The Metropolis

Canada Day tips for Londoners

Darren Atwater | Friday 1 July, 2011 09:30

How will you celebrate that day, 144 years ago, when the UK gave Canada permission to govern their own internal affairs – except when the viceroy disagreed?

The best choice would be to head down to Trafalgar Square. Starting with a singing of O’Canada at 10:30 and a ceremonial drop of the puck by the Canadian High Commissioner. Canadian beer, bison burgers, music for the rest of the day. Plus a yoga demonstration.

Traditionalists will go to Covent Garden’s Maple Leaf Pub, where you can get indifferent service, Sky Sports, and mediocre pub food. Don’t be a traditionalist.

If you would like a good example of Canada’s most unique contribution to gastronomy, Gordon Ramsay, of all people, has an excellent poutine on the menu at Foxtrot Oscar. That’s chips, cheese curds, and gravy and just a little bit of heaven.

Tomorrow at the Barbican is Canadian Blast, a celebration of sound and vision with indie greats The Hidden Cameras, Woodpigeon and Devon Sproule. Plus a pre-show with Spirit of the West member Linda McRae and Chilly Gonzales’ critically acclaimed feature film, Ivory Tower, will be shown for free in the main hall. The film features Tiga, Feist and Peaches.

SNIPE has two tickets to CANADIAN BLAST at the BARBICAN to give away. Email [email protected] by 3pm today with your name and contact info to get into the draw.

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