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

TRADITION | The Goh Ballet rallies their troops to perform Tchaikovsky’s classic, The Nutcracker, this week. Behold as scores of local dancers take the stage in gorgeous costumes against stunning sets in the Christmas-themed ballet. Accompanied by live music performed by members of the Vancouver Orchestra, this gig is sure to jumpstart even the most reluctant of holiday spirits. Sugarplum Fairy it up by putting on some fancy duds. See you there!
Dec. 17 – 22 | The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts (777 Homer St. ) | $25-95 | DETAILS

GIFT | Be sure to hit the Barter pop-up this week. A quick visit to this East side gathering of 30 local makers will outfit you with all manner of cool handmade items AND save you a trip to the mall. Participating makers are include Pot Inc, Fleet Objects, Harlow Skin Co. Yew Woodshop, Sarah Delaney, Ben Barber Studio, Konzuk, DMR Ceramics, Clothlab and Barter BC. Expect everything from ceramics and textiles to jewellery, candles and soap. Plus: nice people doing rad things right here in your city. So much good.
Now – Dec 24 | 12-7pm | 552 Clark Drive | DETAILS

STAR WARS | The Force Awakens this week. Finally. This is skip-out-of-work material for sure. Will Jar Jar return? Is Luke actually a baddie? Does Chewbacca die? Is Rey the daughter of Han and Leia? Is the First Order a Nazi front organisation? Will JJ Abrams incur the fatal wrath of the neckbeards? We’ll find out the answers to all these pressing questions and more this Friday night when the most eagerly awaited film since…er…The Phantom Menace (oh no!)…opened in theatres a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.
Dec. 18th | Various times & locations | DETAILS

DINE | We’ve been waiting for the new location of Vij’s to open for longer than we’ve been waiting for the 7th episode of Star Wars. That both come to fruition in the same week is truly magnificent. Yup, dinner service is now kicking off at 5:30pm every day of the week. Have a look at Andrew’s pre-opening survey of the space here.
Vij’s (3106 Cambie St) | 7 days | 5:30pm | DETAILS

BONFIRE | This Saturday is a good night to head over to Dundarave Pier in West Vancouver. Take a stroll through the local shops and then bundle up tight and make your way down to the beach where there will be a giant bonfire roaring (lit at sundown). Live music, hot chocolate and a forest of decorated Christmas trees make this a solidly festive Saturday night. Plus there’s a beach, the sound of waves and the delightful smell of the ocean in the air. Bonus: the Beach House is right there.
Sat, Dec 19 | 3pm to 9:30pm | Dundarave Beach | West Van | Free | DETAILS

SHOP HOP | Hit Chinatown on Friday night to shop for some awesome gifts and do a little good while you’re at it. Duchesse Vintage, The Shop, thisopenspace, Bestie and El Kartel join forces to offer discounts, treats, good vibes and good will as 10% of their sales between 6-9pm will go directly to the DTES Women’s Centre. Stick around for a party at Untitled Art Space. 
Fri, Dec 18 | 6-9pm | Columbia St.@ Pender St. | DETAILS

KEITHMAS | Hustle to the Rickshaw Friday night and unwind with a night of music, booze and good times. Keithmas is a delightfully awkward merging of Christmas spirit with all that is the magic of Keith Richards. Celebrate the birthday of the much loved English musician, singer and songwriter while generating donations for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. Pretty much a win/win. Music by Rich Hope & His Evil Doers, the Jolts, the Vicious Cycles MC, Elliot C Way & the Wild North, the Rentalmen, the Ballantynes, La Chinga, Dahle Brothers, and the Tranzmitors. From event organizers: “Keith Richards will turn 72 this year on Friday Dec 18th and you can be there to celebrate in the company of 9 or so incredible bands playing their collective asses off doing the Stones/Keef songbook and drinking an ungodly amount of Jack Daniels.” Snag tickets at Red Cat or Highlife Records.
Fri, Dec 18 | doors 7 pm, show 8 pm | Rickshaw Theatre (254 E. Hastings) | $15 | DETAILS

FESTIVUS | This is the weekend – a time of inspiration and socializing. Stop frantic shopping and fighting traffic – grab a few friends and fill up on Festivus cheer. Part 1 (6-9pm) – “The 12 Breweries of Festivus” – is a craft beer festival that sees 12 BC craft breweries (Red Truck, Parallel 49, Strange Fellows, Driftwood, Bomber, Howe Sound, Whistler, Steamworks, Main Street, Yellow Dog, Twin Sail and Moody Ales) pouring tasty samples for thirsty attendees. Part 2 (9:30pm – late) – “The Music of Festivus” – sees a line up local talents playing great music. Organizers promise that, in addition to The Star Captains and Prevail, there will be a VERY special guest that you won’t want to miss out on. Proceeds to The Make A Wish Foundation. A fine way to spend a Saturday night!
Sat, Dec 19 | The Imperial Vancouver (319 Main St) | $20/$30 | DETAILS

ENGAGE | There’s nothing quite as magical as joining a procession of strangers to meander the streets with handmade lanterns on a chilly night. The Secret Lantern Society has once again organized a Winter Solstice Lantern Festival to fill the streets of Yaletown, Chinatown, and Granville Island this coming Monday. Get yourself out there and participate. Skip over to the Secret Lantern Society website for event details.
Monday, Dec 21 | Various Locations | DETAILS

TURNING POINT | Right now Vancouver is seeing the sun come up at 8am and setting again at about 4:15pm – that’s not a lot of daylight, folks! In fact, this week boasts the shortest days of the year. The good news here is that after this weekend, our days get longer. Little by little we’re headed toward those beautiful mid-summer 9pm sunsets, the memory of which we all cling to during these winter months. So in a roundabout way, it’s a time to celebrate. Raise a glass to summer – it’s coming, and this is the turning point.

To submit an event for consideration, email events [at] scoutmagazine.ca

Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended University in Australia and the University of Victoria before receiving her graduate degree in Library 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.