The Museum of Anthropology out at UBC has officially (if only partly) opened its doors to show off its $55.5 million upgrade. “Currently, about two-thirds of the Museum’s galleries are open: the Ramp, Great Hall, Koerner European Ceramics Gallery, Bill Reid Rotunda (home of “The Raven and the First Men”), and Michael M. Ames Theatre…. the ‘new’ MOA – includes a huge new temporary exhibit hall, The Audain Gallery, and the Multiversity Galleries.” That’s plenty. Very well worth the day trip. Just $7 on Tuesday evenings.

Visit the website: Museum of Anthropology.

Inside "Dry Spot", Vancouver's only indoor skatepark (launching this Saturday)

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 list 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…

DIRT

Gardenworks

The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens are showing “Gardenworks” – an exhibition of local artists’ work inspired by the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Here’s the scoop: “Artists were invited to drop by and sketch or take some photographs, and otherwise “interpret” the Garden in a variety of media. The show offers a rich multitude of artistic perspectives, extending the life, reach, and impact of the Garden.” Details here.
Nov | Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens | 10:00am – 4:30pm | $10 Admission

Green Thumbery

Meanwhile, over at Van Dusen you can attend the Cedar Lecture on Garden Artistry with renowned garden author and humourist, Des Kennedy. Description: “A ‘how to’ look at the use of art and ‘artistic touches’ in the gardens of Ireland, New Zealand, England and China along with a self-deprecating look at the evolution of Mr. Kennedy’s own Denman Island country garden.” More information here.
Nov 12 |7:30 pm | Floral Hall, Van Dusen | $15

SKATEBOARDING

The Dry Spot

Rain rain go away, lets go inside and sesh all day at the brand new Dry Spot, brought to Vancouver skateboarders by to Ben Chibber and the Monkecrew. The 1,375 square ft micro-warehouse sports a 3ft high x 12ft wide mini ramp, a 2ft platform with a 5 set, interchangeable hubba and step up gap, 8ft granite ledge, mannie pad, flat bar, ledge, 5ft Quarter pipe, and a 5ft flat bank. Stoked.
Opens Nov. 7 | 8494 Ontario St. | http://www.skatethedryspot.com

MUSIC

Dinosaur Jr.

Those who really feel this band know it to be the best thing to come out of Massachusetts since Samuel Adams. Think melancholy power guitar meets athletic lamentation. Pop for brooding skateboarders. Kibble for lonely punk girls. Band members J. Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph have gone off and done their own projects (Sebadoh, Folk Implosion, etc), but now they’re back and headed to the Commodore Ballroom this November 10th. Who knows if they’ll ever show here again.
Nov 10th | Commodore Ballroom | Try Zulu for tickets

Opera Pro Canti Does

Opera Pro Canti have two by-donation productions for you this week. On Sunday night you can take in Macbeth (witches, prophecies and bloodied ghosts abound in this sublime rendition of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved dramas). And then on Monday night -  Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor. (“Lucia di Lammermoor is Donizetti’s masterful rendition of Sir Walter Scott’s famous novel The Bride of Lammermoor. Based on real events, the story encompasses everything from forced marriage and star-crossed lovers to insanity and murder. The opera contains one of the most famous and difficult “mad scenes” of all time, a tour de force for coloratura soprano”) Both shows go down at the Cambrian Hall (just off of Main). Get cultured – and support local artists.

Nov. 8-9 | Cambrian Hall @ 215 E17th Ave. | www.procantanti.com | Pay what you can

ART

Vergette at Ravishing Beasts

The Ravishing Beasts exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver is definitely worth a visit – and the best time to visit is this Thursday night when you will have a chance to tag along with curator Rachel Poliquin and featured artist George Vergette to explore first hand some of the themes and questions raised by Ravishing Beasts including the growing presence of taxidermy in contemporary art. Free with admission.
Nov 5 | 7pm | Museum of Vancouver | FREE with admission ($11)

