Editor's Note: Globe B.C. has joined forces with Scout Magazine to give you the best of what's happening in Vancouver this weekend. For a full week's worth of listings, head over to the complete Scout List, updated each Monday. See the list in calendar view here.
Late night jellyfish: After Hours At The Vancouver Aquarium goes down Thursday night. Guests can enjoy wine, beer and some food during this grownup evening with an educational focus on The Secret Sex Lives of Animals. Expect a scientific talk from the staff veterinarian, an interactive learning show with live animals, and a seahorse romance segment that will bring you up to speed on your aquatic mating knowledge.
Thursday, Sept. 19, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., Vancouver Aquarium at 845 Avison Way, Stanley Park, $25, www.vanaqua.org
Architecture: September is such an inspiring time to wander the grounds of any university, and UBC is no exception. Discover its architecture by tagging along on a Heritage Vancouver Society tour of the campus' unique, International-style buildings this Thursday. Architect Gerry McGeough will guide participants and point out how this style and era of development is evidenced in the built environment of the university. Mr. McGeough will offer insights into the cultural landscape approach to heritage conservation employed by UBC and explain how successful seismic upgrading considered preservation. Stick around after the tour for a discussion over pints at Mahony & Son's Pub (5990 University Blvd.).
Thursday, Sept. 19, 4 p.m.-6 p.m., Leon and Thea Koerner University Centre at 6331 Crescent Rd.
Lanterns: The Renfrew Ravine Still Moon Festival takes place this Saturday night. This twilight celebration of art, music, environmental stewardship and community participation is a load of fun and should not be missed. Start your full-moon experience in the afternoon by attending the annual harvest festival in Slocan Park and then, as dusk gathers, join in the procession through alleyways and forested ravine pathways to nearby Renfrew Park. In the park, the magic begins. Wander the forest to take in lantern installations, learn about salmon, rivers and ravines, enjoy roaming performers and live music, and make sure to stop for some tea and moon cake in the Renfrew Field Tea Garden.
Saturday, Sept. 21, Slocan Park Harvest Fair, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m.–9 p.m. lanterns, Renfrew Park, www.stillmoon.org
Art: The Equinox Gallery launches a show of Gordon Smith's works this Saturday. The West Vancouver resident is now in his 90s, and he has a substantial amount of work to show.
Head down to Equinox's new mammoth space on Great Northern Way to take in his Studio Abstractions show in the East Gallery and Shore Lines in the West Gallery.
Saturday, Sept. 21, Equinox Gallery at 525 Great Northern Way, www.equinoxgallery.com
Mooncakes: Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen garden on Sunday. The garden will be open from 10-5:30 p.m. for a children's story time (author Loretta Seto reads her book Mooncakes at 10:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:45 p.m.) as well as Traditional Chinese Music Performances (2:30-3 p.m. and again from 3:30-4 p.m.), a tea ceremony, numerous traditional Chinese games and, of course, the relaxing and beautiful gardens themselves. Sunday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m.– 4p.m., Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese garden at 578 Carrall St., www.vancouverchinesegarden.com
Harvest Festival:Strathcona's McLean Park is always a good place to be, but this Sunday is the annual Harvest Festival, which is to say (rain or shine) that the park is going to extra-rock. Expect live music (lots of it), potato sack racing, pie and a huge potluck. There will be community booths and tables, some storytelling and face-painting, and a lot of hanging around talking to cool people. How super friendly does that sound? See you there!
Sunday, Sept. 22, noon – 4 p.m., McLean Park, Strathcona (Keefer & Heatley), free, www.strathconaevents.ca
Learn:Take advantage of plethora of apples, tomatoes and seeds waiting to be harvested. For only $55 you can get in on an afternoon of proper homesteading with a trifecta of skilled sources. First, the clever plant wonks from Victory Gardens will school you on how to save seeds for next year. Next, the tomato-sauce maven Maya Sciarretta of Sugo Sauce will be on hand to teach you how to cook and can authentic Italian tomato sauce. Finally, the Pie Shoppe ladies will let you in on how they turn out such an amazing West Coast apple pie. This is a hands-on gig, so be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get a little messy (you won't mind so much when you walk away from the day with your own tomato sauce, apple pie and a bushel of smudgy herbs). One catch: BYO rolling pin. Sunday, Sept. 22, 11 a.m.– 2 p.m., The Pie Shoppe at 721 Gore Ave., $55,
www.victorygardensvancouver.ca
Chow:This is your last chance to hit Food Cart Fest for 2013. Take advantage of the fact that a flock of some 20 food trucks will be parked around communal tables ready to feed you. Expect Soho Road, Mom's Grilled Cheese, Mogu, Roaming Dragon – maybe even The Juice Truck. Food Cart Fest is located between Olympic Village and Cambie St. Bridge. We'll be sad to see it go!
Sunday, Sept. 22, noon – 5 p.m., 215 West 1st Ave., $2 entry charge, www.foodcartfest.com