West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

Strings & Winds – an Up Close & Intimate Concert
2024-04-14 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Vallican Whole Community Centre, 3762 Little Slocan South Road, Vallican, British Columbia, V0G2J0, Canada
Join two Slocan Valley classical ensembles – The Lakeside String Ensemble, an eclectic mix of professional and amateur string players from Slocan Lake, and the Shifting Winds a quintet featuring flute, fluegelhorn, french horn, euphonium and bass clarinet. for an afternoon classical concert at the beautiful Vallican Whole Community Centre in the Slocan Valley.
The concert is Sunday April 14th at 2pm, and audiences will enjoy two classical sets. There will be tea, coffee, cakes and baked goods for sale. Tickets are $25, and can be reserved online via email: info (at) vallicanwhole (dot) com.

Indigenous Reads Book Club
2024-04-17 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Public Library, 602 Stanley St, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 1N4, Canada
Embark on a learning journey with us! We will be reading books exploring the truth of Indigenous history and stories. Come to one or come to all and learn the richness of Indigenous culture. New learners welcome at The Nelson Public Library
MMIWG2S (Murdered, Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, Two Spirit) – Surviving the City by Tasha Spillet – January 24
Residential Schools – Five Little Indians by Michelle Good – February 21
Indigenous History – This Place: 150 Years Retold – March 20
Indigiqueer – Johnny Appleseed by joshua whitehead – April 17
Indigenous Humour – Prairie Chicken Dance Tour by Dawn Dumont – May 22

Weekly Tango Mini Lesson & Practice
2024-04-17 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-04-24 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-05-01 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-05-08 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Vancouver) | Christie Lee’s Hall, 807-703 Radio Ave, Nelson, BC, V1L3L3, Canada
Want to learn and practice dancing Argentine Tango?

We host a weekly mini-lesson and practica at Christie Lee’s Hall in Fairview.

The guided portion from 7:30-8:15 has a different host and topic each week (check our Facebook page for host and topic announcements). We have an open practice after the lesson until 9:30pm.

Dancers of all levels are welcome! Material is beginner-friendly.

Tango is an improvised partner dance originating in Argentina and Uruguay; you don’t need a partner to attend tango practices or events and it can be danced by anyone and everyone.

Please bring your dancing shoes and a water bottle.

5$ donation

Where to find us: Christies Lees Hall is on Radio Ave., in lower Fairview. You can access Radio from 4th or 7th Streets. The Hall’s part of the Kiwanis Villa complex. On Radio Ave. look for “701” on the deck post near the sidewalk leading to the front doors. Also, look for the sandwich board near the sidewalk.

Google map link: https://goo.gl/maps/zFraPXNpJ6aBBJtv6
Maps will tell you that it’s “temporarily closed” but don’t believe it!

Collage Journalling workshop
2024-04-18 17:30 - 19:00, 2024-04-25 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Unleash your creativity and the power of self-expression as you explore the art of collage journalling. Celebrate every colourful moment of your wild life, guided by facilitator Fern Van Horne.
This workshop is FREE but pre-registration is required, and space is limited. Please email programs@nelsonmuseum.ca to register.

Nelson Community Drumming Experience
2024-04-18 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | North Shore Hall, 675 Whitmore Rd, Nelson, BC, V1L 6H7, Canada
Set free your inner rhythm, connect with your community, and let the beat move you!
Rhythm by Nature presents a fully interactive and immersive drumming experience for one night only at the North Shore Hall, Nelson, April 18, 7 pm, as part of the Spring Community Drumming Tour!
No drumming experience is needed and all the instruments are provided.
Professionally facilitated, participants will learn about and experiment with different drums and drumming techniques from all around the world. You’ll experience a fun and inclusive drumming workshop, but that’s only the beginning!

CLUE on Stage
2024-04-19 19:30 - 2024-05-04 22:00 (America/Edmonton) | The Studio Stage Door, 11 11th Ave. S., Cranbrook
Cranbrook Community Theatre is excited to bring you its final production of our 2023/2024 season, CLUE , based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn and written by Sandy Rustin. With its clever plot twists, witty dialogue and unforgettable characters, CLUE is a must-see for fans of the board game and lovers of suspenseful theatre. The production stays true to the spirit of the original game while adding fresh and exciting twists that you won’t see coming.CLUE is directed by Bob McCue, whose vision and creative storytelling brought us The Odd Couple, Skin Flick, The Sunshine Boys, Steel Magnolias, Next, and Almost, Maine. “Whether as an actor or director, I have always enjoyed the thrill of enticing people to laugh”, says McCue. “Our rehearsals have been filled with hilarity, and our talented cast and crew can’t wait to share this experience with you. Clue, with its fast pace and witty banter will either have you on the edge of your seats or rolling in the aisles.”Tickets $25 each, 20 for CCT members and studentsBuy tickets 24/7 through our online box office at www.cranbrookcommunitytheatre/show-ticketsLimited seating -10 performances – only one matinee on Sunday April 28th

Guided Cold War Bunker tours
2024-04-20 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-04-27 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-05-04 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!

