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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, from our calendar to yours!

OPENING | After a couple of years of pop-ups and long-distance love, our pals at Knifewear (sellers of crazy sharp, super sexy handmade Japanese knives) open the doors of their permanent Vancouver location on Main Street this week. They’re also throwing a party to celebrate. What does a party at a knife store look like? Well, they invite Japanese blacksmiths in, do some handle fitting and engraving, hand out some hot dogs, drink a few beers and basically nerd out on craftsmanship. Blacksmiths and beer, what’s not to love? If you don’t make it to Wednesday’s opening night soirée, swing by the shop over weekend (10-6pm) and check out their new digs while perusing the goods included in their opening sale.
Opening night: Wed, Aug 10 | 6-10pm | 4215 Main Street | DETAILS

ART | aSymmetry is a cool project connecting artists and skateboarders from around the world so they can create one of a kind works of art. The premise of the gig is that artists are given a blank skateboard deck to transform. These decks are then passed on to skateboarders who contribute to the ‘canvas’ through their process: skating curbs, ramps, stairs and sidewalks. From Unit Pitt Gallery: ‘The decks become living works of art as the skaters take them to the streets. Every scratch, every scuff, every dent and every chip out of the board will tell a story. Each deck is worn down and added to at the same time, shedding and picking up paint from each ledge, rail and bowl it touches. At the end of the day, while some may see just another beat up skateboard, others will see much more.” We’re stoked to check out the end results at the special two day exhibition in Chinatown. The opening reception goes down Friday, Aug 12, 7-10pm.
Aug 12, 13 | Unit Pitt Gallery | 236 East Pender St | DETAILS

SUNSET FESTIVAL | The Lululemon Seawheeze half marathon happens this weekend. Participation is at capacity (it sold out in a record 28 minutes this year), but there’s still the opportunity to cheer from the sidelines and meet up with runners at the much anticipates after-party – the Sunset Festival – which takes place at Stanley Park’s Brockton Oval. $38 gets you into the festival and sets you up with some fresh air yoga, food and a drink (Stanley Park Brewing has created a limited edition beer, Courageous Blonde, for the occasion). The weather is expected to be perfect. Add in some live music and some good post-run endorphins and it sounds like a good Saturday night!
Sat, Aug 13 | all day (marathon 7am, after party starting at 4:30pm) | $38 | DETAILS

OCEAN | Dungeness crab tacos, spot prawn citrus ceviche, tequila-cured salmon tostadas, and torched Gochujang-marinated octopus…sound good? Hit Fin To Tail at the Vancouver Aquarium on Thursday night where chefs Ned Bell (Vancouver Aquarium), Jonathan Chuy (La Mezcaleria), Clement Chan, (Torafuku) and Jenice Yu (Fresh Ideas Start Here, aka F.I.S.H) will perform live cooking demonstrations to share their knowledge, recipes and tasty examples of finished product with attendees. Everyone leaves full and inspired. Add some beer, wine and the always magical setting of the aquarium itself and Thursday night is set. Please note that this is a 19+ event!
Thu, Aug 11 | Vancouver Aquarium (845 Avison Way) DETAILS

CHINATOWN | The Vancouver Chinatown Festival happens this weekend. Festival activities include a street market, walking tours, live music and performances, as well as good food and happy people. Head down to the historic neighbourhood and let the flow of your 60,000 fellow festival goers dictate your direction.
Aug 13+14 | 100 block of Keefer St. and 500 block of Columbia St. | DETAILS

RELAX | Lazy mornings and sun-dappled drives on quiet country roads, coffee drinking and music listening — sounds great, right? If you’re overdue for some Island Time unable to skip town, there’s a quick fix available at Little Mountain Shop this week. The Island Time Cold Brew Bar and Confectionary brings you some of those critical downtime-encouraging elements like live music, good coffee, ice cream floats and yoga to one location. Scoot over and check it out; it may not be the road trip you’re desperate for but it’s faster, cheaper than ferry fare and – until BC Ferries brings Earnest Ice Cream to its cafeteria – this will be tastier too. Expect cold brew floats, coffee mint juleps, a music night (Wed, 6:30pm) and morning yoga (Thu). Chill out, island style.
Now through Sunday | Various times | 4386 Main St.| DETAILS

FILM | Showcasing queer alternatives to mainstream film, the Queer Film Festival takes place in numerous venues around town this week. Not only will there be a wide variety of films and documentaries, but there will also be opening, closing and mid-festival galas, workshops, panels, dance parties, music and all around good, inclusive vibes. If you can only make one screening, we suggest you check out the Centrepiece Gala Film Strike a Pose, a documentary about the back-up dancers from Madonna’s famed 1990’s “Blond Ambition” World Tour. Two dancers will be in Vancouver for the screening and we anticipate lots of Vogueing. The Queer Film Fest runs through to next weekend.
August 11-21 | Various venues & prices | DETAILS

PLANTS | Looking to get serious about your home garden? Hustle out to UBC Farm this Saturday morning for a Plants For Permaculture workshop. Learn how to think strategically about where and what you’re planting and get clever about finding natural workarounds to gardening issues. Instructor Sarah Orlowski likes to create sustainable food production situations in gardens of all sizes and she’ll likely have a thing or two to teach participants. Stoick around after the workshop to load up on fresh produce from the UBC Farm Market and take a stroll around the grounds for good measure.
Sat, 13 Aug | 9am | UBC Farm (3461 Ross Drive) | DETAILS

POP-UP DINNER | The innovative pop-up dinner specialists at Elementa PNW are at it again, this time focusing squarely on vegetables. Local fields and forests are pumping out some lovely product right now and this collective of young chefs means to take full advantage of the seasonal window. Expect an eight course feast of wild and cultivated fruits and vegetables. Meatless Monday on a whole new level! Tickets are limited, so pounce now: $90/$140 with pairings. See you there!
Mon, Aug 15 | 7pm | Medina (780 Richards St) | $90/$140 | DETAILS

GREASY SPOON | Chefs Christie Peters and Kyle Michaels of Saskatoon’s The Hollows are on deck to cook the next Greasy Spoon dinner at Save On Meats on August 15th. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, the Greasy Spoon Supper Series invites our best chefs to plate four courses of old school diner fare in their own way in support of A Better Life Foundation. It’s always a good time, and the chefs really love taking a swing at the ‘diner’ concept. The Hollows’ crew is bringing some cool stuff to our city. Expect a classic Cobb salad, onion rings and dandelion fritters, old school meatloaf with crème fraîche pomme puree and a banana split. Score tickets here. Seats do have a way of selling out, so don’t wait!
Mon, Aug 15 | Two seatings: 5:30pm & 8pm | 43 West Hastings St. | $95 | DETAILS

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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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