West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

KOOTENAY COMEDY OPEN MIC
2025-04-09 19:30 - 22:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
Open Mic Comedy with some of the Kootenays finest and some others!
message @kootenaycomedy on instagram to sign up!

Still Lifes and Portraits in Oil by Jenny Steenkamp
2025-04-10 - 2025-05-04 | 167 Deer Park Avenue, Kimberley, BC, V1A 2J5, 167 Deer Park Avenue, Kimberley, V1A 2J5
In the gallery from April 10 until May 4: Still lifes and portraits in oil by the talented Jenny Steenkamp from Creston. Not to be missed!
Open hours: Monday through Wednesday, by appointment and Thursday through Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm

Local Trail, Distant Shores: Water Colour Perspectives
2025-04-10 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-15 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-16 12:00 - 16:00 | VISAC Gallery, 1501 Cedar Avenue, Trail, V1R 2J5
A series of watercolour paintings by Dan Ashman. The exhibition takes inspiration from the scenery of the West Kootenays.
Exhibition Dates:
March 27 – April 24, 2025
Opening Event:
March 27, 2025
Evening Hours:
April 15, 2025
Gallery Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday
12pm-4pm

Artist Statement:
If I am asked how long it took to paint a picture, I would reply, “Thirty-five years to learn how, and a few hours to put paint on paper”. It is a long process to master the media of watercolour and even after all this time, something can still go wrong. I’m still learning and developing my style.
About Dan Ashman:
Dan Ashman was born in British Columbia in 1956 and started his foray into art in High School by painting in oils. He moved to Trail to work as a Metallurgical Engineer at Teck and took up watercolours in 1987 during a night school course led by fellow engineer and local watercolour artist, Brian O’Hara. Subsequently, he attended workshops with Les Weisbrich, a watercolour artist from the Slocan valley, and Kiff Holland, a watercolour artist from the lower mainland. Otherwise, he is self taught.
Dan joined the Trail Art Club in 1988 and helped to establish the VISAC gallery. He was a member of the “Thursday Night Painters” when it was led by Bob Ross. His work has been shown in Art Club exhibitions, the VISAC invitational show, showings of the Thursday Night Painters both in Trail and Spokane as well as juried art shows. He has sold a number of paintings including one to St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.
As an avid outdoorsman, Dan was inspired by the captivating scenery of the West Kootenays and began to capture local scenes in watercolour either painting “en plein air” or in his studio. He is also an amateur photographer and uses photos from his travels as subject matter. Now retired, his recent works include landscapes from the West Kootenays, the Canadian Rockies, Hawaii, and Atlantic Canada.

“Uno” by Raul Pous Facha
2025-04-10 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-11 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-14 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-15 12:00 - 16:00 | VISAC Gallery, 1501 Cedar Avenue, Trail, V1R 2J5
Meet Raul: Architect, Artist, and Digital Fabrication Visionary

“I’m Raul, an architect and artist of Mexican origin, now based in Canada since 2022. My lifelong fascination with materials and manufacturing techniques has deeply influenced my approach to design. While I’ve always appreciated the artistry and individuality of handmade products, I’ve also recognized the challenges they face in achieving precision and consistent quality.

This curiosity led me to digital fabrication, where I discovered the power to translate complex designs into reality with precision and control. Through the fusion of technology and craftsmanship, I am able to create pieces that retain the unique essence of handmade work while elevating their quality and accuracy.”

Exhibition Dates: March 10 – 20, 2025

Opening Reception: Thursday, March 13 from 4:00pm-5:30pm

Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday, 12pm-4pm

To learn more, visit us at: https://visacgallery.com/exhibitions/#unoraulpousfacha

Visual Exploration Club (Ages 13+)
2025-04-10 15:30 - 16:30 | 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

Spring Fling FREE Thursdays
2025-04-10 16:00 - 20:00 | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Come on down to the Nelson Museum on Thursday evenings, where you can visit the galleries, museum, and shop for FREE. 4-8pm every Thursday.

