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!

LUCK | Want to make 2017 a strong and productive year? The Japanese know what’s up. They clear the path for the new year by chasing away Yokai – troublemaking demons with a knack for messing things up – by throwing beans at them during the Spring Setsubun festival. Although we won’t see Spring until March 21, and we don’t see Setsubun celebrations at all here in Vancouver, we think that, after 2016, a little demon chasing might be a smart move. Being enthusiastic about the weirder customs from around the world, the crew Strange Fellows has your back. Head down to the Clark Drive brewery on Friday night to exorcise evil spirits with a handful of beans, a glass of fortune-giving beer (their Dickie-san Ginger Wit collab with Dickie’s Ginger Beer will be on tap) and, for the very brave, a round of Karaoke. Word to the wise: disguises and cross-dressing are encouraged to confuse errant demons, so think about wearing something super duper special.
Fri, Feb. 3 | 7-11pm | Strange Fellows Brewing (1345 Clark Drive) | DETAILS
UPDATE: CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW (Karaoke machines had to come all the way from New West and the roads weren’t cooperating). rescheduled until next Friday, February 10th from 7pm to 10pm

TOY BABIES | Get yourself to Main Street’s Hot Art Wet City gallery this Friday night: not only does local artist Andrea Hooge have a solo show opening (Toy Babies features illustrations inspired by doll heads and vintage children’s toys and books), but this is also one of the last openings at the gallery… EVER! Grab yourself a beer, mingle with some people, and take a moment to appreciate the fact that gallery owner and art enthusiast Chris Bentzen has been doing a top-notch job of enriching the city by finding, showcasing and rallying community support for emerging artists since he opened the doors four years ago.
Fri, Feb. 3 | 7-11pm | Hot Art Wet City Gallery (2206 Main St.) | DETAILS

PuSh | Two sides of one woman’s brain in conversation together, multimedia space opera, didgeridoos and panel discussions, this is the last week of PuSh International Performing Arts Festival and there is still a lot of ground to cover. Make your way to one of many stages and unlikely venues around the city to catch boundary pushing theatre, music, dance and multimedia performances of all shapes and sizes. Peruse the full schedule here.
Until Sun, Feb 5 | Various venues, Various prices | DETAILS

WINTER WANDER | Grab a warm cup of something and make your way to the Winter Wander in Vanier Park on Saturday. You can take short brisk walks between five key cultural centres  – The Museum of Vancouver, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, Vancouver Maritime Museum, Vancouver Academy of Music, and City of Vancouver Archives – to fill up on music, science, history and art for the low price of $5. Expect ball hockey in the parking lot, live music, food vendors and prizes thrown in to make it that much more festive. Pay your admission at the Maritime Museum or the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre and get wandering!
Sat, Feb. 4 | 10am-5pm | Vanier Park (1100 Chestnut St.) | $5 | DETAILS

ENGAGE | City staff are preparing an update on the Chinatown Economic Revitalization Action Plan to present to City Council and the public is invited to contribute their two cents this Saturday. If you live or run a business in the area (or just enjoy spending time there) you may want to bring yourself up to speed on what directions have grown out of City planning and community feedback thus far. Help to shape the growth and development of this historic Vancouver neighbourhood!
Sat, Feb. 4 | 10am-1pm | Chinese Cultural Centre Auditorium | 50 E Pender Street | Free | DETAILS

HISTORY | The Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre in Burnaby launches a new exhibition this week. Rock, Paper, Scissors is a multi-media installation that uses audio, visual and sculptural elements to convey a Japanese Canadian migration experience with an immersive twist and time-travelling spin. From Nikkei Museum: “In 2017, as we enter Canada’s 150th year, and the 75th anniversary of the internment of Japanese Canadians, this exhibit imagines the complexity of history through a transpacific, speculative fiction.” Head out to Burnaby and deepen your connection to local history!
Sat, Feb. 4 | noon-3pm | Nikkei Centre (6688 Southoaks Cr.), Burnaby | DETAILS

LAUNCH | Vancouver artist Neil Wedman marks the launch of Selected Monochromatic Paintings and Works on Paper (published by ECU Press and Charles H. Scott Gallery) with a reception and show (“Pages”) at the Equinox Gallery this Thursday night. As ECUAD explains: “Selected Monochromatic Paintings and Works on Paper takes its name from two exhibitions, Part One, which was shown at the Equinox Gallery (2012) and Part Two, which was presented at Emily Carr’s Charles H. Scott Gallery (2013). The book focuses on work not only from these exhibitions, but also includes texts and images from Wedman’s wider practice.” If you can’t make it to the opening you can catch the show until February 25. Equinox is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm.
Thu, Feb. 2 | 6-8pm | Equinox Gallery (#110-525 Great Northern Way) | DETAILS

SWAP | If, when you look in your closet, you think that you need a wardrobe refresh but when you look in your wallet, you don’t see it happening, the solution may be at the WISE Hall this weekend. The community-minded peeps at Best Events In Vancouver have organized a clothing swap with a simple objective: unload clothing that no longer inspires you, pick up a few items that make you look slick, donate leftovers to charity, keep stuff out of landfills and connect with your community while doing it all. There are some requirement and rules to follow if you plan to swap, check the Facebook event page here for the whole story. Basically, attendees are invited to bring a bag of good quality things (women’s, men’s, and kids clothing, as well as shoes, accessories, jewelry, books, etc..) and exchange your contributions with up to 20 new items to leave with.
Sun, Feb. 5 | 1-3 pm | The Wise Hall & Lounge (1882 Adanac) | $10 | DETAILS

FREE | If you’re ever going to jump on the NFL bandwagon, this is the weekend to do it. Superbowl #51 goes down Sunday and if you’re looking for a crowd to share the excitement of the Atlanta Falcons vs. the New England Patriots with, The Rio Theatre has you sorted. Cold beer, grilled cheese sandwiches and free admission! How can it get better? How about Lady Gaga during half time? Also, as The Rio rightly points out, their screen is bigger (like, waaaaaaaay bigger) than yours.
Sun, Feb. 5 | Doors 3pm, Kickoff 3:30 pm | Rio Theatre (1660 E Broadway) | FREE! | DETAILS

REFLECT | The first month of 2017 ripped through the calendar pretty fast. If you have yet to wrap your head around everything that went down in 2016, let alone prep for the year ahead, consider punctuating your weekend with a reflective and super chill set the St. James Hall. Not originally conceived of as the posthumous tribute that it will inevitably become, Starman: An Acoustic Evening of Bowie Songs, brings together a cast of professional musicians playing Bowie tracks that resonate with them as artists and individuals. Sit back, appreciate the music and the man while pondering whatever vastnesses you might come across behind your eyes. Can you hear me Major Tom?
Sun, Feb. 5 | 8pm | St. James Hall (3214 West 10th Ave) | $28 | DETAILS

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Michelle 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.