Then & Now Festival – July 23rd 2011+

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The Parkdale Village BIA would like to extend warm thanks to all businesses and community partners for their participation in the 2nd year of the Parkdale Then & Now Festival.

On Saturday, July 23rd, Parkdale Then & Now raised just under $5,000 for the Parkdale Community Food Bank! We couldn’t have done if without the support of the Parkdale community and all of you who were out and enjoying the beautiful weather, fantastic entertainment, and wonderful events Parkdale Then & Now had to offer this year.

This year’s Parkdale Then & Now Festival saw the setting up of seven performance zones throughout the neighbourhood all sun-filled day long.

Fuller Avenue’s Kid Zone was hopping (literally!) as children enjoyed the bouncy castle and trying out their musical talent on the Seussmobile (pictured), a percussional bicycle built and provided by local Parkdalian Phil Sarazan. Boreal Gelato Company being on hand with cool treats for the kids and adults sure helped with keeping Fuller busy and fun!

On Dry Land – A Seaworthy Skateboarding Installation put on by the Bait Shop at Dowling Avenue was rocking all day long with live local talent, including Octobre’s Ending, and Shuggie and the Bandits (view a video of their performance HERE).

Visitors to the Parkdale Summer Market over on Elm Grove were serenaded by wonderful acoustic sets including performances by locals Carlin Belof, Harrison Fine, Treva Bondarenko, and Graham Cavalier. Triller Avenue and O’Hara Avenue were also in on the Parkdale Then & Now festivities, with performances by The Gypsy Rebels, Horses Won, Parillegal and others livening up the streets.

 

Dufferin Amphitheatre is well on its way to proving it makes for a great venue in its second event since its opening; we were happy to see West End Food Coop, Greenest City, and Exhibit Change (pictured) spreading the word on their community projects while spectacular performances were delivered by Vibonics, Zuviri, Hey Amy and many more!  Parkdale Then & Now 2011 rocked the streets of Parkdale, thanks to you!

For more photos of the event and a full roster of bands and artists that participated, check us out on facebook: Parkdale Village

If you have any photos you’d like to add to our collection, please send them along! We’d love to see them! info@parkdalevillagebia.com

New to the Neighbourhood+

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Our webpage isn’t the only new site up and running in Parkdale Village BIA….

Keriwa Café (1690 Queen Street West).  With a seasonally local and organic twist on Aboriginal recipes and more contemporary dishes, Chef Aaron Joseph Bear Robe alongside Sous Chef Dennis Tay have introduced a unique new addition to Parkdale’s diverse restaurant roster. We had the opportunity to celebrate Keriwa’s opening on Wednesday, August 10th and were very impressed with the rustic yet elegant feel of the restaurant. The time and care put into the design shows; the Birch Bark installation stood out for us, yet was in heavy competition with many other artistic pieces gracing the walls and within the loving design of Keriwa. As for the food, wow! After a long time debating over all the delicious options (Braised Bison Tail, Corn Soup (pictured) Tomato Watermelon Salad, and Bacon Wrapped Whitefish – just some of the other temptations), we dined on Rock Hen with Roasted Bread Salad, with Tomato and Artichoke. Peeking over at other diners, we weren’t the only ones impressed by every bite of what Aaron was cooking up in the kitchen. Congratulations to Keriwa Café and its amazing staff for a wonderful opening, and welcome to the neighbourhood!

 

Other new neighbours that have opened this summer:

The Boreal Gelato Company (1312 Queen St. W) has introduced homemade Italian style ice cream, sorbet and other frozen treats to Parkdale. Drop by and savour delicious, refreshing flavours like coconut cream, raspberry sorbet, and salted caramel. Flavours change seasonally, and Boreal is always open to hearing requests!

 

Sizzling Grill (1468 Queen St. W) serves up fantastic Mediterranean fare including Kafta Kebab, Falafel, and Shawarma. Their menu also includes more Western fare; try their delicious burgers!

 

Tim Hortons has opened shop at 1468 Queen St. West.

 

Winnie’s Sub & Mac (218 Close Avenue) offers Parkdale fresh, homemade subs, sandwiches, soups, green salads, juices and more!

 

Wind Mobile (1454 Queen St. W) has a wide range of mobile services for cell phone users.