How Cameron Bailey, artistic director of TIFF would spend a perfect Saturday in Parkdale

“I first moved to Parkdale in 1998, and I’ve seen a lot of changes since. The condos are creeping up, but Parkdale retains its socio-economic divides. There are people who live in million-dollar homes, people who aren’t doing nearly as well and new immigrants making their way in the city. We all mix successfully here—better than in any other neighbourhood in Toronto. My wife, Carolynne, and I have a four-year-old son, Tate. He’s become a little hipster kid, and he loves going to the Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen St. W., 416-531-4635) for brunch. They even let him work the lever of the old-fashioned elevator—it’s a thrill for any kid. Then we’ll walk under the bridge to the Parkdale Library (1303 Queen St. W., 416-393-7686). They have a great Saturday reading program. My sister lives in Parkdale, too, so next we’ll go visit her and play in Roncesvalles’ Sorauren Park (50 Wabash Ave.). Tate has taken introductory music classes at the fieldhouse there, and his old music teacher recently played at his birthday party. We’ll browse the antique furniture shops, like James Dy’s (1726 Queen St. W., 416-850-9359), and for dinner we’ll hit up Ali’s West Indian Roti Shop (1446 Queen St. W., 416-532-7701). To finish off the day, Carolynne and I will head to The Rhino (1249 Queen St. W., 416-535-8089) or the Cadillac Lounge (1296 Queen St. W., 416-536-7717) for whatever’s on tap that’s good and local.”