Greetings from Friends

The West Vancouver Museum has an interesting little show going up this week with an opening reception scheduled for Monday night – it’s called Greetings from Friends and showcases Mid-Century Art Cards 1945-1975 (greeting cards, paintings, drawings and prints designed by prominent artists and architects, including B.C. Binning, Gordon Smith, Alistair Bell, Don Jarvis, Jack Shadbolt, Arthur Erickson and others.) “The cards reveal an interconnected social network among artists and architects who were the vanguard of the region’s art and design scene.” The museum has also scheduled some related workshops that are worth a mention: “Greeting Cards-An Introduction to Block Printing”  is on November 14, 1-4pm ($45)  and again on November 28, 1-4pm. Here is the skinny from the Museum:  “Explore the art of printmaking and create your own holiday greeting cards! This introductory workshop will take you through the process of relief block printmaking. Participants take home a set of original holiday greeting cards with envelopes printed using their own lino-block design.
Nov 9 (show runs November 10 to December 24, 2009) | 7pm |  West Vancouver Museum |  Reception FREE Workshops – $45 Call 604-925-7270 to register

And Speaking of Cards…

November is a perfect time to get a head-start on writing Christmas cards. Don’t leave it to the last minute – Check out the Regional Assembly of Text, a wonderful Main St. store with 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. It’s free, open to everyone, and supplies are provided. Highly Recommended
November 5 | 7:30 pm | Regional Assembly of Text | FREE

Fragments in RPM

A new exhibition of prints and poster remnants exploring musical memory and the visual attachment we give to sounds. Expect mixed media impressions taken from 33 and 45 vinyl with cut fragments of concert posters created over the past decade. Fragmented posters include: The Cure, Flaming Lips, REM, Radiohead, Gomez, Polyphonic Spree, Los Lobos, Franz Ferdinand, New Pornographers, Queens of the Stoneage and more.
Nov 8 | 4:30pm | Public on Main (3289 Main)

36th Annual Circle Craft Christmas Market

Once again,  over 200 Canadian artisans gather under the five sails to represent and present their wares at this annual Vancouver tradition. If you want to keep local money circulating in the local economy during Christmas (and make local artisans glow like Rudolph’s nose never could), this is the best opportunity to do so.
Nov. 11-15 | 10am-9pm | Vancouver Convention Centre

FOOD

Cheese Making Workshop

The UBC Farm’s Growing Season Workshop Series presents our most popular workshop of the year this week – Cheese Making with David Rotsztain. (David Rotsztain, is a “well-cultured” cheesemaking expert. David is a farmer and farmstead cheesemaker on Mayne Island, and an old, dear friend of the UBC Farm). “Love cheese? Ever wonder how cheese is made? Want to save money by learning how to make it yourself?  This practical workshop will provide a wonderful introduction to the world of cheese making.  Your very own cheese handbook will be provided.” Whoa – free cheese notebook?  Top that for only 26 beans. Registration is limited to 15 people each workshop and sell out VERY quickly.
Nov 12 | 2-5pm or 6-9 | $26 | DETAILS

Winter Farmers Market

Already? Yup. Head to the Winter Farmers’ Market at WISE Hall to pick up some hearty root vegetables, home-baked bread, crafts, and plenty of other cool bits. Visit EatLocal.org to see the full list of vendors (Scout goes for Pasture to Plate, Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and always a visit to The Fruit Guy for dried Okanagan fruits to snack on).
Nov 7 | 10am – 2pm | WISE Hall 1882 Adanac Street at Victoria Drive | FREE

Perogies!

First Friday of the month – you know what that means: yup, tonight is perogy dinner night at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral on 10th (just off of Main). The delicious old-school perogies are handmade by church volunteers. A ‘regular dinner’ will cost you $11 and consists of 6 perogies, 2 cabbage rolls, sauerkraut or salad and Ukrainian sausage. If you are looking for something a little lighter, borscht served with rye bread is only three bucks.
November 6 | 5 till 8 pm | Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral | 154 E 10th | $3 – $14

