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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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!

CHANGE  | There’s a public information meeting about Jericho Lands Development taking place this Wednesday night that will likely involve some fast-paced and some emotionally charged conversation. The primary focus of the meeting will be on the land currently utilized by Canadian Forces housing in Point Grey (on your left as you head West of Alma along 4th ave). If you live or operate a business in the area or have any interest in land use, urban planning, development, politics, Indigenous rights or community spirit (both good and bad), there will be enough material in this meeting to keep your thoughts occupied for quite some time. Need some background info? Have a read of this Vancouver Courier article by Naoibh O’Connor.
Wed, Apr. 29 | 7pm | Jericho Hill Gym (4196 West 4th) | DETAILS

LISTEN | Rain City Chronicles believes that everyone has a great personal story to tell and they make it their business to create opportunities for that to happen. This week, they’ve gathered an engaging bunch of speakers to take the stage at The Vancouver Aquarium and speak to the storytelling theme of ‘The Life Aquatic’. The audience will wander from room to room (stages and seating set up at different locations throughout the aquarium) in order to make the most of the venue. Once again, the team aims to enhance your experience with thoughtful food and drink. This event always sells out and we’d hate for you to miss it, so get sorted with tickets quickly here.
Thu, Apr. 30 | 6:45pm | Vancouver Aquarium | $32 | DETAILS

WATCH | The Documentary Film Festival (DOXA) takes to the screens of theatres around town starting this week. With close to 100 documentaries on the roster this year, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. This week’s highlights include an opening night (April 30) presentation of How to Change the World (the story of Greenpeace activist Bob Hunter) that will include festival opening remarks and a post-film Q&A with the filmmaker. Also this week, get political with The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (a history of the revolutionary organization) or dig in to the new ‘Satire & Subversion’ category of films that offer a tongue-in-cheek take on social and political issues.
Apr 30 – May 10 | Various times, Various venues | DETAILS

EAT | This is a good week for your stomach. The 13th year of Eat Vancouver Food and Cooking festival and the line-up of events is pretty sweet. Hit BC Place to check out food-centric demonstrations and workshops, tastings and competitions. Highlights include Celebrity Chef Throwdown; James Beard award-winning barman Dale Degroff and his seminar on Bitters (I’ll Take Manhattans: The Origins of Aromatic Bitters on May 1 at 2:30pm); the “Speed Rack” Canadian Female Bartending competition on Saturday; a Canadian Food Artisan Pavilion; and Craft Beer Alley. See you there!
May 1-3 | Various times | BC Place (777 Pacific Boulevard) | $Various | DETAILS

CLASSICAL | Yo-Yo Ma is in town. The mesmerizingly talented cellist will perform an all-Dvorak concert at the Orpheum on Friday night. If you can score yourself a ticket, there’s a good chance that you will emerge a more enlightened human being (Dvorak can do that). From The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: “Simply put, Yo-Yo Ma is the most well-known, popular, charismatic, and talented classical musician in the world, and has been for some time. Do not miss his first orchestral performance in Vancouver in over a decade.” It’s amusing to picture a scalper standing on the corner outside the Orpheum flogging tickets to see a cellist, but it is, unfortunately, pretty much your only chance of slipping in if you’re not already sorted. Still, things happen. People catch colds and have to stay home, right?
Fri, May 1 | 8pm | The Orpheum (601 Smithe St) | $somanydollars | DETAILS

OPENING | I’ve been looking forward to this show for a while: DaySleeper, opening at Kimoto Gallery on West 6th this Friday night. It’s a show of ‘nocturnal portraits’ of the disappearing prairies by artist Kevin Boyle. So beautiful! From the artist’s statement: “We have been betrayed by our conveniences, and we have forgotten where we came from. We are connected by likes, faves, and plusses… fleeting and artificial things. I want to see your face. I want to hear your words. I want to shake your hand. I want to show you with light that there is beauty in the darkness.” Yes, please! Head to South Granville to catch this show and then kick back with a small plate and a glass of something good at the newly opened Grapes & Soda (two doors down).
Fri, May 1 | 6-9pm | Kimoto Gallery (1525 West 6th Ave) | DETAILS

GRAPES & SODA | Dara Young and chef David Gunawan’s highly anticipated (and hugely overdue) Grapes & Soda wine bar – located right next to their award-winning Farmer’s Apprentice in South Granville – is finally open. The 25 seater will be pairing six to eight glasses of natural wine with six to eight small-ish, seasonally determined dishes each night.
Wed through Sun | 5:30-11pm | 1529 W. 6th | DETAILS

BUY LOCAL  | Got Craft? You should! Make your way over to the Maritime Labour Centre this weekend to check out the supercool handmade wares of over 75 independent artists. Expect everything from locally crafted ceramics, jewellery, clothing and accessories to caramels, salt, oils and bitters. Set aside a piece of your weekend to explore what your neighbours and community members are busy creating. If you’re one of the first fifty through the door you could score a free swag bag of goodies, which include handmade items from vendors at the show.
Sat, May 2 + Sun, May 3 | 10am–5pm | Maritime Labour Centre (1880 Triumph St) | $3 | DETAILS

ART | The annual Degree Exhibition at Emily Carr is on. A group exhibition of a magnitude rarely encountered, The Show is really worth a visit. Wander the galleries, hallways, foyers and classrooms of the campus to take in upwards of 300 works by the talented graduating students. The artists have come through ECUAD via Design, Media and Visual Arts, and their cumulative body of work is astounding in its breadth and sheer volume. Consider tagging along on a one-hour tour to help provide some context. The opening reception for The Show takes place Saturday, May 2 from 5–10pm, and officially opens Sunday, May 3 at 10am, continuing until May 17.
Sunday May 3 | 10am-8pm | ECUAD (1400 Johnston, Granville Island) | DETAILS

DAY AT THE RACES | The Kentucky Derby goes down in Louisville this weekend. Run every single year since 1875, this Saturday’s will be the 141st race. If you can’t make it to Kentucky, pop into the Hastings Racecourse for the next best thing: live streaming Derby races on the jumbo screen in an authentic racecourse setting. Make a day of it by wearing a fancy outfit (with hat, naturally) and maybe place a bet. Reserve group tables via 604.216.5204
Sat, May 2 | Doors 9am, 1st race 1:50pm | Hastings Racecourse, PNE | DETAILS

 

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.