Earth Day Movie Night
2024-04-20 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Neighbours United, 499 Ward St, Nelson
Have you seen the Lorax? This classic animated tale is about a future where nature is scarce, trees don’t exist, and a 12 year old boy who goes a journey to find out why. Join us for a movie night that will inspire and ignite you. We’ll watch the film together, then we’ll write letters to our MLA in support of defending our own forests in B.C. because we care enough to take action.

Guest speaker: Matt Casselman on Cai Creek

Popcorn and drinks will be provided.
REGISTER HERE: https://neighboursunited.org/civicrm/event/register/…

‘Grow Show’ book launch
2024-04-20 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Join MC Adam O. Thomas and Curator Arin Fay for an evening of storytelling at the official launch of Grow Show, the coffee table book inspired by the 2021 exhibition, which was designed and published by NMAG.
We will be welcoming some very special guest storytellers to the stage to discuss the legends and lore of the cannabis industry, in the days before legalization.

Trash to Fashion FUNshop Workshop- Upcycled Fabric Boas and Costume Items
2024-04-21 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver) | Jam Factory Co-working Space, 303 Vernon St., Nelson, V1L4E3, Canada
Come celebrate Earth Day weekend by turning some trash into treasures!
Gather your paper and fabric scraps and come make featherless boas, paper mache masks, and other upcycled costume items with artist Myra Rasmussen.
This Haute Trash! event is meant to inspire your inner creative to come out and play with all manner of discarded fabric scraps and paper items and transform them into fun and wearable art.
This family-friendly workshop is for ages 12 years to adult. Younger family members must be accompanied by an adult.
Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. https://forms.gle/92tmfUfdeg4Scw67A
Cost: $25
Workshop participants will have the option to exhibit their creations at the Haute Trash! Trash Fashion Show Competition and Art Exhibition on June 15, 2024, at the Capitol Theatre.

Vera Maloff Book Launch
2024-04-24 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Public Library, 602 Stanley St, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 1N4, Canada
In a time of war and division, Vera Maloff’s newly published book on one man’s pacifist convictions has never been so relevant. That one man was Vera’s grandfather. They Called Him a Radical: The Memoirs of Pete Maloff and the Making of a Doukhobor Pacifist is a collection of his memoirs, written while under house arrest for his pacifist views. History enthusiasts and social justice thinkers alike can expect a thoughtful and informative reading at the book launch.
Wed April 24th, Nelson Public Library 7-8:30 pm

Upcycled Trash Art Sculpture Workshop
2024-04-27 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Vancouver) | Pharatree Learning Centre, 5686 Highway 6, Winlaw, V0G2J0
Come spend the day turning trash into treasures in this innovative Upcycled Sculpture Workshop with Nicole at Pharatree Learning Centre in Winlaw on Saturday, April 27, 10am-2pm. For ages 8-16.
Participants will have the opportunity to display their creations at the second annual Haute Trash! Trash Fashion Show Competition and Art Exhibition on June 15, at the Capitol Theatre in Nelson, BC.

Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre 20 Year Celebration
2024-04-27 14:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, 320 Wilson Street, Revelstoke, V0E 2S0
The Revelstoke Visual Arts Society was incorporated 20 years ago! We want to celebrate with our community with a gallery opening and outdoor event! Join us for this family friendly event!!

The Event:
April 27th, 2:00pm – 8:00pm
Member’s Show Gallery Opening & Golden Girls Group Show
Kids Painting Station
Building & Jail Cell Tours
Live Music
Live Painting Event
Art Market with local Vendors
Food Trucks
Beverages for Purchase

Tea & Textiles
2024-05-01 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver) | J.B. Fletcher Store Museum, 3602 Sutton Street, Ainsworth, BC, V0G 1A0, Canada
The J.B. Fletcher Museum in Ainsworth will be hosting gatherings for fibre enthusiasts and tea lovers to come and work on their knitting, crochet, embroidery, and spinning projects while connecting with fellow crafters. These gatherings will occur the first Wednesday of every month from 9-12. Drop ins welcome.

