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!

ART | The Twenty-Three Days at Sea project sounds pretty rad. Hosted by Access Gallery in partnership with the Burrard Arts Foundation and Contemporary Art Gallery, the program sees local artists taking up residency on a freighter as it crosses the Pacific Ocean from Vancouver to Shanghai. This Thursday night, the fourth artist to participate in the residency – Amaara Raheem – sits down with Access Director/Curator Kimberly Phillips to talk about the role of anticipation and imagination in preparation for such residency voyages.” Raheem will also perform a new work in response to her time at sea.
Thu, June 2 | 7pm | Burrard Marina Field House Studio, (1655 Whyte Ave) | DETAILS

POP-UP | It felt a little unnerving to have warm weather hit so soon, but with the arrival of June, you can safely pull out the summer clothes. Accessorize your warm weather wardrobe and add fresh touches to your home with a stop at the Summer Edit pop-up shop this week. Expect everything from stunning indigo dyed textiles and unique jewellery to weavings, wall hangings, plants, and botanicals. Summer Edit kicks off with a Thursday night opening party involving $4 Postmark beer.
June 2-5 | Little Mountain Shop (4386 Main St.) | DETAILS

CULTURE | Music Waste is on! The annual independent music and art festival will spread across the cooler parts of the city to bring you close to 70 bands playing at a variety of venues. This year’s line-up could keep anyone solidly busy from Thursday night straight through to Sunday evening with short breaks for food and sleep. Gigs are so numerous that it would be pointless to try to narrow them down. Skip over to the Waste website for a look at the schedule and to customize your own must-see shortlist. And get this: full festival passes are only $15!
June 2-5 | Various times and venues | $15 | DETAILS

CITY | There are two Blood Alley and Trounce Alley redesign open houses happening this week. Scoot down to the historic Gastown location Wednesday or Saturday to learn about changed planned for the alleys. You can meet consultants and take a moment to contribute your thoughts on what you would like to see happen. This free drop-in event is open to all and will take place rain or shine. Bonus: so close to the patio at Tacofino!
June 1 | 4-7pm | Blood Alley Square (between Carrall and Abbot) | DETAILS
June 4 | 11am-2pm | Blood Alley Square (between Carrall and Abbot) | DETAILS

SHAKESPEARE | The 2016 season of Bard On The Beach kicks off this weekend with Romeo and Juliet. From BOTB: “The story of Romeo and Juliet has been captivating audiences for centuries because it moves and inspires us even though it breaks our hearts. This classical, sensuous production is a salute to its timeless power.” Arrive early to catch one of the informal pre-performance chats, spread out a blanket and have an al fresco dinner before the show (picnic meals with adorably themed names are available for pre-order). Also, take some time in Bard Village where you can enjoy bar services, poke around the Bard boutique, or just chat with other theatre-goers. Tickets are selling out fast, so don’t wait on this. Shakespeare on a Vancouver beach in June? Yea, verily ’tis true.
Jun 3–Sep 24 | Various times | Vanier Park, Kits Point | $20-$47 | DETAILS

INVESTIGATE | Learn what happens with your garbage after it’s picked up by the garbage-truck with a guided bus tour (roughly 1/2 hour in duration) of the Vancouver Landfill this weekend. You’ll hear about the landfill’s environmental impact; be impressed by trained hawks (used to control birds in the area); be told about how landfill gas generates electricity and heat; and take part in a series of educational activities. Bonus: free hamburgers, hot dogs, cold drinks and the opportunity to pot a plant and take home a bag of compost for your garden. Apparently, the fun never ends at the landfill! Hot date!
Sat, June 4 | 10am–2pm | City of Vancouver Landfill (5400 72 St, Delta) | FREE | DETAILS

RIDE YOUR BIKE | These are the days of extra daylight, dry pavements, and worse than normal traffic in Vancouver. So skip the car and ride a bike. Biking to get around is not only sensible but also enjoyable during the summer months – get in to it. To help jump start the process, HUB Cycling (formerly the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition) hosts Bike To Work Week now through June 5. Expect all sorts of fun perks to riding to the office with over 70 “Celebration Stations” popping up along bike routes and key intersections across the city that will offer bike commuters things like free bike repairs, coffee, snacks, bike route maps and prizes. If you aren’t a year-round rider, this is a great time to lug your bike out of hibernation for a tune-up and lay foot to pedal!
Now – June 5 | Everywhere throughout the city | DETAILS

CLEAN | Summer doesn’t officially arrive until June 21st, so it’s not too late 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 the Sally-Ann with a load of stuff will leave you feeling lighter, freer and cleaner. But what about the little bits that no one wants? The outdated electronics, small appliances, broken power tools, and spent batteries? No point in doing a half-assed job, folks — get it all dealt with! Hit the electronics recycling drop-off at Barclay Manor in the West End on Saturday to get rid of your junk AND keep out of the landfill.
Sat, June 4 | 10am-1pm | Barclay Manor Parking Lot (1447 Barclay St) | DETAILS

EAT LOCAL | We add more Farmers Markets to roster this week! Wednesday sees the first day of the Main Street Market and the new Downtown market opens at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza on Thursday (sorry Yaletown, you had your chance). Farmers Markets are a great place to stock up on fresh, local food. Grab spot prawns while you can, salad greens, fresh asparagus, vegetables, and herbs, as well as cheese, artisan breads, preserves, honey, wild salmon, cookies and pies. Support the people who grow our food!
Downtown | Thursdays | 2-6pm | Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza | DETAILS
Trout Lake | Saturdays | 9am-2pm | North Parking Lot, John Hendry Park | DETAILS
West End | Saturdays | 9am-2pm | 1100 Block of Comox (across from Nelson Park) | DETAILS
Kits | Sundays | 10am-2pm | 2690 Larch @ 10th | DETAILS
Main Street | Wednesdays | 2-6pm | 1100 Block Main (Thornton Park) | DETAILS

EAT | Chef Todd Graham and his talented crew perform a full-on brunch takeover at The Black Lodge this Sunday. No need to make a reservation, just swing on by for a lazy morning of good food and full bar service. Keeping in line with the Black Lodge’s vegetarian vibe, the menu thus far involves tasty bits such as Burma golden egg curry served with fried shallot rice; tempeh eggs benny with black garlic hollandaise and fermented fries, as well as handmade perogies and a few more items yet to be declared. Good people who love food and want to feed you have a way of improving your day, so give it a go.
Sun, Jun 5 | 10am-3pm | The Black Lodge (630 Kingsway) | 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.