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

Hope in Shadows has a show on at the Pendulum Gallery  tonight (Thursday, October 13 | 6-8pm). Hope in Shadows is a photography project that distributes disposable cameras to residents of the DTES to take pictures. The ninth annual Hope in Shadows contest was held from June 1-3, 2011. More than 4,000 images were submitted. 38 of those will be on display for this exhibition. Photos captured throughout this project are also used for the production of the Hope in Shadows calendar. The 2012 edition is on the streets now.
Now – October 29 | Pendulum Gallery (885 W Georgia) | Details

Andrea Wan: Dream On, Little Ghost opens at Catalog. “Fascinated by the blunt emotions and sincerity found in children’s artwork, Andrea Wan revisits recurring subjects from her childhood drawings for Dream On, Little Ghosts. By giving them a new context, desire, fear and unfulfillment are reflected through the exploration of one’s own reality. Constantly adapting and learning, roles change as they migrate through dreamscapes and challenges.”
October 13 – November 13 | Catalog Gallery (100-56 Powell) | Free

I ran across a snappy little flyer for something called The Rook Show while I was at the Dunlevy Snackbar the other day. Apparently, it’s some sort of indie craft sale of ‘All-Star Creations by Local Designers’. As I said, the flyer was snappy and well done, which makes me think that the calibre of goods on offer at this show will also be slick. Couldn’t find a stitch of info about this event online…
Saturday, October 15 | 1-8pm | 1860 East 22 Ave

Make your way to the Retro Design and Antiques Fair this Sunday to browse through over 175 tables of trinkets. Mid-century Modernist decor, vintage & estate jewelry, pop culture classics, boho & shabby chic accents, ephemera, paintings & prints, antiquarian books, textiles & linens – the whole lot. Added bonus: “Ever wonder about the history of that funky old lamp you inherited, or the value of that brightly colored glass vase you snapped up at a garage sale? Drop-in appraisals will be held from 10am-3pm”
Sunday, October 16 | $5

Artist Meghan Paterson is having a sale and we’re stoked. She’s setting up at the Red Flag Design Studio in East Van where she’s flogging new, old, and never before shown paintings at wholesale prices. Hell yeah. Not familiar with Meghan’s work? Check out the sweet video that Catalog Gallery pulled together for her show with them earlier this year.
Friday, October 14 | 6-11pm | 318 Industrial Ave | Saturday, October 15 | 11am-3pm

Artists Paul P. will be giving a public artist talk this week. “But Who is Paul P?” you ask… “Paul P. makes sensitive painting and drawing studies, taking young men as his predominant subject matter. The figures in these intimate portraits appear as if from another time or place. Paul P.’s work is in the collections of MoMA, SFMoMA, the Brooklyn Museum, The Speed Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario, no small accomplishment. He’s likely got a thing or two to say. Born in Canada in 1977, Paul P. lives and works in Paris. P.’s first exhibition in Vancouver will open Friday October 21 at Blanket Contemporary Art. Thanks for the heads up Kristin!
Artist talk: Wednesday, October 19 | 7pm | Room 7000, 515 W Hastings | Free
It’s time for the 2011 Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival and I gotta say, they have a pretty sweet gathering of authors going on! For example – you can spend an intimate evening with Lloyd Jones (Mister Pip) on Wednesday, October 19th at 8pm ($26),  Russel Banks (The Sweet Hereafter, Cloudsplitter and Continental Drift and Lost Memory of Skin) on Thursday, October 20 at 8pm ($26), or David Adams Richards on Friday, October 21 at 8pm ($26).
October 18-23 | Granville Island | Website

The Window Community Art Shop is set to open some time over the next month or so. The Window is a unique retail and studio space where people can make, create and sell hand crafted items. Think of it as Etsy or Cargoh in 3-D. Right now they’re in the planning stages and they are looking for unique and cool HANDMADE items to be sold on consignment in their non-profit gift shop. So, if you make cards and stationary, jewellery, apothecary, beauty products, clothing, woven, felted and knit items, ceramics (you get the drift), then you should scoot down to the new store front on October 27 to hook up. That gives you a few weeks to get creating!
Thursday, October 27 | 2pm-8pm | The Window Community Art Shop (9 West Hastings) | Free

GLUTTONY

What’s one more Harvest Dinner? Put on your elastic waisted slacks and get over to the Creekside Community Centre for Ripe, the annual Eat Local Farmers Markets fundraising dinner. There will be great seasonal food and drink featuring a seasonal market menu prepared by Tacofino and the chefs at Save On Meats. Meat & Bread, Vij’s and Campagolo are also in on the deal. Basically, you can’t go wrong with this.
October 16 | 4-8 pm | Creekside Community Recreation Centre (1 Athletes Way) | $65

