Blog

If you’ve been in the neighbourhood lately, you might have noticed new murals on the sidewalk. Those murals are part of the Queen East Eats Sidewalk Mural Project!

A joint initiative of the Riverside BIA and Leslieville BIA, the project aims to support outdoor dining and create more vibrant, welcoming streetscapes this patio season by working with local artists.

These temporary sidewalk murals are installed adjacent to select CafeTO patio locations along Queen Street East between Davies Avenue and Vancouver Avenue.

Last time on the blog, we introduced you to Nick Sweetman. You can read more about him and where his murals are located in the blog post linked below!

BLOG: Queen East Eats Sidewalk Mural Project: Artist Feature #1

Meet our second featured artist, Catherine Cachia, for the Queen East Eats Sidewalk Mural Project!

Catherine Cachia’s mural for Queen East Eats outside Common Sort – Riverside

Catherine Cachia is a multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto who works in many mediums: mural painting, hand lettering, illustration, documentary photography and more. The thread that runs through her work is embracing what’s imperfect, messy and human. She considers art making to be a spiritual practice that can bring a sense of healing and balance to both artist and viewer. She aims to unburden and uplift people, if only for a moment, when someone encounters her work.

Photo credit: Catherine Cachia

Check out @catherinecachia on Instagram and her official website to see more of her work!

Catherine Cachia working on her mural outside of The Roy/Juzz

You can find Catherine Cachia’s murals for Queen East Eats at these locations:

• 894 Queen St East (The Roy/Juzz)
• 1008 Queen St East (Eastside Social)
• 1042 Queen St E (Avling)
• 1216 Queen St E (Queen’s Head/Aroi Thai)
• 760 Queen St E (The Comrade/Common Sort)

Head on over to Riverside and Leslieville and check out Catherine Cachia and Nick Sweetman’s beautiful work for the Queen East Eats Sidewalk Mural Project!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram @riverside_bia and visit the Riverside Blog regularly to stay updated on our community programming!

This project has been funded by the City of Toronto’s Dining District Program, as part of Government of Canada support through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, the Riverside BIA and Leslieville BIA.

This summer, Riverside BIA and Leslieville BIA are collaborating with local artists for the Queen East Eats Sidewalk Mural Project!

As part of our patio season campaign Queen East Eats, this project aims to support outdoor dining and create more vibrant, welcoming streetscapes.

For this, we have tapped two talented Toronto creatives to create mural designs that reflect the energy, diversity, creativity and community spirit of Toronto’s East End.

These temporary sidewalk murals will installed adjacent to select CafeTO patio locations along Queen Street East between Davies Avenue and Vancouver Avenue.

Let’s meet the first artist of the Queen East Eats Sidewalk Mural Project, shall we?

Nick Sweetman’s mural for Queen East Eats outside Eastbound Brewing Co

Nick Sweetman is a multidisciplinary artist from Toronto. He is known for his mural projects, often in collaboration with other artists, and in partnership with various non-profit organizations, as well as the City of Toronto. He dedicates many projects to raising awareness about social and environmental issues, most notably the importance of pollinators.

Photo credit: Nick Sweetman

Speaking of pollinators, have you seen his piece, “A Time for Pollinators” located at 777 Queen St E in Riverside? It’s pretty hard to miss! Check out @nick_sweetman on Instagram and his official website to see more of his work!

Nick Sweetman’s mural for Queen East Eats outside ēst Restaurant

You can find Nick Sweetman’s murals for Queen East Eats at these locations:

• 700 Queen St East (Eastbound Brewing Co)
• 729 Queen St East ( ēst Restaurant/Real Greek Gyros)
• 786 Queen St East (El Cazo/Hume)
• 1 Boulton Ave (Amber Kitchen & Coffee)
• 1184 Queen St East (Yaya Greek Bistro)

Stay tuned next week for Part 2 of our second artist features for the Queen East Eats Sidewalk Mural Project. In the meantime, check out the official Queen East Eats Sidewalk Mural Project – Art Map and see all the murals!

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @riverside_bia and visit the Riverside Blog to stay updated on our programming!