Rossland Recollections: “The Olaus Story” with Roly Worsfold
2025-04-10 18:00 - 19:30 | Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre, 1100 Hwy 3B | Junction of Hwys 3B & 22, Rossland, BC, V0G 1Y0, Canada
Late November 1894, a Norwegian man arrived in Rossland. His arrival wasn’t remarkable – miners were pouring into town in the thousands to seek their fortune in the gold mines of Red Mountain. But this man would go on to have a bigger impact on our town than perhaps any other. His name was Olaus Jeldness, and this particular miner came with skis.
More than a hundred years later, Rosslander Roly Worsfold had an idea. “I wouldn’t be living and skiing in Rossland today if it weren’t for Olaus,” he told his buddies, “And a lot of other people wouldn’t be either.” Roly went on to lead the Spirit of Red Society, the group that raised funds to install the now-iconic statue of Olaus at the corner of Washington and Columbia.
Join us at the Museum at 6 pm on Thursday, April 10th, as Roly shares the full story – from Olaus’ life and legacy to the journey of installing the statue, and even the connections he made in Norway along the way.
RSVP for this Speaker Series event at https://square.link/u/sCp2EjPT – we’ll be celebrating Olaus and the Spirit of Red with a tea party (featuring actual tea and coffee, of course!).
More info: rosslandmuseum.ca/news/2025/april-recollections

Art & Ecology Book Study
2025-04-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
We are excited to offer a 5 week Art & Ecology course that will provide an opportunity for discussion, reflective writing, and art-making to critically examine the present and inspire the process of imagining and eventually realizing better futures. What we can create begins with what we can imagine.Co-facilitated by NMAG and the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute, the course will run on Thursday evenings from 6-8 pm, April 3 to May 1, 2025, at NMAG. There will be required readings each week from the collection of essays, An Ecotopian Lexicon.Registration fee includes a copy of the book, An Ecotopian Lexicon, a collaborative volume of engaging essays that offer new terms and concepts to inspire responses and alternatives to our current social and ecological trajectory.The content and readings are suited for adult learners. Maximum registration of 10 participants. Register here. Course cost is $40+GST for members, and $50+GST for non-members. Sign up for a Museum membership online or in person at the Front Desk.

Kootenay Co-op Radio Presents: Jane & Kyle Album Release Concert
2025-04-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Kootenay Co-op Radio, 308 A Hall Street, Nelson, V1L1Y8, Canada
Join Canadian fiddle champions Jane Cory & Kyle Burghout on Thursday, April 10th as they celebrate the release of their new album, Many an Open Ground !
Jane & Kyle will be joined by Alanna Jenish on guitar/step dance and Tyson Chen on piano.

———-
Canadian fiddle champions Jane Cory and Kyle Burghout join forces to create a unique sound characterized by lush twin fiddle harmonies, intricate arrangements, and heartfelt compositions. Having toured extensively across Canada, performing at high-profile festivals, competitions, intimate house concerts, and community dances, Jane & Kyle bring an infectious energy and warmth that captivates audiences.
https://janeandkyle.ca

Oh Pray Tell – Up Close & Intimate
2025-04-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Vallican Whole Community Centre, 3762 Little Slocan South Road, Vallican, British Columbia, V0G2J0, Canada
The Vallican Whole Presents
OH PRAY TELL
Oh Pray Tell is Sally Titasey, Betty Supple and Shayna Jones.

Stomp, clap, banjo, harmonies, experimental folklore, this is much more than a musical performance. This trio of soulful musician-storytellers bring magic to the stage, and promise a gorgeous and inspiring night of music and fable, up close and intimate at the beautiful Vallican Whole Community Centre in the Slocan Valley.

Tickets are $25, available in advance from Rambling Rose Boutique in Winlaw, or at the door.
Kids tickets are $15, only at the door.

As usual, there will be cake, pizza and drinks for sale at the show!

Oh Pray Tell live in Vallican
2025-04-10 19:30 - 21:30 | Vallican Whole Community Centre, 3762 Little Slocan South Road, Vallican, British Columbia, V0G2J0, Canada
Doors open 7:00pm; Music Starts At 7:30pm
Tickets $25 at the door or in advance from Rambling Rose in Winlaw
Oh Pray Tell is us – Betty Supple, Sally Titasey and Shayna Jones. Three part harmonies and experimental folklore grounded in banjo and stomp-clap-cajon rhythms carry poetry, stories and spoken word. Oh Pray Tell offers up an original, soulful sound influenced by gospel, rhythm & blues, roots music and folk story-telling.

Selkirk College Digital Arts, Fabrication, and Design Year-End Show
2025-04-11 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-04-12 10:00 - 13:00 | Mary Hall – Selkirk College Tenth Street Campus, 820 Tenth Street, Nelson, V1L 3C7, Canada
Join us in Mary Hall at Tenth St. Campus for the annual Digital Art and Digital Fabrication and Design Year End Show!
WHEN: April 11, 6-9pm | April 12, 10-1pm WHERE: Mary Hall at Selkirk College Tenth St. Campus, Nelson BC Entry by Donation Art Sale | Cash only
Join us at the Digital Arts and Digital Fabrication and Design Year End Show 2025, where students embody the spirit of creativity and innovation, shaping the future of tomorrow’s world. Explore new works in graphic design, illustration, animation, photography, web design, product design, 3D design, prototyping, fabrication, and more!

