West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

Saturday Bunker tours
2025-06-28 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-05 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-12 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-19 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-26 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-02 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.

Click on the link to register. Adult admission required – children under 19 are always free! (https://form-can.keela.co/bunker-tours)

Kootenay Burlesque Festival
2025-06-28 19:30 - 22:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Get ready to be dazzled, delighted, and downright enchanted as the 6th Annual Kootenay Burlesque Festival returns to Nelson on June 27 and 28 at the iconic Capitol Theatre. Presented by local producer and performer Vesper Valentine, this premier weekend event offers two distinct showcase nights celebrating the sensuality, artistry, and spectacle of burlesque and variety performance.
Friday, June 27 – The Dirty & Nerdy Show
Step into a seductive realm where intellect meets irresistible allure. This cheeky, geeky night features acts that blend pop culture, fantasy, and risqué brilliance in a celebration of all things naughty and nerdy.
Saturday, June 28 – The Sparkle & Sass Soirée
An opulent evening of glitz, glam, and grandeur, this showcase brings together burlesque royalty and world-class variety performers. Expect feathers, rhinestones, sass, and spectacle

With Headliners:Qween Qwan – the #1 most influential burlesque performer in the world and winner of Most Dazzling from the Burlesque Hall of FameEros Sea from New OreleansRaphael De La Getto from Colorado
Daft Hunk from Nelson, BC

Feature Performers:Maverick from VancouverPoseidon Davenport from New Orleans

Special Invited GuestLady Sapphire Noir

More than 40 additional performers from across North America will round out the festival with a mix of burlesque, aerials, circus, drag, and vaudeville variety across two themed nights. The weekend also features educational workshops led by professional touring artists. Open to all levels, workshops will be held on Saturday, June 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Intuit Movement Studio.
Tickets and Pricing
Advance tickets are $33 per night, or $38 at the door.
Attend both nights for only $25 per show with a weekend pass.
Tickets are available online or in person at the Capitol Theatre.For full festival details and workshop registration, visit: www.kootenayburlesquefestival.com

Can Jam Link Up Jamaican Food and Music Festival Fundraiser for KERPA
2025-06-29 12:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Millenium Park, 509 1 Avenue, Castlegar, BC, V1N 2R3, Canada
Join us at Millennium Park and Ponds in Castlegar, BC for live music and Jamaican food to raise funds for local charity KERPA!

You’re invited to a family fun day at Millennium Park and Ponds in Castlegar BC this Canada Day long weekend! Enjoy Jamaican cuisine and music, along with vendors for a fantastic fundraiser. Partial proceeds will be awarded to KERPA, we thank you all for your support and generosity in providing extra medical assistance to Castlegar and surrounding areas.

Tea & Textiles
2025-07-02 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-06 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.

Wednesday Bunker Tours
2025-07-02 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-09 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-16 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-23 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-30 13:00 - 14:00 (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.

Wednesday Bunker tours run seasonally from June to September. Saturday Bunker tours are offered year-round. Click on the link to register. Adult admission required – children under 19 are always free!

Taghum Hall Presents: Showman and Coole
2025-07-03 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Taghum Hall, 5915 Taghum Hall Rd, Nelson, V1L 6Y4
SHOWMAN AND COOLESuper-Deluxe Fiddle, Banjo, and Song
With over two decades of collaboration in acclaimed bands like The Foggy Hogtown Boys and The Lonesome Ace Stringband, John Showman and Chris Coole bring a deep, intuitive musical connection to their duo performances. Their sound blends old-time, bluegrass, and folk, weaving together classics from John Hartford and Hank Williams with original tunes full of heart and grit.
Whether delivering fiery fiddle tunes or poignant songs, Showman and Coole create music that’s both timeless and personal. They’ve graced stages across North America and Europe, from Merlefest to the John Hartford Memorial Festival. Their 2022 releases, Afield and Much Further Out than Inevitable, showcase the depth of their artistry and reverence for tradition.
“Showman is one of the very best and most influential fiddle players in Canada.” — Steve Pritchard, CIUT 89.5 FM“Coole…establishes himself as a gripping songwriter.” — Roddy Campbell, Penguin Eggs Magazine

Balfour Daze 2025!
2025-07-05 | Balfour Playing Field, Charles Street, Balfour, BC, Canada
Balfour Daze returns Saturday, July 5, at Balfour Playing Fields with a full day of fun, food and entertainment for all ages! Enjoy a by-donation pancake breakfast, then explore artisan vendors, live music, kids’ activities and fire truck demos. The music lineup features Kootenay Garage Youth Band, Quilombera, Chloe Albert, White Lightning, and Heavy Airship. Celebrate community spirit with neighbours, family and friends at this vibrant summer festival that captures all the things that make Balfour special.

