West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

Lardeau Valley Marketfest
2024-05-12 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Vancouver) | Argenta Community Hall, 1024 Argenta Rd, Argenta ., British Columbia, V0G1B0, Canada
Join us on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 12th for our first Lardeau Valley Marketfest, and our Emergency Preparedness Fair!

Kootenay Entrepreneurs Group (KEG)
2024-05-14 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Vancouver) | Torchlight Brewing Co., 125 Hall St, Nelson, BC, V1L 7B4
NEW! Kootenay Entrepreneurs Group (KEG) happening in-person networking event!
Are you starting your own business in the Kootenays?
Join other folks just like you who are navigating the path from passion to profit! This group will give you a chance to network and skill share with other growth-minded people working on their own business! Starts in March, 2024. See you there!

Nelson Museum AGM
2024-05-14 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Attention members! Mark your calendars for the 2024 Nelson Museum Annual General Meeting (AGM). Jennifer Dunkerson, Executive Director, and the NMAG Board of Directors are eager to welcome members into Gallery A to discuss the challenges and triumphs of 2023, what is planned for the year ahead, and to welcome some fresh faces to the NMAG board.
The public is welcome to attend, but only Museum Members in good standing are able to vote. Not a member? Sign up here!

KOOTENAY COMEDY OPEN MIC NIGHT
2024-05-15 19:00 - 23:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
Wed May 15th 7:00pm At The Royal in Nelson
Hosted by lil’ Mikey, its an open mic Comedy night!
To sign up come early or message kootenaycomedy on instagram!

Weekly Tango Mini Lesson & Practice
2024-05-15 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-05-22 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-05-29 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!

Small Town Artillery Collective
2024-05-15 19:30 - 22:00 (America/Vancouver) | Vallican Whole Community Centre, 3762 Little Slocan South Road, Vallican, British Columbia, V0G2J0, Canada
THE SMALL TOWN ARTILLERY COLLECTIVE is the moniker under which brothers Tom & Derek van Deursen release and perform their signature style of music.
Their live show is a crackling good time, full of emotional dynamics, trumpet and violin earworms, guitarmonies and feeling. 2024’s touring outfit is 6 strong, featuring Kyle Vaughan (Year Of The Wolf) on Guitar, Safiya Labelle on Violin and Vocal, Jocelyn Waugh on Trumpet, and Sam Schuette on Bass.
This show at Vallican Whole also features an opening set by Salt Spring Island’s Safiya Labelle ????
Get tickets at Rambling Rose Boutique & Thrift in Winlaw, reserve by email to info (at) vallicanwhole (dot) com, or get ’em at the door!

Anything Goes! Collage with Michelle Oakley
2024-05-16 18:00 - 20:00, 2024-05-23 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Avante garde? Political? Whimsical? Anything goes in this collage workshop with artist Michelle Oakley, inspired by Judy Wapp’s exhibition VisuAlchemy and hosted by the Nelson Museum.
These workshops are FREE and all materials are supplied. You can attend one or both workshops, but separate pre-registration is required. Please use the links below.
May 16 Signup Form
May 23 Signup Form

May Days 2024
2024-05-18 09:00 - 2024-05-21 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Vimy Park, Kaslo, BC, Canada
A three day long celebration of the return of summer – May Days takes place Saturday, May 18 through to Monday, May 20th in Kaslo, BC. Events happen all over town including music and vendors in Vimy Park, Logger Sports, the Snow n Shine Car Show, Sk8 Jam and more!

Guided Cold War Bunker tours
2024-05-18 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-05-25 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-06-01 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!

Keepsake Collage with Melissa Owen
2024-05-18 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-05-25 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Creator Melissa Owen will guide you through the creation of a keepsake collage to honour a lost friend, family member, or beloved pet. This Nelson Museum program is FREE – collage materials are provided, participants need to bring a photo of their loved one to be photocopied and used in their project.
The workshop on the 25th is a repeat of the 18th, please register for one or the other, but not both.
May 18 Signup Form
May 25 Signup Form

Open Mic
2024-05-18 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!