Oh Pray Tell live in Nelson, BC!
2025-04-11 19:00 - 21:30 | Nelson United Church, 602 Silica Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4N1, Canada
Oh Pray Tell is us – Betty Supple, Sally Titasey and Shayna Jones. Three part harmonies grounded in banjo and stomp-clap-cajon rhythms carry poetry, stories and spoken word. Oh Pray Tell offers up an original, soulful sound influenced by gospel, rhythm & blues, roots music and folk story-telling.
Tickets $20-30 in advance (e-transfer ohpraytell@gmail.com; add note “Nelson Show” so we put you on the right list!) OR $20-30 (cash) at door. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Blue Moon Marquee w/ guests
2025-04-11 21:00 - 23:30 | Spiritbar, 422 Vernon St, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4E5
On The Road Productions, Kaslo Jazz, and The Hume Hotel present…
Blue Moon Marquee with guests!
2024 Juno Awards winners Blue Moon Marquee return to Nelson BC’s Spiritbar at the Hume Hotel for a night of Swing Blues Boogie and Jazz!
Special guests TBA
Doors 8pm | Show 9pm
Advance tickets $20 + tax / fees and are available at ontheroadmanagement.com

Oh Pray Tell live in Silverton, BC
2025-04-12 08:00 - 17:00 | Silverton Gallery, V0G 1S1
Oh Pray Tell is us – Betty Supple, Sally Titasey and Shayna Jones. Three part harmonies grounded in banjo and stomp-clap-cajon rhythms carry poetry, stories and spoken word. Oh Pray Tell offers up an original, soulful sound influenced by gospel, rhythm & blues, roots music and folk story-telling.
Doors 6:30 Show 7:00pm
Tickets $20-30 in advance (e-transfer ohpraytell@gmail.com; add note “Silverton” so we put you on the right list!) OR $20-30 (cash) at door. No one turned away for lack of funds

Guided Cold War Bunker tours
2025-04-12 11:00 - 12:00 | 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!

Inspirare Sings!
2025-04-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Nelson United Church, 602 Silica Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4N1, Canada
Choral concert by Inspirare, a women’s choir directed by Kathleen Neudorf, with Christoph Martens on piano. At the United Church, Saturday April 12th, 7 pm. Tickets $20 (half price for children) at the door.

A Celebration of India
2025-04-12 19:30 - 21:30 | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Step into the vibrant world and rich cultures of India with “A Celebration of India”! Indulge in an unforgettable evening of Indian cuisine, music, poetry, and dance. Join local performers as they bring the colors, flavors, sounds, and rhythms of India to life!

Homegrown Kootenay Punk Party!
2025-04-12 19:30 - 23:30 | Castle Theatre, 185 Columbia Ave., Castlegar
Come kick off the first of several killer punk shows in Castlegar this year!
We got TBD https://www.instagram.com/tbdordie?igsh=MXRkbjY5aHA3NWx5ZA==
coming our way from Fernie to give us some east kootenay skate punk! The weather should be perfect for skating and these guys are your soundtrack!
Toaster, https://toaster2.bandcamp.com/album/toasted
straight outta Castlegar armed with several new songs and a lot of grey hairs back to party on the stage at the old theatre, with our old friends,
https://www.instagram.com/toaster_the_band/profilecard/?igsh=bnl5MGVyeTduZGs1
The Adits! https://theadits.bandcamp.com/album/mangled-in-the-mine
Punk rock panners, kolsch chugging pretty boys!
There is one constant in the west kootenay music scene and that’s The Adits, don’t miss this opportunity to see these heart throbs!
https://www.instagram.com/the_adits?igsh=NHJ0Nmoycm9pcmxw
https://www.facebook.com/share/18NTonwUi3/?mibextid=wwXIfr

CARTER FELKER w/ STONE FACE KID
2025-04-12 20:00 - 23:30 | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
Intricacy is often overlooked when accompanied by the sort of plain-spoken straight talk fashioned by Calgary singer-songwriter Carter Felker. Evoking the memory of such luminaries as Clark, Van Zandt and Prine, Felker’s nimble self-accompaniment neatly underscores the raw, universal themes he brings to life with his reedy tenor.

