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

Ten Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now And Next Week

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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!

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | As Metro Vancouver creeps closer to transit tax referendum, it might be wise to learn the ways in which other cities have dealt with issues of growth and congestion on their streets. If want to be informed, make your way to SFU on Tuesday night for “What Works, What Doesn’t: Transport Lessons Learned from other Places and Regions”, wherein San Francisco transportation planner Jeffrey Tumlin discusses his experiences/findings. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Reserve here.
Feb 24 | 7-8:30pm | SFU Segal Building (500 Granville St) | Free | DETAILS

CRAZY8s | Every year hundreds of aspiring Vancouver film makers come up with a film idea and pitch it to Crazy8s Film Festival. It’s a hard process, but a shortlist is generated and six finalists are assigned a mentor, given access to film gear, and have their pockets lined with $1,000 cash in order to produce a short film. The catch? They have to do the whole thing in just 8 days. The films are being screened at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts this Saturday night. Get yourself a ticket support emerging film talent in this city! After-party at Science World.
Sat, Feb 28 | 7pm |  777 Homer St. | Afterparty: Science World | $30 | DETAILS

HAWKERS | The Hawkers Market goes down this weekend. Make your way to The Independent on Kingsway to check out the fine line-up of food-focused entrepreneurs and vendors that organizers have gathered together. Grab yourself a beer from 33 Acres Brewing or a ‘spherified cocktail bubble’ from Bubble Bombs and then move on to a Disco Cheetah taco or a grounding (and beautifully presented) plate of deliciousness from from Chef Juno Kim – maybe even gather the courage to munch on some bugs (The Bug Chef, David George Gordon, will be there). Walk-ins are ok but tickets are available in advance and arriving early is recommended. Music and good vibes continue until late.
Sat, Feb 28 | 5pm–Late | The Independent (188 Kingsway) | $10/$15 at the door | DETAILS

POP ART | How about hustling your way into a private showing of original Andy Warhol works this weekend? Brought together by combining the private collection of a Los Angeles businessman and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Art, A Different Idea of Love is an exhibition of over 80 prints and paintings by Andy Warhol lining the walls of a Yaletown warehouse until the end of March. This collection has never been exhibited together under one roof, so don’t miss the chance to take it in!
March 1-30 | 11am-6pm, Monday-Saturday | 1280 Homer St. | DETAILS

GROW | It’s time to start thinking about what you want to line-up for spring planting. Luckily this Saturday is Seedy Saturday. Make a trip to VanDusen Botanical Gardens to score organic and heritage varieties and plants. There will also be free Lectures, display and information tables, a used book sale, food and activities for kids. Sharon Hanna, Author of ‘Book of Kale’ will be there as well. Basically, this is a full-on spring planting excite-a-thon.
Sat, Feb 28 | 10am – 4pm | VanDusen Botanical Garden (37th & Oak) | by donation | DETAILS

ART AUCTION | The Western Front is holding it’s annual Gala Dinner and Art Auction this week. The evening, held at the The Grand Luxe Hall, includes a cocktail reception and dinner by Hawksworth, musical entertainment, and an auction. Ticket prices are steep, but consider that proceeds from the night help support arts programming and solid efforts to foster a vibrant cultural scene in Vancouver (and a vibrant cultural scene makes everyone happy). The online catalogue boasts interesting pieces donated by over 30 artists – I particularly like the Winter Banana Apples by Chris Dikeakos and Pinata by Julie Morstad). Have a look at the auction catalogue here. Or, if you like to see the actual physical item, nip into the auction preview evening on Wednesday night (7-9pm) and take a look first hand.
Sat, Feb 28 | 6pm | Western Front Grand Luxe Hall 303 East 8 | $185 | DETAILS

DO IT | It’s time to get into Spring Cleaning mode. Clear out closets, empty drawers, unload those accumulated items that you don’t really need. One solid trip to Goodwill with a load of stuff will leave you feeling lighter, freer and cleaner. But what about those little bits no one wants? The electronics, small appliances, power tools, and household batteries? No point in doing a half-assed job, get it all dealt with! Hit the Keep Vancouver Spectacular recycling drop-off at Trout Lake Community Centre this weekend. Volunteers from Keep Vancouver Spectacular, ElectroRecycle and Encorp will be on site to help you get rid of your junk AND keep out of the landfill.
Feb 28 | 10-1pm | Trout Lake Community Centre (3360 Victoria Dr) | DETAILS

CULTURE | The Vancouver Opera opens Die Fledermaus this week. Set in the ballrooms and studies of high society Vienna, this performance has it all, romance, prison, trickery and comedy. From Vancouver Opera: “Strauss’s melody-filled music, especially his famous waltzes, is effervescent and intoxicating. Be prepared to laugh!” Featuring soprano Joyce El-Khoury as Rosalinde, tenor Roger Honeywell as Gabriel von Eisenstein, and Christopher Gaze as the tipsy jailer, Frosch. Put on your best duds and head out for a night at the Opera!
Feb 28 – March 8 | Queen Elizabeth Theatre (649 Cambie St) | Various $ | DETAILS

GIG | There’s a special kind of energy involved in a hometown record release party that’s hard to put to words. It’s just one of those things you have to experience for yourself. As luck would have it, such an opportunity presents itself this week. Vancouver rock band The Gay Nineties are set to launch their most recent album, Liberal Guilt, and they want to do it with a few sets at the Fox Cabaret. Head to the refurbished Main St. theatre Thursday night for some high energy music from The Gays, as well as Owen Ellis, and JPNSGRLS. It’s gonna be good – see you there!
Thu, Feb 26 | Fox Cabaret (2321 Main 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 [email protected].
Sun, Mar 1 | 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Stanley Park Dining Pavilion (610 Pipeline Rd) | DETAILS

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late-may-2009-169Michelle 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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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.