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…

VICE | Vice Magazine’s annual photo issue is standard issue amazing. This year, they’ve taken a new approach that sees photographers partnered with other ‘creatives’ to come up with collaborative contributions. In order to promote the awesome results, Vice is throwing a party and photo show at East Van Studio this week. The event features DJ Mish Way of White Lung with refreshments provided by Vancouver Urban Winery. Everything is free. All you have to do is RSVP (19+) here.
Wed, July 31st | 7-11pm | EastVan Studio (870 E Cordova St) from 7-11pm | DETAILS

ART | The Yellow Crane Festival of Art and Design happens on Granville Island this weekend. It’s (literally) a demonstration of the creative process in action as Emily Carr University students and alumni work on projects and pieces – everything from ceramics and book arts to paintings and mixed-media sculptures – in open studios, doing their thing while onlookers observe. Swing down to get a better feel for what is involved in the artistic process. It’s an interactive gig, too. Ask questions, get your hands dirty, take pictures, and buy what you like.
Thu,  Aug. 1 – Sun, Aug. 4 | 11am-4pm | Yellow Crane – Granville Island | DETAILS

BACK TO THE FUTURE | The forecast calls for a sprinkling of rain on Friday, so take shelter with an evening at the movies. The Rio Theatre is screening Back To The Future at midnight. Grab yourself some popcorn and a crisp beer and settle in for some time travel adventure. Extra points for film-related costumes, so dig out that old puffy vest, plaid shirt, and Calvin Klein underwear.
Fri, August 2 | 11pm | Rio Theatre (1660 E Broadway) | $8/$6 | DETAILS

ENGAGE | The Powell Street Festival spreads across Oppenheimer Park this weekend. This annual celebration of Japanese Canadian arts, culture and heritage features everything that you’d expect at a fantastic community festival: dance, music, martial arts demos, craft vendors, traditional Japanese food and a freakin’ sumo tournament! This is 37th year that the Festival has been going on. In that time, it has grown from a small community event to a full-blown arts and culture festival that attracts thousands of visitors. Note: don’t drive to this event, as parking will be a bitch. Hop on the bus. The #14 Hastings takes you right there. Have a look at our photos from last year here.
Sat, August 3 + Sun, August 4 | 11:30am – 7pm | Oppenheimer Park | Free | DETAILS

PRIDE | It’s Pride time people. There are oodles of celebratory events going down this week. As always, the big ticket event is the parade. Beginning at 11am this Sunday, the Vancouver Pride Parade travels along Robson street to Denman, down Denman to Beach Avenue, ending at Sunset Beach (where a proper pride party takes place). For all the juicy bits (dance parties, beer gardens, outdoor markets and live entrainment) leading up to the main event and the full scoop on parade details – skip over to the Pride site here. This deal attracts in excess of 650,000 people, so keep that in mind. Leave the car at home and take lots of good, respectful energy with you.
Sun, Aug. 4 | 11am to 6pm | Everywhere around Davie/Denman/English Bay | Free | DETAILS

INDULGE | Whether you’re craving gourmet popsicles, small batch ice cream, exotic (or just plain weird) gelato flavours or kick-ass ice cream sandwiches, Vancouver has some solid offerings on the frozen dessert front these days. Take some time this week to familiarize yourself with your options. Glenburn Soda Fountain and Confectionery in Burnaby Heights is a good place to start. Glenburn has the feel of a tiny 50’s soda shop and a nostalgic menu to match. Milkshakes, malts, Rickeys, egg creams, floats and sundaes – they’ve got all the old fashioned sweet tooth bases covered. Highlights of a recent visit included Funky Monkey ice cream (that’s a banana base with fudge brownie pieces and a caramel swirl for $4), a tall chocolate malted ($7) and a chocolate sundae ($5.50). It’s summer, so celebrate that! Glenburn Soda Fountain and Confectionery is open Tuesday – Wednesday, 1-8pm, Thursday – Saturday 1-9pm and Sunday 2-8pm.
Glenburn Soda Fountain and Confectionery | 4090 Hastings St. | DETAILS

