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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!

CULTURE | Traces of Words: Art and Calligraphy from Asia is a new exhibition at The Museum of Anthropology. It focuses on the physical traces of words as expressed in everything from calligraphy and painting to digital and mixed media works. It encompasses Asia “over the span of different time periods: from Sumerian cuneiform inscriptions, Qu’ranic manuscripts, Southeast Asian palm leaf manuscripts and Chinese calligraphy from MOA’s Asian collection to graffiti art from Afghanistan and contemporary artworks using Japanese calligraphy, and Tibetan and Thai scripts.” Whoa. That’s a lot of ground to cover. Wear comfy shoes, take a water bottle and give yourself a little time to take it all in. For an extra cool time, get in on a Japanese Calligraphy Workshop this Saturday (May 13th).
May 11–Oct 9 | The Museum of Anthropology (6393 NW Marine Dr, UBC) | $18 | DETAILS

KEYSER SOZE | The Vancouver Police Museum is holding one of their Movie in the Morgue nights this week. 27 dead, 91 million dollars in loot, guns, double crossing, a considerable amount of violence and a not unsubstantial amount of course language, The Usual Suspects only gets better in the creepy setting of a de-commissioned morgue. Folding chairs are provided but moviegoers are encouraged to bring along a comfortable pillow or blanket, as morgues are not known for their cozy feel. “The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” The second greatest trick? Maybe this.
Thu, May 11 | 7pm | $10 | Vancouver Police Museum (240 E Cordova St.) | DETAILS

ART | There is a dual exhibition opening at the Back Gallery Project this week. Although both artists have their own distinctive styles, they have a longstanding collaborative energy together that sees interesting overlap. While artist Jessica Bushey’s Declarations presents text-based works celebrating the ‘slippage and poetry’ that can happen when conducting cross-cultural flirtation over a variety of technological platforms, Sandwich Special – the new work by Cam Andrews – uses text and brightly coloured pop images to “highlight the fast, fleeting and superficial reality that is presented through ‘selfie culture.'” The opening reception for both Declarations (Jessica Bushey) and Sandwich Special (Cam Andrews) goes down Thursday evening. The exhibition remains on the walls until June 3rd.
Opening: Thu, May 11 | 5-9 | 602 E. Hastings St. | Free | DETAILS

SCIENCE | Learn a little about what’s inside your head this week at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. From event organizers: “As the universe expands, so does our ability to comprehend it. Our intellect has taken us to space, to the moon, and to Mars, but how much do we know about the brain itself? Like the universe, the mysteries of the brain are still unravelling. And whether we take an analytical approach or look to the arts to interpret what’s going on out there (or in here), there are many, many ways to look at the brain.” Hustle your way to the planetarium on Thursday night for a talk about neuroanatomy and neurotrauma. Sound a little high level? Don’t worry, the “Universe of the Brain“ takes full advantage of the space theatre’s features AND works in some interpretive dance to explain complicated neural processes in entertaining ways. Leave smarter.
Thu, May 11 | 7-9 pm | H.R. MacMillan Space Centre (1100 Chestnut St.)| $20 | DETAILS

DOCUMENTARY | From horse role play and the dark side of the Japanese manga idol industry to smartphones and homelessness right here in Vancouver, the range of topics covered at the DOXA Documentary Film Festival is impressive. With over 85 documentaries on the roster and 5 venues to see them at narrowing things down with a bit of a game plan is a good idea. Check out the full line-up here and book yourself a few tickets.
Now – May 14 | Various times, Various venues | $13 | DETAILS

ODDITY | Fancy yourself a tasty bit of Kombucha? Curious about the steps of making it at home? Consider signing yourself up for the kombucha tasting and workshop at Oddity Kombucha this week. Oddity is opening its doors for one day (the tasting bar isn’t due to officially open until later this summer) as part of Vancouver Design Week to offer a first look at their slick new space, guide attendees through a tasting, and explain the brewing process. Kombucha starter kits are available to purchase at the event.
Sun, May 14 | 1-2:30pm | Oddity Kombucha Taproom (1863 Ontario St.) | $15 | DETAILS

LAUGH | If The Weather Channel app on my phone is right, we’re not heading intto a sunshiny weekend. Don’t dwell on it, hit the Fox Cabaret for Graham Clark’s Quiz Show and laugh the weather away. From event organizers: “A comedy show that cherry picks the best segments of game shows and presents them all in one bizarre event! Prizes to be won, heads to be scratched!” After you have yourself a pint at Brassneck (just down the block) and a dinner of doughnuts at Cartems (also just down the block) you’ll be primed to giggle your way out of the soggy dark.
Fri, May 12 | 8 pm (doors 7pm) | The Fox Cabaret (2321 Main St.) | $12 | DETAILS

FEAST | Spot Prawns are coming to False Creek’s Fisherman’s Wharf this weekend! The annual Spot Prawn Festival, founded by the Chefs’ Table Society of BC, always sells out so snatch your ticket fast. $19.75 gets you a plate of three BC spot prawns as well as sauces, salad and baked goods plus access to the drink tent for wine and free samples from R&B Brewery. Expect cooking demos, a children’s area and educational displays, as as well the opportunity to buy prawns straight from the docks.
Sat, May 13 | 11am-3pm | False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf (1505 West 1st Ave.) | $19.75 | DETAILS

THE SHOW | The annual Degree Exhibition at Emily Carr continues this week and it is absolutely worth finding a parking spot for. Better yet, walk, take a wee ferry, or bike down to Granville Island and make a day of it. Wander the galleries, hallways, foyers and classrooms of the campus to take in upwards of 300 works by the talented graduating students who have come through ECUAD via Design, Media and Visual Arts. The Show continues until Sunday, May 21.
Now – Sun, May 21 | 10am-8pm | ECUAD (1400 Johnston, Granville Island) | DETAILS

OCEAN SPORTS | The Jericho Sailing Centre opens its doors for the curious this weekend. From dinghies and kayaks to paddle boards and sailboats, head down to the west side water sport hub to find out about upcoming programs and learn about what the centre can offer you. Make a day of it, hang around for a burger and a beer, wander your way out t0 the end of the pier to watch fishing lines cast and crab traps hoisted. Even under a little drizzle, this is a great place to take in the view.
May 13 | 12-4 pm | Jericho Sailing Centre | FREE

Transition Into 2024 with Some Quality Downtime

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.