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 awesome things that we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week. From our calendar to yours…

DIRT

Gardenworks

The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens are showing “Gardenworks” – an exhibition of local artists’ work inspired by the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Here’s the scoop: “Artists were invited to drop by and sketch or take some photographs, and otherwise “interpret” the Garden in a variety of media. The show offers a rich multitude of artistic perspectives, extending the life, reach, and impact of the Garden.” Details here.
Nov | Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens | 10:00am – 4:30pm | $10 Admission

Green Thumbery

Meanwhile, over at Van Dusen you can attend the Cedar Lecture on Garden Artistry with renowned garden author and humourist, Des Kennedy. Description: “A ‘how to’ look at the use of art and ‘artistic touches’ in the gardens of Ireland, New Zealand, England and China along with a self-deprecating look at the evolution of Mr. Kennedy’s own Denman Island country garden.” More information here.
Nov 12 |7:30 pm | Floral Hall, Van Dusen | $15

SKATEBOARDING

The Dry Spot

Rain rain go away, lets go inside and sesh all day at the brand new Dry Spot, brought to Vancouver skateboarders by to Ben Chibber and the Monkecrew. The 1,375 square ft micro-warehouse sports a 3ft high x 12ft wide mini ramp, a 2ft platform with a 5 set, interchangeable hubba and step up gap, 8ft granite ledge, mannie pad, flat bar, ledge, 5ft Quarter pipe, and a 5ft flat bank. Stoked.
Opens Nov. 7 | 8494 Ontario St. | http://www.skatethedryspot.com

MUSIC

Dinosaur Jr.

Those who really feel this band know it to be the best thing to come out of Massachusetts since Samuel Adams. Think melancholy power guitar meets athletic lamentation. Pop for brooding skateboarders. Kibble for lonely punk girls. Band members J. Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph have gone off and done their own projects (Sebadoh, Folk Implosion, etc), but now they’re back and headed to the Commodore Ballroom this November 10th. Who knows if they’ll ever show here again.
Nov 10th | Commodore Ballroom | Try Zulu for tickets

Opera Pro Canti Does

Opera Pro Canti have two by-donation productions for you this week. On Sunday night you can take in Macbeth (witches, prophecies and bloodied ghosts abound in this sublime rendition of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved dramas). And then on Monday night –  Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor. (“Lucia di Lammermoor is Donizetti’s masterful rendition of Sir Walter Scott’s famous novel The Bride of Lammermoor. Based on real events, the story encompasses everything from forced marriage and star-crossed lovers to insanity and murder. The opera contains one of the most famous and difficult “mad scenes” of all time, a tour de force for coloratura soprano”) Both shows go down at the Cambrian Hall (just off of Main). Get cultured – and support local artists.

Nov. 8-9 | Cambrian Hall @ 215 E17th Ave. | www.procantanti.com | Pay what you can

ART

Vergette at Ravishing Beasts

The Ravishing Beasts exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver is definitely worth a visit – and the best time to visit is this Thursday night when you will have a chance to tag along with curator Rachel Poliquin and featured artist George Vergette to explore first hand some of the themes and questions raised by Ravishing Beasts including the growing presence of taxidermy in contemporary art. Free with admission.
Nov 5 | 7pm | Museum of Vancouver | FREE with admission ($11)

Greetings from Friends

The West Vancouver Museum has an interesting little show going up this week with an opening reception scheduled for Monday night – it’s called Greetings from Friends and showcases Mid-Century Art Cards 1945-1975 (greeting cards, paintings, drawings and prints designed by prominent artists and architects, including B.C. Binning, Gordon Smith, Alistair Bell, Don Jarvis, Jack Shadbolt, Arthur Erickson and others.) “The cards reveal an interconnected social network among artists and architects who were the vanguard of the region’s art and design scene.” The museum has also scheduled some related workshops that are worth a mention: “Greeting Cards-An Introduction to Block Printing”  is on November 14, 1-4pm ($45)  and again on November 28, 1-4pm. Here is the skinny from the Museum:  “Explore the art of printmaking and create your own holiday greeting cards! This introductory workshop will take you through the process of relief block printmaking. Participants take home a set of original holiday greeting cards with envelopes printed using their own lino-block design.
Nov 9 (show runs November 10 to December 24, 2009) | 7pm |  West Vancouver Museum |  Reception FREE Workshops – $45 Call 604-925-7270 to register

And Speaking of Cards…

November is a perfect time to get a head-start on writing Christmas cards. Don’t leave it to the last minute – Check out the Regional Assembly of Text, 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. Highly Recommended
November 5 | 7:30 pm | Regional Assembly of Text | FREE

