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…

Go Analog | Interested in film photography? Of course you are. Are you also interested in a good party? Pfft. This Wednesday night has them together. A tiny group of two is busy trying to build an independent and eco-friendly darkroom in downtown Vancouver and in order to support their effort, they’re throwing a bash at The Waldorf that involves mellow 1960s and 1970s Motown, a Calotype photobooth, a pop-up darkroom mini-workshop and generally good times. For more detailed information about the eco darkroom campaign have a look here. To get a sense of what a Calotype photobooth/popup darkroom mini-workshop, check out this coverage of one of VNB’s pop-ups at Le Marché St George this past summer. It definitely won’t be just another Wednesday night, and you’ll go back home with a 19th century-looking Calotype positive self-portrait and a Calotype negative. $10 at the door, then $30 for Calotype sessions, but remember that all proceeds go directly toward VNB’s Halides & Gelatins darkroom project, your future Eco-friendly Independent Darkroom in downtown Vancouver!
Wednesday, October 24 | 7pm | The Waldorf Hotel (1489 East Hastings) | $10 at door | Details

Parade of Lost Souls | On the last weekend of October a shadowy procession of characters will meander softly through the streets of East Van. No one knows precisely which streets the parade will claim until the last moment, but when the crowd starts to gather and the lanterns are lit, the magic spreads throughout the whole community. If you want to get in on the action the secret location of the parade starting point will be announced via the Public Dreams website on the day of the parade. If you really really want to get in on the action, stick around for the Parade of Lost Souls Dance Party at the Rickshaw later in the evening.
Parade: Saturday, October 27 | Location to be announced | Free
Dance Party: Saturday, October 27 | 9pm -2am | The Rickshaw Theatre, 254 East Hastings Street | $25

Whole Hog | Fat Dragon Bar-B-Q is throwing down with a whole hog feast this week. Tables will be pulled together to create a communal feel and food will be served family style. Either grab a few friends and go or go solo and make a few friends. The Whole Hog dinner is designed to connect diners to their food sources and it will feature nose to tail cuts of Sloping Hill Farm pork as well as some solid sides (think Jalan Alor chicken wings, papaya & cabbage salad, stir-fried Japanese eggplant sambal, Bar-B-Q pit beans, stir-fried noodles and butter lettuce & bean sprout salad). Even though the price of the meal includes a Parallel 49 Brewing Co. ‘Schadenfreude’ beer, we recommend splurging for an awesome Junmai Sour cocktail (fruit tea sake, gin, lemon, orange blossom and egg white).
Wednesday, October 24 | 8:30pm | Fat Dragon Bar-B-Q | $55 | Details

Foundation Friday | DJs Rhek and Brand (Alex Usow and Mark Brand) will be spinning at Calabash on Friday night. They’ll be playing nothing but old school rap, and it will be a good time. There isn’t really much more that you need to know about it, except that you better get there early because it’s going to get packed quick.
Friday, October 26 | 11pm – late | Calabash Bistro (428 Carrall) | $ nominal cover | Details

Conceptualisms in Vancouver | There’s a new show opening at the Vancouver Art Gallery this weekend called Ian Wallace: At the Intersection of Painting and Photography. It’s “a major survey exhibition of the work of one of Canada’s most significant contemporary artists. Based in Vancouver, Wallace has played a critical role in the development of contemporary art since the late 1960.” The exhibition officially launches Friday with a member’s reception in the Gallery but Saturday is the day to really get a handle on the larger context of the influences and motivations that inform Wallace’s work. Catch Ian Wallace, Hank Bull, Ingrid Baxter and Michele Theriault in a panel discussion, Conceptualisms in Vancouver, about the 60’s and 70’s as a formative period in Vancouver’s art history and then take in the show with a deeper understanding of the where the artist came from. Don’t miss this opportunity.
Saturday, October 27 | 3pm | Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby) | Free with admission ($19.50) | Details

Labspeak Salon | Interested in Photography? The Douglas Udell Gallery is hosting a free photo workshop event this coming weekend that sounds amazing. The Gallery is hooking up with ABC Photo (widely regarded as one of the photographic processing authorities Vancouver) to give attendees a run down of fine art photo imaging (think Jeff Wall, Rodney Graham, etc). “Topics will include Lightjet and Inkjet archival printing, and galleria finishing in today’s contemporary popular output culture. This includes UV laminants for longevity and mounting styles such as free floating aluminum, dibond and transmuting.” But don’t let the fancy language scare you, this gig is for all artists, photographers, collectors and hobbyists alike. All you have to know is that you’re interested and keen to learn. We suggest arriving in the South Granville neighbourhood well ahead of schedule in order to slip into Beaucoup Bakery for a pre workshop pastry. We’re hoping it opens in time, and will update you accordingly on the front page.
Saturday, October 27 | 1pm | Douglas Udell Gallery (1566 W. 6) | Free

Cheese Open House | The Homesteaders Emporium says that making cheese at home can be surprisingly easy and in order to convince us of that they are holding a two hour drop-in cheese making session this weekend that will demonstrate the process. Emporium owner and amateur cheese maker Rick Havlak will make a variety of fresh and aged cheeses while he answers questions from participants. This is a really low-key event. You don’t have to sign up or stay for the whole thing. In fact, you are encouraged to come and go as you please or stay for the whole session. Either way it’s free learning, and cheese!
Saturday October 27 | 1-3pm | Homesteaders Emporium (649 East Hastings) | Free | Details

Take a Walk | This is a phenomenal time of year to head out to the Reifl Bird Sanctuary on Westham Island. Reifel is a protected habitat for migratory birds located at the northern end of the island and we are currently smack in the middle of migratory season. Even if you’re not in to birds, there are few prettier places in the Lower Mainland to stretch your legs and breathe in fresh air. A visit over the weekend saw Great Horned Owl, Rough-Legged Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Shrike, Sandhill Crane, Virginia Rail, and dozens upon dozens of other species, not to mention thousands of snow geese. Stop in Steveston on the way home and have some fish and chips and a walk on the docks.
Reifl Bird Sanctuary | Every day | 9am- 4pm | 5191 Robertson Road, Delta | $5 | Details

Tunage | Toronto band Crystal Castles will be in town this week. They have a new album coming out next month and they’re on tour to get people excited about it. Check them out at the Commodore with with HEALTH and Kontravoid. We reckon it will be a pretty interesting gig (Crystal Castles have a bit of a rep for putting on ‘energetic’ live shows). Read a recent NME article on the band here. Try Zulu Records for tickets.
Friday, October 26 | Doors 8pm / Show 9pm | Commodore Ballroom (868 Granville) | $46.50 + services charges

Engage | If you live in the West End you might want to drop in to the Sands Hotel on Wednesday night to get the scoop on the new West End Community Plan. Development and the need for higher density housing are ongoing issues in the neighbourhoods of Vancouver, and the City has initiated a community plan to help protect character while meeting the needs of the community as development continues. This is the time to get involved. Have a listen to what went down in phase 1 of this process and hear about ways that you can get involved. Strong communities happen when residents get involved!
Wednesday, October 24 | 4-7pm | Sands Hotel – Capilano Room, 1755 Davie Street | Free | Details

Have a good week, and be sure to check out our updated Scout List for the weekend in the Globe & Mail this Thursday!

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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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