West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

The Mosquitos – New Absurdist Theatre
2025-06-13 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
“Things are changing rather quickly. We no longer share a reality”.
A group of old friends get together for a dinner party, while rumours of an unimaginable change swirl around them. How will they face total transformation?
An absurd comedy of manners with an existential heart, The Mosquitos is original new theatre written and directed by Slocan Valley playwright Marya Folinsbee. With equal parts humour and pathos, The Mosquitos reconsiders our place in the ecosystem, asking;
How do we create a coherent life together when we understand the world so differently?
A meditation on politics, relationships, (mis)information and the role of art in making meaning, The Mosquitos is inspired by absurdist classics like Eugene Ionesco’s Rhinoceros and Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days (and, by life in these times).
This world premiere features a talented ensemble of local performers and artistic team:
Written and Directed by Marya Folinsbee
Featuring Performances by:
Emily Ryan
Kozmo Sammartino
Roger Carter
Patricia McLaughlin
Karmelle Spence-Sing
Lindsay Clague
James Shaw
Aaron Pickett
Mike Funergy
Sound Designer Jeremy Sauer
Projection Designer Brian Lye
Mask & Puppet Designer Elaine Weryshko
Stage Manager Martina Avis
Technical Director Terry Brennan
Production Designer Marya Folinsbee
Creation support from The Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance.
Production support from The BC Arts Council.
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts

KINGS & THINGS! DRAG IS A SPECTRUM!
2025-06-14 19:00 - 23:00 | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
Hosted by The Flailing Lovers!

LILA GRAY featuring JOHNNY POUTINA
2025-06-21 20:00 - 23:30 | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
the MORE THAN A KID tour
Raised in the mountains of BC, Lila Gray calls Vancouver home. Through her heartfelt lyrics and skillful songwriting, Lila plumbs the depths of her young adulthood and explores the trials and tribulations of queer womanhood in the 21st century. This young artist found her passion, and eternal love for music at the tender age of five, when she started her classical training through cello. Since then, Lila has picked up singing, songwriting, and guitar to establish her presence as a musician. Shortly after placing in the Top 100 of the 2021 CBC Searchlight Competition, Lila took off to Montreal to pursue a formal education in audio engineering and sound production. Lila’s unique production and intricate lyricism are masterfully executed in her third album Scared Of The Dark (You Should Be Too). Lila has garnered 150,000 streams, and counting, on Spotify.
Featuring support from Nelson local, Johnny Poutina (of The Dancing Legs).

Opening Reception: kt̓kmin uɬ c̓ik̓ʷm (mark and make light)
2025-07-18 18:00 - 20:00 | 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.
