West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

Silverton - Neil Gray Music
2026-02-28 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Silverton Memorial Hall, Silverton BC
He’s number 23 on the North American Campus College radio jazz and he is bringing his music through the Kootenays this winter with his newest record In the Streets. Drummer and composer Neil Gray plays the Memorial Hall in Silverton BC, February 28th.
Neil Gray is born and raised in BC and his new album speaks to the many people, places, and times Neil experienced during his time in the Vancouver jazz scene. Released October 31st 2025 on Canada’s jazz label Cellar Live, the album plays host to legendary Canadian jazz players like Cory Weeds on tenor sax, and Bruno Hubert on piano.
Joining him in New Denver will be renowned Canadian pianist David Restivo, bassist Douglas Stephenson, Kiyo Elkuf on the tenor sax, and trumpet. Celebrate new contemporary jazz music with an added shimmering guest appearance of vocalist Leila Naderi (also known as Leila Neverland), for a memorable evening of jazz.
To hear more, check out the All That Jazz radio segment that plays a tune off Neil’s album called For Those in the Back, at HR 1 Seg B, or find Neil’s full album on Bandcamp.
Tickets are $20 and pre-purchase is encouraged, just send an email to admin@slocanlakeartscouncil.ca and indicate your name and the number of tickets desired. Concert starts at 7pm. See you there!

Silverton - Kootenay Winter Tour LEILA - Power Duet
2026-03-01 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver) | Silverton Gallery, Lake Avenue, Silverton, V0G 1S0
Scones & Jam Concert – Leila’s morning set of music will rotate through solo work, a power duet with jazz drummer Neil Gray, and a delicate string duet with New Denver’s own Anjuli Otter.
Enjoy homemade sourdough scones, coffee/tea, and stay later to learn some harmonies and sing through some of her tune’s choruses.
Ticket price is $35 and includes scones and coffee/tea. Tickets are available at the door but to ensure food and beverage quantities, ticket pre-purchase is encouraged. Simply send an e-transfer to admin@slocanlakeartscouncil.ca. Please include your name and the number of tickets desired.

Trail: Where Have All the Buffalo Gone? by Axis Theatre
2026-03-01 15:00 - 16:15 (America/Vancouver) | Charles Bailey Theatre, 1501 Cedar Ave, Trail, British Columbia, V1R 4C7, Canada
The Trail & District Arts Council and Rossland Council for Arts and Culture present Where Have All the Buffalo Gone? by Axis Theatre, a captivating show for kids in Grade 4 to 12, their families and the young at heart to enjoy together. The show is on Sunday, March 1 at 3:00 pm in The Bailey Theatre and is part of the TECK Family Series.
Where Have All The Buffalo Gone? is a love-story that transcends time as it follows two souls through seven different periods of Métis history. Filled with stories about the Sun Traveller and the Callihoo family, the performance is a theatre piece that incorporates fiddle music, jigging, and a life-like buffalo puppet.
Inspired by historical events of the Métis people of Canada, this original play for young audiences explores the loves, the losses and the fight of Treaty 6’s Métis people – and their love and kinship to the buffalo.
The play takes the audience through the emergence of the Métis Nation across the plains, then leads into the robust colonization that arises from the fur trade, the disappearance of the buffalo, as well as the political uprising of the Métis Association of Alberta in the 1930s. The story starts in creation among the stars and ends in 2024.
Watch the trailer https://vimeo.com/940939867?p=1s
CREATIVE TEAM – Playwright: Tai Amy Grauman; Director: Amanda Testini; Co-Director & Sound Design: Chris McGregor; Set, Props & Buffalo Design: Dusty Hagerüd; Costume Design: Alaia Hamer.
ABOUT AXIS THEATRE
In the age of “looking down,” Axis draws young eyes up to engage them in interactive experiences that educate, inspire, and transform. Audiences experience smart, entertaining interpretations of traditional and cutting-edge physical theatre. Axis incorporates combinations of puppetry, movement, live music, red-nose clown, and improvisation to expand the meaning and impact of the stories presented. It is deceptively simple, completely fresh, and memorable.A special thank you to the company’s sponsors: The Downie-Wenjack and Chris Spencer Foundations.
Axis Theatre is grateful to live, work, and play on the unceded, traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples – sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam) nations.
Show 55 minutes with a 15 min Q&A after the show.
Single tickets are $18 or get tickets to all 4 Family Series shows for just $60. General admission seating so come early to get the best seats.
All individual tickets and passes are available online at purchase.trail-arts.com, by phone at 250-368-9669, and in person at the Bailey Box Office at 1501 Cedar Ave., Trail.
This show is made possible thanks to funding from Teck Trail Operations, the BC Arts Council, BC Touring Council, the Government of Canada, and Tourism South Kootenay with support from Ferraro Foods and the Prestige Mountain Resort Rossland. We also gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.

