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 September 18 – September 24, 2019. Note that you can also get the Scout List – with a few extra pieces of intel included – sent to your inbox every Thursday. Sign up for your subscription in the sidebar.

ART | Summer is coming to an end! Sure, it was bound to happen, but it still sucks. Beyond getting out there and soaking up the last of the warmth at a beach of park, one fun way to combat the onset of drabness is by treating your peepers to some rad art. This week, we suggest checking out local artist Evan Lee’s new exhibit at the Monte Clarke Gallery. “Full Circle” includes a series of oil paintings depicting the artist’s interpretations of Vancouver and its people, alongside the enlarged and unaltered photographic prints that inspired them. The show kicks off on Thursday and runs for a full month, until October 19th. Find out more.

DANCE | ‘Sacrifice your body to the disco gods’ at the China Cloud on Saturday night. Black Box is a sweet-sounding dance party with a fine line-up of DJ’s set to spin classic house, disco and more so you can dance the night away. Need some convincing? This party actually comes with it’s own trailer (here). The most excellent bit? “All proceeds are going to a Rainbow Refugee fundraising circle, sponsoring an LGBTQ person fleeing persecution and violence in Central Africa. The fundraising circle will work in solidarity with the newcomer to find housing, access healthcare, support networks, language classes, and anything else they may need to adjust to life in Vancouver.” Rad, right? Add a sexy little pre-game cocktail at Kissa Tanto (just up the street) and you’ve got a top notch Saturday night. Find out more.

FLEA | Don’t go to the mall. If you’re looking to change up or update your Fall wardrobe with a few key pieces or are inspired to shake things up at home with some cool accent pieces, Eastside Flea is where you’ll want to be this weekend. Peruse booth after curated booth of goodies from more than 50 local vendors on Saturday and Sunday (11am-5pm). Bonus: music, food and cocktails. See you there. Find out more.

BOOKS | Speaking of outfitting yourself for fall, you can outfit yourself with a solid assortment of Autumn reads at the Friends of The Vancouver Public Library book sale this weekend. Thousands of discarded and gently used books go on sale starting Thursday, all of them going for less than $2.50 each. Pro tip: Saturday sees all books drop to half price. Half of less than $2.50 is pretty darn cheap for words and ideas that you can read and store in your brain, wouldn’t you say? Find out more.

EQUAL NIGHT | The Fall Equinox is upon us (summer officially ends Monday, Sept. 23rd). For now – even in the rain – there is still a touch of summer in the air. Book yourself some time outdoors to properly appreciate it. Looking for an easy escape? Crowds are thinning out at Stanley Park…some time on the seawall could be a perfect way to see out summer.

HURRY | This is the last weekend you’ll be able to see The Clock at The Polygon Gallery. You’ll hear people talking about it for ages, and it’s so much more fun to be in on the conversation than to hear it repeated again and again… so go! Check it out before it’s too late. What the heck am I on about? Read Kristin Lim’s story “It’s About Time You Saw Artist Christian Marclay’s ‘The Clock’ at The Polygon Gallery” here. Extra bonus: if you head to The Polygon on Sunday, you might also be able to participate in The Clock Collage Party (registration is required). Find out more.

LISTEN |  Bruce Sanguin will be speaking at Ubuntu Canteen on September 23rd. The local psychotherapist and author will be at the Fraser Street eatery and community hub to talk about mental health, healing, childhood trauma, psychedelics and more. Ubuntu will have food and drinks available to purchase, but the event is otherwise free. Everyone is welcome. Find out more.

COMMUNITY | Tucked quietly between the constant crazy of Prior Street and the comparative emptiness of the warehouses and train tracks to the south are the tiny but beautiful Cottonwood and Strathcona Community Gardens at Strathcona Park. Full of individual plots teeming with lovingly cared-for produce, flowers and trees — these gardens are a community hub for reflecting, connecting and learning. Not familiar? Hustle down to the Eastside sanctuary for a wander, talk to some gardeners, watch the bees; it’s a place that slows you right down. This Saturday (11am-3pm) is a great time to check it out as the Harvest Festival will be going on. This means that, in addition to the chill environment, there will also be tea making, apple cider pressing, beekeeping and mushroom growing displays, native plant talks, local history sharing and plenty of food and drink and good people. Find out more.

IMPORTANT! | Tickets are still available to see David Suzuki and Stephen Lewis at the Chan Centre this Friday night. In case you didn’t know, the duo of climate change activists are on a pre-election Climate First Tour across Canada in an effort to get the rest of us to wake up and make our leaders understand that issues relating to climate change are a priority. From the Chan Centre: “The best scientists in the world are telling us we have just a few years to dramatically cut emissions to avoid the most frightening aspects of climate change. Our message to Canadians and political parties is clear: We must work together to put the climate first in this critical election.” Bringing yourself up to speed on how to use your voice and your vote to make a difference for the planet seems like a pretty worth while way to spend a few hours on a Friday night. As Suzuki himself explains: “Everyone in Canada and all political parties must rally together to take action on climate disruption. This isn’t a partisan issue.” Find out more.

FARM | After the Climate First event, you deserve a little down time. What more fitting decompression activity than to head to the UBC Farm annual fundraising festival, FarmAde? This is a place that uses and teaches responsible farming practices and the importance of food security and eating local – all things that help, rather than harm the planet – so you can feel good about where you are. Plus, this super fun outdoor event involves fresh farm grown food, square dancing, live music as well as beer from Faculty Brewing, Oddity Kombucha and juicy cider from Twin Island. As always, big props to the UBC Farm for cultivating food and community at the only operating farm in the city! Gates open at 5pm – rain or shine. Admission is $8 (bring cash for food and drink as well). Find out more.

EAT LOCAL |  Speaking of Farms, and farmers, this is harvest season and harvest season is an extra delicious time to connect with farmers and friends at the Farmers Market. Grab your best reusable shopping bag and fill it to the brim with tasty apples, the last of the perfect plums, and as many pears as you can handle… this month is brimming with fresh fruits and vegetables (not to mention cheeses, artisan breads, preserves, honey, wild salmon, all the squash, eggs and pickles. Support the people who grow our food! Find out more.