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 January 9 to January 15, 2019. 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.

SOFT OPENING | We tend to be a little retail-shy in January, but if anyone can coax us out of our financial hibernation it might be the soft opening of local bud-loving design team Studio A-Ok’s brick and mortar shop, All Day Breakfast. Located on the edge of Strathcona, the new shop looks to fill a niche for discerning, design-savvy cannabis consumers and non-smokers alike. Stop by and say high…there will be cold beer and music aplenty, plus lots of budget-friendly (aka free) good vibes. Find out more.

FASHION | We’re in for another gloomy stretch of weather, so plan for some indoor activities, like checking out the Guo Pei: Couture Beyond exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery before it wraps up on January 20th. Take your time. Look closely. This mid-career survey of the extravagant works of the famous Chinese couturière touches on everything from design and production methods to ancient mythology and history. Add an extra dimension to your experience by also taking in a VIFF screening of Yellow is Forbidden (the behind the scenes documentary about the Chinese designer and her process). Advance tickets for some screenings are selling quickly, so grab yours now here. Tip: if you opt for the Tuesday matinee screening, you can also take advantage of the VAG’s by-donation evening…just be prepared for the crowd of like-minded, on-a-budget peeps.

ART | This Friday is a great opportunity to treat your eyeballs to some great local artwork by heading over to Chinatown for the MAU Calendar art pop-up exhibit. All of the original artwork included in the calendar will be on display and up for grabs. The most economical and rewarding takeaway is to hook yourself up with a full year’s worth of it by scooping up a special edition calendar. The gallery will be open all weekend long, from 1-4pm, if you can’t make the opening reception. Bonus: two of the participating artists, Hillary Webb and Marlene Yuen, are also offering a couple of intimate weekend workshops on embroidery and book-binding. Find out more.

HISTORY | Suk-Fong, How Are You? opens at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Gardens this weekend. Similar in theme to the other three exhibitions in artist Paul Wong’s year-long artist residency at the gardens, this one uses a gathering of everyday objects to convey a deeper history (expect to see Over 700 letters, familial artefacts, photographs and video). From the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens: “Audiences are invited to explore the contents of letters written to Suk-Fong over six decades. Accounts of China’s shifting cultural and political landscapes from the 1950s to the 2000s are told through personal perspectives, offering a unique understanding of China’s transformation in the late twentieth century.” The opening reception goes down on Saturday, January 12 between 1-4pm and the show continues through to February 24th. Find out more.

HOUSING | Frustrated by the cost of housing in Vancouver? Interested in exploring an alternative to the current model? You might want to check out the Introduction to Co-housing event at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House this Saturday. Representatives from the community-minded organisation Hive & House will be on-site offering a crash course on the subject. Get up to speed on everything from the history of co-housing and how it supports social connections as well as the legal and financial structures required and the every-day logistics of living thus. Spend a bit of time chatting with other co-housing curious folks! Find out more.

POZOLE | This is perfect weather to hustle down to The Birds & The Beets in Gastown for a deliciously comforting bowl of Mexican Pozole at the Katz Pozole Pop-up. Chicken or Vegan Pozole are available, as well as margaritas and beer. No ticket needed, just head on in and order up! Make a few pals while you’re at it. Find out more.

PLANTS | Vegan, vegetarian, or just plant-curious? There’ some plant-based deliciousness coming together at the Little Mountain Shop on Main Street this weekend. From cookbooks and cupcakes to supplements and skin care, the three day Vegan Pop-Up will deliver some seriously cool products from over 25 vendors, plus a zero waste workshop on Friday. This is a great opportunity to pick up some healthy treats, meet some cool people and learn a little about plants. Dive in! More details here.

WATCH | The Fifth Element is a superb film. It has a kickass cast, great story, fast pace, and it’s visually stunning — exactly the kind of film that deserves to be seen on the big screen, wouldn’t you agree? Here’s a refresher:  “In the 23rd century, a New York City cabbie, Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), finds the fate of the world in his hands when Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) falls into his cab. As the embodiment of the fifth element, Leeloo needs to combine with the other four to keep the approaching Great Evil from destroying the world. Together with Father Vito Cornelius (Ian Holm) and zany broadcaster Ruby Rhod (Chris Tucker), Dallas must race against time and the wicked industrialist Zorg (Gary Oldman) to save humanity.” Grab a pal and head to The Rio on Friday night for a proper bag of popcorn and a futuristic bedtime story.  Find out more.

LIVIA | We’re really excited about this beautiful new Italian forno/cafe on Commercial Drive. The last time we checked, they were aiming to be open right about now, so be sure to check it out the next time you’re in the hood!

COMMUNITY | There are still a handful of tickets left to the FARE: For the Human Right to Healthy Food fundraiser at Torafuku on Monday night. The six-course chef collaboration dinner aims to support DTES Neighbourhood House’s need to secure more funding for their healthy food programs – and they are making it worth your while (think Ginger steamed crab by Douglas Chang of Ai & Om Knives; Maple soy smoked scallop by Will Lew, Notch 8; Potato Tortellini en Brodo by Colin Staus, Campagnolo; Wild Mushroom Tart by Chef Warren Chow, Juniper; Butter Poached Sole by Jason Harris, Colette Grand Café; Ash Crusted Beef from Alessandro Vianello and Chocolate Tart by Clement Chan and Sandy Chen of Torafuku). Tickets are $150 per person (all proceeds benefit the Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House and tax receipts are available). Welcome cocktail, coursed beer and wine included. Dang! Good food + good cause = a solid reason to leave the house on Monday night! Tickets here.