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…

CULTURE

It’s Pecha Kucha Night! Volume 17 will revolve around the theme of modernist architecture on the West Coast. The good folks at Cause + Affect have gathered an impressive line-up of speakers from varying backgrounds to share their stories about how our west coast geography has influenced our architectural style. Cool thing about this volume? Keep your ticket stub for free entry into the Penthouse Night Club after party. Because naked girls!
Thursday, June 23 | 7pm | Vogue Theatre (918 Granville) | $15

Mini Maker Faire comes to Vancouver this weekend. It’s a two-day celebration of making and creating that is focused on promoting the ethos of DIY on a large scale. Think of it as “county fair meets science fair meets farmers market meets burning man”.

The Cheaper Show goes down Saturday night. If you’ve been in the past, you know how good it’s going to be and you’ve likely already cleared your schedule and set aside some cash. If you haven’t been, clear your schedule and set aside some cash.  Expect 400 curated pieces of art from 200 local international artists, all priced at $200.  Not only do you have a chance to walk away from the show with a sweet deal on a fine piece of art, but it’ll be the best time you’ve ever had buying art.  This year’s show, dubbed Blood, Sweat and 10 Years,  marks the show’s 10th anniversary and the first year when 100% of the art sales will be returned to the participating artists. It’s going to be amazing. Have a look at the line-up of participants here. Keep in mind that entrance is first come, first serve basis and there are no advance tickets for the show. Translation: get there EARLY. Also, purchases are limited to 3 works of art per person, and yes, you’ll be needing cash for those purchases. (They have ATM’s on site)
Saturday, June 25 | 6pm-12am | 188 Kingsway | $10

Gastown’s Catalog Gallery throws down with Meghan Paterson Safe in Camp and I’m psyched. Paterson is showing a new series of paintings inspired by her time in a remote coastal town and they are fantastic. A little bit of back story: last summer, Meghan Paterson found herself in a place called Refuge Cove, llocated in aptly named Desolation Sound. Boat and float plane access only, sleeping above the water in a stilted house, relearning the simplicity and beauty of coastal life after living in the city for 15 years. Read the full story here.
Opening Reception: Friday June 24 | 56 Powell (right across from Sea Monstr Sushi) | Free

There are a few days left to make it in to Gallery Jones for a look at George Vergette’s latest: Stranded and Broke in a Strange Town. A kick-ass show.
Now – Saturday, June 25 | Gallery Jones (1725 W 3rd)

If you’re into art and feeling social, think about making your way to Chapel Arts. The Dunlevy Chapel is hosting a night for Vancouver-based artists to showcase their art, share their music, and network with other artists. Socializing is good.
Thursday, June 23 | 7-11pm | Dunlevy Chapel (304 Dunlevy)

Geist is a mag­a­zine of ideas and culture made in Canada with a strong lit­er­ary focus and a sense of humour. They that are Geist are having a fundraiser at the WISE Hall on Friday. There will be adult beverages, readings by Billeh Nickerson, Jill Mandrake and Brad Cran, and generally good times in celebration of the greatness of Geist.
Friday, June 24 | 7-10pm | WISE Hall (1882 Adanac) | by donation to the Geist Writers and Artists Fund

Caroline and Daniel at Walrus on Cambie are hosting an opening reception for the latest art exhibition in their space:  Nicole Milkovich. Nicole creates paintings that build on her love of architectural forms, repetition, and her obsession with colour. This will be the artist’s first solo exhibit, so get out there and show some support. Way to go Nicole! Way to go Walrus!
Wednesday, June 29 | 6-9pm | Walrus (3408 Cambie) | Free

VANITY

There is a sweet sample sale going on today – as in right now – at Allison Wonderland Studio (210-309 West Cordova). Haul ass to score great deals on sample and overstock items from super amazing local designers such as Erin Templeton, Allison Wonderland, Daub & Design and Bueno Style. The invite says it like it is: cash is king, so bring it.
Thursday, June 23 | 1-7pm | 210 – 309 West Cordova St., Vancouver

