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 27 to December 3, 2019. Note that you can also 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.

LISTEN | Beer goes so well with so many things! Pretzels and beer, burgers and beer, BBQ and beer…but have you tried Bach and beer? Local musicians (and beer lovers) Heather Beaty and Molly MacKinnon aim to introduce you to this fine pairing at their “Concert on Tap” series. This week, they pop-up at Strange Fellows: “Drawing inspiration from Strange Fellows’ Old World aesthetic, the night will feature four pieces from the 18th century Baroque period and along with an instrumental ensemble of Baroque flute and cello… paired with a flight of four beers, with each piece of music representing a unique brew.” Admission by donation. Open seating. So much fun. Find out more.

TOQUE | It’s time to get moving on your holiday shopping! For the most efficient and home-grown effort at knocking a few names off your Christmas list with quality items you can be proud to give, we suggest you hit Toque at The Western Front. The standard is high at this annual fundraiser and craft fair – expect to find candles, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, scents, books, socks, cards and much more. Seriously, don’t miss this one. Make a run for opening night. Find out more.

SUNSHINE | Sure, it’s cold – but how beautiful is this weather? Don’t take late November sunshine for granted – grab a cozy hat (and  several of your warmest sweaters) and head out to catch some long afternoon shadows on the seawall. If you plan just right, you can finish your walk as the sun sets and still have time to make it to a bowl of hot Ramen before the dinner rush hits (Ramen Kintaro, Motomachi Shokudo, Marutama Ramen, and The Ramenman are all a stones throw from Stanley Park).

BUY ART | 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. This sale takes place at the Michael O’Brian Exhibition Commons at ECUAD. Find out more.

MOVE | It’s cheap, fun and centrally located – lace up some skates and take a spin around the ice at Robson Square Ice Rink this week. The rink – complete with swirling lights, music and concession stand hot chocolate – is also a great way to jump start your winter spirit. Don’t forget a pair of nice thick gloves and a pocket full of loonies for your helmet and skate rentals ($5 /cash only). Find out more.

LAUGH | Need a laugh? Good news: local comedian Graham Clark is doing a 24 hour stand up comedy set at the Havana Theatre this weekend – so there will be ample opportunity. From event organizers: “Graham Clark, and his team, will complete the Mount Everest of endurance comedy >>> 24 HOURS OF STANDUP <<<. At 8pm on Friday the veteran comedian will launch into a 24 hour set with only a few bathroom breaks. After the first hour the comedian will then look for inspiration from his talented team of comedians sitting in the front row feverishly writing jokes for him to read, riff and rate.” Proceeds go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Find out more.

COMMUNITY | 33 Acres has a cool gig going on this weekend – they’re teaming up with Victoria photographer Guy Ferguson for a photo installation, movie screening and limited edition beer release that also involves their Artist Series 001 collaboration t-shirt launch. All good things! Check out Ferguson’s work here and be at 33 Acres on Friday night for the opening reception. Find out more.

MAKE | There are two holiday-themed craft-related workshops coming up. The first (happening this Saturday at Strathcona Community Centre) is a beginner embroidery class… before you decide that you know what embroidery is all about, you should take a look at work by instructor Hillary Webb here (this is not your grandmother’s needlepoint). The second is a Putz House Glitter Cabin workshop at Collage Collage happening next Thursday. What’s a Putz House? Have a look here and tell me you don’t want to get busy with a glue gun to make one of these! Places at the adult or kid friendly versions of this workshop will sell out. We’re telling you now so that you can pounce before that happens.

DRINK | Looking for the perfect place to catch-up, and relax with friends? We asked local drinks expert and veteran Scout columnist Talia Kleinplatz to map out a list of her favourite spots to sip in Vancouver for the season. Check out her suggestions for Vancouver’s Best Cocktail Spots here. Days are short and cold, fill up with the warmth of good friends and drink (plus, admit it, a Bee Sting at The Diamond would hit the spot right about now).

LEARN | Fantastic Fungi is playing at The Rio! I haven’t seen it yet because it keeps selling out, but this week will be different: the Monday matinee still some tickets available! “Through the eyes of renowned scientists and mycologists like Paul Stamets, best-selling authors Michael Pollan, Eugenia Bone, Andrew Weil and others, we become aware of the beauty, intelligence and solutions the fungi kingdom offers us in response to some of our most pressing medical, therapeutic, and environmental challenges.When so many are struggling for connection, inspiration and hope, Fantastic Fungi brings us together as interconnected creators of our world.” This film looks beautiful, smart and informative. Have a look at the trailer here. The more you know about Fungi, the cooler! Find out more.