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!

CHOW | The Ocean Wise Seafood Chowder Chowdown goes down on Wednesday. Head to the Vancouver Aquarium to check out 14 kickass chefs whip up bowls of their own chowder as they compete for the title of BC Ocean Wise Seafood Chowder Champion. Not only do attendees get to taste their way through each entry (and vote for who they think should win), but they also get to wander the Aquarium after hours, sip on refreshing craft beer, engage in delightful conversation, AND support sustainable seafood practices. How’s that for a Wednesday? Get your tickets here.
Wed, Nov 18 | 6 – 9 pm | Vancouver Aquarium (845 Avison Way) | $63 | DETAILS

CULTURE | Traces That Resemble Us is a screening series and art exhibition that explores the intersections between visual art in Vancouver and cinema. The series asks twelve Vancouver-based artists (Vikky Alexander, Roy Arden, Robert Arndt, Karin Bubaš, Dana Claxton, Stan Douglas, Greg Girard, Rodney Graham, Owen Kydd, Myfanwy MacLeod, Ian Wallace, and Jeff Wall.) to choose a film that has had an impact on his or her practice, and to develop an exhibition of artwork for a corresponding group exhibition. Screenings take place at The Cinematheque each Thursday between now and December 17. This week, Roy Arden’s choice Speedy (a 1928 film about the pace of modernity) and Vikky Alexander’s pick, Playtime (a 1967 Jacques Tati film takes a satirical poke at architecture) hit the screen at 6:30pm and 8:30pm respectively. The opening reception for the group show at The Monte Clark Gallery goes down Saturday.
FILM | Thu, Nov 19 | 6:30 & 8:30 | The Cinematheque | $11 | DETAILS
RECEPTION | Sat, Nov 21 | 2pm | Monte Clark Gallery | Free | DETAILS

EASTSIDE CULTURE CRAWL | The East Side Culture Crawl is easily one of the greatest things about November in Vancouver. We look forward to this event all year long.  In 2015, the usually three day event has stretched to four days, which is handy given that there are over 460 East Side artists to check out (painters, jewelers, sculptors, textile artists, furniture makers, musicians, weavers, potters, printmakers, photographers, etc.). You’ll need that extra day to take it all in! There’s no schedule per se; only the one you choose to structure for yourself. There’s also no pressure to buy, either, as it’s treated as a chance to float from one studio to the next, talking to artists about their processes and enjoying the diversity of creativity that the East Side has to offer.
Nov. 19-22 | Various locations & times, East Van | Free | DETAILS

PEROGIES | There’s a Perogy Lunch at the Strathcona Ukrainian Hall this weekend. Dig into generous helpings of homemade perogies, sliced sausage, cabbage rolls and bowls of borscht. Don’t be put off by the line-up at the door. It moves fast and you might make friends (perogy eaters are generally a jolly bunch). Bonus, on Saturday there will be a bazaar going on, so expect crafts, baked goods and all manner of trinkets. Superbonus: this event takes place smack in the middle of Eastside Culture Crawl territory (Pender at Hawks) and fits in nicely between studio visits.
Sat, Nov 21 + Sun, Nov 22 | 11-3:30 | 805 E. Pender | DETAILS

PLAY | Do you ever remember how fun it was to play a really good round of tag, hide-and-seek, or capture the flag? Have you found that eyebrows raise (and sometimes authorities are called) whenever a grown-up tries to crash a lunchtime round of tag in the elementary school playground? If only there was a pick-up game of tag played by (mostly) rule-following adults with sports injuries that slow them down…now that would be magic, right? Well, three Vancouver groups, League (launched by artist Germaine Koh), Manhunt, and Urban Animal Agency have joined forces to make that dream a reality. Put on some puddle-friendly shoes, grab a flashlight and hustle down to Second Beach Thursday night to get in on the action. Bonus: hot chocolate for everyone.
Thu, Nov 19 | 5:30pm | Meet at the A-Frame at 8701 Stanley Park Drive | Free | DETAILS

LISTEN | There’s something about the onset of cold weather that fits so well with Russian classical music. Grab a seat at the Orpheum this Sunday afternoon and embrace winter with a good dose of Tchaikovsky. The Nutcracker Suite, Piano Concerto No. 1, and Symphony No. 5. as performed by The Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra should do the trick. 10 beans for a comfortable seat in a beautiful room full of genius music? Not a bad deal at all!
Sun, Nov 22 | 2pm | Orpheum Theatre (601 Smithe St) | $10 | DETAILS

SAVIO VOLPE | The most anticipated restaurant opening of the year went down over the weekend in the Fraserhood. Savio Volpe is owned by Paul Grunberg of L’Abattoir, designer Craig Stanghetta, and former CinCin chef Mark Perrier. The stylish but casual Italian restaurant has been packed every night and is already firing on all cylinders. I know this not only because I’ve eaten there but also because I hear all about from my husband and son, who both work there (the former training the latter — his first job!).
Sun-Wed 5-10 | Thu-Sat 5-1030 | 615 Kingsway | DETAILS

DISCONNECT | Have you ever thought of packing it in and buying a little piece of dirt somewhere where you could live off the grid, commune with nature and just chill the fuck out? Sure you have. The realities of living without the convenience of services like hydro and electricity don’t often enter into that romantic vision, but still, if you go into it eyes-wide open, owning land somewhere outside of the city can be hugely rewarding. Hit the Rio Theatre this Sunday afternoon for Life Off Grid, a documentary film about those who have taken the leap and built their lives outside of convention and common conveniences. Filmed over two years of travel throughout Canada, this film depicts the variety of ways that “off-gridders” have “disconnected their houses while maintaining a familiar sense of home.” Stick around after the screening for a Q&A session with the filmmakers. An additional screening is scheduled for Monday, Nov 23 at 9:30pm.
Sun, Nov 22 | 1:30 pm at Rio Theatre | DETAILS

FAMILY FUSE | This is a good weekend to take small people to the Vancouver Art Gallery, because it’s Family FUSE! The theme is Object, Action, Perception! Kids under 12 get in for free with a paying adult, plus there will be live music and some extra fun activities to encourage creativity. Hang out at the sketch station to experiment with viewpoints, perspective and vision; learn about how eyes perceive and brains translate; create your own button using images, markers and stickers; watch live performances; or take in a film. There’s a lot going on, and while you’re on site, take some time to explore current exhibitions like Object and Action: Transforming Media in the 1960s and 70s; Embracing Canada: Landscapes from Krieghoff to the Group of Seven; the works of Korean artist Lee Bul; and Jerry Pethick’s Shooting the Sun/Splitting the Pie).
Sat–Sun, Nov 21, 22 | 10am-5pm | VAG | 22.50 for grown-ups | DETAILS

MAKE | With all the deliveries, drop-in visits, family dinners and drinks with neighbours, the average front door tends to see a huge increase in traffic this time of year. How about a flourish of greenery for that front door? Skip the drugstore version of the traditional wreath and get creative by making one that fits with your personality. Kerri Pfeifer of Rogue Florist hosts a wreath-making workshop this week and if you care about making those first few seconds at your door as enjoyable as possible, we think you’d be wise to get sorted. Pro tip: If you’re worried that you might not be able to commit to getting out of bed on Sunday morning, Kerri is teaching another class next Wednesday at Chinatown’s Studio 126.
Sun Nov 22 | London Fields Shoppe (692 East Hastings St) | DETAILS

To submit an event for consideration, email events [at] scoutmagazine.ca 

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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