The Scout List: A Curated Agenda For Discerning Vancouverites

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… Read more

Scout List: Our Eclectic Agenda For Discerning Vancouverites…

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…

The Waste Festival spreads across the city. The playoffs are on.  And the sun is set to make an appearance. Do you even need a Scout List? Just walk out the door.

CULTURE

Music Waste is on and events are so numerous and so flippin’ good that it’s almost pointless to try to narrow it down. Skip over to the Waste website for a look at the schedule and you’ll see what I’m on about. I guess if someone held a gun to my head I could come up with a shortlist of gigs that would be on my must-see list, and that list would go something like this: On Friday I’d hit Zulu for in-store’s with War Baby (6pm), Walter TV (7pm) , and Spring Break (8pm), then I might high-tail it over to Campagnolo for some crispy ceci and wine before stopping in at the Electric Owl to hear the Shilohs play (10pm), after which I’d bolt to the Biltmore for a bit of Fine Mist (11pm). Finally, I’d wander back down to Hastings Street to catch Apollo Ghosts at the Astoria (1am).

On Saturday I’d take the kids to Red Cat Records for the all ages afternoon show with Woolworm at 2pm and Thee Ahs at 3pm before skipping down to Gene for Prophecy Sun at 4pm. In the evening I’d start out at Antisocial (The Spreads play at 10pm), head to Electric Owl for Sun Wizard at 12:30am and then scoot over to the Waldorf for No Gold at 1am. All of the venues are within walking distance (they say) of each other and full festival passes are only $15 (deal of the century). Passes can be found at: Neptoon Records (3561 Main Street); Zulu Records (1972 W 4th Ave); Scratch Records (726 Richards Street) and Redcat Records (4332 Main Street).

Gastown’s Catalog Gallery opens a new show this Friday. This one features work by Caleb Beyers…I read something about a Lamborghini cast out of materials from the earth? Catalog never disappoints. More here.
Opening Reception: Friday June 3 | 56 Powell (right across from Sea Monstr Sushi) | Free

This is a good weekend to take small people to the Vancouver Art Gallery. It’s Family FUSE Weekend! “Expect the unexpected and consider the absurd as artists, dancers, musicians, filmmakers and other creative artists lead workshops, performances, tours and activities proving that there are no limits to the imagination.” Kids under 12 get in for free (score!) with a paying adult. Imagine the unimaginable and turn the world upside down. Or something…
Saturday–Sunday, June 4–5 | 10am–5pm | Vancouver Art Gallery | 22.50 for grown-ups

George Vergette: Stranded and Broke in a Strange Town opens at Gallery Jones (1725 W 3rd) this week.  New paintings by Vergette will be on display starting on Saturday (June 4) with an opening reception on Thursday, June 9. Get out there and expose yourself to art!

Catch the Spread at Chapel Arts over the weekend. This is an art show with a special focus on community building and artist promotion exploring alternative strategies for young and emerging artists to show their work in an underfunded art’s community. All work shown will be under $300. Find out more.
June 3 | 8pm-2am | Chapel Arts (304 Dunlevy)

The Fair (International Contemporary Art in Vancouver) gathers 18 local and international galleries about town and stuffs them all in to one super-fantastic exhibition of contemporary art at The Waldorf. Ooh, the efficiency of seeing the wares of 18 galleries in one location!
June 2 – 5 | The Waldorf Hotel (1489 E. Hastings)
Opening Reception: Thursday, June 2, 7pm – 11pm
Friday, June 3, 5pm – 11pm
Saturday, June 4, 1pm – 5pm
Closing Reception: Saturday, June 4, 7pm – 11pm
Sunday, June 5, 11am – 2pm

It’s Italian Day on the Drive. Music, food, bocce and soccer. Throw in a good cup of coffee and a little bit of sunshine. Does it get any better?
June 5 | 12pm – 5pm | Commercial Drive (Venables to Grandview)

Velopalooza is on, get your bike out and join in on some of the activities. There’s something for everyone:  DIY bike fixing workshops, bird-watching biking, garden-admiring biking, bike church, hoolahooping and biking, bike-poker, bike-bbq, bike-jousting, a bike sandwich nazi ride, the Deep Cove Doughnut Dive, bikes and beers…and I’m not freakin’ kidding about any of that. You name it and add a bike to it and it’s likely going down. Velopalooza is on now and runs through to June 19. Check it.

