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 May 1 to May 7, 2019. 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.

CHEAP BOOKS | Outfit yourself with a solid assortment of spring reads at the Vancouver Public Library this weekend. The spring book sale will see the books donated to the Friends of The Library go on sale to raise funds for programs and services. Prices start at just 50 cents (paperbacks) and $2 (hardcovers) and anything not sold by Saturday will be reduced to half price! Please bring your own bags. Find out more.

THROWBACK | Jonathan Demme’s Stop Making Sense is playing at The Rio on Friday night. From The Rio: “Shot over the course of three nights at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater in December 1983, the movie is notable for being the first made entirely using digital audio techniques. STOP MAKING SENSE has been hailed by Leonard Maltin as “one of the greatest rock movies ever made”, and Pauline Kael of The New Yorker described it as “…close to perfection.” Demme’s capture of the Talking Heads and David Byrne’s genius in this groundbreaking documentary is worth staying up late to see on the big screen! Set the tone for your weekend with this confluence of the strange and cerebral. Find out more.

CONNECT | Get your comfy shoes on and take a Jane’s Walk this weekend. Named for the Canadian urbanist and activist Jane Jacobs, Jane’s Walks are based on the idea that “cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” From tours of dog-friendly destinations to public art trails, and historical neighbourhood wanders, the number (and type) of citizen-led walking tours have a little something for everyone. Our picks: Mount Pleasant’s Heritage Heart with Scout’s contributor/historian Christine Hagemoen (Sun, May 5, 10-11am, link); Illuminated Sidewalks (learn about Vancouver’s sidewalk light vaults with pink-haired urban explorer Cara Fisher); and a tour of parkades with writer, photographer and Executive Director of the Car Free Vancouver Society Sam Reeve (details here). Jane’s Walk events go down at various times, and start at various locations between May 3-5. Find out more.

HISTORY | Hit the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Gardens for a little historical perspective this weekend. Journeying Through Chinatowns is a photographic exhibition comprised of the works of three local photographers (Kayla Isomura, Rennie Brown, and Jonathan Desmond) that captures the present states of historical Chinatowns in Vancouver, Richmond, and New Westminster. Viewed through the lens of history, this collection of imagery communicates important messages about development, community and changes in these special historical neighbourhoods.  As event organizers explain: “Shaped by commerce, poverty, and community ties, British Columbia’s Chinatowns housed the majority of the ethnic Chinese immigrants who settled in early, segregated Vancouver. These spaces, although transformed, remain today.”  The opening reception for Journeying Through Chinatowns is on Saturday, May 4 (4-6pm) at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. The exhibition continues until September 1, 2019. Find out more.

MAY THE FOURTH | Whether you gather your pals for a marathon viewing of every Star Wars movie ever made, hit the Nude Hope Burlesque situation at The Rio, attend the May the 4th Be With You Family Night at The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, or just want to don your Jedi robes and practice lightsaber moves in the privacy of your living room, this day is as close to an international holiday as Star Wars has, so be sure to take a moment. May the force be with you, always!

MARGARITAS | In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is the annual celebration of the Mexican Army’s victory over the occupying French Army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Outside of Mexico, the day has taken on a more ‘popular’ tone that leans toward a general celebration of Mexican culture (which we primarily recognize by eating Mexican food and drinking margaritas). It’s definitely over-simplified and borders on missing the point – but our intentions are good, so why not join in? Obviously any location of La Mezcaleria or La Taqueria would be great places to congregate for an authentic experience (Sal Y Limon, too). Tacofino has some Cinco De Mayo specials planned (think mariachi and tall cans of Tecate for only $5). Got kids? Consider hauling them over to the World Music Festival Cinco De Mayo party going on at Trout Lake Community Centre (mariachi bands, traditional Mexican food, sugar skull painting (details here). Not sure that you have time for the full party commitment but still want to raise a glass? Check out our list of fine Vancouver margaritas here. Viva México!

ART | Vancouver-based artist Sarah Delaney is having a one-day only showing of her work in Mount Pleasant on Saturday. Her layering of colour, texture and shape on canvas continues to resonate with collectors and her work is becoming harder and harder to get your hands on, so this one day show (entitled Crosstalk) is a great opportunity to get up close and check it out with your own two eyeballs before she goes all Andy-Dixon-unobtainable on us! Find out more.

BUY LOCAL | Got Craft is back in East Van this weekend! Make your way over to the Maritime Labour Centre Saturday and Sunday to check out the supercool handmade wares of over 85 independent artists. Expect everything from locally crafted ceramics, jewellery, clothing and accessories to caramels, salt, oils and bitters. Set aside a piece of your weekend to explore what your neighbours and community members are busy creating. Bonus: limited edition swag bags for the first 50 paid attendees through the doors each day! Find out more.

CERAMICS | Looking to refresh your home with some handmade ceramics? The Aberthau Potters spring sale could have just what you’re looking for. This sale will features the work of over 40 local ceramics artists – expect a little of every style and function: from coffee cups to casserole dishes and everything in between. This sale happens at the historic Aberthau Mansion in Vancouver’s West Point Grey Neighbourhood, which is also a nice reason to make the trip to the west side. Make it even better by factoring in a walk at Jericho beach afterward. Find out more.

WATCH | The 18th annual DOXA Documentary Film Festival is on. In addition to over 60 documentaries, there’s also the opportunity to dig a little deeper with panel discussions, talks and informal after-film discussions. This year Spotlight programs include “Justice Forum”, “Rated Y for Youth”, “Politics of Place”, “Communities of Care”, “Italia Italia” and “Longing and Belonging”. Check out the full line-up here.

FINALLY | Trout Lake and Kitsilano Farmers Markets open this weekend, and if that isn’t a sure sign of the coming of summer, I don’t know what is! Stock up on goodies like local salad greens, fiddleheads, morels and stinging nettles. There will also be artisan breads and preserves, honey, wild salmon, cookies, pies, flowers and even a food truck or two to keep you busy. Welcome back, farmers! We missed you! Find out m0re.

SCORE | There’s a kickass sale going down at Franklin Street Studios this weekend. Hustle down to the eastside portal to awesomeness and load up on beautiful and handmade textiles, potions, jewelry, clothing, flowers and ceramics. If you’ve got a mom, love a mom or owe a mom, this is exactly the kind of place she’d want you to be shopping for her (that was a subtle reminder that Mother’s Day is right around the corner).