FASHION

Vancouver Fashion Week

The Fall/Winter edition of Vancouver Fashion Week outfits the city with a bit of style this month. A total of 22 shows will feature Canadian design,eco-friendly design, international designers, contemporary/ready-to-wear labels, and streetwear… As always, the daily runway shows will be accompanied by jewelry and clothing exhibits where designers can show and sell their products to guests, media and buyers.” Scout will be hitting the Eco Friendly Fashion Show on Friday Nov 6th. This show features local designers Red Jade, Lav & Kush, Hawks Ave, Nate Organics and Movement – all showing us that responsible design can look cutting edge without the unattainable price tag. After a brief intermission there will be the “Night in Taipei Show” featuring established designer Angela Chen (profiled on Scout last week) and emerging designer Fala Chien. My guess is that it will be a slinky and seductive show. On Saturday there will be a series of shows featuring designers such as PORSCIA , Ginger Martini, Paul Hardy, Anelore Popa, Kersh (profiled on Scout this week). Sunday highlights include a street wear show, a kids wear show, an International designer competition. Check out the full schedule here. Keep your eye on Scout twitterings this week for ticket giveaways.
Nov. 3-8 | All you need to know is HERE

ENVIRO

Rainwater Collection

“It’s hip to harvest rainwater. But why should we think about this here in Vancouver? What are the benefits and strategies? Rainwater collection systems vary greatly, Laurel will focus on what homeowners here in the Lower Mainland can do themselves to harvest rainwater, and integrate this practice with today’s green living. Space is limited. Please RSVP by 5pm on Friday toinfo@sustainablebuildingcentre.com or 604-682-5960 for guaranteed entrance. More details here.
Nov 7 | 2-4 pm | Lighthouse Sustainable Building Centre | $5

FILM

Nevermind Silent Bob, Hook Us Up With Jay

UBC Film Society is “pleased to announce that Jason Mewes is once again scheduled to come to UBC. He will be participating in the Mewesicology event, which will feature a screening of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back – in which Mewes plays the character Jay – followed by a Q&A with the man himself (BYOW). Tickets are $5 (no member discount) and are available  online or at The Outpost in the SUB.
Nov 9  | 7 – 10pm | The Norm – UBC SUB | DETAILS

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Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended Bond University in Australia and the University of Victoria before receiving her graduate degree in Library Sciences from The University of Toronto. She lives by the beach in Vancouver and enjoys wandering aimlessly through the city’s shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

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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 list 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…

FASHION

Obakki

You’ve dreamed of it. Prayed for it. Drooled on your desk while imagining it – and now finally, the day has come:  there’s an Obakki warehouse this weekend. That means you can load up on some of the most beautiful clothes designed and manufactured in Vancouver. Have a look at the Obakki website for wearable convincers…
Oct 23 – 25 | Fri 10-7 / Sat 10-5 /  Sun 12-5  | 201 – 135 West 7th

ART & FILM

Get Animated!

Lucky for you, Pacific Cinémathèque presents Get Animated!, “a Canada-wide series of free screenings and activities to mark World Animation Day (October 28) and celebrate the National Film Board of Canada’s 70th anniversary. As part of the festivities, the NFB and Pacific Cinémathèque will present three evenings of screenings and special presentations.” Check out the Pacific Cinémathèque website for details.
Oct 26 – 28 |  Pacific Cinémathèque | FREE

FUSE at the VAG

FUSE goes Good and Evil. Which one are you? The Vancouver Art Gallery’s late Friday art affair goes down with a “non-stop line-up of music, performance, and artistic encounters throughout the Gallery.” Highlights will include the 4East Magic Bar, “mood” makeup, zombies and dance + multimedia performances.
Oct 23 | 6pm to midnight | $19.50 Howl

Vancouver Short Film Festival

BC’s best shorts including post-secondary student showcase, BC professional showcase, World’s Best Shorts matinee, and industry panel: ” Making short films in Vancouver: Benefits, Drawbacks, and the Potential” Free entrance into after party in the Vancity Theatre atrium with proof of purchase.  Check out the line-up here.
Oct 23 & 24 | Vancity Theatre | $10

FOOD

Cooking with Chocolate

As part of the West Coast Chocolate Festival -”This one evening course will allow you to sit back and savour chocolate as the finer details are explained. Enjoy an enlightening, and informative class incorporating the history of chocolate, how chocolate is made, and how to taste chocolate. Watch our pastry chefs prepare up to 8 chocolates and learn what makes them so different.”
Oct 23 | 6:30 – 9:30pm  |  Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts | $85 per person

Le Vieux Pin & La Stella at Salt

At Salt Cellar this Monday night you can slurp down a selection of wines from Le Vieux Pin & La Stella  in between mouthfuls of charcuterie from J, N & Z Deli, Oyama Sausage Company, and Moccia’s Italian Meat Market as well as artisan cheeses from the UK, Spain, Italy, France & BC. Only 40 beans!
Oct 26 | Salt Cellar | $40 | call 604-633-1912.

