West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

KOOTENAY COMEDY OPEN MIC
2025-01-08 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!

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

Fall into Fall FREE Thursday evenings
2025-01-09 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-01-16 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-01-23 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, 2025-01-23 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!

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.

Guided Cold War Bunker tours
2025-01-11 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-01-18 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-01-25 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!

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

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!

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

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.

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!

For the Love of Drag
2025-01-17 19:30 - 22:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Get ready, Nelson! “For the Love of Drag” is coming, and it’s set to be a night of glitz, glamour, and unforgettable entertainment. This show promises to be bigger and better than ever, featuring a lineup of the most dazzling drag queens and kings from across British Columbia, including Victoria and Vancouver.
A longtime fan of the show, Alex from the Yukon, raves, “For the Love of Drag is pure magic. The performances are electrifying, and the energy is contagious. You leave feeling uplifted and inspired.”
Join us for an evening where artistry meets extravagance, and every performance is a work of art. Our talented performers will dazzle you with high-energy, show-stopping numbers that will leave you cheering for more. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of drag or new to the scene, “For the Love of Drag” is an experience you won’t want to miss.
19+
Capitol Theatre
Adult: $28; Senio: $25.50; Under 30: $10

Winter Wonderland
2025-01-18 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Whitewater Ski Resort, Whitewater Ski Hill Rd, Nelson BC, V1L 5R3, Canada
Join us for Whitewater’s Winter Wonderland, a fun-filled day featuring live pottery spinning, a snowman building competition, face painting, hot chocolate, and local live music!

It’s the perfect family day out, so mark your calendars and bring the kids for a memorable weekend at Whitewater!

Open Mic
2025-01-18 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Vancouver) | Slocan Lake Arts Centre, 408 Lake Avenue, Silverton, BC, V0G 1S0
Hosted by Jeff Bonner, this licensed evening of performances will be a delight and full of surprises! Come to play, or simply to enjoy the local talents.
Event takes place in our Slocan Lake Arts Center: 408 4th Street, Silverton BC
This happens every 3rd Saturday of the month!

Brasstactics @ The Rockwater
2025-01-18 22:00 - 23:30 (America/Edmonton) | The Rockwater, 429 9 Ave N, Golden, BC, V0A 1H0
Brasstactics is back in town!
Edmonton’s go-to brass party band. These guys are all about bringing the energy with their brass band originals and fun throwbacks from the ’70s through the ’00s. Whether it’s a pop-up show on the streets or a live party gig, they’re guaranteed to get everyone dancing and singing along.
10pm, $10 at the door !!

Zaynab Mohammed
2025-01-19 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
A journey of sound, sight and story about how one woman loses her innocence at a young age due to cultural inequity, whilst navigating a terrain foreign to her ancestors. Being displaced, moved from land, uprooted, is intergenerational. How does a young woman who’s been colonised for centuries free herself? This is her story. She finds her freedom by leaning on the art of listening to herself, to others and to the earth.
The Capitol Theatre
https://www.zaynabmohammed.com

Winter Fox Paint Night
2025-01-23 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Backeddy Pub, 1432 Columbia Ave, Castlegar, BC, V1N 3K3, Canada
Come paint with me! Grab a friend (or two) and join me at Backed Pub (Cartwright’s Pub) for an evening of fun.Event runs from 6 pm to 8 pm. Come early grab a set and have something to eat.

Evening includes: 11”x14” canvas, all materials to complete your masterpiece, step by step instructions and one beverage.(*Drinks are limited to pop, house wine, beer on tap, 1 ounce well drinks or Caesar.)

No experience required. This is fun art, not fine art!

$40/person

Please message for payment details to reserve your seat. These events can fill up quickly, prepayment will hold your seat.

