West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

Pollination Pathways Speaker Series
2024-02-15 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
The Nelson Museum and the Kootenay Native Plant Society are presenting Pollination Pathways, a speaker series that takes a look at how to support resilient ecosystems in the Kootenays, and the research that is driving the recovery of plant-pollination networks.

February 15 topics:
– Blossoms and Butterflies in BC Parks
– Milkweed and Monarchs in the West Kootenay

Stay and explore the Elevation exhibition, which includes additional research from KNPS, as well as specimens, stories, artifacts, maps, and incredible art pieces that speak to the peaks and valleys of life in a mountain town.
This event is FREE and open to the public. No registration required.

Creative Collab Canvas: Discover Your Artistic Spirit
2024-02-17 | 167 Deer Park Avenue, Kimberley, BC, V1A 2J5, 167 Deer Park Avenue, Kimberley, V1A 2J5
Artist Michele Doucette invites the community to discover their creativity during FLANNEL FEST and the Family Day weekend. Join us at Art Gallery Kimberley on Saturday, February 17th, for an exciting community paint project. Participants will have the opportunity to work with paint markers and contribute to the creation of a collaborative canvas, which will be featured in Michele’s upcoming solo exhibition at the gallery in the summer. It’s a chance to leave your mark on a collective masterpiece.Whether you’re an experienced artist or just enjoy looking at art, this event promises fun and inspiration for all. Mark your calendars and join us for a day of creativity.

Hot Chocolate Mugs: Supporting Local Artisans and a Worthy Cause
2024-02-17 | 167 Deer Park Avenue, Kimberley, BC, V1A 2J5, 167 Deer Park Avenue, Kimberley, V1A 2J5
Indulge in the ultimate winter treat while supporting a charitable cause! Art Gallery Kimberley is delighted to partner with Centre 64 Ceramics and Grow – Cake & Chocolate to offer handmade ceramic mugs filled with delicious hot chocolate. These handmade mugs, crafted by the potters at Centre 64, will be available for purchase at “The Laundromat”, 167 Deer Park Avenue in Kimberley, BC.Proceeds from the mug sales will directly benefit Centre 64’s ceramic studio, assisting in acquiring new equipment vital for its operations. It’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a cosy beverage while making a meaningful contribution to the local arts community.

Guided Cold War Bunker tours
2024-02-17 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-02-24 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-03-02 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-03-09 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!

Winterfest 2024
2024-02-17 17:00 - 21:00 (America/Edmonton) | Valemount
Valemount Winterfest 2024
-DJ, live music and light show
-Ice carver and sculpture
-Warming stations and food vendors

BC Family Day at the Museum
2024-02-18 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre, 1100 Hwy 3B | Junction of Hwys 3B & 22, Rossland, BC, V0G 1Y0, Canada
Get ready for BC Family Day – we’re gearing up for an incredible celebration at the Museum on Sunday, February 18th, from 10 am to 4 pm with a snow-filled family day extravaganza! Explore our snow maze, race down our tobogganing hill, unleash your creativity with snow painting, and build the perfect snowman. Try out our family-friendly crafts and warm up by the campfire as we treat you to delicious maple taffy, hot chocolate, and hot apple cider. To top it all off, snuggle down for a family-friendly film screening in the Cominco theatre. Entry by Donation.

Heritage Week at the Rossland Museum
2024-02-20 10:00 - 2024-02-25 18:00 (America/Vancouver) | Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre, 1100 Hwy 3B | Junction of Hwys 3B & 22, Rossland, BC, V0G 1Y0, Canada
We’ll be celebrating BC Heritage Week with entry by donation – from Tuesday to Sunday, February 20 to 25th. This year’s theme is “Layer By Layer” – and boy, do we have layers to showcase with Red Mountain in our mining and skiing history exhibits – including our newly launched Digital Museums Canada virtual exhibit Gold Mining to Gold Medals: A Century of Ski Racing in Rossland.
Drop by the Museum to check out our exhibits or explore them from home at www.rosslandmuseum.ca.

Indigenous Reads Book Club
2024-02-21 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
2024-02-21 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-02-28 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-03-06 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-03-13 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!

Nelson & District Arts Council AGM
2024-02-22 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Our AGM is coming up!

Join us on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 7:00pm for NDAC’s annual general meeting, where we will look back at the fantastic programs and accomplishments from this year. Featuring performances and presentations by Sarah Orton, Quinn Barron, Greg Marrast, Megan Hyslop, Rob Fahie and the NDAC board of directors.

Location: Nelson Museum, Archive, and Gallery’s Cold War Bunker (enter between 502 and 514 Vernon Street, not at the main museum entrance)

Membership: We are in the process of switching to a new membership payment system. Memberships purchased before February 2023 will not be automatically renewed during this changeover period. You can renew your membership online and etransfer payment to info@ndac.ca .