JAMCOUVER | Sunset Beach is the place to be on Saturday. Take provisions (sunscreen, bathing suit, food and water) because starting at 10am you can catch a show of 60 pro skateboarders negotiating a street course as they compete for a $10,000 prize. That’s hardly a ‘small-potatoes’ purse. This is going to be a fine show of ability. Even if you’re not a skateboarder, sit and indulge in a fine display of grace, gnarl and skill. Also expect vendor booths, live music, giveaways and generally rad vibes. This is a family-friendly event appropriate for all ages. Linger into the evening and catch the Celebration of Light.
Saturday, August 3 | 10am-7pm | Sunset Beach | Free | DETAILS

CHILL | Cates Park is a beautiful North Shore waterfront green space worth a visit in its own right, but if it (and it’s adjoining beach) weren’t enough to get you there, how about the fact that it has free public concerts on Saturdays? Take a picnic basket or load up at the on-site Wally Burger concession (think Chuck Wagon burgers, yam fries and chocolate milkshakes). This week you can look forward to local bands Oh Village, Old Mare and Melissa Endean. Music begins in the late afternoon and continues until about 7pm.
Sat, August 3 | 4 – 7 pm | Cates Park 4141 Dollarton Hwy, North Van | Free | DETAILS

EAT LOCAL |Don’t take your local Farmers Market for granted. The day will come when those hard working framers will pack up and retreat back to the cold, winter rains and you’ll be sorry you didn’t get to more markets. Grab locally grown produce from good people at your neighbourhood farmer’s market. Main Street on Wednesday rocks!

Trout Lake Farmers Market | Saturday | 9am-2pm | Duh, Trout Lake
Kitsilano Farmers Market | Sunday | 10am–2pm | 2690 Larch @ 10th
West End Farmers Market | Saturday | 9am-2pm | 1100 Block Comox
Main Street Thornton Park | Wednesday | 3pm–7pm | Main Street Station at Terminal
UBC: Saturdays | 9-1 | UBC Farm | FREE (but make a donation – they needs the support)
Dundarave: Saturdays | 9am–2pm | Dundarave Village
Ambelside: Sundays| 9am–2pm | Ambleside – parking lot beside Police Station (off of Bellevue/13)

SEA-TO-SKY | Pack up and hit the Sea To Sky highway this weekend. Start in West Vancouver at The Harmony Arts Festival for a cold lemonade and a wander through the craft market showcasing loads of one-of-a-kind pottery, jewellery, textiles, woodwork and glass designs all made by locals. Next, head to Squamish for Squamish Days and the awesome Loggers Sports Festival. Not only will there be bed racing, chair carving and a pancake breakfast, but there will also be axe throwing, tree topping and something called the campfire showdown. There’s plenty to eat in Squamish (in addition to loads of festival food, because Saturday is Farmers Market Day), but save your appetite. Further up the Sea-to-Sky in Whistler you will find the The Bull’s-Eye Canadian National BBQ Championships. That’s three days of BBQ-related activities in various locations around town, the highlight of which will be the ‘Whole Lotta Ribs / Whole Lotta Led’ all-you-can-eat rib dinner and Led Zeppelin’ cover band at Dusty’s Bar. Finish your trip off with a Long Table dinner set outdoors at Whistler’s beautiful Lost Lake with Chef James Walt of Araxi. It’s a stunner of a setting and Chef Walt is a genius with local ingredients.
HARMONY ARTS FESTIVAL | August 2-11 | Ambleside, West Van | Free | DETAILS
SQUAMISH DAYS | August 1-5 | DETAILS
BULL’S EYE BBQ, WHISTLER | August 2-4 | DETAILS
ARAXI LONG TABLE, WHISTLER | Saturday, August 3 | $175 | DETAILS

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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