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. You can also check it out in the Globe & Mail, from our calendar to theirs…and yours!

ART | At the Surface opens at the Bau-Xi Gallery on Thursday night. Comprised of new oil paintings by Vancouver artist Cori Creed, this show is all about the wild west coast. From Bau-Xi: “Creed is fascinated by the tangles, textures and vistas of our land and the often fleeting and varied moods of the climate and skies. [This show]represents the artist’s continued interest in the West Coast landscape with a greater emphasis on abstraction and interpretation of the natural world.” Although this show runs through to April 30th, the artist will be in attendance at the opening reception this Thursday (April 16); plus opening receptions tend to be fun and a great excuse to dress up.
Thu, April 16 | 6-8pm | Bau-Xi Gallery (3045 Granville St) | DETAILS

RUINS | Artist Jorge Mañes Rubio is in town from The Netherlands with a fascinating collection of photographs to share. “In his new work Buona Fortuna, Rubio transports us to the mountains of the “Parco Nazionale del Cilento” in the south of Italy, where several isolated villages were abandoned after a series of devastating earthquakes and landslides. Hidden among these ruins, and despite all the decay and destruction, several churches and chapels reveal themselves in all their glory.” Even though looters have long since stripped the buildings of paintings, sculptures and relics, a ghost-like beauty remains and is captured in this body of work.
Thu, April 16 | 6-9pm | Initial Gallery (2339 Granville S) | DETAILS

OPERA | Aching for a spot of culture? How about a night of opera without the ‘special occasion’ price tag or four hour time commitment? Sounds pretty perfect, eh? As luck would have it there is a small, intimate performance going down in Chinatown this Thursday night that fits the bill. The Salon brings Vancouver Opera to a small space to serenade a handful of lucky opera enthusiasts with arias. Accessible, affordable, and fun – your $32 ticket includes wine, hors d’oeuvres and candlelight.
Thu, April 16 | 7pm | 434 Columbia St | $32 | DETAILS

CITY | If you’re interested in architecture, planning, or building an interesting city, check out the panel discussion at SFU Woodwards this Thursday night. Its asks, What is Vancouver’s Heritage? “The evening’s discussion will be around what Vancouver’s heritage is and what heritage values ought to be recognized. We then tie these values to a discussion of the Heritage Register, an inventory that identifies approximately 2,200 heritage sites and resources. The register is and has been a fundamental component of heritage conservation in our city but it needs to be updated. The panelists will discuss how our existing register can be improved so that it reflects and recognizes a broad range of heritage values, beyond just the architectural. A general discussion with the audience follows and at the end, everyone will be invited to submit feedback on the evening’s topic to the consultants leading the Heritage Action Plan.”
Thu, April 16 | 7pm–9pm | Goldcorp Centre for the Arts (149 W Hastings St) | DETAILS

FOUNDATIONS | The Emily Carr University of Art + Design Foundation Show hits the walls of the ECUAD Concourse Gallery this weekend. Featuring work by first year students, this show is an opportunity to size up the next wave of emerging art, design and media makers rising through the ECUAD ranks. Pop down to Granville Island for the opening reception on Friday night and leave impressed and inspired. This show continues until April 25.
Opening night | Fri, Apr. 17 | 7–10pm | Emily Carr University of Art & Design
Ongoing | Apr. 18 – 25 | 10am-6pm daily | Emily Carr University of Art & Design | DETAILS

WRITE | Have you always wanted to write a book but somehow never found the time? A story doesn’t have to be lengthy to have impact. Postcard stories contain all the elements of short fiction in about 500 words or less. Sit in on a free creative writing workshop on Thursday night and learn some tricks and strategies to conveying a story with an economy of words. Participants will be introduced to work by local writers and guided through writing exercises.
Thu, April 16 | 5-7pm| UBC Robson Square | FREE

SPIRITS | BC Distilled goes down this Saturday. The latest products and players from BC’s micro-distillery scene are congregating in one place at one time in order to provide spirit wonks with a snapshot of their burgeoning industry. Expect 23 of BC’s finest small-batch distilleries sampling and showcasing their artisanal spirits and liqueurs. Think gins, vodkas, and whiskies galore. You should also anticipate cocktail making demonstrations, tastings, serious conversations, and general booze-nerdery. There are two public tastings, 4pm to 6pm and 7pm to 9:30pm. See you there!
Sat, April 18 | 4-6pm &7-9:30pm | CBC Studios (700 Hamilton St) | $ 49.99 | DETAILS

PEROGIES | There’s an Arts & Culture Festival at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Strathcona this weekend. Think Ukrainian beadwork, egg decorating and folksong workshops as well as displays, performances and baked goods. The festival runs both Saturday and Sunday but we recommend dropping in on Sunday when, in addition to displays, performances and workshops on the main floor, you can make your way to the basement to the glorious semi-annual perogy lunch (11am-3pm). Grab a seat at one of the communal lunch tables and fill up on home-made borscht, perogies and kielbasa sausage.
April 18 & 19 | 11am-3pm | Ukrainian Cultural Centre (805 E Pender) Street | DETAILS

SPRING CLEANING | It’s time to get into Spring Cleaning mode. Clear out closets, empty drawers, unload those accumulated items that you don’t really need. One solid trip to Goodwill with a load of stuff will leave you feeling lighter, freer and cleaner. But what about those little bits no one wants, the electronics, small appliances, power tools, and household batteries? No point in doing a half-assed job, get it all dealt with! Hit Beyond the Blue Box Recycling at Britannia Centre this weekend. They will accept everything from hard and soft plastics to boomboxes (yes, actually) and vacuum cleaners (expect a small fee). Get rid of your junk AND keep out of the landfill.
Sat, April 18 | 9am-noon | Britannia Community Centre (1661 Napier Street) | DETAILS

ARCHITECTURE | The Vancouver Heritage Foundation is hosting their annual Vancouver Special Tour this weekend. It’s a one day, ticketed, self-guided event that celebrates innovation and design that results when we ask the important question, “What can you do to make one of the least appealing architectural styles livable in a modern context?” Look inside five renovated Vancouver Specials to see a cross section of possibilities – from small but clever fixes to dramatic overhauls – that improve on the character and livability of this often bland and ubiquitous box of a home.
Sat, Apr. 18 | 1-5pm | Various locations | $30 | DETAILS

CONNECT | There’s a different kind of dinner party happening this Saturday night. The Feast Worldwide aims to connect a bunch of cool people over food and explore ideas of community, technology, sustainability, business, health and design. Simply put: “instead of talking about problems, talk about ways to support each other, collaborate, and make things work a tiny bit better.” The theme of the evening is to look at the concept of youth and how we can foster situations and access to resources and support that could help youthful energy and creative imagination drive change. No small task. Engage! Bonus: catering is by Nuba, so expect hummus, Baba Ghanooj, Taboulleh, Najib’s Special, falafel as well as skewers of chicken, beef and a vegan option)
Sat, April 18 | 7pm | The HiVE Vancouver (128 West Hastings St) | $35 |DETAILS