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!

LAUGH | Say Wha?! (Readings of Deliciously Rotten Writing) goes down on Wednesday night. If you’re not familiar with it, Say Wha?! is a comedy show wherein performers put their spin on some of the most cringe-worthy, embarrassing and painfully earnest writing ever found in print. You might hear passages from romance novels, diaries, even office memos – and all of it will be embarrassingly horrible. Bad writing is everywhere, so you might as well laugh at it! From event organizer Sarah Bynoe: “Have you ever read a poorly written novel and thought to yourself, who publishes this crap? Or come across a hilariously out of date self-help book in a thrift store? Perhaps you flipped through Sarah Palin’s autobiography and guffawed at her life story. Well, that’s what Say Wha?! is all about.” This Wednesday’s readings, hosted by Bynoe, will be the 4th year anniversary and the last show until the fall.
Wed, May 21 | 8pm | Cottage Bistro (4468 Main Street) | $10 | DETAILS

THINK | Head out to UBC this Thursday night to sit in on The Walrus Talks Water, an evening of discussion focused on one of our most precious resources: water. A well rounded line-up of speakers will take the stage to share their experience with, relationship to, and feelings about H2O. “Participating panelists include Oceans Initiative’s Rob Williams, The Waterkeeper from Lake Ontario, Mark Mattson, filmmaker Katarina Soukup, Kim Sturgess from Alberta Watersmart’s, authors Marq de Villiers (The State of the World’s Water: The Twin Crises of Contamination and Supply), Chris Turner (Flood Survival Tips), Joe MacInnis (Deep Water and Deep Leadership) and Chris Wood, poet Fred Wah (The Poetics of Water).” These are some very active brains covering an important topic, so chances are good that you’ll come away from the experience a better informed human.
Thurs, May 22 | 7 pm | Frederic Wood Theatre (6354 Crescent Rd., UBC) | $20 | DETAILS

SPUR | There’s something awesome called The Spur Festival going on at The Goldcorp Centre for the Arts this week. Spur is Canada’s national festival of politics, art and ideas. It will involve workshops, debates, talks, panels and presentations covering everything from the role of art galleries in society and the future of public transit to punk rock and the impact of branding. Essentially, Spur is a forum for scholars, artists, activists and entrepreneurs “…to share ideas worth spurring into action.” Scout is looking forward to Quantified Culture (a panel discussion between Salon’s Andrew Leonard and The Globe & Mail’s Marsha Lederman about cultural data practitioners).
May 22-25 | Various times | SFU Woodwards (149 W. Hastings) | $10-$25 | DETAILS

DESIGN | Local designer Kate Duncan makes stunning furniture by marrying simple lines and a clean modern aesthetic with a high level of craftsmanship. Her work is of the caliber that commands respect of other designers. Even her line of cutting boards and serving trays are outstanding. So when we heard that she was pulling together a interior design and home décor pop-up shop that would showcase her furniture alongside the works of a handful of like-minded designer, we were stoked. “Address” launches this week at the Chinatown Experiment. Expect art, textiles, hardware, lighting, and more – all uncomplicated and imbued with beautiful style.
May 23 – June 4 | daily 11am – 7pm | The Chinatown Experiment (434 Columbia St.) | DETAILS

GIG | Local band Pink Mountaintops are home, so cancel your plans, slip some beer money in your pocket, and head to The Fox Cabaret this Friday. This is a big band in a small venue, so if you didn’t pick up a ticket a while back, you might have to make a stop on Craigslist or keep a close eye on social media channels in order to get in. Still, if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, the reward will be great. The band is touring to support their new record, “Get Back”, and The Fox pulled some strings to snag them for a one night performance. From The Fox: “The band has consisted of many of the same musicians who participate in the Black Mountain collective as well as members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band, The Delta 72, The Black Angels, Sleepy Sun, Superconductor, The Warlocks, Cat Power, Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter,and Cold War Kids.” So yeah, it’s going to be awesome.
Fri, May 23 | 8pm | The Fox Cabaret (2321 Main St) | $15 | DETAILS

BLOOM | The Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre in Burnaby is holding a fundraiser this week in the form of an art auction that’s all about Daruma. “Daruma, a popular talisman of good luck in Japan, traces back to the origin of Zen in the 5th century. These simple tumbling dolls are armless, legless, and are made out of papier maché with a weighted bottom to always stand upright even if pushed down, symbolic of perseverance and fortitude.” There will be 100 artist-designed darumas on display and available for bidding/purchase. Attendees are invited to enjoy canapés, a cash bar, and good conversations in between placing bids on 100 artist-designed dolls. Extra awesome bonus: Butter on the Endive and Open Sesame are partnering to cater the event (that means the food will be outstanding).
Sat, May 24 | 7pm | Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre | $25 | DETAILS

WATCH | The Rio Theatre throws down with a triple bill movie marathon this weekend. Day of The Dino will begin with a screening of the late 80’s cartoon classic The Land Before Time (6pm) and then will move on to the more adult oriented Jurassic Park (8pm) before finishing with the 1962 classic Godzilla vs. King Kong (10:30pm). All three movies for $15 – so not a bad deal at all. Grilled cheese sandwiches and cold beer cost extra, but they’re an option, which sort of rocks in and of itself. All ages are welcome but bar service is only available for those over the age of 19 and packing two pieces of ID to prove it. The Rio always appreciates film related costumes, so if you’re packing a Velociraptor suit in your closet, break that thing out!
Sat, May 24 | The Land Before Time | Rio Theatre (1660 E Broadway) | DETAILS

SUPPORT LOCAL | Portobello West is holding a Spring In To Summer market this weekend. Flip through clothing, accessories and trinkets from loads of local designers, eat exceptionally well (there will be food trucks on site), and enjoy the gorgeous setting. When you’re finished shopping you can grab a tea or coffee from the new JJ Bean in Olympic Village, pick up a rosemary peach tart at Terra Breads, and then take a stroll along the seawall.
Sat + Sun, May 24 + 25 | 11am -5pm | Creekside Community Centre | $2 | DETAILS

BOOKS | Outfit yourself with a solid assortment of summer reads at the Friends of The Vancouver Public Library book sale this weekend. Thousands of discarded and gently used books go on sale starting Thursday. Thousands! And all of them going for less than $2.50 each. The special thing about this sale is that there will be a over 2,000 comic books (published between 1980-2010) also on sale, so if you know any comic book wonks, be a friend and bring them along too!
Thurs, May 22 – Sat, May 24 | 10am–5pm | VPL | 350 Georgia St | Free | DETAILS

EAT LOCAL | Trout Lake and Kitsilano Farmers Markets are a great place to stock up on fresh local food. Grab spot prawns, salad greens, stinging nettles, vegetables, and herbs, as well as cheese, artisan breads, preserves, honey, wild salmon, cookies and pies.
Yaletown: May 22 | 2-6pm | Mainland between Davie & Helmcken DETAILS
Trout Lake: May 24 | 9am-2pm | North Parking Lot, John Hendry Park | DETAILS
Kits: May 25 | 10am-2pm | 2690 Larch @ 10th | 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 streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy (but faithful) camera.

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