West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

DIRTWIRE W/ LION-S & THE CIRCUS ACTS INSOMIACS
2024-04-27 19:00 - 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | Spiritbar, 422 Vernon St, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4E5
19+, ID required
Presented by The Pride Events & Living Room

RIFT 2024 – Woman’s Centre Fundraiser
2024-06-01 19:00 - 21:00 | 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

‘We Love a Parade!’ installation launch
2024-06-13 17:00 - 19:00 | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
The Nelson Museum is officially launching a new permanent installation of We Love a Parade! featuring a localized timeline of events, images, and curatorial statements provided by Nelson Museum Curator Arin Fay, and Research Assistant Adrian Dunkerson.

The launch takes place on Thursday, June 13 from 5-7pm at the Museum, and will feature a screening of the 10-minute trailer for the documentary Queering the Interior, as well as an introduction from the film’s director Amy Bohigian, and a tour of the Queer Archives by Michael Wicks.

Refreshments will be provided by Kootenay Kombucha, Sprout Plant-Based Eatery, L&C French Bakery, and the Kootenay Co-op. Thank you to these incredible local businesses, and to the Columbia Basin Trust for supporting this celebration!

The event is free and open to the public. Happy Pride!

Drop in Art Nights | FREE
2024-06-13 19:00 - 21:00, 2024-07-11 19:00 - 21:00, 2024-08-08 19:00 - 21:00, 2024-09-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, 320 Wilson Street, Revelstoke, V0E 2S0
Looking for a creative space to meet new people and make something? Have a project you’ve been meaning to work on? Join us for our free drop-in art nights! These relaxed evenings are open to everyone so bring your art supplies, a drink, a snack, and come get creative! These evening are a fantastic way to make time for your art.
The gallery will have some basic supplies on hand, like scissors and brushes, however artists are expected to be self sufficient and bring their own supplies. In the past participants have worked on everything from illustrations and paintings, to fishing flies and mending projects. We welcome all forms of creative expression, just please avoid brining any projects that are overly loud or smelly.
– The second Thursday of the month 7pm – 9pm
– June 13, July 11, August 8, & September 12
– The Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, Kitchen Studio, 320 Wilson st
– Entrance is via the undercover area on the left hand side of the building
– Please leave the space clean for the next person
– All welcome, no bookings required

20/40, A Sketch Comedy Show @ The Royal
2024-06-28 20:00 - 22:00 | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
Really Cool Productions presents 20/40, A Sketch Comedy Show.

20/40 is an experimental theater show with twenty acts performed in forty minutes, and the audience picks the order!
The acts include performance art, dance, audience participation, and sketch. This mix of art blurs the line between chaotic and focused performances, proving to be a multi-layered emotional roller coaster that demands you to stay present.

This show is interactive, energetic and without exaggeration, a must-see.We’ve sold out twice in the past, so get your tickies while available!!

Need to knows:

The 20/40 Sketch Comedy Show is at The Royal, located at 330 Baker Street. Doors open at 8:00pm Show starts at 8:30pm. This show is timed to be exactly 40 minutes long with no intermissions! So get there early, have a drink and stay there late and have a drink!

Tickets: $15 online / $20 at the door.

Who We Are:
Jaymes BowmanSuz ChristisonMichelle HartEmma HillRuth KrulitskyShelby Sanford

Directed by Michelle Hart

Michelle Hart is a multi-disciplinary artist, specializing in theatre and improvisation. Since graduating from Mount Allison University with a theatre degree, she has trained, taught and performed with theatre institutions across North America to hone her craft. Michelle is the recipient of the Pat & Tony Freedom Fund, Outstanding Sketch/Improv Productions from My Entertainment Weekly, and was featured on JFL42 Sirius FX Just For Laughs Festival. She has worked as a cast member for MSC Seaside, The Second City, and the Bad Dog Theatre Feature Players. Currently she is the Co-Director of The Canadian Improv Games: Improv Camp and one of the head writers of Southern Interior, a Nelson-based Sketch Show.
Online: @WeirdHart + @ReallyCoolProductions

The 20/40 Sketch Comedy Show is proudly produced by Really Cool Productions. Follow us on Instagram for upcoming shows and audition notices! @ReallyCoolProductions

Friendship Bracelets in ArtLab!
2024-07-11 16:00 - 20:00 | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Get ready for the Spiritbar’s Taylor’s Version Dance Party by making your own friendship bracelets in ArtLab! Join us on Thursday, July 11 for a guided session to make the bracelet of your dreams, or stop in anytime between July 1-13 and explore your creativity with the FREE materials provided.

The event is a fundraiser for Nelson Pride.

