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…

VANITY

The Gas Town Spring Shop Hop goes down Thursday night. Shuffle whatever you need to ’cause it shouldn’t be missed. What’s it all about? Cruising around Gastown’s coolest shops and checking out all the new spring fashions. We did a little recce window shopping in the hood yesterday and there are definitely some tempting items to be had. Every girl needs a new spring frock, but what about free, wallet-loosening drinks, great deals and good people? You’re so down! And get this: with every purchase you’ll receive a food or drink voucher to one of your favourite nearby participating restaurants (think Irish Heather, Judas Goat, Peckinpah, Pourhouse, Salt Tasting Room, Sea Monster Sushi, Lamplighter or Metropole. Find out more…
May | 5pm – 9pm | Various very cool locations | FREE to browse | Details

There are very few instances when one should agree to visit a cabaret in during daylight hours. You see and smell things you don’t need to in the rude wash of daylight. Things that are hard to erase. But here is an exception: the Gypsy Market at The Biltmore. Head to its magical, subterranean caverns on Sunday morning to browse hand-picked vintage like you’ve never seen before. “Gypsy Market vendors have cleared the way through the withered and decayed to bring you a wealth of inspiration and treasure.” Over 25 vintage pickers, collectors, stylists, designers, and retailers are setting up to flog their very best vintage clothing, accessories, shoes, designer and jewellery (and who knows what else). And to keep you rolling through the whole process will be Budgies Burritos, booze and music. Hot damn!
Sunday, May 15 | 11am – 5pm | Biltmore Cabaret $2

21st Century Flea Market hits the Croatian Cultural Centre on Sunday. Sink a little time into treasure hunting through the trinkets on over 175 tables of retro furnishings, books, antiques, dolls & toys, jewelry, kitsch collectibles, memorabilia and vintage vinyl.
Sunday May 15 | Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commercial) | $4

COMMUNITY

A bunch of cool people are getting together to weave a new structure for CRAB Park’s pond this weekend and you’re invited. The old ivy boat that is a centrepiece is slowly sinking and it’s time to rig up something new that can continue to act as a bird perch and protective shelter for ducks and ducklings. Working on a woven branch frame, community members of all ages can assist by weaving spirals of ivy to create a web-like structure for the centre of the pond.
Sunday, May 15 | 1-4pm | Meet under the CRAB Park Pavilion.

Vancouver Comic Con sets up shop at Heritage Hall on Sunday. The day will include special guests, dealers, hourly door prizes and lots and lots of really awesome nerds.
Sunday, May 15 | 11am–5pm | Heritage Hall (3102 Main) | $4

Joy of Feeding is going down at the UBC Farm! Celebrate and enjoy comfort foods created and cooked from the heart. Fifteen Canadian moms of different heritages will share their cuisines, stories and cultures at this community cooking event organized by (moms) Meeru Dhalwala of Vij’s and Mary MacKay of Terra Breads. This event is a fundraiser for the UBC Farm and its children’s programs, so dig in. They need the help, and we need them.
Sunday, May 15 | 1-4pm | UBC Farm | $50 incudes recipe (one child under 12 years, per paid ticket, is free).

Through to May 31st, our friend (and web designer) Karen Hamilton will be aiming to raise $4,000 for the BC Mental Health Foundation. Karen points out that social stigma   “makes it hard for people afflicted with mental illness to admit there’s a problem, seek professional help, and find solace and support from their friends and family.” And she wants to do something about it.  Karen, being the well connected foodie that she is, has organised a raffle to win dinner cooked by one of BC’s top chef’s. Nobody knows who just yet, but knowing Karen as we do, we know that the winner won’t be disappointed. Here’s how to win: 4 of the 8 seats will go to the 4 people that donate the most (to qualify for one of these Top Donor Guaranteed Seats, you must donate at least $100 and be ranked the #1st, #2nd, #3rd, or #4th highest donor by midnight on June 1). The remaining 4 seats will be randomly selected out of all of the people that have donated at least $50 to the dinner drive. Every $50 you donate will get you an additional entry to the draw. Help make a difference. Whip over to her awesome website, Tiny Bites, and throw a little cash around.

And while we’re warm and fuzzy and talking about helping each other, Next Tuesday (May 17) is International Day Against Homophobia. Spread the love.

You can count on ION Magazine to promote the best of Vancouver arts and culture community, but sometimes paper nor post is enough for them. This month they’ve set up a Pop Shop so that you can touch and feel all that they consider cool. And on top of all of that super-awesomeness, they are also is putting on a group show Thursday night. The line-up includes Cam Andrews; Ehren Salazar; Ronan Boyle; Amanda McCuaig; Andrew Tong; David & Jorden Doody; Silvana Iriondo and Andy Dixon. Be there.
Thursday, May 12 | 7-10pm | 196 Kingsway

Start your week out right by stretching both body and mind, Strathcona style. Cool local lady Heather Tremain teaches a Kripalu-style class at ChalkXChange on Monday night.
May 16, 30 and June 6, 13, 20 | 7pm to 8:30pm | Chalk (Georgia/Princess) | $50 or $12 drop-in | BYO mat and a blanket.

