Opening lines: Walk like a man

From the June 2009 issue of Canadian Living. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!

My father loved music, and it was by listening to his extensive collection of 33s, 45s and LPs that I was able to preserve my strongest memories of him after he died just before I hit my teens. I still recall watching him swirling my mother around the living room on a Saturday night, as my three siblings and I sat on the sofa laughing like a pack of hyenas over not only what we thought were funny dance moves, but also at what we considered odd music. My dad would just grin and keep dancing away.

I count myself lucky to have grown up in a home that fuelled my passion for music of all kinds (well, except maybe for marching band music, which my mother would subject us to on Sunday afternoons). But who knew that my father's taste in music would come back to me three decades later through my son, Gabriel, the grandson my father never knew?

Gabe performed in Anne of Green Gables in Charlottetown for four seasons, and I still often find myself humming and singing tunes from the musical. Now he's performing in Jersey Boys, in Toronto. It's the musical story of four guys from a blue-collar neighbourhood who make the big time – Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. When I went to the performance – the first time – and heard songs like "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Oh, What a Night," "My Eyes Adored You" and "Walk Like a Man," I was blown away. I found myself on the verge of singing along to the very songs my dad would hum around the house. The music was infectious. Theatre impresario Aubrey Dan, whose Dancap Productions brought the show to the stage, was definitely on to something. Almost everyone in the audience, young and old, was singing, stomping and clapping along. I left the theatre with a tear in my eye, partly out of a mother's pride of seeing her son on stage, but also because I thought back to those times I'd tease my dad about his music and he'd just smile and say, "Susan, one day you're going to appreciate this music.…" He was so right.

If you want to see the talented and handsome cast of Jersey Boys, just turn to page 52. And there you'll see my dad's grandson – just in time for Father's Day.

Also in this issue you'll find a delicious Father's Day menu, a guide to finding the best swimsuit to fit your shape and budget and a special health story you won't want to miss: "12 Bad Health Habits & How to Fix Them". We've also included a quick and easy workout routine for those looking to kick-start their summer fitness plans.

Until next time.

– Susan Antonacci

susan@canadianliving.com

PS - Have you got a favourite memory of your dad or someone who is like a father to you? Send me your favourite Father's Day memory and you could win our latest special issue, Easy & Healthy Summer Meals.