A no messing around guide to the coolest things to eat, drink and do in Vancouver and beyond. Community. Not clickbait.

10 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now & Next Week

photo-(35)

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!

WATCH | The Vancouver International Film Festival is on and it’s big. How big? Over 350 films big. Almost overwhelming, right?  Narrow things down by browsing by series (films are classified into a number of series such as 3D, Cinema of Our Time, BC Spotlight, Nonfiction and Special Presentations) as well as by genre and venue. Still, 350 films? That’s a lot to take in. For a curated list – have a look at Scout’s “Nine Movies You Need To Catch At VIFF“.
Sept. 25 – Oct. 10 | Various Times and Locations | DETAILS

AMERICAN BEAUTY | The newest show at Jennifer Kostuik Gallery sounds amazing. American Beauty: The Opulent Pre-Depression Architecture of Detroit documents the once grand buildings of a bustling city that has fallen so far in to decay that it has officially been declared ‘hopelessly insolvent’. Hit the gallery on Thursday night to meet the artist (who will give a talk at 7pm) and to take a first hand peek at a series that shows the empty libraries, factories, theatres and stations that are abandoned and gathering dust. American Beauty continues until October 19th.
Thu, Sept 25 | 6-9pm | Jennifer Kostuik Gallery (1070 Homer St) | Free | DETAILS

SEED SAVING | If you grew a really good crop of tomatoes, some phenomenal peppers, or a bundle of kickass beans and you want to capture that magic again next year, now is the time to plan for it by saving some seeds. Need a little help getting started on technique? Pick up the basics at a quick ‘after work’ program at Strathcona BIA Resource Park (in the alley behind Axum Ethiopian Restaurant at Clark and Hastings).  This is some good knowledge to file in your brain, so don’t miss out.
Thu, Sept 25 | 6-7pm | SBIA Resource Park, 1279 E Hastings @ Clark | $5 | DETAILS

SURVIVE | Nikki Van Schyndal’s new book Becoming Wild chronicles her experience of surviving off the (often inhospitable) land of Echo Bay in the Broughton Archipelago (a cluster of islands near northern Vancouver Island) for 18 months. The survivalist and author speaks at Sitka on Thursday night as part of their new series of ‘Sitka Educational Evenings’ and, as organizers point out: “if you ever wanted to know how to start fires without matches, make medicines from West Coast plants or feed yourself in the coastal wilderness”, then this is the woman to school you. It sounds like an inspiring and humbling evening!
Thu, Sept 25 | 7-9pm | Sitka (1864 West 4th Ave) | DETAILS

WINDOW SEAT | Local photographer Jennilee Marigomen has a new book of photos out. Window Seat (a collection of Marigomen’s photos shot in Sayulita and San Francisco) launches at Make Gallery this Friday night with a show that is guaranteed to be composed and compelling. The really good news is that you won’t have to walk away lamenting the fact that you don’t have any of the artists work for yourself because you will be able pick up a copy of Window Seat (released in a limited edition of 500) for $30.
Fri, Sept 26th | 7-10pm | Make Gallery (257 East 7th) | DETAILS

THE COMEBACK | How many times have you been impressed by a work of art, concept, designer, or creative event and discovered the footnote “…a graduate of Emily Carr” in association with it? Many, right? Emily Carr University of Art and Design has a reputation for attracting, nurturing and releasing into the world a never-ending litter of fantastic talents. This weekend brings with it a perfect opportunity to appreciate a cross section of those talents at The Comeback – the annual gathering, show and sale of works made by ECUAD alumni. Don’t miss the panel discussion on Friday night (Danielle Krysa  -The Jealous Curator, photographer Tim Barber, and artist Ian Wallace speak) and the Sat/Sun art markets in the Concourse Gallery.
Sept 26 – 28 | Various times and locations at Emily Carr University | DETAILS

GIG | The Wooden Sky plays the Biltmore on Saturday night. The Toronto-based indie-rockers are in town to play some tunes from their new album Let’s Be Ready (it’s getting some really good reviews). As Exclaim Magazine puts it, the subtle strength of this new release “lies in its ability to brilliantly capture a wide, and oft ambiguous, spectrum of emotion: devastation, contentedness, hope and everything in between.”
Sat, Sept 27 | doors 8pm | Biltmore Cabaret (2755 Prince Ed) | $15 | DETAILS

CREATE | The organizers of ‘Late Nite Art’ have hooked up with The Burrard Arts Foundation (and BAF exhibiting artists James Knight and Steffen Quong) to bring you a night of creativity that coincides with the last night of Knight and Quong’s show KINTSUKUROI: Better To Be Broken. The evening kicks off with a talk by the artists, is followed by a civilized dinner, and finishes with a hands-on art party led by the artists. Culture, food and conversation for $40? That’s a pretty good deal. Get sorted with tickets here before they sell out.
Sat, Sept 27 | 7:30-10:30 pm | Burrard Arts Foundation (108 E. Broadway) | $40 |  DETAILS

HOT ONE INCH ACTION | Once a year Vancouver art enthusiasts Chris Bentzen and Jim Hoehnle curate a show of the works of 50 local artists called Hot One Inch Action. It’s a unique exhibition in which participating artists have been charged with creating art that must fit inside a 1″ button. Those attending the show can purchase a mixed pack of five buttons for $5, the catch being that the pack will be random and you may not score the item you were after. That’s when the fun begins and people start bargaining and trading.  There will be a limited supply of buttons – so arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Sat, Sept 27 | 7-11pm | Hot Art Wet City (2206 Main @ 6th) | DETAILS

KOERNER QUARTET | How about a little classical music on Sunday afternoon? Hustle down to the Koerner Recital Hall at the Vancouver Academy of Music to catch the Koerner Quartet. This performance (the first concert of their 2014/15 season) will begin with Webern’s Langsamer Satz, followed by Dvorák’s String Quartet No. 12 “American,” and ending with Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet in G Minor featuring VAM alumna pianist Grace Huang.  What a nice way to spend a late September Sunday afternoon!
Sun, Sept 28 | 2pm | Vancouver Academy of Music (1270 Chestnut St)| $15 | DETAILS

late-may-2009-169Michelle 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.

Transition Into 2024 with Some Quality Downtime

From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver, from now until January 8th, 2024.

Scout List, Vol. 601

From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver, right now.

Scout List, Vol. 600

From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver, from March 30th to April 5th, 2023.

Scout List, Vol. 599

From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver over the days and weeks ahead.