The Chosen Ones collective of vintage hunters slip into the Waldorf Hotel over the weekend. Outfit yourself with something swish for the summer. Bonus: it’s on the Waldorf patio. A special outdoor summer market of hand-picked vintage by hand-picked vendors. How can you go wrong?
Saturday, June 25 | 11am – 6pm | Waldorf Hotel | Free
Sunday, June 26th 11am – 4pm | Waldorf Hotel | Free

There is a cool little pop-up in Gastown that you should fit in to your shopping schedule. It’s called The Found and the Freed. Three local gals source vintage and antique artifacts from all over. They dust them off, fix them up and generally ready them for your home. See photos here. It’s a popular little shop, items are flying out the doors, so don’t sit on this one too long.
Now – July 16 | 206 Carrall

Portobello West fills the Creekside Community Centre on Sunday. This is an organisation that works hard to round up local artists and designers who work independently on small businesses to produce unique products and brings them all together to one central location for your convenience. It’s a pretty cool gig. Support local. Head to Portobello West!
Sunday, June 26 | 11am – 5pm | Creekside Community Center (1 Athletes Way) | $2

CITY

Get in on a historic walking tour of Jewish Strathcona & Gastown this weekend. Heritage Vancouver and the Jewish Museum and Archives join forces to bring you up to speed on the Jewish history of these slices of our city. Molly Winston from the Jewish Museum will lead the walk and regale you with fascinating tales of life in the heart of the early Jewish community in Vancouver. “In Strathcona, the Eastern European Jewish immigrants shared the Yiddish language, a religion, and concerns common to new immigrants in a foreign land. They soon established a synagogue, a mikvah (ritual bath), and cheder (Hebrew school) to meet their religious needs. Molly will provide insight into the landmarks, architecture, events and evolution of Gastown and Strathcona districts, while sharing anecdotes of Jewish daily life in the area.”
Sunday, June 26 | 10am-12pm noon | Meet at 700 E. Pender | $15

Sit in on a Vancouver Foundation/Vancity co-sponsored meeting that looks at and discusses the findings of the Foundation’s 2010 Vital Signs report. This is an opportunity to talk about the challenges and successes of your neighbourhood. More information here.
Tuesday, June 28 | 6-8:30 pm | Heritage Hall (3102 Main) | Free

Increased density is good, right? But how do you feel about the idea of ‘skyscrapers’ in Mount Pleasant? Don’t wait until it’s too late. Join in on the open discussion of the proposal to introduce taller buildings to the Broadway and Kingsway areas. Organized by the Residents Association Mount Pleasant. Find out more.
Wednesday, June 29 | 7-9 pm | St. Patrick’s Catholic Church ( 2881 Main) |Free

GLUTTONY

Dudes. Have you been to The Truck Stop? What a brilliant idea. The Beaumont Studios (316 W 5th) hooked up with some supercool street food vendors, a few gifted artists and some fine musicians to bring you a kick-back Friday night parking lot party like you’ve never seen. Tacofino, Re-Up BBQ and COMA will be there (mmm, Tacofino, we love your fish tacos and man, those diablo cookies are soooo good). The night include an art show, the music of DJ Able, Baank Ster and Sean Rose, a night market featuring local art and products, and skateboard hockey. Can’t fricken wait. Visit the Tacofino fb page for deets.
Friday, June 24 | 6pm-2am | The Beaumont Studios parking lot (316 W 5 @ Alberta)

On Sunday, June 26, beginning at 6:30pm, Hapa Umi will host Hapa Umi Hearts for Haragama Foundation, a fundraising dinner dedicated to providing relief for the people of Soma, Fukushima in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.  Details are here. Tickets are $75 per person and include a reception and an exquisite five-course dinner at Hapa Umi (food only).  The restaurant is donating one hundred percent of the ticket sales to the volunteer organization.  Tickets may be purchased in person at any Hapa Izakaya restaurant, on Robson, in Kitsilano, or in Yaletown, or at Hapa Umi which is located at 909 West Cordova Street, in the Waterfront Centre office tower.

