A no messing around guide to the coolest things to eat, drink and do in Vancouver and beyond. Community. Not clickbait.

Scout List: A Special “Oh My God It’s Nearly December” Edition…

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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…

EAT IT

Whole Hog

The third annual ‘Whole Hog’ dinner at Fuel gives Vancouverites the opportunity to indulge in a little snout and ear to tail and hoof dining. It features a five-course menu with pork in each and every dish, including dessert. “The event celebrates and pays homage to many seldom-used cuts and showcases pork’s versatility. Executive Chef Robert Belcham has taken care to source the finest pork he can find.” As reported first on Scout, Fuel will be shutting down at the end of the month for a rebranding and renovation, so this will likely be the last chance any of us will have to say goodbye to the original award-winner. Sniff. Oink. Sniff.
Nov 25, 26, 27 | Fuel Restaurant | The five-course menu is $69 (+ $39 for wine pairings )

ChowDown

The Ocean Wise Seafood Chowder ChowDown happens this Wednesday and you won’t want to miss it – here’s why: The top 10 Ocean Wise finalists chefs will be competing for the title of BC Ocean Wise Seafood Chowder Champion 2009. MC’ed by Scout editor Andrew Morrison and set against the magical backdrop of the Aquarium at night, the event sees diners feasting on the 10 finalists’ delicious Ocean Wise chowders while sipping local beers chosen by the chefs themselves (as well as beer tastings from 5 members of the Craft Brewers Association of BC). Five judges will determine the 2009 Ocean Wise Seafood Chowder Champion. Guests vote for the People’s Choice Award.
Nov 25 | 6 – 9 pm | Vancouver Aquarium | $35

Build Your Own Wine Cellar

This week the Salt Cellar Series and Barbara-Jo’s Books To Cooks take you “Into The Cellar” with Tony Aspler. Not a bad sounding evening at all: Tony Aspler (one of Canada’s most widely respected wine writers and author of Tony Aspler’s Cellar Book) will share his expertise on how to design, build, stock and manage a home wine cellar while you kick back and enjoy Kurtis Kolt’s always wise wine and food pairings.
Nov 25 | 6:30 | Salt Tasting Room | $75 (includes copy of Tony Aspler’s Book)

Canadian Culinary Championships

With chef Rob Feenie’s recent win at the Vancouver Gold Medal Plates, the stage is now set for the national finals, otherwise known as the Canadian Culinary Championships.  The competitions include a wine pairing competition, the dreaded Black Box (where the chefs have no idea what ingredients they’ll have to work with), and the grand competition in which they are allowed to cook whatever they like. Scout editor Andrew Morrison is judging and refereeing again this year, so expect plenty of behind the scenes photos and video if you can’t make it.
Nov. 27-28 | Various Vancouver Locations | Website & Details

ARTS & CRAFTS

Emily Carr

Looking for that perfect Christmas gift? Emily Carr students can hook you up. Grab paintings, photographs, prints, ceramics, sculptures, clothing, books and more made by students of the world famous art school all weekend long. There will be over 100 artists works for sale at this once-a-year event!
Nov 27 – 29 | 12-8pm (Friday) 5pm (Sat &Sun) | North Building – Emily Carr University |FREE

Toque 2009

The Western Front is holding it’s annual fine art and craft sale this weekend – and they call it Toque. “Toque features a curated selection of original artwork, jewellery, handcrafted home décor items, and other unique gifts, all designed and manufactured locally. Look for exclusive Western Front merchandise including a specially commissioned original artwork tea towel by Cindy Mochizuki, Western Front cupcakes and more! Proceeds from Toque support the Western Front Society. Vendors include: A Farmer’s Daughter, Allee Wells, Broken English, Cabin + Cub, Contexture Design, Crooked Walker, denise cordrey, sterling silver, Dives In, Gailan Ngan Ceramics, Hand & Shadow, Hatty Hernandez heyday design, Kajola Morewood, kimberly mcerlean paper products + text + design, Perro Verlag & Friends, Piece of Cake, Simply Read Books, Sporty and Squeak, The Beautiful Project, Thistle Town Studio, Track and Field Designs, Wendy Oakman. It’s a pretty weet line-up. Definately Scout’s pick for the coolest craft fair this weekend. For a preview visit their blog
Nov 27 |  6-9  | Nov 28 11- 5 | The Western Front

