The main objective of this website is to scout out and promote the things that make Vancouver such a sweet place to be. We do this with an emphasis on the city’s independent spirit to foster a sense of connectedness within and between our communities, and to introduce our readers to the people who grow and cook our food, play the raddest tunes in our better venues, create our most interesting art, and design everything from what we wear to the spaces we inhabit.

The Scout List is our carefully considered first rate list of super sweet things that we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week. From our calendar to yours…

Easy Rider

Cool down in an air conditioned theatre with a screening of Easy Rider. From the PC web site: “After scoring on a big coke deal (with Phil Spector!), two hippie bikers — Peter Fonda, as star-spangled Captain America, and Dennis Hopper, as buckskinned Billy — hit the open road on a Western-in-reverse odyssey in search of America….” My favourite exchange is when Jack Nicholson’s character (George Hanson) and Billy school each other on what’s wrong with America. Remember, this is 1969:

George Hanson: You know, this used to be a helluva good country. I can’t understand what’s gone wrong with it.
Billy: Man, everybody got chicken, that’s what happened. Hey, we can’t even get into like, a second-rate hotel, I mean, a second-rate motel, you dig? They think we’re gonna cut their throat or somethin’. They’re scared, man.
George Hanson: They’re not scared of you. They’re scared of what you represent to ’em.
Billy: Hey, man. All we represent to them, man, is somebody who needs a haircut.
George Hanson: Oh, no. What you represent to them is freedom.
Billy: What the hell is wrong with freedom? That’s what it’s all about.
George Hanson: Oh, yeah, that’s right. That’s what’s it’s all about, all right. But talkin’ about it and bein’ it, that’s two different things. I mean, it’s real hard to be free when you are bought and sold in the marketplace. Of course, don’t ever tell anybody that they’re not free, ’cause then they’re gonna get real busy killin’ and maimin’ to prove to you that they are. Oh, yeah, they’re gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom. But they see a free individual, it’s gonna scare ’em.
Billy: Well, it don’t make ’em runnin’ scared.
George Hanson: No, it makes ’em dangerous.

August 3 | Pacific Cinematheque | 7:30pm | $9.50 (see you there)

Cool Dark Caverns

Local bands rule this Friday night in the cool dark caverns of the Biltmore. On the slate are Minto, No Horses, Sun Wizard and Adelaide (performing above).

Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad

From the Biltmore: Saturday night will be “a night of comedy, music and burlesque, told by the gals who learned to smoke at Hebrew School, got drunk at their Bat-Mitzvahs and would rather have more schtuppa than the chupah. These badass chosen chicks boldly dare to deconstruct years of tradition, expectations and guilt in a fast-paced vaudeville extravaganza, complete with kick lines, punch lines and a rendition of “L’chaim” with a fist in the mouth. This ain’t yo’ mama’s “Fiddler”. “Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad” features a stellar line up of comedians, musicians, spoken word artists and burlesque performers who have been featured on Comedy Central, HBO and MTV. This show has been wowing sold-out crowds in NYC, Philadelphia, Boston, DC, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Madison, Detroit, Montreal, Burlington, Provincetown, the Berkshires, the Hamptons and of course the Catskills.”
August 1 | Biltmore Cabaret | Doors 8 pm / Show 8:30 pm | $13 at the door

Celebrate Gay Pride

(Flickr photo by scazon) Although Sunday is ‘officially’ Pride Day the party will have been going strong for a few days by then. Highlights of Pride 2009 include Koodo’s Big Night Out – the Davie Street Pride Party that sees prime blocks of the gay village closed to traffic (Friday night) for a truly wild street party that will feature not only live music, dancing and scores of eye candy but a giant Twister game. The Pride in Fashion fashion show at Celebrities (20 well spent dollars). And the infamous Pride Parade (estimated to attract 550,000 this year – so unless you found yourself a parking spot last Thursday – don’t bother taking the car). The parade begins at 12 noon. 160 entries (from floats and bands to feather boa wearing cowboys and dancing queens) will cruise Robson and Thurlow to Denman Street following along to Pacific and Beach Avenues finally ending up at Sunset Beach for a big ol’ party.
July 29 – August 3 | Mostly FREE | For more information check out Vancouver Pride.

