Father’s Day Weekend on Lockdown

Welcome to the first ever Father’s Day Weekend on lockdown. Although there’s a lot of talk about easing things and opening up, you won’t find me in any crowds or Primark queues anytime soon. Hopefully there will be tons of BBQ and picnic fun (scroll down for foodie gift ideas — e.g. award-winning hotdogs!) and, when you’re back indoors, here’s what’s worth streaming. Have a good one.

Father’s Day Weekend on Lockdown

THEATRE

Shakespeare’s Globe at Home: Macbeth
Bring Shakespeare and the world famous Globe theatre into your home via YouTube, as they offer FREE livestreams of select plays for two weeks each. Currently, you can watch a production of Macbeth adapted for school kids and featuring a diverse cast with in the lead role. Donations welcome. Ages 11+. Available until secondary schools reopen.

National Theatre at Home: Small Island
We’re still raving about Inua Ellams’ Barber Shop Chronicles as streamed via National Theatre At Home on YouTube last month. From this weekend, just in time for Windrush Day (Mon Jun 22), you can catch the sell-out adaptation of Andrea Levy’s Orange Prize-winning book Small Island. It follows a cast of 40 through three interweaving storylines from rural Jamaica to the UK, spanning WW2 to 1948. NT shows stream live every Thursday evening from 7pm and then you can watch the recording all week long. NB: There’s a BBFC rating of 15, so it’s probably best for secondary school kids at least 12+ — parental discretion advised. From 7pm, Thu 18-Thu 25 (Jun 18-25)

FUN AND GAMES

Hip Hop Pub Quiz from The Doctor’s Orders
Pubs aren’t open yet, but online pub quizzes are all the rage and perfect for Father’s Day Weekend on Lockdown. Spin Doctor’s popular Hip Hop Pub Quiz is for everyone from serious heads to casual listeners. You can play solo or in a group, just choose a fun team name, open 2 browser windows (one for the quiz and one for the lie stream) and get quizzing. Full details on the Doctors Orders web site. Thu Jun 18 at 8.15pm (Thursdays until further notice)

Tech Will Save Us: Father’s Day Gift Ideas
As well as offering up to 40% discount on some of their best kits, this STEM-focused company have a mix of fun ideas for Father’s Day Weekend on Lockdown. You could order dad and child-friendly kits to make your own synth or electro guitar, create your own retro arcade game, or a light racer to snap up your bicycle wheels. They also have some free family learning resources on their website and blog.

PARTY TIME

DJ Jazzy Jeff: The Magnificent House Party
Your kids might know him from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air but he’s better known as one of the world’s most respected DJs. Since quarantine began, he’s been streaming some amazing DJ sets and he’ll be throwing down again for Father’s Day weekend on lockdown. Tune in via Instagram Live, Facebook or Twitch. Sat Jun 20 8pm BST (3pm EDT/12pm PDT). (Saturdays)

Kitchen Raves with Big Fish Little Fish
I hope you’re not one of those rushing out to attend illegal lockdown raves outdoors. Keep it safe and keep it friendly with another Big Fish Little Fish Kitchen Rave. The award-winning, baby-happy rave crew have been hosting sessions every Sunday and this weekend they’ll be raving with Stonehenge Summer Solstice (Sat 2pm), *Greenpeace Festival (Thu-Sat) and *Glasthomebury Festival (Sun 2pm)! All ages welcome. 2pm (Sat) & 2pm (Sun). (Jun 20-21)

*Find out more about Greenpeace: Action All Areas featuring a massive line-up including Kelis, Beardyman, Bastille, Luke Solomon, Billy Bragg and more.

*Sign up for next weekend’s Glasthomebury Festival charity fundraiser.

LISTEN AND LEARN

Rich Mix for Black Lives Matter
One of our favourite arts centres has been closed throughout lockdown, however they’re busy behind the scenes. In response to the global Black Lives Matter movement, they’ve put together this list of resources to help you delve into Black history in the UK and worldwide and educate yourself on what needs to change. There are news articles, book recommendations, movies, music, activism suggestions and more. Perfect reading for a long and lazy Father’s Day weekend on lockdown!

FOODIE GIFTS

Shop Online – Big Apple Hot Dogs Father’s Day Feast
Earlier this week, I blogged about my man’s online shop and his delicious Father’s Day Feast, available to order with personalised packs. Big Apple Hot Dogs are a special family treat, loved by chefs and celebrities worldwide (everyone from Lily Allen to Tom Cruise). Now you can experience the deliciousness at home. Try a variety of gourmet pork and/or beef sausages on the BBQ, home grill, fry-up or sausage stew. Mmm. Brilliant last minute gift for Father’s Day or any day… to be ‘frank’. Get an 11% discount on the online shop using my code: Babes11.

Jamon Natural
Our friends at Jamon Natural have written about Unique Father’s Day Gifts and it’s worth checking out if you’re looking for some last minute gift ideas. This UK brand supports small Spanish producers and offers 100% all natural Spanish hams with no chemicals, additives or other nasties. On their blog, you’ll find some tasty Spanish recipes if you want to try something new. Jam on, baby.

MOVIE NIGHT

Settle in with a classic movie. This week, as we’re celebrating fathers and with Black Lives Matter in mind, I’ve picked two brilliant films — one that’s family friendly and one that’s more sobering for older kids and adults.

Spiderman into the Spider-Verse
Black Panther was Jed’s favourite movie until Miles swung onto the scene as the first Black Spiderman in motion picture history. Now he’s torn between the two. This is undoubtedly the best Spiderman, one that blends action, animation, humour and a fantastic message about being who you want to be and finding the hero within. Rated PG.

13th
Ava du Vernay’s blistering documentary about the US justice system and how it’s failing Black men and boys in particular is essential viewing. We watched it with our 14-year-old – it has some brutal imagery in parts, so best for older kids ages 12+.

Wishing my Babe Papa an amazing Father’s Day and here’s to a wonderful weekend for all your dads, granddads and dads-to-be!