"Tides" by Neal Panton
2024-05-02 - 2024-05-12 | 167 Deer Park Avenue, Kimberley, BC, V1A 2J5, 167 Deer Park Avenue, Kimberley, V1A 2J5
The Art of Capturing Moments of Change
“Tides”
Cranbrook-based photographer Neal Panton reveals his latest solo exhibit, “Tides,” at Art Gallery Kimberley in BC’s Best Small Town from May 16th to May 26th, 2024. The exhibit invites viewers to explore the fleeting moments of change captured along the Pacific North Coast, including Haida Gwaii, the North Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, and the Oregon Coast.
Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Neal Panton developed a passion for photography from an early age. As a self-taught photographer, a former university professor of Photography and Visual Language, as well as a photojournalist for Reuters news agency, Neal brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his work. His passion for storytelling through images is apparent in every piece featured in “Tides,” creating an immersive experience for all who visit the exhibit.
Inspired by the beauty and complexity of the moments in between, “Tides” showcases Neal’s distinctive photographic style, reminiscent of the darkroom photography process executed through the use of modern photo editing software. Through a combination of intuition and skill, Neal’s photographs reflect a sense of contemplation and introspection, inviting viewers to find their own unique connection to the images.
According to Neal, photography as an art form has unique characteristics. He explains, “In most traditional art forms, like painting, sculpture, drawing, and even etching, you can visibly see the artist’s handiwork—the brushstrokes, the lines, the shaping of the material. However, photography is different. Often, it appears captured rather than crafted. Its construction is less clear. As an art form, photography is also more accessible. Almost anyone can engage in photography, regardless of their background or expertise.”
Unlike social media snapshots, the photographs showcased in galleries invite us to pause and ponder, revealing deeper meaning within each frame. Neal aims to connect with viewers on a deeper level, seeking friends who share an appreciation for the beauty and wonder of nature.
“Tides” explores the moments in between——pauses, transitions, and liminal spaces where change is imminent. These photographs highlight the in-between spaces along the Pacific North Coast, representing a shift from one state to another, often feeling uncertain and detached from reality.
The opening reception for “Tides” will take place on Friday, May 17th, between 7 and 9 pm. Art enthusiasts and nature lovers alike are invited to experience Neal’s moving photography at Art Gallery Kimberley between May 16 – 26, 2024. The exhibit welcomes visitors from Thursday through Sunday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, and accommodates appointments from Monday to Wednesday. Don’t miss this opportunity to take in the beauty and complexity of the moments in between.
For more information or to schedule a visit, please contact Art Gallery Kimberley at 250-432-9225 or info@artgallerykimberley.com.

Author Reading Series: Corinna Chong + Matt Rader (event)
2024-05-03 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | Oxygen Art Centre, 320 Vernon St Unit-3, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4E4, Canada
Event: Friday, May 3, 2024 @ 7 PM (Free!)
All held at Oxygen’s facility (#3-320 Vernon St., Nelson, BC)
Oxygen Art Centre is delighted to present the second event of 2024’s Author Reading Series featuring Corinna Chong and Matt Rader at an in-person reading event on Friday, May 3, 2024 @ 7 PM.
This event is free, everyone welcome! No registration is required.
The event will feature readings by Chong and Rader, in addition to an emerging writer in the Selkirk College Creative Writing program. A short question and answer period will close the event.
This program is generously supported by the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance. Learn more about this event and upcoming events and workshops, here.

GRAPHIC NOVEL AUTHOR TALK!
2024-05-03 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | Kaslo & District Public Library, 413 4th St, Kaslo, V0G 1M0
The story of a Kootenay summer: forests are burning, activists are blockading, and a rookie wildfire fighter joins her first crew. A sneak peek at We Were Found in the Fires, with writer-artists @nathancomics and Anne DeGrace.
May 3rd at 7:00 pm

