SCOUT LIST: 10 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now & Next Week

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…

LEARN | The Internet is a massive part of our social, political, economic and creative lives, but what is it exactly? If you’ve ever stopped to think about the answer to that question and are interested in getting to the bottom of it, make your way down to hear author Andrew Blum (Tubes: A Journey to the Center of the Internet) give it his best shot. Blum will be at the centre of Vancouver’s Internet Exchange (yes, there is such a thing and it’s really located at SFU Harbour Centre) to give his talk, which is entitled Tubes and Exchanges: Discovering the Real Places of the Internet. Curious? Use your internet connection to find out more here. Admission is free, but reservations are required and will likely be spoken for quickly.
Thursday, May 2 | 7pm | SFU Harbour Centre (515 W. Hastings St) | DETAILS

THE CAVE SINGERS | Live music is such a good move. Do yourself some good and catch The Cave Singers at the Commodore this Thursday night. The indie folk/rock band from Seattle is coming over the border to play tunes from their most recent album, Naomi. Joining them on stage will be The Bleeding Rainbow. So grab a cold bottle of beer, a place in the crowd that has a good view, and enjoy!
Thursday, May 2 | Doors 8pm / Show 9:30pm | Commodore Ballroom (868 Granville) | $18.50 | DETAILS

POP-IN LOCKER ROOM | Canadian brand Muttonhead (unisex clothing made from high quality and sustainable materials and designed to outlast trends) launches their Spring/Summer 2013 “Good Sport” collection with a pop-in-shop exhibit at Chinatown’s Board of Trade Co. this weekend, but if you head down on Thursday night you’ll catch a party that will include a little bit of love from Caribou Brewing Co. and Vancouver Urban Winery, as well as a baseball card-themed photo booth (awesome).
May 2-5 | 11am – 6pm daily | Board of Trade (227 Union St) | DETAILS

SHARE | Take a seat at the ShwayShway Cafe to meet new people, share good food and slow down a little. The pop-up long table series is setting up shop at The Chinatown Experience this weekend to serve up Middle Eastern-influenced mezzo plates featuring Yummus hummus, beef or roasted vegetable Tajine (stew), dessert made by Sunday Morning Ice Cream and drinks for $30 (you might even see a hookah making it’s rounds). We hear that Friday and Saturday nights might already be sold out, but there are still seats for Sunday and the lunches of hummus, baba ganouj, labneh, sides and tea for $10 are wide open. More here.
May 3, 4, & 5 | Lunch 11-6pm, Dinner 7-11pm | 434 Columbia St | $10/$30 | DETAILS

FUSE GRAND HOTEL | Once every few months, The Vancouver Art Gallery lets loose. These occasional breaks from the usual civilized gallery behaviour are known as FUSE – an evening of music, live performance, DJs and art. This time around, FUSE follows the theme of the museum’ latest exhibition: Grand Hotel. Expect comedy improv inspired by hotel-themed films, live jazz, a touch of Andy Warhol and a little Blim (with the added incentive of a cash bar and gallery tours).
Friday, May 3 | 8pm–1am | Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby St.) | $20 | DETAILS

GET ACQUAINTED | Forbidden Vancouver is leading a Lost Souls of Gastown walking tour this weekend that will take you through the back alleys and dark corners of historical Gastown. By the time you’re done you’ll know all about Gassy Jack, Klondike Kate and poor old John Bray. You’ll also get a feel for what the neighbourhood vibe was like way back when and gain a better appreciation for its street names, architecture and variouslandmarks.
Saturday, 4 May | 8pm | Various Locations In Gastown | $22 | DETAILS

KARMA | Local artist Wendy Sexsmith is trying to brighten rehab up by raising funds for a mural project that would transform the colourless hallways of Onsite (a DTES rehabilitation centre). How can you contribute to building a stronger and healthier community through art? It’s as easy as enjoying a plate of Huevos Rancheros. Just show up at the Interurban Gallery for brunch this Sunday and the money you spend on breakfast will go toward funding this project. Bonus: Vancouver band The Sojourners are playing.
Sunday, May 5 | 11:30 | Interurban Gallery (1 E. Hastings @ Carrall) DETAILS

WATCH | Doxa is on, and with 74 screenings at 5 venues, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. Highlight include Vancouver director Corey Ogilvie’s Occupy The Movie, Google and the World Brain by Ben Lewis. Also look out for Slow Food Story (Sunday, May 5 @ 3:45 pm) in which Director Stefano Sardo follows the delicious adventures of Slow Food movement founder Carlo Petrini as he endeavours to foster an anti-fast-food movement.
May 3-12 | Various times, Various venues | DETAILS

WILD EDIBLES | Figure out what you can and can’t chow down on while on a trek through local forests by taking a two-hour guided tour with the well informed culinary peeps at Swallow Tail Tours. Not only will hike leaders will brief you on where to find and how to identify delicious items such as wild mushrooms, fiddleheads, berries and stinging nettles, but they’ll also fix you up with secrets of how to prepare them for optimum impact and (the best of all part) they’ll also make you lunch using foraged food right on your walk.
Sunday May 5 | 11am | Lynn Headwaters, North Vancouver | $39 | DETAILS

THE SHOW | Prepare to be blown away this Sunday at the annual Degree Exhibition at Emily Carr. Wander the galleries, hallways, foyers and classrooms of the campus to take in upwards of 300 works by talented graduating students.  Students exhibiting their work have come through ECUAD in Design, Media and Visual Arts. And for the first time this year, Emily Carr will be offering one-hour tours for those wishing to get a more in-depth understanding of the work on display.
Sunday May 5 | 5-10pm | ECUAD (1400 Johnston, Granville Island) | DETAILS

Check the Globe & Mail every Thursday for our Special Weekend Edition of the Scout List

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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 shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

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SCOUT LIST: 10 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now & Next Week

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…

ECO FASHION WEEK | Catch the latest from local designers strutting their wares down runways and across stages to demonstrate how fashion and sustainability are no longer mutually exclusive. Highlights include the 68 lb challenge (contestants search the isles of Value Village to find 68 lbs of used clothing that they then rework in to a new collection) and the Hey Jude Fall ’13 collection preview. Full schedule here.
Now – April 24 | Various times | Robson Square (800 Robson St) | DETAILS

