by Michelle Sproule | The main objective of this website is to scout out and promote the things that make Vancouver such a sweet place to be. We do this with an emphasis on the city’s independent spirit to foster a sense of connectedness within and between our communities, and to introduce our readers to the people who grow and cook our food, play the raddest tunes in our better venues, create our most interesting art, and design everything from what we wear to the spaces we inhabit. The Scout List is our carefully considered, first rate agenda of super awesome things that we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week, from our calendar to yours!

SPACE | If you’re short on time but still interested in upping your science and culture intake for the week, UBC has you covered. Take a long lunch and skip out to the Chan Centre on Thursday afternoon for a double whammy of space and music: UBC Symphony Orchestra will perform Holst’s “The Planets” in a free noon-hour concert combined with a multimedia presentation and discussion by the UBC student (Michelle Kunimoto) that discovered four new exoplanets. Bonus: the always entertaining and infectiously enthusiastic UBC Prof. of Astronomy, Dr. Jaymie Matthews.
Thu, Mar. 9 | 12pm | Chan Shun Concert Hall (6265 Crescent Rd.) UBC | DETAILS

REFLECT | Local artists Jamie Smith and Tara Galuska take over the walls at Kafkas Coffee starting this week. At first glance, you’ll see flowers and vases, but look a little deeper…this is not a simple study in still life! These vignettes have deeper meaning. As the artists explain: “These flowers and their vases, like ashes and urns, are what remains of the rituals that are practiced when we say goodbye. Rituals & Remains is a softer look at loss and the life that remains after the rituals are done – the flowers, the plants, the life.” Opening reception Thursday night.
Thu, Mar. 9 | 8pm | Kafkas Coffee House (2525 Main St.) | Free | DETAILS

HOUSING | BC Tiny House Collective is a Vancouver-based initiative that aims to introduce tiny homes as part of our region’s housing strategy. More sustainable, affordable and socially inclusive housing options seem like a pretty good idea, right? Like any cause, mobilizing, educating and raising awareness takes time and time is money so get on your dancing shoes and head out to support the The Tiny House Collective at their first ever fundraising concert. Expect four bands, good conversation, fine people and the chance to get involved in a movement. All proceeds will go towards our “Go Tiny” campaign to legalize and legitimize tiny house living in Vancouver and across BC.
Thu, Mar. 9 | 8pm-midnight | Studio Records on Granville (919 Granville St.) | $10 | DETAILS

ART | Fuse is back at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Head down to the VAG on Friday night to see it transformed into a one-night party palace. This time around Fuse is a ‘celebration of refusal and denial’. Dig the decidedly different evening vibe that blends live music, performance art and adult beverage options with an evening of art.
Fri, Mar. 10 | 8pm–12am | Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby St.) | $24 | DETAILS

EASTSIDE FLEA | The signs of spring will start to pop up soon. Be prepared by updating your warmer weather wardrobe with a few accessories or key pieces of clothing at the Eastside Flea Spring Market this weekend. Peruse booth after curated booth of goodies from over 50 local vendors on Friday night (6-10pm), plus Saturday and Sunday (10am-4pm). Bonus: pinball, pool, music, food trucks and cocktails. See you there!
Mar. 10-12 | various times | Ellis Building (1024 Main St.) | $3 | DETAILS

GIG | Cancel your plans, slip some beer money in your pocket and head to The Vogue theatre this Friday to see Black Mountain play with special guest Destroyer. It’s gonna be good!
Fri, March 10 | 8pm | The Vogue Theatre (918 Granville St.) | $26 | DETAILS

EAT | Fresh restaurants to check out this week include the new location of Jamjar, now open in the old South Granville location of Rangoli, and Forkhill House Irish Bistro, which replaces the old Fat Badger pub in Coal Harbour.
Jamjar | 1488 West 11th Ave. | DETAILS
Forkhill House | 1616 Alberni St. | DETAILS

FLASHBACK | Comedian and bad writing sadist Sara Bynoe hosts another one of her hilarious Teen Angst nights this Saturday night. From Sara’s website: “Somewhere in the back of your closet gathering dust and turning yellow with age is comedic gold. Those old journals, poems, and essays you wrote as a teenager when you thought you could do no wrong, would probably make you cringe if you were to read them today. Now, imagine sharing them in front of an audience. That’s exactly what happens at Teen Angst Night. You held on to those diaries for a reason, right? This is that reason!” Sit back, listen and laugh. Or be brave and get up there yourself!
Sat, Mar. 11 | 8-10pm | Fox Cabaret (2321 Main St.) | $15 | DETAILS

LAUGH | Everyone adjusts to a new city at different rates and in different ways. Once you’ve been living in a place for a while you forget how awkward and confusing those first days, weeks and months in your new city were. You get a handle on traffic patterns, directions, customs and local slang, and with those local subtleties are under your belt it’s easier to look back and laugh at how things started. It’s those initial growing pains that Vancouverite: A Comedy Show has a giggle at. Head up Main Street on Saturday night where ‘Vancouverite’ organisers Amber Harper-Young and Brent Constantine have wrangled a roster of ‘locals’ (Sophie Buddle, Jacob Samuel, Jane Stanton, Harris Anderson) to tell their stories. This show is as perfect for those new to this city as it is for those who have lived here forever – giving a side-splitting perspective of what it’s like to become one of us, a Vancouverite. Bonus, Brassneck is just down the block for a pre-show pint. Love that Geezer brew!
Sat, Mar. 11 | 8-10pm (doors 7:30) | 2206 Main St. (@ 6th) | $7 advance $10 door | DETAILS

ROCK OUT | Dig crystals and agates? Good news: the Hastings Centre Rockhounds Annual Rock & Gem show goes down this weekend and everyone’s invited to cruise the show to check out all manner of cut and polished stones, fine silver and handcrafted jewelry. Get inspired, find yourself a sparkly crystal and take some jewelry-making supplies home to craft something special for yourself.
Mar. 11-12 | 10am–5pm | Rock & Gem Show | Hastings Community Centre (3096 E. Hastings) | DETAILS 

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Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended University in Australia and Victoria before receiving her graduate degree in Information Sciences from The University of Toronto. She lives in beautiful Strathcona and enjoys wandering aimlessly through the city’s streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy (but faithful) camera.