Crepes and More remains closed for their extended vacation, with the sign in the window saying they’ll return September 8.

The Dakota Tavern’s weekly Sunday bluegrass brunch will not happen this Sunday, September 5.

As per their twitter feed, Pizzeria Libretto will close this Monday for Labour Day. Also as per twitter, Goed Eten will be closed Saturday and Sunday

If you know of any other closings, let us know, and we’ll keep updating via our twitter account.

For the remaining days of the show, visit 100A Ossington, just steps away from AWOL’s normal gallery. It is open Thurs. – Sat. 12-8pm & Sun. 12-5pm.

As a reminder, we have added a feature to our site with event listings. If you have a business on the strip, please send us an email and we will be happy to feature your events in our calendar.

Based on their Twitter feed and the sign in front tonight, they are open very late Thursday-Saturday, until 3am. The new additions to the menu that they are serving for late-night diners includes burgers and fries and poutine. We knew they were planning to do this, and really feel they are filling a void on the busy strip. They also do waffles and ice cream for dessert.

So when you stop in and try the food at Goed Eten, let us know what you think!

Many of the exhibits will be presented at the new Bell Lightbox, but galleries in our neighborhood will participate. Gallery TPW will feature South African artist William Kentridge’s “Journey to the Moon,” in which he pays homage to French director Georges Méliès’ classic Voyage dans la Lune (1902), also on view at the gallery and widely considered cinema’s first science fiction film. Combining live action and stop motion animation, Journey to the Moon in part pictures the creative process as Kentridge performs for the camera, playing the scientist/artist who dreams of worlds afar but ultimately cannot escape.The exhibit is open September 7 – 19, Tuesday to Sunday 12 to 5 PM.

MOCCA on Queen West will feature Chris Chong Chan Fui and Yasuhiro Morinaga: HEAVENHELL Sep 10, 2010 – Sep 19, 2010, and, also on Queen Street West is Stephen Bulger Gallery/Camera Cinema with Stan Douglas and “Klatsassin,” a film inspired by Kurosawa’s Rashomon, September 9 – 19, Tuesday to Sunday 11 AM to 6 PM.

We know the main point for many is at TIFF is spotting celebrities, and we’re sure they’ll even venture over to Ossington now that we’ve got some of the best nightlife and restaurants in town, but don’t forget the art too!

I met Sean a week or so ago to talk about issues in Ward 19, and why he decided to run for office in this area. If you are a sports fan you’ve probably heard his name as he was a broadcaster for Rogers Sportsnet for 15 years and host of a program called Connected.

While in that career Sean got connected to a bunch of charities including Right to Play, as well as the St. Joseph’s Health Centre, which is the benefactor of the fundraising from Queen Street Music Festival, so giving back to the community is part of Sean’s life in Toronto.

After recently leaving leaving Rogers Sportsnet, Sean told me he was looking for something new to do which would make an impact on his neighbourhood, where he’s lived since moving from Vancouver about 8 years ago. Sean lives on Queen St and has seen the great change that has happened to the area and wanted to keep that change moving in the right direction as well as impact larger issues such as improving the TTC and cleaning up parks in the city.

His background also contains a number of entrepreneurial ventures when he was younger, which seemed to be much of the basis for his platform – which is focused less on environmental and transit issues, and more on ensuring accountability in spending and reducing taxes for homeowners. His discussion on issues revolved a lot on making sure money is spent correctly in the city so that local homeowners can have their taxes reduced. His approach to most issues is very practical and business oriented, and the lack of his connection to the more political approach to issues may prove a great advantage in getting things done, but also will be a challenge.

Like the other candidates in the race, Sean is obviously well connected. The Queen West Music festival, which he organized, had a number of high profile sponsors including Rogers, TD and Molson, and it takes some influence to get them involved in a local music show. It shows a determination to make things happen and change the community, which the music festival does.

The Ward 19 race involves a lot of young candidates, and some names we know. Sean is a welcome addition and is going to provide more visibility to the issues of the neighbourhood. Let us know what you think of how the Ward’s election is shaping up.

Ossington and the vicinity already has it’s share of Cuban influences from the House of Horvath cigar store, to Julies Cuban over on Dovercourt and Foxley serving Cuban tapas, to Delux, whose Cuban cooking we’ve been enjoying since they opened. And, of course, nothing says Cuba like rum. The festival is sponsored and promoted by Havana Club, so there’ll be lots of rum cocktails served with that brand.

This festival brings music, dance and art from Cuba to the Ossington strip. And the list of events is extensive. (Don’t forget to check the Ossington Village Events Calendar for full listings)

They’ve even come up with a special cocktail for the event called the Cuban Correspondent, created by Brad Gubbins from the Toronto Institute of Bartending, which is a variation on a Daquiri inspired by Hemingway’s time in Toronto in his early writing career (or that’s what they tell us).

There will also be a performance by Gilles Peterson,  DJ/producer/musician.  Peterson and his band will perform tracks from his just released, remixed album, Havana Cultura: New Cuba Sound at the Great Hall at Dovercourt and Queen.

In the back of Reposado there will be a cigar lounge with rolling demonstrations and some guests will receive complimentary cigars. 

Angel Carrillo, a local graffiti artist and urban designer will be painting a large mural on the wall outside of Levack Block, and Cuban artist Ernesto Villanueva will be showcasing his artworks Friday and Saturday from 3pm until 8pm.

Elmer Ferrer, a super-talented Cuban guitarist, is playing with his band at The Painted Lady at 3 p.m on Saturday.

It’s going to be a very Cuban next couple of days on Ossington, so take the time to enjoy everything this festival has to offer, and of course, buy a few rum drinks to keep the festival coming back next year.

According to the website, this is the 2nd edition of the Queen West Music Fest (we were there for the first), and proceeds from the event (which, as admission is free, comes from the beer garden, which is not) will be donated to St. Joseph’s Health Centre.

The line-up of bands is mainly unsigned bands with ties to Queen West in some way, whether they live here or frequently play in the bars and clubs of the neighborhood. The headliner is The Trews, and other bands playing include The Junction,  Maestro Fresh Wes, and Stereokid.

So, nice weekend in the summer, and you’re in Toronto? Head on over to Trinity Bellwoods this Saturday to support the local music scene. Based on the map on the website, and from where it was set up last year, it is likely going to be in the west side of the park, north of Queen alongside the playground.

It’s hard to believe it’s been three years already. Reposado was one of the first bars to arrive to start the changing scene on Ossington. It was started and run by  Sandy and Catherine whose taste, hospitality and love and knowledge of all things tequila have made the place a success. We’ve learned a lot from their tastings, and various flights of different brands of tequila, many not available at the LCBO. The are also a venue for the upcoming Havana Cultura Festival where they will be hosting a cigar rolling session in the back.

They are have having a little get-together Monday night in celebration. Stop by and join us in thanking them for three years of a great spot on Ossington. RSVP on their facebook page (and become a fan too), so they know who’s coming.

We’ll be there too.

The end of the ride is still shrouded in mystery, but Michael J, in his leaflet is suggesting to bring your dancing shoes. So we’ll keep an eye and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter as we update happenings from the night. And if we hear anything further tonight, we’ll let you know.