BLOOM | In order to support their endeavours to promote an appreciation for the history and culture of people of Japanese Canadian heritage, the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre in Burnaby is holding a fundraiser this week. Bloom, the museum’s annual art auction, is all about Kokeshi, wee wooden dolls – a little like the austere offspring of a matryoshka doll and a clothes peg – painted in a distinct style and adored for their good luck. Attendees are invited to enjoy canapés, a cash bar and good conversations in between placing bids on 100 artist-designed dolls (check out a gallery of the dolls here).
Thursday, April 25 | 7pm | Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre | $25 | DETAILS

BIG MOUTH | The relationship between art and real estate in Vancouver is an interesting one. Development without regard for art leaves a city bereft of character. Yet, without appropriate development, the creative class will have nowhere to live. The Big Mouth series, conceived of and organized by Polina Bachlakov, seeks to bridge the gap between the worlds of art and real estate development by engaging speakers to explore the opportunities for collaboration and overlap of these two worlds. Speakers include Michael Green (Michael Green Architecture), Mark Shieh (Director of River Market at The Quay), Ron Burnett (President and Vice Chancellor of Emily Carr University of Art + Design), Steven Cox (Principal and Creative Director of Cause+Affect, Pechakucha), Heather Redfern (Executive Director of The Cultch, Vancouver’s East Cultural Centre), Ernesto Gomez (Nuba, Arrival Productions), Donald Luxton (Heritage Vancouver). This event is sold out but the good news is that there will be a limited number of tickets released at the door!
Thursday, April 25 | 7pm | Macaulay Fine Art, 293 East 2nd Ave | Free | DETAILS

OCEAN WISE | The Vancouver Aquarium and Naramata Bench Wineries Association are joining forces this weekend to hold Wine For Waves, a fundraising event for Ocean Wise, the “Vancouver Aquarium conservation program created to educate and empower consumers about the issues surrounding sustainable seafood.” It will offer Vancouverites a first taste of Naramata Bench’s spring release wines paired with seafood prepared by some amazingly talented chefs (Chef Ned Bell of Yew, Chef Bruno Terroso of Poplar Grove, Chef Mark Ashton of Lake Breeze Winery, Chef Darin Paterson of Red Rooster Winery, and more). Good food and wine for a good cause? You can’t go wrong.
Friday, April 26 | Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver, 791 West Georgia St | DETAILS

SPLURGE | Got Craft? You should. Make your way over to Templeton Secondary School, (727 Templeton Drive in East Van) this weekend to check out the spring edition of Got Craft and peruse supercool handmade wares of indie artists, designers, bakers and soap makers. This event is a Scout favourite, and definitely one of the best craft shows we have in Vancouver. Bonus: If you’re one of the first 50 people through the door, you’ll have a chance to score a free swag bag of goodies (full of handmade items from vendors at the show).
Sat, April 27 + Sun, April 28 | 10am–5pm | Templeton Secondary School, 727 Templeton Drive | $3 | DETAILS

BELLE GAME | Hannah Georgas and The Belle Game are playing the Rio Theatre on Friday night. They are also playing Saturday night, but good luck getting tickets to that, they went in a snap – prompting this second show. The Belle Game recently wowed the Pecha Kucha Night audience with a pre-show performance, then played Record Store Day at Zulu Records. With a new album out (released April 20) and a quickly growing following, tickets won’t be available for long. Try Redcat or Highlife or call The Rio’s phone service (1-888-222-6608).
Friday, April 26 | 8pm | The Rio Theatre (1660 E Broadway) | $25 | DETAILS

LEARN | Cleopatra, well known for her strength and cunning, was rumoured to be besotted by pearls. The presence of these precious, naturally produced gems in her jewellery is the jumping off point for a discussion about the ancient pearl trade. The Vancouver Chapter of The Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities offers a Friday night lecture with Professor Joel Walker (History Department at the University of Washington) that will explore the power of the pearl and it’s role in antiquities of trade and commerce.
Friday, April 26 | 7pm | Alliance for Arts & Culture (938 Howe St) | $5 | DETAILS

A MOST CURIOUS EVENT | Hustle down to Gastown on Friday night for an auction and oyster tasting event at the stunning new location of The Found And The Freed, a pop-up shop teaming with cool antique artifacts. The Curious Oyster Catering Co. will be on site shucking four different types of oysters (sourced from The Outlandish Shellfish Guild), serving canapes and pouring cocktails, wines and scotches selected to perfectly pair with the bivalves. 10 unique items – gathered from back-country barns, abandoned buildings and small town garages – will be auctioned proper-like with a professional auctioneer and paddles. That – and the generally good company that oyster-loving people are famous for – will make for a good start to the weekend.
Friday, April 26 | 7:30pm | 207 Abbott St | $45 | DETAILS

SKATE | The pavement is dry, the sun is shining and the new skate park is open out at UBC (Thunderbird Blvd and Health Sciences Mall). As Canada’s first skatepark located on a university campus, this new facility deserves your attention, for historical and cultural reasons, if not just for fun. Even if you don’t skate, grab yourself a tea or coffee at the UBC Student Union Building, take a seat on the sidelines and watch for a while.

SLOW DOWN | If you’re in or headed to the Okanagan this weekend, slow down and enjoy some good food. The Slow Food Canada National Conference is going down at The Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos and the gathering of chefs, farmers, foodies and winemakers brings with it two Slow Food meals that should not be missed. The premise of Slow Food movement is to respect food and enjoy what you are eating. Know where it comes from, appreciate fully what has gone in to growing, raising, harvesting and preparing that food and do it in a way that celebrates flavour and ritual of sharing food. A pretty sound premise to be sure. Sit down at one of two dinners (Slow Fish Grazing Dinner or Taste of Thomson Okanagan) to immerse yourself in the Slow Food movement, eat some amazing food and meet some great people.
April 27 + 28 | The Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos | $75 | DETAILS

Check the Globe & Mail every Thursday for our Special Weekend Edition of the Scout List

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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 shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

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SCOUT LIST: 11 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now & Next Week

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…

MAKE IT! | Score one-of-a-kind items that have been handmade by local designers at the Make It! show this weekend. This is a craft fair with an edge. Not only will you find table after table of cool and imaginative clothing, accessories and jewellery, but you’ll also find a fully licensed bar and DJ. Clever.
Apr. 19-21 | Fri: 4-9pm, Sat: 11-6, Sun: 11-5 | Croatian Cultural Centre | DETAILS