Eat Local!

This is the very last week for community farmer’s markets. Pick up delicious breads, jams and canned veggies, as well as harvest fresh produce like onions, green onions, radishes, shallots, spinach, sprouts, Swiss chard, garlic scapes, beets, carrots, squash, pumpkins, and corn. It’s a pretty awesome time of year. Enjoy it while it lasts.
West End: Saturdays until Oct 24 | 9am – 2pm | 1100 Block of Comox | FREE
Kits: Sundays until Oct  25 | 10am – 2pm | Kits Community Centre | FREE
West Van: Sundays until October 25 | 9am – 2pm | Ambleside | FREE

Shrooms

The Vancouver Mycological Society’s 30th Annual Mushroom Show takes over the Floral Hall at Vandusen Botanical Garden this weekend and will feature displays of identified mushrooms and other fungi, speakers well-versed in all things mushroom and excited to share, slide shows, books and loads of cleaver tips from experts on everything from cultivation, preservation, cooking, medicinal use, hunting, ecology, and cultural use of mushrooms. Check it.
Oct  25 | 11 am–4 pm |Vandusen | $3

COMMUNITY

Spooky

Howl – as described by the Leaky Heaven Circus : “During a tour of the Haunted Russian Hall (600 Campbell Avenue) subjects will be subjected to a variety of frightening ordeals to awaken their deepest phobias. Studies will be conducted and phobias will be calculated on a demographic map of the city. A panel of Child Psychologists (aged 8 through 14) will counsel you through a debriefing session (don’t worry, refreshments will be served and dancing encouraged to shake off the trauma).”
Oct 23 | 5 pm – 11:45 pm | Russian Hall (600 Campbell Avenue) | $3+ sliding scale

Autumn Fair

Can’t have too many Autumn Fairs. Nope. Get your fix this weekend with Kitsilano’s very own. Events for all ages include local artists and musicians; wellness fair; pumpkin path and scarecrow contest; midway and carnival games; pancake breakfast; arts & crafts and more.
Oct 24 | 10 am – 3 pm | Kits Nieghbourhood House (7th and Vine) | FREE

MUSIC

Dodos

The Dodos play the Biltmore Monday night and it will be a good show – so good, chances are you will have to do a bit of scrounging if you want tickets. Still – hold on to the dream. From the Sealed with a Kiss website: “The Dodos are an American indie rock band consisting of Meric Long and Logan Kroeber. Since 2009, Keaton Snyder had joined the band as their vibraphone player. They create psychedelic folk songs.” Enough to go on? Further reading? Get the Wiki on the vibraphone here.
Oct 26 | door 8 – show way later | Biltmore Cabaret | $14.50

Airborne Toxic Event

First, have a listen, if you haven’t already, of Airborne Toxic Event on their Myspace page. Then, head over to the NME site to read the balance of the article that the following slip was ecerpted from: ‘You know what I’m going to do? I’m going to write songs, drink whisky with my friends, play some shows, sing these songs and I’m going to talk to people and engage them, and I want us all to be there, and I don’t want anyone to die…’ And then, scoop some tickets – try Zulu.
Oct 28 | Commodore Ballroom | $25 – 30 bucks?

LIT LOVE

Writers Fest

Writers Fest continues this week and although readings with John Irving and Audrey Niffenegger may be sold out – there are still numerous mind-expanding and enriching events with tickets still available. Or get really brave and read your work at one of the open mic nights : 7 minute readings in poetry, fiction and nonfiction. Check out the full list at the Writers Fest website.
Until Oct 25 | Granville Island | various prices – about $20

Alcuin Wayzgoose

I know, it’s a bit of a mouthful – here is the translation: “A celebration of fine press printing in British Columbia. The Alcuin Wayzgoose exhibitors will display their books, broadsheets and ephemera and will demonstrate some of the techniques used in fine press publishing.” Worth poking your head in – there will be some nice books to see.
Oct 24 | 10am – 4pm | VPL – Alice MacKay Room | FREE

