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 8 to May 14, 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.

GEEK OUT | Collider Cafe sees artists, scientists, makers and thinkers taking the stage to give informal talks about how they experience the intersection of art and science. This Wednesday night it features brief talks by Michael Markowsky (a visual artist who looks at The Dawn of the Artist-Astronaut); Costume designer Jacqueline Firkins (who discusses the correlation between destruction and beauty and “Fashioning Cancer”); Garvin Chinnia (a visual artist charting ‘Triops Journey’); and music technician Bob Pritchard, who will present his thoughts on gesture tracking for performance. Definitely not average water-cooler conversation! Find out more.

BEER DINNER | On Thursday May 9th, the Italian-inspired Luppolo brewing team is joining forces with Gastown’s Nicli Antica Pizzeria for a one-night-only Brewmaster’s Dinner and somehow tickets are still available. The five course osteria-style meal checks all the boxes – salad, pizza, pasta, protein (fish) and dessert – plus a welcome beer and beer pairings to match each dish. During the meal, Nicli’s head chef and Luppolo’s brewmaster will fill you up with the history of Italian beer and food. The full menu, more details and tickets can be found here.

VEGAN FEAST | There’s a dinner going down at The Garden in Strathcona this weekend that will sate your soul as well as your appetite. The Cross Cultural Vegan Feast is the latest collaboration from local non-profit organization Flavours of Hope (which supports women refugees by sharing their stories and flavours through events like this) and local food business Kula. The multi-course long table dinner is a celebration of Persian and East African food culture and stories, provided by Kula’s Kenyan chef and a refugee from Iran. The menu will see an array of dishes inspired by both women – appetizers, five cross-cultural main dishes like Zerech Poolo (Iranian Saffron Rice) and even two desserts, including Mandazi (East African Doughnuts) – plus the option of non-alcoholic or alcoholic drink pairings. Ticket sales close on May 10th and previous events have sold out, so get yours now! The full menu, details and tickets can be found here.

COMMUNITY | The Stone Soup Festival goes down on Commercial Drive this weekend. This annual celebration of food, art, environment, and community will include growing, planting, workshops, storytelling, live music, food and plant vendors, and free soup! A strong and united community can do some amazing things. Engage! Find out more.

OCEAN SPORTS | The Jericho Sailing Centre opens its doors for the curious this weekend. From dinghies and kayaks to paddle boards and sailboats, the place has everything. Head down to the west side water sports hub to find out about upcoming programs and learn about what the centre can offer you. Hang around for a burger and a beer, wander your way out t0 the end of the pier to watch fishing lines cast and crab traps hoisted. Find out more.

OF A FEATHER | This is Bird Week, folks. Being that Vancouver is smack in the middle of the ‘Pacific Flyway’ route for migratory birds (the north-south route that flows from Alaska to Patagonia), we get to see plenty of seasonal species, and the city boasts a number of bird specialists willing to share their knowledge. From guided walks and informative talks to wetland wanders and conservatory tours — there is something for every age and level of interest. New to birding? This is the perfect introduction. Kick off Vancouver Bird Week at the Take-Off Celebration (including bird-themed crafts, information stations and a bird parade) at the Stanley Park Nature House on Lost Lagoon this Saturday beginning at noon. For a list of Bird Week talks, screenings and walks, check out the official website here.

GET OUTSIDE | Vancouver’s landscape has shifted into full-on spring overdrive. Blue skies have returned, birds are singing, light is changing – the city is alive again. So take some time to slow down and appreciate the here and the now with a spell of fresh air. Iona Beach Regional Park in Richmond (just north of the Vancouver International Airport) is a great go-to at this time of year — a beautiful stretch of sandy shoreline that spreads toward the sea at the mouth of the Fraser River. In addition to walking the beach (when the tide is out it goes on forever!) there’s also a breakwater to conquer. And, if beaches aren’t your thing, you can walk the raised boardwalk and gentle footpaths through marsh areas and check out log booms on the river. Breathe it in!

STOP DROP AND ROLL | Got some extra time on your hands this Saturday? Make your way to the Vancouver Skate Plaza to check out The 5th Annual “Stop Drop and Roll” skateboard competition. There will be beginner, intermediate, and advanced competitions running all day (11am until 9pm). Dry pavement, sunshine, skate tricks and nice people. We’ll be in the crowd for sure… see you there. Find out more.

Sat, May 11 | 11am – 9pm | Vancouver Skate Plaza

MOTHER’S DAY | It’s Mothers Day on Sunday! (You can never have too many reminders, right?) Take your mom out for brunch (check out our brunch guide here) and for goodness sake, pick up some flowers! (see below) Also an option: take mom to the High (Proof) Tea at Odd Society (details here).

FORT | Janaki Larsen is holding another one of her impossibly beautiful pop-up’s this weekend. “Fort is inspired by the driftwood forts that spring up along our coastline. We are in love with these for many reasons; the idea that they are carefree, SIMPLE, playful and are made with very little than what is found around you. Life and design at its best!” Poke your head into the studio to check out jewellery, textiles, ceramics, clothing and art. Fort is open May 11 – May 31, 11am-6pm with an opening night reception on Friday, May 10 (7pm – 11pm). Find out more.

GREEN | With an eye to encouraging Vancouverites to increase the number of trees we have growing in the city, the Vancouver Park Board is offering enthusiastic gardeners $10 trees (available online here). Pre-ordered tree(s) will be ready for pick-up on Saturday, May 11, 10am – 4pm and Sunday, May 12, 10am – 2pm at Nat Bailey Stadium’s overflow parking lot. Not sure if you can commit? Good news: there will also be a small selection of unclaimed or unpurchased trees available for cash sale onsite Sunday (2pm-4pm). Nowhere to plant a tree? Don’t be sad, there is also a Native Plant giveaway at Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park this weekend (details). Growing things is good! Find out more.

HEADS-UP | American musician, singer and songwriter Kevin Morby plays The Imperial with guest/collaborator Sam Cohen next Wednesday, May 15 — this show is (predictably) sold out, but we’re telling you now incase you want to start scouring Craigslist for a way in.