GET CRACKLIN’ | Do you love meat? If the answer is yes then you may want to wrangle a group of likeminded friends together and grab some seats at Campagnolo’s family-style nose-to-tail feast of whole roasted suckling pig this Wednesday night. Yes, you read that right! And the deliciousness doesn’t end there. Chef Ted Anderson will also be preparing a whack of awesome side dishes to compliment the pig, and wine will help grease the rails. All of a sudden Wednesday night is looking a lot more interesting right?  Word to the wise: tickets are going fast.
Wed, Apr. 17 | 7pm | Campagnolo (1020 Main St) | $59 | DETAILS

SHOP HOP |  The Gastown Spring Shop Hop happens this Thursday night. The one-night-only event offers Vancouverites the opportunity to cruise forty-seven of Gastown’s best shops, check out all of the new spring wares and be treated to great deals, in-store specials and the occasional cupcake . And get this: the kind people of Gastown want to make sure that you don’t get weighed down by the trying on of clothing and the carrying of bags so, with every purchase you make, you’ll receive a food or drink voucher to one of your favourite nearby participating restaurants (think Nicli Antica Pizzeria, Salt, Peckinpah, Pourhouse, Sea Monstr). Even if you’re not looking to spend, the vibe is good and the business owners are friendly. So get hopping.
Thurs, Apr. 18 | 5pm–9pm | Various very cool locations | FREE to browse | DETAILS

BEGGARS BANQUET | It’s spring people, the perfect time for some new duds! Refresh your closet with some stylish vintage at The Beggars Banquet this Friday night. Loaded with a tight selection of cool clothing, jewellery, shoes and handbags, this one-night-only pop-up flea market is guaranteed to inspire. Citizen Grace and Duchesse Vintage will be there, as will Lauren Clark & Lynsdey Chow of Hey Jude and the Jordan River Soap crew (gotta keep squeaky clean).  The bar will be open and the music will be playing. Arrive early and you might even score some complimentary food (provided by The Bottleneck) and R&B beer.
Fri, Apr. 19 | 5-11pm | 213 E Georgia St. in Chinatown | DETAILS

FOUNDATIONS | The Emily Carr University of Art + Design Foundation Show lines the walls of the ECUAD Concourse Gallery with works by first year students. Sure, the show is an opportunity for new students to bring their family and friends down to see what’s been keeping them so busy over the past eight months, but it’s also an opportunity for the general public to size up the next wave of emerging art, design and media makers (and even place bets on their futures by purchasing pieces of their art). Pop down to Granville Island for the opening reception on Friday night. This show continues until April 27.
Fri, Apr. 19 | 7-10pm | Emily Carr University of Art & Design, Granville Island | DETAILS

LISTEN |It’s Record Store Day on Saturday and independently run record stores across the city are fixin’ to help you celebrate. Back to back in-store performances, record releases, sales and the coming together of people who love music – sounds like a fine use of a Saturday! Hit Red Cat Records, Neptoon and Dandelion Emporium on Main and Zulu Records on 4th Avenue for all sorts of record-related fun.
Sat, Apr. 20 | All Day | Various Locations Around Town | Free | DETAILS

ORO |  Klee Larson takes a great photograph, and her artistic abilities don’t stop there – they spill into everything she does. Lately she has been playing around with printing photos on vellum and adding layers of gold foil and resin (the results literally glow). Clear some space on your schedule to attend the opening reception for Klee’s first solo show on Saturday evening. Oro(Spanish and Italian for gold) is a gathering of Klee’s recent works showing at The Shack Art Collective in East Van. The majority of pieces are small and, keeping within the mandate of The Shack, priced within reach (in the $80-$110 range). Bring a little cash in your pocket for art (and a drink) and enter through the alley to check out this cool little gallery and the amazing artist exhibiting within!
Sat, Apr. 20 | 7pm | The Shack Art Collective | 4364 Prince Albert (enter through alley) | DETAILS

GROW | Head to the greenway on East 23rd between St. George and Carolina Streets on Saturday afternoon to load up on plants. A fantastic plant swap is going down that will give gardeners and food growers the chance to buy or trade plants just in time for spring planting. Bring along gardening tools that you no longer need and donate them to a new home, get gardening advice from experts, and take part in Earth Day activities while you’re there.
Sat, Apr. 20 | 1-4pm | Tupper Greenway (500 Block of East 23rd Ave)

WRITERS FESTIVAL | The 14th Annual North Shore Writers Festival is on this Friday and Saturday. Head over to Lynn Valley to sit in on readings, panels and discussions aimed at celebrating Canadian writing and literature. Super stoked for the fun that will surely ensue at Friday night’s Literary Trivia event (hosted by author and CBC Radio superstar Grant Lawrence and the astoundingly well versed ‘Quiz Mistress’ (and librarian) Julie Backer. Also looking forward to The Art of Food Writing, a panel discussion with Diana Chan (Foodology), Andrew Morrison (Scout), Mijune Pak (FollowmeFoodie) and Stephanie Yuen moderated by Barbara-jo McIntosh (Saturday, 1–2:30pm).
Fri, Apr. 19 – Sat, Apr. 20 | Various Times | 1277 Lynn Valley Rd, North Vancouver

4:20 | On the 20th day of the 4th month (that would be this Saturday), thousands of people gather in, on and around the Vancouver Art Gallery to celebrate one of BC’s strongest industries: marijuana. Pot cookies, smoking tents, bongo drums, naked people and dreadlocks…expect it all. The first reefers are lit early and the cloud of blue love gathers all day, reaching it’s zenith in a storm at 4:20pm. If you’re driving through downtown, take caution around the VAG parameter, as there may be a few slow moving pedestrians to avoid. If you are attending and get the munchies, the Scout tip of the week is that Bel Cafe at The Hotel Georgia will be selling 4:20 themed Hemp Seed Macaron ($2) all day. Between those and the fleet of food carts on site, you should be all good, man.
Sat, Apr. 20 | 4:20pm | Vancouver Art Gallery | Free (or $5 a joint)

Check the Globe & Mail every Thursday for our Special Weekend Edition of the Scout List

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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 shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

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SCOUT LIST: 11 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now & Next Week

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…

PECHA KUCHA | Pecha Kucha Night Vol.27 goes down this week. As per usual, the gathering of local creatives will be presenting 20 images (for 20 seconds each) on what inspires them. Participants include a fascinating group of artists, musicians, community activists and business owners. This month’s speaker line up has great range, from Brandon Grossutti of PiDGiN Restaurant and the creative peeps behind Definitely Raining to Emily Smith of Vancouver Mini Maker Faire and Brian Wakelin of Public: Architecture + Communication. PKN remains one of the greatest mind-expanding, culturally significant ways to spend your time in Vancouver. We have a pair of tickets to give away, so stay tuned!
Thursday, Apr. 11 | Doors 6:30 | Vogue Theatre | 918 Granville St | $15 | DETAILS

