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, May 1st to Wednesday, May 7th, 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.

POP UP | Proscuitto & Friends are bringing their fun “Good Food, Cool Spaces, Great People (Prosciutto Sold Separately)” vibe to the Boxcar this weekend for the second round of their Paninoteca concept. If you didn’t get in on the action the first time, it’s basically exactly as advertised: Italian disco music coming out of the speakers (courtesy of ‘El Garitza’), a food menu featuring veg and meat panini-style sandwiches (plus their known to do a cheeky ice cream sandwich for dessert), and drinks, of course. Groovy! These guys make a mighty sexy (and hefty) sandwich, and the pop-up is sure to draw a crowd. So working up an appetite and showing up as close to the 1pm start time as possible (or earlier) is highly recommended. DETAILS.

BLOOM | The Witches Bloom: Magical Symposium & Artisan Market goes down at Ironworks this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, featuring a cool-as-heck artisan marketplace and some equally rad workshops. We’re talking eco-printing, natural perfumery, mycology ink making, insect pinning, natural dye, tarot readings, and tintype photography. The event celebrates the arrival of Spring while donating 100% of its door entry ($5 per person) to local community associations. Potions, harnessing the power of flower essence, moon energy, candle crafting, planetary magic, connection, healing, and conversion – I’m super into all of it. The world needs more healing. DETAILS.

GET OUTSIDE | Vancouver’s landscape has shifted into full-on spring overdrive. Blue skies have returned, birds are singing, the temperature is climbing – in short, the city is coming alive again. Take some time to slow down and appreciate the here of the now with a spell of fresh air. Beaches are going to be hopping this weekend, for good reason. If you’re looking for a less crowded option, the trails through the University Endowment Lands are some of my favourite at this time of year. The forested paths are a relaxing escape from the city, full of birdsong, beginnings of new plants, and shocks of bright green leaves starting on branches. Lately, I’ve been taking a route through the forest down to Spanish Banks. Forest sights and sounds followed by ocean air and and a clear horizon. Good stuff. DETAILS.

CRAFT | A new exhibition invites you to see chefs as makers, off the line and in the studio. On Sunday, May 4th, August Studios (1320 East Pender Street) opens its doors to showcase work from five chef-artists: Scarlet Gaffney (Scarlito’s Way), Sarah Stewart, Matthew Deacon-Evans, Larissa Grieves, and Stephanie French — who’ve traded mise en place for sculpture, ceramics, print, and multimedia. It should be an interesting show! Plus, everything’s for sale, the artists will be there, and yes, there will be natural wine and Negronis to keep the creative flow going. Not for nothing: Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and this might also be a nice opportunity to pick her up an original gift. DETAILS.

ART | Postcards from the Heart: Selections from the Brigitte and Henning Freybe Collection is up at the Vancouver Art Gallery right now. A little context: Henning Freybe is former chairman of Freybe Gourmet Foods and co-founder of Griffin Art Projects, a non-profit gallery that shines a light on contemporary art from private collections (his included, of course). The exhibition on the walls of the VAG right now is a stunning collection of over 30 pieces — paintings, sculptures, photos, and films — that showcase the Freybes’ long-standing support for the arts. Expect works from big names like Robert Rauschenberg, Frank Stella, Julie Mehretu, William Kentridge, Rodney Graham, and Jeff Wall. The show offers a glimpse into their commitment to modern and contemporary art, celebrating the creativity and impact of the artists they’ve championed. DETAILS.

MARGARITAS | In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is the annual celebration of the Mexican Army’s victory over the occupying French Army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862. Outside of Mexico, the day has taken on a more ‘popular’ tone that leans toward a general celebration of Mexican culture (which we primarily recognize by eating Mexican food and drinking margaritas). It’s definitely over-simplified and verges on missing the point – but our intentions are good, so why not join in? Plus, with sunny and warm weather expected for Tuesday, a well-crafted cocktail could be just the slice of escapism you need. In our estimation, some of the best margaritas in town await you at:

WALK | Get your comfy shoes on and take a Jane’s Walk this weekend. Named for the Canadian urbanist and activist Jane Jacobs, Jane’s Walks are based on the idea that “cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” From tours of hidden green spaces to public art trails, and historical neighbourhood wanders, the number (and type) of citizen-led walking tours have a little something for everyone. Our picks: These Foods are Made for Eating (Not Wasting) (Friday, May 2nd at 2pm), Foodscaping with Little Mountain Neighbourhood House Society (Friday, May 2nd at 5pm), and Queen Elizabeth Park – A Park Ranger Perspective (Saturday, May 3rd at 10am). Jane’s Walk events go down at various times, and start at various locations between May 1st and 4th. To participate in one of 19 free guided walks, check the walk calendar here. DETAILS.

WATCH | The 2025 DOXA Documentary Film Festival returns for its 24th edition, running from May 1st-11th. With 39 features, and 30 short and mid-length films, plus industry events, the festival offers a compelling slate of thought-provoking documentaries. Screenings will take place across multiple prominent downtown venues, including Vancouver Playhouse, The Cinematheque, VIFF Centre, and SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts. Industry events will be hosted at SFU’s World Art Centre and The Post at 750. A standout aspect of the festival is the opportunity to engage with filmmakers in person, with many screenings followed by Q&A sessions and panel discussions. Check out the full line-up here.

DINE | Nero Tondo, a small 18-seat spot on Powell Street, brings a kitchen-party vibe where the open kitchen fosters a direct connection between chefs and diners. It’s the perfect setting for Chef Matthew Finn, who’s joining the crew for a two-night collaborative dinner next week. Chef Finn’s culinary journey started in 2015 in Belfast, followed by a stint in Berlin, and most recently at the helm of Stage Fernwood in Victoria. By blending technique with humour, Finn brings a laid-back, flavour-forward approach to the table. Expect local, dry-aged meats paired with “banging” vegetable dishes from chefs Devon and Lucas, all for $99 per person. If you love seeing good people come together to cook good food, this collab’s sure to be a blast. DETAILS.

THE SHOW |The 2025 Emily Carr University Graduate Exhibition, The Show, is almost up-and-running, with opening night slated for Wednesday, May 7th from 6-11pm. This is the perfect chance to see where emerging talent is headed, whether it’s tech-driven art or community-focused projects. Spanning disciplines from illustration and photography, to ceramics and animation, the work is fresh, innovative, and full of promise. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome to check it out. Don’t miss it. DETAILS. But first: ECU is turning a spotlight onto its 2025 Indigenous graduates with a special reception and exhibition, on Saturday, May 3rd from 5-8 pm at the former Wil Aballe Gallery on East Hastings. The exhibition, Gathering on Indian Time, runs from May 4th all the way up to 23rd, and will be open to the public from Tuesday to Friday, from 12-5 pm. DETAILS.