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

MONDAY

Today is Groundhog Day
From Wikipedia: in weather lore, if a groundhog, also known as a woodchuck, or marmot emerges from its burrow on this day and fails to see its shadow because the weather is cloudy, winter will soon end. If, on the other hand, it is sunny and the groundhog sees its shadow, the groundhog will supposedly retreat into its burrow, and winter will continue for 6 more weeks. I didn’t look in to it – but I’m sure someone will be showing Groundhog Day on TV tonight. And anyway, when is Bill Murray a bad idea? Update: the little bastard saw his shadow.

Pink wines of the world
“Canada’s first female Master Of Wine Barb Philip returns to Salt Tasting Room’s Salt Cellar to share an evening of pink wines of the world. Guests are invited to pair two flights of wine with an assortment of Salt’s charcuterie, artisan cheeses, terrines and prosciuttos. Reception with pink sparkling wine starts at 7:00, with the sit-down portion starting at 7:30. Tickets include all wine, food, tax and gratuity. Book a seat in the Cellar by calling Salt at 604-633-1912.”
Feb 2 | Salt Tasting Room | 7:00 | $75

PuSh
This is the last week of the PuSh Festival. 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. This week Scout suggests checking out That Night Follows Day at the Roundhouse. For more information and show descriptions visit www.pushfestival.ca
Feb 1-8 | Various Prices | see website for details

TUESDAY

Adelaide, The Sorcerers with James & Malcolm at the Biltmore
Adelaide (described by my new pal Aaron at the Biltmore as a band that brings a folk-rock sound somewhat reminiscent of Neil Young, the Sadies & Brian Jonestown Massacre) is tag teaming with The Sorcerers (an East Van band that blends punk rock with Dub like master chefs blend spices). I kind of got into “Don’t Smoke Crack on My Stoop” this morning over tea (have a listen). Rounding out the evening: Geronimo DJ’s James & Malcolm, who pride themselves on playing only the finest vinyl (no Ipod mixes or pre-mixed musical punch). For 6 bucks – how can you go wrong?
Feb 3 | Doors 8pm, Show 9pm | Biltmore | $6

WEDNESDAY

Live From A Bush Of Ghosts
“Inspired by Brian Eno and David Byrne’s My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, electronic band No Luck Club performs along with live video mixes by Candelario Andrade as dancer/actor Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg creates multiple roles to conjure a ghostworld that is a physical, visual, sonic feast for the senses.” Woah.
Feb 4 | Studio 16 | 7pm (Sunday Matinees) | $25

Bringing Art Theft Out of the Shadows
Denise Panchysyn gives an illustrated talk tackling some of the most notorious cases of art theft throughout history to the present day. Should be fascinating.
Feb 4 | Vancouver Public Library / Main Branch | 12:00 noon | FREE

THURSDAY

Write a Letter
Valentines Day is fast approaching – consider sitting down to pen a hand written letter to someone. The Regional Assembly of Text is a wonderful Main St. store with a brilliant collection of books, paper, cards, stamps, chalkboards, boxes and yes, even clothing. On the first Thursday of every month they host a Letter Writing Club. It’s free, open to everyone, and supplies are provided.
Feb 5 | 7:30 pm | Regional Assembly of Text | FREE

Kitchen Table Sustainability
Urban planner, environmental ethicist and author Dr. Wendy Sarkissian believes that “If communities are the heart and hands of the sustainability movement, community engagement is the life support system that connects the heart and the hands to enable the transition toward global sustainability.” So, she asks, why do current community engagement processes lack the ability to connect local people with sustainability issues? And, more importantly, what can be done about it? At this FREE lecture, the author discusses the current community engagement processes in Canada and elsewhere with the aim of inspiring and engaging.
Feb 5 | 7 pm | SFU at Harbour Centre | Admission is free; reservations are required.

