We take a look at some of the more unique cultural and artistic developments you can expect to see in 2016 and beyond the city’s remarkably revitalized East End.

The 506 Streetcar Project

The 506 Streetcar Project is a one-of-a-kind history lesson where transit passengers simply take in the sites and sounds while travelling along the route from end to end.

The ‘conductor’ of the project, Karen Franzen, was inspired to celebrate the 506 line because it “connects Toronto like Canada is connected via railroad.”

“It is wonderful to see how others are coming aboard,” she said, adding that the community has turned out in droves to learn more about east Toronto’s unique streetcar-inspired history.

Several activities, such as historic tours, live music and art exhibits, were scheduled at the Gerrard India Bazaar throughout the month of March. A closing party is planned for March 26.

Godspeed Brewery

Luc “Bim” Lafontaine, one of Canada’s top brew masters is expected to open the doors of Little India’s newest microbrewery by the end of 2016.

While there isn’t a confirmed opening date for Godspeed Brewery just yet, the hope is the beer will be flowing by the end of 2016.

“Months away from batch numero uno of beer,” reads the latest post on the beer-making bistro’s Facebook page. “Until then, one precious step at the time.”

Raindrop Plaza Park

The construction of a “high performance landscape” will upgrade the northwest corner of Dundas and Coxwell into a public gathering space with an important ecological function.

City of Toronto urban designer Sheila Boudreau said the project represents the marriage of “green and gray” infrastructure.

“We are working with nature rather than against it,” she said.

Permeable paving and small rain gardens will help to “manage rain where it falls” by directing storm water runoff from Coxwell Ave. to soil stored below the plaza. This will not only help irrigate the newly planted large trees in the area but also help to eliminate basement flooding in the area.

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City staff said design work for the Raindrop Plaza is about 60 per cent complete with construction due in 2017.

Crow’s Theatre

The long-awaited transformation of Crow’s Theatre into a 200-seat, $11-million venue is due to embark on its final stage of construction this year. Residents can expect the first production to open in January 2017.

Chris Abraham, the theatre’s artistic director, said the new theatre will be the first professional performing arts facility of its kind east of the Don Valley.

“We are really looking forward to being a home and beacon for arts and culture in Toronto’s East End neighborhoods,” he said.

And thanks to the building’s fully-licensed restaurant, Abraham hinted future programming may “blur boundaries between culture and food.”

Dawes Crossing

The public art intersection at Dawes Road and Victoria Park Avenue is more than just a simple sculpture; it’s also a high-tech performance venue with AC outlets and even free solar-powered Wi-Fi.

East End Arts recently wrapped-up its call for event proposals in 2016. The lucky winner will be given $500 to host a community event that will “reflect the heritage and ethno-cultural diversity,”

In the past, organizers have staged live music evenings and festivals to honour its community-building mandate. Stay tuned for the announcement of the winning proposal here.

Correction - March 23, 2016: This article was edited from a previous version that said Tip Top will be the opening show of Crow's Theatre's 2017 season. In fact, the theatre has not yet announced the opening show. Incorrect information was provided to the Star.