REVY.Tracks: Josh Feinberg
2024-05-03 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Revelstoke Railway Museum, 719 Track St W, Revelstoke, V0E 2S0
REVY.Tracks, Arts Revelstoke’s concert series collaboration with the Revelstoke Railway museum, returns May 3rd with a performance from sitarist, Josh Feinberg.
Josh began his musical training at 4 years old with western classical and jazz on piano and bass in New York City, studying with some of the most accomplished musicians on the scene including Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Ben Monder, Paul Bley, Drew Gress, Bob Bowen, Dan Weiss, and Jacob Sacks among others. He was hailed as a prodigy performing in jazz venues and concert halls across the New York area including Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall, and many others. In his teens, Josh fell in love with the music of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Pandit Nikhil Banerjee, and shifted his focus to sitar and Hindustani music while pursuing his Bachelors degree from New England Conservatory.
Josh has been dazzling audiences around the world for 20 years. In 2019 Josh had 3 international tours including 25 concerts in 28 days for his India tour at some of the leading venues in the country. His other 2019 tours included 77 concerts in the United Kingdom, Australia, and concerts throughout the USA, making him one of the most in-demand sitarists currently performing. Josh is also one of very few young musicians who has performed with most of the top tabla artists in the world including Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri, Pt. Anindo Chatterjee, Pt Kumar Bose, and others. Josh is a regular at the Chicago World Music Festival and has performed for the Lotus World Music Festival, Harvard University, New England Conservatory, and countless other venues and festivals around the world.
This is a licensed event. Refreshment and beverages will be available for purchase. The event is family friendly, all ages are welcome.

A SUNDAY MARKET!
2024-05-05 12:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
Sun May 5th 12pm-4pm @ The Royal in Nelson
20 vendors! (Several brand new vendors too!)
On-site photography booth
Cinco de Mayo festivities
Mother’s Day gift ideas
Mimosa Special

DANCING PLAGUE + TOTAL CHROMA + RENONCE w/ JAKOB and DARK ARTS MARKET
2024-05-05 19:00 - 2024-05-06 00:00 (America/Vancouver) | Oxygen Art Centre, 320 Vernon St Unit-3, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4E4, Canada
Come one, come all to an evening of darkwave, EBM, post-industrial, and synth-punk music, and vending from local artisans.
On May 5th, Dancing Plague (Portland), Total Chroma (Vancouver) and Renonce (Montreal) will be performing at the Oxygen Art Centre on unceded Sinixt təmxʷúlaʔx (Nelson, BC) with support from JAKOB. The event will also include a Dark Arts Market featuring Little Magics, Pupille, sylvie Le sylvie, and Völur Chainmaille. This is a rare opportunity to hear and see the craft of these talented musicians and artists all in one place.
Dancing Plague, Total Chroma, and Renonce are joining forces for a tour across Turtle Island ahead of their appearances at Verboden 2024 (May 9-12). This event will be a taste of what is to come at the seventh annual darkwave festival on Coast Salish territory (Vancouver, BC).
Location: Oxygen Art Centre Address: 320 Vernon St Unit-3, Sinixt təmxʷúlaʔx (Nelson, BC) Date: Sunday May 5th, 2024
Time: EARLY SHOW Doors 7pm, Show 8pm Tickets: $15 advance (link below), $20 door
https://restlessnites.com/events/dancingplaguewithguestsdarkartsmarket5may2024
MUSICIAN BIOS:
DANCING PLAGUE: Portland, OR’s Dancing Plague makes broodingly intense but surprisingly emotional dark electronic music. Since the solo project’s inception in 2015, Dancing Plague has released four albums and four EPs, solidifying them in the world of darkwave and body music.
Words about new album, out March 2024: On their 5th studio album “Elogium”, Portland based electronic act Dancing Plague continues to flesh out and perfect their unique brand of crushing Darkwave. The album explores themes of loss, regret, rebirth and growth coupled with throbbing basslines, rave synths, and pounding drums. Dancing Plague balances aggressive waves of electronics with enough pop sensibilities and catchy hooks to be inviting to those new to the genre.
Bandcamp: www.dancingplaguemusic.bandcamp.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dancingplaguemusic
Instagram: @dancingplaguemusic
Post-Punk.com single premiere: https://post-punk.com/portland-darkwave-project-dancing-plague-debuts-new-single-dreamless/
RENONCE: Renonce is a Montreal project of industrial/darkwave music created in 2021. Their second album Nuisance sonore was produced by Annie-Claude Deschênes (Duchess Says, Pypy) and mixed by the Toronto industrial duo Odonis Odonis. Noisier and more aggressive, it will be released in April 2024 on Verboden x Negative Gain. For fans of electronic saturation, industrial noise and vocal fry.
Bandcamp: https://renonce.bandcamp.com/album/nuisance-sonore
Instagram: @renoncemtl
TOTAL CHROMA: Total Chroma, the project of Canadian minimal synth artist Isku Katerwol, offers a creative fusion of Italo disco, classic EBM, minimal wave, and post punk sounds among other styles. Katerwol combines diverse influences into a genre-defying hybrid.
Bandcamp: https://totalchroma.bandcamp.com/album/lapland
Instagram: @totalchroma
JAKOB: The intertwined circle and triangle is an ancient alchemical symbol representing a precise transmutation. The extension of the triangle’s points beyond the parameters of the circle indicates that the reaction will take place free from coercion or control, where the radius of the transformation is wholly dependent upon the strength of the reaction. Extending this incantation to the transformative potential of music, it is also clear that carefully curated audio atmospheres have the capacity to provoke captivating responses among audiences.
Instagram: @jakobsounds
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jakob-sounds
DARK ARTS MARKET VENDORS:
LITTLE MAGICS
@_littlemagics
PUPILLE
@p.upille
SYLVIE LE SYLVIE
@sylvielesylvie
VÖLUR CHAINMAILLE
@volur.chainmaille
-No forms of bigotry, harassment or hate will be tolerated
-Consent is mandatory
-Celebrate responsibly
-Please contact us if you have any accessibility requirements and would like to attend
-Capacity is limited, please arrive early
#darkwave #ebm #industrial #synthpunk #verboden #goth

