West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

Queen City Burlesque Expo Presents: Castle Choas
2025-03-21 19:30 - 22:00 (America/Vancouver) | 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 (America/Vancouver) | 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 (America/Vancouver) | 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 (America/Vancouver) | 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 (America/Vancouver) | 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 (America/Vancouver) | 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

RUTH & SHELBY’S BOOT SCOOTIN’ BOOGIE – JUNE
2025-06-03 19:30 - 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | 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 dances! Then, get ready to kick up some dust as we dance the night away. Western wear is encouraged.

Pride at the Railway Museum
2025-06-05 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Revelstoke Railway Museum, 719 Track St W, Revelstoke, V0E 2S0
GAMES – ART – CRAFTS
Come Dress the Museum in Our Colours

B.A. JOHNSTON, AK-747’S, MR. AWESOME
2025-06-06 20:30 - 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada

Tongue in Cheeks Drag Show
2025-06-07 20:30 - 2025-06-08 01:00 (America/Edmonton) | Eagles Hall Cranbrook, 715 Kootenay St, Cranbrook, BC
Get ready Cranbrook for Tongue in Cheeks Drag Show at the Eagles Hall!
This night of sass and sparkle will have proformances by our MC and queen supreme, April Strom. plus fierce Nuff, Nada Nuff, The Marvelous Mo, and local drag creator Glitter Beast.
Get ready to laugh, cheer, and live your boldest life – this is one show you won’t want to miss.
This event will be 19+ and to pieces of valid ID will be required with one of them being facial ID.

The Mosquitos – New Absurdist Theatre
2025-06-12 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-06-13 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Material Theatre Presents:

THE MOSQUITOS
“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.

www.materialtheatre.ca

The Mosquitos – New Absurdist Theatre
2025-06-12 19:30 - 21:30, 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 do we 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 live in the world together when we have fundamentally different versions of reality?

A meditation on politics, relationships, (mis)information and the role of art in creating 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 artists:
Written and Directed by Marya Folinsbee
Featuring Performances by:
Emily RyanKozmo SammartinoRoger CarterPatricia McLaughlinKarmelle Spence-SingLindsay ClagueJames ShawAaron PickettMike Funergy

Sound Designer Jeremy SauerProjection Designer Brian LyeMask & Puppet Designer Elaine WeryshkoStage Manager Martina AvisTechnical Director Terry BrennanProduction 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.
#BringingTheArtsToLife #Kootenayartist #Nelsonbc

The Mosquitos – New Absurdist Theatre
2025-06-12 19:30 - 21:30, 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 (America/Vancouver) | 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 (America/Vancouver) | 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 (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.
