West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

Nelson Culture Days
2023-09-22 - 2023-10-15 | Nelson, Baker St., Nelson, BC, Canada
Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture. At the end of each September, millions of people attend thousands of free participatory arts and culture events across the country both in-person and online. Culture Days programs invite the public to get hands-on and behind-the-scenes to highlight the importance of arts and culture in our communities. Check back for BC and Nelson specific events in 2023.

Arts & Culture Festival
2023-09-23 08:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-23 12:00 - 2023-09-24 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre, 1100 Hwy 3B | Junction of Hwys 3B & 22, Rossland, BC, V0G 1Y0, Canada
Join us at the Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre as we kick off Culture Days with our Arts & Culture Festival, September 23 and 24 from 12 to 4 pm all weekend. Live music & performances, artists & vendors, food & drink! Entry is free, but donations are always appreciated!
PLUS join us from 1:30-3pm on Sunday, September 24th for a free workshop with Lana Jamieson of Black Earth Ceramics. She’ll be showing us how to make whimsical, porcelain, animal-inspired candle holders! We’ll provide the supplies – you just need to bring your ideas, sketches, and inspiration with you! Geared for ages 12 and up. Note: registration is limited to ten people. Sign up by email to info@rosslandmuseum.ca or call 250-362-7722.

This event is supported in part by the Rossland Council for Arts & Culture, Tourism Rossland, Columbia Basin Trust, Teck Trail Operations, Nelson & District Credit Union, and the Province of BC.

Guided Cold War Bunker tours
2023-09-30 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-10-07 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-10-14 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-10-21 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-10-28 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-11-04 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-11-11 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!

On Truth and Reconciliation Day, join us for a FREE community viewing of “Bones of Crows”
2023-09-30 15:30 - 18:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Civic Theatre, 719 Vernon St Suite 103, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4G3, Canada
? Experience the powerful tale of indigenous resilience that spans generations as we commemorate Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30th at the Nelson Civic Theatre! Doors open at 3:30 PM for the screening of the remarkable film “Bones of Crows,” which chronicles the extraordinary life of Aline Spears, a Cree matriarch. ?? 4 PM showtime
? Embark on a profound journey through Aline’s life, immersing yourself in the indomitable spirit of her Cree heritage. From breathtaking ancestral lands to the vibrant cityscape, bear witness to the triumphs, struggles, and unwavering resilience of this incredible woman and her community.
? “Bones of Crows” is a cinematic masterpiece that beautifully portrays the strength, wisdom, and unwavering spirit of indigenous culture. Through Aline’s story, we are reminded of the countless untold narratives that deserve recognition and respect. ??
? By attending this screening, you not only step into the captivating world of “Bones of Crows” but also support the preservation and celebration of indigenous voices in cinema. ?️✊ Join us on this significant day as we honor the legacy of resilience and amplify the voices that deserve to be heard.
? Don’t miss out on reserving your FREE tickets for this unforgettable screening of “Bones of Crows”! Head to the Civic Theatre’s website today and secure your spot. ?️? Let us come together as a community to celebrate indigenous resilience and uplift their stories on this momentous occasion.

Youth Beading Workshops
2023-10-13 16:00 - 17:30, 2023-10-20 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
As Brain Scans / Neurotransmitting nears its end, we are coming together for a series of beading workshops with Nelson Museum Educator Lesley Garlow. Youth workshops are Fridays, October 13 & 20, from 4-5:30pm.
These workshops are FREE and all materials are supplied.

Don't Dress for Dinner
2023-10-13 19:30 - 2023-10-28 22:00 (America/Edmonton) | The Studio Stage Door, 11 11th Ave. S., Cranbrook
Cranbrook Community Theatre is pleased to present “Don’t Dress for Dinner” written by Marc Camoletti and adapted for the stage by Robin Hawdon. This farcical comedy, directed by Patrick Baranowski and produced by Janice Marschner, will be performed on October 13, 14, 19-22*, 25-28 at the Studio Stage Door in Cranbrook BC.
The play’s main character, Bernard, plans a romantic weekend with his mistress at his French farmhouse. When his best friend and secret lover get involved, the situation spirals into a comical frenzy of mistaken identities, confused alibis, and a cook posing as the mistress!The Cast:Matt Van Boeyen: Bernard/RobertBrad McCue: Bernard/RobertNikki Van Boeyen: JackieStephanie Moore: SuzanneTessie Ward: SuzetteBen Philips: GeorgeAll performances start at 7:30pm (doors open at 7pm) except for the *matinee on Oct.22nd which starts at 2pm (doors open at 1:30pm)Concession – cash sales only. Opening Night Gala on Friday October 13thTickets $20

