We Torontonians all have a lot to be proud of this weekend, whether it’s pride in our Nation, our identities, or just pride in the fact that we made it through another week. Sure, pride can be a cardinal sin, but it can also be so damn fun. Here are some events we can be proud of this weekend:
Oh, Canada:
Canada Day Fireworks, The Harbourfront Centre
Animal Collective, Drake, Katy Perry, and even Yoko Ono like them, you will too.
Catch one of the great fireworks displays at the many Canada Celebrations happening across the city this weekend. But just a heads up: the famed Harbourfront Centre show will be held one day early on Sunday June 10th (10:30-11pm) instead of the Monday, the official holiday. For a great list of firework displays happening this weekend, head on over to blogTO for their annual run-down.
When: Sunday June 10th, 10:30-11pm
Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W
How Much: Nada
Pride:
Ping Pong Pride
Pride’s got balls…
It’s going to be a great weekend to stay in the city, so great ready to swap your canoe paddle for one a little bit smaller: in honor of both Pride and Canada Day weekend, everyone’s favorite ping pong bar SPiN Toronto will be offering tables for $25/table all weekend long (this is instead of the normal $60/hr rate). Game on.
When: All weekend long
Where: SPiN, 461 King St W
How Much: $25 per table
Pride Parade
Who said that you’re allowed to rain on my parade?
The heart and soul of Pride Week is here.
When: Sunday, June 30th, 2pm
Where: Various Locations
How Much: You kidding me?
Food:
Rib Fest
“Drool clean up at register four!”
A little slice (and a big hunk) of ‘Murica is coming to the city’s Canada Day weekend celebration this year with Toronto’s Rib Fest. 100% of all funds raised from Toronto Ribfest go to supporting humanitarian organizations here and around the world, including Salvation Army, Second Harvest, and more. So head on out and “taste the ribs of God.’ Check ‘er out here.
When: All long-weekend-long, from 11am-11pm
Where: Centennial Park
How Much: All depends on the item, but once again it’s all for a good cause.
Music:
Dwayne Gretzky
The non-hockey-related band to play free public show
Toronto’s favourite cover band Dwayne Gretzky is kicking off Indie Fridays at Yonge-Dundas Square this Friday. The band’s known for playing an eclectic mix of classic rock hits, which makes for a great sing-a-long show in the audience. The group is impressively versatile, and different singers will tag in and out depending on the song. Expect lots of your favourites from Zeppelin, Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, and more. They tore down the house last weekend at Strange Brew, and they’re bound to do it again tonight (so to speak).
When: Friday, June 28th, 8-10pm
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
How Much: Zilch
Mac DeMarco
“Viceroy, early in the morning…”
Montreal native Mac DeMarco is bringing his brand of laid-back gee-tar music to The Hoxton this Sunday. Ain’t no better way to bring in Canada Day, if you ask me. And hey! Check out the mixtape Mac made us last year.
When: Sunday, June 30th, 7pm
Where: The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst St
How Much: Roughly one pack of Viceroys, $14.
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Jeremy Schipper is an intern at Toronto Standard. You can follow him on Twitter at @jeromeoschipps.
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