Possessing an innate ability to weave no-bullshit narratives that speak to the genuine travails of the hard done by, Felker’s latest LP, Even The Happy Ones Are Sad is a sublime interpretation of the underground country and folk sounds of the early to mid-1970s. Felker has the common touch, introducing audiences to a litany of born losers who still have enough pride to stand their ground, to take care of themselves and their loves, and keep digging through the hard luck, always in the hope that good fortune might be found a little deeper down.

Capital Jungle Presents: Season Send Off
2025-04-12 21:00 - 2025-04-13 02:00 | Finley’s Bar $ Grill, 705 Vernon St, Nelson, BC, V1L 4G3, Canada
Another one is in the books, and Capital Jungle is throwing a jam to celebrate another great season!
Stoked for this one and we have some local DJs with us this night to help give this season the send off it deserves!
DJs on night——————-Mr Mugz-Capital JunglePete Shredz-Capital Jungle/Subtle RadioChezDbonix
Pre Sale/early tix $10/$15 afterMusic Starts at 9pm19+ Licensed Event

Newkeys Place presents, Blues in The Afternoon with Sam Hurrie
2025-04-13 16:00 - 19:00 | 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

‘I Had Visitors Last Night’ book launch
2025-04-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Local author and historian Rita Moir launches her latest book I Had Visitors Last Night, the Storied Life of Lydia Kania. Published in Nelson by Linda Crosfield, (Nose in Book Publishing) these are beautiful hand-bound limited edition books about Slocan Valley (now Nelson) resident Lydia Kania, who turned 100 this year.
Rita will be reading from the book and signing copies at the Nelson Museum on Tuesday, April 15 beginning at 7pm. This event is FREE and open to the public.

The Knitting Pilgrim – Stitched Glass
2025-04-15 19:30 - 21:00 | Bailey Theatre, 1501 Cedar Ave., Trail, BC
The Trail & District Arts Council presents The Knitting Pilgrim – Stitched Glass, a unique play about the artistic and spiritual journey of one man through knitting, on Tuesday, April 15 at 7:30 pm. Part of the Performing Arts Trail series in The Bailey Theatre.
A one-man play about the artistic and spiritual journey of actor Kirk Dunn, who took 15 years to knit a triptych of tapestries. Designed in the style of stained-glass windows, the knitted artwork explores the commonalities and conflicts of the Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
A multidisciplinary show that combines personal storytelling, image projection, and three huge, knitted panels that look like stained glass windows. The play explores why people struggle to get along, the meaning of art, and the power of love to overcome major obstacles (and minor mishaps) through hand-knitting.
Kirk Dunn is an actor, writer, and internationally renowned knitter, who is fascinated by the many ways in which knitting can bring people together and help them see eye to eye. He uses original, out-of-the-box knitting and his unique perspective to explore life today and in the past.
“10 best Toronto stage shows to see in May 2019” – NOW Magazine
“Top Picks at the 2019 Ottawa Fringe Festival” – Apt613
“The Knitting Pilgrim has … empathy, humour, intellectual and spiritual reflection. It leaves you with optimism that harmony for oneself (and the world at large) is just around the corner.” – Derek Ritschel, Artistic Director, Lighthouse Festival Theatre
Kirk “…has taken an accessible medium like knitting and … used it to communicate ideas that can help repair our social fabric. And then to combine it with a piece of theatre – that is to truly create a unique offering. ”— Nataley Nagy, Executive Director, Kelowna Art Gallery
“In the knitting world where grey and beige plain sweaters seem to rule, how extraordinary to find this energetic man knitting such detailed and intricate color. I applaud his moxie!”— Kaffe Fassett, Textile Artist
What Audiences Are Saying:
“This show was transformative… That’s the mark of really, really, really exceptional theatre. When people ask me how this play was, I say I really cannot describe it to you: it is beyond description. I would give this 6 stars, if I could, out of 5.” — CFMU Hamilton Fringe Review
“A brilliant show that sticks with you, teaches you how to think, about faith, empathy resilience, and art…This is a brilliant moving piece. ” — Deb K.
“This is a wonderful, compelling, one-of-a-kind show… A “from-the-heart” tale of artistic creativity, religious tolerance, and the difficult beauty of finding your path. Went with my teenagers and we haven’t stopped talking about it since! ” — Cynthia S.
#BYOK – Bring your own knitting. Knitting during the show is encouraged!
60-minute show, plus talk back of 30 minutes.