Chef Andrey Durbach (Pied-à-Terre, La Buca and Cafeteria) throws down with his annual mushroom and wild game menu this month. Comfort food-focused Cafeteria will be featuring dishes such as grilled lemongrass game hen and wild mushroom and spinach risotto. “Intense Italian flavours take centre-stage on Durbach’s menu at La Buca with items such as wild mushroom crostini, smoked ham, and melted taleggio; tagliolini with truffles and pine mushrooms; and veal with chanterelle mushrooms, sage.” And the French focused Pied-à-Terre boasts wild mushroom consommé; grilled squab; Arctic char, braised lettuce, French peas, chanterelles, and beurre blanc.
Now-October 23 | Pied-à-Terre, La Buca and Cafeteria | Various times, locations and prices

Speaking of Fall menus, La Quercia is holding it’s 3rd Annual Truffle Dinner on November 11th. Tickets are pricey ($300) but read this and tell me you wouldn’t sell your grandmother for a spot. I’m telling you now because they will sell out fast (and you’ll need a little time to sell your Grandmother).
November 11 | La Quercia (3689 West 4) | $300 | Details

Its Apple Festival time. $4 will get you a wait in a line-up of fellow apple lovers keen to taste the 60 varieties of new and heritage apples, freshly sliced. But don’t worry, apple people are super friendly, so you’re good. This is an awesome event and Scout makes a point of going every year. Follow the big red apple signs out to UBC for Apple Fest.
Saturday + Sunday October 15, 16 | 11am – 4pm | UBC Botanical Gardens (6804 SW Marine) | Details

JoieFarm is in town and pouring at the Marquis Wine Cellar Grand Tasting at the Terminal City Club. Details here.
Tuesday, October 18 | 5-7pm | Terminal City Club | $29 and all proceeds go to Big Sisters.

The list of outdoor markets continues to dwindle this week. Make the most of these last days and hit the market in your neighbourhood while you can. Pick up delicious breads, jams and canned veggies, as well as harvest fresh produce like onions, green onions, radishes, shallots, spinach, sprouts, Swiss chard, garlic, beets, carrots, squash, pumpkins, and corn. It’s a pretty awesome time of year. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Trout Lake: Saturdays until Oct 22 | 9am–2pm | John Hendry Park Trout Lake
West End: Saturdays until Oct 22 | 9am – 2pm | 1100 Block of Comox | FREE
Kits: Sundays until Oct 23 | 10am – 2pm | Kits Community Centre | FREE

Tickets for the Clayoquot Oyster Festival (November 17, 18, 19) have gone on sale. Think about it: storm watching, Tofino Brewery beer, fresh oysters, awesome people. This is a seriously fantastic event and well worth making advance arrangements for. We hope to see you there!

MUSIC

Folk-rockers from Victoria Jon And Roy are at the Electric Owl this weekend. Should be a bang-up show.
Saturday, October 17 | The Electric Owl (928 Main) | $20

Chad Vangaalen (with guests Flash Palace) takes the stage at the Rio Theatre Saturday night. He’s in from Calgary, so lets make him feel welcome. Hi Chad! Welcome!
Saturday, October 17 | Doors 8pm | Rio Theatre

Lightning Dust and Hard Drugs are at the Waldorf. Everyone loves Hard Drugs and Lightening Dust, right? Love them even more next Thursday night. Join in the release party for their split 7″.
Thursday, October 20 | Doors 9pm | Waldorf Hotel (1489 E Hastings) | $12

Zulu is having one of their kick-ass in-stores next week. You’ll want to make a point of clearing a bit of time of Thursday, October 20 (7pm) to scoot over and grab a seat on the carpet to catch Lou Canon. Hot damn – have a listen to this girl – she has it going on. Thanks Zulu!

Death Cab For Cutie will be at Rogers Arena October 21. They are playing with special guests The Hold Steady and you can still score tickets. Rogers Arena, though? Seriously?
October 21 | Doors 6:30pm Show 7:30pm | Rogers Arena | $25 | Details

Portishead is coming up. Score tickets here.
October 24 | PNE Forum | Doors 7:00pm / Show 8:00pm | $55.00

MOVIES

The Vancouver Fruit Tree Project is hosting a screening of Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us? Catch this film that explores the global bee crisis, as seen through the eyes of beekeepers, scientists, farmers, and philosophers and walk away a more enlightened person. Bees, what’s not to like?
October 14 | 6:30pm | Britannia Community Centre (1661 Napier) | Admission by donation

It’s Manic Monday at the Rio. I’m not quite sure what that means, but it involves screenings of E.T. (7 pm) and Poltergeist (9:30 pm)
October 17 | 7 & 9:30pm | Rio Theatre (1660 E. Broadway) | $10 for double bill, $8 for one | Details

