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!

COLLIDER CAFE | Looking for something new to get stoked about? Why not sit in on a Collider Cafe and think about the cool ways art and science can overlap? It might be just the ticket for a rainy Wednesday. From event organizers: “Where would your curiosity for science take you? How would you express science through art? Join our upcoming Collider Cafe ‘Scientific Expression’ to hear from these speakers about their ideas, their work, and to chat with them about future collaborations.” Speakers include a natural science illustrator, a cartoonist, a geneticist, artistic producer and a dancer. Spark curiosity for science by geeking out with a cold beer and some rad people.
Wed, Nov. 16 | 8-10pm | Cafe Deux Soleils (2096 Commercial Dr.) | $5 | DETAILS

BUY ART | Chinatown’s Access Gallery is holding its annual fundraiser this week. Starting now, art enthusiasts are invited to pop into the E. Georgia Street space to check out XXV, an eclectic exhibition of works donated by over 70 local and international artists. Each piece will be up for grabs at an auction this Saturday night. If you’ve been looking for the perfect piece of art to hang at home or at work, this could be a great opportunity to score cool, original art for a reasonable price AND snag a few karma points (your contribution helps Access to deliver quality programming to the community). Admission is $25 which includes membership at Access Gallery for the calendar year. Preview night goes down Thursday (7pm) and absentee bids will be accepted until 5pm on Auction night (Sat, Nov 19). To place an absentee bid or make another enquiry email Director Kimberly Philips at k.phillips [at] accessgallery.ca. We really suggest you poke your head in to see the show!
Now through Sat, Nov. 19 | Access Gallery | 222 E Georgia Street | DETAILS

FILM | If you’re feeling the need for some European culture but travelling is too time consuming, costly or complicated, get a quick fix at The Cinematheque’s 19th European Union Film Festival. Expect entries from 23 of the EU member states and screenings running November 18 – 30th. “This annual showcase of acclaimed new and recent films from across greater Europe includes award winners, domestic blockbusters, festival circuit faves, and official Oscar submissions.” Plus: no jet lag. Instead, buttered popcorn!
Nov. 18– 30 | Various times | Pacific Cinematheque (1131 Howe St.) | DETAILS

EASTSIDE CULTURE CRAWL | Take to the streets, alleyways, corners, studios and galleries of East Van this weekend because it’s time for the the East Side Culture Crawl! Easily one of the greatest things about November in Vancouver. With over over 475 local artists to check out (painters, jewelers, sculptors, textile artists, furniture makers, musicians, weavers, potters, printmakers, photographers, etc.) you really need three days to take it all in. Float from one studio to the next, talking to artists about their processes and enjoying the diversity of creativity that the neighbourhood has to offer.
Nov. 17-20 | Various locations & times in East Van | Free | DETAILS

PEROGIES | There’s a Perogy Lunch at the Strathcona Ukrainian Hall this weekend. Dig into generous helpings of homemade perogies, sliced sausage, cabbage rolls and bowls of borscht. Don’t be put off by the line-up at the door. It moves fast and you might make friends (perogy eaters are generally a jolly bunch). Also expect crafts, baked goods and all manner of trinkets. Super bonus: this event takes place smack in the middle of Eastside Culture Crawl territory (Pender at Hawks) and fits in nicely between studio visits.
Sat, Nov. 19 + Sun, Nov. 20 | 11-3:30 | 805 E. Pender | DETAILS 

MUSIC | The crew from Vancouver’s oldest (and coolest) independent music publication, Discorder, gather a line-up of up and coming local hip hop at the Media Club on Friday night. Discorder Editor-In-Chief Brit Bachmann dishes thus: “Vancouver hip hop and rap is underrepresented in local publications, Discorder included. Artists seem to get more press outside the Lower Mainland than they do here. We recognize that. This showcase is an opportunity to introduce our readership to some of the underground talent that surrounds us. This is a commitment to give it more representation”. This event is also a fundraiser to support Discorder’s operations in print, on air and online so get out there and support your local musicians and writers. Grab your tickets here ($10/advance, $15/door).
Fri, Nov. 18 | 8pm | The Media Club (695 Cambie) | $15 | DEAILS

WOODCUT | I’m looking forward to hitting Strange Fellows for a cold pour of Talisman and a spin around The Art of Strange, an exhibition of original works by Christine Moulson. “Inspired by folkloric archetypes, Japanese ukiyo-e, and the awkwardness of medieval woodcut prints, these original block prints by Strange Fellow’s in-house mark-maker illustrate the stories behind Strange Fellows’ labels. Trickster, Oracle, Siren… wolf.” Openings are always a great opportunity to meet artists and share a bit of conversation with good people, but if you can’t make it out on Thursday, this show will remain on the walls through December, so make a point of poking your head into the gallery space at the end of the tasting room to check it out.
Thu, Nov. 17 | Strange Fellows Brewery | 1345 Clark Drive | DETAILS

SALAD DAYS | Chef Todd Graham is pulling another one of his brunch takeovers 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 vibe, the menu is all about vegetable love. Choose from fresh soba noodles, fermented onions, menna, radish, kelp, watercress, egg poached in soy; a nest of hearty greens, with chickpea tempeh, smoked carrots, fried garlic dressing and quail eggs or bibimbap – local brown rice with Korean sides. Get this: everything on offer is priced at under $10, so count us in. Good people who love food and want to feed you have a way of improving your day, so give it a go.
Sun, Nov. 20 | 10am-3pm | The Black Lodge (630 Kingsway) | DETAILS

BLIMMERY | Get a jump start on holiday shopping at the Blim Winter Community Market this Sunday. Head to Heritage Hall on Main Street to check out loads of locally made clothing, accessories, vintage trinkets, pottery and hand made jewellery as well as live music, hot food by Lucky Snax and the ever present promise of the occasional cupcake. Always a good gathering of makers!
Sun, Nov. 20 | 12-6 pm | Heritage Hall (3102 Main) | $ by donation | DETAILS

SHARE | Chef Mark Singson and the dedicated crew behind the Family Matters series of pop-up dinners are a group professional food enthusiasts united by a love of food, a desire for innovation, boundary pushing and an appreciation for community, family and sharing experiences. This Monday night the Family Matters collective has teamed up with Chef Sean Macdonald of Calgary’s Market to plate a 6 course dinner paired with beer and prefaced by snacks that we think makes a solid case for extending the weekend. Coffee cured tuna with mushroom relish, celeriac two ways and sweet soy paired with a dry hopped ESB chicken breast? Yup! And what about that glazed lobster tail, lemon charred brussels, double cream jus paired with a smoked honey Dopplebock? Count us in!
Mon, Nov. 21 | 7pm | CACAO (1898 West 1st Ave) | $130 DETAILS