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 agenda 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…

ART

The Emily Carr University of Art + Design Foundation Show highlights works by first year students. Pop down to Granville Island to check out the newest creations from ECUAD art, design and media makers at the very beginning of their creative careers. “The Foundation Show aims to provide students with the opportunity to show family, colleagues and instructors that they have indeed launched a lifelong pursuit of judgment and discernment in establishing their learning community, developing creative habits and finding their imaginative voice.” The show continues until Sunday, May 1st.
Opening night is  Thursday, April 21 | 7-10pm | Concourse Gallery/Classrooms | Free

Secret Satisfaction: A Retrospective of Jim Ramsay’s Paper Sculpture is showing at the Elliott Louis Gallery and it looks like a great show. Ramsay’s artist statement begins “When I was thrown out of architecture school it never occurred to me that this was some sort of cosmic hint. When they let me back in and I managed to graduate, I was nonplussed when a professor told me ‘we thought you could be an architect, we just didn’t know if you wanted to be an architect’. In hindsight I know that learning how to build things and knowing how to convey why you want them built that certain way were valuable but no, I really didn’t want to be an architect…” Hit the gallery to find out what Jim became.
Now – April 30 | Elliott Louis Gallery (258 East 1) | Free

Blanket Gallery is showing works by Neil Campbell. From Blanket: “Campbell works with a geometric vocabulary and with the architecture of the gallery. Since the wall and room are taken into consideration, his works are often positioned in such a way that the images mediate the viewer to the dimensional space of the gallery. The seemingly simple forms he employs which include ovals, circles and parabolas, are manipulated to create a strong physiological impact. Exploring all aspects of the physical and the spiritual, the work becomes actively performative.” More.
Thursday, April 21 – June 2 | Blanket Gallery (560 Seymour) | Free

PS. There’s still time to catch the Merkin show at 221a. Nothing completes a spring wardrobe like a new Merkin, ladies.

GLUTTONY

Stinging nettles are still in season! Grab some at the Farmers Market or, if you’re feeling indulgent, head to La Quercia for stinging nettle risotto. Mmm…risotto.

Only two more weeks of Winter Farmers Markets to go for 2011. Stock up on fresh, locally grown goods because summer markets don’t start up for a while. Get your fix of breakfast tacos, dried apples, eggs and fresh greens and support your local farmers and food artisans!
Saturday, April 23 | 10am – 2pm | East Parking Lot/Nat Bailey

The Irish Heather’s Long Table Series is offering Easter Sunday and Monday meals of slow roasted leg of lamb with jus, gremolata, roasted potatoes and carrots with a 16 oz glass of Wee Angry Ale for $16 (they also have a vegan option for those who don’t dig on flesh). Sheck out the whole shebang here.

Get this: there’s a free beer tasting at the Alpen Club on Thursday night. Whistler Brewing Co. sets up in the ‘Jaegerstube’ and pours some of their finest at no charge. Beat that for a good time.
Thursday, April 21| 7-10pm | Vancouver Alpen Club | Details.

Get ready for an egg hunt! And not just any egg hunt! This time the Easter Bunny partners up with Purdy’s Chocolates at the VanDusen A-Mazing Egg Hunt. Purdy’s? Say no more.
April 23 | 10 am–12 pm | $10.25 | VanDusen Botanical Garden (5251 Oak) | Info

East Van Wine Academy gets you sorted on the subject of French Wine this week. “From the Cabernet and Merlot blends of Bordeaux to Burgundy’s Pinot Noirs, the aromatic Alsatians and, of course, Champagne; a virtual tour through France’s history, regions and grape varietals will give guests a well-rounded comprehension of global wine basics. You’ll also learn how to decipher French labels, get food pairing tips and a list of recommended bottles available in our market.” Get the whole scoop (and tickets) here.
Tuesday, April 26 | 7pm-11pm |  Waldorf Hotel (1489 E Hastings)