The Journey Prize Stories 21

Hop over to Robson Square for with readings by Daniel Griffin, Paul Headrick, Yasuko Thanh, and editor Lee Henderson. “As part of UBC’s Celebrate Learning Week, please join us for a special reading and discussion from The Journey Prize Stories 21 with contributing authors Daniel Griffin, Paul Headrick, Sarah L. Taggart, Yasuko Thanh, and editor Lee Henderson…. For more than two decades, The Journey Prize Stories has been Canada’s most celebrated annual fiction anthology, presenting the best stories published each year by some of the most exciting emerging writers. This year the stories were selected by renowned authors Camilla Gibb, Lee Henderson, and Rebecca Rosenblum.
Oct 29 | 7pm |  UBC Library/Bookstore Robson Square | FREE

INTEL

Vancouver Institute presents…

Professor Sander Gilman will be addressing the Vancouver Institute with a lecture entitled Why Don’t We Trust Our Food? Obesity and Infection Today.
Oct 24 | 8:15 pm | Lecture Hall No. 2 Woodward / UBC

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Too much light fluffy fun? need a sobering wake-up call?  How about a lecture about the The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict? From VPL: “Politics or religion? Economics or geography? Could it even be sibling rivalry? ” Debra Vanden Dungen will present a concise history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and will respond to questions after her talk.”
Oct 27 | 7pm | Vancouver Public Library| FREE

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Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended Bond University in Australia and the University of Victoria before receiving her graduate degree in Library Sciences from The University of Toronto. She lives by the beach in Vancouver and enjoys wandering aimlessly through the city’s shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

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If you’ve wandered by Main Street’s Vancouver Special you’ve likely found yourself lured inside pretty quickly. The ‘design concept store’ opened in April 2008 at East 20th Ave in the heart of Vancouver’s up and coming Mt. Pleasant neighbourhood. It’s aim is to promote the idea that good design can be accessible, affordable, and of high quality while bringing pleasure to daily life. The product mix is carefully curated and constantly evolving with offerings ranging from furniture, design objects and household accessories to a large selection of photography, design, and architecture books. The owner, Anne Pearson, holds an Honors B.A. in Art History and a Masters of Architecture degree from UBC. Prior to opening the store, she worked for an architecture firm in Vancouver. She has a passion for art, design and retail and has researched and traveled extensively to find innovative and unique local and international products and designers. Scout caught up with Anne recently and asked her a few questions…

Three things about your neighbourhood that make you want to live there: 1. The tuna tataki at Zipang Sushi on Main and 21st. 2. Wednesday Karaoke Night at the Legion on 23rd – I like to go there and play darts and watch the old men sing Sinatra songs. 3. Queen Elizabeth Park  – I love walking up the hill in the morning and watching all the old people practicing Tai Chi.  I enjoy it most in the spring for all the flowers, and in the fall for the leaves.  And there is an incredible view of downtown from the top of the hill.

Most popular locally-made item in your store? The mini origami Vancouver special houses are very popular. They were designed for the store by a very cool local multi-disciplinary design firm called “creative room“.

What inspires your choice of products? I only sell items that I would buy for myself. My taste is very contemporary, and the selection of books and products reflects that.  I look for design that is well made while still being affordable, that is clever, and isn’t too trendy.

A Vancouver Special item everyone should have: I think everyone should have a Tivoli Radio. I’m not a techie person, but I love the retro-style and the fact that they sound great is a bonus. I like to plug my laptop into mine when I’m watching Project Runway, and that way I can hear every word that Tim Gunn has to say.

What are your favourite new Vancouver Special items right now? Beautiful wood alarm clocks handmade by Furni in Quebec, The Spiderwoman Chair and Neon Tube lights by Danish furniture company HAY. I’m also really excited about the new pottery we’re getting from Portland artist Lilith Rocket.

If there was a Vancouver Special soundtrack – what would it sound like? Well, funny you should ask. We actually made a summer mix-tape for the store and all the staff picked their favorite summer songs. It’s very eclectic. Check out the playlist on our blog.  And when we’re not listening to that, I’ve usually got KCRW from Los Angeles playing on the Tivoli Internet radio.

Why is Vancouver a good city for independent design? Because it feels like it’s emerging rather than established. It’s exciting to live in a city that hasn’t hit its peak yet. There is also an incredibly supportive art and design community here, and it’s small enough that it’s easy to meet people and there is a lot of opportunity for dialogue.