true nature • an environmental group exhibit
2025-07-05 - 2025-08-30 | Gallery 444, 448 Baker St, Nelson, BC, V1L 4H8, Canada
Bringing a voice to the environment, nature, and humanity’s relationship with it.
As we face climate challenges and work to deepen our connections and regenerative practices, a story is conveyed through the eyes of 4 artists.
Barbara Brown • www.BarbaraBrownArt.com
Christopher Mcholm • https://www.instagram.com/chris.mcholm/
Sam Strachan • http://www.alkemyarttherapy.com/
Chrystyna Bykowa • www.BYKOWA.com
Each artist expresses their relationship and inspiration derived from nature through their work. On exhibit for the months of July and August, 2025. Gallery 444 is excited to bring forth a collective portrait, sparking discussions, as to how we may inform and influence our progress towards achieving planetary balance.
*** For online payment $12 includes service fee
*** Alternatively $10 e-transfer to somasoundstudio444@gmail.com or cash at door

Taghum Hall Presents: Alison Luthmers
2025-07-07 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Taghum Hall, 5915 Taghum Hall Rd, Nelson, V1L 6Y4
Alison LuthmersCanadian-American Baroque Violinist
Alison Luthmers is a dynamic and sought-after Baroque violinist, celebrated for her expressive playing and adventurous programming. She performs internationally as a leader, soloist, and chamber musician with ensembles such as Concerto Copenhagen, Barokksolistene, Arte dei Suonatori, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Her upcoming solo debut—Assaggi by Johan Helmich Roman—will be released by Rubicon Classics in April 2025.
A founding member of the Bellevue String Quartet, Scandinavia’s only full-time period instrument quartet, Luthmers engages audiences with imaginative and intimate concerts. She is also the artistic director of BookJam, a Malmö-based concert series blending chamber music with literature in a cozy bookstore setting.
With a background in both modern and Baroque violin, and a keen interest in the intersections of folk, early music, and dance, Luthmers continues to shape a vibrant and distinctive career on stages across Europe and North America.

KOOTENAY COMEDY OPEN MIC
2025-07-09 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!

Taghum Hall Present: Pierre Bensusan
2025-07-12 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Taghum Hall, 5915 Taghum Hall Rd, Nelson, V1L 6Y4
Pierre BensusanMister DADGAD – Virtuoso Guitarist, Composer, Vocalist
Described as “the guitar given free reign to play itself,” French-Algerian acoustic guitar legend Pierre Bensusan is a world-renowned master of the DADGAD tuning, blending folk, jazz, classical, and world music into a truly singular voice. A trailblazer on the global stage for over four decades, Bensusan has captivated audiences with his emotive playing, rich vocals, and genre-defying compositions.
Winner of the Independent Music Award for his live triple album Encore and voted Best World Music Guitarist by Guitar Player readers, Pierre’s influence spans generations—from Michael Hedges naming a piece after him to collaborations with artists like Donny Osmond and praise from Steve Vai, Tommy Emmanuel, and Mark Knopfler.
Often called “The Prince of DADGAD,” Pierre’s performances are intimate journeys filled with innovation, depth, and raw beauty—an artist whose music transcends borders and touches the soul.

Glacier Watercolour Workshop
2025-07-12 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Edmonton) | Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, 320 Wilson Street, Revelstoke, V0E 2S0
Glacier Watercolour Workshop | Parks Canada
Hosted by Lara Davis
Paint the Glaciers with Us!
As part of the Parks Canada Glacier Festival, we’re excited to partner with Parks Canada to offer a special Glacier Watercolour Workshop at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre.
Join us for a creative evening where you’ll learn how to paint icy blues, snowy textures, and the beauty of alpine landscapes using watercolour. Whether you’re an experienced artist or a total beginner, this workshop is for everyone.
Saturday, July 12
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
RVAC Kitchen Studio
$35 All Materials Provided
Ages 16+
Come solo or bring a friend — no experience necessary. We look forward to seeing you there!
Register on our website: https://revelstokeartgallery.ca/education/