Are You Listening? A one-woman show by Zaynab Mohammed
2023-10-14 14:00 - 15:30, 2023-10-14 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
A woman frees herself from centuries of colonisation and displacement. A personal story revealed through poetic movement and storytelling.
This is a story of a woman who loses her innocence at a young age due to cultural inequity, whilst navigating a terrain foreign to her ancestors. This is how she frees herself from centuries of colonisation and displacement. Zaynab Mohammed reflects upon what she has learned by leaning on the art of listening to herself, to others and to the Earth, in this carefully woven debut one-woman show.
Tickets are $10 for general admission, and $8 for Museum Members (check your email for the promo code!)
Created with support from the Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery and the Nelson & District Arts Council, and with funding from Columbia Basin Trust and Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance.

Nelson Community Guitar Concert
2023-10-14 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson United Church, 602 Silica Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4N1, Canada
Hear local 8 local classical guitarists performing together! This event is free to attend! Sponsored by a Neighbourhood Small Grant and Nelson United Church.

Artist Talk with Ruth and Theo Cuthand
2023-10-20 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
As Brain Scans / Neurotransmitting comes to a close on October 21, join artists Ruth and Theo Jean Cuthand for an artist talk on Friday evening at the Nelson Museum. Share in discussion of topics related to mental health, expression through art, the power of family and kinship, and much more. This is a FREE event open to the public.

Dinner for the Cultured Soul
2023-10-28 18:00 - 22:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Nineteenth Restaurant, 1602 Aaron Rd, Castlegar, BC, V1N 4L6, Canada
October 28, 2023 at The Nineteenth Restaurant. Join your friends for a fundraiser for the Kootenay Gallery of Art, and enjoy a catered four-course meal including an array of appetizers and a complimentary glass of bubbly. Live music provided by the Rob Funk Duo, and don’t forget to bring your wallet to bid on our fantastic live and silent auction items! Pay up to $99, with a game of chance to determine if you win a dinner ticket at a reduced price. To reserve a spot, call the Gallery with your credit card number by October 14 at 250-365-3337. Dress code is smart casual or as posh as you like. We look forward to seeing you there!

Hallow Zine: a Ghostly Zine Workshop w/ Renée Harper
2023-10-29 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Museums and archives are home to all kinds of ghosts, as they hold the remnants of lives lived. What stories are hidden in the Nelson Museum? Explore the answer through writing and art with Selkirk College instructor Renée Harper.
This program is FREE but space is limited. Register by email to programs@nelsonmuseum.ca. Presented with the Elephant Mountain Lit Fest.

Are You Listening? A one-woman show by Zaynab Mohammed
2023-11-02 19:00 - 21:00, 2023-11-03 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
“Zaynab opens her heart and soul to you,” observed Meg Stewart, who was in the audience for the first performance of Zaynab Mohammed’s one-woman show Are You Listening? in the Cold War Bunker. “Her vulnerability allows you to reach into your own.”
The Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery and the Nelson & District Arts Council are presenting two additional performances of Are You Listening?, on November 2 at 7 pm and November 3 at 4 pm.
Are You Listening? is the story of a woman reflecting on what she has learned by leaning on the art of listening to herself, to others, and to the earth. It is the story of a young woman who loses her innocence at a young age due to cultural inequity, and how she finds freedom from centuries of colonization and displacement,

Spirit Moves ART OPENING
2023-11-03 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | SOMA Sound & Events, 444 Baker St., Nelson BC
This exhibit will feature Mexican/Canadian artist, Arturo Arcos, currently living in Squamish, BC, originally from Mexico.
You are invited to experience an evening that is moved by Spirit during a time when the veil thins.
A story of death, life & the human experience depicted by the artist is emotionally engaging, mysterious and contemplative.
Donations are welcomed
Tea and snacks available

Conversations With Poets
2023-11-03 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Langham, 447 A Avenue, Kaslo, BC, V0G 1M0, Canada
Join award-winning authors Jane Byers, Leesa Dean and Rayya Liebich for a lively and thought-provoking evening of readings and discussion. Each author will read from a mix of published and forthcoming work. The readings will be followed by a discussion on art, poetics, and the role of the poet in today’s here and now.