Fragments in RPM

A new exhibition of prints and poster remnants exploring musical memory and the visual attachment we give to sounds. Expect mixed media impressions taken from 33 and 45 vinyl with cut fragments of concert posters created over the past decade. Fragmented posters include: The Cure, Flaming Lips, REM, Radiohead, Gomez, Polyphonic Spree, Los Lobos, Franz Ferdinand, New Pornographers, Queens of the Stoneage and more.
Nov 8 | 4:30pm | Public on Main (3289 Main)

36th Annual Circle Craft Christmas Market

Once again,  over 200 Canadian artisans gather under the five sails to represent and present their wares at this annual Vancouver tradition. If you want to keep local money circulating in the local economy during Christmas (and make local artisans glow like Rudolph’s nose never could), this is the best opportunity to do so.
Nov. 11-15 | 10am-9pm | Vancouver Convention Centre

FOOD

Cheese Making Workshop

The UBC Farm’s Growing Season Workshop Series presents our most popular workshop of the year this week – Cheese Making with David Rotsztain. (David Rotsztain, is a “well-cultured” cheesemaking expert. David is a farmer and farmstead cheesemaker on Mayne Island, and an old, dear friend of the UBC Farm). “Love cheese? Ever wonder how cheese is made? Want to save money by learning how to make it yourself?  This practical workshop will provide a wonderful introduction to the world of cheese making.  Your very own cheese handbook will be provided.” Whoa – free cheese notebook?  Top that for only 26 beans. Registration is limited to 15 people each workshop and sell out VERY quickly.
Nov 12 | 2-5pm or 6-9 | $26 | DETAILS

Winter Farmers Market

Already? Yup. Head to the Winter Farmers’ Market at WISE Hall to pick up some hearty root vegetables, home-baked bread, crafts, and plenty of other cool bits. Visit EatLocal.org to see the full list of vendors (Scout goes for Pasture to Plate, Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and always a visit to The Fruit Guy for dried Okanagan fruits to snack on).
Nov 7 | 10am – 2pm | WISE Hall 1882 Adanac Street at Victoria Drive | FREE

Perogies!

First Friday of the month – you know what that means: yup, tonight is perogy dinner night at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral on 10th (just off of Main). The delicious old-school perogies are handmade by church volunteers. A ‘regular dinner’ will cost you $11 and consists of 6 perogies, 2 cabbage rolls, sauerkraut or salad and Ukrainian sausage. If you are looking for something a little lighter, borscht served with rye bread is only three bucks.
November 6 | 5 till 8 pm | Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral | 154 E 10th | $3 – $14

FASHION

Vancouver Fashion Week

The Fall/Winter edition of Vancouver Fashion Week outfits the city with a bit of style this month. A total of 22 shows will feature Canadian design,eco-friendly design, international designers, contemporary/ready-to-wear labels, and streetwear… As always, the daily runway shows will be accompanied by jewelry and clothing exhibits where designers can show and sell their products to guests, media and buyers.” Scout will be hitting the Eco Friendly Fashion Show on Friday Nov 6th. This show features local designers Red Jade, Lav & Kush, Hawks Ave, Nate Organics and Movement – all showing us that responsible design can look cutting edge without the unattainable price tag. After a brief intermission there will be the “Night in Taipei Show” featuring established designer Angela Chen (profiled on Scout last week) and emerging designer Fala Chien. My guess is that it will be a slinky and seductive show. On Saturday there will be a series of shows featuring designers such as PORSCIA , Ginger Martini, Paul Hardy, Anelore Popa, Kersh (profiled on Scout this week). Sunday highlights include a street wear show, a kids wear show, an International designer competition. Check out the full schedule here. Keep your eye on Scout twitterings this week for ticket giveaways.
Nov. 3-8 | All you need to know is HERE

ENVIRO

Rainwater Collection

“It’s hip to harvest rainwater. But why should we think about this here in Vancouver? What are the benefits and strategies? Rainwater collection systems vary greatly, Laurel will focus on what homeowners here in the Lower Mainland can do themselves to harvest rainwater, and integrate this practice with today’s green living. Space is limited. Please RSVP by 5pm on Friday [email protected] or 604-682-5960 for guaranteed entrance. More details here.
Nov 7 | 2-4 pm | Lighthouse Sustainable Building Centre | $5

FILM

Nevermind Silent Bob, Hook Us Up With Jay

UBC Film Society is “pleased to announce that Jason Mewes is once again scheduled to come to UBC. He will be participating in the Mewesicology event, which will feature a screening of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back – in which Mewes plays the character Jay – followed by a Q&A with the man himself (BYOW). Tickets are $5 (no member discount) and are available  online or at The Outpost in the SUB.
Nov 9  | 7 – 10pm | The Norm – UBC SUB | DETAILS

——————————————————————————————–

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.

——————————————————————————————–