Collingwood Days are on. This year, it’s an “old fashion fair with a multicultural flair! There will be multicultural food, activities and entertainment, as well as a world class BMX bike air show, carnival games and bouncy castles.” And you know it’s gonna be good when they break out them bouncy castles!
Saturday, June 4 | Carleton Elementary School (3250 Kingsway) | Free

Does the relationship between a strong economy and a healthy planet seem at odds? Join a collection of authors, economists, filmmakers, and activists to discuss whether or not we can simultaneously expand our economy and decrease our ecological footprint at the De-Growth Conference this weekend. Considering the kind of conversation and inspiration you will be party to at this hot mess, the $30 ticket price seems like a steal. Go earth!
Saturday + Sunday, June 3-4 | SFU Harbour Centre (515 W. Hastings).

It’s Heritage House Tour time. This is your chance to peek inside historic buildings throughout the city on a self-guided tour without being charged with B&E or being thrown in the slammer for peeping your Tom. Each year, a different selection of homes in neighbourhoods across the city are lined-up for participants to shuffle through. Eastside tip: Benny’s in Strathcona (Union and Princess) will be having a BBQ for tour goers.. Meat!
Sunday, June 5 | 10am-5pm | $40

Jewellery and fashion accessory designers slide in to Heritage Hall over the weekend to make sure you’re properly accessorised for the summer. Score handcrafted jewellery, bags, hats, belts and various other trinkets of probably high awesomeness.
Saturday, June 4 | 11am-5pm | Heritage Hall (3102 Main) | $2

There’s a Memory Box Workshop at Chalk. What’s that, you ask? “Not sure what to do with that drawer full of found objects, mementos, photos and keepsakes? Local artist Valerie Arntzen has a passion for these objects and will show you how to incorporate them into a Memory Box. A Memory Box is a place to honour a person, place or thing. It can reflect your childhood, your family, your travels, a special occasion or someone you want to honour..the ideas are endless. This workshop will introduce students to assembled art techniques, with the goal being to create one finished Memory Box.” So there you go. Click here to register.
June 5th | 1pm-4:30pm | Chalk | $65

On Tuesday night, former first lady Laura W. Bush takes the stage at the Centre For Performing Arts to talk about her life experiences. Zzzzzz. She’s expected to talk about life before, during, and after the White House, which is to say it’ll be too long. BYOB.
Tuesday, June 7 | Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts (777 Homer) | $40-125

GLUTTONY

Wander and people-watch through the “shopping extravaganza” at the Chinatown Night Market and then grab a cocktail at The Keefer or Bao Bei.
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night | 6:30-11pm | Keefer between Main and Columbia

This is weird. There’s a cruelty-to-artists meanathon called East Feast going down this Sunday. Here’s how it works: pay a modest amount ($15) to enjoy afternoon tea while three preselected artists each make presentations promoting their work. The audience then votes on which artist will receive their funding. Grassroots micro-funding at its most bizarre, relying on a hybrid of community engagement and schadenfreude to get by.
Sunday, June 5 | 2pm-4pm | The Canucks Family Education Centre, Britannia Community Centre | $15

If you’ve got a c-note burning a hole in your pocket, consider hitting this cool fundraising dinner for the Downtown Eastside Centre For The Arts. $100 will get you dinner prepared by local chef Marci Toms and live music. The venue is a heritage house in Kitsilano (you get details of the exact location once you purchase a ticket). Your dough is going to a good cause, providing opportunities for creative exploration, engagement, and expression in the heart of the city. The Centre gives artists, social enterprises, and community groups interested in contributing to the cultural, social, and community development of the neighbourhood the opportunity to participate in creating. If you’re interested, contact Mel ASAP, (there are only a few tickets left): mel.lehan22@gmail.com.
June 4 | 6pm | Location is TBA | $100

Trout Lake Farmers Market | Saturday | 9am-2pm | Trout Lake | Free
Kitsilano Farmers Market | Sunday | 10am – 2pm | 2690 Larch @ 10th | Free
West End Farmers Market | Saturday | 9am-2pm | 1100 Block Comox | Free
Thornton Park | Wednesday | 3pm – 7pm | Main Street Station at Terminal | Free