Open Studio Workshops (Chris Dufour, artist-in-residence)
2024-07-13 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-07-20 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-08-10 13:00 - 16:00 | Oxygen Art Centre, 320 Vernon St Unit-3, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4E4, Canada
Summer Residency
Chris Dufour
Open Studio Workshops: July 13, July 20, and August 10, 2024, from 1:00 – 4:00 PM *updated*
WKRAC Culture Tour: August 10 + 11, 2024, from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closing Event: August 17, 2024, at 1:00 PM
Admission is free. No registration required.

Artist-in-residence, Chris Dufour, is offering three contemporary art open studio events at Oxygen Art Centre on Saturday July 13, July 20, and August 10, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. All events are free to attend.
Participants can expect to engage with the artist and their material practice. Each event will feature a workshop on the topics of explore phytograms, cyanotypes, charcoal and ochre screen printing, and likely some gathering, snacking, and discussing! Flexible in structure, folks are encouraged to come to as many or as little as you’d like.

Taylor’s Version – Dance Party
2024-07-13 21:00 - 2024-07-14 01:00 | Spiritbar, 422 Vernon St, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4E5
Taylor’s Version – a Taylor Swift dance party. Join us on July 13th at Spiritbar (19+) to dance and sing to your favourite Taylor Swift songs, take pics in the photo booth, and make friendship bracelets. All proceeds from this event will be donated to Nelson Pride.

July Exhibition Opening
2024-07-18 17:00 - 20:00 | Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, 320 Wilson Street, Revelstoke, V0E 2S0
Join us for an exciting evening as we celebrate the works of six dedicated artists. Enjoy live music, an affordable bar, and great company. Whether you’re a long-time gallery patron or new to Revelstoke’s art scene, this promises to be a fantastic night out! Everyone is welcome to attend this public, family friendly event, no RSVP required.
$5 admission or free entry for members All welcome Semi formal attire encouraged The viewing (quiet) | 3pm – 5pm The social (main event) | 5pm – 8pm RVAC, 320 Wilson st
This month we are proud to be celebrating the hard work of: Isabelle Gagné | @misspixels Ugo Monticone | @ugo.monticone Marc Sauvageau | @marc.sauvageau Nicole Lau | @nicolelauartist Birte Spreuer | @lovebirdielove Florence Janiaud | @florence_janiaud

HARD LEATHER HONEY – HALLOWEEN IN JULY
2024-07-20 20:00 - 23:30 | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
It’s Halloween in July! Drag, Burlesque, Chaos!
Costumes encouraged!
Tricks!
Treats!
Costume Contest!

KINGS & THINGS: A PRIDE CABARET
2024-08-30 20:00 - 23:30 | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
ITS A NELSON PRIDE EXTRAVAGANZA!
Hosted by Shiraz Deville and L Bee!
Featuring
Al E. Katz
Mister E. Box
Algorerhythm
Ruth & Shelby
Billie Hotbox
Sandy Parts
Indiana Gen
Spready Mercury

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!

Nelson Sketch Comedy Revue
2024-11-07 19:30 - 21:00 | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Really Cool Productions proudly presents ‘The Nelson Sketch Comedy Revue,’ an extraordinary comedy showcase at the Capitol Theatre. Directed by Michelle Hart, this 95-minute spectacle is a celebration of Nelson’s unique humour. With Really Cool Productions reputation for sold-out shows (’20/40′ and ‘The Top Secret Improv Comedy Show’) and rave reviews, it promises to be an unforgettable night of laughter and entertainment.

Ivan Coyote: Playlist
2024-11-09 19:30 - 22:00 | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
“Coyote ought to be recognized as one of Canada’s great humorists, although often the stories are the laughing-through-tears variety. A lot of grit and a lot of heart.”
Globe and Mail
Jade Colbert
Do you still remember every word of every song that ever changed your life? Writer and performer Ivan Coyote has crafted a playlist of stories that sing to us about how they managed to discover a coded but very possible queer future hidden in the music coming out of the AM radio in the kitchen, lurking in their parent’s record collection, and leaking out of the lyrics in their elementary school musical.
Adult: $28; Senior: $25.50; Under 30: $10
Age. 14+. Some sexual content.

For the Love of Drag
2025-01-17 19:30 - 22:00 | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Get ready, Nelson! “For the Love of Drag” is coming, and it’s set to be a night of glitz, glamour, and unforgettable entertainment. This show promises to be bigger and better than ever, featuring a lineup of the most dazzling drag queens and kings from across British Columbia, including Victoria and Vancouver.
A longtime fan of the show, Alex from the Yukon, raves, “For the Love of Drag is pure magic. The performances are electrifying, and the energy is contagious. You leave feeling uplifted and inspired.”
Join us for an evening where artistry meets extravagance, and every performance is a work of art. Our talented performers will dazzle you with high-energy, show-stopping numbers that will leave you cheering for more. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of drag or new to the scene, “For the Love of Drag” is an experience you won’t want to miss.
19+
Capitol Theatre
Adult: $28; Senio: $25.50; Under 30: $10

Artist Trading Cards Workshop
2025-01-30 16:00 - 18:00 | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
The Nelson Museum is launching a monthly drop-in workshop for artists of all ages and skill levels to create and trade art cards! Artist trading cards are miniature works of art specifically made to be freely traded. Created on 2.5 x 3.5-inch card stock using any medium, ATCs encourage artistic experimentation, creativity, and community building rather than consumption.

