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…

GOT CRAFT | With handmade and DIY culture so strong these days, there are fewer and fewer reasons why discerning Vancouverites would ever have to head to a big-box store for holiday shopping. The good folks at Got Craft? recognize this and work hard to bring together some of the finest artisans, designers and makers in the city to one location in order to deliver the best in local and handmade quality. So swing by the Maritime Labour Centre this weekend (Saturday and Sunday) to check out what people living, designing and producing in your community have to offer and skip the trip to the mall. Bonus: Not only will there be over 75 vendors selling everything from cupcakes and t-shirts to jewellery and stationary, but – if you act fast – you can also sign up for a Beginner Hand Lettering Workshop ($48) and leave with great holiday gifts AND a new skill. Support local, folks. Visit Got Craft!
Sat & Sun, Dec 14 & 15 | 10am-8pm Sat, 10am-5pm Sun | 1880 Triumph St | DETAILS

PHOTOGRAPHY | North Vancouver’s Presentation House Gallery is holding a holiday photography book sale this weekend. As Western Canada’s largest non-profit photographic gallery you can expect that there will be a healthy selection of items to sift through. While the sale will offer both contemporary and vintage images as well as PHG publications and books on photography, the exhibition will include “rare tintypes, albumen photographs, carte de visite, photogravures and silver gelatin prints”. There are some really fascinating books in the collection! Take an online tour here.
Dec 14-Dec 22 | 12–5pm | Presentation House Gallery (333 Chesterfield Ave) | DETAILS

CHEER | If you’re looking for a way to get in to the holiday spirit, consider hitting Christ Church Cathedral for an evening of music performed by the Coastal Sound Youth Choir. Sure, you’ll hear a selection of traditional carols that would make Bing Crosby proud, but this choir will also throw in some old school rock and indie tracks. Plus, Christ Church Cathedral is a stunning venue. Instant cheer.
Sun, Dec 15 | 7:30 | Christ Church Cathedral (690 Burrard) | $20 / Kids $10 | DETAILS

DESIGN | When was the last time you sat down with a pile of Lego? If it was a while ago, consider how this weekend brings a chance to rectify your poor judgement in the use of your recreational time. The Museum of Vancouver is currently showing Play House: The Architecture of Daniel Evan White and they’ve asked some grown-ups who they know to be good with Lego (the Vancouver Brick Games, the Vancouver LEGO Club and local Lego enthusiast, Johnathon Vaughn Strebly) to hang around the museum this Saturday and help you play with Lego in a way that compliments the architectural theme of the show. Take a wander through the Daniel Evan White exhibit for inspiration and then build your own Modernist masterpiece. Get creative. A number of workshops are available.
Sat, Dec 14 | 11am – 5pm | Museum of Vancouver (1100 Chestnut) | DETAILS

BREAD | When winter settles in there are few things as comforting as coming in from the cold to a home filled with the smell of fresh baking. Head out to UBC Farm this Friday to take part in Knead to Know, a bread-making workshop lead by artisan baker Florin Moldovan.  This beginner workshop will arm you with what you need to know to make excellent loaves at home using readily available ingredients. Moldovan will cover everything from grains and techniques to folklore and the science behind making the perfect loaf of bread.
Fri, Dec 13 | 5:30-8:30pm | UBC Farm (6182 South Campus Rd.) | $35 | DETAILS

POSADA NAVIDENA | The Museum of Anthropology is currently showing The Marvellous Real, Art from Mexico, 1926-2011. The show boasts over fifty pieces of abstract and surreal art – painting, sculpture and mixed media as well as photography, video, and more. In keeping with the Mexican theme, the museum is holding a Posada Navidena procession this weekend. From The MOA: “Posadas are a cultural tradition rooted in the blending of Christianity with Mesoamerican cultures. The word posada means shelter or lodging, and refers to the place Jesus Christ was born. With roots in Spain and Catholicism, the posada has been practiced in Mexico since the 16th century. To this day, people in Mexico and Central America mark the nine days for Christmas by holding a posada each night. The Posada Navidena at MOA will feature a procession with musicians singing the letania and culminate in the breaking of a traditional pinata in MOA’s Great Hall.” This event is free with Museum admission.
Sat, Dec 14 | 11-2 | Museum of Anthropology (6393 NW Marine Dr, UBC) | $16.75 | DETAILS

FINALLY | The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug comes to the big screen on Friday. If there is one movie that you should make it to the theatre for this month, it’s got to be this one. Orcs and goblins just don’t translate with as much disgusting awesomeness at home as they do in the theatre, and nothing says holiday season like a Peter Jackson flick.
Fri, Dec 13 | TRAILER

MESSIAH | Handel’s Messiah takes the stage at the Orpheum Saturday night. The Vancouver Bach Choir will perform accompanied by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Music Director Leslie Dala). There isn’t too much more that you need to know about that. It’s going to be awesome, in the truest sense of the word.
Sat, Dec 14 | 8pm | The Orpheum (601 Smithe St) | $25 – $59 | DETAILS

EXPLORE | There are two great reasons to make your way to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Chinatown this weekend: lantern-making and tea. Winter Solstice is approaching (December 21) and the Gardens will once again be the end point for a community solstice parade. Be prepared for the mid-winter procession by using this Saturday afternoon to construct your own lantern to carry next week. And then Sunday is Tea Day at the Gardens. Wander the paths and take in the calm (it’s beautiful in any weather) and then head inside to warm up with afternoon tea. Experts will explain the different types of tea and provide some interesting information about the historical and cultural traditions surrounding tea drinking. You can even paint a pair of porcelain teacups for your own home ($5). There’s an ancient Chinese Proverb that says: “Better to be deprived of food for three days than tea for one.” Word.
LANTERNS | Sat, Dec 14 | 2-4pm | Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden (578 Carrall St) | $15 | DETAILS
TEA | Sun, Dec 15 | 1-4pm | Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden (578 Carrall St) | $12 | DETAILS

EAT LOCAL | The Holiday Farmers Market is on, so spread the love with some local food. Not only will there be lots of good grub (right now you can expect to see fresh kale, beets, fennel, artisan breads, dried fruits, preserves, cheeses), but with this special holiday edition of the Farmers Market boasting over 75 vendors, there will also be things like beeswax candles and infused honeys, candy and baked goods, crafts and more.
Sat, Dec 14 | 10am–4pm | Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commercial Dr) | 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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