Did you miss your chance to share a meal outside with a bunch of cool Vancouverites at this Sunday’s Vancouver Alfresco #5? Get in on the next one, then. The purpose is to “encourage the use of urban spaces” using food as “the connector”. In “flash mob fashion”, diners are informed of the date & time in advance, but the location is withheld until just hours before the evening unfolds. So we can’t tell you where you’ll be dining, but we can tell you what to pack for the adventure: in addition to a dish of food, each guest should bring his/her own plate, cutlery, and glass – plus a blanket and pillow if desired. RSVP now, here.
TBA | Somewhere in Vancouver

Wander and people-watch through the “shopping extravaganza” at the Chinatown Night Market and then grab a cocktail at The Keefer or Bao Bei.
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night | 6:30-11pm | Keefer between Main and Columbia

This coming Monday is a good night to grab a seat at Sean Heather’s Long Table: pan-seared salmon, roasted cauliflower, spinach with a lemon caper vinaigrette alongside a Blood Alley Bitter for under twenty? Hot damn. More here.
Monday, June 27 | 7pm | Irish Heather (210 Carrall) | $16

Grab locally grown produce from good people at your neighbourhood farmer’s market. Main Street on Wednesday rocks. Eli has the best Curry Brats, fresh pasta from Campagnolo and all sorts of fine produce. See you there.

Trout Lake Farmers Market | Saturday | 9am-2pm | Trout Lake | Free
Kitsilano Farmers Market | Sunday | 10am – 2pm | 2690 Larch @ 10th | Free
West End Farmers Market | Saturday | 9am-2pm | 1100 Block Comox | Free
Thornton Park | Wednesday | 3pm – 7pm | Main Street Station at Terminal | Free
Dundarave (West Van) Saturday | 9am – 2pm | Between 24 & 25 on Marine
UBC Farm Market: Saturday | 9-1 | UBC Farm
Oak Street Market | Wednesday | 3-7pm | Oak @ 49th (Unitarian Church) | Free

Our friend Owen Lightly has launched a brand-spanking-new version of his already awesome website: Butter on the Endive. Check it.

Owen has a dinner coming up, it is a Southern themed gig: “inspired by a recent trip to New Orleans, we are putting on a dinner featuring the flavours and textures of the Southern United States. Big flavours, stiff drinks, good times.” And the menu goes a little something like this:

– Fried Beaufort Oyster, Bacon Cornbread Waffle, Remoulade Sauce
– Side-Stripe Prawn Étouffée, Steamed Rice
– BBQ Beef Brisket, New Potato Salad, Horseradish Dressing
– Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie, Vanilla Ice Cream

Sold! It’s going to be good, and only 50 beans (includes one cocktail). Again, I’m letting you know now, because it will sell out. Send Owen an email if you want to get in on this action :owen [at] butterontheendive.ca.

Saturday, July 2 | 5:30 & 8:30 pm| address provided with reservation confirmation | $50

Learn how to make fermented beverages out at the UBC Farm. Advance warning: these programs have a track record of selling out lickity-split, so if you’re curious about fermented beverages and think you might want to go, get on it now. “Learn to make nutritious, refreshing summer drinks that can be made using garden herbs and fruits! In this popular class, discover how to make: Old fashioned ginger beer, Kombucha (a fermented tea beverage), Amazake (a sweet, ‘cultured’ Japanese rice beverage). Bring home recipes, nutrition information and a kombucha starter culture! Participants will have the chance to explore and harvest some of the wild plants growing around the UBC Farm. Impress your friends and family with your new-but-ancient skill as brew-master.”
Wednesday July 13 | 6pm-9pm | UBC Farm Centre | $40

NATURE

If everything seems a bit too happy and you feel like you need to find some gravity, consider heading out the UBC to hear Dr. Naomi Oreskes – Climate Change Communicator of the Year – talk about the evils of tobacco smoke, acid rain, and global warming. Oreskes’ 2010 book , “Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming, is an investigative look at the “well-organized campaign to distort and misrepresent key scientific findings about the dangers of DDT, tobacco smoke, acid rain, and global warming.” Yikes.
Tuesday, June 28 | 7:30pm | Room 3200, SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 West Hastings St. (entrance off Cordova St. between Cambie and Abbott)