POP-UP | If you’ve never been to a pop-up by The Found and the Freed before, this is a good weekend to start. Brought to you by a couple of great gals who source vintage and antique artifacts from all over (and then dust them off, fix them up and bring them to a convenient location for you to sift through), this is the kind of gig that you always hope you’ll find when you follow up on one of those pop-up leads. Be warned: the best items tend to fly out the doors, so don’t sit on whatever you fancy for too long. As we noted this morning, they’re taking over the former Chrome Yellow digs at 207 Abbott St. in Gastown beginning Friday night with regular hours starting on the Monday (to Friday 11am to 7pm and from 11am to 5pm on the weekends).
Fri, April 12 (to May 10) | 7pm | 207 Abbott | DETAILS

ART | Cultural hub, hideout, public venue or meeting place — a hotel is a many faceted creature that simultaneously bears witness to fleeting relationships and long-standing traditions. Responding to the complex, evocative and global phenomenon of The Hotel, the Vancouver Art Gallery opens a new exhibition this week, Grand Hotel: Redesigning Modern Life. This show, commissioned and produced by the Vancouver Art Gallery, “charts the evolution of the hotel from an isolated and utilitarian structure to a cultural phenomenon that figures prominently around the world.” Follow up with a civilized cocktail in a hotel lounge. Best bets: Yew, Tableau, Hawksworth.
Sat, April 13 | Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby St) | $19.50 | DETAILS

LEARN | In collaboration with Vancouver Opera, The Vancouver Public Library is hosting an evening talk about tea this week. This free public lecture ties in with upcoming (May 4-11) opera Tea: A Mirror of The Soul, which tells the story of a Japanese prince and his tragic path to the wisdom of The Book of Tea. Tea experts will be on hand to discuss the history, mythology and rituals associated with Chinese and Japanese teas. Free admission, but seating is limited.
Tues, April 9 | 7pm | Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch (350 W. Georgia St.) | DETAILS

BUY LOCAL | Make your way to Heritage Hall this Sunday for the annual Nifty For Fifty sale. Everything from clothes and shoes to trinkets and awesome accessories are on sale for $50 or less. Everything on site will be vintage or made by local designers like Adhesif Clothing, Allison Wonderland, Daub+Design, Toodlebunny, C’est La Vie … (the list goes on and on and it all sounds straight up fantastic).
Sun, April 14 | 11am–8pm | Heritage Hall (3102 Main) | $1 | DETAILS

VINTAGE | Since you’re in the neighbourhood for the Nifty For Fifty Sale already, you might as well tack on a scoot down to the ANZA Club for a flip through the Frugal Fashionista Market. Organizers have assembled used and vintage clothing experts, retailers and stylists to outfit stalls and tables with loads of great deals for your sponge shopping pleasure.
Sun, April 14 | 12-6pm | Anza Club (3 W. 8th Ave) | $2 | DETAILS

SUNDAY SCHOOL | The Vancouver Urban Winery kicks off a series of laid-back and ‘irreverent’ wine education classes this week. Hosted by sommeliers David Stansfield and Lisa Cook, Sunday School wine classes are intended to be a fun and informal introduction to drinking, buying and talking wine without any pomp. The first in the series of seminars, Wine 101: A World Tour of Wine, will furnish attendees with flights of wine to help them taste the difference between wines produced in different regions around the world – there is no better way to learn than to experience, right? Upcoming classes: April 28, BC vs. The World; May 12, Better Know a BC Winery: Joie Farms and May 26, How to Buy Wine and Influence People.
Sun, April 14 | 7pm | 55 Dunlevy Ave | $35/$120 for 4 classes | DETAILS

SPRING | Along with daffodil-studded boulevards, cherry blossoms and occasional blue skies, the annual Spring perogy lunch at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Strathcona is a sure indicator of the true arrival of the most welcome of seasons. In addition to the shining linoleum floored basement lined with communal lunch tables ready for plates of home-made borscht, perogies and kielbasa, there will be a bazaar and kids swap meet to pick though. Leave with a full belly and a few treasures from the sale, grab a cup of tea at The Wilder Snail and then park your bum in MacLean Park for a hang out session (weather permitting).
Sun, April 14 | 11am | Ukrainian Cultural Centre (805 E Pender) Street | DETAILS

ZERO WASTE | This is Earth Month, folks. Join Marnie Newell from The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation and Jen Rustemeyer from The Clean Bin Project at The Homesteader’s Emporium for a Zero Waste Kitchen and Bath Workshop that will teach you how to throw fewer things out.
Sun, April 14 | 2-3:30pm | Homesteader’s Emporium (at 649 E Hastings St) | DETAILS

HUNGRY HERONS | Great blue herons are busily having babies right now. Head down to the Stanley Park Nature House on the edge of Lost Lagoon to learn about Vancouver’s heron population, their mating habits and the unique ways in which they feed and care for their offspring. Pre-registration for this program is advised. Email programs@stanleyparkecology.ca
Sun, April 14 | 1:30pm-3:30pm | Stanley Park Nature House | By Donation | DETAILS

FOOD | Hustle down to Barbara-Jo’s Books To Cooks on Sunday afternoon for a visit (and a little bit of food truck love) with James Cunningham, host of TV’s Eat Street. Cunningham will be on site (along with Vikram Vij who will be cooking from Vij’s Railway Express menu) to bring Vancouver the Eat Street cookbook, which is full of recipes from food trucks and street vendors. The price of your ticket includes refreshments and a signed book.
Sunday, April 14 | 2pm | 1740 West 2nd Ave | $25 | DETAILS

Check the Globe & Mail every Thursday for our Special Weekend Edition of the Scout List

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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 shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

——————————————————————————————–

SCOUT LIST: 11 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now & Next Week

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…

PUNCH DRUNK LOVE | Every month, producer/presenter Melanie Friesen of Vancity Theatre’s Cinema Salon asks a prominent Vancouverite to present their favourite film and speak to its greatness. This month, it’s award-winning musician and producer Steve Dawson. He’s screening his favourite film: Punch Drunk Love (Adam Sandler, Emily Watson). Discussion of the film follows the screening with drinks
Tuesday, April 2 | 7:30pm | Vancity Theatre (1181 Seymour) | $13 | DETAILS