CULTURE

Exit Through The Gift Shop is playing at the irrepressibly independent art house known as the Rio Theatre on Monday. Directed by Banksy. Starring Banksy, and about Banksy. A must see, especially if you’re that into Banksy.
Monday, May 16 | 7pm + 9pm | The Rio Theatre (1660 E Broadway) | $8

Antisocial is throwing a new show on the walls of their fine establishment this Saturday. Drew Mosley is showing new works in a mini ex called Dreamers. These folks always put on good gigs, but I’d never heard of Drew. So I looked him up. This is a sort of artist statementy thing that I found on a Ottawa gallery website. It pretty much rules:

Drew Mosley
i like to build stuff with wood, i get art supplies from the hardware store,
trash or from spills,
i like strong coffee,
tasty tea,
ah caramels,
if i ever save enough money i’d buy a motorcycle,
i listen more than i talk,
and talk more than i read,
i make lots of jokes about poo,
a casual vegetarian,
cat hugger,
wife lover,
i fart constantly,
and have the sense of humour
of a kid in grade school,
Lee Matasi is my hero.

Saturday May 14 | 8 pm | Antisocial Skateboard Shop and portal to heaven | Free

Martin Creed gives a talk at Emily Carr on Tuesday night. This is the same artist that created the iconic, 75 foot neon installment – EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT –  that permanently graces the Wing Sang building in Chinatown.
Tuesday, May 17 | 7-9pm | ECUAD | Free

VAG struts it’s stuff with an artist talk by Isabelle Pauwels as part of their Culture Series lectures. Pauwels works in a range of mediums, but she’s best known for her exploration of the intersection of documentary realism and artifice.
Tuesday, May 17 | 7pm | Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby) | Free with Gallery admission

Films created as part of the 24 Hour Film Race 2011 will be premiering at The Ridge this week. “Film Racing began as a competition called NYC Midnight Movie Making Madness in 2002. Filmmakers from around the country were invited to travel to New York City where they were challenged to create an original short film in 24 hours. The competition was created by Charlie Weisman and Craig Flamm, two New York filmmakers who wanted to create the ultimate filmmaking challenge and answer a question. Can a movie be made in a 24 hours? Not only
was the answer yes, but it turned out that making a movie in a day is extremely exciting and inspiring. Since 2002, Film Racing has expanded beyond New York to 20 cities throughout North America and over 2,000 films have been created as part of the competitions.” This year’s theme: Identity Theft. See you there. As you.
Wednesday, May 18 | 9:30pm | Ridge Theatre

GLUTTONY

Craft Beer Week continues and you should continue with it. Check out the website for event details. Scout picks: Battle of the Belgians at Chambar (Thursday, May 12) and The Brewery Creek Beer Festival (Saturday, May 14 @ the Beatty Street Drill Hall). Tickets go fast! Git ‘em here.

Great news: The Trout Lake Farmers Market is on. Fresh veggies for all! Buy local outside with your community until autumn (and then take it indoors).
Saturday, May 14 | 9am-2pm | Trout Lake | Free

It’s Awesome 80’s Prom Night at the Alpen Club this weekend, and that means odd and strangely appealing. By the end of the night someone will be drunk and passed out in the middle of the floor, someone will get laid, and someone will get an involuntarily makeover that includes pigtails and ill-fitting lederhosen. If you need to know more than that, go here.
May 13 | 7:30-midnight | Vancouver Alpen Club | $40, $60 with dinner and $90

221A Artist Run Centre is holding a sandwich fundraiser this weekend. How cool is that? Don’t know, either? Attendees are invited to dine on five new (and surprising) takes on the everyday sandwich and a silent auction of works by local artists and designers. Proceeds will go towards the 2011-2012 programming schedule which can include artist fees, exhibition costs, publications, workshops and artist talks. So…yeah, go.
Friday, May 13 | 221A Artist Run Centre | $25

ASSORTED AWESOMENESS

The Jericho Sailing Centre opens its doors for the curious this weekend. If that isn’t a sign that warmer weather is near, I don’t know what is. Find out about upcoming programs and learn about what the centre can offer you and your dinghy, windsurfer, sailboat or kayak. And upstairs is always a good place to grab a burger and beer and take in the view. Hail summer.
May 14 | 12-4 pm | Jericho Sailing Centre | FREE

Hans Schreier (Faculty of Land & Food Systems at UBC) talks about water, specifically green water management and how it can make a significant contribution to global food security. Skinny: “According to the UN projections we need to increase food production by more than 50% over the next 40 years. Since agriculture is already using 70% of available freshwater, it is unlikely that more water will be available for food production. What are the options and how do we address the global water issues for food? One of the most neglected topics in water management is how to shift attention from the blue-water cycle to the green-water cycle. The amount of water flowing through the green water cycle is more than double the amount flowing through the blue water cycle and we need to become more efficient in how we manage green water.”
Thursday May 12 | 7-9pm | Reserve

The annual Vancouver Heritage Foundation Warehouse Salvage Sale is going on this weekend. If you’re jonesing for some fancy bits to aid your latest home improvement project, this is the place to source one-of-a-kind bargain-priced items that salvaged from your neighbours digs. There will be doors, windows, hardware, sinks, lights, columns, furniture, flooring, moulding, art glass, stoves, and fireplace inserts.
May 14 | 10 am–4 pm | 115 7011 Elmbridge Way, Richmond

If you’ve got $180 kicking about and you’re looking to unload it on something of value, urban farming guru Ward Teulon is teaching a workshop on how to grow and sell your food in the city. Go city farm boy!
Saturday, May 14 | Private Residence (804 E. 21st) | 10 am–3 pm | $180