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Ten Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now And Next Week

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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!

WRITE | If there’s one month of the year when the Regional Assembly of Text Letter Writing Club is a must, it’s got to be this one. If you’ve never heard of it before, the wonderful Main Street store sports a brilliant collection of books, paper, cards, stamps, chalkboards, boxes and – yes – even clothing. On the first Thursday of every month they host a Letter Writing Club that’s free and open to everyone with supplies provided. Don’t leave your Christmas cards until the last minute — get ‘em done here and in the mail early!
Thu, Dec. 1 | 7:30pm | Regional Assembly of Text (3934 Main) | Free | DETAILS

MOVE | Lace up some skates because the Robson Square Ice Rink opens this week! It’s free (if you have your own skates), fun, and a spin around the ice gets the blood moving: win, win win. The rink – complete with swirling lights, music and concession stand hot chocolate – is a great means to jumpstart your winter spirit. Don’t forget a pair of nice thick gloves and a pocket full of loonies for your helmet and skate rentals.
7 days | 9am – 9pm (Fri & Sat until 11pm) | Robson Square | Free (skates/helmet $4) | DETAILS

THE CAVE SINGERS | Live music is such a good move. Do yourself some good and catch The Cave Singers live at the Biltmore this Friday night. The indie folk/rock band from Seattle pops over the border to play for one night and we think it’ll be a perfect way to set the tone for a great first weekend in December. Grab a cold bottle of beer, a place in the crowd that has a good view, and enjoy!
Fri, Dec. 2 | Doors 8pm / Show 9:30pm | Biltmore Cabaret (2755 Prince Edward St) | $22.50 | DETAILS

READ | Whether you are looking to score some unique (but cheap) gifts or just want to outfit yourself with some good books, the Friends of the Vancouver Public Library Winter Book Sale is a good place to get yourself sorted. Cruise through table upon table of titles in the promenade area of Library Square and leave loaded up with a solid assortment of winter reads perfect for afternoons in front of the fire (if you don’t have a fireplace, say hello to Bacchus Lounge).
Dec. 1-3 | 10am-5pm | Vancouver Public Library (350 W. Georgia) | DETAILS

OPENING | There’s a new show opening at Hot Art Wet City Gallery this week: Sell Out features a fun and twisted collection of new and old works by the mysterious Vancouver street artist, iHeart. This show is particularly cool because every piece that sells will be replaced by a fresh piece. This replenishing art show continues until December 17th, but everyone knows that the first night of the show is always the most fun, so hit the opening reception on Friday night.
Fri, Dec. 2 | 7-11pm| Hot Art Wet City Gallery (2206 Main ST) | DETAILS

TOQUE | It’s time to get moving on your holiday shopping. For the most efficient and home-grown effort at knocking a few names of of your list with quality items you can be proud to give, we suggest you hit Toque at The Western Front. The curation standard is high at this annual fundraiser and craft fair – expect to find candles, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, scents, books, socks, cards and much more. Seriously, don’t miss this one. Make a run for opening night, when there will be drinks + BBQ.
Dec. 2-4 | Fri, 6-10pm, Sat/Sun 11am-5pm | Western Front (303 East 8th Ave) | DETAILS

SANTA | The annual Santa Claus Parade rips through downtown streets this Sunday. The procession of holiday cheer will start at West Georgia and Broughton, travel east along West Georgia and turn south on Howe before finishing at Howe and Smithe. Scout tip: be prepared! 300,000 people are expected to come out to catch a glimpse of Santa this year and that means that the coffee shop line-ups along the parade route will be epic in their lengths before, during, and after the parade, so take your coffee or hot chocolate (or whatever else gets you through) in a stainless steel thermos or flask. Also: this is a good day to avoid driving through the downtown core!
Sun, Dec. 4 | noon-3pm | Downtown Vancouver | Free | DETAILS

PARTY | Local band Black Mountain recently had a bunch of gear stolen while on tour in Europe and some of their pals at home are rallying to get a solid line-up of good music going at the Cobalt this Sunday night in order to raise a little dough to help replace what was taken. Hit the Main Street venue to catch sets from Hello Blue Roses, Slow Learners, Bold Marauder and some extra special secret guests! DJs xdarmonx and sipreano keep things moving between bands. Tickets will be available at the door. Good music, good karma and good feels for everyone.
Sun, Dec. 4 | 8pm-1am | The Cobalt (917 Main Street) | DETAILS

SNOW | Bundle up, get out there and enjoy the snow. Local mountains are now open and skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing are all options. If you don’t have time, money or equipment but still want to play in the snow you can get in on the fun with a some winter hiking. Cypress, Grouse, Seymour, Hollyburn. Hit a hill and have some fun!

ELEMENTA X | The innovative pop-up dinner specialists at Elementa PNW are at it again. This time the crew rises above shorter days and winter rains to draw inspiration from what the shift in seasons can mean on the plate. Expect a feast of “The last of the fall produce, vegetables from the cellar, ferments from the summer, wild edibles from the forest and ocean, as well as shellfish from the cold waters of the North Pacific…” The seven course menu will be paired with Postmark beers (special winter releases as well as some old favourites), prefaced by canapes and punctuated by petit fours. Tickets are $95 – $140.
Tue, Dec. 6 | 7:30pm | The Birds & The Beets (55 Powell Street) | DETAILS

 

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From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver, from now until January 8th, 2024.

Scout List, Vol. 601

From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver, right now.

Scout List, Vol. 600

From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver, from March 30th to April 5th, 2023.

Scout List, Vol. 599

From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver over the days and weeks ahead.