Maybe not the most uplifting feel good film of the year, but interesting none-the-less. Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple is playing at Pacific Cinematheque. This documentary uses survivor interviews and archival footage, to tell the story of those who followed Jim Jones into the largest mass suicide/murder in history.
Wednesday, October 19 | 7;30pm | Pacific Cinematheque Theatre | Details

Out at the Norm Theatre on the UBC Campus you can catch Kung Fu Panda 2 and/or Midnight in Paris. If you buy tickets for both films up front, you get free popcorn for the night. How rad is that?
Now – October 16 | 7 and 9pm | Details

ESOTERICA

Don’t miss The Secret World of Slugs and Snails: Life in the Slow Lane – an informative talk at VanDusen Gardens with David George Gordon, Author, Lecturer, Bug Chef. “They may not be your favourite visitors to your garden, but our native slugs and snails have an important role in supporting the ecological balance of our forests and fields. On the other hand, we also have non-native ‘invaders’ – roughly a dozen introduced species that have wreaked havoc in our garden habitats. After this presentation, you will know the good from the bad (and the ugly) ones”
Thursday October 13 | 7:30pm | Floral Hall VanDusen Botanical Garden | $15

Don’t let inclement weather deter you from an informative walking tour. Heritage Vancouver wants you to join them (and tour leader James Johnstone) for a walk about Scout’s home neighbourhood, Strathcona. “Join East End-based house history researcher and blogger, heritage advocate and history walk guide James Johnstone for a tour of Vancouver’s East End. James will use excerpts from the recently reprinted collection of 50 oral histories of East End pioneers Opening Doors, by Daphne Marlatt and Carole Itter. As you tour the streets and alleys of old Strathcona you will not only see some fascinating old houses and buildings but will meet scores of truly amazing characters from Strathcona’s past through their stories preserved in this book.” Sounds awesome.
Saturday, October 15 | 2-4 pm | Heatley Block (696 E. Hastings) | $15

Or, avoid the mess of puddles and wet hair altogether and take a walk in the tropics. Head to the Bloedel Conservatory for a tour and History of Bloedel with Alex Downie . “Built in 1969, The Bloedel Conservatory was constructed to highlight the importance of tropical eco-systems to the health of the planet. The stories on this walk will be about the Dome’s original mission, architectural design, construction and background of some of the plants, birds and people that have made it the beautiful place it is today.” Pre-registration required. To register: 604-257-8332
Tuesday, October 18 | 10:30–11:45am | Bloedel Conservatory (Queen Elizabeth Park) | Non-members $15 (includes admission to Bloedel Conservatory)

The Museum of Vancouver has invited the fine folks from Interesting Vancouver to bring their 4th annual evening of interestingness to Kitsilano for what promises to be “a truly multi-disciplinary, creative, unexpected, and inspirational evening of ideas and locally-sourced knowledge sharing for and by Vancouverites.” Short story: It’s an event with no theme nor organizing principal save for “things that are Interesting”. The evening’s aim is to impart new knowledge; things you’ve never known or thought about. Some of the topics and speakers include Dave Shea who will speak on beer and homebrewing; Todd Sieling who will enlighten as to the urban mythology surrounding shoes strung up on telephone wires; Jonathan Vaughn (he’s talking about Tattoos); Chris Neary who is covering the space between going from respected professional to drug runner to landing in police custody; Glenne Campbell who will tell you about how she built her own plane and flew it around Canada; and Steven Abbott who will chat about what it means to be a good parent. All fascinating topics. Particularly shoes strung up on telephone wires!
Friday, October 14 | 6pm | Museum of Vancouver | $25 | Cash Bar | Light catered reception

Fancy yourself a bit of a Ping-Pong wiz? Now is your chance to prove it. There’s an old-school Ping Pong Charity Doubles Tournament going on in Chinatown this weekend. All levels welcome, with PRIZES for winners in different skill categories. Minimum 3 matches guaranteed. Food and drinks. Entry Deadline: By Friday, October 14 at 5pm. Proceeds will be donated to the Strathcona Community Centre for its Food Security Program.
register by email to [email protected] with team member names, contact phone and email, and skill category (novice, intermediate, or advanced).
Saturday, October 15 | 1pm – 5pm | This Space (243 Union) | $50 per team (2 players per team)

Not excited about the jump in your hydro bill over the winter months? Do something about it! Attend the Energy Conservation for Renters workshop at the Mount Pleasant Community Centre where you will learn about simple and cost-effective means for renters to save energy in their homes.
October 17 | 7-8pm | Mount Pleasant Community Centre

——————————————————————————————–

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.

——————————————————————————————–