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…

HALLOWEEN

So the big ticket draw this week seems to be Halloween…

Chapel Arts has got a Heebie-Jeebie Halloween Festival going on that everyone should attend. Even if you have plans sorted out, take a detour and hit the Chapel (you contributions at the door will go to benefit inner-city students at Lord Strathcona and Admiral Seymour Elementary schools). This is a festival of Art, Magic, Music and Inspiration. There will be performances by Little Guitar Army, iBraineater, Deadcats and East Vamps, not to mention a pumpkin patch like you’ve never seen, AND a haunted house.
Friday, October 28 | 8pm | Dunlevy Chapel (304 Dunlevy)

The Waldorf is taking full advantage of our desire to costume-up with a four day Halloween bash that includes Dinner for the Dead, Carnival of Souls (complete with Midway games and thrill rides), haunted hotel rooms, a monster mash, and a multi-room live music-fuelled costume parade. So much is going on that they needed to spread it out over four nights. Visit the Waldorf website to zero in on exactly which events you want to attend. Tip: if you go, go with pockets full of cash. There is a minimum $20 cover for those events that aren’t already sold out and then you’ll need cocktail dough. Methinks the on site bank machines are likely to be busy.
October 28, 29, 30, 31 | The Waldorf Hotel | night time | starting at $20

Halloween is the midnight movie at the Rio this week. Go figure.  On a brighter note, The Rum Diary is also playing, so yay. 
Friday, October 28 | 11:55pm | Rio Theatre (1660 E. Broadway) | $8 

Get your fill of Halloween hedonism at Cafe Montmartre with a Hellfire Club event unlike any other. “Hellfire Club existed in Victorian-era Britian. Considered the erotic illuminati of the eighteenth century, members were often high-society intellectuals, who would meet to explore boundaries of sexual mores and hedonist prank.” (read: Victorian-era boudoir costumes encouraged). And there will be music! Man Your Horse will be there. So will Blake (Boogietronica) and Tasty Animals (melodic speed-jazz adrenaline rush). This event sounds like the type that doesn’t even need drugs to take you to a whole different world. Dig it.
Saturday, October 29 | 8pm | Cafe Montmartre (4362 Main) | $5 at the door

For something with bit more of a family feel, consider a trip to VanDusen Botanical Gardens where the imaginative folks at Public Dreams (the same people who created the Trout Lake Lantern Festival and the Parade of Lost Souls) have rigged up some ‘gently scary fun’ for kids. The event happens rain or shine, so dress for the weather and test-drive your Halloween costume before the big day!
Saturday, October 29 | 5-7pm | VanDusen Botanical Gardens | $5.25 – $16

Yes, they say it’s going to rain. Make the most of gloomy weather with an Emily Carr University-inspired, shipwreck-themed walking tour at Mountain View Cemetery on Sunday. Seriously, mud and grey skies will only make this themed walk more authentic. Learn, for instance, the story of the SS Princess Sophia disaster, which took place on October 25, 1918 on a cruise from Skagway to Vancouver (“all were lost except an oil-soaked dog that managed to swim to shore despite the frigid water. The walking tour will visit the graves of the shipwreck’s victims and tell their story through news accounts and letters of the day”). Yarr! Creepy stuff.
Sunday, October 30 | 4-6pm | Mountain View Cemetery (5445 Fraser) | Free

While we’re talking about Mountain View, I thought I’d mention that the cemetery will be holding a special screening of Forever (a film about Père-Lachaise cemetery in Paris). Pretty powerful flick. Watch a trailer here.
Monday, October 31 | 7pm | Mountain View Cemetery (5445 Fraser-enter at 39th Ave) | Free

Sweet little Jericho Hostel has been transformed in to a haunted mansion fit to house a right proper haunted-mansion-Hell’o’Ween-dance-party. Scoot down to the beach to enjoy the talents of six international DJs, a costume contest, free appetisers, and three floors of electronica, hip-hop, dubstep, techno, and house music.
Friday, October 28 | 8pm-2:30am | Jericho Hostel (1515 Discovery) | $20 

The Parade of Lost Souls goes down Saturday night and it’ll be pretty magical. Public Dreams pulls out all the stops transforming east side neighbourhoods into a dark ‘portal to the past’. “We will celebrate those who came before us and delve into the realms where they still exist. The secret route will only be revealed on October 29.”
Saturday, October 29 | East Van | Details here

