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…

Score | Yeah, there’s a bit of rain forecast for this week, but rather than being bummed about it, why not focus on why it’s a good thing? Your plants will be happy, and it’s a good excuse to order up a large popcorn and watch a flick on the big screen. Not that you needed an excuse this week, but Moonrise Kingdom is finally out. Catch Wes Anderson’s newest work of probable genius at Fifth Avenue Cinemas starting on Friday.
Friday, June 1 | Various times | Fifth Avenue Cinemas 2110 Burrard @ 5th | Details

Free Gig | 2012 Juno Award winners The Arkells are planning to swing by Zulu Records for a free acoustic in-store on Friday night. “This is your chance to catch this up and coming band in an intimate environment, stripped down and raw!” Not only is this gig free, open to all ages, and plain old cool, but if you hang out after the set you can also meet the band. Meeting talented musicians will enrich your life. It’s true (I looked it up). Check them out here.
Friday June 1 | 7pm | Zulu Records 1972 West 4 | Free | Details

Art | Ryry’s Ultimate Bodega is opens Friday night. I read about this over at 01 Magazine: “Bodega’s typically provide a wide range of services/products in the marginal areas of cities and often times share many common characteristics: poor organization and display, aesthetically unappealing design via overwhelming vinyl storefronts, copy and fax machines, masses of random useless consumable objects, cheap alcohol, single cigarettes, marijuana, expired food stuffs, and late hours. The ‘convenience’ factor of bodegas exceeds that of a corporate variety store as these businesses provide customers with things they would not find elsewhere.” Ryry’s Ultimate Bodega will be a fully functioning copy shop/convenience store carrying everyday useful items (redesigned and re-purposed) like custom vinyl-applied BIC products (such as lighters, ball point pens), custom designed ashtrays, corrugated plastic and vinyl design posters, independent publications and other printed matter, key chains, iPhone cases and stationary.” Read more about the project here or drop by opening night for sour keys and beer.
Friday, June 1 | 8pm | The Parking Spot (8 E Cordova)

Learn | One of the best things you could possibly do with your Saturday would be to make your way out to Richmond to hook up with chef Ian Lai for a guided tour of edible wild foods. Ian is a super awesome and knowledgeable dude, and think of how good you’ll feel when you walk away with a little of his smarts in your own brain. Collect wild greens (dandelions and nettles), sit for a friendly, communal lunch, and leave with a recipe and jar of ingredients for homemade wild bread. How cool is that? The weather should involve a little sun, but the class runs rain or shine.
Saturday, June 2 | 10am-noon | Terra Nova Rural Park Farm Centre (2631 Westminster Highway) | Adults $35 / Kids $10 | Details 

Eat Local | The West End Farmers Market opens this Saturday and Thornton Park (Main Street) opens next week (Wednesday, June 6). It feels so good to know that we’ll soon be running with a full compliment of neighbourhood markets to take our pick from! Welcome back, farmers. We’ve missed you!
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

Buy Books | Outfit yourself with a solid assortment of summer reads at the Friends of the Vancouver Public Library’s eco-friendly, recycling Super Summer Used Book Sale this weekend. Expect thousands of discarded and gently used books on sale. Thousands! And all of them going for less than $2.50 each. Don’t forget to bring a bag (or two).
Thursday, May 31 (10 am–5 pm) June 1 (10 am–5 pm) | Vancouver Public Library (Central Branch) @ 350 W Georgia | Free 

Shop | Fab Fair goes down at Heritage Hall this weekend. Think local goodies and trinkets for your purchasing pleasure. There’ll be jewellery, handcrafted handbags, scarves and accessories, belts, beauty products and more. Best part: Off the Wagon food truck will be parked outside and serving up their kick-ass yam and black bean tacos.
Saturday + Sunday, June 2+3 | 11 am–5 pm | Heritage Hall (3102 Main) | $2 | Details 

Vancouver Food | This sounds amazing: Community historian Chris Mathieson will lead a tour through Mountain View Cemetery this Sunday talking about the history of Vancouver’s relationship with food through introductions to fishermen, farmers, hunters, and shopkeepers buried in the cemetery. Food traditions associated with death and cemeteries will also be explored. Awesome x 1000.
June 3 | 10 am | Celebration Hall, Mountain View Cemetery (5455 Fraser) | $10 | Details

Picnic | On Sunday, the Swallow Tail Secret Supper Club is holding a lavish Persian picnic in the park that should be a good time. Get this: guests follow music through the park to arrive at a Bohemian banquet (complete with silk pillows) where Chef Mahin, freshly back from a trip to Mecca, presents an al fresco dinner featuring exotic spices, flowers and sweets. Tickets include complimentary BC botanical cocktail made with elderflower, fir tip and arbutus bark. Cash bar on site. BYOBlanket. Hook ups here.
Sunday, June 3 | 6pm | Secret location revealed after booking | $79 

Monday Taco Night | Lolita’s Monday night Taco Night kicks ass. Their soft shell taco platter is on special for $10. The room still fills up as fast as ever, so try to get in early. A post-taco feast walk to English Bay is highly encouraged.
Mondays | 4pm – 2am | Lolitas (1326 Davie) | Details

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Michelle 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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