Día De Muertos Cultural Celebration
2023-11-04 16:30 - 18:30 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Studio 88, 402 Victoria St., Nelson, BC, V1L 4K5, Canada
Join us for a heartwarming, family-friendly event that delves into the rich traditions and history of Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead!
We welcome and appreciate any donations to support our celebration.
Event Highlights:
– Altar Creation:
Join us to witness this beautiful tradition and add your own tributes if you wish.
– Paper Flowers Workshop:
Contribute to our communal altar by placing a paper flower in memory of your cherished ones. Purchase paper flower kits for $2 at Cowan’s or create a simple paper flower at the event.
-Presentation on Día De Muertos:
Come learn about Día De Muertos – a celebration which honours the lives of our dear departed souls.
-Poetry Workshop:
Learn the beautiful art of crafting “calaveritas” – short poems dedicated to loved ones who have journeyed beyond.
– Live Music and Dance:
Immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms and movements that celebrate life and honor those who have passed.
– Storytelling:
Share your personal Dia de los Muertos traditions and stories in a special storytelling space. Let’s carry on these cherished traditions together!
Purpose:
This event is a bridge to connect with the multicultural aspects of Dia de los Muertos and offers a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the lives of those departed souls we hold dear. It’s a day to honor and remember, to create, to share, and to connect.
Date: Saturday, November 4th 2023
Time: Drop-in anytime between 4:30-6:30 PM. Feel free to come and go as you please; the listed activities will be happening throughout the event.
Location: Studio 88, 402 Victoria St, Nelson BC
Donations can be done by e-transfer to info@tapatiacollective.com or by cash the day of the event
We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance, Colombia Basin Trust, and Polka Dragon Arts Society for their invaluable support in making this event a reality.

Museum Mash!
2023-11-05 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Museum Mash returns this fall with another round of singalongs, dance performances, circus troupes, writing workshops, and sock puppet shows, designed with kids in mind and for the whole family to enjoy at the Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery.
The doors open at 10 am on Sunday, November 5, with activities and performances scheduled throughout the day, until 3 pm. Performers include the Red Fox Puppet Theatre, Circus Acts Insomniacs, cardmaking in the Archives, the Nelson Writers’ Salon, and much more. Activities and performances will take place throughout the building, including both galleries, the 2nd Floor Museum Exhibit, and the Shawn Lamb Archives.

Seniors’ Workshop Series at the Rossland Museum: Preserving Family Heirlooms
2023-11-08 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver) | Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre, 1100 Hwy 3B | Junction of Hwys 3B & 22, Rossland, BC, V0G 1Y0, Canada
The Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre has organized a hands-on, beginner workshop to help you preserve your family heirlooms. We will be focusing on textiles, photographs, paper, and objects You will learn how to store textiles properly, do basic repairs on objects, do basic document repairs, and encapsulation. You can bring documents from home to repair or encapsulate or you can practice on some pieces from the museum’s education collection.
Entry is by donation with coffee/tea & treats will be provided; space is limited, so please RSVP with Skylar at community@ rosslandmuseum.ca or call 250-362-7722

Kootenay Co-op Radio Fundraiser & Comedy night TAKEOVER
2023-11-08 18:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
Kootenay Coop Radio – Comedy Night TAKEOVER & Fundraiser!

Join us on November 8th at the Royal for a night of laughter, camaraderie, and fantastic performances as Kootenay Coop Radio presents Comedy Night TAKEOVER & Fundraiser! Our fabulous host, Lil’ Mikey, will guide you through an evening of hilarity and fun.

What to Expect:

Live performances from your favorite KCR programmers!
Discover new shows and talents.
Indulge in a delicious dinner.
Enjoy a refreshing pint with friends.
Exclusive access to NEW KCR merchandise!

Come together with fellow KCR enthusiasts, support your community powered radio station, and have a blast at this unforgettable event!
Your presence and contributions make a difference.

Tickets available here: https://www.theroyalnelson.com/events

Son of John Album Release Show
2023-11-10 19:00 - 21:30 (America/Vancouver) | Bailey Theatre, 1501 Cedar Ave., Trail, BC
Son of John Album Release Show, Friday November 10, 2023 at the Bailey Theatre, Trail BC. Show starts at 7:00PM. All tickets are available online at tickets.trail-arts.com, by phone at 250-368-9669, and in person at the Bailey Box Office at 1501 Cedar Ave., Trail.
Son of John will be performing new and familiar songs from their debut album, “Lucky,” produced by John Ellis (Doc Walker, George Canyon, Ridley Bent, Leeroy Stager, Colin James, Be Good Tanyas) with a full band consisting of Jason Thomas (Trail) on guitar, banjo, and slide, Hal Rezansoff (Slocan Valley) on stand up bass, and Don Walker (Nelson) on drums with an opening act by Johnny D. Johnson. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Trail Hospice Society.

Weekly Tango Mini Lesson & Practice
2023-11-15 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!