NOT HALLOWEEN…

Ever wondered What Galileo Knew of Arabic/Islamic Science and How He Knew It? No, but you’re wondering now, right? Well, you’re in luck. Professor George Saliba of the Department of Middle East and Asian Languages and Cultures at Columbia University is in town to talk about this very topic and we’re betting that he has a grasp of the subject matter, what with the big school gig and all.
Saturday, October 29 | 8:15 pm | Lecture Hall No. 2, Woodward Instructional Resources Centre | Free

And next week, Mr. Andrew Coyne (Columnist for The Globe and Mail) drops in for a timely conversation on democracy in his speech entitled “Democracy and Freedom: Strange Bedfellows.
Saturday, November 5 | 8:15 pm | Lecture Hall No. 2, Woodward Instructional Resources Centre | Free

VPL is unloading some books at their Fall book sale. Prices range from 55 cents to $2.25. Can’t beat that! Details here.
Friday, October 28 | 10am-6pm | Alice MacKay Room, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street
Saturday, October 29 | 10am-6pm | Alice MacKay Room, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street
Sunday, October 30 | noon-5pm | Alice MacKay Room, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street

Anthony Bourdain slips in to town Saturday night. If you have a thing for Bourdain, you can still score tickets to behold his greatness in person. Click here to do that.
Saturday, October 29 | 8pm | The Centre For Performing Arts (777 Homer)

Ooh, and David Sedaris is here next weekend. Funny dude. More here.
Saturday, November 5 | 8pm | The Centre For Performing Arts (777 Homer) | $50 

CULTURE

Jonah Gray has curated a show at the Or Gallery that sounds fascinating. It’s called Studies in Decay. “Walter Benjamin held that the world continually tends towards decay. In the spirit of his enquiry into this process, each of these works offers a meditation on decay, while simultaneously seeking to uncover the transformative potential hidden within the patterns of everyday life.” The show is comprised of works by Raymond Boisjoly, Jordy Hamilton and Laura Piasta.
Opening Friday, October 28, 8PM (show continues until December 10) | 555 Hamilton

There’s a street photography show on at Photohaus.
Opening Reception: Friday, October 28 | 7pm | Photohaus Gallery  (14 W 7)| Free

Malaspina Printmakers is holding their annual fundraiser event. “101 Prints is a fast-paced catered gala event that guarantees “1 of 101″ ticket purchasers go home with one print. The prints are from Malaspina members and other artists across Canada, and are valued to be at least $300 and often far exceed this amount. All funds raised go towards the delivery of Malaspina’s ongoing programming.”
Friday, October 28 | 6pm | Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre | $25 general or $300

Christmas is coming. I know, we’re not even through with Halloween yet and I’m already all “You really should start thinking about Christmas”, but here is the thing: Portobello West is going down this weekend and it’s only going to happen twice more before Christmas. So get on it. Buy local. Find out who will be there by checking the Portobello website.
Sunday, October 30 | Creekside Community Centre (1 Athlete’s Way) | $2

The Fugitives take over the Vogue. Everyone loves The Fugitives. Particularly when they play with CR Avery. Tickets.
Wednesday, November 2 | Vogue Theatre | 

Oh, and Judas Priest is in town Sunday night. But surely you knew that.

Heads-ups:

The Eastside Culture Crawl (November 18, 19 + 20) officially kicks off on November 5th with Echo Chamber, a special event at the Waldorf Hotel that will feature music, theatre, and performance art. Echo Chamber is the Eastside Culture Crawl’s way of bringing exposure to some of the non-studio based artists, performers and cultural producers eager to share their work with an audience leading up to the 15th annual Eastside Culture Crawl. This year’s Echo Chamber line up will include: Mezamazing, Naomi Steinberg, Blackberry Wood, DJ Michael Fraser with his violin, Carnival Band, Four Maladies, and Synthcake to name a few.
Saturday, November 5 | 8pm | The Waldorf Hotel (1489 E Hastings) | $15

CAG Annual Art Auction and Gala goes down next week and it’s gonna be a doozy. Items to bid on include works by Marcel Dzama, Ryan Gander, Roy Arden, Ian Wallace, Elizabeth McIntosh, Federico Herrero, Andrew Dadson and Jeff Wall. So there. Get a sneak peak at some of the incredible artworks available here.
Saturday, November 5 | 6:30pm | Rosewood Hotel Georgia | $250 (what, you thought it’d be cheap?)

