The Weekend To-Do: Music festivals for all, Free People opens in Toronto and fireworks worth checking out in Vancouver
A wise woman from Michigan once said, “Music makes the people come together.” Those six words have never rung truer than this weekend, when thousands from across the land will assemble in parks for a tradition as old as time: the music festival. And for those more into crowd-dodging than crowd-surfing, there’s summer fireworks by the ocean and a cuter-than-cute rom-com at the movies. Take your pick.
Visitors from Onterrible take note: there are no beer tents at Osheaga because, well, you can drink anywhere at the festival. Add that to the already long list of reasons to go, which includes Florence and the Machine, M83, Garbage, Austra, Justice and the artist formerly known as Snoop Dogg.
Aug. 3 - 5 Jean Drapeau Parc, Montreal
OVO Fest
Toronto’s golden boy Drake is back in town for his annual OVO Fest, and with a brand new 416 tattoo to boot. “When I think of myself, I think of Toronto. My music would never sound the way it does if it weren’t for Toronto,” he told Now Magazine earlier this week. Drizzy will be joined onstage by the Weeknd, Lana Del Rey collaborator A$AP Rocky, 2 Chainz and hopefully another out-of-this-world surprise guest. Last year it was Stevie Wonder.
Aug. 5 Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto
Lollapalooza
The quintessential ‘90s extravaganza may no longer have the alt cachet it did when it was spoofed on The Simpsons, but it’s nevertheless maintained an impressive lineup. Black Sabbath and the Red Hot Chili Peppers play alongside Frank Ocean, Jack White, Twin Shadow and Dum Dum Girls.
Aug. 3 - 5 Grant Park, Chicago
Free People Boutique Opening
Those craving a taste of festival fashion—with or without the actual festival—will want to stop by the Canada’s first Free People store, which opened last night in Toronto. Floral headbands, crop tops, frayed denim shorts—they’ve got you as covered as you want to be.
79 Yorkville Ave., Toronto
Honda Celebration of Light Take in the romantic final installment of the Honda Celebration of Light. The theme of the evening’s festivities is Italy.
10pm, Aug. 4 English Bay, Vancouver
Ruby Sparks
What happens when you fall in love with a character from the novel you’re writing, and the next thing you know she’s standing in your kitchen? If only finding The One was that easy. Ruby Sparks comes from the makers of Little Miss Sunshine and is guaranteed to be equally charming.
In theatres across Canada Aug. 3