Blank cards, art making materials, and collage supplies will be available but feel free to bring your own. This FREE program is an all ages drop-in program that will be offered the last Thursday of the month. You can join one, two, or all three programs!

Artist Trading Cards Maker Space
2025-02-27 16:00 - 18:00 | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Artist trading cards are miniature works of art specifically made to be freely traded. Created on 2.5 x 3.5-inch card stock using any medium, ATCs encourage artistic experimentation, creativity, and community building rather than consumption.

Drop in to the Nelson Museum to create and trade your own miniature works of art. Blank cards, art making materials and collage supplies will be available but feel free to bring your own. No registration required. All ages.

Deep 2: A Very Graphic Novel
2025-02-28 19:00 - 22:00 | Gallery 444, 448 Baker St, Nelson, BC, V1L 4H8, Canada
Zen WangBack by popular demand! DEEP 2 is finally here.Feb 28th, 2025. Doors open at 7PM. 444 Baker St. Nelson. BC.
DEEP is an intimate affair where it is safe to explore and wonder.DEEP is an imaginative space where your spirit is allowed to roam.DEEP is a self-honouring and community supported oasis to let loose and enjoy who you are.
SOMA Sound & Events & Gallery 444 present DEEP 2 ~ An erotic pop-up art exhibit.
At this one night only event there will be more of the fresh-off-the-drawing board Erotic Posters from the Graphic Novel “DEEP”. This event will also be host to our guest Intimacy Experts who will be offering a Somatic Consent Intro; also provided for our guests will be delicious and healthy elixirs to quench your body and soul at our “cash only elixir bar”; an Aphrodisiac chocolate fountain to wet your desires; & Transcendence music and dance floor to manifest your destiny through movement. Listen to your inner voice and join us to celebrate this sensual experience on Earth.
*** Guest appearance by Mz. Iris Wilde -ambient sensual performance art. Bringing the soulful expression of heart and divinity, the body as altar and embodied poetry. ***

Tickets are $30 at the door and $25 online via Eventbrite.
Space is limited, so reserve your spot today.
Dress code is “as sexy as you feel comfortable with”.
• please note this venue will ask for you to remove shoes in gallery• This is an 18+ event

RUTH & SHELBY’S BOOT SCOOTIN’ BOOGIE – MARCH
2025-03-18 19:30 - 23:30 | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
Country Line Dance Night with instruction by Fabiola Gascon.
Y’all ready for another boot-stompin’ good time at The Royal? We’ll start with a new line dance lesson led by Fabiola Gascon, followed by a quick refresher of the previous two dances we learned last year. Then, get ready to kick up some dust as we dance the night away. Western wear is encouraged.

Queen City Burlesque Expo Presents: Castle Choas
2025-03-21 19:30 - 22:00 | Castle Theatre, 185 Columbia Ave., Castlegar
Licensed Event – +19
Doors open 7pm – show at 7:30pm
Queen City Burlesque Expo’s 6th Season is coming to Castlegar with their Friday Night Showcase: Castle Chaos! ?✨
Join us in celebrating performance arts, of the saucy variety, in the historic Castle Theatre on Friday, March 21st, 2025.
Performers from across North America are traveling to the West Kootenays to celebrate, experience the beauty of the mountains, and share their art with us!
With internationally celebrated stars as Feature & Headlining Performers- you are guaranteed a night full of roaring laughs and mind blowing entertainment.
This year’s season is called “Barnyards & Bigtops” inspiring the lineup, costumes, and vibe for the entire weekend.
Get dressed up, and come participate by voting for the Audience Favourite, and watch as someone is awarded the Queens Choice Award, Legends Choice Award, and more.
Cheer loudly, feel exhilarated, and bask in the beauty of the striptease arts, right here in Castlegar.

Queen City Burlesque Expo Presents: The Grand Gala
2025-03-22 19:30 - 22:00 | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
TIX: https://bit.ly/QCBEGala
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Experience extravagance at the 6th Annual Queen City Burlesque Expo Weekender event: The Grand Gala at Capitol Theatre in Nelson BC.
From passionate to political, from farm animals to sparkling showponies, join us as we celebrate the most liberating of art forms for a guaranteed night of laughter and fun.