TEA | This Tuesday night, Kitsilano’s O5 Tea kicks off a series of Tuesday night movie screenings designed to be a fun way to connect with other Vancouver tea wonks. The series begins with Wes Anderson’s The Darjeeling Limited starring Jason Schwartzman and Owen Wilson. Have a laugh and enjoy compilentary tea and nerd-out with like minded tea drinkers. Best part, it’s all free.
Tuesday, April 2 | 7pm | | O5 Tea bar (2208 W 4) | Free | DETAILS

TASTE | We can think of no better way to celebrate Spring than with a four course ‘Cuisine de Terroir’ meal prepared by Joy Road Catering, except for the same dinner paired with wines from Road 13 Vineyards. The Country In The City dinner has the Okanagan coming to us inside the beautiful Vancouver Urban Winery on Wednesday night. Cam Smith and Dana Ewart of Joy Road do a stellar job of making the most out of fresh local ingredients (think wild nettle pesto with house made ricotta prosciutto, fresh oysters, poached trout, roasted lamb, pearl barley risotto with wild fire morel mushrooms). Tickets are going fast. See you there?
Wednesday, April 3 | 7pm | Vancouver Urban Winery (55 Dunlevy) | $100 | DETAILS

KNOW YOUR CITY |  Check out the Secrets of the Penthouse tour this Thursday night. Led by the good folks at Forbidden Vancouver, this tour will reveal the juicy secrets and varied histories of Vancouver’s most infamous nightclub. Meet owner Danny Filippone, hear star-studded stories, take in the wall of historical photographs, catch a bit of burlesque, and learn about police raids, murders and fires. As you can imagine, this event will be popular and, although there are two tours running, it will likely sell out. If you don’t make this tour, don’t panic. You can get in line for the ones on May 2nd or June 6th.
Thursday, April 4 | 6:15pm + 7:15pm | The Penthouse (1019 Seymour) | 6pm | $38 | DETAILS

GET UP | This Friday brings Creative Mornings, the monthly morning gathering for creative types. Each event includes a 20 minute lecture followed by a 20 minute group discussion. It begins at 8:30am and ends with everyone splitting for work at 10am. This month’s speaker, Ian Ruhter, is an old school photographer. Way old-school. This is an artist who sought to restore some of the depth and soul of the photograph by returning to over 100 year old technologies and methods. He captures on film what he could not achieve with present day equipment. Sign-up for a ticket here (they get snapped up FAST, so don’t wait.)
Friday, April 5 | 8:30-10am | Dodson House (25 E Hastings) | Free | DETAILS

NIRVANA NIGHT | Celebrate the life and talent of Kurt Cobain (February 20, 1967 – April 5, 1994) at Fortune Sound Club on Friday night. Event organizers will screen the documentary “I Hate Myself & I Want To Die” followed by a chat with the film’s director Benjamin Shapiro and an evening of Nirvana covers performed by local bands.
Friday, April 5 | 6pm Film 8pm music | Fortune Sound Club (147 E. Pender) | $10 | DETAILS

ENTANGLEMENT | Vancouver artist, photographer and environmentalist Michael Hall is fascinated by single-use plastic waste. He might see the ugliness in the physical evidence of a consumer-driven society disenfranchised from the natural environment, but he also sees the beauty in this man-made and easily discarded material. He plans to use that beauty to engage the community in thinking about it. Head to the EastVan Studios this Saturday for an art auction and party with DJs and such, the proceeds of which will help Hall pay for the printing of photographs and the development of the theme.
Saturday, April 6 | Auction 2-9pm Party 9pm | EastVan Studios (870 E. Cordova) | DETAILS

BLOSSOMS | How awesome is it to have a city full of cherry blossoms right now? Get excited about it with the likeminded at the Sakura Days Japan Fair at VanDusen this weekend. Cruising the Sakura Days Japan Fair is like being teleported to Japan, or as close as most of us are going to get by Saturday anyway. The gardens are packed full of cherry blossom gazers, live entertainment, arts and crafts tables and martial arts performers as well as tea ceremony stations, flower arranging stations, origami making booths and lots of traditional and anime-inspired costumes.
April 6+7 | 10am-5pm | VanDusen Botanical Garden (5251 Oak) | $12 | DETAILS

LISTEN | Canadian artist Roy Henry Vickers will be in town this week for an art exhibition and storytelling event in support of his new book, Raven Brings the Light. A collaboration between Vickers and historian Robert Budd, Raven Brings the Light tells the ancient First Nations legend of how Raven brought light into a world of darkness. Vickers will treat attendees to a reading from the book and a look at 18 new prints created as illustrations for the book. The one day show will pop-up at the Waterfall Building near Granville Island (1540 W 2nd) and is free to all.
Saturday, April 6 | 10:30am-4pm, Storytelling @ 11am | 1540 W 2nd | FREE | DETAILS

GO GREEN | It’s time to get your garden sorted. Hook up with Victory Gardens this Saturday for a composting workshop with soil specialist Emma Holmes. The hands-on workshop will cover important topics such as what different types of compost can be made, the different soil situations that will influence the type of compost you choose to create, what you should and should not put in to compost, and how a compost should be maintained for maximum benefit.
Saturday, April 6 | 10:30 | 151 W 1st Ave False Creek Village | $18 | DETAILS

CHEKHOV | It’s altogether too seldom that Vancouver sees a Chekhov play on stage. That oversight will be addressed this week by The Only Child Collective when they present Three Sisters at the Vancity Culture Lab. The century old drama opens a four year window on the lives of the Prozorov family (sisters Olga, Masha, and Irina) and their brother Andrei as they come to terms with their place in a changing Russian society.
Now-April 20 | Various times | Vancity Culture Lab (1895 Venables) $14-$28 | DETAILS

Check the Globe & Mail every Thursday for our Special Weekend Edition of the Scout List

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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 shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

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SCOUT LIST: 10 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now & Next Week

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…

GALLERY | On Tuesday, hustle down to the Vancouver Art Gallery Tuesday night, not only is Tuesday is it admission-by-donation night but it’s a great opportunity to take in The Dance Screen (The Scream Too) and to hear Haida master carver Chief James Hart talks about the process of his work.
Tues, Mar. 26 | 7pm | Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby St) | Free with admission | DETAILS

