West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

KOOTENAY COMEDY OPEN MIC
2025-01-08 20:00 - 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
Hosted by lil’ Mikey, its an open mic Comedy night!
To sign up come early or message kootenaycomedy on instagram!
$5

Visual Exploration Club (Ages 13+)
2025-01-09 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-01-16 15:30 - 16:30 (America/Vancouver) | VISAC Gallery, 1501 Cedar Avenue, Trail, V1R 2J5
About Visual Exploration Club (VEC):
Students can expect to learn about other artists, experiment with various materials, and make mistakes. Each participant receives a sketchbook to track their skill development in a wide range of materials such as drawing, painting, printmaking and 3-dimensional art.
This session is for ages 13+, or secondary students in grades 8-12.
If your child is 16 or older, they can also participate in adult classes such as pottery workshops or any drop-in groups.
Workshop Dates:
Thursday afternoons
January 9 – June 5, 2025 (20 sessions)
3:30pm-4:30pm
No class during SD20 Spring Break; March 20 & 27, 2025
Minimum 5 students, with a maximum of 12.
Class Fee:
$200 per participant
All supplies are provided
Where:
VISAC Gallery – Under the red gallery awning
1501 Cedar Ave, Trail
Lower Level of Selkirk Building
Register here:
https://revenue-can.keela.co/visual-exploration-club-january-june-2025-ages-13
About the instructor:
Erin has a BFA in Studio Arts from UVic and a Masters of Illustration from Falmouth University. Her classes focus on process-based activities that don’t have a set outcome, fostering creativity and a low pressure environment, encouraging exploration and making mistakes!
If you have any questions, reach out to info@visacgallery.com

Fall into Fall FREE Thursday evenings
2025-01-09 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-01-16 16:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
The Nelson Museum is open late on Thursdays and admission is FREE from 4-8pm. Explore the new gallery exhibitions — A Crack in the Mirror in Gallery A and Within This Earthen Vessel in Gallery B — discover the region’s history in the 2nd Floor Museum Exhibit, and shop work from over 120 local artists in the Gift Shop.

Apres FREE! Thursday evenings
2025-01-09 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-01-16 16:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
The days are shorter but the Nelson Museum is open longer! Thursdays from 4-8pm is FREE admission to the galleries, museum and Shop, where you can explore the newest exhibitions, learn about local history, and shop over 100 local artists!

Evan Symons at Angry Hen Brewing Co.
2025-01-09 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Angry Hen Brewing, 343 Front St, Kaslo, V0G1M0
Evan Symons returns from Texada Island for another acoustic show at Angry Hen Brewing in Kaslo !

Gemstone Alley
2025-01-09 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Edmonton) | 345 Wallinger Ave, 345 Wallinger Ave, Kimberley, BC, V1AZE3
LIVE MUSIC: THURSDAY Jan 9th 7-9pm Gemstone Alley play the Pine Box Stage.
Gemstone Alley at Grist and Mash Brewery for two hours of folk – rock – country covers you will love!

Spilling Tea Drag Show at Knox on 2nd
2025-01-10 20:30 - 22:30 (America/Edmonton) | Knox on 2nd Ave, 201 2 Ave, Fernie, BC, BC, V0B 1M0, Canada
A drag & comedy show featuring some of the region’s best performers!
TICKETS:
Earlybird $15 PURCHASE ONLINE
Door $20, subject to availability
These Kings and Queens are ready to entertain you in more ways than one, combining both Drag and Comedy into an evening you will be talking about for the rest of the year!
The lineup includes Karla Marx, Lilith Fair, Tangerine Dream and El Rey Del Sol, some of the most instrumental performers in the Calgary drag scene, plus a special performance from a local artist!
Cash tips are highly encouraged so please load your $5 bills. Cash/Card Payment available at the venue but no ATM.
19+ Licensed Event
Doors open 7:30pm | Show at 8:30pm

Please note that the venue is located in a residential area.
Please do not block driveways when parking, and keep noise to a minimum while outdoors.
Tickets available at the door subject to availability, advance purchase recommended.
Sorry, due to the nature of the building, this venue is not currently handicapped accessible.

