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…

Gigs this weekend: The Antlers (New York) play the Biltmore, The Besnard Lakes (Montreal) are at the Media Club and Plants and Animals take over the Commodore. Zulu can fill you in on tickets.

This Way of Life screens at Vancity Theatre. “Filmed over the course of four years, Canadian cinematographer Tom Burstyn’s captivating documentary was one of the most well received films at last year’s VIFF”. Read about it here. Seriously. Read about it. Good stuff.
April 30- May 2 / 6:30 | Weds 5 May /8:10 | Vancity Theatre | $10

Watch Scarface and stay for the dress up 80’s party, Disco Gangsta Glam style.
April 30 | Midnight | Rio Theater | $10 – 8 if you wear a costume (and you should)

Hit the Bakers Market. Out in the boonies, but worth the trip.
May 1 | 11-3 | 408 East Kent Ave South |FREE

Nothing says spring like a good fair. And there are lots of them going on this weekend:

First – check out goods made by 50 locals at GotCraft? Not only will there be a plethora of cool trinkets (don’t miss ceramic jars by heyday, cute earrings by Telly Design and modern crochet goods by Hold), but you can also count on giveaways, live demo’s and a DIY table. Check out their website for a list of exhibitors.
May 2 | 10am – 5pm | Royal Canadian Legion | $2

The Make It craft fair also goes down this weekend. Their motto: “Make It is like a mullet; craft show in the front, party in the back! ”  Any craft show that compares itself to a mullet deserves a little bit of investigation. The nice thing about this fair is that there are two solid days for you to investigate. Check out new designs by Monkey 100 (Scout loves you Shannon!), Barking Hippo and as always, Billy Would.
May 1 & 2 | 11 am – 6pm |  The Croatian Cultural Centre | $5

Grab used books, toys, sporting goods, and cool (likely preppy) duds over at Saints.  There will also be live music, raffles, an international food fair, carnival rides, and a cake walk.
May 1 | 10 am–4 pm | St. George’s | $2

If you’re not in a craft fair sort of mood – you can slide your name on to the wait list for the Organic Gardening Workshop at UBC’s Botanical Gardens. “Gardeners in the mild climate of the West Coast can enjoy fresh vegetables and fruit all year around. Learn how to grow a healthy, bountiful supply of food in your own backyard, with all of the benefits to your health and to the environment.” Super win.
May 1 |9:30 AM – 4:30 PM | UBC Botanical Gardens | $55

Grab yer little-uns and cruise by the Plaza Skatepark (Quebec and Union) for a youth oriented skateboarding event. Take in skate demo’s, live music, and oodles of shredding. There will be booths, dignitaries and generally good vibes. The Vancouver Skateboard Coalition can fill in the blanks here.
May 1 | 1 – 4 pm |  Quebec / Union | FREE

Think about checking out Mirrorface (2 galleries – 1 Artist ) at the Grace Gallery.
May 1 – May 29 | Grace Gallery | FREE and interesting

Or swing by Emily Carr to be blown away by the over 300 students showing at this year’s grad exhibition. Such an inspiring gig – don’t miss it.
May 2 – 16 | Daily from 10am to 6pm | Emily Carr University | FREE

Pick of the week: put Monday night aside to sit in on a lecture about the future of the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts. Michael Heeney, partner at Bing Thom Architects, dishes on what the city might look like without them. Get the scoop here.
May 3 |7 pm | Britannia Community Centre | FREE

Oh, and there is an opening reception for “Pookwis” exhibit at The Blanket Gallery.  Pookwis is a solo show of works by Pacific Northwest Kwakwaka’wakw carver Beau Dick. In his first exhibition with the gallery, Beau explores the stylistic diversity in which the mythical character Pookwis can be resolved. Personally, I’ll be there just because I like saying Pookwis. Try it! Pookwis. See?
May 6th | 6-9pm | Blanket | 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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