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SCOUT LIST: The 10 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now And Next Week

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…

Strange Brew | Grab a seat at the Rio for a screening of Strange Brew. “Something is rotten at the Elsinore Brewery. Bob and Doug Mackenzie (as seen on SCTV) help the orphan Pam regain the brewery founded by her recently-deceased father. But to do so, they must confront the suspicious brewmaster and two teams of vicious hockey players.” Stick around afterwards for the 9pm screening of Slap Shot. What better, more quintessentially Canadian way could there be to cap an evening during Craft Beer Week?
Thursday, May 24 | 7pm | Rio Theatre | Details

Shop | Not only does Le Marché St. George have its usual line-up of good reasons to visit (quality tea and coffee, fresh baked goods, amazing cheese and beautiful textiles and soap) but they now sell ice cream AND are gearing up for a pop-up. The temporary shop will offer new linens, cottons, ceramics and more. Can’t wait.
Thursday, May 24 – June 4 | Le Marché St George (4393 St. George @ 28th.) | Details

Walk | The season of the walking tour is upon us! The Vancouver Heritage Foundation runs a series of walks that explore cracks and corners of the city with a healthy dose of history and and folklore that will leave you better informed and appreciative of the subtleties of your hometown. Get to know your city a little better with a walk through Chinatown this weekend. The tour covers the fact that Chinese immigration to Vancouver predates the city’s incorporation in 1886 and introduces participants to societal buildings, constructed as headquarters for Chinese fraternal and clan groups. Interesting stuff. Bonus: stick around for a late afternoon lunch at Fat Dragon and then catch the Chinatown Night Market. Pretty solid Friday, amirite?
Friday, May 25 | 12-1:30 pm | Meet at southeast corner of Carrall and Pender | $12 | Details

Dig-in | There’s a dinner going down at Harvest Community Foods in Strathcona this week. A locally made line of authentic Italian tomato based sauce (Sugo) is officially launching their product with a pasta dinner at the shop. We haven’t tasted the sauce (we like to make our own), but we dig local, independent, small batch goodness, and we also like the idea of a bunch of people sharing a Friday night meal at Harvest. This block of Union has changed so much over the past year. Get there a little early and check out cool summer clothing at neighbours Charlie & Lee and Board of Trade bore nipping in to The Union for a Banga cocktail (you might also pay your respects at the Jimi Hendrix shrine next door). Afterwards you can float your way through the Chinatown Night Market. Another full Friday night, for sure. Get in touch with Stephanie or Mike at Harvest to reserve a spot today, because seating is seriously limited. 604-682-8851.
Friday May 25 | 7pm | Harvest Community Foods (243 Union) | 10$/plate | Details 

Gig | Kurt Vile and The Violators are at the Biltmore Friday night. Tickets aren’t going to last, so grab ’em at Zulu before it’s too late. 
Friday May 25 | Doors at 8pm – Show at 9:30 | Biltmore Cabaret | $20  

In-store | Zulu throws down with another amazing in-store session this week. Toronto’s ZEUS stop by the Kits store for a quick blast of tunes in advance of their full-on psychedelic pop show at the Biltmore (Saturday May 26 | 7pm | Biltmore Cabaret | $15). “Zeus are a young band who were quickly signed to Arts and Crafts and enlisted as the support band for Jason Collett. They dial in a sound that is instantly catchy, yet hard to place completely…is that a Kinks influenced riff or gorgeous Big Star melodies?” Cool, free and enriching. Take some cash in your pocket to score from Zulu’s new haul of concert posters or grab a super fine spring T-shirt. Support Zulu, ’cause they support you.
Saturday, May 26 | 3:30pm | Zulu Records (1972 W.4th) | Free? | Details

Pop-Up | OK, so this is one that you have to get moving on right now. Chef Owen Lightly of Butter on the Endive is hosting a second series of Chef In Residence dinners this coming weekend and seats will go quickly. Owen will once again be collaborating with Adam Chandler of BETA 5 Chocolates (May 26) and James Town of Mikuni Wild Harvest Mushrooms (May 27) as well as Blue Owl Antiques, Tonio Creanza (Creanza Olive Oil), and Luis Valdizon (food enthusiast and gifted photographer). There will be an olive oil tasting in the Blue Owl shop before guests move upstairs for a plated, 4 course intimate dinner. All dinners are 4 courses, $65 (not including gratuity)
May 26 &27 | Blue Owl Antiques (2308 W Broadway @ Vine) | $65 | Details

Culture | The Matisse show opens at the Vancouver Art Gallery this week. The best day to catch the show is Saturday, when you can also take in the Heller Lecture (Collecting Matisse and Modern Masters: The Cone Sisters of Baltimore). The Heller Lecture ticket includes admission to Collecting Matisse. Capacity is limited for this event, so get sorted now.
Saturday, May 26 | 1pm | Vancouver Art Gallery |  $30 | Details 

Support Local | Portobello West is going down this weekend. Flip through clothing, accessories and trinkets from 50 different local designers. Listen to music, eat from food carts and work it all off on the seawall afterward.
Saturday + Sunday, May 26 + 27 | 11am -5pm | Creekside Community Centre (1 Athlete’s Way) | $2 | Details

Slugfest | I’ve always wanted to make it to Slugfest for the weirdness factor, but it does require a bit of a drive out to Richmond. Still, I can’t imagine it being a let down once you get there. There’s a beauty contest (vote for biggest, smallest, or slimiest) followed by the Great Richmond Slug Race (in which, one assumes, the slugs will race each other in especially exciting fashion). Note that this is a bring your own slug event (for serious), so get out and find yourself a winner. Your garden or local park is always a good bet. And be sure to look after the little dudes. We know from experience that they like green lettuce, kale and cucumbers.
May 27 | 1-4 pm | Richmond Nature Park ( 11851 Westminster Hwy) | Details 

OUT OF TOWN…

SUNSHINE COAST | If you can skip town, consider running off to the Sunshine Coast for the fifth annual Lund Shellfish Festival.  A quick ferry ride and a beautiful drive down a winding road gets you fresh cooked seafood, tours, and cooking demonstrations.
May 25-27 | Lund, BC | Details

TOFINO | There is no better way to kickstart summer than to head over to Tofino to check out Feast! Tofino, a 16 day series of gastronomic events that culminates in the always magical Tofino Food and Wine Festival. Trust us. These are seriously good times.
Now – June 2 | Tofino, BC  | Details 

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late-may-2009-169Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended 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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There is 1 comment

  1. Hey, I really enjoy your articles, especially that you focus on fun stuff in Vancouver.

    Thought you should know about our little Hoop company that’s makin’ some waves around town. You can buy our hoops at Why Knot’s Curiosities at 319 Cambie Street https://www.facebook.com/whyknots?ref=ts

    Or you can buy them at our beachfront distribution centre at Wreck Beach.

    Spread the Hoop Love!

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