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…

CREATIVE

Everyone should attend the Second Nature Lab at Emily Carr Friday. Scoot down to Granville Island and learn how to prepare seed bombs and moss graffiti for a collective night-time guerilla gardening event with local blogger and garden diva Andrea Bellamy. Imagine the skill and knowledge you’ll pick up at this short workshop! You’ll use clay, compost, seeds and moss to create a seed bomb. The world would be a much better place if we all learned how to make one! After the class participants will take a walk in search of empty lots and fertile ground to target. Yay!
Friday, September 23 | Emily Carr University of Art and Design | Free

The Word On The Street National Book & Magazine Festival is happening this weekend. Workshops, author readings and book signings are going on at multiple locations staring Friday, but the big deal is Sunday, when a gazillion literary tents pop up around the main branch of the Vancouver Public Library. The panel on the art of the review include critics Irina Kovalyova, reviews editor at Room; Andrew Morrison, WE restaurant critic and editor of Scout; Joni Low, a writer whose works appear in gallery catalogues and publications such as Yishu and Ricepaper; and moderator Andrea Warner, music editor and WE arts & entertainment reviewer“ Details here.
Sunday, September 25 | 11am-4pm | Library Square (350 W. Georgia)

It’s a perfect time for a Tye Dye Workshop. From Blim: “Learn the ancient art of tye dye and apply it to contemporary imagery in this unique new workshop. Combine elements of the old with ideas of the new to create an interesting hybrid shirt.” Details here.
Monday, September 26 | 6pm | Blim | $65

It’s just about that time of year when the knitting needles come out, which means it’s time to unload some of the yarn you didn’t get to last year and pick up something new to inspire you anew. So round up your unused yarn, needles, books, notions, patterns, etc., because there’s a sale and swap happening at the Alpen Club. The event (put on by knitsocial) will include a slough of vendor tables from local dyers, spinners and designers, as well as a Freeform Yarn Grafitti Community Project. Bonus: cheap beer.
September 29, | 6-11 pm | Vancouver Alpen Club (4875 Victoria) | $5

You’ve probably heard, The Interior Design Show West is setting up shop. It all goes down from September 29 – October 2 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. “IDSwest is an edited event showcasing contemporary, cutting edge and original design.” Highlights should include keynote speaker Ross Lovegrove, all the opening night festivities, and a ton of local talent.
Thursday, September 29 – Opening Night Event 6PM-10PM
Friday, September 30 – Trade Only, no General public 10AM-4PM
Friday, September 30 – Open to General public 4PM-9PM
Saturday, October 1 – General Public 10AM-6PM
Sunday, October 2 – General Public 10AM-5PM
September 29 – October 2 | Vancouver Convention Centre, 1055 Canada Place

Eco Fashion Week is right around the corner. You may want to factor that into plans for the first week of October. October? Man, how did that happen? Details here.
October 5-7 | Storyeum (142 Water Street) |

221A Artist Run Centre is opening a 7000 square foot facility at 222 E. Georgia St. The new space will include a presentation space for the Access Artist-Run Centre, a bookstore and 20 workspaces for Vancouver-based artists, designers, architects, writers, and curators. Sneak in to check out the new space between 3pm and 7pm next Thursday. Stick around afterward to play ping pong, have a beverage or two and listen to some pretty fine musical talent. All proceeds support this very important project, so get your paddles ready.
Thursday, September 29 | 3pm – 7pm | 222 E. Georgia | Ping Pong Party Fundraiser | 8pm til Late | Alley Entrance | $10 Cover

GLUTTONY

Wild Rice is throwing a 10th Anniversary Cocktails & Canapes Party this Friday night. Get this: for $5 you get appetizers and 2 drink tickets. That’s a pretty nice anniversary present.  Ticket proceeds to benefit Growing Chefs. Even better!
Friday, September 23 | 9:30pm | Wild Rice (117 W Pender)

OKTOBERFEST is going on. The Alpen Club does it right with “Real Oktoberfest by Real Germans.” Enough said, except that if you can’t make it this week, don’t fret. The whole thing is going on again next week, and the week after. Details here.
September 23+24 | 7pm | Vancouver Alpen Club (4875 Victoria) | $30

