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, October 17-23, 2024. Please note that you can once again get the Scout List – with a few extra pieces of intel included – sent to your inbox every Thursday. Sign up for your subscription here.

OPEN | Selene Aegean Bistro opens doors on Penticton Street this week, bringing a fresh take on Aegean cuisine to East Vancouver. With a thoughtfully designed space reminiscent of a Mediterranean terrace, and a menu that reimagines familiar dishes in surprising ways, Selene offers an experience that feels both rooted and unexpected – perfect for those seeking something out of the ordinary. DETAILS

ESCAPE | Vancouver is expecting A LOT of rain this week. How nice would it feel to press “pause” on that? As unlikely as that might seem, there is a way. Hiding out at the Bloedel Conservatory for a few hours usually does the trick. Artificially warm temperatures, plus exotic plants and flowers – and all those free-flying tropical birds! Use your imagination, and you might just forget how miserable it is outside. The Conservatory will be shutting down for a bit starting on October 28th, 2024, so that they can fix up the pathways to make it easier for everyone to get around, and upgrades will take about two months (they’re aiming to open back up in early January 2025). So keep in mind that if you don’t go within the next 10 days, you’ll be out of luck until the New Year! DETAILS

DINE | Noah’s Cafe is hosting a Harvest Harmony collaborative dinner on Monday night, featuring a seven-course seasonally-inspired dinner. The evening sounds both fun (Noah’s knows how to have a good time) and very reasonably priced. Pastry chef Kiko Nakata (Tall Shadow Bakery) is joining Noah’s Cafe chefs Cliff Chi and Tatsuki to create a menu full of Japanese flavours, using the best seasonal ingredients to capture the spirit of Autumn. Initially, there were two seating times available, but the 7:45pm one is already sold out… so don’t snooze if you were hoping to scoop a seat at the 5pm time slot! With tickets priced at $80 per person (beverages extra), we’re betting they will also be gone in a snap. DETAILS

ELECTRO BANJO | Berlin-based experimental musician Weston Olencki is in Vancouver to bring his unique blend of electromechanical sounds to Tyrant Studios tonight (Thursday, October 17th at 9:30pm). Definitely an evening of experimental and boundary-pushing music – we’re talking a one-of-a-kind situation involving a banjo with solenoid motors, radio transmitters and handmade electronics! The performance explores the intersections of traditional and experimental music, with nods to Americana and contemporary tech; plus, it’s a really cool venue and we’re betting that the crowd will also be refreshingly eclectic. Bonus: If you’re feeling extra adventurous, the venue is also hosting a mentalist magic show beforehand, beginning at 7:30pm. Get into all of it. DETAILS

APPLES | One of the sure signs that Fall is officially in full swing is the annual UBC Apple Festival. It’s happening this weekend. Join throngs of happy, apple-loving Vancouverites at the UBC Botanical Gardens and get into the spirit! Not only will there be apples galore, but you can also expect apple pie, hot apple cider, caramel apples, apple chips, and organic BC apple juice. And, for those of you who have trees at home, Master Gardeners will be available to discuss apple tree related gardening issues and pest management. This is not a light traffic event so get sorted with a ticket, consider alternative modes of transportation, and break out your comfiest waterproof shoes. DETAILS

WRITERS FEST | The Vancouver Writers Fest is returning this month, for a week containing dozens of bookish events, beginning on Monday, October 21st. From one-on-one author interviews to themed multi-panelist discussions, workshops, performances and more, this year’s Fest is jam-packed with reasons to (briefly) hoist yourself out of your comfy chair, and get your blood pumping and your brain working. To kick things off, we recommend the following events: A Grand Opening: Finding Joy Amid Turmoil on Oct. 21st; Scarily Brilliant: An Evening of Literary Horror and The Craft of Graphic Novels on Oct. 22nd; and Night Class: A Workshop with UBC School of Creative Writing and Ecosystems for Change on Oct. 23rd. Events are selling out already, though, so don’t idle on snagging your tickets! DETAILS

HAUNT | The spooky season is closing in and Strange Fellows Brewing is once again embracing its morbid past by transforming into ‘Dead Fellows Brewhouse’. For those who have never before experienced Strange Fellows’ Halloween-themed event, this is not your average haunted house! In true SFB spirit, the ‘Dead Fellows Brewhouse’ experience comes complete with its own frightening, beer-themed and historically-inspired backstory revolving around a crew of nine dead brewers. Experience this Halloween event with a group of four to fully enjoy the jump-scares and creepy atmosphere. As with most Strange Fellows events, this Halloween activity ($30/35) will sell out fast, so book a time to visit STAT. DETAILS

FOOD | Richmond Art Gallery is bringing the subject of food to the forefront with Foodways, a dynamic exhibition that digs into how food shapes cultural identity, traditions, and history. This group show features a stellar lineup of artists whose works explore everything from colonial histories to the social rituals surrounding food. If you’re into art that makes you think about what’s on your plate, this one’s a must-see! Featured artists include Derya Akay, Sara Angelucci, Jesse Birch, Patrick Cruz, Ellie Kyungran Heo, Kosisochukwu Nnebe, Karen Tam, Tania Willard, Paul Wong, Marlene Yuen, and Shellie Zhang. Running alongside it is Hong Wo 同和, a look at Richmond’s first “supermarket” and its impact on the Steveston community. DETAILS

HIKE | Fall is the perfect time for hiking in Vancouver: temperatures are accommodating, crowds thin out and the colours, smells and sounds are magic. Take the low road out to Lighthouse Park (doable by car, bike or bus) and spend a few hours wandering the trails. There’s nothing quite as restorative and grounding as taking time out to appreciate nature. Breathe deeply, and inhale the forest and salt air. Then, when you’re done, hit up Savary Island Pie Co. for a piece of pie and latte. DETAILS

INTERSECTIONS | There is still a bit of time left to catch Monique Fouquet’s Gallery 881 show The Studio before it comes down at the end of the month. The Vancouver-via-Quebec artist’s work digs into the way objects, space, and meaning connect. In her studio, everyday things fade into the background until she isolates and photographs them, pulling them into focus alongside her abstract drawings. The mix of personal items and digital art pushes you to think about how objects and memories cross paths. Her series makes you reflect on materiality, relationships, and how art and life are always in flux. DETAILS

COMMUNITY. NOT CLICKBAIT.