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!

GEEK OUT | Hustle over to Mount Pleasant’s Fox Cabaret for Nerd Night on Tuesday. Think of it as stand up for scientists – scientists with beer. Topics for this week’s line-up include the Disneyfication of princesses, lesser celebrated heroes of Natural Selection, and the science of beer. As organizers explain: “Nerd Nite is a more accessible Ted Talks, so we can nerd harder, faster, better, and drink beer.” Tell me you don’t want to get in on that!
Tue, March 22 | 7pm | Fox Cabaret (2321 Main) | $10 | DETAILS

CITY | There’s a Your Future Home exhibition-themed “pub style” quiz show at the Museum of Vancouver this week. Become a participant (on your own or with a team) to answer questions on housing affordability, urban density, transportation, and public space. As the museum explains: “While original and creative (if not totally accurate) answers are entertained from contestants, the show invites the audience to learn more about their City and the critical issues framing its future as a home for present and future generations of Vancouverites”. Heads-up, the bar opens at 6pm and sometimes a little libation inspires genius.
Thu, March 24 | 7pm | Museum of Vancouver (1100 Chestnut St.) | $15 | Tickets | DETAILS

SATIRE |  Take a trip out to the charming Jericho Arts Centre for a quick drama fix via Nikolai Gogol’s The Government Inspector – a play of errors that pokes fun at political corruption, human stupidity and greed by way of a case of mistaken identity. From the United Players of Vancouver: “The corrupt officials of a small Russian town react with terror to the news that an incognito inspector will soon be arriving to investigate them. The flurry of activity to cover up their considerable misdeeds is interrupted by the report that a suspicious person is staying at the inn. That person, however, is not an inspector; it is Khlestakov, a civil servant with a wild imagination.” A touch of satire is a fine way to get in a chuckle and gain perspective at the same time.
Mar 25–Apr 17 | 8-10pm | Jericho Arts Centre (1675 Discovery St.) | $12 | DETAILS

MEXICO NOIR | Gangsters, starlets, seduction and betrayal – hit the Vancity Theatre this week and get acquainted with the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema. From the mid-1930s to the early 60’s, Mexican films “…dominated Latin America and made significant inroads into Spanish-speaking communities throughout North America. At its height, in the decade during and following World War II, Mexican popular filmmaking achieved a level of quality comparable to Hollywood…” That’s some serious volume! Various times, days and films are scheduled; check the full line-up here.
March 25 – April 3 | | Various times | Vancity Theatre (1181 Seymour St.) | $11 | DETAILS

HISTORY | In 1845, two British boats headed to the Canadian Arctic to chart the Northwest Passage, never to return. Many search parties were dispatched to learn the fate of Captain Franklin and his crew of 128 men, but it wasn’t until 2014 that a discovery was made. If you’re a fan of science, mysteries, history or shipwrecks (aren’t we all?) and you’re keen to check out some of the items found at the site and learn a little bit about the discovery, you’re in luck. This week there’s a Franklin Expedition themed ’pop-up’ of sorts going down at the Maritime Museum. Take a look at historical photographs, read about the expedition, get up close and personal with replicas of artifacts rescued from Sir John Franklin’s HMS Erebus and, on Thursday night, sit in on a lecture about the story of the discovery and what it means to find this lost piece of Canadian history.
Thu, March 24 | 5:30-7pm | Vancouver Maritime Museum (1905 Ogden Ave.) | DETAILS

BLOSSOMS | It’s been a good year for blossoms so far. Take some time out to appreciate the fluffy signals of spring by taking part in activities planned by the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival peeps. The fest officially kicks off on Thursday with the Cherry Jam concert at the Burrard Sklytrain station (12-1pm), but if you can’t make the midday performance, there are many other ways to get involved. This week’s stand out opportunities include guided tree walks and the Sakura Illumination in Queen Elizabeth Park (Saturday, 7-10pm). For a full line up of events check out the festival website here.
March 24 – April 17 | Various times and locations | Free | DETAILS

BIRDS OF A FEATHER | Bird migratory behaviour sees many changes in the Spring. Grab yourself a Sunday morning coffee or tea and scoot down to Stanley Park for a guided “Birds of a Feather: Inklings of Spring” walk that will focus on the varied and beautiful bird life of the park. Learn how to identify different species, hear a little bit about bird behaviour, and fill your lungs with some outstanding fresh air while you’re at it. Rain isn’t expected but gumboots wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Sun, Mar. 27 | 9-11am | Stanley Park Ecology Society – Nature House | $By donation | DETAILS

RELAX | This is a long weekend, so kick back and take a hike, plan brunch with family or friends, clean the garage – whatever it is that you’ve been meaning to get to but couldn’t manage to fit in to the skimpy two day weekends of yore. For brunch, we’ve got a fine list of some of Vancouver’s better options here.

LAUGH |  Finish your Sunday on a lighthearted note at the Rio Theatre. From The Rio: “Worship at the high, holy altar of comedy and look on the bright side of life with an Easter Sunday screening of Monty Python’s Life Of Brian. Set in 33 A.D. Judea where the exasperated Romans try to impose order, it is a time of chaos and change with no shortage of messiahs and followers willing to believe them. At its center is Brian Cohen, born in Bethlehem in a stable (next door to Jesus’ manger) who, by a series of absurd circumstances, is caught up in the new religion and reluctantly mistaken for the promised messiah. Enough hilarity ensues to provide ample opportunity for the entire Monty Python ensemble (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin) to shine in multiple roles as they question everyone and everything from ex-lepers, Pontius Pilate and haggling to revolutionaries, crazy prophets, religious fanaticism, Roman centurions and crucifixion (forever changing our biblical view!)”.
Sun, March 27 | 9:15 | The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway) | $10 | DETAILS

GODFATHER | Heads-up for next week, The Vancouver Symphony sets up at the Orpheum for a special screening of Francis Ford Coppola’s classic The Godfather. How could you possibly improve upon Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Talia Shire and Diane Keaton’s performances in this masterpiece? How about with the soundtrack played live by an orchestra while you watch? From the VSO: “See — and hear — this film masterpiece as you have never seen or heard it before…” Telling you about this a few days early because it’s just the sort of event that sells out and leaves people sad, and we don’t want that. Get your tickets now.
Wed, March 30 | 7pm | Orpheum Theatre (601 Smithe St) | $29-$75 | DETAILS