FLICKS

The Outsiders AND Rumble Fish play at the Rio. Wanna go?
Friday, June 3 | 11:55pm | Rio Theatre | $8

Machete Maidens are unleashed at Pacific Cinematheque.
Friday, June 2-5 | various times | Pacific Cinematheque | $11

Meanwhile, Vancity throws down in Lynchian fashion with Blue Velvet and Eraserhead!
Friday, June 3 | 7pm | Vancity Theatre | $11

Sadly, there’s nothing is playing at the Hollywood on Broadway. “The Fairleigh family is truly heartbroken to announce that in late May the Hollywood Theatre will be undergoing a change in ownership, largely due to increasing property taxes, HST, and the changing market for movie consumption, in which films can be downloaded for free. Thank you to all the wonderful people who have supported the Hollywood all these years. All the best to you, Vancouver film-lovers!”

Bummer.

If you are involved in or know of an event that you think we should add to the Scout List, drop us a line and we’ll see what we can do. Keep in mind that we’re looking for cool, cheap and accessible events. Michelle [@] Scoutmagazine [dot] ca.

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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 in beautiful Strathcona 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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Scout List: A Clever Scheme To Milk Vancouver Of Its Coolness

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… Read more

Smoke Break #799: Seven Minutes And Thirty Four Seconds With Shepard Fairey

Magic Brought To Gastown With “Illuminares” Hitting Storyeum

by Michelle Sproule | Honour is due to the folks at Public Dreams for coming up with an alternative venue for the Illuminares lantern festival last night while their original host, Trout Lake Park, was under the makeover knife. If you aren’t familiar with Public Dreams, they are undersung heroes, facilitating “large-scale community celebrations and the creation of fantastical performances”, which means they work hard for nothing to bring a little magic to the city year after year with dreamy, volunteer-driven and community-oriented events like “Illuminares” and “The Parade of Lost Souls” (two boisterous processions that have become part of the local cultural landscape).

While this year’s venue, Storyeum, didn’t bring the level of otherworldliness that the forest and park setting do, it was still pretty awesome. Typically, Illuminares is an ethereal escape, a chance to slip away from urban reality. Having it go down in Gastown on a Saturday night was weird, especially with the fireworks going on, but it wasn’t a disaster. I read it as an opportunity to bring some magic to the streets rather than inviting the streets to the magic. That said, it’s hard to compete with the Blarney Stone yahoos up the street and the suburban tide retreating from English Bay. Here’s hoping Trout Lake is ready for next year! A few shots after the jump… Read more

Sean Orr: On Vancouver Culture And The Dwindlings Thereof…

photo: seanorr

Add the death of independent Sophia Books to the list of casualties in the war on culture that is being unconsciously perpetrated by the bridge-and-tunnel Hoi Polloi (those who need a Starbucks in their bookstore for it to make sense).

We love to think of ourselves as a cultural city, but beyond a very well-informed minority that is tireless in it’s promotion, there is no backbone to support local arts. With its population base, Toronto has all the makings of a city capable of supporting a thriving scene, but you just have to look at how our Provincial Government has decimated funding to see how art is just not a priority here on the west coast. It has long been known that even our most celebrated artists – people like Jeff Wall, Roy Arden, and Stan Douglas come to mind – have had to gain recognition elsewhere before being accepted here at home.

We can barely preserve our own heritage, because our struggle to constantly re-invent our image means more and more new development. Just look around. BC Binning’s Dal Grauer substation sits in disrepair, Richards on Richards is gone, and so is Molly’s Cafe near the shiny new Athlete’s Village. The list is long (one way to stop it from getting any longer would be to tie in our obsession with construction directly to the arts in the form of a cultural dividend).

Although I’m hardly an arbiter of taste, it just always feels like Vancouverites would rather rollerblade around the seawall with their Lululemon pants and vitamin water than go see a local musician. Add to that sad sense the almost puritan interpretations of our antiquated liquor laws by successive city councils, and it’s no wonder we are labeled with a nickname like No Fun City. As the upcoming documentary of the same name makes clear, the solution isn’t allowing the Granville Entertainment Group to stay open until 4am. Read more

$55.5 Million Facelift On View At UBC Museum of Anthropology

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. Read more