Craving a home-cooked Sunday night dinner? If you can’t make it home to Mom, think about scoring oven roasted turkey, onion stuffing, cranberry chutney and a glass of Driftwood Ale at the Irish Heather’s Long Table. If you’re a vegetarian: roasted artichoke, spinach & turnip tart, sautéed rapini, crispy onions, and yup, some Driftwood Ale. You just can’t go wrong. Deets.
Sunday, September 25 | 7pm | The Salty Tongue | $16

Sake Nights are starting up at Hapa Umi. On Wednesday nights Sake expert Miki Ellis explains and explores four Ginjo-style sakes. Bonus: paired with four sample dishes prepared by Chef Tomoki Yamasaki.
Wednesday, September 28 | 6:30pm | Hapa Umi (909 W Cordova) | $59

So stoked about this! Members of the UBC Farm Maya in Exile Garden are putting on an interactive traditional cooking class next weekend. Workshop leaders will teach participants how to make squash flower soup with beans, salsa verde made from tomatillos, corn tamales with fresh beans, and fresh corn beverage with special squash. There will also be some talk about medicinal and culinary uses for various herbs and vegetables grown right there in the Mayan garden. Sign up.
Saturday, October 1 | 2-4pm | UBC Farm | $30

MUSIC

Crazy good week for music! Library Voices play the Biltmore (with Dinosaur Bones and The Provincial Archive). Library Voices is a ten piece pop collective from Regina, Saskatchewan. Blending tremolo soaked guitars with analog synths, vintage organs, circuit bent electronics, accordion, saxophone, and glockenspiel, their songs play out like an AM radio jingle; mixing the best of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and today. “Undiscovered band you NEED to hear now … leaning on well-edited art school essentials, from restrained flourishes of unadorned guitars to playful keyboards and cutesy boy-girl vocals.” SPIN.
Thursday, September 22 | 8pm | Biltmore Cabaret | $12

Dinosaur Jr. legend J. Mascis takes the stage at the Rio Theatre. Details.
Friday, September 23 | 8pm |  Rio Theatre | $25

Broken Social Scene plays Malkin Bowl (with special guests Ra Ra Riot) Saturday night, and it looks like the sun is going to come out. What a great way to spend the last Saturday night in September! Tickets here.
Saturday, September 24 | Malkin Bowl | Doors 5:30, Show 7pm | $35

Bon Iver is at the Orpheum. No chance of tickets on that one, gang. They were all snapped up forever ago. But there is still always this.

Three amazing local bands are hooking up for a free all-ages in-store gig at Zulu Records late Saturday afternoon. Student Teacher (4pm), Tassels (5pm – yay Sean Orr!), and Fine Mist (6pm) will entertain crowds stuffed between CD racks and vinyl displays. Gonna be awesome.
Saturday, September 24 | 4-6pm | Zulu Records (1972 W 4)

The Olio Festival is on and you’ll be wanting to work a few of its gigs into your schedule. It’s hard to know where to begin. There’s something for everyone: guitar slayer J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr, Ladyhawk, Cave Singers, The Pack AD – the list goes on, and it’s not limited to music (though they could have stopped there and still come out looking pretty good). The Olio folks have also added art, comedy, skate and film events to the roster. Rain City Chronicles is holding a Behind The Scenes story telling thingy at the WISE Hall; OBEY Clothing is having a group art show featuring prints and works by Shepard Fairey. What? There’s lots going on. Get sorted here.
Thursday September 22 – Sunday September 25 | Over 30 events | Various prices and some free gigs too!

Gomez plays The Commodore.
Monday, September 26 | 8pm | Commodore Ballroom | $40

The Arctic Monkeys play the Orpheum with the Smith Westerns next week and there’s still time to snag a pair of tickets.
September 28 | Doors 6:30pm / Show 7:30pm | Orpheum $25-$40

How about a touch of opera? Opera Pro Cantini is throwing down with The Capulets & The Montagues. Settle in for an evening of Bellini’s rendition of that age old tale of “star-cross’d lovers”, Romeo and Juliet. “While families at war swear eternal hatred, two young hearts are inextricably bound in love. The result is tragedy at its most poignant. With soaring melodies, glorious harmonies, and a timeless theme, I Capuleti e i Montecchi is one of Bellini’s true masterpieces.”
Opens October 2nd; encore performances October 9 & 16 | 7pm | Cambrian Hall (215 E. 17th) | $18/$12.