Crafternoon
2024-05-21 15:30 - 16:30, 2024-05-28 15:30 - 16:30 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Public Library, 602 Stanley St, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 1N4, Canada
Drop in between 3:30 and 4:30 every Tuesday for CRAFTERNOON at the Nelson Public Library.
Crafts, LEGO, Ozobots, DatoDuo, STEAM stations & more! Every week is a bit different.
Activities will be geared towards school aged children aged 5-13.

Indigenous Reads Book Club
2024-05-22 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

Legally Blonde: The Musical
2024-05-23 - 2024-05-26 | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
BLACK PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS
LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL
Book by Heather Hach
Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin
Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture
Directed by Darren Fuss
Musical Direction by Malaika Horswill
Choreography by Mackenzie Hope
Set Design by Eric Galbraith
Costume Design by Jackie Routien
Set Decoration by Jessilyn Leckie
Stage Management by Kyla Hurst
“Legally Blonde: The Musical” tells the story of Elle Woods, a fashionable and bubbly sorority girl who decides to follow her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School in hopes of winning him back. Despite facing skepticism and judgment from her peers, Elle discovers her own strength and determination as she tackles the challenges of law school and proves that she is more than just a pretty face. Along the way, she finds new friends, including the loyal Emmett and the quirky Paulette, and discovers her passion for law while defending a fellow Delta Nu sister in a high-profile case. With catchy songs, hilarious moments, and a message of empowerment, “Legally Blonde: The Musical” is a fun and heartwarming journey about staying true to oneself and defying expectations. Join Black Productions as we bring this beloved story to life on stage in Nelson, BC, celebrating friendship, love, and the power of believing in yourself.
**Content Warning: Sexual Content, Mild Language and Stereotyping**
Starring:
Ali Paul
Angela Lacroix
Ashley Betschel
Brent Geisler
Carly Naka
Darren Fuss
Denis Senecal
Eliza Hicks
Gillian Wiley
Greg Marrast
Jaimie MacGibbon
Jodie Edmunds
Kozmo Sammartino
Lev Sonego
Luz Ramos-Swanston
Mackenzie Hope
Maddy Setzer
Malaika Horswill
Marleah Lander
Nicole Courson
Noa Dagan
Quinn Barron
Rebecca Maybank
Rhythm Storm
Robyn Lamb
Scott Thorp
Sydney Black
Vaughn Preninger
Legally Blonde The Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
www.mtishows.com

Dandelion Festival
2024-05-25
A one day spring festival to celebrate the well being of ourselves and our communities. Live music, artisan market, amazing workshops, talks fun and interesting activities for everyone.

Kootenay EcoFest
2024-05-25 10:00 - 2024-05-26 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Bear Spring Eco Retreat, 5248 Queen Victoria Road, Beasley, V0G 2G2
A celebration of sustainable action with local waste reduction solutions, live demonstrations, inspiring learning opportunities, regional food tasting and live music. All happening on our beautiful property, Bear Springs Eco Resort, in Beasley, BC.

To book accommodations during the festival, please contact us directly at info@bearspringeco.ca.

Valley Deep, Mountain High – Tom Wayman Book Launch
2024-05-29 07:00 - 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Public Library, 602 Stanley St, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 1N4, Canada
West Kootenay author Tom Wayman will launch two new books—a prose memoir and a collection of poems.
Wayman’s memoir, from BC’s Harbour Publishing, is entitled The Road to Appledore or How I Went Back to the Land Without Ever Having Lived There in the First Place. The book covers Wayman’s adventures and misadventures since moving to the Slocan Valley in 1989. Besides accounting for the author’s reasons for relocating from Vancouver, the book describes his life in the Valley over three decades via the four seasons and the four classical elements: water, fire, earth and air.
Wayman’s new collection of poems, How Can You Live Here? from Alberta’s Frontenac House, gathers poems originally published in such journals as The Walrus, Queen’s Quarterly, and The Hudson Review. The poems look at the human and natural communities of the Slocan Valley through a more lyrical lens, although 21st Century issues appear, too, including a section on living through the recent pandemic in a rural setting.
Wed May 29th, Nelson Public Library

Family Story Time
2024-05-30 10:30 - 11:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Public Library, 602 Stanley St, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 1N4, Canada
Drop by the Nelson Public Library Thursday mornings at 10:30 come to sing your favourite songs and hear some great stories!
All ages welcome.

