by Michelle Sproule | 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…

FIGHT THE MAN | Grab beers at the Rio Theatre on Thursday night. Yes, you read that correctly…The Rio Theatre has finally been awarded a Liquor Primary License and that is cause for celebration. It hasn’t been an easy road for the almost 75 year old Eastside establishment. And here’s the kicker: the theatre can have the precious license, but they are no longer free to show any cinematic screenings (bit of a bummer for a movie theatre). But they aren’t phased. They’re fighters, and they they want everyone to come out for a toast to the future. “We are determined to continue our creative programming and get the Province to revoke this restriction they’ve placed on us so we can continue to be East Vancouver’s best multi-media venue that supports independent films!” Meet us at the Rio to show your support! (DJ’s Live music, burlesque and complimentary popcorn). If you can’t make it out but want to offer your support, take a look at the Theatres facebook page for a FAQ on what individuals can do to help.
Thursday January 26 | 7:30pm – Midnight | No Cover

INDIE I DO | If you or someone you know is getting hitched in the coming year, do us all a favour and attend the Indie I Do show at Heritage Hall this weekend. Brides and grooms don’t have to go mainstream. They don’t have to offer chicken or fish with bad wine. They can do something different. Indie I Do offers a whole new world of possibilities: cupcakes to replace the traditionally bland wedding cake, the ever popular photobooth, super8 film, and cool little letterpress outfits to sort out your invites. Have a look at the list of vendors here and help spread the word. A more inventive wedding is in everyone’s best interests.

SEE A LIVE GIG | The Treelines, The Ruffled Feathers, and Sidney York are playing the Biltmore this Thursday night as part of the Steam Whistle Brewing Unsigned Indie Music Series. For only a $5 cover, this is the gig of the week for sure (find out more here). Alternatively, The Rickshaw is having Concrete Blonde in on Thursday night and  The Pack A.D. (with Pierced Arrows and Black Wizard) on Saturday. And for something completely different, Doomtree is at Fortune Sound Club on Saturday. Check it out.

STUFF YOUR FACE | This Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the north plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery will become Street Food City. Yes, our dream is coming true: a flock of food carts will congregate in a common geographic location long enough for a street food buffet of sorts. Coma is offering two tacos with Korean brown ginger tea and orange, rosemary truffles for $15; Tacofino throws down with a two tacos for $10 deal; ReUp BBQ will have Bacon Explosion sandwiches ($8), New Mexico chili with smoked pork shoulder ($6), and black bean and corn chili – veg ($4.5o); Brasserie rotisserie chicken sandwiches will be going for a mere $6.25; It’s All about Grill will have a skewer of chicken, pork, rib-eye, lamb or bacon-wrapped sausage for $7.50; while Soho Road, Mom’s Grilled Cheese and The Juice Truck will round out the crowd. Start early. If you need a digestive break, head in to the VAG. By the time you’ve wandered through Shore, Forest and Beyond (coming down January 29th) you will be considerably more cultured and ready for a second visit at Street Food City. Dig it.
Tuesday 24, Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 | 11am-3pm | North plaza @ Vancouver Art Gallery (Georgia Street between Howe and Hornby)

GALLERY HOP | Slip in to the Winsor Gallery to catch the Winter Group Show before it comes down on Sunday. The exhibition features works by Attila Richard Lukacs, Angela Grossmann, Alan Switzer and Trig Singer. I’m particularly besotted with Singer’s Cadillac Hotel and David Wilson’s Crossing Over. Take a look.
Now until January 29 |  Winsor Gallery (3025 Granville) | Free

GET VEGUCATED | “Vegucated” is a documentary film follows three “meat-and-cheese-loving New Yorkers who agree to adopt a vegan diet for six weeks. Part sociological experiment, part science class, and part adventure story, “Vegucated” showcases the rapid and at times comedic evolution of three people who share one journey and ultimately discover their own paths in creating a kinder, cleaner, greener world, one bite at a time.” All cool, though I noticed that the event is co-sponsored by Liberation BC. That group has done a pretty shitty job of winning over Vancouverites with their asinine, myopically extremist methods (picketing local, independent restaurants, for example), but whatever. Though their involvement makes me cringe, it shouldn’t get in the way of you or I appreciating a perfectly fascinating film.
Tuesday January 24 | VPL Main Branch (350 W. Georgia) | Free

EAT LOCAL | The Winter Farmers Market goes down Saturday. Load up on fresh local food (I’m planning to grab organic local eggs, fingerling potatoes and fresh herbs for a Sunday morning fritatta). You can also pick up fresh locally made breads, dried fruit, preserves and cheeses. Bonus: scoot down to Marche St George for a post market coffee and croissant.
Saturday | 30th and Ontario Street in the East Parking lot and Plaza of Nat Bailey Stadium | DETAILS

STORYTELLING | Raincity Chronicles teams up with the the City of Vancouver Food Policy Group to put on a special night with a focus on local food systems this week. The series of storytelling nights features a diverse roster of Vancouverites who will be taking the stage and speaking to a theme. The theme this month is What Feeds Us. Hook yourself up with tickets!
Friday, January 27 | 6:30pm | Salt Building (Olympic Village) | DETAILS + TICKETS

BUY A BOOK | Look outside. This is perfect, curl-up-on-the-couch-with-a-good-book weather, so set aside a bit of ‘book browsing’ time at an independent bookstore this week. Pulp Fiction has opened it’s third location (1830 Commercial Drive) and they’re sporting a fine selection of new and used books. They still have shelves to fill and they’re happy to look at books for potential purchase, so if clearing house was part of your Chinese New Year preparations and you’ve got boxes of books looking for a new home, now you know what to do with them. DETAILS

CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON | Find a way (that doesn’t include driving) to get yourself to Chinatown for the Chinese New Year parade on Sunday. Crowds are always huge and rain will likely be a factor, but don’t be a sissy. This is a Vancouver tradition, so be there! The Parade starts at noon at the Millennium Gate on Pender and travels east along Pender to Gore. It then turns south onto Gore, west onto Keefer and ends at Columbia. For some pre-parade entertainment, nip in to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens for Chinese tea and traditional dumpling making.
Sunday, January 29 | 12 noon | Chinatown | Free

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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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