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…

HOLIDAY CHEER

BONFIRE ON THE BEACH

If you’re not already heading that direction, sometimes a trip to the North Shore in holiday traffic is too much. But, should you feel so inclined – this Sunday night would be a fruitful night for it. Head over to Dundarave Pier where a giant bonfire on the beach will keep you toasty warm as you listen to music, sip hot chocolate and admire the parade of carol ships as they float by the old Pier. Wander a forest of decorated trees and smell the ocean. There is even a slight chance of snow – how perfect would that be? It’s festive, outdoors (mmmm… fresh air) and nothing is cheaper than free.
Dec 20 | 7pm | Dundarave Beach, West Vancouver | FREE

PUBLIC SKATING

Take a spin around an outdoor ice rink right smack in the middle of downtown Vancouver. That’s sweet and all, but wait – it gets even better. Starting this week, Robson Square will be open for freakin’ free public skating – every day. Tues & Thurs Noon-1:30 pm; Fri & Sat 5 – 9 pm; Sun 1:30 pm – 3:00
NOW | various times – see above | FREE (skate rentals a mere $3)

VANCOUVER FOOD BANK

The Vancouver Food Bank could use your help. You can drop off non-perishable food items at local grocery stores, fire halls or at the Food Bank office (1150 Raymur Avenue). Items needed include: canned meat/fish, peanut butter, gags of whole wheat pasta/rice, pasta sauces, canned fruit/vegetables, cereal, baby formula, and baby food. Spread what love that you can.
Dec | Food Bank Office: 1150 Raymur Avenue | Monday – Friday, 7 am – 3 pm

STANLEY PARK CHRISTMAS TRAIN

To get yourself into the holiday spirit grab a hot chocolate and a bag of freshly roasted chestnuts and take a ride on the Stanley Park Christmas train. Cuddle up with a loved one as the tiny chugger winds its way through a heavily decorated forest while Christmas carols are cranked through speakers dotting the surrounds. Afterward, walk over to the farmyard to savour the coarse smell of a manger (mmmm). It is recommended that you buy tickets in advance, as manger stench is pretty popular this time of year.
Daily | 3:00 – 10:00 pm | Stanley Park | Train Ride: $8 Adults / $5 Kids…walk-through: FREE

YULETIDE GRANVILLE ISLAND MARKET

In addition to the exciting, seasonal gathering of artisans to booths in the Market proper, each weekend from now until Christmas will also see live music in Triangle Square, hot chocolate, and crafts for kids (this weekend it’s gingerbread tree ornaments). Parking could be a nightmare, so don’t drive all the way in. Ride those cute little ferries from the north side of False Creek. Little added incentive: Lee’s has gingerbread donuts, which are only available during the month of December.
Weekends | 9 am – 5pm | Granville Island Market | FREE (except the donut part)

SOLSTICE

WINTER SOLSTICE

On Monday night, the sun will have reached its farthest southern position and turn northward…or something like that. In other words, our days start to get longer. It’s a time of rebirth, a time of festivals and gatherings. Here is the Wiki on it: the Winter Solstice occurs exactly when the earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26′. Though the Winter Solstice lasts an instant in time, the term is also colloquially used like Midwinter to refer to the day on which it occurs. For most people in the high latitudes this is commonly known as the shortest day and the sun’s daily maximum position in the sky is the lowest. The seasonal significance of the Winter Solstice is in the reversal of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of days. The Winter Solstice is also the shortest day or lowest sun position for people in low latitudes located between the Tropic of Cancer (23°26’N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23°26’S). Depending on the shift of the calendar, the winter solstice occurs some time between December 21 and December 22 each year in the Northern Hemisphere, and between June 20 and June 21 in the Southern Hemisphere.”  Scouts suggestion for the evening: Hit the Lantern Festival! (See below)

WINTER SOLSTICE LANTERN FESTIVAL

From the Secret Lantern Society: “The dance of sun and earth has inspired celebrations of the human spirit, expressed through art and music, throughout the ages. Honouring many cultural traditions, the annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival illuminates the longest night of the year with lanterns, fire, singing, drumming, and live music. On December 21st come celebrate the return of the sun with a glowing constellation of lanterns shining in five Vancouver neighbourhoods. (Yaletown, Granville Island, East Side, Strathcona/Chinatown and West End/Coal Harbour) These five little festivals are community-based and reflect the unique nature of each neighbourhood. Intimate and accessible, each invites participation and each holds special attractions.” Skip over to the Secret Lantern Society for event details and lantern-making workshop locations.
Dec 21 | 6pm | Five Vancouver ‘hoods – see above) | FREE, but take along a little something for a donation

LAST-MINUTE LANTERNS

The Strathcona Community centre and False Creek Community Centre both have last minute lantern workshops that you can all join in if you’re going to celebrate the solstice by making a proper go of it at the Lantern Festival. All you need is ten bucks, 30 minutes and a little bit of enthusiasm.
Dec 21 | 4pm – 6pm | $10

