The last weekend in July...how exactly did this happen? Right, right, right, time flies when you’re having fun...well I think time just flies in general but we’ve had tons of fun so far this Summer, so, I suppose the saying is accurate...I digress...anyways! Festival season continues to roll on like a never ending pleasant dream so let’s take a look at all our options for this coming weekend to cap off July with the right amount of Summertime glory it deserves...and then some.
So, Thursday evening, I would highly recommend craft night at apk Live, especially since this incarnation is a “pouf party” and who wouldn’t enjoy crafting the night away making a new hairpiece or accessory? As always, the cost is $10 and the partay goes from 6pm to 9pm at 340 Wellington Street. YET, I would like to let you know that a little someone known as SLASH will be in our great city this same night! I for one have seen Guns and Roses twice, own every album, and simply adore this man...teenage dream deluxe. Rock the Park kicks off at 4pm and will start with a pretty stellar (a la 1990’s) lineup of Monster Truck, I Mother Earth, Bush, and as previously mentioned, Slash (with Myles Kennedy). Ticket info can be found right here and for any and all other details just visit rockthepark.ca. FYI Slash doesn’t go on until 9pm (and in classic rockstar fashion, that probably means 9:45pm) so you could always make your pouf, have some craft beer and then get yourself swiftly down to Harris Park sporting your new adornments for the show. Crafts, workout, music...perfect! The 3 day festival runs until Saturday night so make sure to check the line up so you don’t miss out on anything potentially monumental.
Friday evening shall we check out apk Live once more for what promises to be a must see show featuring The Jezebels with Hue, and Lonnie in the Garden at 9pm. Tickets will be $10 in advance and the good times and tunes won’t stop until 2am, which always seems to come too quickly. Another option would be to see what’s up at Nite Owl with a show by Slates, and The Stragglers. This will definitely be a change of tone but is sure to be a good time and it’s also free admission, how can you go wrong? OR we could take it easy (not usually a Friday type thing but this is super cool) and attend Citi Plaza’s annual Rooftop Film Festival (Starting July 27 and continuing for two Friday’s after that). Indiana Jones: The Raiders of the Lost Ark (the best Indiana film for sure!) under the stars on a rooftop? Sounds pretty fabulous to me! Best part it’s free and they wrap it all up with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off...one of the best movies ever! For additional details click here.
On Saturday, Museum London opens its latest exhibition “Embassy Cultural House: 1983-1990” starting at 12pm. I don’t know about you but I spent many a moon at the Embassy in those younger years for one show or another. In fact, it was the first place that introduced me to live music when I was 10 and went to see my sister’s band play. The memories, so many. So, what I mean is, the Embassy played a huge part in so many people’s lives and this exhibition will do well to reminisce and remind people of how great it once was. So make your way to 421 Ridout Street between 12pm and 5pm to experience this sweet, sweet show. Admission is by donation and trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
Saturday evening we should see what’s up at the Pride London Festival. It wouldn’t be a weekend in the Summer without some ridiculously awesome festival happening at Vic now would it? The fest starts on Friday and runs until Sunday evening. Saturday’s festivities run from 11am to 11pm and will include various bands and DJ’s as well as vendors and as per usual, some great eats. So put on as many colours as you can and head downtown to celebrate! Check out Pride London’s website for any additional details.
On Sunday, we have a few leisurely options available. First off, we could do a little shopping for handmade, locally produced goods at an event called “Diva’s Day Out”. Vendors include a variety of baby clothing designers, accessory makers, make up retailers, and way more. For a full list of vendors click here. Going down between 10am and 3pm at the Four Points Sheraton (1150 Wellington Road South), the event is free admission and will be a spectacular day out for all ages. Another Sunday option would be to check artist Ron Benner’s 7th annual corn roast on Museum London’s front lawn from 2pm to 4pm in conjunction with the “Embassy Cultural House” exhibition which in its original incarnation as music/ art venue, Benner played a key role in making it manifest. Prior to the roast, from 1pm to 2pm, you can attend a guided walk through of the exhibition by curator Robert McKaskell to learn all the background stories surrounding the building and the exhibition itself....suuuper cool.
We should close off the weekend and a week of festivities with the 18th annual Pride Parade. The parade is always a roaring good time and is a sensory overload in the best possible way. The parade will start in the Western Fair District next to the Farmers Market (900 King Street at Dundas and Ontario Streets) and float decorating will commence at 10am. The parade leaves the District at 12:30pm and will be filling the streets of London with music, dance, art and colour for hours thereafter. There is serious joy in the air at the annual Pride Parade so do something good for your heart and soul, and get out to some of the great events scheduled and def-def-definitely to the Parade on Sunday. Have fun!
So there we go, full itinerary...were you expecting anything else? Every week I’m amazed when writing at the amount of possibilities there are in London for fun, engaging, more often than not educational, and just plain awesome things to do. Not even just the weekend but all week, all over the place, not just downtown, there are seriously great exhibits, festivals, shows and more. Be sure to check out (....and shameless plug....) the LondonFuse event listings frequently because there is always something going down! Anyways, I’m done spouting about how wicked, creative, and fun I think London is now and I’ll let you enjoy your jam packed weekend!
Thursday July 26: Pouf Party/ Craft Thursdays, 6pm-10pm, apk Live (340 Wellington Street at York), $10 for supplies
Thursday July 26 (to Saturday July 28): Rock the park: Monster truck, I mother Earth, Bush, and Slash with Myles Kennedy, 4pm-11pm, Harris Park, ticket info
Friday July 27: The Jezabels w/ Hue, Lonnie in the Garden, 9pm-2am, apk Live (340 Wellington Street at York), $10 advance, 19+
Friday July 27: Slates and the Stragglers, 10pm-2am, Nite Owl (353 Talbot Street), FREE, 19+
Friday July 27: Rooftop Film Festival, Indiana Jones: the Raiders of the Lost Ark, 8pm, Citi Plaza rooftop (parkade on 8th level), FREE
Saturday day July 28: Embassy Cultural House, 1983-1990, 12pm-4pm, Museum London (420 Talbot Street), admission by donation
Saturday July 28: Pride London Festival, 11am-11pm, Victoria Park, FREE
Sunday July 29: Divas’ Day Out, 10am-3pm, Four Points Sheraton Hotel (1150 Wellington St. South), FREE
Sunday July 29: 7th annual Corn Roast, 2pm-4pm, Museum London Lawn, FREE
Sunday July 29: 18th annual Pride Parade, 12:30pm start at Western Fair Farmers Market (900 King Street at Dundas and Ontario), FREE
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When I was working at a Chinese restaurant, one of the delivery guys told me NOFX played at the Embassy when he was working there and slept on his floor. I've never been so jealous of a 50 year old Chinese food delivery man in my life.
One time at the Embassy I unknowingly met the lead signer of Hedley, so naturally I commented on his monumental rendition of Space Oddity on Canadian Idol. He got angry. I wouldn't blame him...watch:
Jacob Hoggard
We all have our Embassy stories...