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…

Queer Film Fest

From the QFF website: The Vancouver Queer Film Festival “…is the second largest film festival in the city and the largest queer arts event in Western Canada. The festival has gained a reputation for offering the best of independent queer cinema and the opportunity to meet filmmakers and artists, participate in workshops and panel discussions, attend galas and afterparties and see unexpected performances. This year the festival is celebrating its 21st Festival!” Too many flicks to list – have a visit to their website to check out the full deal.
Aug 13 -23 | Details | $10 single show – festival pass will run you $120

Olio Festival

The Olio Festival is a Vancouver based “cultural expose” that aims to showcase “taste-making music, comedy, design, art, and film to Vancouver, from across Canada, and around the world” as it moves through the neighborhoods of Vancouver. The idea is to simultaneously expose you to great music art and culture while bolstering the pocket books of local businesses. The festival begins on Thursday August 13th in Gastown with events at numerous venues (Lamplighter, Bourbon, Cobalt, Modern, Red Room, Funky Winkerbeans, The Met). Scout pick? The Lamplighter has an improv show (Nardwuar) from 8 – 10pm and then breaks out the indie music line-up with The Racoons, Steve Nelson, 16mm, and Sex With Strangers. But there is nothing sayin’ you have to stick to one venue. At 11:30pm, Piper Davis plays at the Bourbon. Have one listen to Academics and you’ll be hooked. Anywhere Piper Davis is playing is going to be good. Friday August 14th the Main Street neighbourhood gets Olio’d with (among other things) a screening of short films at the Grace Gallery and few sets at the Biltmore… (Flosstradamus, Gang Violence, World Club and Machu Picchu). On Saturday, August 15th, the festival migrates Downtown. Scout pick would be the Railway Club (8pm) for the Indie Music Video Festival – a screening of 19 independent music videos. There is also a cool sounding photo exhibit at the Rickshaw Shop on East Hasting – showcasing photographs by a number of talented Vancouverites – Justin Tyler Close, our buddy Kris Krug, Lindsay Elliott, Rony Alwin (and Larry).
August 13-16 | various locations and times | $25 for a four day pass | oliofestival.com

Summer of Sound

The Summer of Sound Film Festival is still on over at Vancity Theatres this week and it features a line-up of cool music oriented documentaries worth your time. Gimme Shelter ( the documentary that follows the Stones’ ‘Let It Bleed’ tour of 1969) shows on Thursday night, Woodstock plays Friday (40 years later and still mind blowing) and My Generation plays Saturday (a film maker follows the 1994 and 1999 Woodstock concerts to gauge how much has changed the the first concert in 1969).
Aug 14,15, 16 | Vancity Theatre | 10 beans

Open Air Aquarium

Finding Nemo graces the summer fields of Victoria Park tonight – grab the fam and some homemade popcorn and head over just after dusk to indulge in one of this summer’s last free open air movie screenings.
Aug 17 | Victoria Park (Victoria and Grant)| FREE

Mezcal Tasting

A different sort of fund raising event is going down at the Roundhouse this weekend – a Mezcal tasting fundraiser. From the Roundhouse: Experience an unique opportunity sampling the range of flavours of Mexico’s ‘other’ drink while nibbling on culinary delights by local Mexican chefs. Join us as we bring a spectrum of premium Mezcal not available in Canada. Learn the history of Mezcal producing regions of Mexcio, chill to live Mexican music and mingle – a summer-time party not to be missed.
Aug 15 | Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre |7:00 PM – 10:00 PM | ($35 per person or $55 if you buy two – and its better to travel in pairs when Mezcal is involved)

Magazine Writers’ Craft Fair

The scoop: “The essential professional development event for established, emerging or aspiring writers who are interested in crafting their careers in magazine writing. Industry professionals share their knowledge in an intimate and interactive forum. Sessions: The Art of the Interview, Write Online and Tricks of the Trades. Networking lunch included.”
Aug 15 | 10am-3:15pm (people really go by the quarter hour?) | SFU Vancouver | 515 West Hastings

The Canadian Islamic Cultural Expo

“The Canadian Islamic Cultural Expo (CICE) marks its fifth annual exposition showcasing Islamic culture, history, innovation and civilization, while building bridges within various local communities… Attractions include 20 country-based exhibitions by local Muslim communities. The Expo also features theme pavilions taking visitors on a discovery of Islam and the contribution of Muslims in the areas of science and technology, art and calligraphy and Canadian society, as well as examining the role of women in Islam.”
Aug 14 & 15 | 11am – 7pm |Front lawn of Vancouver Art Gallery | FREE

PD’s Yard Sale

Buyers and sellers welcome, but “no surly birds”. The legendary sale returns. Bikes, skateboards, skimboards, clothing, accessories, household items, furniture – new and used – everything priced to sell!
Aug 15 | 10am – 4pm | PD’s Hot Shop (2868 W. 4th Ave @ Macdonald)

Community Garden Tours

Take advantage of the summer – check out the Community Garden Walking & Cycling Tours. Scout plans to…. “This set of walking/cycling tours introduces eight different “pods” of community gardens. Take a guided or self-guided walking tour with 44 gardens to see. On the second Sunday of every month from now until September, take a guided walking tour of the city’s community gardens at select sites, between 11 am and 1 pm. Each tour is less than three km one-way, and lets you visit three to six gardens, all with their own unique characters.” Community Garden Tour brochures available. http://vancouver.ca/
Aug 16 – Sept 13 | 11am – 1pm | Second Sunday of every month |

Latin Summer Festival

Latin Fest begins with a parade along Commercial Drive and continues all day in Trout Lake Park with an artisan craft market, authentic Latin food, live music and dancing demonstrations Flamenco to Cuban Rueda. You won’t be the only one there – so consider taking public transit.
Aug 16 | 11 – 7 pm | Trout Lake Park | FREE

Hippie Daze

Trust the community of Kitsilano to find a way to work Woodstock in to their plans – this Saturday in Kits you will be transported back in time to the a Summer of Love as the community celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock with 60’s tunes, hippie inspired fashions and, more likely than not, the sweet scent of pot in the air. Where else would you want to be? The sun is forcast to make an appearance, bring a blanket to spread out in front of one of four stages and take in a gig, eat groovy food, drink carrot juice, learn to macrame, do some yoga or just trip out. And remember – your mind is like a parachute, it doesn’t work unless it’s open. P.S. – don’t bother taking your car.
Aug 15 | The cool part of 4th Ave and surrounding areas | FREE

Writer’s Festival

It’s the Sunshine Coast Writer’s Festival this weekend. Highlights of this years festival include talks by Giller Prize winner Joseph Boyden (Through Black Spruce), Steven Galloway (The Cellist of Sarajevo), Naomi Klein (No Logo), and Wayson Choy (Paper Shadows). Some events are sold out (forget the salmon dinner) but many still have seats available. Check out the deets here: writersfestival.ca

PS. Just a heads up in the event that you are noticing a curious increase in aged rockers on the streets this weekend – don’t freak out – Aerosmith & ZZ Top are in town.

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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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