FILM

WOLVES

At Blim tonight a screening of Cry of the Wild will be curated by Artist-in-Residence Helen Eady. From the website: “This feature-length documentary from Bill Mason imparts his affection for the big northern timber wolves and the pure-white Arctic wolves. Filmed over three years in the Northwest Territories, British Columbia, the High Arctic and his home near the Gatineau Hills in Quebec, Mason sets out to dispel the myth of the bloodthirsty wolf. Going beyond the wolf’s natural habitat, Mason relocated three young wolves to his own property and was able to film tribal customs, mating and birth. As a result, Cry of the Wild offers viewers access to moments in wildlife never before seen on film.”
Dec 18 | 8-11pm | $5-10 (sliding scale)

BLAME IT ON RIO

Escape the holiday madness – slip in to a dark warm movie theatre and hide for a few hours. Our choice this week would be the Rio. Actually, if you can survive on salty, hot buttered popcorn and a swig or four of beer, you could hide there for the whole weekend and be very well entertained. Here is what’s going down this weekend: start off with a double feature of The Nightmare Before Christmas and Edward Scissorhands on Friday (only 10 beans), stick around Saturday for the 2pm and 8pm Pointed Sticks show (see below for a more elaborate write-up from Zulu), and then cuddle up for The Fantastic Mr. Fox (daily 1:30, 4 pm, 7 pm, 9 pm starting Sunday Dec 20th).
Dec 18, 19, 20 | Rio Theatre | Various times and dollars…. check the website for details.

THE HEADLESS WOMAN

“The work of a genius, or at very least one of the most talented filmmakers in the world” (Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian), The Headless Woman is the mesmerizing third feature by Argentine director Lucrecia Martel (La Ciénaga, The Holy Girl). Maria Onetto has the lead as Verónica, a middle-aged, bottle-blonde dentist in Argentina’s northwest provinces who may or may not have struck and killed something — or someone — while driving home one night. Verónica bangs her head in the process, and spends the film in a woozy, disorientated, concussive state, while the men in her pampered, privileged family apparently collude to erase all traces of the accident. The film’s dreamy hyper-reality and moody, mysterious metaphysics have drawn comparisons to Luis Buñuel, David Lynch, the Michael Haneke of Caché and the Antonioni of L’Avventura and Blow Up. “As great as any film this decade…Headless masterfully enters the realms of conspiracy thriller, trance film, ghost story, and political allegory…Not to be missed by anyone interested in world cinema” (James Quandt, Cinematheque Ontario). “A brilliant, maddeningly enigmatic puzzle of a movie…A full appreciation of Martel’s elegant, rain-soaked film requires the concentration and eye for detail of a forensic detective…The more closely you study The Headless Woman, the deeper and more unsettling are its mysteries” (Stephen Holden, New York Times).
Dec 18, 19, 21 | Various times | Pacific Cinematheque 9.50

MUSIC

THE POINTED STICKS

From this weeks Zulu Report: “The Pointed Sticks are true blue Vancouver punk survivors. Their roots go about as deep into the punk scene as anyone could get in this city, having played long-since-gone bars and party houses of Vancouver-past, even sporting a cameo in Dennis Hopper’s 1980 Out Of The Blue, filmed right in here in the terminal city. The Pointed Sticks always stood out from their contemporaries because they had solid gold hooks, mixing some well crafted power pop in with their razor sharp punk riffs. They were inactive for over ten years but reformed last year to play some reunion shows. Said shows were very well received, resulting in their just released new album Three Lefts Make A Right. If you’ve heard about Vancouver’s storied punk rock past and want to experience firsthand some of this city’s fine heritage – or if you’ve never even heard of The Pointed Sticks but want to check out a band that’s got hooks to spare – consider these Rio Theater shows.”
Dec 18, 19, 20 | Rio Theatre | Check Zulu for tickets

WINTER HARP

An ensemble of, yes – harps – but also medieval instruments, violin, viola and percussion with a sprinkling of poetry and song. Winter Harp will play carols, songs and stories in celebration of the Christmas and winter season at St.Andrew’s this Saturday night – and they’ll be a done up in “gorgeous medieval attire” to perform music from well-known carols to Celtic, medieval and even flamenco. “A breathtakingly beautiful cathedral backdrop sets the stage for the golden Celtic and classical harps, drums, tambourines, temple bells, and the intricately-carved 12th century replica instruments”. Shhh. You had me at medieval.
Dec 19 | 7:30 | St. Andrews Wesley, Burrard and Nelson | $35 – try Zulu

BUY LOCAL

S.O.S

There is a Holiday de-stress signal coming from the corner of Princess and East Georgia. If you are still looking for some last minute gifts – but can’t stomach a trip to the mall – follow the signal to Strathcona. Out of the madness of retail land and into the coolness of Strathcona and indie design, the Strathcona Open Studio will not only hook you up hip cards and t-shirts that will set you apart from the crowd, but also send you on your way with hand-made ceramic pendants and – get this – surprise chocolate treats from chef Jason Fehrer. Scout plans to be there for sure…
Dec 20 | 11am – 4pm | 593 East Georgia

WINTER FARMERS’ MARKET

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).
Dec 19 | 10am – 2pm | WISE Hall | FREE

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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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