If $250 CAG Annual Gala is a bit out of range for you, consider the 38th Annual Student Art Sale at Emily Carr. It’s coming up next week.
Friday, November 4 | 12 – 8pm | Concourse Gallery | Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Saturday, November 5 | 12 – 5pm | Concourse Gallery | Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Sunday, November 6 | 12 – 5pm | Concourse Gallery | Emily Carr University of Art + Design

GLUTTONY

First Gluttony tip of the week:  Halloween candy goes on sale Tuesday!

Not a Snickers sort of person? Feel like you’re better than a stale mini kit kat and deserve more than boring old tootsie roll? You might want to consider making a pre-halloween trip to the Beta5 Chocolate store. Beta5 has some pretty choice treats on offer, and they are far from average. The Trick or Treat options here are imaginative and delicious. The Trick box is packed full of wasabi pea + miso caramel bars, black olive + chocolate caramels and spicy dark chocolate covered corn nuts covered with dark chocolate and cinnamon and cayenne. The Treat box (more my speed) contains chewy peanut caramel bars, peanut butter cups (we’re talking organic valencia peanut butter) and organic raisins + dark chocolate. Check out Beta5 here.
Saturday, October 29 | 11am-5pm | Beta5 Chocolate (413 Industrial Ave) | $20/box or both boxes for $35

The Baker’s Market is on. I’ll bet they will have some super rad sugary sweet pumpkin shaped cookies and ghostly cupcakes. Totally down. Or go all grown-up and procure artisanal breads, scones, pain au chocolate and the like. Up to you. But quality baked goods should not be missed. Take your own containers and bags. Find out more here.
Saturday, October 29 | 11am–3pm | Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre, 7646 Prince Albert (2 blocks East of Fraser @ 60th)

Grab tickets to “Bittered Sling Bistro”, the first of what will be a bi-monthly food and cocktail pairing competition and dinner. Each BSB evening event kicks off with with a cocktail reception accompanied by paired hors d’oeuvres. Local chef Jonathan Chovancek (Kale & Nori) creates a seasonal three course menu, inspired by the feature spirit’s wide range of notes and character. Each course is accompanied by an expertly paired cocktail by the guest bartender. The series starts out with Jay Jones, Market by Jean-Georges. Following the dinner, guests are invited to rate the bartender’s presentation and pairing skills. There are only 36 tickets available per event, so don’t sit on this too long. Here’s why: Oyama Schinkenspeck wrapped Farmhouse brie cheese with celeriac purée and tarragon, Crispy macaroni and aged cheddar cheese balls with smokey tomato dip, Sablefish boudin, quince mostarda, smoked pepper duck yolk, sea lettuce – sesame crisp, Makers BBQ pork shoulder, raw cocoa and coconut chocolate terrine, caramelized pineapple mousse, salted caramel crunch.
Tuesday, November 8 | Legacy Liquor Store in Olympic Village | $60 *Vegan option available

How cool would it be to hang out at the Vancouver Aquarium after hours? No view-hogging children or toe-crunching strollers, just gentle darkness, the soothing sound of water and fish. I know, how could it get better? But it does: add a little wine and some food. Bingo. Next week is Toast to the Coast. On this evening, guests will enjoy canapés from leading Ocean Wise restaurants, sample the best local wines, “jive to live music from DJ Leanne and leave with finds from the silent auction and fashion showcase.” Best part: 100% of the evening’s proceeds going to support the Aquarium’s commitment to effecting the conservation of aquatic life and waterways. I was just kidding about the children and strollers. But not really.
Friday November 4 | 7:30pm | Vancouver Aquarium | $85

We do tend to equate November with the beginning of cold, wet everything. As the girls at House Wine point out, “It’s time to cozy up by the fire with rib-stickin’ fare like meat stews and pasta accompanied by fuller bodied reds.” They have lined up a selection of some of their favourite new wines to fit with the change in season. “Think Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia, hedonistic Zinfandel, the structured beasts of Portugal, full-throttled offerings from Spain’s south and much more.” What are you waiting for?  Tickets here.
Wednesday November 9 | 6pm-8pm | The Vintage Gallery, O’Doul’s (1300 Robson) | $40