HERITAGE | The fate of the old, block-wide, mid-century modern Canada Post building on West Georgia street is up in the air. It was sold in January to the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation, which – by the sounds of it – probably issues Nokia phones to their staff, hosts the least exciting office parties and frowns upon casual Fridays. So what’s next for the building? Heritage Vancouver – with a group of prominent architects (among them Bruno Freschi) – offers up a golden opportunity for Vancouverites to discuss.
Wed, Mar. 27 | 7pm | Arts & Culture Alliance | #100-938 Howe St. | DETAILS

NEW WORKS | Emily Carr’s 1st year Masters of Applied Arts students hold their year-end exhibition of new works this weekend. Works derived from many disciplines (design, media and visual arts) are united by an overarching theme of Ekphrasis, a Greek word meaning ‘To Speak Out’.
Mar. 26 – Apr 6 | Concourse Gallery, ECUAD (1399 Johnston St) | Free | DETAILS

BILTMORE | San Francisco-based singer-songwriter Christopher Owens (listen) is in town to play a gig at The Biltmore this Friday night. The mellow, folk-pop pretty-boy is on tour to promote his debut solo release, “Lysandre” — a short love-inspired album with tracks perfectly suited to a spring evening in Vancouver.
Fri, Mar. 29 | 8pm | Biltmore Cabaret (2755 Prince Edward St) | $17 | DETAILS

SHOULD THEY STAY OR SHOULD THEY GO | The Vancity Theatre is screening Italy: Love it or Leave It. Frustrated by unemployment, high rent and a perceived ‘indifference to human rights’, two Italian journalists/filmmakers on the verge of leaving Italy for a gilded vision of Berlin stop to re-evaluate things via a road trip through Italy in a vintage FIAT 500. The pair travel back roads and visit famous landmarks to uncover what true elements of the famous Italian way of life remain intact.
Mar. 28-30 | Various Times | Vancity Theatre (1181 Seymour) | $11 | DETAILS

TOTALLY BAKED | The Bakers Market is back! Starting this weekend we can load up with artisanal breads, scones, cookies and cakes out at the Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre. We’re guessing this weekend will see all manner of chocolate eggs, pastel coloured macaroons, madeleines, easter bunny cupcakes and chick-shaped marshmallows. Lots of gluten free and vegan options too. Basically the whole baked shebang. It’s like a dreamy dessert buffet or the biggest bakery you’ve ever set foot in. See you there.
Sat, Mar. 30 | 11am–3pm | Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre, 7646 Prince Albert | DETAILS

FIRST RULE OF PILLOWFIGHT CLUB | Those girls suffering pent up angst and seeking good times will be thrilled to learn that they have a standing invite to kick the living daylights out of their friends (and strangers) at the Eastvan Pillowfight Club. For real. It’s like an all-girl cross between roller derby, Riot Girl and The Fact of Life. Look it up. Dudes are welcome, on the sidelines. Funds raised go to the Vancouver Rape Relief & Women’s Shelter.
Sat, Mar. 30 | 8pm | Astoria Pub (769 E. Hastings) | $15 | DETAILS

SKYLINE | Learn about the characters who shaped this city through their contributions to building design, development, and city planning with local historians and authors John Atkin and Andy Coupland. The pair lead the curious on a guided walk of Mountain View Cemetery this Sunday.
Sun, Mar. 31 | 10am | Mountain View Cemetery (5445 Fraser St @ 39th Ave) | $10

EGGERY | “Easter Eggstravaganzas” will be popping up in parks, backyards and living rooms across the city this Sunday. Score some quality treats now so you’re well-stocked for the weekend. Purdys foiled eggs are an undeniable classic (and worth the wait in line), but Beta5 has a sweet collection of sophisticated creations for the hard-core foodies among us. If we’re really lucky, Gastown’s highly anticipated Eastside Roasters may open their doors this weekend to provide Vancouverites with yet another source of fantastic chocolate treats.
Sun, Mar. 31 | All day, but particularly in the morning | DETAILS

BIRDS OF A FEATHER | Take a guided walk of Stanley Park this weekend and explore the varied and beautiful spring bird life. Learn how to identify a variety of species, hear a little bit about seasonal bird behaviour, and fill your lungs with some outstanding fresh air. It’s Spring, folks. Dig it!
Sun, Mar. 31 | 1:30pm | Stanley Park Nature House | $ by Donation | DETAILS

Check the Globe & Mail every Thursday for our Special Weekend Edition of the Scout List

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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 shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

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SEEN IN VANCOUVER #434: On Making The Neon For The New Chinatown Night Market

As we’ve noted before, the Vancouver Chinatown Night Market is bringing a heady mix of time-honoured tradition and new school flavour to the summer festivities on Keefer Street. Check out the teaser video (attaboy Ken, great job!) and read more after the jump… Read more

SCOUT LIST: 10 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now & Next Week

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…

ELECTRIC CAR | If you think electric cars are just breaking on to the scene, think again. They’ve been trying to get our attention for a century now. Amazed? Fill in the blanks with a screening of 100 Years of the Electric Car on Tuesday night. The show is followed by an illustrated lecture on electric vehicles with a BC context courtest of electric vehicle advocate John Stonier. Peek inside a 1912 Detroit Electric Model 3.1 and a brand new Chevy Volt, and generally get yourself up-to-speed with the entire concept by chatting with reps from The Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association and General Motors.
Tues, Mar. 19 | 7:30 – 9pm | University Women’s Club | 1498 McRae Ave | $12 | DETAILS 

FOR REAL | Spring gets real this week. The Vernal Equinox (March 20 at 4:03am) officially signals the beginning of longer days and (fingers crossed) warmer weather. And not a minute too soon! Enough with the cold and dark business! It’s time to turn soil and take in all the cherry blossoms, t-shirts and dresses. Pack up the hats and gloves and break out a nice bottle of celebration. If you’re looking for a community event to mark the occasion with – head over to Renfrew Ravine Park for a Spring Equinox Labyrinth Walk.
Wed, Mar. 20 | 4pm | Renfrew Ravine Park (Renfrew @ E 24th Ave) | Free | DETAILS 

IL GIARDINO | Make some time in your schedule to slip down to Umberto’s Il Giardino for a glass of wine and a plate of antipasto before the restaurant is gone forever. Yup, after 37 years in business, Il Giardino closes it’s doors on April 15th and reservations for these last days are getting increasingly difficult to snag. As a Vancouver food lover, you are honour bound to take this opportunity to sit in the room with so much culinary history. It once upon a time set the bar for fine dining in this city, training and employing dozens of people who went on to serve, cook, and manage local restaurants. It also set a few icons on towards restaurants of their own (think Pino Posteraro of Cioppino’s and John Bishop of Bishop’s).
Now through April 15 | Il Giardino Restaurant (1382 Hornby St) | DETAILS 