Love the sound of this: A Twilight Tea Party. “Bring a flashlight and celebrate the long days and the setting sun with solar powered lanterns and phosphorescent installations. Enjoy free refreshments at the tea tent. Celebrate community and artist-made installations at the Means Of Production Garden, a garden that grows art materials. Installations by Diana Burgoyne, Peter Courtemanche, David Floren, Robin Ripley, Naomi Singer, and Lori Weidenhammer with community participation. All of the work is illuminated with some form of solar power.” Cool! Details.
Sunday, June 26 | 8pm-10pm | Means Of Production Garden (corner of East 6 and St.Catherines – the Western edge of North China Creek park)

Naturalist and expert bird watcher Cathy Aitchison pulls one of her Sunday morning nature enthusiasts walks in Stanley Park. Join Cathy to explore the varied and beautiful bird life found in the park area. Due to the popularity of these walks, reservations are highly recommended. Email: [email protected] or call 604-257-8544. Get the full scoop here.
Sunday, June 16| 9-11 am | Stanley Park Admission by donation

Bee sweet: an introduction to bees and basic beekeeping. Learn about bee physiology, bee social patterns, honey production, bee care, and honey harvest. Guess what? This is another one of those sell-out-in-a-heartbeat events, so get on it.
Saturday July 9 | 10:30am-12:30pm or 2pm-4pm | UBC Farm

MUSIC

The Black Keys are playing Deer Lake Park Monday night. How great is that? Too bad it’s completely sold out.

Other musical diversions to entertain you include…

Norwegian pop singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche plays the Biltmore (with special guests Nightlands and Kishi Bashi) Friday night.
Friday June 24 | 8pm | Biltmore Cabaret | $20

There’s a Cheaper Show after party at the The Electric Owl. The show will feature performances by Basketball, My Best Friend Wallis, Blood Diamond and DJ Daniel R.
Saturday, June 25 | 9pm | 928 Main Street (Across from The Cobalt) | $10 ($5 with a Cheaper Show wristband)

The Sadies pay at the Biltmore next week.
Wednesday, June 29 | 8pm | Biltmore Cabaret | $25

FILM

The Documentary Summer Film Series continues at Strathcona’s ChalkXChange. This cool series brings local filmmakers to a intimate community space to present and share their works. This Saturday, they are screening a CBC film entitled They Shall Be One Flesh. Local artist Vanessa Richards will discuss the film, which features Vanessa’s parents and was made during the 1960?s. It’s all about inter-racial marriage with re-enactments and man-on-the-streets of Vancouver.
Saturday June 25 | Screenings 8pm, discussion with filmmakers to follow | @ Chalk Xchange 593 E. Georgia St. (Princess St.) By Donation

Vancity Theatre will be screening five documentaries from North America’s largest documentary film festival, Hot Docs. “The featured documentaries are: Love Etc., a look at the different stages of love throughout life, Project Nim, the story of a chimpanzee nurtured like a human child in a landmark 1970s experiment, Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop, which follows Conan and Team Coco on O’Brien’s cross-country comedy extravaganza, Senna, the life and death of Formula One Racer Ayrton Senna and The Pirate Tapes, an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the dangerous world of Somali pirate wars.
June 24-26 | Various times | Vancity Theatre (1181 Seymour) | $40 entire weekend/ $11 per film

Dazed and Confused AND Slacker are the midnight movies at the Rio Friday night. Only 8 beans for two movies (and cheaper if you go in costume!).
Friday, June 24 | 11:55pm | Rio Theatre | $8

Pacific Cinematheque is on a Western kick. They are screening The Far Country, The Main From Laramie and The Naked Spur. Check here for details.
Friday, June 24-26 | various times | Pacific Cinematheque | $11

Meanwhile, over at Fifth Avenue Cinemas you can settle in to Beginners, Tree of Life, Midnight in Paris or Submarine. All reported to be great flicks.
Friday, June 24… | Various times | Fifth Avenue Cinemas | $12.75

If you are involved in or know of an event that you think we should add to the Scout List, drop us a line and we’ll see what we can do. Keep in mind that we’re looking for cool, cheap and accessible events. Michelle [@] Scoutmagazine [dot] ca.

——————————————————————————————–

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.

——————————————————————————————–