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

Ten Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now And Next Week

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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!

SAND | Things can get hectic this time of year. Traffic, social engagements, shopping…the general velocity of the city jumps up a few notches. Take a few hours out to wander a beach. We have lots of them to choose from, plus they aren’t very crowded in December. Oh, and they’re free! Solitude, clear water and sand softened by rain, what’s not to love?

FESTIVE | The Festival of Lights is on at Van Dusen Botanical Gardens. The switch to millions of twinkling lights gets flipped to the ’on’ position this Wednesday night. A brisk walk through the gardens taking in the lights is a great way to jump start your holiday spirit. The forecast calls for rain, so dress appropriately and take a few extra dollars for cups of hot chocolate (and possibly a doughnut).
Dec 10 – Jan. 4 (closed Dec 25) | 4:30pm – 9pm | VanDusen Botanical Garden | $15 (kids  $8) | DETAILS

SCORE | The Beggars Banquet is back. Pulled together by Meghan Paterson, Beggars Banquet is a pop-up flea market with a bohemian feel. Score quality vintage duds, handmade jewellery, artisan foods, rare vinyl, leather goods and all manner of curious trinkets. Save friends and relative from last minute gifts purchased at a drugstore and hit this! Opening night is this Friday, and it comes with a party.
Dec 12 – 21 | 11am-7pm | 24 W 7th Ave | DETAILS

HARK! | The East Van Choir is heading to the Rio Theatre on Friday night to belt out some non-Christmas tunes for your listening pleasure. Hit the bar for a beer and slip in to one of those comfy theatre seats to listen to songs by The Flaming Lips, Blue Oyster Cult, Kathleen Edwards, Paul Simon and many others.
Sun, Dec 14 | 7pm | Rio Theatre ( 1660 East Broadway) | $10 | DETAILS

CIOPPINO’S | With all the crazy running around that the holiday season brings, it’s important to sit down and eat a restorative meal. Go big and treat yourself. Yaletown’s award-winning Cioppino’s is now open for lunch service (until Dec. 23rd). Get in there and take a load off!
1133 Hamilton St. | Vancouver, BC | Reserve by calling 604-688-7466 | DETAILS

MESSIAH | Handel’s Messiah takes the stage at the Orpheum this Friday night. The Vancouver Chamber Choir, will perform accompanied by the Pacifica Singers and Vancouver Chamber Orchestra (a lot of bodies are required to pull off the The Messiah). There isn’t too much more that you need to know about that. It’s going to be awesome, in the truest sense of the word.
Fri, Dec 12 | 8pm | The Orpheum (601 Smithe St) | $ | DETAILS

GOT CRAFT | Skip the trip to the big box stores — the good folks at Got Craft have gathered together some of the finest artisans, designers and makers in the city to one location in order to deliver the best in local and handmade quality with mall-style convenience. Get in on the sweet handmade action at the Maritime Labour Centre on Saturday and Sunday and check out what people living, designing and producing in your community have to offer. Support local, folks!
Sat, Dec 13 + Sun, Dec 14 | 10am-5pm | Maritime Labour Centre (1880 Triumph) | DETAILS

SHINY FUZZY MUDDY |  Don’t miss out on Shiny Fuzzy Muddy. Pick up Winterluxe gloves or a hat made from recycled cashmere, something for your wall from artist Hillary Webb, beautiful ceramics from Dahlaus, or a pair of these sexy black and gold porcelain feather earrings. All handmade. All local. All good. Bonus: no holiday music.
Sat, Dec 13 + Sun, Dec 14 | 11am – 7pm (6pm Sunday) | Heritage Hall (3102 Main St) | DETAILS

EAT LOCAL | The Farmers Market happens on Saturday. With only one per week during the winter months, it’s really important that you hit the Nat Bailey parking lot to load up on all the locally produced goodies that will keep you healthy and happy during these cold and wet winter months. Expect fresh bread, dried fruits, preserves, cheeses, and much, much more.
Sat, Dec 13 | 10am – 2pm | East Parking Lot of Nat Bailey Stadium (30th and Ontario St.) | DETAILS

LAUGH | Say Wha?! (Readings of Deliciously Rotten Writing) goes down Sunday 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. The only theme that this Sunday’s readings (hosted by comedian and Say Wha?! founder Sara Bynoe) will be following is one of “No Limits” (not just books). Hit the Cottage Bistro to laugh your ass off.
Sun, Dec 14 | 7:30-9:30pm | Cottage Bistro (4470 Main St) | $10 | DETAILS

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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.

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