Glasses of Scotch whisky at the Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown, Scotland.DAVID MOIR/Reuters
Crows: If you're interested in adding some depth to your understanding of what makes crows tick, make your way to the West End Community Centre, where wildlife biologist Rob Butler will present a talk. Admission is by donation and space is limited, so register early by calling the Community Centre at 604-257-8333.
Thursday, Nov. 20, 7-8 p.m. (870 Denman St.) www.stanleyparkecology.ca/event/crows-talk-rob-butler/
Plants: VanDusen Botanical Garden offers an informative talk on the history of perfume. The official word: "Take a journey beginning with the incense and perfumes created in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, India and Arabia, then over to Europe to the alcohol-based eau de colognes concocted by European monks and nuns that doubled as liqueurs, medicine and bathing liquid." This lecture will include a Q&A session and tons of intelligence on local plants.
Thursday, Nov. 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (5251 Oak St.) www.vandusengarden.org
Design: The Lighting Architecture Movement Project (LAMP) is part art installation, part design competition and part performance. Using light and form as canvas, LAMP organizers challenged participants to design an indoor light in any format (floor, pendant, table, etc.) that incorporated the theme of "fibre." A panel of architects, designers and media then chose its favourite entries. Check out the series of design sketches along with the top 10 jury-picked finished products.
Thursday, Nov. 20, 6-11 p.m., The Independent (188 Kingsway), $10-$50 www.welovelamp.ca
Perogies: There's a perogy lunch at the Strathcona Ukrainian Hall this weekend. Dig into generous helpings of homemade perogies, sliced sausage, cabbage rolls and bowls of borscht. Don't be put off by the lineup at the door. It moves fast. Also expect a bake sale and pysanky (Ukrainian Easter egg) making. Bonus: This event takes place smack in the middle of Eastside Culture Crawl territory (Pender at Hawks) and fits nicely between studio visits.
Nov 22-23, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (805 E. Pender) www.auucvancouver.ca
Hopscotch: November brings with it the start of prime scotch drinking weather. The organizers behind Hopscotch (Vancouver's weeklong celebration of premium whisky) know this and have lined up a litany of tasting events and dinners. But this isn't just a party. Hopscotch is also an opportunity to catapult yourself from consumer to connoisseur when you sign up for talks and workshops. Events sell out quickly (most tasting dinners are already full), but if you hurry, you may still score a ticket to the Hopscotch Annual Grand Tasting Hall, with more than 100 exhibitors.
Now through Nov. 23, various locations , various prices www.hopscotchfestival.com
Listen: The Vancouver Academy of Music and the Vancouver Bach Choir join forces this Sunday to present an affordable concert perfectly suited to a November afternoon: Schubert's Unfinished Symphony No. 8 and Mozart's Requiem. Purchase tickets online at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22 (or in-person at the Orpheum Theatre box office).
Sunday, Nov. 23, 2 p.m., Orpheum Theatre (601 Smithe St.), $10 www.vancouveracademyofmusic.com