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!

EAT |  As was noted in another Scout feature, Japantown eatery Cuchillo enjoyed their first birthday this week. Be sure to revisit them for a celebratory taco, but it should also be noted that The Acorn turned two last night. The innovative vegetarian restaurant on Main Street has had a excellent run to date (eg. stellar local reviews; named one of the best new restaurants in Canada by en Route magazine; chef Brian Skinner won the Gold Medal Plates, etc.) and they keep getting better and better. They’re also eye high in killer ingredients at the moment (it being early summer), so the time is especially ripe to check them out again, too.
Acorn | Tues-Sunday 5:30pm till late | 3995 Main St | www.theacornrestaurant.ca
Cuchillo | Daily 5pm till late | 261 Powell Street | (604) 559-7585 | www.cuchillo.ca

GO ANALOG | Ever sit down in a restaurant or coffee shop and observe how everyone’s eyes are trained on the little glowing screens of smart phones and Macbooks? Of course you have. We all have. And we’ve all done it. Social artist Julien Thomas and Hughes Condon Marler Architects (HCMA) thought it would be interesting to construct a space that was free of cellular/digital signals, a space – get this – that encourages personal connections over digital ones. In order to achieve this the designers installed electromagnetic mesh shields that “prevent the entry or escape of electrical influences” in a pop-up space called Faraday Cafe (a nice side effect of the project is that the shields have the appearance of an art installation of sorts, so the space is an interesting conversation starter in and of itself). Faraday Cafe is open for business starting Wednesday, July 2. They’ll be offering artisanal coffees (Heart, Bows & Arrows, Ritual) during the day and will host pop-up dinner parties (Wednesdays at 7pm), afternoon DJ sets (Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 3pm) and a special storytelling evening on July 15.
July 2 – 16 | Daily 10am – 6pm (closed Sundays) | 434 Columbia St | DETAILS

ARCHITECTURE | Learn about the art deco in the city by taking a Vancouver Heritage Foundation walking tour with historian Maurice Guibord this Friday. From VHF: “The Art Deco style exploded worldwide after the First World War, as a lively and joyful counter to the previous years of constraint and conflict. Impacting fashion, marketing and publishing, its most vivacious implementation was in the world of architecture and design, and Vancouver jumped right into the fray.” Guibord will lead participants through the streets of downtown pointing out distinctive lines, ornamental details, colours and geometric shapes typical of the style. Bonus: the tour ends at one and only Marine Building.
Fri, July 4 | 10-12pm | Meet @ Christ Church Cathedral (Burrard/Georgia) | DETAILS

SKATE JAM | Head out for an evening of skateboarding at the UBC Skate park on Friday. Starting at 4pm there will be freestyle demos, games and prizes for all ages and skill levels. The UBC Skatepark is located on campus at the intersection of Thunderbird Boulevard and Health Sciences Mall.
July 4 | 4-8pm | UBC Skatepark | DETAILS

SAIL | Hustle down to Jericho to get in on a little live music, barbecued food and birthday cake in celebration of Jericho Sailing Centres 40th Anniversary this weekend. A low cost oceanfront community centre with concrete floors dusted in sand, sparsely outfitted instructional classrooms, a straightforward burger and beer menu in the Galley…Jericho doesn’t deal in pretension or exclusivity. It gets right down to the business of enjoying salt air and waves. It’s that simple. The spirit behind small, naturally powered watercraft is an important part of Vancouver culture and heritage, so head down to Jericho to celebrate it!
Sat, July 5 | 11 am–5:30 pm | Jericho Sailing Centre (1300 Discovery) | DETAILS

SECRET SPACES | Theatre Conspiracy is a Vancouver organization that produces theatrical events intended to inspire conversation about international issues and themes. In order to finance their productions the theatre holds a series of intimate dinners that take place in cool, one-of-a-kind locations around town. To wit, this Friday night there will be a Secret Spaces dinner at an architectural studio in Mount Pleasant. Not only will attendees of the “Whiskey Walls & Leather Tables” dinner enjoy cocktails, wine and a six-course dinner (plated by Chef Kevin Mooney of Shaughnessy Restaurant at VanDusen Botanical Gardens), but also the studio itself sounds pretty amazing: an understated, energy efficient conversion of a 1911 butcher shop lined with Douglas Fir that has been sealed with a blend of Canadian whisky and beeswax (we’ve posted pictures and written about it before). Scott & Scott Architects also helped with designing everyone’s favourite Currywurst shop, Bestie, so this definitely isn’t ‘just another venue’. We’re betting that there’ll be some interesting conversation to enjoy on top of the good food and unique location. Support the arts and eat well!
Fri, July 4 | 6:30-11 pm | Scott & Scott Architects’ Studio (Mount Pleasant) | DETAILS

CHILL | Break out the blanket and lawn chair as there’s an outdoor screening of Bend It Like Beckham in Victory Square on Friday night. Pack your own popcorn or pick something tasty up from one of the on-site food trucks. Arrive early to secure a good spot and take part in some of the free pre-movie yoga classes.
July 4 | 9:30pm |Victory Square, Vancouver (Hastings & Cambie) | Free | DETAILS |

MAKE | Learn to make saké this Saturday. Mogu Mogu Goute (a local blog focused on simple, healthy Japanese food) will set up at District Main Garden Patio to teach the basics about equipment and ingredients required to make ‘Doburoku’ (a farmer’s style rice ale or saké). Learn about the different rice grades, sanitization precautions, the fermentation process, and how to monitor and adjust your sake for taste. $40 includes a Doburoku starter kit containing koji, dry yeast, rice, and cheese cloth.
Sat, July 5 | 7-8:30pm| District Main Garden Patio (4453 Main St.) | $40 | DETAILS

FOREST LOVE | As far as forests go, Stanley Park is a bit of a loner. Isolated from other forests by city and ocean, its just a little different from the other kids in the school yard. Take a little time out on Sunday to learn about the characteristics of ‘fragmented forests’ and the challenges that they face. Take a walk with a knowledgable Stanley Park Ecology Centre volunteer and be brought up to speed on how the unique setting of Stanley Park requires special management. You will also find out what you can do to make sure that this beautiful part of our city remains strong and healthy.
Sun, July 6 | 1:30pm | Stanley Park Nature House on Lost Lagoon | $10 | DETAILS

GIG | Singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten is in town from Brooklyn to play a set at the Rickshaw in support of her new album Are We There. We saw Van Etten play at Zulu Records a few years back and she was fantastic. Strong character, mellow but not passive; her music is as great on a Sunday morning with a cup of coffee as it is full blast on a road trip. Stoked for this show!
Sun, July 6 | Doors 8pm | The Rickshaw (254 E Hastings St) | $18 | 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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