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. You can also check it out in the Globe & Mail, from our calendar to yours…

LATE NIGHT JELLYFISH | How cool would it be to hang out at the Vancouver Aquarium after hours? No view-hogging children (damn them!) or toe-crunching strollers, just gentle darkness with the soothing sounds of water and jellyfish. How could it get better? Enter After Hours, an evening of engaging awesomeness set inside the aquarium. Guests can enjoy wine, beer and some food during the grown-up evening, the educational focus of which is on The Secret Sex Lives of Animals. Expect a scientific talk from the staff veterinarian, an interactive learning show with live animals, and a seahorse romance segment that will bring you up to speed on your aquatic mating knowledge. Bingo! Thursday night is your chance. (I was just kidding about the children and strollers. But not really.)
Thur, Sept. 19 | 6-10pm | Vancouver Aquarium (845 Avison Way), Stanley Park | $25 | DETAILS

ARCHITECTURE | September is such an inspiring time to wander the grounds of any university, and UBC no exception. It’s a wonderfully walkable place full of beautiful buildings and rich history. Find out a little bit about its architecture by tagging along on a Heritage Vancouver Society tour of unique International-style architecture on campus this Thursday. Architect Gerry Mcgeogh will guide participants through a number of restored modernist (international-style) buildings and point out how this style and era of development is evidenced in the built environment of the University. Mcgeogh will offer insights in to the cultural landscape approach to heritage conservation employed by UBC and will explain how successful seismic upgrading has considered the preservation of heritage buildings. Stick around after the tour for a discussion over pints at Mahony & Son’s Pub (5990 University Blvd).
Thur, Sept. 19 | 4-6pm | Leon and Thea Koerner University Centre (6331 Crescent Rd) | DETAILS

PECHA KUCHA | Pecha Kucha Night goes down this week. As per usual, the gathering of local creatives will be presenting 20 images for 20 seconds each on what inspires/drive/tickles them. The special thing about this particular edition is its “Hidden Heroes” focus. Vancouver’s PechaKucha has invited the hidden heroes of the local film industry to take the stage. PKN remains one of the greatest mind-expanding, culturally significant ways to spend your time. The speaker line-up sees a great range of locals who have plenty of insight to share (expect to hear from writers, directors, producers, technicians, composers and actors). Tickets are already sold out, so check Facebook, Craigslist and your roommate’s pockets.
Fri, Sept. 20 | Doors 6:30 | Vogue Theatre (918 Granville St) | $15 | DETAILS

LANTERNS | This Saturday welcomes the Renfrew Ravine Still Moon Festival.  It’s a excellent twilight celebration of art, music, environmental stewardship, and community participation. Start your full moon experience in the afternoon at the Slocan Park with a harvest festival. As dusk gathers, lanterns will be lit and a procession will begin to form. Jump in and follow along as it winds through alleyways and forested ravine pathways until it reaches Renfrew Park. As night falls in the park, the magic begins. Wander to take in lantern installations, learn about salmon, rivers and ravines, enjoy roaming performers and live music, and make sure to stop for some tea and moon cake in the Renfrew Field Tea Garden. This really is a fantastic event. Scout goes every year and we’re freaking stoked for it!
Sat, Sept. 21 | Slocan Park Harvest Fair, 4-7pm | 7:30-9pm Lanterns, Renfrew Park | DETAILS

ART | The Equinox Gallery launches a show of Gordon Smith’s works this Saturday.  The West Vancouver resident is now in his 90’s, and he has a substantial amount of work to show. Head down to Equinox’s new mammoth space on Great Northern Way to take in his ‘Studio Abstractions’ show in the East Gallery and “Shore Lines” in the West Gallery.
Sat, Sept. 21 | Equinox Gallery (525 Great Northern Way) | DETAILS

MOONCAKES | Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen gardens on Sunday. The Garden will be open from 10-5:30pm for a children’s story time (author Loretta Seto reads her book “Mooncakes” at 10:30am, 11:15am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 1:45pm) as well as Traditional Chinese Music Performances (2:30–3:00pm and again from 3:30 – 4pm),  a Tea Ceremony, numerous traditional Chinese games and, of course, the relaxing and beautiful gardens themselves.
Sun, Sept. 22 | 10am-4pm | Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Gardens (578 Carrall) | DETAILS

HARVEST FESTIVAL | Strathcona’s McLean Park is always a good place to be, but this Sunday is the annual Harvest Festival, which is to say (rain or shine) that the park is going to extra-rock. Expect live music (lots of it), potato sack racing, pie, and a huge potluck. There will be community booths and tables, some story-telling and face-painting, and a lot of hanging around talking to cool people. How super friendly does that sound? See you there!
Sun, Sept. 22 | 12pm to 4pm | McLean Park, Strathcona (Keefer & Heatley) | Free | DETAILS

LEARN | Take advantage of plethora of apples, tomatoes and seeds waiting to be harvested. For only $55 you can get in on an afternoon of proper homesteading with a trifecta of skilled sources. First, the clever plant wonks from Victory Gardens will school you on how to save seeds for next year. Next, the tomato sauce maven Maya Sciarretta of Sugo Sauce will be on hand to teach you how to cook and can authentic Italian tomato sauce. Finally, The Pie Shoppe ladies will let you in on how they turn out such an amazing West Coast Apple Pie. This is a hands-on gig, so be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get a little messy (you won’t mind so much when you walk away from the day with your own tomato sauce, apple pie and a bushel of smudgy herbs). One catch: BYO rolling pin.
Sun, Sept. 22 | 11am-2pm | The Pie Shoppe (721 Gore Ave) | $55 | DETAILS

NATURE | Ever walk through Stanley Park and wonder what animals might be hiding close by? The folks at the Stanley Park Ecology Society are gearing up to teach interested Vancouverites about the variety of signs – from tracks and droppings to pathways and nests – that animals leave in the forest. Once you’ve taken this informative walk through the park, you’ll be much better equipped to anticipate park residents such as skunks and racoons, coyotes and owls. Wear sensible footwear for this two hour walk and talk and come out a more informed city dweller. The SPES Nature House is located on the south-east shore of Lost Lagoon under the viewing plaza at the north end of Alberni Street.
Sun, Sept. 22 | 1:30pm – 3:30pm | Stanley Park Ecology Society – Nature House | $10 | DETAILS

CHOW | This is your last chance to hit Food Cart Fest for 2013. Take advantage of the fact that a flock of some 20 food trucks will be parked around communal tables ready to feed you. Expect Soho Road, Mom’s Grilled Cheese, Mogu, Roaming Dragon, Vij’s, Yolks, and Tacofino – maybe even The Juice Truck. And the fun doesn’t stop there. There will also be live music, a community market, and all manner of ancillary vendors making it the raddest bit of undeveloped real estate in the city. Food Cart Fest is located between Olympic Village and Cambie St. Bridge. We’ll be sad to see it go!
Sun, Sept. 22 | 12-5pm | 215 West 1st Avenue $2 entry charge | 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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