Danny’s Urban Fairies

Have you seen the glimmer of fairy wings as you head to your favourite park or a fairy door appear in one of your favourite shops on The Danny?

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Gerrard Pizza: Artist: Melinda Fraser

Danny’s Urban Fairies are summering right here on the Danforth from July 15th to August 30th, 2015! Tucked away in 50+ neighbourhood businesses you will find one-of-a-kind fairy doors. Each lovingly handcrafted by a local artist.

As if the arrival of our fairy friends wasn’t enough excitement, the community will be hosting a series of fairy themed events including, neighbourhood water fights, tea parties, movie nights, pub/food crawls, as well as a saucy fairy burlesque! This summer is all about having fun and using your imagination on The Danny. Take a stroll and discover all the mischief our fairy friends are causing along Danforth East.

Check out Danny Urban Fairies website for more details or join their Facebook page to keep up to date with events and promotions.

To kick off the celebrations, Danny’s Urban Fairies will be launching at The Danny Loves Music festivities this Wednesday, July 15th from 6 pm to 9 pm. Visit their tent to receive a FREE temporary fairy tattoo and to make a fairy craft. Don’t forget to pick up your map listing all the fairy door locations.

There is also going to be a Merrill Dog Park Association fairy dog parade this Saturday, July 18th starting at 10 am at Merrill Bridge Road Park. The parade will be going to the Woodbine Animal Clinic, The Canine Social Company and Wag on the Danforth to pick up some special fairy surprises along the way. Both pet and non-pet owners are welcome to join the parade.

Don’t forget to enter Danny’s Urban Fairies Facebook Contest this summer to win a $500 gift certificate variety prize package.

This is going to be a fun and magical summer in our part of Toronto.

The market this week: peas, jazz and hoola hoops

We’re approaching that magical time of year when so much fantastic food is in season in Ontario.  There are still plenty of berries available, the tomatoes are just beginning to show up and the peas are plentiful. Won’t be long now before the crunchy sweet corn arrives.

Fresh peas shared by School Grown
Fresh peas shared by School Grown

This week market goers can enjoy the golden sounds of the 30s, 40s and 50s from the Toronto All Star Big Band. They’ll be performing as a part of the Beaches Jazz Fest Farmers’ Market Series. And if the 50s is your decade, then you’ll love to get moving with Amy from Hoopersonic.  She’ll be at the park dancin’ and a shakin’ with hoola hoops from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. The East Lynn Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 3-7:00 p.m. between June 4 – October 15 at East Lynn Park, located on the south side of Danforth Ave, just west of Woodbine Ave. Stay up to date by visiting the East Lynn Market Facebook page or by following us on Twitter.

Pop-up Shop Alert! The Handwork Department

Meet Our Newest Pop-up Shop: The Handwork Department

The Handwork Dept | 1801 Danforth Avenue | Tues. to Fri. Noon – 7pm, Sat. 11am – 6pm

Have you noticed a fun new window at 1801 Danforth? DECA’s newest pop-up shop, The Handwork Department, opened quietly a few weeks ago and we are overdue in sharing the news. The Handwork Department is Maggie Krawczyk’s pop-up shop and she has completely transformed the drab empty space and filled it with an eclectic mix of vintage and artisan goods.  There is something for everyone, from the vintage furniture, ephemera, 35mm cameras, toys and housewares to Maggie’s own handmade jewelry and art, works by other artists, kitchen items and more.

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Maggie is a self-taught jewelry artist who started out as a full time machine operator in the commercial book bindery trade. While working in the factory, she discovered her love of origami and creating fun items for people to enjoy.  After selling her first few pairs of origami earrings to coworkers, she began to formulate a plan to leave factory work and follow her passion. She is the maker of a few different lines of jewelry including amazing tiny origami creations that she transforms into jewelry called Neogami, and jewlery which is made using text cut from vintage adult novels called XXXLittWear. She is also as an avid photographer of local abandoned buildings, and she’s excited to bring all her creations under one roof, including her experience working in vintage shops. She’s been stockpiling items in her garage in anticipation of opening her own store, and she’s even been spotted toting old ladders on the subway for her new shop, much to the entertainment of fellow riders.

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Maggie has named her store The Handwork Department as a homage to her early years spent as a factory worker in the commercial book bindery trade, before discovering her talent for jewelry design and ability to run a home based business. She is looking forward to working with other non-classically trained artists and crafters, to help them sell their products.

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Between the imminent opening of Kops Records two doors down, the ever-popular Tool Library and now The Handwork Department, that little stretch of the Danforth is getting livelier and livelier. Please stop by! Not only might you find a great little gift for someone you know, or a fun little treasure to add to your own personal collection, but you will also be supporting DECA’s efforts to revitalize the commercial strip.

This week at the farmers’ market: Strawberries!

What could be more “summery” than fresh, sun-ripened, locally grown strawberries? Grab a pint for dessert at the market and take some home for the rest of the week. If you can resist eating them, here are a few recipes  from The Ontario Berry Grower’s Association website to give you some inspiration. Please note for all your summer salads: strawberries + balsamic vinegar = perfection.

Spinach Salad

Frozen Strawberry Squares

OntStrawbs

 

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Sweet tooth? Visit Sun Ray Orchards for a tart

13th Street Winery will be here this week, so please stop by for a tasting from this amazing St. Catherine’s winery.

And here is everything you need to know for your littles:

  • Face painters will be back!
  • Crafts, colouring pages and more from the Mooseketeer Kids Club in support of the Walk to End Canine Cancer
  • 4:30 p.m. Rob Joy Concert! Touted by Toronto Life magazine as “One of Toronto’s biggest Names in Pint-sized entertainment.”

The East Lynn Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 3-7:00 p.m. between June 4 – October 15 at East Lynn Park, located on the south side of Danforth Ave, just west of Woodbine Ave. Stay up to date by visiting the East Lynn Market Facebook page or by following us on Twitter.