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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!

CURIOSITY | Feel like you’ve seen and done it all? Looking for something new to get stoked about? Why not introduce yourself to some of the crazy stuff that goes down when you combine art and science? Collide and Conquer is speaker series that brings scientists and artists together to talk about their experiences. This week astronomer Jaymie Matthews and shadow puppeteer Chloe Z let you know what happens when galaxies and puppets collide; artist Dzee Louise and Roboteer Daniel DeGagne introduce BrainBot CC-DD 1.50; and artist Colleen McLaughlin Barlow chats a little about how she got artistic at 14,000 feet during her artist residency at the Canada France Hawaii Telescope. You can’t say you’ve seen and done any of that before. Following the speakers, the stage is open for sharing. Get in to it and nerd out.
Wed, Jan 27 | 7:30pm | Café Deux Soleils (2096 Commercial Dr.) | $5 | DETAILS

PuSh | The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival continues to fill stages and unlikely venues around the city. This week, check out An Evening with Fond of Tigers at the Fox Cabaret (Thu, Jan 28, 2321 Main Street). The seven person band has gathered together a selection of short music films made by American filmmaker Colin Garcia, who they have been collaborating with of late. The result is a bit of music, a bit of film, and some really interesting results. Because that’s what PuSh is all about: the interesting and the unexpected. If you can’t make the show at the Fox, don’t fret, PuSh has many more performances to choose from. Peruse the full schedule here.
Now – Feb 7 | Various venues, Various prices | DETAILS

LISTEN | The Emerson String Quartet plays the Vancouver Playhouse this Sunday. “From the elegant charm of Haydn, to the intense compression of Bartók, this performance offers an aural roller coaster with its range of experiences. The Emerson’s accolades include nine Grammy Awards and three Gramophone Awards—, an unprecedented honour for a chamber music group.” The evening’s programme includes Franz Joseph Haydn (Quartet in C Major, Opus 76 No.3 ““Emperor”); Béla Bartók (Quartet No.4 Sz.91) and a little Dvorák (“American”, Opus 96). That sounds like a pretty relaxing Sunday afternoon right there!
Sun, Jan 31 | 3-5pm | Vancouver Playhouse (600 Hamilton St.) | $48 | DETAILS

PERSPECTIVE | Dreams Rewired  is playing at the Cinematheque this week. A “kaleidoscopic documentary essay, poetically narrated by Tilda Swinton”, Dreams Rewired traces the aspirations and fears of today’s hyper-connected world back more than 100 years to reveal some interesting points and curious parallels. “Made up of clips from some 200 films dating from the 1880s to the 1930s — slapstick comedies, documentaries, avant-garde works, animated instructional films, propaganda newsreels — Dreams Rewired constructs a rich, entertaining, and intriguing ‘genealogy of connectivity.'”
Jan 29-Feb 3 | Various times | $11 | Cinematheque (1131 Howe St.) | DETAILS

DINE OUT | Dine Out continues, but this is the last week. If you haven’t taken advantage of the multi-coursed prix fixe meals ($20, $30 or $40 per person) or special events, now is time to get on it! Reservations are a good idea if you can get them. Dine Out finishes on Saturday and there’s a lot of ground to cover. Develop a plan of attack here.
Jan 15 – 30 | Various Locations | Various Prices | DETAILS

THEATRE | Put on your proper theatre-going duds and head down to a South Granville institution for a spot of Jane Austen. Yup, Pride & Prejudice opens at The Stanley Theatre this week. You know the drill: intelligent and headstrong Elizabeth Bennet encounters dark, brooding, and excessively wealthy Mr. Darcy. Initially unimpressed, Miss Bennet navigates her way through a series of misunderstandings until she eventually finds she may have misjudged the man and, more importantly, her own feelings for him. Sigh.
Jan 28–Feb 28 | Various times | Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage | DETAILS

COMMUNITY | The 5th annual A Journey Into Islam exhibition and open house goes down at the Az-Zahraa Islamic Centre this Saturday night. The evening, which is hosted by the youth of the Az-Zahraa Islamic Centre, hopes to create a comfortable environment that encourages guests to engage with the Islamic Centre community to ask questions and do away with misconceptions. Expect exhibits, guided tours, demonstrations, short talks and traditional food.
Sat, Jan 30 | 5:30-10pm | Az-Zahraa Islamic Centre, 8580 Number 5 Road, Richmond | DETAILS

BAKE | Learn to make No-Knead Sourdough Bread. Taught by food enthusiast Tamiae Squibb, Homesteaders Junction offers a 2.5 hour class that will school participants on everything from baking and kneading basics to sourdough starter maintenance. “Although a lengthier process than baking bread with yeast, a no-knead loaf is a thing of beauty – and nutrient rich, too! Learn the basics of creating these artisan breads with their well-developed crusts and open, flavourful crumb.” Participants leave with demi-loaf to bake at home. Mmm, the smell of freshly baked bread!
Sun, Jan 31 | 1-3:30pm | Homesteaders Junction (649 E Hastings St) | $35 | DETAILS

BIRDS OF A FEATHER | Get bundled up on Sunday to take a guided walk of Stanley Park to explore the varied and beautiful winter bird life. From the chilly waters of Lost Lagoon to the moss-covered trees near Prospect Point, you’d be surprised at how many species of birds call our big green space home during the winter. Learn how to identify them, hear a little bit about what they do while they are here and fill your lungs with some outstanding fresh air.
Sun, Jan 31 | 9-11 am | Lost Lagoon Nature House, Stanley Park | DETAILS

EAT LOCAL | Local farmers and food producers gather their goods at Winter Farmers Markets to keep us well fed through the colder months, take full advantage. There are two markets to choose from this weekend. Head to the Nat Bailey Stadium parking lot on Saturday or skip over to the skatepark at the PNE on Sunday and load up on locally grown fruits and veggies as well as fresh bread, honey, dried fruits, and scores of other goodies.
Sat, Jan 30 | 10am-2pm | Nat Bailey Stadium (4601 Ontario St) | DETAILS
Sun, Jan 31 | 10am-2pm | Hastings Skatepark, PNE (Renfrew and Hastings) | 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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