Is there a local designer or artist that you admire above all others? Gordon Smith. He just turned 90 years old, and he still manages to be avant garde. And Gordon, if you’re reading this: I want to see your house!

Best Vancouver place to be inspired by emerging artistic talent: Lu’s Pharmacy on the Downtown East Side. It’s a new space for a non-profit women’s health care clinic designed by students at the UBC School of Architecture. It is really inspiring to see great design achieved on a limited budget and with mostly recycled or reclaimed materials. Some of the students designed the most gorgeous chandeliers out of old coat hangers and metal colanders.

Favourite Vancouver building? I have a love for old signage and odd vernacular buildings, like the “2400 Motel” on Kingsway and the “Star Tile” building on East Hastings. But if you’re talking in terms of capital ‘A’ Architecture, I think Vancouver’s best buildings are the Electra (the old BC Electric building) and the adjacent Dal Grauer Substation. The Electra was designed by Ron Thom, and B.C. Binning did the decorative blue mosaic tiles. It’s a wonderful pairing of art and architecture. The substation was one of Vancouver’s first modern buildings, and while it is currently in a terrible state of disrepair, the facade used to be a glass curtain wall which exposed the interior machinery and circulation. The interior was color blocked in primary colors, (also designed by Binning), and at night it would glow from within like an electric Mondrian painting.

Three places you like to take out of town guests: The Museum of Anthropology, the view of the Lions from the Cleveland Dam,  and – depending on the guests – either to Spanish Banks or Wreck Beach to watch the sunset.

Where do you enjoy shopping in Vancouver? Food: My favorite is Italian, and I love the homemade pasta at La Quercia.  The best panini are at “La Grotta del Formaggio” on the Drive. They also make great sandwiches at a little Italian deli in Strathcona called “Bennys” and I buy my Italian sausage at Moccia’s on Hastings.
Clothing: I think local clothing designer Dace Moore is very talented. She makes great coats. And I love the graphic patterned dresses at Marimekko, the leather purses made by Erin Templeton in Chinatown, and Vincent Park on Main Street for jeans. Jewelry: Heather Mandin is a local designer who makes some really different and interesting objects.

MORE INTERESTING PEOPLE

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 list 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…

EAT

Scotcholate

Take $75 over to The Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts this Friday for Single Malt Scotch and Chocolate.For those of you who need more information beyond where to be and how much money to bring: “Always a sold-out event renowned for its originality and elegant ambiance, this year the fabulous evening will be led by Marcus Von Albrecht of Mava Foods and feature the sampling of Ileach Peaty, Finlaggan Old Reserve; Ileach cask strength – (won the 2nd best scotch in the world), and Laphroaig 10 yr old – single malt scotches paired with delicious chocolates from Xoxolat Chocolaterie, plus Marcus’s hand made white chocolate and dark chocolate whisky truffles, and desserts from the chefs at PICA.
Oct 16 | 6:30 to 9:30 pm | Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts | $75

LISTEN

Chris Rock

If you’re hanging around Thursday morning and looking for something to do – you can tune in to the CBC for an interview with Chris Rock. CBC interviews Chris about his new project – he is taking on the role of executive producer and presenter of a new documentary called Good Hair – a film that takes a look at the culture behind African-American hair styles. When is Chris Rock not going to make your day even better?
Oct 15 | 10 am | CBC Radio One – 690 on the am dial

Chad VanGaalen at the Rio

From Zulu Records: Recently short listed for the illustrious Polaris Music award, Calgarian Chad VanGaalen has in quick time won over critics and fans alike with his instantly infectious songwriting craft. Deftly weaving together a strange brew of instruments – guitars, synths, horns, strings, vibraphone, drum machines, tapes, found sounds etc. – Chad effortlessly concocts songs loaded with indie charm, delicate melodies, and soul. Add his amazing voice – that approaches Neil Young’s haunting falsetto – and the result is simply magical. Chad is not to be missed!”
Oct 15 | 9pm | Rio | $25 and selling fast

Chad VanGaalen at Zulu Records

If you miss your chance to buy a ticket, or if you just want as much Chad VanGaalen as you can possibly get – here is a tip: Chad will roll by Zulu on the way to the Rio and play a few songs – for free!
Oct 15 | 7pm | Zulu | FREE