Opening Ceremony **July 19 **for 'Window to the Past' Japanese Canadians in Sandon
2025-07-18 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Edmonton) | Sandon Museum, Slocan Star Street, Sandon, V0G 1S0
You’re invited!
On behalf of the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society, the Sandon Historical
Society is honoured to invite you to the opening ceremony for our new
permanent exhibit entitled â€œWindow to the Past â€“ Japanese Canadians in
Sandonâ€.
The event will be held from 2 pm on Saturday, July 19, at the Burns
building adjacent to the Sandon Historical Society Museum in Sandon, BC,
on unceded Sinixt territory.
A storefront exhibit on the history of Nikkei interned in Sandon from
1942-1944, â€œWindow to the Pastâ€ will be displayed all year round in
the windows of the newly refurbished Burns replica building.
The interpretive panels feature stories of Sandonâ€™s Japanese Canadian
residents, sharing the history of their displacement from the West Coast
and the establishment of community life in Sandon before their eventual
departure.
The exhibit began with a project proposal from the Sandon Historical
Society and was subsequently made possible with guidance and funding from
the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society. After a welcome from the Sinixt
First Nation, representatives of both societies will speak briefly during
the ceremony, and we will recognize some of those dedicated folks â€“ from
Vancouver to Toronto â€“ who were involved in bringing this important
exhibit to fruition.
The event will be accessible with parking coordinated at the site with a
drop-off area, and there will be some covered seating available. We will
be offering light refreshments at the event and free museum admission all
day.
If you have any questions about the event or the exhibit itself, please
feel free to contact us at
SandonMuseum@netidea.com<mailto:SandonMuseum@netidea.com>.
We hope to see you in Sandon!
https://facebook.com/events/s/window-to-the-past-japanese-ca/1668424183869059/

Starbelly Jam Music Festival
2025-07-18 17:00 - 2025-07-20 22:00 (America/Vancouver) | Crawford Bay
NOT TOO BIG, NOT TOO SMALL…

Starbelly Jam is a special festival; great entertainment, great food, great people, lots of happy kids and room to play — we’ve deliberately steered the festival away from getting too big or becoming too crowded; this festival’s success is all about the celebration of life through music, friendship and having a fun time for all in a safe and secure environment.

Opening Reception: kt̓kmin uɬ c̓ik̓ʷm (mark and make light)
2025-07-18 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Oxygen Art Centre, 320 Vernon St Unit-3, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4E4, Canada
Join us at our Opening Reception for kt̓kmin uɬ c̓ik̓ʷm (mark and make light), an exhibition by artists Manuel Axel-Strain and Kalli Van Stone, on Friday, July 18, 2025, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Oxygen Art Centre.

The artists, Manny + Kalli, will be in attendance and we’re very excited to share the new body of work they develop while in residence from July 14 to July 18, 2025. Light refreshments will be provided and the event is free to attend.

More information about the artists and the project can be found here.

Please contact info[at]oxygenartcentre[dot]org with any questions about the event, access to the facility, or for more information about the project.

InSight: Creative Soma Studio
2025-07-26 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Sanctuary Art Therapy, 406 Josephine St #203, Nelson, V1L 1W3
Join in on a gentle journey inward through somatic inquiry and art therapy. Using focusing oriented art therapy techniques we’ll explore a felt sense to experience the body’s innate wisdom to guide us towards new insight and self awareness.

Free Copper Etching Workshop
2025-07-27 11:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Slocan Valley Threads Guild,, 7112 Perrys Back Road, Winlaw, V0G 2J0
Metal Arts Guild Slocan Valley
and sponsors invite you to a
Free Copper Etching Workshop
Sunday July 27, 11-4
At the Slocan Valley Threads Guild in Winlaw
7112 Perrys Back Road, Winlaw, B.C.
Adults only, email to register
magslovalley@gmail.com

On BEAUTY, As We Come to it in the Forest
2025-07-27 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | Gallery 444, 448 Baker St, Nelson, BC, V1L 4H8, Canada
A Film Screening & Book Reading, special evening event, during the “true nature • environmental group exhibit” at Gallery 444, Nelson
Barbara Brown will be showing the film: “On BEAUTY, As We Come to it in the Forest”.
This film is a half-hour deep dive into the beauty, the wonder, and the wisdom of the forest, through her eyes as an artist. It features the stunning cinematography of filmmaker Isaac Carter, with a gorgeous original soulful soundtrack by Noel Fudge.
After the film Barbara will give readings from her book and sign copies of “Volume II: SYLVAN REFLECTIONS: Wanderings, Painting sand Ponderings from the Forest”.
From the back cover: “Filled with the poetry of the soul, insightful quotes and delightful pictures, Barbara Brown gives us a peek into the transformative power of spending time in the wild woods. Using her artistic talent, Barbara’s book succeeds in bringing us into the enchanted realm of a healthy forest, where we may find ourselves soothed, heartened, inspired, uplifted and healed.”~ Ellen Dee Davidson, Author of The Miracle Forest and Sacred Forest Bathing

ArtWalk 2025 Opening Night
2025-08-01 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Downtown Nelson, Various, BC, Canada
Join the Nelson District Arts Council for the annual ArtWalk Opening night on Friday, August 1st. Wander the street checking out the art at over 20 venues, listen to music and be entertained as you stroll.
