Hello and welcome! We are here once more with a roundup of a few stories from our neighbourhood that we wanted to make you aware of, it’s your Weekly WEP.
xo
WEP
Artscape Calls For Fair Compensation
On Monday, August 28, Toronto Artscape Inc. (‘Artscape’) abruptly fired the majority of its staff because it faced receivership, throwing workers into a state of precarity.
Twenty-five Artscape workers have penned a response, addressed to Mayor Olivia Chow, Councillor Gord Perks, the Artscape Inc. Board of Directors, and TD Bank. The workers call for fair and timely compensation, for priority in re-hiring, for a say in discussions about Artscape’s future and in its future management, for a meeting with the parties deciding Artscape’s future, and for the preservation of buildings for artists to live and work.
See their post on Instagram for more HERE
Roncesvalles Polish Festival Returns
The Roncesvalles Village BIA proudly presents the 2023 Roncesvalles Polish Festival taking place September 16th & 17th, in Roncesvalles Village, located in the west end of Toronto! Featuring 3 stages with more than 40 performances.
more info to be found on their website
Hard Feelings Mental Health Pop-Up Market
Hard Feelings Mental Health is thrilled to announce its fifth annual Mental Health Pop-up Market, to celebrate its sixth birthday. The Pop-up Market will host an array of mental health-related vendors at their storefront, 353 Church Street on September 9th from 11:00am - 4:00pm.
In the heart of The Village, Hard Feelings will host its Mental Health Pop-Up Market in its new space at Family Service Toronto (FST) at 353 Church Street. This unique event will be the first market hosted at its new location. The Pop-up Market is Hard Feelings' opportunity to connect with a new community, especially incoming post-secondary students who will benefit from the mental health programming and resources offered through Hard Feelings, as they adjust to their new lives.
Beloved Café- Arabesque, broken in - 4th time
For over the last two decades, Arabesque has been a favourite location for starving artists and locals who indulge in more than affordable Middle Eastern sandwiches, teas, Turkish coffee and treats. Several daily customers and countless returning faithful foodies come to visit Hakim for his amazing homemade Hummus, Baba Ghanoush and Falafel- we’re talking Full-Size Falafel Sandwiches for $5.00!! Any returning customer knows that behind any order, there is a complimentary sweet treat awaiting them and neighbourhood children run into the café to say hello and get a free lollipop!!
That being said, in the past two decades, Arabesque has experienced four break-ins, the most recent taking place sometime in the early am on the Monday of Labour Day weekend.
To help support, and read more, please see the link below:
WEP Fall Classic
We’re hosting an event in order to raise funds and keep the West End Phoenix growing into an uncertain future. With our friends at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, we are presenting an evening of food, beverages, a live auction of one-of-a-kind experiences, an intimate conversation between Sarah Polley (Women Talking) and hockey legend Ken Dryden, a special musical guest and hosted by West End Phoenix publisher Dave Bidini.
Join us on October 5th at 7PM at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen for a night you will never forget and help keep slow news alive in fast times.
This week at WEP Central
Poetry At The Phoenix with Khashayar “Kess” Mohammadi and Eva H.D. !
We’re thrilled to announce a new, ongoing poetry series at WEP Central starting this fall!
On the second Tuesday of every month, we’ll host two poets from throughout Toronto in our cozy downtown space located at 3 Bartlett Avenue! Big thanks to Paul Vermeersch for helping organize an AMAZING lineup of poets for you this fall!
Our first event is September 12th, and features Khashayar Mohammadi and Eva H.D!
entry is Pay What You Can at the door!
For more info
WEP Presents: Protecting Ontario’s Greenbelt
The West End Phoenix invites you to participate in an engaging conversation on the urgent work required in protecting Ontario’s greenbelt!
On September 14th, we are hosting a one-of-a-kind opportunity to sit in on a conversation with one of Canada’s leading environmental lawyers David Donnelly and Small Change Fund president Burkhard Mausberg, moderated by West End Phoenix publisher Dave Bidini.
Join us as we discuss the steps we can, and must, take in order to protect the future of our greenbelt. It all happens at WEP Central (3 Bartlett) at 7 PM on September 14th for a conversation, with audience Q&A. Admission is by donation at the door!
For more info:
Anil & Smita Appreciation at WEP
Please join us on Saturday, September 16th for an appreciation event for two pillars of the Bloorcourt community: Anil and Smita Dave!
For many years, if you lived in or near Bloorcourt and had a package to ship, there’s a very good chance you met Anil and Smita at Bloorcourt Stationery. Before they moved their shop down the street to where it currently thrives at 1016 Bloor, they ran their stationary and postal outlet by themselves. No employees or assistance, rare days off and very few breaks. Through it all they always managed to ensure it felt like you were at home, welcomed and warm, within their walls. When we talk about the spaces and people that make our communities feel like home, we are talking about folks like Anil and Smita (who we featured in our year 3 calendar celebrating many of our beloved local businesses).
And now it’s our time to show them our appreciation for their years of dedicated care!
Join us at WEP Central (3 Bartlett) at 11 am for a community gathering in their honour, complete with coffee courtesy of HouseCoat Coffee and let them know just how much you’ve appreciated them over the years!
To RSVP for events at WEP Central, simply email hello@westendphoenix.com with the subject line WEP Central RSVP!