Southern Interior Season One Celebration
2025-01-10 21:00 - 22:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Join us for a celebration and showing of SOUTHERN INTERIOR, a 6-episode sketch comedy series that’s not just about Nelson – it is Nelson.
Picture this: your downtown tour guides are a pair of goats (who may or may not be hallucinations), you’re starving but the farmer’s market only sells pottery, and the redneck bachelor party you crash morphs into a rebirthing ceremony.
Created by Amy Bohigian, produced by Gregory MacKenzie, starring Lucas Myers, Michelle Hart, Lynne Karey-McKenna and Jonathan Ramos, and featuring a 100% local cast and crew, this show isn’t about outsiders looking in, it’s a community turning the camera on itself, reflecting back both satire and sincerity.
The Bell Fund, Creative BC and Shaftesbury Media have all backed this professional production, recognizing the universal appeal in Nelson’s unique story – where outsiders of all stripes have been finding refuge and building community for generations.
In an age of commodified authenticity, SOUTHERN INTERIOR offers something rare: a genuine reflection of a place – this place, our place – that stubbornly refuses to be anything but itself.

Paris Pick & The Pricks with Damien Alblas at B&T’s Hard Knock Cafe
2025-01-10 22:00 - 2025-01-11 00:00 (America/Vancouver) | B&T’s Hard Knock Cafe, 2024 Columbia Ave, Rossland, BC, V0G 1Y0, Canada
WE’RE GUNNA GO KICK IT WITH OUR PALS IN ROSSLAND, BC AT @thehardknockcafe SEE YOU ON THE DANCE FLOOR!

Damien Alblas (Psychedelic Indie Rock) 10PM

Paris Pick & The Pricks (Yacht-Pop Rock) 11PM

Winter Woods in Watercolour
2025-01-11 09:30 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver) | Cowan’s office Supplies, 517 Victoria St, Nelson BC, BC, V1L 4K7, Canada
Saturday, January 11th9:30am – 12 noon$50

Instructor: Steve Quattrocchi

Snow can be a challenge to paint. We will learn how to paint the sunlight and shadows on snow in a Kootenay forest with watercolor and gouache.

All materials are provided

Please wear studio appropriate clothing

Suitable for beginners or experienced artists

Guided Cold War Bunker tours
2025-01-11 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
During the height of the Cold War, in the 1950s and 1960s, nearly 50 bunkers were constructed across Canada. In 2017, the Nelson Museum began work on restoring the space and opening it to the public. You can join a tour of one of the Museumʼs best-loved spaces!
From iodine pills and Geiger counters to board games and ashtrays, visitors get a glimpse of the vast measures taken to create normalcy in an extraordinary time.
Email info@nelsonmuseum.ca to register. Adult admission required – children under 18 are always free!

Base to Peak: Making Mountain Films
2025-01-11 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Shoebox Theatre, 225 Hall St., Nelson, V1L 5X4
2025 Momentum Masterclass Workshop

Base to Peak Making Mountain Film Workshop with Trixie Pacis

WHEN: Saturday January 11 2024, 11am – 1pm PST

WHERE: The Shoebox Theatre (225 Hall St, Nelson, BC V1L 5X4)

COST:$30 for general$25 for Kootenay Screen Based Industry Workers members$20 for studentsEmail lynn@kootenayfilm.com to sign up

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:Making mountain films is much like the adventures we embark upon outdoors. We begin at the base with a broad idea and work our way to the top, refining our concept until we reach the peak, where we have the opportunity to share what we’ve made with the world.

Filmmaker Trixie Pacis shares her journey and recent experiences producing/directing her first three short outdoor documentary films — from developing stories (the base) to distributing them on the mountain festival circuit (the peak).
The second half of the workshop will transition into a free-flowing group discussion. Participants will have an opportunity to ask Trixie anything about her experience (particularly with story development, production, direction, or festival distribution). More than just a Q&A, participants are encouraged to engage in conversation about their own projects by pitching ideas, asking for input, and exploring actionable next steps.

Stick around after from 1:30-3:30pm for the January 2025 KSBI Meetup and watch Trixie’s short docs Wild Aerial (16m) and Wildflowers (37m), followed by a Q+A and networking.

ABOUT TRIXIE PACIS:Trixie Pacis is a filmmaker, photographer, and writer based in Kimberley, British Columbia, focusing on documenting unheard personal and environmental stories. Her documentary films, Wildflowers and Wild Aerial, are set to premiere at the 2024 Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival, while her third film, Ahon, will debut at the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival in February 2025.