Steve Reich’s Drumming
Steve Reich at Heritage Hall. The first two performances sold out lickity-split. Last I checked there were tickets left for this add-on show. From the Music on Main newsletter: “Steve Reich’s Drumming is the classic you have to hear, with nine drummers, two singers and flute player, all performing live. Fresh. Irresistible. And a total trip. Don’t miss it.” From the Guardian: “There’s just a handful of living composers who can legitimately claim to have altered the direction of musical history and Steve Reich is one of them.”
Feb 5 | Doors/bar 8pm Concert 9pm | Heritage Hall | $35

FRIDAY

Wellness Show
The 17th Annual Wellness Show events will include keynote speakers, demonstrations and special events reflecting the most up-to-date information on wellness and healthy living. I glanced over the show schedule and saw everything from Shiatsu massage and Cosmetic acupuncture to something called “Sex, Lies and Hypnosis” and “Brain Wave Vibration”. Highlights for me would be a talk by Lorna Vanderhaeghe (4-5 on Sunday) and a cooking demonstration by Tojo (he is rumored to be preparing baked salmon with miso sauce between 12:00 and 1:30 on Saturday the 8th).
Feb 6-8 | Various times | Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre | $12.50

Broken Social Scene with Tegan and Sara
“Juno award-winning Broken Social Scene has been making waves since its atmospheric, bombastic rock sound exploded on the Toronto music front in 1999. Across the country, Calgary natives and twin sisters Tegan and Sara are also mixing up music boundaries, traversing effortlessly between punk, rock, pop and folk territory.” Presented with the Vancouver 2009 Cultural Olympiad. http://city.vancouver.bc.ca/theatres/orpheum/orpheum.html
Feb 6 | 8:00 pm| Orpheum | Tickets 1-800-457-4463 |

Ever Heard a Story Told by a Pro?
The 17th Annual Vancouver International Storytelling Festival celebrates its 17th season with a weekend of performances by sought-after professional storytellers from home and abroad, all on the theme of “In the beginning…”
Feb 6-8 | Various Times | Heritage Hall | Various prices, visit website for details.

SATURDAY

VAG
The Vancouver Art Gallery has revamped its family programming and launches new offerings this week. On Saturdays families and children can take part in kid oriented tours that incorporate a variety of “materials to facilitate children’s early encounters with art” Every other Sunday (beginning Feb 8th) you can head down for the Making Place program “The Making Place will be an explorative workshop featuring both collaborative and independent activities, with instruction, materials and inspiration for all kinds of art making.”\
Feb 7 | 12-4pm | Visit the VAG online for details.

Japandroids Play the Cobalt
Never seen or heard of them before – but their name cracks me up so I threw them in the mix this week. I lifted the following description from Myspace: “Japandroids is a two piece band from Vancouver, BC. This ‘band’ started in 2006 as a creative outlet for the post-teenage angst of Brian King and David Prowse. Originally intended to be a trio, the boys decided to forgo the logistical nightmare of having a ‘lead singer’ and do it themselves. As a consequence, Japandroids are 1 guitar, 1 set of drums, and 2 vocalizers. They call it garage rock. They don’t care what you call it, as long as it’s not minimal. Japandroids are maximal – a two piece band trying to sound like a five piece band. Supporting Japandroids gets you into Heaven – no questions asked. KISS OFF.” If you go – we would love to hear about it.
Feb 7 | 10pm | Cobalt | Only Five beans!

Afternoon Tea Meets Cocktail Hour
Pearl Drops Teahouse is aiming to dispel any misconceptions that tea is a ‘granny drink’ by conceptualizing hip ‘ tea cocktails’ (made with freshly steeped high quality tea and fresh and exotic fruits such as kiwi, guava and kumquats ). They are hosting a “Open Teahouse Cocktail Night” on Saturday night showcase their creations. I have never been to the establishment, but if I were in their neighbourhood (a little out of Scout range) I would pop in for a sampling. Truth is, I won’t actually make a special effort to check it out until they graduate to tea cocktails with vodka. But if you go, let us know, we would love to hear about your experience. The Pearl Drop press release says “It will be a night of entertainment complete with tea beverage sampling and delicious hor’ dourves circling around. Admission is free and samples are served on a first-come-first serve basis. As a bonus, there will also be great door prizes to be won”. This is an all-ages event.
Feb 7 | 7pm – 10pm | Pearl Drop Teahouse | FREE

SUNDAY

Synecdoche, New York
From the clever critics at the UBC Film Society: “ ‘Knowing you don’t know is the most essential step to knowing, you know?’ An acclaimed director starts work on a play that involves the cast acting inside a small mockup of New York City. Meanwhile, he’s got all these crazy family problems. Written and directed by Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine, Being John Malkovich).”
Feb 8 | 9:30 pm / Matinee 4pm | Norm Theatre | Only 4 bucks!

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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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