Unsure of the status of your membership? Email info@ndac.ca

Renew your membership online here : https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSc4nE6Aht38CS…/viewform

More info: https://www.ndac.ca/agm/

Artist Talk with Naomi Bourque
2024-02-23 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Using traditional techniques for gathering, tanning, embroidering, and embellishment, Nelson-based textile artist Naomi Bourque has reimagined the intersection of function and beauty in her latest project, ‘Medicine Harvest’ – a series of ten ponchos constructed with natural materials, including deer hide, antler, birch bark, and plant dyes.

Three of the ponchos in the series will be on display during an artist talk at the Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery on Friday, February 23 at 7pm. Naomi will discuss her approach to her practice, ‘Medicine Harvest’, and the Indigenous Fashion Arts Biennial – the prestigious fashion event held in Toronto this spring. The ponchos are being created as part of an artist residency at Selkirk College; Bourque is a graduate of the Kootenay School of the Arts Jewelry and Small Object Design program (2013), the Sculptural Metal program (2015), and the Textiles program (2023).

The artist talk is free and open to the public, no registration is required. For more information about the exhibition and events at the Museum, visit nelsonmuseum.ca

The Cherry Orchard – Freezing Point Play Reading Series
2024-02-23 19:30 - 22:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson United Church, 602 Silica Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4N1, Canada
Black Productions Presents Freezing Point: A Play Reading Series

The Cherry Orchard
By Anton Chekov
Directed by Lindsay Clague
Cast TBA soon

Friday, February 23rd, 2024
7:30pm
Nelson United Church
10$ donation at the door

What exactly is a play reading?

A play reading is the most basic version of a play. Actors deliver their lines directly from the script with minimal direction and movement, but in character and with gusto. There are no technical elements such as props, costumes or lighting, but someone reads the stage directions aloud to give the audience the context for each scene.

(from What’s a Play Reading and Why is it Cool? By Andrew Kleindon)

OKAN
2024-02-28 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Edmonton) | Golden Civic Centre, 806 10th Avenue S, Golden, BC
Toronto-based OKAN is a woman-led Afro-Cuban ensemble that beautifully integrates jazz, Latin, and folk rhythms. Their roots are deep, yet the music they make is contemporary, exciting, and sophisticated. This is a must-see performance.

Tea & Textiles
2024-03-06 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.

Royal BC Museum Community Conversations at the Rossland Museum
2024-03-06 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Vancouver) | Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre, 1100 Hwy 3B | Junction of Hwys 3B & 22, Rossland, BC, V0G 1Y0, Canada
The Royal BC Museum and the Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre officially invite the community to join us for a Community Conversation on Wednesday, March 6th at 5:30 pm up at the Museum. Community conversations are an opportunity to gather with your community for a focused conversation on how a reimagined Royal BC Museum could better serve and represent people living throughout BC.
Touching on topics including the Format and Location of the new RBCM site, Indigenous Reconciliation and UNDRIP Implementation, Diversity and Representation, and Inclusion and Accessibility. This is also an opportunity for a sneak peek at Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre’s own renewal plans.
Snacks and drinks will be provided. Come play a role in shaping how our heritage is communicated locally and across the province! Connect with Skylar at community@rosslandmuseum.ca for any questions or further information.
RSVP for this free event here: https://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/visit/events/calendar/event/community-conversation-rossland

PRODUCER JAM NIGHT (NELSON) | A night of collaboration
2024-03-06 18:00 - 21:30 (America/Vancouver) | Jam Factory Co-working Space, 303 Vernon St., Nelson, V1L4E3, Canada
Finally! A night for Producers, Beatmakers, and Electronic Music Composers to jam for fun!
WHAT IS IT? It’s a night of collaboration games for Producers, Beat-Makers, and Electronic Music Composers, of all genres, DAWs, and skill levels.
Join us for a fun music collaboration event tailored for electronic music composers and producers. Bring your Headphones and laptop with your preferred DAW or hardware such as MPC, Maschine, Push3, or others.
The event is on March 6th from 6-9:30 pm at “The Jam Factory”, 303 Vernon St, Nelson, BC V1L 4E3. This inaugural event kicks off a series of monthly jams, each featuring a unique collaboration “game” or “style”. Here’s how it works:
Seed Creation: We’ll provide a “Seed” – a sample, stems, or a found sound (like popcorn popping).
Production Phase: Spend the first hour creating elements (drums, bass, synths, chops, etc.) inspired by or derived from the Seed.
Stem Sharing: Export your audio stems and upload them to a shared Dropbox or USB.
Collaboration Phase: In the remaining hour, combine uploaded elements from other participants as you see fit.
Show and Tell: Conclude with a showcase and Q&A session.
This collaborative approach, dubbed “Co-Independent Collaboration”, aims to foster community networking, enhance creative decision-making skills, boost confidence, and inspire both new and seasoned electronic composers. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to have fun, learn, and connect with fellow music enthusiasts!
RECAP:
-Date: March 6th
-Time: 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
-Location: The Jam Factory, 303 Vernon St, Nelson, BC V1L 4E3
-Cost: $5 participation fee (to cover space rental)
What to Bring:
-Laptop with preferred DAW
-Hardware if you prefer (e.g., MPC, Maschine, Push3)
-Headphones
QUESTIONS?
Text or call: 1 250 505 7725
SEE YOU THERE!
Oh! and don’t forget to bring a friend!