With over a decade of experience, Trixie has worked with various media outlets, including Los Angeles Magazine and Drive Films, before transitioning to a freelance career. She has collaborated with global clients, from film producers to travel agencies.
As the Director of Acquisitions and Programming for ChimeTV, America’s first Asian American and Pacific Islander cable channel, she promotes AAPI culture and representation. In recognition of her contributions, she received L.A. TV Week’s 40 Under 40 Award in 2023. Trixie’s screenplay, Vile & Sweet, won Best Ghost Story at Horror Fest International in 2020, and she participated in the Banff Centre Adventure Filmmakers’ Workshop in 2021.

Paris Pick and Damian Alblas at Angry Hen Brewing
2025-01-11 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Angry Hen Brewing, 343 Front St, Kaslo, V0G1M0
KASLO CALLING!!

@damienalblas and Paris Pick are off to play @angryhenbrewing located in the beautiful Kaslo, BC on Saturday Jan 11th as a lil’ duo!

Music is from 6-8pm.
No Cover

The Circle Performance
2025-01-11 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Discover Circus, 330 Baker St. Suite 302, Nelson, BC, V1L 4H5, Canada
THE CIRCLE
Saturday January 11th 2025
6:00 PM – Tickets are $25
The Circle is a nurturing performance showcase at Discover Circus, open to artists of all levels and disciplines to share their work at any stage of development. Designed to foster a warm and supportive environment, The Circle provides a space for creativity, growth, and community connection, celebrating each artist’s unique journey.
Performance located at Discover Circus – 330 Baker St. Suite 302

FREE Contra Dance sponsored by the Blewett Community Society
2025-01-11 18:30 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Taghum Hall, 5915 Taghum Hall Rd, Nelson, V1L 6Y4
Nelson Contra Dance and the Blewett Community Society present a FREE public dance this Saturday, January 11th from 6:30pm -9pm. Beginners welcome, no partner necessary. Live band and wonderful social dance. Bring a water bottle, some comfy shoes, and come prepared to smile and laugh!

Room 909: Nelson
2025-01-11 20:00 - 2025-01-12 02:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Squash and Social Lounge, 330 Baker st, Nelson, V1L 4H5
Come join us for our first Room 909 of 2025 in Nelson, BC featuring high-fidelity deep, minimal, house & techno. Funktion-One sound, provided by 909 Events BC.
Lineup:
Brunch.wav
DJ Skydog
Sherm
Queen Quan
Location:
Nelson Squash Club (330 Baker St, Nelson, BC)
19+ Event // Liquor Licensed // 2 Pieces of ID Required
—
Oops, we did it again ✌️
We’re extending our upcoming 909 event in Nelson by one hour to include an open decks session (3 x 20 minute slots from 8-9pm to start off the night.
We’re also bringing back a happy hour special from 8-10pm at the Squash Club for NBC beer taps at just $5.25 instead of $7.50 for a 16oz.
——
OPEN DECKS AT ROOM 909:
Ever wanted the opportunity to play on industry standard DJ equipment? Now’s your chance! Come join us for our Open Decks session at the event on Saturday.
HOW IT WORKS:
We will have 3 x 20 minute time slots (8:00 – 8:20, 8:20 – 8:40, 8:40 – 9:00) designated as “Open Decks” for Nelson’s Underground Dance Community DJ’s. DJ’s are selected by a RANDOM DRAW. DJ’s who wish to participate need to arrive at Eagle’s Hall for 7:50pm. We’ll invite all DJ’s present at 7:55 to come up and throw their name in the hat for a random draw. Whoever’s name is picked first gets their first choice of the 3 available time slots listed above, 2nd gets 2nd choice and 3rd name picked gets what is left. Any DJ’s who have been previously for Open Decks and DIDN’T get picked, will get an additional ballot so we can give everyone a chance to play (ie, 2nd visit without playing gives 2 ballots, 3rd visit without playing gets 3 ballots, etc. Reset back to 1 ballot after they’ve played).
Whether your name gets drawn or it doesn’t, we still encourage you to come out to the next Open Decks and throw your name in the hat again. We love to see that enthusiasm and look forward to seeing you often and getting to know you better.
REQUIREMENTS:
We must still respect the musical style of the event, and the flow of the evening, so this is NOT OPEN FORMAT.
This opportunity is for *underground house music* DJ’s – sorry, no hardcore, EDM or commercial dance, trance, dubstep, jungle etc. Any genre that falls under the “house & techno music umbrella” is acceptable: deep house, funky, Chicago, jackin’ house, progressive house, tech house, melodic techno etc.
NO OUTSIDE EQUIPMENT please. We’re keeping it simple and DJ’s must play off USB’s, using 2 x CDJ-2000NXS2s and 1 x DJM900-NXS mixer already set up at the venue. No laptops. controllers, etc. DJ’s who arriver on time at 7:50pm will get receive free cover for the evenings event, whether they play or not.

