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 25 – October 1, 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.
STRIKE | Worried about the state of the planet and the mess that future generations will inherit? Concerned that politicians and big business aren’t taking the climate crisis as seriously as they should? Join the Global Climate Strike this Friday, September 27th. From Climate Strike Canada: “On September 27th, we will stand together with people across the planet to demand climate justice. This global strike is not just for youth – this time, we need EVERYONE. We need you to put your normal life on hold and show up in the streets to demand dramatic and urgent action against the climate crisis. We will bring together citizens from Vancouver, the surrounding areas and the rest of BC to show our local and federal governments how much bolder we need them to be going forward. This action will build momentum to a federal election where we elect climate leaders. ” The Climate Strike march will start at City Hall at 1pm, it will then move down Cambie Street, and across the Cambie Street Bridge to end at the Main Branch of the Vancouver Public Library. Do it. March. Find out more.
FIX | Have you got a busted blender, torn shirt, or malfunctioning coffee maker? Don’t kick your broken bits to the curb in frustration, fix them! Don’t know how? Hit the Repair Cafe at Vancouver Hack Space this weekend where a team of handy volunteer fixers will be on hand to help you learn how to do it. From MetroVan Repair Cafe: “Meet your neighbours, learn something new, save your stuff and save the planet! We’ll have repair stations for fixing electronics, small appliances, textiles, jewellery, computers, and woodwork. We’ll take a look at anything you can carry in.” Thanks to all the organizers and volunteers who make this happen; it’s pretty cool! Find out more.
CREATE | The Mobil Art School is having another one of their group collage session on Friday night. Led by artist and collage enthusiast Elizabeth Zvonar, this 3-hour workshop begins with a brief overview of the history of collage before introducing some exercises to help get the ball rolling on individual projects. Reasonably priced drinks will be available to help lubricate the creative process (always helpful). Grab a buddy and a beer, sift through magazines and create a work of art to take home with you. Talk about a productive Friday night! Tickets are $25. Glue, scissors, magazines and other materials provided. Find out more.
SNACK BAR | Local plant-based cook Tomoko Tahara is continuing her pop-up series at Grapes & Soda next week. She’s clearing out her pantry and sharing the goodness in a fresh array of small dishes inspired by a recent trip to Japan. Since hearing about the event we’ve been keeping close tabs on Tomoko’s Instagram feed, which she’s been updating regularly with teaser menu items, and so far everything looks amazing. Check it out for yourself and then get your ticket – which includes a drink and welcome snack – here. Don’t forget to bring cash though, because additional eats and beer/wine will be served up cash-bar-style and we bet will be difficult to resist.
POP-UP | The rad people of Studio A-Ok are launching a new residency at their Chinatown shop this weekend and on Friday they’re throwing a party to celebrate. The first All Day Breakfast Residency participant is Liam Kaczmar, the San Francisco-based artist, filmmaker and designer of modern smoke ware line Summerland Ceramics. To kick things off right, Liam will be hand-making a small number of bamboo smoking accessories for the event. Show up early to fill up on good vibes, hands-on action, and an open bar (until 9pm). See you there! Find out more.
FILM FEST | The Vancouver International Film Festival kicks off this week. As always, there will be an impressive and varied line-up of fantastic films from around the world (320 of them, to be precise), plus an emphasis on connecting with movie goers through engaging talks and events. Overwhelmed by choice? If you want a comprehensive and inspiring starting point, Scout contributor Thalia Stopa shares her top picks here. When you’re ready to get serious, skip over to the the VIFF website to figure out your personal schedule by browsing films organized by content type, date, series, genre, or venue. Do keep in mind that there are limited tickets, and many screenings do sell out. Find out more. 320+ movies AND ancillary events? That’s a lot of nights of popcorn for dinner!
MEDIA ARTS | Got a little time on your hands this weekend? How about filling it with two nights of music and visuals programmed around installations and enhanced by drinks and good conversations? Well, the New Forms Festival is on, so all of that is a possibility. Many good things are planned, including a film screening, a lecture, a sound installation, an AV showcase and a label showcase, plus exhibitions, afterparties and a producer talk. Tickets are selling out, so scoop yours while you still can (here). Find out more.
DESIGN | The 6th annual Address Assembly is going down at the Eastside Studios this week. Make your way to this four-day ‘anti-tradeshow’ to check out beautifully handcrafted pieces of furniture and home accessories. Expect everything from ceramics and beds to textiles and tables. Curator (and furniture designer) Kate Duncan knows how to bring together a room of talented designers like no one else, so don’t miss out – there are 35 participants this year and every one of them is up to something cool. The Address Assembly launch party kicks everything off beginning at 7pm on September 25th and the show continues to be viewable daily September 26 to 29 from 10am to 6pm. Find out more.
GET INSPIRED | We’re all invested in climate change, but if you’re also a small business owner or are an entrepreneur – or work closely with one – then you’re probably feeling doubly vested in responsibility and climate-related stress. Good news: next Tuesday there’s an interactive event specifically focussed on addressing how you can be a positive, environmentally friendly and profitable, successful player in your industry. It’s called “Making an Impact: Small Business’s Leadership Role in Climate Action”. Even cooler: the panel of speakers is dominated by businesswomen, including NADA Grocery owner Brianne Miller. Interested yet? Find out more here.
REMEDY | Not to be a downer, but cold and flu season is on the way. Be preemptive, pick up some natural medicine knowledge at a hands-on Medicinal Plant Workshop at Fraser Common Farm out in Aldergrove this weekend. After a plant identification tour around farm grounds with Métis herbalist and educator Lori Snyder, participants will learn how to use natural ingredients like beeswax and plant oils to make their own soothing salves and healing tinctures. This workshop will run you $50, but that includes all supplies for the products you make (and take home) as well as light refreshments. If you haven’t yet experienced Fraser Common Farm, this is a great opportunity to get to know the phenomenal food and community hub. Find out more.