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 from November 21 to November 27, 2018. Please note that you can now get the Scout List – with a few extra pieces of intel included – sent to your inbox every Thursday. Sign up for your subscription in the sidebar.

HISTORY | The Vancouver Heritage Foundation has arranged for a cocktail party-style reception this Thursday night that will give you the rare opportunity to snoop around the historic Seaforth Armoury (the sturdy Scottish Baronial style landmark at the southern approach to the Burrard Street Bridge). The Armoury was built in 1936 to house the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, and recently underwent extensive seismic upgrading. This event takes place in the The Officers’ Mess and Sergeants’ Mess Halls which “feature original fireplaces, coffered ceilings and other historic details.” Now that’s a unique venue! Extra bonus: silent auction, live music, Scottish cocktails and tasty food. Proceeds go to support the Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s education programming and your ticket ($110) includes a $50 charitable tax receipt, so there! Find out more.

BUY ART | We say it every year: return those empties, sell some books, dip into the piggy bank — do whatever you have to do to pull together some cash and then get yourself to Emily Carr’s legendary Student Art Sale this weekend. It’s one of the best ways to score original works by talented local artists before they’re “discovered” and their prices climb beyond the reach of us normal folks. Browse through everything from paintings and prints to sculptures and clothing! Don’t miss out. Find out more.

FUSE | Head down to the Vancouver Art Gallery on Friday for a late-night art party. This edition is guest-curated by Pablo de Ocampo with the theme is ‘Objects’. From the VAG: “What can objects teach us? How do we learn from them? Do their meanings change when brought together as a collection? At this upcoming edition of FUSE, we consider the kinds of knowledge that objects hold, as well as how they transmit, transfer and emanate their material wisdom to the world.” All four floors of the Gallery’s current exhibitions will be on view during the evening, including Guo Pei: Couture Beyond, Dana Claxton: Fringing the Cube, A Curator’s View: Ian Thom Selects and The Metamorphosis. Find out more.

MIXED GEMS | If you can’t wait for the weekend to let loose and shake off those rainy day doldrums then take note that there’s a super fun sounding all-ages party going on at Chinatown’s Avant-Garden on Thursday. Expect three live bands and a deejay, plus film and projection screenings in one space, as well as (in the adjacent building) stick ‘n poke tattoos, jewelry, and a postcard pop-up. Find out more.

SHOP | Hustle down to The Pie Shoppe this weekend for the Cardamom Pop-Up Shop, a two-day event that brings together some really great items produced by talented artisans from here and across the country. Pick up one-of-a-kind ceramics, bright and beautiful textiles, jewellery, bags, wallets, soaps and vases. Chocolate pecan pie, good coffee, nice people and cool creativity? Yes, please! Find out more.

PROCESS | Head downtown to The Pendulum Gallery on Thursday night to catch the opening reception for Jay Senetchko’s latest show, A Painter’s Process. From Pendulum: “Organized as a focused examination of the artist’s process, rather than an inclusive retrospective, the exhibition features works from the past ten years that highlight specific re-occurring subject matter and conceptual approaches in Senetchko’s practice, while inserting studies and outliers into the mix.” Cool concept. A Painter’s Process is viewable at the gallery until December 15, but the reception goes down this Thursday between 6-8pm.

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 European Union Film Festival this week. Films from 26 EU member countries (including award-winners and official Oscar submissions) should do the trick. Even if you can’t catch all 26, one or two with a side of buttered popcorn could transport you just long enough to feel like a mini-vacation. For a full listing of films and their associated details, have a look here.

FEDERAL POP-UP | There are so many great pop-ups going on over the next few weeks that it’s hard to keep up. That’s why we dig the idea of the Federal Store Holiday Pop-up Series. First, it’s happening at the Federal Store, so you already know it’s going to be good. Second, it’s a late afternoon / early evening gig which makes us happy because there are some fine places to grab a dinner and cocktail before or afterward. And third, the rotating roster of local designers selling clothing, jewellery, textiles, ceramics, prints is the pop-up that keeps popping up! Can’t make it to this Saturday’s event (Nov. 24 4-8pm)? No worries, you can try again Saturday Dec 1, 8, or 15. or Thursdays Dec 13 + 20 (5-9pm). Given how busy this time of year can be, multiple dates is a nice touch. Find out more.

EAT | If the forecast is correct then we’re in for a rainy stretch this week. Fortunately, there’s some tasty proverbial light at the end of our potentially grey tunnel, and it’s happening at Strange Fellows on Saturday. For one afternoon only, the Hanai Family Table will be bringing their sunny, positive island vibes to the brewery and serving up a new menu of Hawaiian flavours. For just $16 you can get fixed up with a Kalua Pork Sandwich – a sweet bun that’s packed with meat, kimchi, pickled purple cabbage and ginger mayo (a vegetarian version that’s made with jackfruit instead of pork will also be available), plus a side of Hurricane Popcorn (a mixture of popcorn, furikake, rice crackers and sweet soy sauce) and a beer. Hungry yet? Just wait ’til you see the pics on their Instagram. We’ll see you there!

WITCHY TIMES | There’s a discussion at Spartacus Books that’s all about witches on Monday — part of their monthly Book Club. The evening will be centred around Italian feminist author Silvia Federici’s new book, “Witches, Witch-hunting, and Women”, but you don’t need to have read it to get in on the conversation, just listen in. Basically, the book takes a look at the history of witch-hunting, as well as how women today are being subjected to similar violence and the ways in which they are effectively fighting back. At the very least, you’ll walk away with something to think about…and maybe even a copy of the book and/or some other reading material to flesh out your winter library with. Find out more.

SHOES | There’s a really cool medley of people coming together at the John Fluevog shop in Gastown next Wednesday (November 28) in support of Vancouver’s art institution, Centre A. James Lester (co-founder of Sons of Vancouver Distillery) and Tea Master Olivia Cheung (second-generation owner and operator of Treasure Green Tea Company) will be combining their talents to create a special cocktail for the fundraising event, with bonus beer from Faculty Brewing and snacks from Chinatown’s New Town Bakery. The night also includes live entertainment and a raffle with some pretty luxurious prizes. All proceeds from the cash bar and ticket sales go towards Centre A, as well as half of shoe sales. Get your tickets here.