THE GRAVE DANCERS with DREW STORY
2025-01-11 21:00 - 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada

Learn to Carve a Cooking Spoon
2025-01-12 12:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Blewett, Nelson, BC, V1L 6X1, Canada
In this 4 hour workshop, we will do a full introduction to the basics of spoon carving. We will cover the tools and skills needed to carve a sturdy cooking spoon that will do many years of service as a useful and beautiful kitchen essential.
This course is perfect for everyone, especially those that are total beginners and have perhaps never used an axe or knife to carve before. You will learn the confidence to handle sharp tools safely and by the end will never look at a tree branch in the same way again…

Newkeys Place presents, Blues in The Afternoon with Sam Hurrie
2025-01-12 16:00 - 19:00 (America/Vancouver) | New Key’s Pub, 16070 BC-3A, Crawford Bay, BC, V0B 1E0, Canada
Newkeys Place in Crawforbay presents, Blues in The Afternoon with Sam Hurrie, Like with friends.
Sundays 4-7

Son of John: Capitol Homegrown
2025-01-12 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Son of John doesn’t quite fit the mold – on purpose. As an Alternative Country Americana/Roots duo from the southern interior of British Columbia that has country music running deep in their veins, their authentic sound can’t really be labeled, and it depends on who you ask. Comprised of Javan Johnson, a singer/songwriter in his own right, but also a 4x BC Country Music Fiddle/Mandolin Player of the Year nominee, and Johnny P. Johnson, a seasoned solo artist, songwriter, and front man over the past 25 years, Son of John’s storytelling and rootsy instrumentations – fiddle, mandolin, steel, banjos, dobros and harps – is a product of a family bond making music together for almost two decades. Officially joining forces in 2017, with signature harmonies only the same DNA can create, Son of John is a homage to their shared last name, and a perfect blend of two generations of country music.
https://www.sonofjohnmusic.com
The Capitol Theatre

Sunday Karaoke
2025-01-12 21:00 - 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | Finley’s Bar $ Grill, 705 Vernon St, Nelson, BC, V1L 4G3, Canada
Wrap up your weekend with Sunday Karaoke and Late Night Happy Hour every week at Finleys Bar & Grill in Nelson.
Check out our song list HERE

Join the Friends of the Nelson Public Library
2025-01-14 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Public Library, 602 Stanley St, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 1N4, Canada
The Friends of the Library are dedicated to helping the Nelson Public Library through successful booksales and other creative fundraising efforts live trivia nights, with the funds going to new books, necessary technologies, furnishings and program supplies.
Join us: New members are welcome! It’s a great way to meet people and contribute to a vital and important part of our community. We meet at noon (12 pm) the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Nelson Public Library.
For more information check out Friends of the Library webpage.

Visual Exploration Club (Ages 5-8)
2025-01-14 15:30 - 16:30 (America/Vancouver) | VISAC Gallery, 1501 Cedar Avenue, Trail, V1R 2J5
About Visual Exploration Club (VEC):
Students can expect to learn about other artists, experiment with various materials, and make mistakes. Each participant receives a sketchbook to track their skill development in a wide range of materials such as drawing, painting, printmaking and 3-dimensional art.
This session is for ages 5-8, or primary students in grades K-3.
Workshop Dates:
Tuesday afternoons
January 7 – June 3, 2025 (20 sessions)
3:30pm-4:30pm
No classes during SD20 Spring Break; March 18 & 25, 2025
Minimum 5 students, with a maximum of 12.
Class Fee:
$200 per participant
All supplies are provided
Where:
VISAC Gallery – Under the red gallery awning
1501 Cedar Ave, Trail
Lower Level of Selkirk Building
Register here:
https://revenue-can.keela.co/visual-exploration-club-january-june-2025-ages-5-8
About the instructor:
Erin has a BFA in Studio Arts from UVic and a Masters of Illustration from Falmouth University. Her classes focus on process-based activities that don’t have a set outcome, fostering creativity and a low pressure environment, encouraging exploration and making mistakes!
If you have any questions, reach out to info@visacgallery.com

