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!

LISTEN | Sam Sullivan’s Public Salon: Ideas that Move the City goes down at the Playhouse this Wednesday night. It’s sort of like a Pecha Kucha night, only it’s not. The deal is that you listen to a line-up of cool/interesting people speak for 7 minutes each on subjects that they are passionate about. It’s a fast-paced evening of ideas and experiences from people who are making a difference in Vancouver. The confirmed speakers at this Salon will be Bal Arneson, the Spice Goddess; Rosemary Conder, an Elephant Advocate and Caregiver; Bruno Freschi, Architect; Charles Montgomery the author of The Happy City; Choreographer Crystal Pite, and Dancers from her Company, Kidd Pivot; Steve Rio, A Social Change Digital Visionary; Kishor Wasan who runs a network of researchers who are interested in Neglected Global Diseases; and Shentian Zheng, a Chinese Modern Art Critic.
Wed, Feb 19 | 7:30-9pm | Vancouver Playhouse (Hamilton & Dunsmuir) | $15 | DETAILS

DESIGN | New media guru (and fine gentleman besides) Nikolas Badminton will be at Emily Carr this week to talk about the opinions and trends that he anticipates will make their mark on 2014. Badminton works developing brand identity and strategy for start-ups (he is the principal of DesignCultureMind). He bolsters his intuitive skills up with a background in cognitive psychology, human interaction, social network theory and web engagement. It’s hard to comprehend the scope, but expect to hear Nikolas cover everything from “…the maker movement, healthcare, the quantified self, the Internet of things, holacracy, amoeba management.” Also, Nik will likely throw in a thing or two about music and tattoos, because he’s sort of an aficionado in those areas, too. Seriously, this is a man who knows more than enough to fill an hour on the stage, so take advantage of this opportunity.
Thurs, Feb 20 | 12pm – 1pm | Room 285E, North Building Social + Interactive Media (SIM) Centre | Emily Carr University of Art + Design | DETAILS

JOURNEY | Photographers Adam Stenhouse and Michelle Peters are showing a series of their images at the Beaumont Studios this week. “Journey” captures the spirit of exploration and sense of space. Peters’ images, all photographed through the window of a moving vehicle on the I-90, convey the beauty of common roadside scenes transformed into abstract blurs via movement, while Stenhouse uses diptychs to ask the question, “is it the house we inhabit or the landscape that makes a home?” Journey continues until March 8. That’s not a long time, so get in and take a look while the walls are full. Gallery hours are Thursday – Sunday 12-6pm.
Opening Reception: Thurs, Feb 20 | 6-9pm | Beaumont Studios (316 West 5th Ave) | Free | DETAILS

SKATE | Get up and get your blood flowing by hitting Robson Square for a final lap or twelve around the ice rink. It closes for the season next week so don’t wait around. Take your thermal mug, some nice thick gloves, and some cash (although skating is free, equipment rentals are ‘cash only’ – skates $4, helmets $2). Rink hours are Sunday through Thursday, 9am-9pm, Friday and Saturday 9am-11pm.
Now – Feb. 28, 2014 | Robson Square Ice Rink (800 Robson St @ Howe) | Free | DETAILS

KUBRICK | The ‘Midnight Movie’ at the Rio this week is the sublimely twisted 1971 flick, A Clockwork Orange. It’s a late night licensed screening with bar service, and bar service is always a good idea with a Kubrick film. If you’re feeling inspired, dress up in a film-related costume and take $2 off of admission, but please don’t wander Commercial Drive afterward, because that’ll just freak people out.
Fri, Feb 21 | 11pm | Rio Theatre (1660 E Broadway) | $8/$6 | DETAILS

BILTMORE | American singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek (listen) is in town to play a gig at The Biltmore this Saturday night. Kozelek is touring around with his band Sun Kil Moon to promote their most recent release, “Benji”. Guest musicians include Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley, Jen Wood (who worked with the Postal Service), Will Oldham, and Owen Ashworth (Advance Base). It should be a mellow show; perfect sink-into-a-red-velvet-booth and enjoy music good times.
Sat, Feb 22 | 8pm | Biltmore Cabaret (2755 Prince Edward St) | $20 | DETAILS

BRUNCH |  This city used to be stuck in some seriously lame brunch doldrums, but things are looking up. There are a handful of solid stand-by options like Red Wagon, Medina (don’t worry, the line-up moves quickly and the lavender latte is worth it), and Banditas (who doesn’t love Mexican for breakfast?), but there are some new options to consider: Railtown’s Ask For Luigi (305 Alexander Street) and 33 Acres Brewery in Mount Pleasant have joined the roster of quality brunch spots in the city. At the former,  Chef J-C Poirier has transported the spirit of simple Italian dining of their evening service to a brunch menu that includes house-made bread with jam and taleggio cheese, frittata with pancetta and potatoes or tomatoes and mozzarella, and waffles with apples, hazelnuts and tiramisu crema. The latter has developed a small, bang-on brunch program that is waffle-centric (choose between waffles  with either Earnest Ice Cream or bacon and eggs). Take your time tucking in, and don’t let anyone tell you that it’s not OK to substitute a tasting flight of beer for a cup of coffee.
Ask For Luigi (305 Alexander Street) Sat & Sun 9:30 – 2:30pm | DETAILS
33 Acres (15 West 8th) | Saturday (11am to 3pm) or Sunday (12pm to 3pm) | DETAILS

GIVE | The Spoke Songs Foster Bike program wants to take your used bike off your hands in order to initiate a Downtown Eastside based bike share program. Bikes collected will be tuned and cleaned up and then used to by Downtown Eastside Portland Hotel Society to develop a series of programs that will promote cycling health among the marginalized communities of the DTES. This is a great opportunity to see your contributions realized in a tangible way. And, as if the doubly whammy of early spring cleaning and good karma weren’t enough motivation, Spoke Songs is holding a party at the Interurban Gallery so that when you drop off your bike, you can hang out with other good peeps, listen to some good music and eat some good food. “Your bike has taken you to some beautiful places, now let it take someone else on an adventure.” Dig your pre-loved bicycles out of the corner of the basement or garage and haul them down to the Interurban Gallery to support a good cause.
Fri, Feb 21 | Interurban Gallery (1 E Hastings) | 7-10pm | Free | DETAILS

HISTORY | This is Heritage Week!  The Vancouver Heritage Foundation has a series of informative walks planned that will bring you up to speed on some super cool bits of Vancouver heritage. Learn more about the history of shipping on Burrard Inlet with author and historian John Atkin during a walking tour this Saturday. Find out about all manner of ships associated with Vancouver, from lumber schooners and Trans-Pacific liners to coastal ferries. Commerce, trade and transportation along the waterfront heavily influenced the development and character of many Vancouver waterfront neighbourhoods – get a feel for the details. On Sunday (1-3pm) you can follow along with Amy Adams as she gives an overview of the Kitsilano shoreline: “Following the Kitsilano shoreline from False Creek along English Bay to Trafalgar Street, this walk will explore how the water and land have changed over time, influenced by each other and the people living on the shores.” Tickets are going fast, so don’t wait!
Burrard Inlet | Sat, Feb 22 | 1:30pm | DETAILS
Kitsilano | Sun Feb 23 | 1pm | DETAILS

WINTER FARMERS MARKET | 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. Yay farmers!
Sat, Feb 22 | 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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