Green Christmas Market

Pop over to Main street for the fourth annual Green Christmas Market this weekend. This Christmas present buying opportunity brings you a fine fine gifts from a collection of local artists, designers and chefs. All of Green Christmas’ vendors are 100% local and eco-friendly – recycled or sustainable – So it will be a serious karma score for you.
Nov 28| 11 – 5 | Cambrian Hall | $2

Portobello West

Portobello West Christmas Market also goes down this weekend. PW offers Vancouverites yet another chance to scoop up cool goodies made by locals. Lots of original fashion and one of a kind art. Count on over 110 local artists and designers. Hit the website for a list of who will be there and a sneak peek at what they will be selling.
Nov 28-29 | 12 – 6 | Rocky Mountaineer Station | $2

LECTURES

The View from Heaven

Islam’s Revolutionary Concept of Humanitarianism through Cosmic Science. Redouane Al Fakir, director, Muhammad Institute for Space Science and Dept of Physics & Astronomy: “From his rich internationalist and multicultural, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary background, Moroccan-born Vancouver astrophysicist Redouane Al Fakir has increasingly developed a deep-seated interest in the humanities from an Islamic perspective, particularly in Islamic humanitarianism. After all, sciences and academic humanities are but a collective, cumulative creation of the great diversity of peoples in the world, which tie humanity together in geography and history, in space and time, and are a signature of the enduring human spirit. Today, Al Fakir feels that his multidisciplinary forays in the cosmic sciences and the humanities, nurtured by his Islamic philosophical background, has brought him full circle back to what he argues is a methodology in preaching humanitarianism that is unique to the Quran: invoking awe inspiring natural phenomena, especially in connection to the stars and the Cosmos, to put in perspective the interconnectedness and common fate of humanity on this tiny Earth. “Thus ultimately,” concludes Al Fakir, “the Quran accomplishes the incredible feat of inspiring planetary solidarity and global humanitarian outreach almost solely on cosmological grounds.” Details here.
Nov 26 | 7-9:30pm | Coach House, Green College, 6201 Cecil Green Park Road, UBC | FREE

What Vancouver Can Learn From Toronto (yeah, whatever)

Is there any greater challenge for a Vancouverite than admitting that Toronto could teach them a thing or two? Go for it, challenge is important for development. Here is the deal: “Elyse Parker, Director of the Public Realm Section for Toronto’s Transportation Services Division will be at SFU this week to explain how she is “helping to actively re-envision streets and public spaces for city greening, sustainable practices, beautification and active transportation. Find out how Toronto is taking designs for a healthy city — and healthy people — to the streets.” AFTER you get the inside scoop you can rub in the fact that they don’t have REAL ski hills, ocean or Mountains. Reservations required. Call 778-782-5100 or email [email protected].
Nov 26 | 7 pm | UBC Robson Square | FREE

An Evening With Miloon Kothari

A public lecture by the former UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, Commission on Human Rights, Miloon Kothari.  From UBC:  “Miloon Kothari is a prominent international voice on human rights, especially economic, social and cultural rights. Mr. Kothari is an outspoken critic of the countries and institutions that see the neo-liberal and military/security policies as a means to achieving democracy and human rights. He is also the convener of the Habitat International Coalition’s Housing and Land Rights Network and a founding member of the International NGO Committee on Human Rights in Trade and Investment (INCHRITI). He has also been actively involved in works related to the human rights dimension on poverty, water and sanitation. In his work as Rapporteur he has also focused on strategies to ensure respect for human rights in post-conflict and post-disaster situations.  Beat that! This lecture goes down at the Liu Institute, Multipurpose Room 6476 NW Marine Drive, UBC
Nov 26 | 5.30 | UBC | FREE | Click here for details

Why Does Contemporary Art Sell?

