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…

DESIGN | Inform Interiors is hosting an evening lecture with New York-based architect Michael Sheridan this Tuesday night. He’s an expert on 20th-century Danish architecture and will be talking about Danish designer Arne Jacobsen and the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. This particular project was executed in the late 50’s and is of note because it wasn’t just the building that Jacobsen designed, but also the furniture, fixtures and even the knives and forks. The SAS Royal Hotel is featured in the Vancouver Art Gallery exhibition Grand Hotel and this lecture is held in collaboration with the VAG.
Tuesday, May 28 | 7pm | Inform Interiors, 50 Water St | Free | DETAILS

MAKER FAIRE | Mini Maker Faire hits the PNE Forum this weekend. A cross between a science fair, community fair AND a farmers market, Maker Faire will have everything from Lego and architectural origami to textile art and all manner of robots. This is an event that celebrates our power to make, remake, create things, so clear your schedule, snap up a few tickets and roll up your sleeves for a fun day of exhibits, demonstrations, performances and displays.  From perfume and pyrotechnics to food growing and book making, you’ll be sure to find something within that inspires!
June 1 + 2 | 10am-6pm | PNE Forum (2901 E Hastings St) | $15 | DETAILS

ENGAGE | The draft Grandview-Woodland Community Plan will be shared at WISE Hall this weekend. If you live in the area (or just enjoy spending time there) you may want to drop in between noon and 4pm on Saturday to learn about what directions have grown out of the community workshops held this past winter. Give your feedback, help to shape the growth and development of this Vancouver neighbourhood.
Saturday, June 1 | noon-4pm | Wise Hall, 1882 Adanac Street | Free | DETAILS

SAKE SOCIAL | Make your way down to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden for a sake tasting on Saturday night. Wander the soft paths and take in the glow of the moon as you sip on sake. Sounds pretty magical, no? In addition to a sampling of four distinct sakes, there will be Japanese food, fortune telling and a silent auction. Funds raised will be used to support the 37th Annual Powell Street Festival (August 3 and 4 at Oppenheimer Park).
Saturday, June 1 | 7-10pm | Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden (578 Carrall St) | $45  | DETAILS

ART | The hand-painted sign imparts something not impersonal, machine-generated or detached but something that is authentic and worthwhile. Without even thinking about it, we tend to attach faith and nostalgia to signage done by hand. When it’s done well and with care, it’s certainly an art, and in recognition of this, One Shot At Glory: The Art of The Sign Painter opens at The Smash Gallery this week. Timed to coincide with a screening of the Canadian premier of The Sign Painter Movie (showing at The Rio Theatre June 7+ 8th), the show celebrates the works of many local sign artists, some of whom are featured in the film. Check out opening night this Friday and/or poke your head in next next weekend (June 8) to meet some of the artists who will be on site to demonstrate their abilities, talk about their craft, and sign books. This show continues until June 29.
Friday, May 31 | 8pm | Smash Gallery (580 Clarke Drive) | Free | DETAILS

DRINK | It’s Craft Beer Week, kids, and man-o-man is there ever a lot to do. Scout picks would be the Science of Brewing Workshop, The Hillbilly Barbecue at Woodland Smokehouse, Canadian Comforts Dinner at Edible Canada  (Vancouver Island beer and comfort food) and The Friendly Neighbourhood Beer Dinner at Pourhouse. Some events are already sold out, so don’t dilly-dally on the rest. Check out the Craft Beer Week website for a full listing of what’s going on here.
May 31 – June 8 | Various times/venues | DETAILS

INVESTIGATE | Learn what happens with your garbage after it is picked up by the garbage-truck with a guided bus tour of the Vancouver Landfill this weekend. You’ll hear about the landfill’s environmental impact, be impressed by trained hawks (used to control birds in the area), be told about how landfill gas generates electricity and heat and take part in a series of educational activities. Plus, free hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks. The fun never ends at the landfill.
Sat, June 1 | 9:30am–3pm | City of Vancouver Landfill (5400 72 St, Delta) | FREE | DETAILS

GAME ON | It’s been rolling along nicely for several weeks now, but this is the weekend that The Chinatown Night Market officially launches. So what comes along with an official launch? Ping pong for one. This Saturday night Tiger Ping Pong will set up shop with tables, paddles and balls – as program director, Ken Tsui points out: “All people gotta bring is themselves and their game faces.” Fuel up with some Pie Shoppe apple pie, a little Winner Winner Chicken Dinner and maybe even a Potato Tornado and get in line to show your ping pong prowess. Play a few rounds and pass your paddle on to the next person. No competition, just fun.
Saturday, June 1 | Chinatown Night Market Keefer between Main + Cloumbia | Free | DETAILS 

LOCAL HISTORY | 100 years ago a collection of stories, poems and myths were published in the book Legends of Vancouver. On the pages of this book, Canadian writer and poet, Pauline Johnson (also known by her Mohawk name Tekahionwake), gathered and recorded many stories (among them, the myth of Siwash Rock, the story of Deadman’s Island, and Lost Lagoon – all tales related to Stanley Park). Head to Stanley Park this weekend to walk the paths that she walked, stop in the places that she wrote about and hear some of the stories from the collection. View rare historical photographs of Pauline Johnson and leave with a better understanding of the history of your city.
Sunday, June 2 | 1-2:30pm | Lost Lagoon House @ Alberni & Chilco St. | $10 | DETAILS

EAT LOCAL | The West End Farmers Market opens this Saturday and Thornton Park (Main Street) opens next week (Wednesday, June 5). 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
Thornton Park | Wednesdays | 3-7pm | Across from VIA Rail and near the Main St Skytrain Station | Free

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

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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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