CITY

Interested in a what development is proposed for the Broadway and Kingsway area? The Residents Association Mount Pleasant are and they have an information session night planned.
Wednesday, November 2 | 7-9 pm | St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (2881 Main)

The “Heart of the City” Festival is going on.
Now – Sunday November 6 | Downtown Eastside | Website

Does Neon Vancouver mean ugly Vancouver? Derp. No. “Did Vancouver’s flashing neon signs signal glamour, excitement and big city living? Or was neon part of a tawdry display that disfigured Vancouver’s natural beauty?” It’s a question they are asking down at the Museum of Vancouver these days, and they have a substantial amount of physical evidence gathered so that you can go in and make your own decision. A really good day to do that might be next Wednesday. That’s when Joan Seidl, Director of Collections and the curator of Neon Vancouver, will delve into this question more with an in-depth talk and tour. Learn more about the history of the signs in the exhibit, Vancouver’s evolving hate/love relationship with neon, and how MOV came to hold a significant neon collection.
Wednesday, November 3 | 7pm | Museum of Vancouver | Free with admission

Hillcrest Community Centre officially opens this weekend. Events include official ceremony, cake, ribbon cutting and activities for all ages. Skating, swimming, curling, and more! Info.
Saturday October 29 | 11am-3pm | 4575 Clancy Loranger Way (30th & Ontario area) | Free

The City is planning a new park at 18th and Main and they are holding an open house to see what you have to say about it. “The open house will be an opportunity to view and comment on the proposed design concept for the park at the northwest corner of the Main Street and 18th Ave junction. The public park is located in front of the new development at 3333 Main Street. The future park will be an important component of the urban fabric of Mid-Main and will link the Mount Pleasant portion of Main Street to the portion of Main Street south of 18th Ave. The Park Board and Hapa Collaborative Landscape Architects will be presenting the park design concept and answering questions related to the design and future construction of the new park. The anticipated completion of park construction is in the Spring of 2012.” More here.
Tuesday, November 1 | 4-7pm | Slickity Jim’s Chat’n’Chew (3475 Main) | Free 

The Challenge of Creating Sustainable Communities is the topic of conversation at the Vancouver Public Library next Wednesday (Nov 2). “The United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainable development as: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Many people in Vancouver are not meeting even their basic needs. BC has the highest child poverty rate in Canada, housing in Vancouver is not affordable, many people are dependent on food banks, and street homelessness is widespread. Vancouvers development is damaging the environment. We will examine what a truly sustainable Vancouver would look like and ask What now?”
Wednesday November 2 | 12pm | Central Library (350 W Georgia) | Free, but seating is limited

In the event of an emergency they say that every family should have at least three days of food on hand. Question is, what kind of food? A frozen chicken and a can of beans won’t do you much good. Scout motto? Be prepared. Lead over to the Strathcona Community Centre next week to learn about what you should have on hand to keep you and your peeps as comfortable as possible. More here.
Thursday, November 3 | 7-9pm | Strathcona Community Centre | Free (and a smart move)

Looking ahead: (Monday, November 7) Gordon Price, Director of the SFU City Program and spokesperson for the Sustainable Transportation Coalition will moderate a bigwig forum on the importance of connecting people and places. Yup, the 2011 Civic Election Candidates are getting together to discuss Metro Vancouver’s Transportation Future! “Transportation forms the backbone of every city and region. With an efficient and effective transportation network, we can easily reach our jobs and school, access shopping locations, and transport goods throughout the region. How will our new city councils improve the way we move and access places and who will pay for these changes? What will Metro Vancouver’s transportation future look like? Join Connecting Environmental Professionals, Sustainable Transportation Coalition, SFU’s City Program and the Planning Institute of British Columbia as we pose these important questions to Vancouver mayoral and council candidates.” Here’s how it’s going to go down: Candidates will be asked three questions – one about transportation network funding, the second about goods movement, and the third about active transportation. Finally, audience members will have the opportunity to pose questions. Admission is free, but reservations required. Reserve your seat here.
Monday, November 7 | 7-9 pm | SFU School of Business (500 Granville)

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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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