Things we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week…

Invasion of the Suburbs

Vancouver’s delicious celebration of BC food and wine is back! Enjoy a three-course dinner at over 180 of Vancouver’s hottest restaurants for $18, $28 or $38 per person. Dine Out is a great reason to visit new restaurants (or old faves). I have heard great things about La Brasserie and plan to use Dine Out as an excuse to get myself in to see if everything I have heard is true (they’re offering a $28 menu with local wine pairings for an extra $20). I also like the sound of the menu at the Bacchus (my choices would be salad of baby spinach, anjou pear and blue cheese, lemon dressing, slow braised Alberta beef short rib, creamed potato, red wine jus and vanilla and mascarpone cheese cake) for only $38. Word to the wise: they are already sold out on both weekends and are only accepting weekday reservations. There are too may Dine Out participants to mention, so for a full list (along with menu options) visit the Tourism BC website.
Jan 14 – Feb 1 | Various Restaurants | $18, $28 or $38 | Reservations recommended.

The Curious Case of Button-Making

Blim is a community-based art resource center hosting film events, music events, spoken word, performance, and guest workshops (find out about the centre and its mission here). This week they’re offering a Collage Button Making Workshop. They provide materials such as magazines, reference books, a photocopier, and markers (25 buttons of any size included). There will be a snack bar, good music, and fun to be had!
Jan 12 | 7-10pm | Blim Art Resource Center | $20

Ad Addicts

Almost everybody loves great advertising, and the London International Advertising Awards compiles 70 of the best of the best ads into 88 minutes of entertaining footage for you. Have a look at the trailer here. Visit the Rio Theatre to catch the whole thing.
Jan 13,14,15 | 7 & 9pm | Rio Theatre | $10 adults $8 students

Easy Listening

Brush up on whats hip and relevant in the art world. CBC Radio’s celebrated arts journalist Eleanor Wachtel takes an in-depth look at what’s new, exciting and important in film, opera, the visual arts, theatre, dance and architecture
Jan 13 | 9:05 | CBC radio – 690 on the am dial | FREE

Tap Your Inner Nerd

Nerds unite: A one-day comic book convention featuring special guests Matthew Clark (Adventures of Superman), David Boswell (World’s Toughest Milkman), Camilla d’Errico (Nightmares & Fairytales), and Stephanie Blakey (Comics by Steph).
Jan 18 | 11am – 5pm | Heritage Hall | $4 (kids FREE)

My Wallet Has Fleas

From the 21st Century Flea Market website: “With 175 different vendors offering everything from shabby chic to 50’s kitsch, collectibles and memorabilia to vintage kitchenalia, this popular European-style collectors market is a must-see…”
Jan 18 | Croatian Cultural Centre | $3 at Door – kids FREE

Get Ready For Push

Buy your tickets now for PuSh. The annual PuSh International Performing Arts Festival boasts the best of national and international artists and their innovative work in the live performing arts: theatre, dance, music and various hybrid forms of performance. Scout pick? The dreamy and melodic tunes of Dean and Britta (Dean Wareham, formerly of Galaxie 500/Luna and his wife, former Luna bassist Britta Phillips perform 13 Most Beautiful…Songs for Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests). For more information and show descriptions visit www.pushfestival.ca
Jan 20 – Feb 8 | Various Locations | Various Prices | see website for details

Alternative Hitching

Vancouver’s first alternative wedding show caters to a diverse crowd…”be it an off beat theme wedding, same sex do, or simply a traditional couple looking to add a touch of their own unique personalities into their event Indie-I-Do has something for everyone”
Jan 17 | Heritage Hall | 11am – 6pm | $15 in advance or $20 at the door | OR contact Michelle @ Scoutmagazine.ca (we have a few free passes to give away).

Paula Nelson

Paula Nelson (daughter of Willie Nelson) with The Grange, Greff Band & Petunia Soulful singer-songwriter Paula Nelson and her band, recently seen playing shows for music industry reps and fans in Nashville that earned glowing reviews, come to Vancouver, B.C., after New Year’s to play rockers, ballads, power anthems and love songs from their latest album, LUCKY 13.
Jan 14 | Doors 8pm?| The Biltmore | $13 try Red Cat or Zulu.

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Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended Bond University in Australia and the University of Victoria before receiving her graduate degree in Library Sciences from The University of Toronto. She lives by the beach in Vancouver and enjoys wandering aimlessly through the city’s shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

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