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…

CINEMA SALON | Every month, Vancity Theatre’s Cinema Salon producer Melanie Friesen asks a prominent Vancouverite to present their favourite film and speak to its greatness. This month, Dr. Ron Burnett, President and Vice-Chancellor of Emily Carr University of Art + Design presents director Jean Renoir’s La Règle du Jeu (The Rules of the Game). Often named as one of the greatest films in the history of cinema, The Rules of the Game is a film about class, politics and romance set on the eve of World War II. Stay after the screening for a drink and movie related conversation.
Tues, May 14 | 7:30pm | Vancity Theatre (1181 Seymour) | $13 | DETAILS

ART | The Positive Negative Gallery is gearing up for a polaroid photography show. “Beautiful Decay” launches this Thursday night and showcases the work of 30 artists from around the world (Germany, Sweden, England, Italy, Czech Republic, Australia, Brazil as well as the USA and Canada). As the gallery explains, this is a show that “sharpens its gaze on disorder and desolation, where memories are forgotten and left behind, and the laws of entropy take hold: the cracks and blood and decay of modern life. Everything grows older, yet is beautiful in its release.” If you can’t make it down on opening night, don’t worry. This show runs until June 1.
Thurs, May 16 | 7pm | Positive Negative Gallery (436 Columbia St) | Free | DETAILS

MORE ART | Don’t be sad that the Emily Carr Grad Show comes to an end this week. Cram as much in as you can before the show comes down on Sunday and then move on to some of the lovely off-shoot exhibitions like the photography show You Came Here By Chance at 221a Gallery. A group exhibition featuring a band of talented 2013 photography graduates from Emily Carr, You Came Here By Chance explores the idea of space in relation to environment and is intended to move the viewer to consider their relationships with the spaces they occupy. I caught quick glimpse of some of these works at The ECUAD Grad Show, and know that making the trip down to Chinatown for the opening reception will be worthwhile. Participating artists include Shannon McCubbin, Andy Jenkins, Avalon Mott, Jeff Downer, Caelan Warnock, Adria Leduc, Olivia Lowe, Sewari Campillo, Caroline Halley and David Peters.
May 16 – May 21 | 221a Artist Run Centre (221 E Georgia) | Free and inspiring | DETAILS

GIG | American indie rock band Yo La Tengo is in town. On the scene since the mid eighties and still blowing away critics and fans, these talented musicians are touring in support of their latest release “Fade”. They’ll be playing a few sets, one electric an one acoustic, at The Commodore on Saturday night.
Sat, May 18 | Doors 8pm | The Commodore Ballroom ( 868 Granville St) | $25 | DETAILS

CHOCOLATE | The newly opened East Van Roasters offers tastings of house-roasted coffee, drinking chocolate and flights of single origin chocolates. Slip into the beautiful Carrall Street shop (wooden tables and benches, original tile floors, brick walls and overhead windows) to sip and taste your fill while watching staffers winnow cacao beans and roast coffee.
East Van Roasters | 319 Carrall St. (next to Nelson The Seagull, across from Pidgin).

NATURE | Mosses and lichens are everywhere – part of the west coast landscape that we take for granted. Why are they so prevalent here? What are they all about? What do they do for us? Hook up with botanist Terry Taylor this Sunday to get the full story on what those fuzzy mosses and soft lichens can tell us about things like air quality, the history of a forest, and more. Any Sunday afternoon activity that can leave you better informed about your city and environment is a good one in our books! To pre-register, email [email protected].
Sun, May 19 | 1:30-3:30 | Stanley Park Nature House on Lost Lagoon | $10 | DETAILS

VINYL | Hustle over to the Cambrian Hall (just off of Main at 17th) on Saturday and Sunday to pick through box upon box of records at the Main Street Vinyl Record Fair! Talk old school stereo equipment, wear your old concert t-shirts, and marvel at the fact that there are still people out there who collect cassette tapes.
Sat, May 18 + Sun, May, 19 | 11am-4pm | Cambrian Hall (215 E 17th) | $2 at the door | DETAILS

FOOD FIGHT | Some of this city’s best chefs and bartenders will congregate at Vancouver Urban Winery this Sunday night to participate in Food Fight, a fundraising smörgasbord that will raise money for highly respected and much loved local chef, Owen Lightly. Owen is fighting cancer right now and he could use a little help by way of positive energy and relief from worrying about how his bills are going to be paid. All participating parties have donated time, energy and product to the evening, as have a seriously impressive collection of suppliers and artisan producers. Although tickets are now sold-out, more will likely be released at the door. Tickets for Food Fight are only $60, with the bar operating by donation, so be sure to bring cash. 100% of the ticket sales and proceeds of this fundraiser will go directly to Owen. If you can’t make it, you can donate by clicking next to the ticket sales box.
Sun, May 19 | 7pm | Vancouver Urban Winery (55 Dunlevy Ave) | $60 DETAILS
UPDATE: FOOD FIGHT IS NOW SOLD OUT. The venue is at capacity and no additional tickets can be sold. 

SCRUB UP | Learn how to make your own soap at The Homesteaders Emporium this week. There’s something very satisfying about making a product from scratch using your own hands. Get into it! Instructors will teach you how to blend oils and mix lye to produce handmade moisturizing, chemical-free bars of soap. (this Sunday’s class will focus on making vegan soap but the process and technique that you pick up can be easily applied to tallow soaps as well).
Sun, May 19 | 11am – 1pm | Homesteader’s Emporium (649 East Hastings St)

PLAN AHEAD | There is always something great going on that I’d like to write about but can’t because it has sold out. In an effort to get ahead of the game on this, The Scout List will occasionally include details of an event to plan ahead for. Case in point: Buying and Shooting Vintage Cameras with Trade School Vancouver. TSV is a barter-for-knowledge learning community wherein Vancouverites can sign up to take classes and pay their teachers in goods or services rather than cash. There are a few great sounding events on the horizon that you should look in to now, before they fill up. Buying and Shooting Vintage/Film Cameras goes down next Thursday, instructor Stephanie Fayewill lead a class focused (pun intended) on how to go analog. The self-confessed camera-obsessed Faye will talk about where to find quality equipment, how to tell good from bad, and what to do with your old school camera once you’ve got it.
Thursday, May 23 | The Hive (128 West Hastings St.) | Barter | Get on it

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

——————————————————————————————-

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.

——————————————————————————————–