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 Thursday, February 27th to Wednesday, March 5th, 2025. Please note that you can now get the Scout List – with a few extra pieces of intel included – sent to your inbox every Thursday. Sign up for your subscription here.

LEARN | Moss is a natural powerhouse: able to absorb up to 20 times its weight, in can be used as a bacteria-fighting bandage, bed, natural insulation, and even boot liners to keep feet your dry in soggy weather. It blankets logs, rocks, and forest floors. Over 900 species of moss grow in BC alone! But how much do you really know about it? This weekend, the Stanley Park Ecological Society, along with bryologist Connor Wardrop, are ready to bring you up to speed on these tiny but mighty plants with their “Tiny, Mighty Mosses” walk. Learn all about their surprising uses and why moss is one of nature’s best absorbers. But hurry, because tickets are going fast! DETAILS

BEHOLD | Speaking of moss, the Beaty Biodiversity Museum has a cool moss-related exhibition on right now. With Peatland Mosses: A Printmaking Perspective, artist Lisa Matthias turns the microscopic world of peatland mosses into striking woodcuts and etchings, blending scientific precision with artistic innovation. A former botanist and wildlife biologist, Matthias brings years of ecological research into her printmaking practice, exploring themes of biodiversity, climate change, and the unseen beauty of nature. This exhibition reveals moss not just as plant life, but as a vital ecological force. Housed in a Patkau Architects-designed stunner of a building, the Beaty’s mission is to “inspire an understanding of biodiversity, its origins, and importance to humans through collections-based research, education, exhibitions, and community engagement” – which it does through providing access to a whopping two million treasured specimens! Plus, it has a 26-metre-long blue whale skeleton suspended in the atrium. It’s just a cool place, in general. You should go. DETAILS

OPEN | Chef Bumpen “Nok” Khangrang and Bobby Kongsilp are bringing something special to Olympic Village with Jay Nok Modern Thai, opening beginning today! Kongsilp’s family ran Sala Thai — Vancouver’s first Thai-owned-and-operated restaurant — so this isn’t just another Thai spot; it’s built on decades of experience and a deep love for the cuisine. The menu moves across Thailand’s four regions, balancing street food classics with Nok’s own twists. Think: Oxtail Green Curry, bone marrow-laden Khao Soi, and seafood curry served inside a young coconut. The 126-seat space shifts from a lively lunch spot to a dimly lit, neon-accented cocktail lounge at night. DETAILS

BRUNCH | Good thing there are two days in the weekend, because there are two solid brunch options coming up: beginning this Saturday, Tall Shadow Bakery has a sweet new brunch service, with guest chef Benjamin Berwick (previously of Dachi), serving up thick-sliced milk bread sandos, crisp latkes, and a roasted root veg hash with salsa verde. Simple, satisfying, and exactly what you want with your morning coffee. DETAILS | Meanwhile, over at Carp Sushi, Chef Alvaro Montes De Oca (formerly of Ubuntu Canteen) is running a Mexican brunch pop-up on March 1st and 2nd only, bringing bold, messy and deeply comforting plates to the table. Expect enmoladas, chilaquiles, killer tamales, tacos, and maybe even barbacoa or pozole, all washed down with house-made agua fresca. DETAILS | Two different takes on brunch, both worth rolling out of bed for.

DESIRE | Jump on the seabus and head to North Van’s The Polygon Gallery to take in their new exhibit, Rotimi Fani-Kayode: Tranquility of Communion – the first North American survey of the pioneering photographer’s work. Born in Nigeria and exiled to London during the civil war, Fani-Kayode (1955–1989) explored identity, sexuality, and race through richly symbolic images, blending Yoruba spirituality with queer desire. This landmark exhibition brings together key series, never-before-seen student works, and archival prints, showcasing a visionary artist whose influence continues to resonate. Rotimi Fani-Kayode: Tranquility of Communion runs from Friday, February 28th through Thursday, May 1st, but note that there is an opening celebration on Thursday, February 27th at 7pm (that’s tonight!), and guided tours of the exhibit go down Saturdays starting at 1:30pm. DETAILS

COOL | Vancouver Cocktail Week is packed with great events, but A Seat At Her Bar? Unmissable. On Tuesday, March 4th, four absolute legends — Tara Davies (Cantina 189/Chupito), Winnie Sun (Elem), Taylor Gardiner (Bar Corso), and Tadia Rae (Pizza Coming Soon) — are taking over The Flamingo Room for a cocktail pop-up and Q&A on women in the industry. Expect sharp insights, strong drinks, and a well-earned spotlight on the women redefining the game. Tickets include snacks and a feature cocktail – because, obviously! DETAILS

DINE | On the topic of all the delicious drinks to be had, I’m really excited about hitting The Acorn for a special Vancouver Cocktail Week celebration in collaboration with Odd Society Spirits. Tickets aren’t cheap (a table for two is over $300), but they include everything – so all you have to do is slip in, sit down, and enjoy whatever Chef Matt Gostelow and his kitchen team put on the plate to match cocktails created by bar manager Lewis Reid and Odd Society’s Julia Burns. Expect an indulgent experience highlighting British Columbia’s bounty with hints of Spring (fast-approaching!) in every sip and bite. Bright flavours, bold pairings, and a true celebration of local ingredients. With only a handful of seats available, though, don’t spend too much time considering: just jump! DETAILS

FRESH AIR | The ground is still a bit soggy, but it looks like we’re in for a nice weekend of warmer temperatures – and [knock on wood] maybe even a little blue sky, here and there! Take full advantage of any opportunity to feel the sun on your face by leaving room in your schedule for a nice walk. Spring is on the verge of popping, and a stroll in the forest will confirm this. We’d suggest hitting Jericho Beach for a breath of fresh air and a glimpse of the season to come. With bits of forest, beach, and marsh all in one place, you get a nice cross-section of nature. You might even spot a bunny!

WATCH | The Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival is on, and while I’m not a climber or backcountry skier myself, I can attest that this festival always delivers. Showing as part of the Stories With Impact series, LAMO AURU – Old Forest, New Lines is the film I’m most excited to check out. (It’s playing at the Rio Theatre on Saturday, March 1st.) The film follows British climbers Waldo Etherington, Leo Houlding, and Tom Winterton into the untouched depths of Papua New Guinea’s Lamo Auru Caldera, where their mission to climb giant strangler fig trees takes a turn toward something much bigger. Guided by the indigenous Nakanai people, they uncover a powerful story of cultural significance, environmental threats, and the fight to protect one of the world’s last truly unexplored places. DETAILS

PLAN | Celebrate Norooz with a special one-night pop-up from chef Saman Ahmadivafa (Como Taperia, Khaaterat) at Dachi on Tuesday, March 18th. Born in Iran and living in Vancouver since 2008, Saman channels childhood memories into his personal cooking, bringing the warmth and tradition of Iranian New Year — a time rooted in gathering, sharing, and reconnecting — to the table. From Dachi: “The theme of Iranian New Year is especially meaningful for him, as it’s centered around gathering with loved ones, sharing meals, and creating lasting memories. As he hasn’t been able to see his family for many years, this themed menu is a way for him to relive those fond moments and reconnect with his culture.” The family-style tasting menu highlights seasonal, local ingredients with a pescatarian and vegetarian focus, reflecting the fresh, vibrant flavours of the Spring season. Thoughtfully paired cocktails round out the experience, with an option for curated pairings. Fair warning: dinners like this sell out, so we’re letting you know well in advance in order to give you time to clear your calendar and make sure you get a seat. DETAILS