(Please note: I do not offer refunds. However, if you give at least 48 hours of your need to cancel, I will credit your payment towards another event)

Up Close and Intimate: Randy from Creston in REDNECK WIZDOMZ
2025-01-25 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Vallican Whole Community Centre, 3762 Little Slocan South Road, Vallican, British Columbia, V0G2J0, Canada
The first of The Vallican Whole’s UP CLOSE and INTIMATE 2025 Performance Series, it’s:
RANDY FROM CRESTON!
In
REDNECK WISDOMZ
Written and performed by Lucas Myers.
Lucas Myers returns with his lovable rural opinionator, Randy from Creston! Randy will be addressing the divisiveness or our current social situation and sharing his own very particular version of “radical redneck wellfullness”, a process which will include many tangents, a few tunes, and maybe a guest appearance. Oh and laughs. Lots of laughs. Buckle up, buttercup!
Tickets are $25. You can reserve by email at info (at) vallicanwhole.com. They’ll also be available at the door. The show is approximately an hour, with one intermission. Cash bar and a new exhibit in our Basement Gallery to enjoy!

DZVINKA” - Ukraine’s Robin Hood Story
2025-01-25 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Edmonton) | Key City Theatre, 20 14th Avenue North, Cranbrook, BC, V1C 6H4, Canada
Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble presents, “DZVINKA” – Ukraine’s Robin Hood Story.
In the heart of Ukrainian culture, where tradition dances hand in hand with passion, there exists a legacy that spans half a century. Welcome to the jubilant celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Society. Since its inception in 1974, Tryzub has stood as a beacon of artistic excellence, a symphony of spirited footwork and colorful costumes that tell the story of Ukraine’s rich heritage.
“DZVINKA,” Tryzub’s 50th Anniversary Show, is a unique 2-hour stage production that unveils over one hour of original music, composed and recorded amidst the shadows of war in Ukraine. Featuring new elaborate costumes crafted in Ukraine, the mesmerizing choreography takes audiences on a riveting journey encompassing excitement, anticipation, laughter, and moments of despair.
The first half of the show introduces an original storyline centered around Ukrainian folk hero Oleksa Dovbush—an outlaw, a hero to the people, and leader of the Opryshky. The second half navigates through the diverse regions of Ukraine, showcasing the delicate balance between intricate technique, colorful costumes, the grace and beauty of our female dancers, and the strength, determination, and gravity-defying tricks of our male dancers.
Despite formidable challenges, the costumes and music were created in Ukraine by brave individuals. As a result of the shutdown of Ukrainian airspace due to Russia’s war, the costumes were transported by van out of the country and then flown to Canada from neighbouring nations. These costumes embody resilience amid adversity. As Russian military targets museums, theaters, and historical sites, orchestra musicians, scattered and forced to record in school classrooms, join hands with Tryzub in crafting original works like “DZVINKA.”
Net Proceeds from the performance will be donated to support Ukrainian Newcomer programs that support the mental health and wellness of youth impacted by war.

Nelson Poetry Slam
2025-01-26 18:30 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Boxing and Athletics Club, 685-B Baker street, Nelson, BC, V1L 4J3, Canada
SLAM / OPEN MIC:
To slam you’ll need 2 poems, each can be up to 3minutes.
OPEN-MIC:
– Slots are up to 5mins, but no minimum length.
– if you want to play an instrument, please bring your own gear / guitar and patch cord. We only have one mic + cord. For anything more elaborate, please reach out in advance, or you could play acoustically.
There are stairs and NO ramps, but please be in touch and we will see how to help accommodate your needs.
FREE SPEECH / INTENTIONAL GATHERING :
This is a free speech platform centred around inclusivity, community, respect for human rights and dignity. We don’t allow hate speech in any form. We embrace an anti-oppression, anti-racist and decolonization framework from the Sinixt territory to Palestine, Lebanon, the Congo and beyond.
ALL AGES event, but be warned that subject matter and language may vary (eg: swearing may occur). We ask people to us a TRIGGER WARNING for content that may be traumatic (*ask us if you need clarification).

Boot Scootin’ Boogie: Country Line Dance Night
2025-01-28 19:30 - 23:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
Y’all ready for another boot-stompin’ good time at The Royal? We’ll start with a new line dance lesson led by Fabiola Gascon, followed by a quick refresher of the previous two dances we learned in 2024. Then, get ready to kick up some dust as we dance the night away!