Powell Street Festival

Head down to the new centre of the Powell Street Festival (Woodland Park) this weekend for the annual celebration of Japanese Canadian arts, culture and heritage. This year, the festival’s theme is Migration: Change & Exchange. Highlights will include: “singing and drumming collaboration between Sawagi Taiko and First Nations performance group Tiqilap • Contemporary chamber music by Tiresias • Martial arts demonstrations • Screening of Empty Orchestra: video collaborations between karaoke singers and new media artists • Performances by Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre, dancer Aretha Aoki (BC/USA), Kokoro Dance (Vancouver), Performance duo Elfin Saddle (Montreal), and contemporary taiko performer Kenny Endo (USA) • Documentaries by Tadashi Nakamura • Literary readings by Asian Canadian writers • Historical Walking Tours” www.powellstreetfestival.com
August 1 & 2 | Woodland Park | FREE

Harmony Arts Festival

Over the bridge in the magical land of West Vancouver this weekend you will find a wonderful outdoor arts festival with everything from live music and fresh-air film screenings to craft markets, artist’s demonstrations and makeshift galleries. The Harmony Arts craft market showcases loads of one of a kind pottery, jewellery, textiles, woodwork, glass designs and much more. (Fridays: 4 – 8 pm Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 10am – 8 pm). We’re interested in checking out the intricate silver designs of Madeleine Chisholm, charm braclets by June Hunter, button wraps by Chloe Angus,

Paperboys and Chocolate

Continuing from above after your slow cruise through the Harmony Arts craft market, drift down the beach to John Lawson Park where the Celtic, Folk, Stomp, Latin, Alt-Country, Pop, Roots (what a mouthful) band The Paperboys will be putting on a free concert (7:30pm). If that isn’t enough to sell you on a visit to West Van tonight – hang around after the free concert and finish the evening with a free outdoor screening of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Good free stuff is going on all weekend. Check out the HAF website for the full line-up.
July 31 – Aug 9 | 10am – 11pm | Ambleside waterfront / John Lawson Park – West Van | FREE

Sam Roberts

Sam Roberts performs with Mother Mother and Arkells at the heavenly (as long as you bring water and sunscreen) Deer Lake Park.
August 3 | 5:30 pm | Deer Lake Park | $45

Delhi 2 Dublin

Again – in West Van… From the Harmony Arts website: Vancouver-based Delhi 2 Dublin is a group of five musicians who mash up electronica and world music, keeping it heavy on the Bhangra, Celtic and Dub flavours. Fusing tabla, fiddle, dhol, Punjabi vocals, and electric sitar with scorching electronic beats, the crew takes listeners on a wild ride through global sounds and synchronicities.” I am looking forward to seeing them – I’ve heard they put on a great show. The fireworks are over (nice), so the bridge won’t be too bad. Get there early and grab take-out from Savary Island (their tortiere is the best in town).
August 4 | 7:30 | John Lawson Park

Gastown Farmers Market

The Gastown Farmer’s Market hits the cobblestones this Sunday.

August 2 | 11 am – 3 pm | Carrall Street near Gassy Jack Square | FREE

Here are other some good places to buy locally grown produce from really good people this week.

East Side: August 1| 9am – 2pm | Trout Lake – can’t miss it | FREE
West End: August 1 | 9am – 2pm | 1100 Block of Comox | FREE
Kits: August 2 | 10am – 2pm | Parking Lot of Kits Community Centre | FREE
DTES: August 5 | 3pm – 7pm | Thornton Park (in front of the Bus Station)| FREE
UBC: August 1| 9-1 | UBC Farm | FREE (but make a donation – they needs the support)
West Van: August 1 | 9am – 2pm | Dundarave Village | FREE
West Van: August 2| 9am – 2pm | Ambleside – parking lot beside Police Station (off of Bellevue/13)

Almost Famous

If the heat is getting to you, we highly recommend hiding out in an air conditioned movie theatre for a few hours. May we suggest Almost Famous –  playing at Vancity Theatre Saturday, Aug 1 at 3:00 pm ($8) and again Monday Aug 3 at 7pm ($10).

Elaine Miller: May I speak with William, please?
Sapphire: He’s not here. He’s down in the bar with the band. They just got back from the radio station. Is this Maryann with the pot?… Hello?
Elaine Miller: No, this is not Maryann with the pot. This is Elaine. His mother.

Burn Baby Burn

A little bit further afield is the Sunshine Coast’s Bonfire Festival – ” A 3-day, hassle-free, art-infused weekend of exceptional music, camping and fun”. This year’s festival brings together performers such as Acorn Project, Headwater, The Convertibles, The Ranters, Flowmotion, On The One, Bluebudzz, The Rakish Angles, Baked Potato (performing above), The Tree Shepherds, and Bicycle Shed Ensemble. Baked Potato live? Sign me up! More information at www.bonfirefestival.com
July 31 – August 2 | All weekend long | $85 will get you in for the whole weekend

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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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