This project has been funded by the City of Toronto’s Dining District Program, as part of Government of Canada support through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. This project is also funded and supported by the Riverside BIA and Leslieville BIA.

We’ve been keeping this under wraps for a while now, but after a year of hard work, we’re so excited to finally share that the Riverside BIA is expanding!

Photo credit: Riverside BIA

Riverside BIA began discussions with the City of Toronto and local businesses and property owners just over a year ago about expanding our boundaries to better reflect the evolving business community that calls Riverside home. Originally, Riverside BIA represented Queen E from East Don Roadway to Empire Ave, and South, including Baseball Place. 

With this partial expansion moving forward, businesses in 100 Broadview Avenue, 70 McGee Street and Strange/Saulter St are now officially part of the Riverside BIA family. This includes Chi Junky, Animal Liberation Kitchen, Toronto Fringe, Anytime Fitness, just to name a few.

Photo credit: Chi Junky

Why did we want to expand the BIA’s boundaries, you ask?

Growing our membership means more businesses can benefit from shared promotion, networking opportunities, community programming, and a stronger collective voice. It also helps ensure that the businesses contributing to the character and vitality of Riverside are represented and supported as part of our district.

Photo credit: Pawelec Photo

Over the years, Riverside has been home to so many amazing local businesses and we’re so thrilled to welcome new members into this little family of ours.

We’ll keep this blog post short and sweet for now. Don’t worry, we’ll be coming out with more content in the coming weeks and slowly introduce our new members, so stay tuned!

Be sure to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly for updates on the expansion and our new BIA members!

It’s showtime — Toronto Fringe Festival is back for its 38th installment!

Ontario’s largest grassroots performance arts festival returns with another exciting line-up of shows. From June 30th-July 12th, see 123 shows on 27 stages around Toronto!

Toronto Fringe is the grassroots, charitable organization behind the annual Toronto Fringe Festival. It is a platform for everyone to access, discover and experiment with the arts. The group hopes to help foster a healthy arts economy and, ultimately, a thriving society.

With its headquarters located at 100 Broadview Ave in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood, Toronto Fringe is one of the newest members of the Riverside BIA as part of the recently launched expansion of the BIA.

(If you’re curious to know more about the Riverside BIA expansion, don’t worry, more details will be shared soon!)

Founded in 1989, the Toronto Fringe Festival takes place over 12 days every July, with over 1000 artists from local and international companies performing in theatre venues in Toronto. Shows include comedy, drama, musicals, improvisation, dance, and many more.

You can view the full 2026 Program Guide HERE or pick up a physical copy at Riverside’s very own Arts Market (790 Queen St E). Tickets for the shows are now available for purchase over on their website!

Toronto Fringe has also created a handy guide on how to make the most of the festival. You can check it out by clicking on the image above! Don’t forget to follow @toronto_fringe for updates!

While you’re at it, be sure to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly so you’re always in the loop on exciting events from our BIA members!

Photo credits: Toronto Fringe

The 38th annual Beaches Jazz Festival kicks off with Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside, happening on July 3-5 at Jimmie Simpson Park (870 Queen St E) in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood!

The Beaches Jazz Festival is one of Canada’s largest free music festivals, taking place across a number of locations in Toronto’s East End, including Riverside, Leslieville and Woodbine. 

Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside, which is now in its seventh year, will see several local talents bring smooth jazz over a span of three days. There will also be food trucks and vendors. Admission is FREE!

Here’s the lineup of performers who will be taking the Jimmie Simpson Park main stage on July 3-5:

Friday, July 3

6-11 pm – Old School Request: 80’s Throwback Party

Saturday, July 4

12:30 pm – Toronto Allstar Big Band
3:30 pm – Animal
5:00 pm – Quincy Bullen
7:00 pm – Meteorheist
9:00 pm – Conor Gains

Sunday, July 5

12 pm – MOKA
2:30 pm – Nina Volcan
4:30 pm – Jackson Steinwall Band
6:30 pm – Vili V

Check out the Beaches Jazz Festival official website for more information on Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside and the rest of the festival’s programming this year!

Photo credits: Beaches Jazz Festival