SPRING

The much anticipated Spring Wine Release & Auction goes down at the distinguished Bayshore Hotel tonight. “Join Naramata Bench wineries as they preview and auction new wines. Also included are wine tastings and pairings from Vancouver restaurants.”  Need to know more? Score details here.
Thursday, April 21 |  6:30-9 pm | The Westin Bayshore Hotel, Coal Harbour | $89

There’s a sweet Children’s Day Festival happening in Strathcona this Saturday. Check the multicultural music and dance performances, a ‘CirKids’ workshop, face painting and A BAKE SALE! Who doesn’t love a good bake sale? Fun for the whole family! Details.
Saturday, April 23 | 1-5pm | Ukrainian Cultural Centre | 805 Pender | Free

The Vancouver Society of Storytelling and the Strathcona Community Center have partnered to work on an upcoming Kite Festival happening in Crab Park (foot of Main St) on Sunday May 1 (we’ll tell you more about that next week). Leading up to the event is this cool kite making workshop. “Parents, grandparents and caregivers- bring your kids and create a flight of fancy.” All materials and instruction supplied FOR FREE!  Skip over to chalkXchange website for more info about this and other events.
April 23rd | 2pm-4pm | Chalk | FREE

Chinatown’s Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Gardens is celebrating 25 years this weekend. Take a peaceful walk, take in the spring blossoms, check the exhibits and partake in the activities. Woot.
Sunday, April 24 | Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Gardens | Free

Easter Eggstravaganza’s are flying all over the city this weekend. There is one at the Kits Community Centre on Sunday (11am) another one at Renfrew Park Community Centre (12:3-3pm Sunday). What is an Easter Eggstravaganza? It’s face painting, crafts and egg hunts. You know the drill.

VANITY

Looking for a new spring look? You can always find something at the Blim Community Market. This month’s market will include 48 vendors flogging everything from vintage clothing, fine art, soap and note cards to vinyl and t-shirts. There’ll also be hot food, beverages, and entertainment. If you absolutely can’t wait to know who’ll be there, have a peek at the Blim website for details.
Sunday, April 24 | 11am-4pm | Heritage Hall (3102 Main)

Portobello West fills the Creekside Community Centre on Easter Sunday and they plan to make the most of their holiday market by giving away Easter egg gifts to the first fifty attendees through the doors (word has it that there may be gifts hiding inside a few lucky eggs).
Sunday, April 24 | 11am – 5pm | Creekside Community Center | $2

Oooh, and for all the good little bunnies out there: Sharks & Hammers is having an Easter Sale. Stussy Deluxe to Rag & Bone – they’ll sort you out.
Today – April 25 | 54 Alexander | Over 50% off

So here’s a big deal: the first ever Obakki runway show open to the public goes down next Thursday night. If you’re at all into the local fashion scene, then you know who they are, bur if you’ve just moved here from the moon, here’s the short and sweet of it: Obakki is a simple and ethereal line of clothing that caters to those who appreciate an aesthetic of refined yet effortlessly cool clothing. Their clothes are “elegant yet relaxed, sophisticated and rustic, polished yet casual.” So pretty much perfect. That’s their deal and they do it well. So well, in fact, that tickets to any of their shows are next to impossible to come by. So, back to the main point: Obakki is showing off their Fall/Winter ’11 lines at St. Andrew’s-Wesley Church next Thursday, and after the runway show the celebration continues at Boneta (cocktails, canapes and music). A perfect match for a totally reasonable price ($40 for both events). But tickets will be gone soon. Don’t miss out. They’re available online at obakki.com or at the Obakki store on Water. All proceeds to the Obakki Foundation (find out more about that here).
Runway Show: Thursday, April 28 | doors 7:30pm | St.Andrews (1022 Nelson) | $20
Afterparty: Thursday, April 28 | 8pm | Boneta | 1 West Cordova (like you didn’t know that) | $20

CULTURE

Vancouver Archives, Bing Thom Architects and the UBC Planning department join forces next week in order to bring you the story of Harland Bartholomew’s Master Plan for the City of Vancouver, 1926-1948. “In this 125th birthday year for the City of Vancouver, this public event looks back at the Vancouver that might have been, the metropolis that it has become, and the urban challenges and opportunities that lie before us. ” Read more here.
Tuesday, April 26 |  7pm | UBC Robson Square Theatre | Free