Good question – and I guess Denise Panchysyn is going to try and answer it:  From VPL – “Most of us are completely stunned by what passes for art today. For instance, why would a collector buy a tank of water containing two basketballs for a price that would shock most of us?  This talk will look beyond the artworks to consider the world of contemporary art – the art schools, dealers, auction houses, critics, magazines and art fairs. This is the world of most of us don’t see that gives today’s art its imprimatur.”
Dec 2 | 12 noon | VPL | FREE

PROCRASTINATION

Public Skating at Robson Square

You can take a spin around an outdoor ice rink right smack in the middle of downtown Vancouver – how cool is that. But wait – it gets even better – it’s FREE. Starting this week Robson Square will be open for free, public skating – every day.
Nov 24 | 12 – 9pm | FREE (rentals are $3)

Pecha Kucha

We dig Pecha Kucha plenty. What is it? In dozens of cities around the world, different groups of people from the local “creative” community are asked to speak in front of their peers. Andrew presented last time (video here, thanks Bobby). Each presenter is allowed 20 images, and each one is shown for 20 seconds. This gives each presenter 6 minutes and 40 seconds before the lights dim and the next presenter is announced. This keeps it concise and episodic with the interest level always topped up, and gives more people the chance to show.  This month’s Pecha Kucha will see the following esteemed Vancouverites on stage: Chris Staples of Rethink; The Vancouver 2010 Design Team Designers; Sarah Bancroft of vitamindaily.com; Tom Pendricks from Haymaker Creative; TJ Galda from EA Canada; Su-feh Lee of Battery Opera; Elvy Del Bianco from Vancity; Anne Pearson of Vancouver Special; Michael Ziff from Hip Baby; Stephanie Hodges from Vitalis; Will Brown of Adbuster
Nov 26 | 6:30 pm | The Park Theatre

Another Kick-Ass FREE In-Store Show at Zulu

From Zulu Records: “On tour and in town to support The Friendly Fires, London’s XX have suddenly sprung into the spotlight as one of the best new faces in the UK scene. At Zulu we love their debut record (it made several staff top 10’s of 2009) and as their show at the Commodore proves – Vancouver is definitely on to this great band! With songs that capture the best of Portishead, The Cure, Young Marble Giants and the Velvets, The XX are indeed the real thing… an arty band that blend organic guitars and voices with nice late night beats. This instore is the debut performance in town… be there.” Or be square.
Nov 26 | 5-6pm | Zulu | FREE

Lethal Foot Rubs & Royales With Cheese

Pulp Fiction is playing out at the SUB
Nov 27 | 9:45 | Norm Theatre at the UBC SUB | $3

Strange World and Radio Television

Our friends at Antisocial just shot over a tip that there will be a double feature premieres of highly anticipated skateboarding films Strange World and Radio Television at the Rickshaw on Sunday night (check the trailer for Radio Televisionsick).
Nov 29 | doors 7 – show 8 | Rickshaw | $2

Europe Without The Jetlag

Those clever folks over at the Pacific Cinematheque have found a way for you to experience Europe with out the bother and expense of conventional travel. 26 Films from 26 Countries in just 13 Nights.  From Pacific Cinematheque : “Vancouver’s favourite cinematic travelogue through contemporary European cinema is back! entries from 26 of the European Union’s 27 member states (only tiny Malta, without an indigenous film industry, is not represented), this year’s festival will be our largest ever. Each country has carte blanche to choose the film that will represent them. Their choices this year include trenchant contemporary dramas, edgy black comedies, barbed social satires, touching coming-of-age tales, offbeat gems, psychological thrillers, historical pieces, national hits, international award-winners, new films by leading directors, first features by notable emerging talents, an Oscar nominee and a number of official Oscar submissions, and several films suitable for children or young teens.” Check out the line-up here.
Nov 27 – Dec 9 | Various Showtimes | Pacific Cinematheque | $9.50

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late-may-2009-169Michelle 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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Transition Into 2024 with Some Quality Downtime

From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver, from now until January 8th, 2024.

Scout List, Vol. 601

From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver, right now.

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From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver, from March 30th to April 5th, 2023.

Scout List, Vol. 599

From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver over the days and weeks ahead.