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!

STRANGE BREW | New craft brewery on the block Strange Fellows Brewing (1345 Clark) celebrates a strange day each month. Drawn from cultures around the world and traditions of the past, the brewery has identified 12 of the oddest excuses to party and designed beer and festivities around them. First up is a mid-winter observable from Scotland’s Shetland Islands called Up Helly Aa. It involves singling, viking ships, beer and fire — a totally reasonable combo. Expect Scottish food, bagpipes, kilts and Guizer – a northern-style Milk Stout (on tap Jan 21st-27th). Pro tip: wear a kilt or dress like a Viking and you get a free glass of Stout.
Jan 21-27 | Mon-Thu 3-11pm, Fri-Sun noon-11pm (1345 Clark Dr) | DETAILS

POST SECRET | In 2004 American artist Frank Warren decided to hand out 3,000 blank self-addressed postcards to strangers. He asked individuals to write a secret on the postcard and mail it back to him. Participants were encouraged to set themselves free by anonymously revealing that they had a crush on their best friend; cheated on an exam; lied; stole; hated their piano teacher or were addicted to spray cheese – you know, that sort of thing. The only stipulation was that the secret should be true. Long story short: the gig went viral. Warren has since received over a million anonymous secrets, tallied over a billion visits to his website, held multiple exhibitions, published six books, and now a play. Head to The Firehall Arts Centre to catch this “audience-sourced non-fiction storytelling that reminds audiences that no matter what you may be facing, you are not alone.” Extra cool bit: Warren will be attending the Jan. 20 (8pm) and Jan. 21 (1pm) shows in order to interact with the audience.
Jan 20 – Feb 7 | 8pm | 280 East Cordova St | $16 – 32 | DETAILS

POP-UP | Chef Nicolas Hipperson and Sous Chef Shahni Arshad of underground restaurant project Farm 2 Fork have a temporary space in Gastown where they’re serving a three course prix fixe menu inspired by goods grown on local farms. They had us at Helmer’s Farm Sieglinde Potato Veloute with buttermilk curd, roasted hazelnut praline, and potato chips, but if you want a more in depth look at menu items, have a look here.
Now through Feb 2 | 315 Abbott | $38/$66 with wine | DETAILS

HUMAN LIBRARY | The Human Library is a free performance piece that allows patrons visiting the main branch of the Vancouver Public Library to “check out” a human and “read” them in short (20min) one-on-one question periods (weekends only). The humans available will span a wide range from Born Again Christians to Drag Queens. Human Library is just one of many events happening this week as part of the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival.
PuSh is on now through January 31 | Vancouver Public Library (350 W. Georgia) | DETAILS

ART | Hit the Winsor Gallery for an exhibition of work by Patrick Hughes. The 75 year old artist is known for his 3D-relief paintings like the one in the lobby of the Hotel Georgia. “Visitors to the gallery will discover first-hand the mind-bending, space-altering qualities of Patrick’s 3D paintings. Images cannot convey the surreal illusion and wonder involved: it is all about being in the present moment.” The Hues of Hughes: Selected Works 1999-2014 opens with a reception on Saturday, Jan. 24 from 2-4pm.
Jan 24–Feb 24 | Tues-Sat 10-5 | Winsor Gallery (258 East 1st Ave) | DETAILS

LEARN |  The HTML500 goes down this Saturday. 50 of Canada’s top technology companies are sending a representative to the Rocky Mountaineer Vancouver Station this Saturday where they will patiently sit down with 500 people to teach them basic HTML and CSS. Sound cool? It gets cooler: YOU could be one of the 500, and the whole gig is free. No age limits. Internet connection and lunch provided. All you have to do is register online to reserve a spot.
Sat, Jan 24 | 9am–6pm | Rocky Mountaineer Vancouver Station (1755 Cottrell) | DETAILS

MOVIE NIGHT | What are you doing on Saturday night? How about watching Star Trek Into Darkness…AT THE PLANETARIUM? Directed by J.J. Abrams and starring Chris Pine, this is the one where Captain Kirk and crew must defeat the evil Khan. Wait, isn’t that usually happens?  No matter…it’s a space movie in a space centre. Can you think of a better venue? Didn’t think so.
Sat, Jan 24 | 9-11:30pm | H.R. MacMillan Space Centre (1100 Chestnut) | DETAILS

MAKE | Learn how to make saké this weekend. Mogu Mogu Goute (a local blog focused on simple, healthy Japanese food) will set up at The Homesteader’s Emporium on East Hastings to teach the basics about the equipment and ingredients required to make ‘Doburoku’ (a farmer’s style rice ale or saké). They’ll school you about the different rice grades, sanitization precautions, fermentation process, and how to monitor and adjust your saké for taste. The cost of the class includes a Doburoku starter kit containing koji, dry yeast, rice, and cheese cloth.
Sun, Jan 25 | 1-2:30pm| Homesteader’s Emporium (649 E. Hastings) | $45 | DETAILS

ICONS | Looking to shake things up with some new duds? Take a pocket of cash to the magical subterranean caverns of the Biltmore Cabaret this Sunday for the Icons Vintage Market. Swoop in and score retro clothing, flea market finds, fancy antiques, accessories, shoes, jewellery, records, cool household items, cameras, and all manner of other curious trinkets. This is a cabaret, so the bar will be open and you have to be 19+ to enter. Shoppin’, drinkin’, and dancin’ encouraged!
Sun, Jan 25 | 11 am–5 pm | Biltmore Cabaret (2755 Prince Edward) | DETAILS

CHOCOLATE | The annual Hot Chocolate Festival has begun. 24 of Vancouver’s top chocolate makers (and a few bakers and at least one ice cream shop) have created interesting twists on the classic winter comfort drink. Our pick? East Van Roasters’ Peruvian drinking chocolate with pink peppercorn and vanilla. Check out the list of participating businesses and their signature hot chocolate offerings here.
Now – February 14 | Various Chocolate joints about town | 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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