Leaside Smokedown raises $35,000 for New Circles charity

Last week’s sold-out Leaside Smokedown music and dinner evening at Amsterdam Brewery on Esandar Drive generated $35,000 for the New Circles charity at 161 Bartley Drive just off Bermondsey Road. It is known best for its GLOW (Gently Loved Outfits to Wear) program. GLOW is Toronto’s largest clothing bank, offering clean, contemporary clothing in a retail-style setting. Seen above are Smokedown sponsors Patrick Rocca, jazz singer Denise Leslie and Smokedown originator Andy Elder of the Grilltime meat shop on Laird Drive. This Smokedown was jazz themed with Ms  Leslie and her quartet providing the music. To the right, a shot of Pumpkin Alley at Longo’s on Laird Drive and below that some Leaside Atom Wildcats crowd the door at the MasterCard Centre in Etobicoke where it is said the Leafs waved back during practice.