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 theirs…and yours!

PuSh | The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival is on, filling stages and unlikely venues around the city with live local and international performing arts. We’re looking forward to The Human Library (17–19, 24–26, 31, February 1–2), a performance piece that allows patrons visiting the third floor of the main branch of the Vancouver Public Library to “check out” a human and “read” them in short (20min) one-on-one question periods. Humans available span an awesomely wide range, from Born Again Christians to Drag Queens. As PuSh explains: “The Human Library project emerged over a decade ago in Denmark as a creative method to unpack hate within a community and discuss our prejudices and misunderstandings in intimate conversations one-on-one.” This performance is free and open to all, and books are available on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the performance. Human Library is just one of many events happening this week. With so many events to choose from, it’s a good idea to have a bit of a game plan. Click the link below and make one!
January 14 – February 2 | Various venues, Various prices | DETAILS

REWILD | There’s a Built City lecture going down at the Museum of Vancouver this week. As explained by the MOV, these lectures are a series of talks aimed at engaging “city thinkers from all disciplines and areas of interest to make connections between community, policy and governance, to the ideals and economics of architectural theory and practice.” Thursday’s talk is entitled Beyond Green Urbanism, Towards Restorative Urban Environments. Join in as the conversation explores the sometimes destructive but potentially restorative relationship between city and nature. This lecture is sure to be thought-provoking. UPDATE: This event is now full, wait list only.
Thurs, Jan. 16 | 7pm | Museum of Vancouver (1100 Chestnut Street) | $12 | DETAILS

FILM | Spike Jonze has a new movie out. Her, starring Joaquin Phoenix (as well as Amy Adams and Scarlett Johansson), is playing at The Rio Theatre all week. IMBD explains it thusly: “A lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased operating system that’s designed to meet his every need.” Nothing like seat in a cozy theatre with a good flick to warm up a January evening! Pro tip: Cheap Date Night (Tuesday) admission is only $6.
Now through Jan 23 | 7 & 9:45pm | The Rio Theatre (1660 E Broadway) | $12 | DETAILS

GIG | The band Cloud Control are in visiting from the UK to play songs from their latest release “Dream Cave”. They’ve been called psych-pop, Alt-rock and Rock-pop – and they are all of those things – light, catchy and dream-like. Originally from Australia and now based in the UK, the four piece reportedly recorded Dream Cave in caves of the English countryside in order to achieve the desired acoustic vibe – that’s why we think that hearing the band in the deep, dark, and velvety Biltmore Cabaret will lend itself nicely to an optimal experience. Have a listen to the band here. Tickets are cheap ($15) and the Biltmore isn’t in the business of bad times.
Thurs, Jan 16 | Doors 8pm | The Biltmore (2755 Prince Edward St.) | $15 | DETAILS

KNOW YOUR CITY | Check out the Secrets of the Penthouse tour this Thursday night. Led by the good folks at Forbidden Vancouver, this tour will reveal the juicy secrets and varied histories of Vancouver’s most infamous stripclub. Meet owner Danny Filippone, hear star-studded stories, take in the wall of historical photographs, catch a bit of burlesque, and learn about police raids, murders and fires. As you can imagine, this event will be popular and, although there are two tours running, it will likely sell out. Don’t wait to get a ticket. Pounce now.
Thu, Jan 16 | 6:15pm + 7:15pm | The Penthouse (1019 Seymour) | $49 | DETAILS

LEARN | The Vancouver Institute starts its Spring lecture season with a talk by Anthropologist, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence and CBC Massey Lecture super-star Wade Davis this Saturday night. Davis, whom David Suzuki has called “a rare combination of scientist, scholar, poet and passionate defender of all of life’s diversity”, will be speaking on the topic of The Sacred Headwaters region of BC. Expect a to hear about the region’s beauty as well as the threats to it.  Davis is a gifted speaker, and as far as I’m concerned, listening to him talk about the benefits of vacuum cleaners would likely be compelling. But on the Sacred Headwaters, salmon and the threat of environmental devastation? Sign me up. This is going to be a good use of time.
Sat, Jan 18 | 8:15pm | Lecture Hall No. 2 | Woodward Instructional Resources Centre, UBC | DETAILS

DINE OUT | Strapped for cash after the holidays but still keen on exploring Vancouver’s diverse culinary scene? Enter the 12th annual Dine Out Vancouver restaurant festival – the largest of its kind in Canada. This is the week to map out a plan of attack (with over 260 participating restaurants offering discounted, multi-course, prix fixe meals, you’ll need one!). Reservations are now being accepted. Be sure to also check out the exclusive screening of Jiro Dreams of Sushi at the Shangri-La Hotel (UPDATE: this event is SOLD OUT), Street Food City III, and The Grape Debate. See you out there!
January 17 – February 2 | Various Locations | Various Prices | DETAILS

ART | Joseph Staples’ Economy of Image (Curated by Wil Aballe) is showing at the Leo Koo Gallery. If you’re one of those people who has an appreciation for street art, you may already be familiar with Staples work around town. The artist is known for using photocopy images to create collages in alleyways, underpasses and corners all around the city. The show at the Leo Koo Gallery is less paste-up and more concept. From the Gallery: “In this new body of work, Staples’ focus has changed to where the image has become less important than the line made by cutting. With the image gone, the trace remains of process are what have become significant. The space between two images collaged together is only as wide as the line that divides them. That line is infinitely small; one could zoom in on it forever and always still see white on one side and black on the other. By eliminating the image we are able to focus on what that line does and the subtle shifts between on/off or negative/positive and the tension between the two resting on that line. This is explored as a series of light boxes and rubbings.” Economy of Image runs until February 1st. Hours are Tuesday – Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 11 am to 5 pm, and by appointment on Mondays and Sundays.
Now – February 1 | Leo Koo Gallery (1639 West 3rd Ave) | DETAILS

NATURE | An Eagle plucking a salmon from a river is one of those National Geographic moments that you are able to experience through the lens of your own eyes in British Columbia. Take a drive up the Sea-To-Sky highway this weekend and go for a walk along the river bank between Squamish and Brackendale. There you’ll find a raised “Eagle Viewing Dyke” that offers a walk with breathtaking views, ample opportunity for eagle, spawning salmon and seal sightings. On Saturdays and Sundays, you’ll also find volunteer Eagle Watch Interpreters who can point out eagles and explain their behaviour to you. Eagles are in their highest numbers in this area until early February. DETAILS

WINTER FARMERS MARKET | Winter can be tough. Stay strong, take your vitamins, and eat well by loading the fridge with fresh, local food. Shoot over to 30th and Ontario to get your fill of fruits and veggies. Look for kale, crispy apples, leeks, beets, potatoes and squash, as well as goodies like baked goods, preserves and local honey.
Sat, Jan 18 | 10am – 2pm | East Parking Lot Nat Bailey Stadium | 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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