There is a whole lot happening in Old East Village this weekend! With public health and safety at the top of mind, there are events, openings, and, as always, plenty of shopping, dining, and leisure activities to fill your Saturday up and support local businesses while you’re at it. Grab your mask, keep physically distanced, and get down to OEV to see what’s up.
Fall Outdoor Potter’s Market at London Clay Art Centre!
This Saturday, October 3 from 10am to 4pm, marks the Fall Outdoor Potter’s Market taking place in the Municipal Parking Lot #2 behind the London Clay Art Centre (664 Dundas) which can be accessed from the Elizabeth Street, Queens Ave., or Adelaide Street entrances to the lot.
The event, which is normally held twice per year off site, has been taking place since 1990 and continues to be a community favourite for newcomers and pottery aficionados alike. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, rather than go virtual, the LCAC will be holding the event outdoors with health and safety precautions in place as well as a restricted number of patrons inside the sale at one time to allow for physical distancing. But there will be plenty of other activities to enjoy before, after, or while waiting for the sale including tours of LCAC’s state of the art facility, the famed Canada 150 Mosaic, and live music!
Darlene Pratt, LCAC Executive Director told us “expect to see the works of 30 local clay artists for sale, tour the open studios, classrooms, store, and Canada 150 Mosaic, and hear music from local musicians (funded by London Arts Council) from 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm.”
Exciting stuff! Admission is free and parking is available in Municipal Lots 1 & 2 (with free two hour parking available in both lots using the promo code B2B20 through the Honk Mobile app). Please exercise precautions by wearing a mask, respecting others, and using the hand sanitizer that will be available throughout the event. Payments for purchase by debit or visa are preferred but cash will be accepted as well.
If weather conditions do not permit, the sale will be held indoors at 630 Dundas Street, west of the LCAC.
Speaking of 630 Dundas Street…
Long standing OEV staple, the former OEV Grocer and London Food Incubator at 630 Dundas is getting a makeover! With the public launch happening this Saturday, be sure to check out Somerville 630, a place to continue enjoying food, coffee, and now, the arts and creativity.
Featuring favourites Fire Roasted Coffee, Momo’s at the Market, Willie’s Cafe, and Yaya’s Kitchen, you can now enjoy three brand new restaurants in addition! These include Homemade Kolache - traditional Czech sweet and savoury pastries, Bella’s Acacia Catering - entirely vegetarian and vegan, authentic Korean food, and Immanuel’s Kitchen - Mexican food with low carb, keto, and vegetarian options!
As for businesses, in addition to local mainstay London Inc. Magazine, another new establishment will be opening as well, Ruth Noonan - Acting Coach. There is simply so much going on and to look forward to at Somerville 360!
Of the space rebrand, Chief Amazement Coordinator, Kathy Navackas said this will be a creative space that showcases arts of all kinds, from culinary to visual, a place for people to gather and to enjoy themselves.
“We wanted to take this once in a lifetime opportunity to make a building that’s an anchor in this creative and independent neighbourhood a space for more creativity, for community, and a catalyst for change.”
During this launch, check out visual art adorning the space (that will continue to rotate) featuring locals Waldoodle Art, Brian Normandeau, Beth Stewart, Susan Scott, Vanessa Zita Vanderridder, Gail Gifford, Cora Linden, Walter Sayers, Meryem Berrada and Sarah Cowling. Take it all in and once you grab yourself a bite to eat and a cup of coffee, make your way to the patio for live music from local artists (also funded by the London Arts Council).
Kathy told us to keep your eyes peeled for more to come from Somerville 630 because, as we’re seeing already, the possibilities are endless!
While you’re in the neighbourhood...
You’re not done yet! As we said, there’s just so much to do and see in OEV this Saturday. While you’re making your way around, check out what so many wonderful local businesses have to offer. Stop in across the street at 629 Dundas - a local arts collective and studio space - for even more locally made visual art and artisanal items. Then check out Mystic Bookshop (612 Dundas) for a perfectly seasonal shopping experience as well as live podcasting all day, mixing music and interviews with local personalities. Right next door, take a load off on Wisdom Cafe’s sidewalk patio while enjoying a cup of tea or a delicious Japanese crepe.
Plus, see local artists in action throughout the day on two facade murals that are part of the OEV Facade Beautification Program. These can be seen at 613 Dundas Street and 616 Dundas Street, watch the masters at work! Lastly, in case you haven’t seen all the wonderful murals created since May through this program, take a walk down Dundas and check out works at The Root Cellar (623 Dundas), 655 Dundas Street, 670 Dundas Street, and the Palace Theatre (710 Dundas Street)!
It doesn’t stop there, you can continue making your way around this great neighbourhood, supporting local businesses, and getting your full dose of eating, shopping, and playing, right here in OEV. Check out our website for a full list of independent businesses to plan your trip!
See, we meant it!
There’s a lot to see and do and we hope you’re as excited as we are! Check us out on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest updates, and visit our website for more profiles on great local businesses. Plus! Do you have Construction Dollars? Click right here to see where you can spend those precious pennies!