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!

LEARN | Get to the Museum of Vancouver Thursday night for what promises to be an interesting lecture on the legacy of the 1976 United Nations Conference held at the former Jericho Beach army base in Vancouver.  From The Vancouver Historical Society: “At the end of May 1976, Vancouver was abuzz with the opening of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements, the largest UN conference at that time. Focusing attention on the city, the conference drew 10,000 people from 150 countries, a big event for small Vancouver. Luminaries in attendance were Margaret Mead, Mother Teresa, Buckminster Fuller, Paolo Soleri, Pierre Trudeau, etc. Habitat Forum, a parallel utopian gathering of non-governmental organizations was organized by community activist Alan Clapp and others.” Get schooled on the subtleties of Vancouver’s history and connect the dots between the city, its people, the dialogue of the time, and the legacy that the Habitat Forum had on the international scene.
Thu, Nov 26 | 7:30 | Museum of Vancouver (1100 Chestnut St.) | DETAILS

LISTEN | Anecdotal Evidence is a storytelling series focused on telling stories from the human side of science: “The rapture in the research and humanity behind the abstract…” From event organizers: “Everyone knows scientists are remote intellectuals uncluttered by untidy human emotions. Or are they? Ever wondered what stories lie behind the data? Or how non-scientists experience science in their lives?” Even if you haven’t wondered, aren’t you curious now? We sure are. Head to The Railway Club on Thursday night to listen to brave souls tell of how science impacted their lives on a personal level. The stories are true, 7 (ish) minutes long and told live onstage without notes. Unscripted is always the most fun!
Thu, Nov 26 | 7pm | The Railway Club (579 Dunsmuir St.) | $5 suggested donation | DETAILS

MYSTERY | Hit the Vancouver Police Museum Friday night for a chilling review of some of Vancouver’s most notorious cold cases. From the “Babes in the Woods” of 1953 to the 1994 disappearance of Nick and Lisa Masee, author Eve Lazarus (Cold Case Vancouver) reads from her book and participates in a post-reading discussion. This fascinating (if slightly dark) subject matter is perfectly suited to the venue. Should you need to decompress following the (likely) suspenseful presentations, consider a pint at the nearby Alibi Room.
Fri, Nov. 27 | 7pm | Vancouver Police Museum (240 East Cordova St) | DETAILS

SCORE | ‘Tis the season of pop-ups and craft fairs, making it super easy to skip the big box experience and buy things you love from people who live in your community. This week we suggest scoping out the awesomeness of Selectors – a gathering of four fantastic local makers under one amazing record store roof. Score stunningly simple clothing from designer Sunja Link, stylish bags and backpacks by Andrea Wong, ceramics by the exceedingly talented and always delightful Maggie Boyd, bold and beautiful textiles and paper products by Banquet Workshop, and records galore! Because who doesn’t love music? Don’t subject yourself to the mall!
Nov 27 (3-8pm) Nov 28 (11-4pm) | Selectors’ Records (8 East Pender St.) | DETAILS

FRESH AIR | Winter beaches have a lot to offer. Swimming isn’t advised, but cold water is clear and nice to stare in to. Take some time out to appreciate seaweed, shells, rocks and beach glass. Climb around on cliffs or sit on a log with a hot tea and contemplate how great it is to live in a city skirted by a shore that lets you touch down with nature without prohibitive travel time. Skies promise to be clear. A walk at Whytecliff in West Van would be a beautiful way to start Saturday…
Any day | Any time | Free

BUY ART | Return those empties, sell some books, dip into the piggy bank — do whatever you have to do to pull together some cash and then get yourself to Emily Carr’s Annual Student Art Sale this weekend. It’s one of the best ways to score original works from talented local artists before they’re “discovered” and their prices climb beyond the reach of us normal folks. Browse through everything from paintings and prints to sculptures and clothes. Consider it holiday shopping, but for yourself.
Nov 27-29 | 12pm-5pm (8pm on Friday) | Emily Carr University of Art & Design | DETAILS

FILM | If you’re feeling the need for some European culture but travelling is too time consuming, costly or complicated, get a quick fix at The Cinematheque’s 18th European Union Film Festival. Expect entries from all 28 of the EU member states and screenings running November 27th through December 9th. From the Cinematheque: “Each EU country has carte blanche to choose the film that will represent them. Together, their selections make for a lively, provocative, stimulating, and entertaining state-of-the-Union celebration of the diversity, dynamism, and accomplishment of contemporary European filmmaking.” Plus: no jet lag. Instead, buttered popcorn!
Nov 27 – Dec 9 | Various times | Pacific Cinematheque (1131 Howe St) | DETAILS

CRAFTY | The community of Strathcona is getting together for a kickass winter craft fair this weekend. The little neighbourhood is jam-packed with talented, creative, and community-minded people, so it’s no surprise that the organizers have wrangled a wide cross-section of 50 vendors this year. Put a dent in your holiday shopping list. Bonus: Santa will totally appreciate how you support local artisans and independent designers!
Sat, Nov. 28 | 10am-4pm | Strathcona Community Centre (601 Keefer St.) | DETAILS

BIRDS OF A FEATHER | Grab a hot coffee or tea and hustle down to Stanley Park for a dose of Nature on Sunday morning. Avid birder Liron Gertsman will be at the Stanley Park Tea House to talk about one of his favourite winter visitors to the park, the surf scoter. Gertsman has been besotted by birds since he was a wee gaffer, and now that he’s 15 he’s somewhat of an expert and ready to share his knowledge. Learn how to identify species, hear a little bit about seasonal bird behaviour, and fill your lungs with some outstanding fresh air while you’re at it. It’s not pouring, folks. Don’t take that for granted!
Sun, Nov. 29 | 9-11am | Stanley Park Tea House | $By donation | DETAILS

PRINT | Everyone loves a good bit of letterpress printing, right?  For those of you who love it so much that you’ve even daydreamed about what you could do if you could get your hands on some moveable type and ink, this weekend brings a phenomenal opportunity to learn how to execute your own designs at a card-making workshop. It’s going down at Porchlight Press on East 6th. Gain access to and instruction on how to use a antique Vandercook letterpress machine and various wood and metal type. The cost for this class is considerable ($189), but for that price you will be printing your own design in a stunning studio space with an impressive instructor to student ratio (12 students, 4 teachers). You’ll also leave with your own handmade Christmas cards, not to mention enough time to write in them and send them.
Sun, Nov. 29th + Sun Dec.6) | 12-5pm | Porchlight Press (#204–25 East 6th Ave) | $189 | 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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