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. You can also check it out in the Globe & Mail, from our calendar to theirs…and yours! 

FRESH AIR FILM | Watching a movie in a field with stars above you is an a summer experience worth making time for.  This Tuesday night catch a fresh air screening of Indiana Jones & The Temple Of Doom in Stanley Park (next week: The Princess Bride). Take along some picnic food and stake-out a spot on the grass with your best blanket because these warm summer nights are starting to slip away and you don’t want to be sitting in a puddle of tears in November wishing you’d taken the effort to cram in as much summer as was possible.
Tues, Aug 26 | Dusk (about 8:30pm) | Stanley Park at Ceperley Meadow / 2nd Beach | DETAILS

CHILL | Tonight is your last chance to get in on outdoor yoga at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Gardens. Relax to the tranquil sounds of koi surfacing in lilypad-strewn ponds and the gentle rustling of bamboo, do a little yoga, and clear your head. These are all good things, plus you are only a block away from feasting on post-yoga Currywurst at Bestie.
Tues, Aug 26 | 6:15pm | Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden (578 Carrall St) | DETAILS

WATCH | The Latin Film Fest kicks off on Thursday night. Over 70 films (36 of which are features) will be screened at three venues over ten days, so this is a festival that you won’t want to miss.  From a documentary about a small community of albinos in the Dominican Republic to the story of a little boy obsessed with straightening his curly hair – the overarching aim of this fest is to bring Vancouver a cross-section of film reflecting the societies and people of Latin American countries in a real way. For a full line-up of screenings, visit the VLAFF website here.
Aug. 28 – Sept. 7 | Various times & venues | $8-$125 | DETAILS

ART | Grunt Gallery is an artist-run centre working to bring contemporary art programming to the public. They’ve spent the last three decades mounting exhibitions, scheduling performances, and presenting artist talks in order to inspire public dialogue about art. That’s a pretty great community service and one worth celebrating. This Thursday night, the gallery begins it’s 30th year with a party. Hang out with artists, Grunt board members, and community members while drinking up, eating cake, and watching a slideshow of past and present art exhibitions. Important things to know: attendees are encouraged to bring kids, the cake will be cut at 7:15pm, and this party is dog-friendly – which is awesome. No need to RSVP, just show up and bring friends.
Thurs, Aug 28 | 6:30-8:30pm | 350 E 2nd Ave – Unit 116 | Free | DETAILS

BEACH PARTY | Sunset Beach sounds like a pretty good time on Friday night: expect to see the strip of beach between Bute and Thurlow bustling with a roving Mariachi band, a makeshift Roller Disco rink (free skates to borrow), an art market (brought together by the crafty peeps at Blim), as well as ping pong, beach blanket hang outs, and free food from food trucks (you just have to sign up in advance to collect a voucher). Even if there are clouds in the sky, this is a great kick off to a Labour Day long weekend.
Fri, Aug 29 | 5pm till sundown | Beach Ave between Bute and Thurlow | Free | DETAILS

CONNECT | The Trout Lake Community Centre starts a new community tradition this Friday night. Twilight at Trout Lake is an end of the summer community gathering that encourages Vancouverites to bring lanterns to the park and participate in a procession around the lake to take in a variety of light installations, appreciate the beauty of the surroundings, and connect with friends and neighbours. This event goes down rain or shine. Arrive early to take advantage of the free lantern making workshop (6:30pm in the community centre)
Fri, Aug 29 | 7:30-9:30pm | Trout Lake Park (3300 Victoria) | DETAILS

BIRDS OF A FEATHER | Seasons are shifting. Bird migratory behaviour sees many of the species that have been hanging around Vancouver all summer start to head south while others arrive from the north. Grab yourself a Sunday morning coffee or tea and scoot down to Stanley Park for a guided walk that will focus on the varied and beautiful bird life of the park. Learn how to identify a different species, hear a little bit about bird behaviour, and fill your lungs with some outstanding fresh air while you’re at it.
Sun, Aug. 31 | 9-11am | Stanley Park Ecology Society – Nature House | $By donation | DETAILS 

LIVE MUSIC | The 10th annual Victory Square Block Party happens this Sunday. Local talent taking the stage include The Shilohs, Cool, Dead Soft, Tough Age, Supermoon, Purple Hearts Social Club, Nervous Talk, and Fountain. There will also be food trucks (everyone loves a food truck), DJ’s to fill the space in between sets, prizes (a raffle of goodies supplied by local business) and general good vibes. Make sure you grab one of those raffle tickets with proceeds going to support Megaphone, a magazine sold by local homeless and low income vendors to generate personal income, and CiTR 101.9FM (Vancouver’s independent community radio station).
Sun, Aug. 31 | 2-9pm | Victory Square Block Party (Cambie & W. Hastings) | Free | DETAILS

GUERRILLA PARTY | If you wander a little further east along Hastings this Sunday you’ll run into the Urban Guerrilla Folk Festival. From Princess to Heatley there will be musicians, fire eaters, folk dancers, drummers, jugglers, crafters – the usual awesomeness that comes with an East Side community festival, and yet this one is slightly different with guerrilla tone: no food trucks, no sponsors, and no proceeds, just a big potluck.
Sun, Aug 31 | 1:30-5pm | Hastings (Princess to Heatley) | FREE | No website (come on, Guerrilla events don’t have websites)

CHOW | Food Cart Fest goes down on Sunday. Take advantage of the fact that close to two dozen food trucks will be parked around communal tables ready to feed you. And this week, Eastside Flea is arranging a Giant Open-Air Boot Sale & Market. “A boot sale is an old fashioned way of organizing a flea market. Traditionally vendors would pull up in their vans, open the back door and just start selling…” Check out the Boot Sale details here.
Sun, Aug 31 | 12-5pm | 215 West 1st Avenue $2 entry charge | DETAILS

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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 streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy (but faithful) camera.

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