DRAWFORTH | East Van artist Ehren Salazar is showing his work (charcoal portraits and landscapes) in a solo exhibit at Kafkas Coffee House beginning Thursday night. You may know him as the long-time Director of Little Mountain Gallery. He recently stepped down from the role in order to concentrate on his artwork. We highly recommend stopping in to check it out.
Thurs, March 21 | 8pm | Kafkas Coffee House (2525 Main St) | Free | DETAILS 

SUPPORT LOCAL | Portobello West is holding a Spring Market this weekend. Flip through clothing, accessories and trinkets from loads of local designers; eat well (Mix Bakery will be there, along with La Chocolaterie); and enjoy the gorgeous setting. Grab a cuppa and a hot crossed bun at Terra Breads and then take a stroll along the seawall afterwards.
Sat + Sun, Mar. 23 + 24 | 11am -5pm | Creekside Community Centre | $2 | DETAILS 

VANCOUVER FASHION | Check out the latest from up-and-coming local designers as well as award-winning talent from around the world at Vancouver Fashion Week. There’s something pretty great about sitting in a crowded room watching models strut the runway with flashes going off – it’s an energy that just can’t be explained. So get yourself a ticket(s) and feel it for yourself. VFW takes place at the Chinese Cultural Centre until Sunday. We recommend pre and post-show drinks at the Keefer, Bao Bei, The Parker or The Union.
Mar. 19-24 | Various times | Chinese Cultural Centre (50 E. Pender) | DETAILS 

GET GROWING | Evidence of Spring is already pushing through the soil. Don’t miss out in the fun! Get growing! The ladies of Victory Gardens are offering a workshop this Saturday morning that will walk you through the basics of preparing your garden for a season of plentiful food production. Not only will participants leave schooled on the importance of compost and soil, they’ll also have some crucial understanding of timing (which edible plants will do well in Vancouver soil, how to sew seeds and then transplant seedlings from pot to garden, and so on). Each participant will receive a pack of seeds. The perfect way to start the first week of Spring!
Sat, Mar. 23 | 10:30am | 151 W 1st Ave | $18 | DETAILS

LEARN | The Homesteader’s Emporium on East Hastings is offering a Introduction to Sausage and Charcuterie Making workshop this Saturday. Presenter Rick Havlak, owner of Homesteader’s, is an amateur sausage maker on the side (as well as an amateur wine and beer maker, bee keeper, cheese maker and probably candlestick maker). Rick’s workshop is not intended to be a professional sausage-making gig,  but rather a fun and informative workshop that will incorporate a demonstration of the basic principals and processes involved in making tasty cured meats and sausages. Participants will have the opportunity to check out equipment and ask questions and talk meat amongst themselves. “Topics covered will include fresh, smoked, and cured sausage as well as cured whole cuts (e.g. prosciutto), with tips and safety concerns discussed throughout.” Sold!
Sat, Mar. 23 | Homesteader’s Emporium (649 East Hastings) | Suggested donation: $5 | DETAILS 

HEADS-UP | The Vancouver Writers Fest might not officially go down until October, but the Writers Fest staff make a point of bringing us some pretty amazing speakers all year round. Case in point, this coming Monday night the VIWF presents and evening with Canadian journalist and human rights activist Sally Armstrong. Not only has Armstrong travelled extensively through ‘zones of conflict’ around the world, but she’s also a member of the Order of Canada and the International Women’s Commission at the UN. She has also penned four books – Veiled Threat: The Hidden Power of the Women of Afghanistan, The Nine Lives of Charlotte Taylor and Bitter Roots, Tender Shoots: The Uncertain Fate of Afghanistan’s Women, and most recently, Ascent of Women.
Mon, Mar. 25 | 7:30 pm | St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church | $21 | DETAILS 

Check the Globe & Mail every Thursday for our Special Weekend Edition of the Scout List

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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 shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

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The Waldorf Crew Have Signed The Lease At The Old Adult “Fox Cinema” On Main St.

by Andrew Morrison | The old Waldorf crew – Ernesto Gomez, Thomas Anselmi, and Danny Fazio – have partnered up with David Duprey and Rachel Zottenburg, they of The Rickshaw, Rumpus and Narrow. Together, this super pod has taken over the old Fox Cinema space at 2321 Main, by Antisocial and Lark (RIP). If you’re not from around these parts, The Fox was a pretty gnarly skin flick theatre, showing porn films on a loop for people who either didn’t have the internet or didn’t care to (aka the Nina Hartley set). It won’t be missed by many.

Ernesto Gomez spoke to me about this a month ago when they were trying to get the lease locked down. I expected him to be a little down with the end of his involvement with The Waldorf being so fresh, but on the contrary, he was excited. It’s not every day that one gets to reinvent a porn theatre, right? That’s rare. And you have to expect City Hall to be happy in the wake of the Waldorf bit of business. Likely generous, too.

And so a neighbourhood’s cultural tectonics shift. “Our mission is to create cultural experiences that embrace exceptional and fun.” says Danny Fazio. “We are delighted to continue the work we did at The Waldorf, expanding it further into the city.” I’m sold. Porn is fine and all, but I’ll take another Waldorf, thank you very much.

The Fox Caberet is scheduled for a Fall opening. There is much work to be done.

ALL ANTICIPATED OPENINGS

SCOUT LIST: 10 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now & Next Week

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…

AFFORDABLE ART | If you like the idea of furnishing your walls with original art but don’t have a full-blown art collector’s budget, you’ll want to check out Uncovered Vancouver this weekend. The collaborative effort from a group of 13 students from Vancouver’s Visual College of Arts and Design will fill the walls of The Chinatown Experiment with 26 pieces of original art priced between $100 and $250. Art work will be available for purchase beginning at noon on Thursday until 7pm. Organisers aim to sell every one of the 26 pieces by 7pm and then throw a party to celebrate (cover for the party portion of the event will include music courtesy of Chapel Sound and Cariboo Brewing beer with proceeds going to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre)
Thu, Mar. 14 | Sale 12-7pm, Party 7-11pm | The Chinatown Experiment (434 Columbia St) | $5 | DETAILS

