West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

Guided Cold War Bunker tours
2024-09-14 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-09-21 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-09-28 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!

Arts & Culture Festival
2024-09-14 12:00 - 2024-09-15 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre, 1100 Hwy 3B | Junction of Hwys 3B & 22, Rossland, BC, V0G 1Y0, Canada
Join us on the Rossland Museum lawn for live music and fun for the whole family at our annual Arts & Culture Festival, September 14th and 15th from 12 to 4 pm all weekend. In partnership with the Rossland IncrEdible Market, we’ll be featuring Kootenay artisans, vendors, and food trucks! Not to mention: art workshops, a bouncy castle, lawn games, scavenger hunt, and crafts to make this the perfect event to enjoy on a September afternoon.
Sign up for a ceramics workshop with Lana Jamieson at 1pm on Saturday – we’ll be making porcelain ghost-shaped candle holders! At 1pm Sunday, Erin Shuttleworth of VISAC Gallery will be offering a styrofoam plate printing workshop! These workshops are free, but space is limited, so please register in advance! Make this your weekend’s main event, or stop by to enjoy our food, music, and artisans before an exciting evening at Between the Peaks music festival.
This Festival is an opportunity for our region’s local visual and performing artists to showcase their talents to the public as we celebrate the spectacular culture in our area with live music, artist demos, artisan booths, and more. Entry is free, but donations are always appreciated!
This event is supported in part by Tourism Rossland, Columbia Power, the Columbia Basin Trust, the Nelson & District Credit Union, Teck Trail Operations, the Province of BC, and the Government of Canada.

The Last Arcade
2024-09-14 18:00 - 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | Oxygen Art Centre, 320 Vernon St Unit-3, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4E4, Canada
Presented by Club 86ed with support from the Moonflower Collective arts grant The Last Arcade at Oxygen Art Centre is a celebration of 1990’s and early 2000’s video games and dance music. Compete for a $50 cash prize in our NES Tetris tournament, relive console and arcade greatness, channel surf our custom cable system, or just bask in the CRT glow while the beats bump. All ages, abilities and skill levels welcome.
tpwtr is a local glunk (glitchy lofi funk) artist who is very excited to share some new music featuring a famous hedgehog.

Elk Valley Pride Festival
2024-09-18 - 2024-09-22 | Fernie, Fernie, BC
A rainbow celebreation of Pride in the mountains! This 5-day festival features Spectrum Queer Arts Day, Drag Brunch, Storytine, Rainbow Reads, Rainbow Reels, and so much more!

Weekly Tango Mini Lesson & Practice
2024-09-18 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-09-25 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-10-02 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!

Crystal Journey In Nelson, BC. Tagum Hall
2024-09-19 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Taghum Hall, 5915 Taghum Hall Rd, Nelson, V1L 6Y4
Thursday, September 19thTaghum Hall5915 Taghum Hall RdNelson, BC7:00-9:00pm$25/PersonTickets Available @
https://www.taghumhall.ca/event-details/crystal-journey-with-david-hickey
And At The Door

Bring Yoga Mat Or Blanket To Lie On

What You Can Expect From Crystal Journey:
The show will take place in two 40 to 50 minute sets. David’s usual set up includes 6 Quartz Crystal Bowls, 8 Paiste Planet Gongs, 2 Persian Santoors & Harmonica.

Rural Theatre & Performance Lab
2024-09-20 | Vallican Whole Community Centre, 3762 Little Slocan South Road, Vallican, British Columbia, V0G2J0, Canada
A Country Road Rural Theatre Lab is an artist-focused series of workshops, discussions, performances and community networking events for local theatre and performance artists. It will be hosted at the Vallican Whole Community Centre from September 20th to 22nd.
The event will feature workshops in dramaturgy, acting, vocals, viewpoints, improv, clowning, and devising, as well as a roundtable discussion on local rural production and the New Works Cabaret, a showcase of short new theatre pieces by local artists.
Registration is by sliding scale, and open to artists at any stage of their craft. To learn more or to register, visit www.ruraltheatrelab.com.
Financial support for this project generously provided by the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance and the Columbia Basin Trust.

‘Witness Blanket’ closing ceremony
2024-09-20 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
The Witness Blanket closes this Friday, September 20 at the Nelson Museum. This FREE event is open to the public, and will feature a screening of the 8-minute version of the documentary, as well as jingle dancers and speakers. The event starts at 6 pm and seating will be limited.

Argenta Fall Faire
2024-09-21 12:00 - 22:00 (America/Vancouver) | Argenta Community Hall, 1024 Argenta Rd, Argenta ., British Columbia, V0G1B0, Canada
The Argenta Fall Faire is a family friendly community celebration!

Market: noon – 5pm

Live music into the evening!