CKCA Q&A Session
2025-01-15 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Vancouver) | Online
Do you have an idea for a project that focuses on arts and culture? Grants from the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA) could help.
These grants—funded by Columbia Basin Trust and managed by the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council—are available for all art disciplines, for both individuals and arts and culture organizations in the Columbia Basin.
Q&A sessions
To learn more about these grants and how to apply, attend one of our FREE question-and-answer sessions. The events all take place online through Zoom.
REGISTER NOW IN THE ONE THAT WORKS FOR YOU!

Wednesday, January 15, 2025: noon Pacific / 1 p.m. Mountain
Wednesday, January 29, 2025: noon Pacific / 1 p.m. Mountain
Monday, February 3, 2025: 4 p.m. Pacific / 5 p.m. Mountain
Wednesday, February 5, 2025: noon Pacific / 1 p.m. Mountain

Before you attend a session, we encourage you to watch the video about the specific program you’re considering applying to. To find the video, select the program that interests you and navigate to that program’s page. Afterwards, come to the Q&A session with your questions.
If you have questions about your specific project, rather than the programs themselves, contact us directly instead of asking them during a session.

Visual Exploration Club (Ages 9-12)
2025-01-15 15:30 - 16:30 (America/Vancouver) | VISAC Gallery, 1501 Cedar Avenue, Trail, V1R 2J5
About Visual Exploration Club (VEC):
Students can expect to learn about other artists, experiment with various materials, and make mistakes. Each participant receives a sketchbook to track their skill development in a wide range of materials such as drawing, painting, printmaking and 3-dimensional art.
This session is for ages 9-12, or intermediate students in grades 4-7.
Workshop Dates:
Wednesday afternoons
January 8 – June 4, 2025 (20 sessions)
3:30pm-4:30pm
No classes during SD20 Spring Break; March 19 & 26, 2025

Minimum 5 students, with a maximum of 12.
Class Fee:
$200 per participant
All supplies are provided
Where:
VISAC Gallery – Under the red gallery awning
1501 Cedar Ave, Trail
Lower Level of Selkirk Building
Register here:
https://revenue-can.keela.co/visual-exploration-club-january-june-2025-9-12
About the instructor:
Erin has a BFA in Studio Arts from UVic and a Masters of Illustration from Falmouth University. Her classes focus on process-based activities that don’t have a set outcome, fostering creativity and a low pressure environment, encouraging exploration and making mistakes!
If you have any questions, reach out to info@visacgallery.com

DANNY FLOYD COLE
2025-01-15 19:00 - 23:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
Danny’s career as a recording artist initiated at a young age; his first full-length album was released in 1996 with pop punk trio, floyd. In ’98 after graduating from Radio & Television Arts at NAIT, he began working professionally as an audio engineer/music producer at the award winning studio, Homestead Recorders, under the legendary Barry Allen. A few years later, Danny fronted the band Coldspot; they released a full-length disc and followed it up with an AFA funded second release, Like There Was No Tomorrow, in 2005. Danny also contributed bass guitar and vocals on two full-length recordings in the band, Drive the Day. The project Calan & Cole never officially released any recordings but Jamie and Danny still write and perform together and have plans to make some of their original material available to the world under the band name, Redemption.

INVERMERE SNOWFLAKE FESTIVAL
2025-01-17 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Edmonton) | Kinsmen Beach, 1720 4 Ave, Invermere, BC, V0A 1K4
The annual Snowflake Festival is back on January 17th, 2025. The Snowflake Festival will kick off at 5:30pm! This fun winter celebration includes skating on the lake, live music, bonfires, ice carving, local food vendors & more!