Berube at the Biltmore

Folk rocker from Montreal, Mark Berube , plays the Biltmore this week with guests Shuyler Jansen and Willow Rutherford. Skip over to Berube’s Myspace page for a listen to Yesterday’s Halo. Perfect Autumn drive in the country music.
Oct 19 | 9pm | Biltmore Cabaret | $12

Yo La Tengo

For a 25 beans you can take yourself to the Commodore to see Yo La Tengo this week. Here is a bit of info from Matador: “Most of us fans have a silly tendency to look at our favorite musicians as being the smartest people in the world. Within their lyrics we know we’ll find the answers to everything, if we just look hard enough. In truth, most musicians are no smarter than any of us—often much less so. You can find many books on this subject. Georgia, Ira and James of Yo La Tengo are exceptions to this rule, and Popular Songs, their 12th (or 14th, depending on what and how you count) album is the proof.” Have a listen…
Oct 21 | 10pm by the time they actually get on stage | Commodore | $25

GREEN

Greening Your Home

I keep coming across this free lecture series at the Radha Yoga space on Main – haven’t been but the series sounds interesting: “Experts in environmental and community sustainability present inspiring and practical ideas to use in your home, your building and your community. This is one way we want to share our learning from Radha’s Green Building project this summer. This Saturday: Lecture on greening buildings and sustainability with Bryce Gauthier of Projects in Place and Toby Barazzuol of Strathcona’s Green Zone. ”
Oct 17 | 2pm | Radha Yoga & Eatery ( 728 Main) | FREE

Eat Local!

The list of outdoor markets continues to dwindle this week. Make the most of these last days and hit the market in your neighbourhood while you can. Pick up delicious breads, jams and canned veggies, as well as harvest fresh produce like onions, green onions, radishes, shallots, spinach, sprouts, Swiss chard, garlic scapes, beets, carrots, squash, pumpkins, and corn. It’s a pretty awesome time of year. Enjoy it while it lasts. PS. Dear 2009 soil, thanks.
West End: Saturdays until Oct 24 | 9am – 2pm | 1100 Block of Comox | FREE
Kits: Sundays until Oct 25 | 10am – 2pm | Kits Community Centre | FREE
DTES: Wednesdays until Oct 21 | 3pm – 7pm | Thornton Park | FREE
West Van: Sundays until October 25 | 9am – 2pm | Ambleside | FREE

Apple Festival

This fall fest is educational, delicious and inexpensive. Not only can you visit the tasting tents to sample up to 60 varieties of new and heritage apples (all grown in BC) but you also can learn from members of the the Vancouver Island-based BC Fruit Testers Association, members of which will be on site to give grafting and cider-pressing demonstrations. There’ll also be Master Gardeners available to discuss apple-related diseases and pest management for those of you who have trees at home. And if you see those people who have trees and are getting free expert advice but you’re jealous because you don’t have a tree – don’t fret. You can also buy many varieties of apple trees grafted onto dwarfing root stock to plant in your own garden. But the best, superbest part? No end of apple pie, hot apple cider, caramel apples, apple chips and organic BC apple juice.
October 17 & 18 | 11am to 4pm | UBC Botanical Garden | $2 (kids free)

Learn From New York City

Janette Sadik Khan, New York City’s transportation commissioner, discusses what we could to change urban environments in Vancouver. From SFU: “As New York City’s Transportation Commissioner, she helped introduce protected bike lanes, pedestrian plazas, sustainable street designs and, most dramatically, closed five blocks of Broadway in Times Square to vehicles — while improving traffic flow! Find out how she transformed New York and how that could affect us, our health, and our urban environments.” Free admission; reservations required. Call 778-782-5100 or email cstudies@sfu.ca
Oct 19 | 7 pm | Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre | FREE

BUY

Blim

18 Blim Community Market The Blim Community Market hits Main Street this weekend and you should make a point of stopping by, here is why: not only will you see oodles of cool stuff but your attendance shows support for local talent and supports local economy. Check out fashion, accessories, supplies, fine art, vintage items and records. Don’t miss your chance to grab some ridiculously cheap and super delicious coq au vin from Open Sesame.
Oct 18 | 11am–5pm | Cambrian Hall | By donation