BRAVE NEW WORKS – a Theatre Cabaret
2024-09-21 19:00 - 21:30 (America/Vancouver) | Vallican Whole Community Centre, 3762 Little Slocan South Road, Vallican, British Columbia, V0G2J0, Canada
Join us at A Country Road Rural Theatre Lab for BRAVE NEW WORKS, a night of theatrical excerpts, works-in-progress, experiments, and new work!
On Saturday, September 21st at 7:30PM, Writer/Creator/Performers from around the Kootenays are bringing short pieces of new work to share… who knows what we’ll see!

BRAVE NEW WORKS is just one piece of a weekend-long event for rural theatre creators.Learn more about the Rural Theatre Lab at www.ruraltheatrelab.com.
Tickets to the Cabaret are sliding scale $10-20. Come out & support Kootenay creators.

The Lab is generously supported by the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance and the RDCK.

Open Mic
2024-09-21 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!

NERDLESQUE – ANIMATION FLIRTATION
2024-09-21 20:30 - 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada

Rossland Gallery Series Opening – Jaydlyn Joan
2024-09-26 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Vancouver) | Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre, 1100 Hwy 3B | Junction of Hwys 3B & 22, Rossland, BC, V0G 1Y0, Canada
The Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre Gallery Series continues with a special showing of local artist Jaydlyn Joan’s work, “Burning the Koots!” Join us on opening night at 5:30 pm, September 26th for an address from the artist, refreshments, and time to take in the new exhibit with friends. Come check out Jaydlyn’s incredible pyrography and for those who can’t make it to the opening night, Jaydlyn’s exhibit will remain onsite from September 26th to October 10th in the Museum’s Entrance Gallery, where interested parties may also purchase the artwork. RSVP for opening night: https://rossland-museum.square.site/product/rmdc-gallery-series-opening-burning-the-koots-with-jaydlyn-joan/817

STOODIS Indigenous Film Festival
2024-09-27 - 2024-09-30 | Nelson Civic Theatre, 719 Vernon St Suite 103, Nelson, BC, BC V1L 4G3, Canada
In 2023, the STOODIS Indigenous Film Festival debuted, exploring the film industry’s “Colonial Gaze” and immersing audiences in authentic Indigenous narratives. Thomas King’s words, “The truth about stories, is that’s all we are,” underscored the festival’s emphasis on the profound impact of storytelling, particularly on youth.
The festival’s design draws inspiration from the Medicine Wheel, a symbol of cultural significance, representing life’s various facets for Indigenous communities. STOODIS aims to promote the normalization and celebration of Indigenous presence and perspectives. In the predominantly rural, settler community in which we live, the festival seeks to cultivate knowledge, support, and humanization of Indigenous people, fostering a shared understanding of past, present, and future.
In 2024, STOODIS will offer a celebration of diverse and compelling storytelling through film, live performances, and community engagement and conversations. The festival aims to showcase the work of emerging and established Indigenous artists while fostering a sense of community and cultural exchange. This year, STOODIS will spotlight global Indigenous resistance, excellence, and resurgence.

‘Utopia Unveiled’ Closing Party
2024-09-27 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
We wrap up the Utopia Unveiled exhibition at the Nelson Museum with a closing party with performances from Carol Gaskin and Laura Landsberg. Gaskin’s performance, Untangling: The Art of Honouring Ancestors, features collage video and poetry reading. Landsberg’s piece, Lines: tracing an unconventional story through Poetry and Music uses song, poetry, and art to craft spontaneous compositions.
This event is FREE and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Sexsmith at Sixty
2024-09-27 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Sexsmith At Sixty – Capitol Season
Adult $35
Senior #31.50
Under 30 $10
Ron Sexsmith is one of Canada’s most accomplished singer-songwriters. He has collaborated with the likes of Daniel Lanois, Mitchell Froom, Ane Brun, Tchad Blake, and Bob Rock. His songwriting appears on albums from Rod Stewart, Michael Bublé, k.d. lang, Emmylou Harris and Feist. His inimitable work has drawn praise from the likes of Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello and Chris Martin to name just a few. He has been awarded 3 Juno Awards, having been nominated 15 times including eight nods for Songwriter of the Year.

Hippie Happening dance with Paisley Groove
2024-09-28 20:30 - 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | Nakusp, 608 Broadway Street, Nakusp, British Columbia, V0G 1R0, Canada
ALFA Guild Nakusp presents Hippie Happening live music/dance with Paisley Groove.
Sept 28 at the Nakusp Arena Auditorium.
19+ Doors at 8:30, Band 9pm, last call 11:30pm
Tickets: $25 avail at the Nakusp Bon Marche and Homegrown Market. Avail at the Silverton General Store starting August 29th. Also avail from Karen 250-863-7633 for pickup the night of the event.
Wear your grooviest 60’s and 70’s styles!

Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it Flag Raising
2024-09-30 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Edmonton) | Fernie City Hall, 501 3rd Ave, Fernie
The City of Fernie is honoured to be joining Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it Leadership for a flag raising ceremony on September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.National Truth and Reconciliation Day is a day to honour the Residential School Survivors, the children who never returned home, their families and communities, and the inter-generational impacts of residential schools.We invite you to attend this important ceremony.

National Truth and Reconciliation Day and Orange Shirt Day
2024-09-30 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Edmonton) | Saint Eugene Mission, V0B 1N0
Join us on September 30th at 10am.We will gather in front of the St Eugene mission. From there we will walk to Crying Hill together.
Lunch will follow.
Everyone is welcome. Show your support. Wear some orange.

Orange Shirt Day
2024-09-30 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Vancouver) | 1801 Connors Road
Orange Shirt Day is a significant occasion dedicated to recognizing the enduring impact of Canada’s residential school system on Indigenous communities. This day is a powerful reminder of the resilience of Indigenous peoples and the ongoing need for reconciliation and understanding. For several years, COINS Elders and Staff have organized a public event to acknowledge the experiences of those affected by this history, including children, survivors, and their families. We warmly welcome everyone in the community to join us on September 30th to commemorate this important day, deepen understanding of the past, and offer a space for healing and connection. This year’s event will be held at the Castlegar COINS office, located at 1801 Connors Road, from 11 am to 1 pm, regardless of weather conditions.
If you’d like to volunteer on this day, please contact supporteddevelopmentwk@coinations.net

Walk and Gathering for Truth and Reconciliation
2024-09-30 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Vancouver) | 110 2nd Street, 110 2nd Street, Revelstoke
??:?? ???? ?? ??? ??? ???? ??????? ???, ??? ? ?? ?
??:?? ???? ??? ????? & ??????????????Route:Start at RCU back parking lot, 110 2 St W (off Connaught St).Go down the alley to First StTurn right on First StTurn right on MackenzieTurn right on 4thTurn left on Campbell AveContinue on to Centennial Park DriveEnd at Worker’s Memorial in Centennial Park
?:?? ???? & ????????? At Centennial Park (near the Worker’s Memorial)Potluck* + food provided by the Neighbourhood Kitchen.Bring your own beverages and chairs / picnic blanket*
?:?? ???? ?????? Led by a member of our Indigenous community.Please bring a drum* if you would like.
*You can drop your chairs, potluck items, drums etc, off at 11:30 at the park before heading to the start of the walk.

??????????We need volunteers to help run the event.If you’re interested please submit this formhttps://forms.gle/y1wwB6Za5876czzU7

National Truth and Reconciliation Day
2024-09-30 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Vancouver) | Lakeside Park, Nelson, V1L 5S4, Canada
THE WEST KOOTENAY METIS SOCIETY WILL HOST AN OPEN TRC DAY AT LAKESIDE PARK IN NELSON INDIGENOUS VENDORS ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE AND ENGAGE WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY !!! WE WELCOME ALL / ANY DRUMMERS AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, SHARE STORIES AND EXPERIENCE IN A SAFE AND RESPECTFUL WAY.
Following the 12pm closing ceremonies of Stoodis Film Festival, come down to Lakeside for fresh bannock and more food and community

RUTH & SHELBY PRESENT: BOOT SCOOTIN’ BOOGIE
2024-10-01 20:00 - 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
YEEHAW! Dust off your boots and dive into the heart of 90s country. Start off the evening by learning a line dance led by Fabiola Gascon, and then get ready to boot scoot the night away under the neon moon.

Tea & Textiles
2024-10-02 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.

SPECIAL FILM SCREENING: Snk̛míp Dig Deeper
2024-10-03 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre, 1100 Hwy 3B | Junction of Hwys 3B & 22, Rossland, BC, V0G 1Y0, Canada
The Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre is proud to present an Autonomous Sinixt and Valhalla Foundation for Ecology production, Snk̛míp Dig Deeper on Thursday, October 3rd at the Rossland Museum. This event is open by donation (suggested $12-$15), with proceeds after costs going to support the efforts of the Autonomous Sinixt. Register for the showing here: https://square.link/u/NCdKRENO For more information: www.rosslandmuseum.ca/news/2024/snkmp-dig-deeper
About the film: As an idealistic conservation group strives to restore a damaged wetland, tensions escalate with off-road motorized users. A startling revelation uncovers the site’s Indigenous history, propelling us on a transformative journey that makes us ‘dig deeper’ to understand whose land this truly is.

Centre 64 Art Exhibition
2024-10-04 - 2024-11-04 | 64 Deer Park Ave, 64 Deer Park Ave, Kimberley, BC, V1A 2J2
George C. Hogg, “An Artist’s Odessey- 60 years of Landscapes and Cultural Expression”. Oct 4th-Nov 13th. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 12-4pm closed Sunday & Monday & Statutory Holidays
