) to benefit Reaching Out Through Music. It’s a community group providing music and social opportunities for children from St James Town. The program includes Ron Davis, Daniela Nardi, Mary Lou Fallis with Peter Tiefenbach, the Gryphon Trio, Emma Meinrenken, Patricia Parr and Kathleen Penny. There’ll be a fantastic silent auction starting at 6:45 pm and the concert happens at 7:30 pm. Reserve your tickets at (416) 923-8714 (ext 205) or jamierotm@hotmail.com. Students $10, seniors, $30, regular $40 and patrons $100. Complimentary refreshments. To find out more, click here: http://www.reachingoutthroughmusic.org/Well done, Mark
Over 150 people visited MJG Gallery (555 Parliament) on Thursday night to view the new show. “Spring” is a collection of works by twenty artists and the show got raves from the people who came to the reception. It runs until Sunday Aril 29. The gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm.The Bunny was a big hit
Last Saturday, The Easter Bunny toured Parliament Street as the guest of our BIA. Kids along the street got a big hello and chocolate eggs. The Bunny reports that Cabbagetown gave him a very warm welcome and he’s looking forward to another visit next year.Congrat’s to Jim Heineman
Cabbagetown’s Jim Heineman and his Dream Band have been nominated in the Independent Music Awards jazz category for his song, “RH Positive”. He’s featured in a video Q & A on the IMA’s website at http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ where he talks about his music and the women who contribute to this song. Jim is well known here for his work at the Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre and his regular appearances at the Cabbagetown Festival.Don Vale Residents’ survey
The Association has put together a survey for parents whose children were born in 2008. These children will be eligible to start Junior Kindergarten in 2012. There have been changes at Winchester Public School and Sprucecourt Public School and so parents of 2008 cohort children have lots of questions. Please complete the survey. The results will be posted on the Association website. The survey can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5V8HCDG
Construction at the Winchester Street Theatre
Staff at the Winchester Street Theatre have announced construction projects that will affect the neighbourhood. These include foundation work, brick repairs, work on the slate roof, reinforcing the stained glass windows and replacing the sash windows. As a result, the sidewalks around the building on Winchester and Metcalf will be closed. The work will start on April 23. For more information, call Karen at (647) 439-3741.Eric Morse and Catherine Tammaro
Eric and Catherine are two of our favourite local artists. He’s taken hundreds of our photos, documenting Cabbagetown life over the past seven years. Catherine designed the LED lights in the “C” symbol that we used for several years on our lamp posts. They’ve organized a show of Eric's photographs at the Parliament Street Library (269 Gerrard). The show starts on May 1 and runs to May 31.
