A no messing around guide to the coolest things to eat, drink and do in Vancouver and beyond. Community. Not clickbait.

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

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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…

ART | Poke your head in to the tiny but very rad gallery portion of the Antisocial Skateboard Shop this week to check out the current Tears of Joy show by Derrick Fast. We did,  and it was impressive. Fast is showing a series of paintings and a super-cool installation. Prices are good and talent is solid. Also, it’s pretty much a guarantee that you’ll meet some nice people while you’re in the shop. Antisocial is good peeps, and they do a job of attracting like-minded friendlies.
Now – Dec 2 | Mon – Sat 11- 6, Sun 12 – 5 | Antisocial Skateboard Shop (2337 Main St.) | DETAILS

PECHA KUCHA | We dig Pecha Kucha plenty. What is it? In dozens of cities around the world, different groups of people from the local “creative” community are asked to speak in front of their peers. Each presenter is allowed 20 images, and each one is shown for 20 seconds. This gives each presenter 6 minutes and 40 seconds before the lights dim and the next presenter is announced, keeping it concise and episodic with the interest level always topped up, giving more people the chance to show and tell.. From what we understand the line-up for #30 is looking pretty sweet (Lyndon Cormack from Herschel Supply Co. will be there, along with Alicia Medina, Founder and Director at Laboratory of Housing Alternatives, and artist Zoe Pawlak to name just a few). It’s also sold out, so stay tuned on Scout for a ticket giveaway!
Nov. 20 | 6:30 pm | The Vogue Theatre (918 Granville) | $15 | DETAILS 

CRAFT | Pick up the first steps in the craft of making your own sake at The Homesteaders Emporium this weekend. Learn the basics about equipment and ingredients required,  as different rice grades and how to prepare rice for the process of making sake. Also covered: sanitization precautions, variety, the fermentation process, and how to monitor and adjust your sake for taste. You’ll also learn how to finish your sake and how you can use leftover sake kasu in other recipes. All of that information AND a Sake Making Starter Kit (koji, sake kasu, rice, 1L mason jar and a cheese cloth) so that you can leave with a sample of your efforts to watch and tend to as it ferments.
Nov. 21 | 6:30-8pm | Homesteader’s Emporium (649 E Hastings) | $40 | DETAILS

THINK | Genetically modified crops (think corn, soy, canola) are a large portion of our diets in Canada already. As the trend continues (we’re inching closer to seeing modified apples and even salmon hit the market) it’s important to think about what the implications of increased engineering could have on our diet, environment and economy. If you are curious about this topic, consider sitting in on a cross-Canada speaker’s tour on genetically engineered foods featuring presentations by Dr. Thierry Vrain (retired soil biologist and genetic engineer) and Dr. Shiv Chopra (former Health Canada senior scientific advisor who exposed Monsanto’s use of GE bovine growth hormone). Dr. Vrain and Dr. Chopra will address the topic of GE foods and human health from both a scientific and a regulatory perspective. Smart people talking about important things – that’s what Thursdays are for.
Thurs, Nov 21 | 2-4pm | Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability | DETAILS

LISTEN | Rain City Chronicles continues its run with storytelling in unique venues around town this week with two evenings of school related tales. Pencils and Playgrounds (November 21) goes down in the gym at Lord Strathcona Elementary School and Chalk and Lockers (November 22) takes over the auditorium at Templeton Secondary. Rain City Chronicles believes that everyone has a great personal story to tell and they make it their business to create opportunities for our communities to share them. This week Raincity Chronicles has gathered a diverse roster of Vancouverites to speak to the general theme of School. “Whether you were a teacher’s pet, shy wallflower, sweaty jock or smoke-pit regular, we’ve got a great line-up of storytellers to make you laugh, cry and ooze nostalgia.” And it gets even better… the evening comes complete with a cafeteria-style dinner. Prior to the stories, guests grab a plastic tray, line-up and choose one of four distinctive re-interpretations of the classic lunch-time specials from your elementary or high school days (think shepherd’s pie, sloppy joes, mac n’ cheese, and pizza). Raincity always sells out, don’t miss out.
Thu, Nov. 21 | 6pm | Lord Strathcona Elementary School | DETAILS
Fri, Nov. 22 |  6pm | Templeton Secondary | DETAILS

FUSE | This is a good weekend to take small people to the Vancouver Art Gallery. It’s Family Fuse Weekend and there will be all sorts of fantastic fun afoot. This edition of Family FUSE will be focused on the theme of ‘story telling’. Expect performers, dancers, musicians, spoken word performers and other creative artists leading workshops and tours that will include story telling as well as story building. Catch a Haida-inspired graffiti demonstration, sit in on some live storytelling with Quelemia Stacey Sparrow (Musqueam Nation), watch a film or give Douglas Coupland a hand building a Lego tower. Get creative! Kids under 12 get in for free with a paying adult.
Sat-Sun, Nov. 23-24 | 10am–5pm | Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby St) | $17 | DETAILS

HOUSING THE ARTS | Roll up your sleeves and get a little messy with a grown-up evening of art and creativity. The good peeps from the Laboratory Of Housing Alternatives are joining forces with folks from Late Nite Art and The Dinner Project to bring you an intimate evening of collaborative art, good music, fine Persian-inspired cuisine and delightful and progressive discussion about the importance of supporting a vibrant arts community through affordable and adequate spaces to live and work. Admission includes workshop and food. Drinks will be available at a cash bar.
Sat, Nov. 23 | School of Chalk (593 E. Georgia St) | $35 | DETAILS

PRINT | Everyone loves a good bit of letterpress printing, right?  For those of you who love letterpress so much that you’ve even daydreamed about what you could do if you could get your hands on some moveable type and ink, this weekend brings a phenomenal opportunity to learn how to execute your own designs at a card-making workshop going down at Porchlight Press. Gain access to and instruction on how to use a antique Vandercook letterpress machine and various wood and metal type. The cost for this class is considerable ($95) but, for that price you will be printing your own design in a stunning studio space with an impressive instructor to student ratio (8 students, 3 teachers) and you’ll be fed snacks along the way and leave with 20 cards (and envelopes).
Sun, Nov. 24th | 1-5pm | Porchlight Press (#204 – 25 East 6th Ave) | $95 | DETAILS

HISTORY | Vancity Theatre is screening Reflecting the City: Vintage Movies from the City of Vancouver Archives. In addition to live musical accompaniment by pianist Wayne Stewart, well known Vancouver historian Michael Kluckner will be on site to offer commentary a variety of clips gathered together from archival footage, home movies, newsreels, ads and and television clips. From Vancity Theatre: “Experience Vancouver’s outdoor pastimes in the 1940s. Flash back to the 1960s with a rain dance in Kitsilano. Ride through 1970s Vancouver from the perspective of a cyclist. Witness the city’s transition leading up to Expo ’86. Spend an afternoon with us and relive Vancouver’s past.” Get to know your city.
Sun, Nov. 24 | 2pm | Vancity Theatre (1181 Seymour St) | DETAILS

BIRDS OF A FEATHER | Grab a hot coffee or tea to keep your hands warm and scoot down to Stanley Park for a guided walk through trails and along paths that will focus on the varied and beautiful bird life of the park. Learn how to identify a different species, hear a little bit about seasonal bird behaviour, and fill your lungs with some outstanding fresh air while you’re at it. It’s not pouring, folks. Don’t take that for granted!
Sun, Nov. 24 | 9-11am | Stanley Park Ecology Society – Nature House | $By donation | 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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