Heritage City Tango Marathon
2024-05-31 - 2024-06-02 | North Shore Hall, 675 Whitmore Rd, Nelson, BC, V1L 6H7, Canada
We are pleased to offer a new Tango Marathon in Nelson BC Canada, held May 31-June 2 of 2024.

This 3 day event will be in one of Western Canada’s prettiest and artsiest small towns. Registration is by individual or pair, no partner required. However, we will strive for role balance at this event, so we recommend signing up with a partner. The intent of this event is to create a fabulous series of Milongas, with generous food and drink offerings, and a warm atmosphere of mutual inclusion and respect. We seek to honor the codigos and traditions of Argentine Tango and to create an atmosphere of camaraderie and togetherness. All Tango styles are welcome as long as good floorcraft and consideration for others is maintained. So looking forward to sharing our little town and big hearts with you!

We have a lot of great moments mapped out for you on this weekend, from a pre-event meet and greet in the park (weather permitting) to some fun ice-breaker activities during registration times before the opening Milonga on Friday.

If you are new to Tango Marathons, the idea is simple: it’s like a festival except that instead of focusing on classes, we focus on the Milongas and time on the floor spent dancing.

Canadian Artist Tribute
2024-05-31 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Edmonton) | Key City Theatre, 20 14th Avenue North, Cranbrook, BC, V1C 6H4, Canada
This will be one of a kind fundraiser concert for the Fisher Peak Performing Artists Society (FPPAS). Songs of Canadian greats performed by some of Cranbrook’s best talent. Tunes by Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Rush, Tragically Hip are just a small selection of the artists featured.
Some of the artists performing, Pretty for the People, Heather Gemmell, Voodoo Rhythm Kings, Phaeton, Dave Prinn and Jack Spring.
The proceeds from the concert will help FPPAS have the best equipment and artists available for our free Summer Sounds concerts.

Ceilidh on the Mountain
2024-06-01 | Kimberley Alpine Resort
The band is back.. coming June 1st to the top of the Kimberley ski hill with Kimberley Cranbrook Highland dancers and special guest Lennan Delaney and fiddler Jared Albright. Tickets available soon.. spread the word.

RIFT 2024 – Woman’s Centre Fundraiser
2024-06-01 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
We invite you to our second annual Women’s Centre Fundraiser! We have local legends Paris Pick and the Pricks headlining for the second year running and a gorgeous line-up of wildly talented local artists and performers to entertain you.
All of our acts are donating their time and talents to this event, allowing the proceeds to go straight back into the Centre. We rely on grants, donations and fundraising to keep our doors open so please come celebrate with us and help us keep our programs running!
This year our theme is Break The Binary – throw out you notions of gender norms and come dressed as your most uninhibited self. Take inspiration from Ru Paul, think fluidity, fantasy and freedom from biases!
There will also be an extra special raffle this year with some truly fabulous prizes.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Doors at 7pmTickets $15

‘Big River’ book launch w/ Eileen Delehanty Pearkes and David Moskowitz
2024-06-01 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Big River: Resilience and Renewal in the Columbia Basin, a new photographically-driven book from award-winning photographer David Moskowitz, writer Eileen Delehanty Pearkes, and poet Claudia Castro Luna illuminates the hydrogeology, beauty, and activity of the Columbia River, while also highlighting current challenges facing the region and the riverkeepers working on sustainable solutions.
Join Eileen and David at the Nelson Museum for a multimedia presentation, discussion and book signing. The book showcases a multimedia journey along the Columbia River from source to sea, illuminating its natural wonders and human stories, while also highlighting the challenges facing the region and the people working on sustainable solutions.
This event is FREE and open to the public. Copies of Big River will be available for sale.