This event is 19+. Western wear encouraged.

The Improv Comedy Show
2025-01-29 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
The Improv Comedy Show features an all-female cast performing for one night and one night only. They sold out their last venue. Will they do it again?
ACT 1 :Our trio of improvisors take turns directing each other in improvised scenes, ultimately competing to be the best director of the night. If the audience likes the scene they can award the director a point. However, if the audience does not like the scene the director is instantly punished!
7:30 doors, 8:00 pm show$10 online / $15 door. 19 + Audience.
Jackie Atkins is a writer, filmmaker and improviser currently based in Nelson, BC. In 2020, she graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont with a degree in Narrative Studies and French. She also holds a certificate in Fine Woodworking from Selkirk College in Nelson, BC. Her most recent project, Nature + Elles, is a French language documentary that weaves together stories of Francophone women involved in adventure sports, entrepreneurship and environmental activism in the Kootenay region of British Columbia. She is one of the head writers of the upcoming sketch series, Southern Interior, and is excited to be working on her first feature screenplay with support through the Her Vision: Women in Film program. Her love for storytelling is rooted in an appreciation of the specific and the strange, as is the rest of her life.
Michelle Hart is a multi-disciplinary artist, specializing in theatre and improvisation. Since graduating from Mount Allison University with a theatre degree, she has trained, taught and performed with theatre institutions across North America to hone her craft. Michelle is the recipient of the Pat & Tony Freedom Fund, Outstanding Sketch/Improv Productions from My Entertainment weekly, and was featured on JFL42 Sirius FX Just For Laughs Festival. She has worked as a cast member for MSC Seaside, The Second City, and the Bad Dog Theatre Feature Players. Currently she is the Co Director of The Canadian Improv Games: Improv Camp, a head writer on Southern Interior, a Nelson based Sketch Show, and the director and producer of 20/40 and The Nelson Sketch Comedy Revue. Online: @WeirdHart + @ReallyCoolProductions
Lindsay Mullan is a Canadian Comedy Award-Nominated actor, improvisor, instructor, and creator. She is an alumnus of the Second City Toronto Mainstage, an alumnus of the internationally-acclaimed improvisation theatre, Loose Moose, and a graduate of the Mount Royal University Theatre Arts Acting Program. Lindsay has worked as a performer for over almost two decades in various mediums (Theatre, Film, Television, Web, and Podcasting). Currently she is based in Toronto, Canada where she is one half of the improv duo The Cheeky Chappies (alongside improv pal Gavin Williams). When she’s not improvising, you can spot Lindsay in commercials eating fast food sandwiches or playfully rolling her eyes at TV husbands who’ve just done something stupid.Online: @lindsomullo + lindsaymullan.com

Sechille Sedare
2025-01-29 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Edmonton) | Key City Theatre, 20 14th Avenue North, Cranbrook, BC, V1C 6H4, Canada
Experience the Enchantment of Sechile Sedare!
Spend a captivating evening with Sechile Sedare, where timeless traditions meet contemporary artistry. This mesmerizing performance promises to take you on an unforgettable journey through a rich tapestry of music, dance, and storytelling.
Be prepared to be enthralled by Sechile Sedare’s unique blend of cultural heritage and innovative expression. This event is a celebration of creativity, passion, and the profound connections that art can forge across diverse communities.
Secure your tickets now and be part of an extraordinary night that will leave you inspired and invigorated. Don’t miss out on this chance to witness a truly magical performance!
For more information or to purchase tickets please visit the Key City Theatre website.

Artist Trading Cards Workshop
2025-01-30 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
The Nelson Museum is launching a monthly drop-in workshop for artists of all ages and skill levels to create and trade art cards! Artist trading cards are miniature works of art specifically made to be freely traded. Created on 2.5 x 3.5-inch card stock using any medium, ATCs encourage artistic experimentation, creativity, and community building rather than consumption.

Blank cards, art making materials, and collage supplies will be available but feel free to bring your own. This FREE program is an all ages drop-in program that will be offered the last Thursday of the month. You can join one, two, or all three programs!