ST PATRICKS DAY CRAIC | Craic is an Irish term for “mischievous fun, entertainment, good conversation and company”, and a proper one is often accompanied by a wee bit of cleansing ale. In anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day, a couple of fun-loving Vancouverites have rallied together to put on a Craic at the Anza Club this Friday night. The evening includes a set from Celtic band The Halifax Wharf Rats, $3 Bowen Island beer and lots of beer pong. That has all the makings of a good Friday night, wouldn’t you say?
Fri, Mar. 15 | 8pm | Anza Club (3 W 8 Ave) | $20 at the door | DETAILS 

FIGHT CLUB | The Rio Theatre is showing a sweet line-up of modern cult classics for their Friday Late Night Movies series this month. This Friday night brings the original 35mm print of Fight Club. $2 off the price of admission if you arrive in costume, so break out the red leather jackets and sunglasses and put those two bucks toward a cold beer (for the shiners) and some buttered popcorn.
Fri, Mar. 15 | 11pm | Rio Theatre (1660 E Broadway) | $8 | DETAILS

WHISK(E)Y TASTING | Fuck line ups, green beer and sparkling, shamrock-adorned hats. Celebrate Ireland’s patron saint on the eve of the madness known as St Patrick’s Day with a civilized whisk(e)y tasting at The Shebeen. A seat will get you a deep flight of Jameson whiskies, a traditional meal of house-made corned beef with colcannon (cabbage and potatoes), and a dessert of Okanagan fruit bread pudding with whiskey cream. Don’t wait on this! Score tickets before it’s sold out!
Sat, Mar. 16 | 7pm | The Shebeen at The Irish Heather (210 Carrall St) | DETAILS 

NIGHT FOREST | Shadows, noises, animal calls and the sound of snapping branches – walking through Pacific Spirit Regional Park at night can be an intimidating prospect! It’s best to do it in a group. Follow a guide and add more than a few cheerful lanterns and all of a sudden you have a pretty magical Saturday night. That opportunity presents itself this weekend when The Pacific Spirit Regional Park Society hosts Night Quest. A gentle 2km walk along a lantern-lit trail, this is an outdoor evening of storytelling, campfire music and a bit of wildlife education. Wear your gumboots, pack a flashlight and bring a travel mug as well as a pocket full of change to use at the pop-up Girl Guide concession. Read that again: Girl Guide concession!
Sat, Mar. 16 | 7-10pm | Pacific Spirit Regional Park, 16th Ave Park Entrance | DETAILS

NEWS! | The Presentation House Satellite Gallery is currently exhibiting a show comprised of hundreds of thousands of images taken from the news photography archives of The Vancouver Sun and Province newspapers. Not only do the walls of the Satellite evidence a progression of the style and craft of news photography, they also tell the story of the evolution of a city through the eyes of its many news photographers (1880s to the 1990s). This weekend the Satellite Gallery presents a panel discussion with some of those very same photographers!
Sat, Mar. 16 | 3pm | Satellite Gallery (560 Seymour St) | DETAILS

BUY LOCAL | The Winter Farmers Market fills the Nat Bailey Stadium parking lot on Saturday. Stinging nettles are in season and there are usually some kicking around the market. Full of iron and tasting like spring, pick them up and feast upon them while you can. Also hook yourself up with hearty root vegetables, fresh bread, dried fruits and scores of other locally-grown goodies.
Sat, Mar. 16 | 10am – 2pm | East Parking Lot of Nat Bailey Stadium 4601 Ontario St | DETAILS

OWLS | Hustle down to the Stanley Park Pavilion this Sunday to learn about owls. In addition to imparting all kinds of birds-of-prey knowledge, representatives of The Stanley Park Ecology Society will also provide you with specimens to explore as you learn about unique characteristics and adaptations of these local birds. You’ll even get the chance to dissect owl pellets to see what critters ended up as an owl’s meal. Pre-registration is suggested for this popular event. Get yourself sorted by sending an email to programs@stanleyparkecology.ca.
Sun, Mar. 17 | 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Salmonberry Room -Stanley Park Pavilion | DETAILS

UPCYCLED URBANISM | This Sunday, the Museum of Vancouver plays host to the third in a series of four workshops aimed at brainstorming new public spaces. Professional planners, architects, makers and thinkers will be on hand to facilitate a collaborative process that uses hands-on exercises to explore ways in which physical infrastructure in public space can influence how we connect with others. Participants will use modular blocks, imagination and teamwork to design Vancouver-inspired spaces aimed at encouraging a stronger, more vibrant community. Later this summer (July), groups will have the opportunity to come together again to build their creations at a large-scale outdoor event.
Sun, Mar. 17 | 2pm | Museum of Vancouver (1100 Chestnut St.) | $12 | DETAILS 

WHALE MIGRATION | This is migration season for Pacific Grey whales. They’re on their way from their breeding grounds off of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula to their summer digs in the Bering Sea. That’s over 20,000 Greys cruising up the coast of BC this spring, with the bulk of them doing it over the next few weeks. With a front row seat to the migration route, the towns of Tofino and Ucluelet are now in their 27th year of holding The Pacific Rim Whale Festival. It’s a 10 day whale watching and learning bonanza that celebrates whales and marine nature as well as those aspects of West Coast living unique to the region. In addition to free whale watching stations and scores of whale watching boat and float plane tours, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival offers everything from marine life lectures and walks to storytelling (with artist, Roy Henry Vickers), an Electric Gumboot Bash, and everything in between.
Sat, Mar. 16 – Sun, Mar. 24 | Tofino and Ucluelet | DETAILS 

Check the Globe & Mail every Thursday for our Special Weekend Edition of the Scout List

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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 shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

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SCOUT LIST: 10 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now & Next Week

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… Read more

HEADS UP: Call For Submissions For E.T. Inspired Art Show “Pull My Glowing Finger”

Well, this is different. Local fans of the 1982 film E.T. – The Extra Terrestrial are throwing down with a spring art show and silent auction on Saturday, April 20th at Toast Collective (648 Kingsway). It’s called Pull My Glowing Finger (because of course it is), and all of the art will be E.T.-centric. Right now they are looking for likeminded E.T. wonks to contribute their creative efforts. The guidelines are as follows: use any medium and get as creative as you want. Email a jpeg of your submission (works in progress are fine) to pullmyglowingfinger@gmail.com. If your work is accepted (and why wouldn’t it be?) you – the artist – get to set the reserve auction price and keep 80% of what is paid for your masterpiece (don’t worry, you can also choose not to sell). Inspired? Good. Now scoot on over to their Facebook page for submisison details. And just in case you’re one of our younger readers and your New Age folks hated on TV, this is E.T.

SCOUT LIST: 10 Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now & Next Week

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… Read more

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