READ

Writers & Readers Fest

The line up for the 2009 Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival is pretty sweet. “There’s something for everyone at this year’s Festival,” says Hal Wake, Artistic Director of the Festival. “We’ve got international luminaries like John Irving, The Time Traveller’s Wife author Audrey Niffenegger and Sarah Waters. Our lineup of eight French-language authors is truly formidable, led by Marie-Claire Blais, who will be appearing in events for both English and French-speaking audiences. For spoken word fans there is beat-box balladeer C.R. Avery. It’s a mark of the Writers Festival’s stature that authors want to come here and enjoy the enthusiasm of Vancouver-area readers.” Kicking off the Festival week is a tribute to Alice Munro on Sunday evening (October 18). International literary stars Richard Ford, Alistair MacLeod, Elizabeth Strout (winner of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction), Amit Chaudhuri and Joan London, hosted by Eleanor Wachtel, will celebrate the life and work of Munro, who will be in attendance to hear what her work has meant to other eminent writers”. We’re talkin’ 69 events.
October 18-25 | Granville Island | Website

Hutchinson and Malla

An Evening of Poetry and Short Fiction with Two of Canada’s Most Critically Acclaimed Emerging Literary Talents Chris Hutchinson and Pasha Malla. From UBC: “Pasha Malla burst onto the Canadian literary scene with the publication of his debut short story collection The Withdrawal Method (House of Anansi Press, 2008), which was longlisted for the Giller Prize and won the 2008 Danuta Gleed Literary Award and the 2009 Trillium Book Award. The Withdrawal Method was also selected as one of the Globe and Mail’s Top 100 Books of 2008. Pasha is a regular contributor to McSweeney’s and is currently working on a novel that will be published by Anansi in 2010. Originally from St. John’s, Newfoundland, he now lives in Toronto….With imagination, wit and scrupulous candour, Chris Hutchinson’s poetry negotiates and renegotiates the shifting no-man’s-land between self and others, introspection and public life. His second collection of poems Other People’s Lives has just been released by Brick Books. Poems from his debut poetry collection, Unfamiliar Weather (The Muses’ Company, 2005) have been translated into Chinese and have appeared in numerous Canadian and U.S. publications. Chris was born in Montreal and has lived in Victoria, Edmonton, Vancouver, Tempe, AZ, and most recently Kelowna, BC where he teaches English at Okanagan College.” Still need to know more? Visit the website.
Oct 19 | 7pm | Robson Square | FREE

Light A Candle

Diwali goes down this weekend. The name of the festival comes from the Sanskrit word dipavali, which means ‘row of lights’. Throughout the festival, fireworks, candles and lanterns are lit to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Sounds like a pretty good reason to light a candle if you ask me. The big event (Diwali Downtown) is a day-long “extravaganza” that involves everything from Bollywood dancing to samosas. It all happens at the Roundhouse on Sunday. Prior to Sunday there are there are a slough of free and culturally enlightening Diwali workshops to take part in. Organized by the Vancouver Celebrates Diwali Committee, workshops showcase local South Asian arts, music, food and dance and take place at various locations around the city and are facilitated by experienced local artists, and involve the participation of pre-schoolers, elementary school students, families, seniors, and the general public. Workshops take place at community centres and neighborhood houses across the city. Specific workshops include:
Thursday October 8 – West End Community Centre 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Saturday October 10 Renfrew Community Centre 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Wednesday October 14 Killarney Community Centre 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Thursday October 15 South Vancouver Neighborhood House 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Friday October 16 Renfrew Community Centre 10:00am – 11:00am, 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Friday October 16 Sunset Community Centre 5:00pm – 7:00pm
For a full list of activities check out their website here.

WATCH

Hangover Beverage Garden

The gang at the UBC FilmSoc Club mix it up this week with a Hangover Beverage Garden. Basically – the premise is to consume themed drinks while watching a movie about hangovers. “Bring your best hangover story for a chance to win great prizes! (But hey, don’t go be irresponsible just to get a good story!)” Costumes are encouraged.
Oct 15 |7-9pm | The Norm Theatre at the SUB | $6 / $3 for members

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Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended Bond University in Australia and the University of Victoria before receiving her graduate degree in Library Sciences from The University of Toronto. She lives by the beach in Vancouver and enjoys wandering aimlessly through the city’s shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

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