RUTH & SHELBY’S BOOT SCOOTIN’ BOOGIE – SALMO
2025-04-05 19:00 - 23:00 | Erie Creek Brewing, 117 4th St., Salmo, Canada
YEEHAW! Dust off your boots Salmo, it’s time to line dance! We will 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. Western wear encouraged. ?
All proceeds from this event will be donated to the Tapatia Collective dance team.
This event is open to all ages, but minors must be accompanied by an adult.
TICKETS: $15-20 sliding scale. To purchase, please e-transfer tapatialadies@gmail.com with your name(s) in the e-transfer message to be added to the guest list.

NIGHT CITY w/ DOSE., EMERENCZ, & JAKOB
2025-04-19 22:00 - 2025-04-20 03:00 | Oxygen Art Centre, 320 Vernon St Unit-3, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4E4, Canada
Join DOSE., EMERENCZ, and JAKOB for NIGHT CITY Saturday April 19th at the Oxygen Art Centre. This dance event takes its name from the neon-soaked urban sprawl featured in William Gibson’s seminal novel Neuromancer. Night City is a chaotic, hyper-commercialized metropolis where shadowy corporations dominate, technology permeates every aspect of life, and the streets pulse with danger and opportunity. This event aims to capture the essence of that world—a fusion of cutting-edge technology, rebellion, and underground culture. The soundtrack will feature vintage and contemporary releases from the genres of acid, darkwave, ebm, electro, industrial, and techno, all with a distinctly dark retro futuristic sound.
NIGHT CITY pays homage to the cultural and social influence of cyberpunk, a subgenre of science fiction literature. Cyberpunk reflects many of our anxieties about late-stage capitalism, depicting dystopian worlds where powerful corporations and wealthy elites exploit technology to control society and accumulate profits. However, it also showcases hope where underground resistance utilizes that same technology to fight back. This duality of technology as both oppressor and liberator is one of cyberpunk’s core messages. Similarly, electronic music genres like darkwave, ebm, industrial, and techno emerged as forms of cultural resistance. These underground styles reject commercialism, celebrating non-conformity, and rebellion. Both cyberpunk and these musical movements create spaces for freedom and liberation in a profit-driven world.
Location: Oxygen Art Centre
Address: 320 Vernon St Unit-3 (alley entrance), Sinixt təmxʷúlaʔx (Nelson, BC)
Date: Saturday April 19, 2025
Time: Doors at 9:30pm, Show at 10pm
Tickets: $20 advance (link in bio), $25 door
DJs:
DOSE. @dose.productions
EMERENCZ @emerencz
JAKOB @jakobsounds
-No forms of bigotry, harassment, or hate will be tolerated
-Consent is mandatory
-Celebrate responsibly
-Please contact us if you have any accessibility requirements
-Capacity is limited, secure your spot in advance
-No one turned away for lack of funds (pwyc)
#cyberpunk #film #acid #darkwave #ebm #electro #industrial #techno

3rd Annual Haute Trash! Trash Fashion Show Competition and Art Exhibition
2025-05-10 19:00 - 21:00 | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Haute Trash! Trash Fashion Show Competition and Art Exhibition -3.0
haute
[ōt]
adjective
fashionably elegant or high-class.
Presented by R.A.D. Rhythm, Art and Dance Society,
Nelson’s Third annual Haute Trash! Trash Fashion Show Competition and Art Exhibition returns to the Capitol Theatre stage for one night only.
A community celebration of “high class trash”, this lively event features innovative designs crafted from post consumer waste and upcycled materials in an exciting runway style fashion show. Designers and artists of all ages and skill levels will compete for cash and prizes in a variety of design categories. A great place to bring the mother in your life for a night of fun and amazement!
This juried, wearable art event will also include an array of fresh trash art by professional and novice creators, and trash-themed performances by beloved local performers, including RhythmTrash Orchestra.
Family friendly, community inclusive entertainment with support from the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance, West Kootenay Regional Arts Council, The Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery and the Nelson and District Arts Council.
The goal is to generate awareness about the trash we generate, our relationship to it and coming up with creative ways to keep items out of the landfills by engaging the public in the creation and celebration of art from discarded materials all while having a lively time with trash fashions, trash art and trash-themed performances.
Some of the winning designs will be displayed at the Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery after the event.
More information: hautetrash.ca
Email: hautetrashnelson@gmail.com
Show time: 7pm. Tix $23.

Witches Spring Market
2025-05-25 11:00 - 17:00 | Taghum Hall, 5915 Taghum Hall Rd, Nelson, V1L 6Y4
Witch Market and interactive events!! May 25 2025 Taghum Hall 11-5

*Tarot, Palm and Oracle readers, established locally as well as reputable readers from Kelowna.

*Vendors that will put a spell on you with their witchy, wacky and spiritual wears. Not your average market!!

*Workshops every half an hour to drop in on and learn about Wicca 101, How to set a crystal grid, sacred smoking, singing and breathing, music and how to read palms.

All for $2 at the door
