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SCOUT LIST: 10 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now & 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…

GRITTY CITY | Clear your Tuesday evening for the next instalment of Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s film series Gritty City: Vancouver In the Sixties. The second in the series of three film nights at Broadway’s Hollywood Theatre is the excellent 2012 film Coast Modern, a stunning doc focusing on the pioneers of West Coast Modernist architecture. Closing the series (February 26) will be an evening of CBC archival films – A City’s Story: Vancouver and West End ’66, two shorts that depict a younger Vancouver on the verge of unprecedented growth and change. Films are followed by discussions and Q&A sessions.
Tues, Feb. 12 | 7 pm | Old Hollywood Theatre (3123 W Broadway) | by donation | DETAILS

NOT FOR KIDS | Vancouver likes to think of itself as laid back and relaxed, but outsiders often call us uptight and cold. So what’s the deal? If the topic of sex can be used as a barometer for our true character, maybe it’s time to face facts and engage. The Vancouver Museum launches their latest exhibition: Sex Talk in the City this week. It comes with a warning of explicit content and suggests that museum goers under the age of 15 be accompanied by adults. From MOV: “Sex Talk in the City addresses issues of sexual expression, diversity, politics, and education in a fun, approachable, and thought-provoking manner.” Not only will the Vancouver-centric content have you giggling at awkward historical documents, silly condom packaging and decades old how-to diagrams, but it will also attempt to shed light on modern day phenomenons such as pride-parade, safe sex advertising and online dating culture. Sex Talk in the City goes live Thursday with an opening night curator’s talk on Wednesday, February 13 at 7pm.
Thurs, Feb. 14 | 10am-8pm | Museum of Vancouver |  DETAILS

TRIPLE THREAT | The Vancouver Art Gallery is hopping this weekend, starting with FUSE on Friday night. The adult-oriented open house incorporates live performance, music, art and even a glass of wine in an after-hours gallery setting. Then Saturday marks opening day of Art Spiegelman CO-MIX: A Retrospective of Comics, Graphics and Scraps (enjoy a display of over 400 drawings and bits of ephemera documenting the artists process and lengthy career in the underground comic movement). And finally, also on Saturday – and just down the street at the Goldcorp Centre for the Arts on Hastings – the VAG presents The Heller Lecture which will see Art Spiegelman himself in conversation with VAG curator Bruce Grenville.
FUSE | Fri, Feb. 15 | 8pm to 1am | VAG | $17.50 | DETAILS
CO-MIX | Sat, Feb. 16 | 10am | $17.50 | DETAILS
HELLER LECTURE | Sat, Feb. 16 | 2pm | 149 W. Hastings | $30 | DETAILS

LATE NIGHT ART | A little collaborative art together with some ambient music and plenty of good food makes for a great big group date complete with intelligent conversation and warm fuzzy feelings of connectedness. Climb the stairs to The HiVE (Creativity Co-working Space) for Late Night Art, an evening of creativity and food hosted by Vancouver artist Sarah Clement (creator of beautiful stuff). Artistic ability isn’t a prerequisite, but registration is (there are only 30 seats available). Like any date, we suggest kicking things off with a cocktail. Wildebeest is nearby. We suggest an East Side Smash or a Huckleberry Fizz.
Sat, Feb. 16 | 7:30pm | HiVE (128 W Hastings, Suite 210) | $30 | DETAILS 

SHOW & SKATE | Winter won’t last forever, so make the most of it. Grab your skates (or rent them on site) and hit Robson Square for a spin before regretting not doing it for yet another year. If you’re out of practice, nice thick gloves and a bit of bum padding are both recommended. Bonus tip: head down on Thursday for the Ice Dance Competition between 7pm and 8pm, wherein participating couples breaking out their best moves will be judged on creativity, creativity and costumes, but not skating skills. How awesome is that? So if you’re looking for something cheap but unique to do on Valentine’s Day, consider a romantic early evening skate followed by a hot chocolate and a seat on the sidelines to take in the show. Entertainment for two under $10 — can you think of a better deal?
Sun-Thurs | 9am – 9pm (Fri & Sat until 11pm) | Robson Square | Free (skates $4) | DETAILS

BLIMMERY | It’s time for Blim’s monthly community market. There will be clothing, accessories, vintage trinkets, vinyl and handmade jewellery as well as live music, hot food, cold drinks and the occasional cupcake. Hook yourself up with all kinds of good. See you there.
Sun, Feb. 17 | 12pm | Heritage Hall (3102 Main @15th) | Entry by donation

HUNTING GROUNDS | Local artists and burgeoning curators Alex Quicho and Natasha Broad have wrangled a herd of artists for a show of works on the theme of wilderness. Expressed through a wide range of mediums (from drawing and sculpture to ceramics and stop-motion video), Hunting Grounds is best described by Quicho and Broad as a strange convergence of “an acid trip in the woods, a post-apocalyptic hike to higher ground, the discovery of a new species in your backyard.” All that and beer too? We’re in.
Sat, Feb. 16 | 5-9pm | ECUAD Concourse Gallery | $2 beer | DETAILS

MASON BEES | Spring will be here soon, which is to say that it’s time to start putting together a plan to ensure a healthy garden. Bee’s should be part of that plan. If you’re interested in cultivating a productive green space and want to learn more about how native bees can help you get there, scoot down to Homesteaders Emporium on East Hastings this Saturday. Not only will bee expert Brian Campbell be on site to discuss bee husbandry, he’ll also set you up with some Blue Orchard Mason Bees and teach you everything you need to know to get a nice little colony going at home.
Sat, Feb. 16 | 1:30pm – 3:30pm | Homesteader’s Emporium (649 East Hastings St) | $30

CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE | Get yourself to Chinatown for the Chinese New Year parade this Sunday. Crowds are always huge and rain is often a factor, but don’t be a sissy. This is a Vancouver tradition, rain or shine, so be there! The Parade starts at 11am at the Millennium Gate and travels east along Pender, south onto Gore, west onto Keefer and then ends at Taylor. For some post-parade entertainment, nip in to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens (578 Carrall St) for a tour around the Year of the Snake Temple Fair.
Sun, Feb. 17 | 11am-4pm | Chinatown | Free | DETAILS

SUNDAY DINNER | After a 3 month absence, Sean Heather’s Long Table Series is back and we’re stoked for it. Grab some buddies and settle in for roast beef with yorkshire pudding and roasting jus, all with a 16oz pint Of Grimbergen on the 40 foot communal table this Sunday evening! And don’t fret, there’s a vegetarian option — ratatouille-stuffed filo with a tomato/olive sauce and SOLEfood arugula. Hoorah for Yorkshire Pudding!
Sun, Feb. 17 |  7pm | Salty Tongue ( 213 Carrall St) | $18 | DETAILS

Check the Globe & Mail every Thursday for our Special Weekend Edition of the Scout List

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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. I’m really looking forward to see the Gritty City series, a journey into the city’s growing period and architectural past. I picked up an interesting info in my realtor’s office focusing on historic buildings in Vancouver and apart from seeing the films I’m planning a walk to discover or re-discover these gems.

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