SonyaWith Father’s Day just around the corner we have a few ideas to help celebrate! For all the dads, bonus dads, dads to be, dog dads we got you covered and it’s definitely not too late! There’s lots happening and hey, we don’t have to just stick to one day, right? After all, it’s about making memories.
THINGS TO DO:
Yorkville Exotic Car Show: June 19. The 12th annual exotic car show returns in person for this favourite (free) Father’s Day event in the city. From 12 noon to 5 pm the streets will closed for the spectacular event. Visitors will be able to get up close to their favourite classic and exotic cars including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, Porsches and more. Also, enjoy live performances. The event supports Melanoma Canada, with proceeds raised through corporate sponsorships, display-cars, online and on-site donations.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Mirvish): Calling all Potterheads, grab tickets to this magical stage production! The story line picks up 19 years after Harry, Ron and Hermione saved the wizarding world. Now with a new generation arriving at the the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, prepare for spectacular spells and an epic battle to stop mysterious forces. Great for the entire family.
Photo courtesy of Mirvish Productions
Bob Marley Experience (1 Lighthouse): opening July 1, the experience will showcase never-before-seen Marley photographs and memorabilia, while immersing you in a journey through his life, passions, influences, and enduring legacy. Venture through the One Love Forest, visit the Soul Shakedown Studio and delve into the multi-sensory experience celebrating one of the world’s most beloved and unifying musical figures.Tickets are now on sale.
Take Dad on a Picnic: The weather looks great for a picnic. All you need is a blanket, maybe some games (Bocce ball is a family favourite here), and a basket full of goodies! We turn to Eataly to build the perfect picnic basket from their Salumi e Formaggi Platters curated by in-house experts to fresh focaccia made right in their bakery. Don’t forget the sweets and fresh fruit! They have authentic Italian cookies, chocolates and ah-mazing cannolis! For drinks, we suggest picking up a few of their Italian sodas!
Jackson Triggs Summer Concert Series (Niagara on the Lake): A stellar, all-Canadian lineup was announced for the Jackson Triggs 2022 concert summer series at the winery’s Niagara Estate Amphitheatre. Gift dad tickets to one (or more) of 13 acts including Bahamas, The Arkells, Sam Roberts Band, the Reklaws and more at this intimate outdoor venue that some of the performer’s rate as their favourite. The 2022 series begins on June 24 and runs most weekends until August 13.
Vaughan International Film Festival: Celebrating 10 years, June 20 to June 23. VIFF’s milestone festival will feature international films screening at Cineplex Cinemas Vaughan, the lineups will be composed of 16 films from 10 different countries, including France, Pakistan, Greece, Italy, and Estonia. For more information about this year’s schedule, visit vaughanfilmfestival.com.
Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature at the Royal Ontario Museum: Now open! This is the first stop on an international tour of the acclaimed exhibition created by Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment and the Natural History Museum in London where it originally debuted. Visitors will be able to explore the natural wonders of the animal world and the mythical creatures they inspired, juxtaposing animal species from nature with the magical creatures that inhabit the Wizarding World. Following in the footsteps of Fantastic Beasts‘ fictional Magi-zoologist Newt Scamander™, visitors embark on an adventure into the wild where objects are not always what they seem and the creatures on display can be endlessly surprising. Visitors journey to a place in time where some people believed that unicorns roamed the earth, merpeople swam beneath the waves and sea monsters attacked ships. On display are an array of fascinating objects, including real animal specimens and their astonishing fictional counterparts, alongside immersive digital installations, costumes and props from the Fantastic Beasts™ and Harry Potter™ films.
Also, we should add that the ROM offers Free Main Floor access this summer! Enjoy gallery and public spaces including access to view Kore 670, stunning sculpture on loan from Greece. This free access experience includes a new pop-up coffee bar, plus live performances and programming. See their site for full details.
GIFT THAT ARE BETTER THAN SOCKS:
Apple AirTags: These useful and discreet “find my” devices come in handy in many ways. Add them to keys fobs, gym bags, luggage — trust us they are amazing! Dad will be able to track anything misplaced or otherwise in transit (have you seen the airports lately?). The little tracking devices pair to his iPhone for instant notification under the find my app. You can even get them personalized.
Philips OneBlade Pro: for the dad who loves to play around with his styles and this revolutionary hybrid styler can trim, shave and create clean lines and edges on any length of hair all in one. It also has offers additional customization with the adjustable precision comb for desired results. Can be used wet or dry.
KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine with Milk Frother Attachment : Dad is an espresso lover? This NEW ultimate espresso machine is sleek in design and takes up less counter space to make the perfect cup of espresso at the press of a button. He’ll get the preferred shot size just like he loves at his favourite coffee bar. Not only that, it can easily be adjusted to make Americanos, cappuccinos and other delicious warm beverages. The detachable milk frother simplifies the job. The built in cup warmer is a smart feature built right into the machine. But let’s be real, we want this too!
KitchenAid Burr Coffee Bean Grinder: If dad prefers to grind his own beans to his liking this machine offers many settings to grind the perfect dose. French Press, Espresso, Perc, Drip! You can grind it to your liking with ease and less mess.
Groom: Dad deserves to have a bit of self-care too! This line of exceptional products are all made right here in Canada, and what once started as a men’s grooming brand has now expanded into a collection that includes skin, hand, hair and body care. Each and every single product is made in small batches in the Montreal workshop, using carefully selected, eco-friendly and natural ingredients. The outcome is superior quality products that promise to be just as efficacious as they are luxurious. To make gift giving that much easier, GROOM has put together a variety of fabulous gift sets for Dad.
UNIQLO UTme! Customized T-shirt: Is there anything cuter than something the kids made? Uniqlo (at The Toronto Eaton Centre) has a custom t-shirt program onsite where you can design your very own t-shirt (on their in-store devices) and have it printed on their classic high quality t-shirt within minutes. Upload designs and photos or you can choose elements from their design library to create a truly personal gift.
For the Dog Dads: Okay, for the dogs…we love these shirts from Club Huey! And locally we love Chelsea & Me for their matchy matchy hoodie sets for dogs and their humans. 
*lead in photo by Kelli McClintock on Unsplash