Graphic Novel Author Talk
2024-05-08 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Public Library, 602 Stanley St, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 1N4, Canada
GRAPHIC NOVEL AUTHOR TALK! ???? The story of a Kootenay summer: forests are burning, old-growth activists are blockading, and a rookie wildfire fighter wrestles with her Doukhobor past while working to protect the future. We Were Found in the Fires, an in-progress book by writer-artist Nathan Wilkinson with writer Anne DeGrace, is coming to toi the Nelson Public Library with a talk and community discussion on the story and the process. If you have an interest in graphic novels, our B.C. wildfire situation, or the challenging process of writing culturally relevant fiction, join us. Appropriate for adults and older teens.
The creators acknowledge the support of the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance, Kootenay Library Federation and Canada Council for the Arts.
Wed May 8th, 8am – 5pm

Blind Date With a Book - Fundraiser
2024-05-09 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Edmonton) | 167 Deer Park Avenue, Kimberley, BC, V1A 2J5, 167 Deer Park Avenue, Kimberley, V1A 2J5
Are you ready to mingle, sip, and groove for a good cause? Join us for an entertaining evening, as we team up with Huckleberry Books to raise funds for Kimberley Kaleidoscope Arts Festival 2024 while sipping, nibbling, browsing for books, and enjoying live music and more.
Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 7 pm, and get ready for a mystery-filled night of matchmaking. Here’s how it works:
Blind Date Book: We’ve wrapped up stacks (and stacks!) of mystery books, each with a teaser on the package. It’s like a blind date with a book! Wander through the gallery and gift shop to find your perfect literary match while enjoying a drink and nibbling on snacks.
Live Music: Groove to the beats of Kimberley’s newest band, Howard Street Blend.
Tickets: Secure your spot for $35, which includes a blind date book, your first drink, and a $20 donation to the Kimberley Kaleidoscope Arts Festival. Plus, additional books and drinks will be available for purchase to keep the good times rolling.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to support the arts while having a blast.
Purchase your tickets online or drop by the gallery.
Let’s support local arts together. See you there!

Creston Valley Bird Festival
2024-05-10 - 2024-05-12 | Rotacrest Hall, 230 19 Ave N, Creston, BC, V0B 1G5
The Creston Valley is a vital birdwatching site, important bird area and staging area for migratory birds with over 300 species of birds recorded.The Creston Valley Bird Fest celebrates this incredible diversity in an environmentally sensitive manner, inviting residents and visitors to expand their interest in the world of birds. The festival offers a variety of birdwatching activities guided by field experts, as well as presentations and bird-oriented workshops. Promotional tours to local businesses, and art studios have been incorporated into the festival providing economic stimulus in a low impact way.

Creston Valley Bird Festival
2024-05-10 - 2024-05-12 | Creston Valley
The Creston Valley is a vital birdwatching site, important bird area and staging area for migratory birds with over 300 species of birds recorded.The Creston Valley Bird Festival celebrates this incredible diversity in an environmentally sensitive manner, inviting residents and visitors to expand their interest in the world of birds. The festival offers a variety of birdwatching activities guided by field experts, as well as presentations and bird-oriented workshops. Promotional tours to local businesses, and art studios have been incorporated into the festival providing economic stimulus in a low impact way.