The Vancouver Heritage Foundation brings you the story of the Salt Building. Russell Acton, Acton Ostry Architects hooks you up with the inside scoop on the rehabilitation and adaptive re-use of this historic industrial building as the social hub for the SE False Creek neighbourhood.  Register here.
Wednesday April 27 |12 noon | BCIT Downtown, 555 Seymour, Rm 870 | $12

It’s Pecha Kucha Night next Thursday and it’s gonna sell out. As always, there’s an impressive line-up of Vancouverites takeing the stage to share their cool. Catch Lauren Weisler (Executive Director of DOXA Documentary Film Festival), Darrell Kopke (Skool Principal – institute B), Michelle Rizzardo & Trevor Fleming (One of Few, Two of a Few, Lifetime Collective), Sean Heather (who doesn’t know who Sean is?), Samantha Jo Simmonds (Creative Director – Public Dreams), and the list goes on. Have a sneak peek here for deets. Louise Burns opens!
Thursday, April 28 | 6:30 | Vogue Theatre (918 Granville) | $15

EARTH

Friday April 22nd is Earth Day. Get out there and do something about it.

Prep yourself for Earth Day by sitting in on the Drivers of Environmental Change lecture: The case of the world’s coastlines.  “For millennia people have valued coastal environments for their rich soils, harvestable food resources, and access to the oceans. Eight of the world’s top ten largest cities are located at the coast. According to the UN, 44 % of the world’s population (more people than inhabited the entire globe in 1950) live within 150 km of the coast and in 2001 over half the world’s population lived within 200 km of a coastline. Coastal systems are subject to the pressures of centuries of population growth and resource exploitation. Human influences operate at all scales, from dams on rivers blocking sediment or dredging in estuaries which alter tidal circulation, to harvesting of wood from mangrove swamps, to holiday weekend trampling of dune vegetation. Thus changes in rivers and drainage basins have consequences at the coast.” Heavy shit. More here.
Thursday, April 21 | 7:30-9pm |  7:30pm | Fairmont Social Lounge, 2111 Lower Mall, UBC | Free

There’s an Earth Day parade over on Commercial Drive (yeah, like it would go down in Point Grey). The parade begins at 11am and travels down The Drive from Broadway to Britannia Secondary School’s field (where a festival of sorts awaits).

I don’t usually post events with a political agenda but this one seems tame enough. And it focuses on good things like encouraging you to vote, Earth Day and pole dancing. So, thanks to Amy for sending this one along: “After a full day of Earth Day celebrations and voting at your Advance Polling Station on Friday, April 22 you are invited to join the Young Greens at East Van Studios (870 E Cordova) for an Earth Day Poll Dance…” Attendees with proof (elections sticker or photo) of voting at the Advance Polls will enjoy free admission. Those who register to vote (there will be a voter registration table) will also get in for free. Otherwise, admission is $5 or pay what you can. Expect DJ’s and pole dancing? Need to know more? (How couldn’t you?) Visit the Facebook event page here.

MUSIC

Rod Stewart is in town. Good luck getting ticket, but do ya think I’m sexy?

Tame Impala is too. They’re rad and at The Commodore.
Thursday, April 21 | 8pm | The Commodore Ballroom | $23

The Cave Singers are at the Biltmore Thursday night, and I want to be there real bad.
Thursday, April 21 | 8pm | The Biltmore | $15

Kurt Vile and the Violators grace the Waldorf Monday night. All the cool kids will be there. You should be too.
Monday April 25 | 9:30pm | Waldorf Hotel (Cabaret) | $15

And now for something completely different: it’s Accordion Noir night at the Commercial Drive Legion this Sunday. Stomp it up with Jason Webley, the Creaking Planks, and Maria in the Shower.
Sunday, April 24 | 8 pm | Grandview Legion (2205 Commercial) | $15

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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 in beautiful Strathcona 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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