BUY LOCAL

It’s time for Portobello West. Make your way to the East end of the False Creek waterway to browse the creations of local independent designers.
Sunday, September 25 | 11am-5pm | Creekside Community Recreation Centre, 1 Athletes Way

Blim it up in Mount Pleasant this Sunday. 50 vendors, music, hot food, and entertainment (including fashion, accessories, supplies, fine art, vintage items and vinyl). Always a good time!
Sunday, September 25 | 12 – 5pm | Heritage Hall | Free

See all that rain? Fall is coming and Farmers Markets will start to disappear. Don’t miss out. Grab locally grown produce from good people at your neighbourhood farmer’s market now!
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
Dundarave (West Van) Saturday | 9am – 2pm | Between 24 & 25 on Marine
Oak Street Market | Wednesday | 3-7pm | Oak @ 49th (Unitarian Church) | Free
Westside Pocket Markets | Thursdays | 3-7pm | Kits Neighborhood House, 2325 W 7 | Free

Rhizome Cafe is having another one of their Free Store events. This time around, the theme is clothing. Bring some items IN GOOD CONDITION that you’re excited about sharing with someone else. OR just come and “free shop” for some new-to-you clothes. This is not a swap; it’s free stuff for all! Share what you can. Get what you need!
Sunday, September 25 | 5-8pm | Rhizome Cafe (317 E Broadway) | Free

CITY

This is Strathcona: “From its prehistory as a Coast Salish camp to millworker cabins to the thriving multicultural crucible that helped forge our city today. Celebrate Vancouver’s first neighbourhood and the City’s 125th year.” Get in on the Heritage Scavenger Hunt, a live stage featuring everything from hip hop to prohibition-era reefer jazz, bluegrass to funk, taiko drumming and lion dancing. “Wander from booth to booth and explore the heritage and histories of the diverse range of Vancouverites who’ve called Strathcona their neighbourhood over the last 125 years. As a working class immigrant neighbourhood from it’s very inception, Strathcona has been home to First Nations and Chinese, black and white, queer and straight, Italian, Jewish, Japanese, Scandinavian, Russian, Ukrainian, Portuguese, Yugoslav, Newfoundlanders, French Canadians and many more. That wide ranging ethnic diversity of the neighbourhood earned local Strathcona Elementary School the nickname “The League of Nations” during the early part of the last century.” I imagine there will also be the confused Strathcona Soccer League boys and girls and their usual Sunday afternoon game.
Sunday, September 25 | 11am-6pm | MacLean Park (Strathcona)

DTES walking tour! This Fall the Vancouver Heritage Foundation  is offering a 2 part walking tour series exploring historic Hastings Street. This week is the East Hastings portion of the tour. Hook up with tour guide Maurice Guibord (and a bunch of other cool Vancouverites) to walk the streets and learn a few secrets about one of the cities most talked about neighbourhoods. More here.
Friday, September 23 | noon – 2pm | Meet at Victory Square (SW corner of Hastings & Cambie) | $10

It’s Harvest Festival season. This weekend catch a free Harvest Festival block party hosted by the Mount Pleasant Neighborhood House. Dig the live bands, games, silent auctions and generally rad harvest vibe.
Saturday, September 24 | 11am – 4pm | Mount Pleasant Neighborhood House (800 E Broadway) | Free

Tour inside five all-new and amazingly renovated Vancouver Specials! It’s a one day ticketed self-guided event that celebrates innovation and design and asks the important question: ‘What can you do to make one of the least appealing architectural styles livable in a modern context?’.
Saturday, September 24 | 12-5pm | Various locations | Details here.

The Vancouver Institute kicks off it’s 2011 Fall series of phenomenal lectures with Professor Andrew Weaver, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences (UVIC) who will be speaking on Generation Us: The Challenge of Global Warming. Dr. Weaver was a Lead Author in the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2nd, 3rd and 4th scientific assessments and is also a Lead Author in the ongoing 5th scientific assessment. He was the Chief Editor of the Journal of Climate from 2005 to 2009. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society and the American Meteorological Society. So this dude might have a thing or two to say.
Saturday, September 24 | 8:15 pm | Lecture Hall No. 2, Woodward Instructional Resources Centre | Free

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Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended Bond University in Australia and the University of Victoria before receiving her graduate degree in Library Sciences from The University of Toronto. She lives 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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