Langham Gallery Opening Night
2024-03-08 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Langham, 447 A Avenue, Kaslo, BC, V0G 1M0, Canada
Save The Date!! Friday March 8th from 7-9 pm. Join us for the opening night of 2 exhibitions at the Langham.
Monstro, Monstrare by Calgary based ceramic artist Yvonne Kustec.
Here’s to You, Fair Lady, guest curated by Kootenay Lake Archives, Elizabeth Scarlett, and Maggie Tchir celebrating the Langham Cultural Society’s 50th Anniversary. So come out and enjoy an evening of celebrating art and history at the Langham.

Spotlight: International Womens Day Special
2024-03-08 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Edmonton) | 601 1st Ave, Fernie BC
Join us this special edition of Spotlights to celebrate International Women’s day in partnership with the Fernie Women’s Resource centre featuring local female performers!
Bring your friends for a fun evening out to support the Fernie Women’s Resource centre. All funds raised will go to supporting their causes in the Elk Valley. Each ticket includes a $10 donation. There are also options to add a further donation when you register or on the night!
Doors at 7pm, Show begins promptly at 8pm
$10 Donation included in ticket price!
March Spotlight will Feature:
The Audielles An ensemble of ladies living locally in Fernie, BC, The Audielles sing a variety of different arrangements. These ladies leave your soul feeling full & bubbly. Their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. A joy to see and hear them all take pleasure in the art of singing!
Anie Hepher With her clear and fearless vocals Anie Hepher invites the crowd to ponder family, laughter, heartache, loneliness, love, connection, fields, boats, ponies & railroads. Her original music is built around her pure and unfettered voice.
Rachel Behan Local legend and member of ‘The Hark Raving Sirens’, Rachel Behan sings with the clarity of a bell. She teaches voice lessons here at the Arts Station for a reason!
Shelby Knudsen She has been a member of the all-female band Wild Honey for a decade. Together they
released two albums and continue to play stages all over Western Canada. She grew up in Cranbrook,
but made Fernie her home a dozen years ago. She loves to write and isn’t picky about the medium.
Songs and magazine articles, short stories and novels. She’s the author of Mountain Girl, has another
novel ready to be released, and is thrilled to be back with a monthly column for The Fernie Fix. This is
her first solo show.
Naena Robinson A true Fernie local who loves to share her passion for singing with our community. She has played many shows at Bramasole, The Loaf, Crumbs and more!

SHE RHYTHMES & RIDES
2024-03-08 20:00 - 23:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
Presented by The West Kootenay Francophone Association, at the Royal in Nelson on Friday March 8th @ 8PM
An International Women’s Day Celebration with performances by
BELLA CAT
CAT BIRD
OONA & ANNA
LEXA VOLT & IVY QUINN
DJ MP & DJ MADBEATS
with a Retro Sports Outfit Contest!

Museum Mash!
2024-03-10 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Museum Mash returns this spring with another round of singalongs, performances, cardboard box forts, and sock puppet shows, designed with kids in mind and for the whole family to enjoy at the Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery. Museum Mash provides the space for kids to be kids and shows them that museums and galleries aren’t devoid of movement and sound but are in fact exceptional places of learning and fun. This event is FREE and open the public of all ages.

Kootenay Entrepreneurs Group (KEG)
2024-03-12 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Vancouver) | Torchlight Brewing Co., 125 Hall St, Nelson, BC, V1L 7B4
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!
Join us at Torchlight on the 2nd Tuesday at 5:30pm starting on March 12th!

Weaving together people and place – creating a climate of regeneration, March 15 at noon on Zoom.
2024-03-15 08:00 - 17:00, 2024-03-15 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom
For our next noon hour webinar, West Kootenay Climate Hub looks forward to exploring the concept of bioregionalism within our own community, including examples of on the ground regenerative projects and how we can deepen ecological connections. Jan Inglis will lead us through what is meant by bioregionalism and why it is important to re-orient ourselves to living within ancient boundaries of watersheds and our bioregional commons instead of just orienting ourselves to recent political and civic boundaries.

Climate Hub Webinar: Weaving together people and place – creating a climate of regeneration
2024-03-15 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom
West Kootenay Climate Hub looks forward to exploring the concept of bioregionalism within our own community, including examples of on the ground regenerative projects and how we can deepen ecological connections. Jan Inglis will lead us through what is meant by bioregionalism and why it is important to re-orient ourselves to living within ancient boundaries of watersheds and our bioregional commons instead of just orienting ourselves to recent political and civic boundaries.
More details here: https://www.westkootenayclimatehub.ca/event-details/march2024-webinar
