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!
ANNALENA | The highly anticipated first restaurant from former Oakwood chef Mike Robbins and FOH pro Jeff Parr is now open in Kitsilano and it’s already kicking ass. Get in before the rest of the city discovers it (aim for the roasted cauliflower salad and the fried chicken).
Tue – Sun | 5:30-10:30 | 1809 W 1st, Kits | DETAILS
EXPLORE | Take the low road (Marine Drive) out to Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver. A little further west than Lighthouse Park, (Whytecliff is almost at Horseshoe Bay), this hidden North Shore beach is known for its seclusion, marine life, and great diving conditions (it’s not unusual to see scuba training/classes taking place). The drive is stunning regardless of weather conditions and a wander along the shore and wooded pathways to rock outcrops surrounding the park is hugely restorative. The concession stand is still closed for the season, so take along a snack and hot beverage. Fresh ocean air is always a good call!
ENGAGE | The Capilano Herbal Apothecary is a tea house and healing space run by four Squamish nation women who grow and harvest medicines to make traditional teas. It opens this Friday, March 20, is holding an open house on Saturday (21st) and on Sunday, the Apothecary hosts Nourish The Nation, an open house event that aims to raise funds for Secwepemc elder Wolverine. From event organizers: “84-year-old Wolverine lives in C’yele near Chase in the interior of BC and farms eight acres of land. Using only traditional methods, he grows tomatoes, beans, squash, carrots, potatoes and melons, all free of GMOs and pesticides. Wolverine gives away most of his harvest to elders in autonomous communities, single-parent families and courageous camps defending their traditional territories against the onslaught of extraction projects.” Expect music, food, a silent auction and a whole lot of knowledge.
Opening | Fri, Mar 20 | 11am to 8pm | 1875 Powell St | DETAILS
Nourish The Nation | Sunday, March 22 | 1875 Powell St | $10 donation at the door | DETAILS
EQUINOX | Spring gets real this week. The Vernal Equinox (March 20 at 3:45pst) officially signals the beginning of longer days and warmer weather. Yup, pack up the winter hats and coats, folks! It’s time to turn soil and appreciate cherry blossoms! Fun fact: There are those who claim that the Vernal Equinox is the only day of the year when an egg can be perfectly balanced on its end. Hours of frustration/fun can be had giving it a shot.
Fri, Mar 20 | 3:45pm | Free and so exciting
DRAMA | Grab a seat in the audience at Mount Pleasant’s Little Mountain Gallery this week and enjoy ten plays for the price of one. The Pull Festival is an evening of theatre designed for short attention spans and overbooked schedules – a line-up of seven ten-minute plays that has been called the “Youtube experience of theatre.” $4 beer and wine make this a grown up (and undoubtedly more refined) version of a summer camp talent show. Tickets (cash only) will only be available at the door.
Mar 18-21 | 8-10:30pm | Little Mountain Gallery (195 E 26 @ Main) | $15 | DETAILS
GROW | The West End Neighbourhood Food Network is a grassroots organization focused on growing, cooking, eating, and recycling/composting food. This weekend they offer a workshop about how to plant, grow and enjoy peas and greens such as pac choi, beets, lettuce, spinach, chives, swiss chard, and kale. Whether you’ve got a big back yard or a tiny balcony, this is the time to plant your summer salad garden!
Thu, Mar 19 | 7-9pm | West End Community Centre | DETAILS
CULTURE | Head to the Goldcorp Centre for the Arts on Friday night for a panel discussion on The Role of the Artist Provocateur in Contemporary Canadian Society. Since the days of Aristophanes (if not before), artists have played a vital role in society by calling us and our leaders on our bullshit. Listen to what five practicing artists from diverse backgrounds (hiphop, theatre, cartooning, and the visual and performing arts) have to say on the subject.
Fri, Mar 20 | 7pm | SFU, Goldcorp Centre for the Arts (149 W Hastings) | Free | DETAILS
LECTURE | The Vancouver Institute presents an evening talk with Michael Audain this Saturday night. Head out to UBC to listen to Encounters With Visual Art wherein the local art collector and philanthropist will discuss the importance of collecting art. It’s a first world topic, to be sure, but buying art doesn’t necessarily mean having a fat bank account and there is certainly tremendous value in the message that art is meaningful (and that supporting artists is even more so).
Sat, Mar 21 | 8:15pm | Lecture Hall 2 | Woodward Instructional Resource Centre, UBC | Free | DETAILS
CLASSICAL | Set the tone for Spring with an evening of Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, and Ravel performed by The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and international big deal pianist superstar Yevgeny Sudbin. Bonus: Conductor Ryan McAdams makes his VSO debut with this performance AND Uva is close by for a solid start with quality cocktail.
Sat, Mar 21 & Mon, Mar 23 | 8pm | Orpheum Theatre (601 Smithe St) | $25 – $100 | DETAILS
TASTE | Wine and cider wonks, take note! Get a sense of what Vancouver Island wine, mead and cider producers can do by hitting the Locals Only tasting party at Granville Island this Monday afternoon. A gathering of close to twenty producers have braved BC Ferry line ups to bring their Island wares to the big city. Grab a crisp cider from Sea Cider or Merridale, taste the latest from Venturi Shulze winery (Cowichan Valley), or discover what the vines of Saltspring Island can produce. Participants are small indie labels and it’s often a challenge to grab their bottles at liquor stores due to small supply and high demand, so this is a great opportunity. Get out there and support the awesome things the little guys are doing!
Mon, March 23 | 2-4pm | Edible Canada- Granville Island | 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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