Balfour - Sapphire Guthrie and Tenise Maria in Concert
2026-03-07 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Balfour: St Michaels and All angels Chapel and Performance Center (Balfour Chapel on Busk Rd.), 8551 Busk Rd, Balfour
Two local artists combine for an evening of music excellence
7 – 9 pm
8551 Busk Rd Balfour
$20
Tickets at Eddy Music in Nelson and Kootenay Crafted Artisan Shop in Balfour
Event website: Balfourchapel.org

Winlaw - Year-Long Plant Dye Journey
2026-03-09 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Slocan Valley Threads Guild,, 7112 Perrys Back Road, Winlaw, V0G 2J0
Join Tracy Fillion and Stefania Zwirello with the West Kootenay Fibreshed for a year-long plant dye journey focused on working seasonally with natural dyes. This in-person program meets once a month and offers participants the opportunity to build skills gradually while exploring a wide range of dye plants and processes over the course of a full year.
This cohort-based format allows for continuity, shared learning, and deeper engagement with plant dye practices as the seasons change.
Dates: One Monday a month for one year, starting March 9, 2026
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Location: Slocan Valley Threads Guild, Winlaw

Winlaw: Flax to Linen Workshop
2026-03-14 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver) | Slocan Valley Threads Guild,, 7112 Perrys Back Road, Winlaw, V0G 2J0
Explore the full journey of flax from plant to fibre to linen.
Join us for a hands-on workshop that brings the ancient craft of linen-making to life. Participants will learn how flax, a plant well-suited to our bioregion, is transformed into soft, strong raw linen through traditional hand-processing techniques. All flax used in this workshop was grown in our community plot this year
You’ll have the opportunity to try your hand at breaking, scutching, and hackling flax, learn about its cultivation and cultural history in the Kootenays, and explore how this plant fits into our regional fibre system today.
The tools used in these workshops are hand-crafted by local artisan Scott Fettes, using locally sourced wood and traditional joinery. Their creation was made possible through generous support from Columbia Basin Trust and Kootenay Savings Credit Union, helping us build a shared legacy of regional flax processing.
These workshops are part of our Flax to Linen Program, a regional initiative connecting communities across the West Kootenays to reimagine the potential of locally grown fibre crops. By learning together, we’re helping build the foundation for a bioregional linen economy rooted in soil health, community collaboration, and regenerative practice.
No experience is required. All materials and tools are provided.
Note: Members receive 10% off all workshops. Look for your discount code in your inbox. If you cannot find it in your inbox or spam folder, please contact info@westkootenayfibreshed.com
$45 – $55 sliding scale tickets.

Revelstoke - ARTIST SOCIALS | LUFT CAFE & BAR
2026-03-26 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Luft Café and Bar, VRGE Hotel 1500 1 St W, Revelstoke, BC
ARTIST SOCIALS | LUFT CAFE & BAR
Hosted by RVAC in Collaboration with the Luft Cafe & Bar
Join us for Artist Socials ! These laid-back, no-pressure events are the perfect opportunity to connect with other creatives in the community, share ideas, and socialize. There’s no set agenda—just good vibes and great conversation. You don’t need to be a member of the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre to attend, so grab a friend or come ready to meet new ones.
Thursday, March 26 6:30 – 8:00pm
Lüft Café & Bar – Gravity Haus 1500 1 St W, Revelstoke, BC
Ask the server to point you to the right group
All welcome, always
Open to all ages, Everyone is Welcome
No bookings required

Creston Valley Bird Festival
2026-05-08 08:00 - 2026-05-11 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Rotacrest Hall, 230 19 Ave N, Creston, BC, V0B 1G5
Celebrate the birds, art, and the agriculture of the Creston Valley.
Get ready to spread your wings and join us for an unforgettable celebration of feathered friends and the vital wetlands they call home during their annual migration north.
The Creston Valley Bird Festival is an exciting event that takes place every second weekend in May, where you’ll get the chance to explore and deepen your appreciation for the great outdoors with presentations, hikes, field trips, and tours with our expert bird guides.

Paint It Black: on overcoming perfection in art with Nik Black
2026-05-15 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Opal Door, online only
Now in its fourth year, Nik Black will be hosting this online only event. Open to any artist who wishes to overcome the burden of perfection and make some really unusual work, in a safe and supportive environment.
It begins with a live opening chat with the artist, a review of the materials that could be used, and a first few marks. Nik will answer your questions and offer some tips on how to navigate the rush of art making/destruction.
The only supplies needed are ones you already have, and a tool of obliteration. Nik uses black paint and after 14 days of creating goes live to destroy everything. (These papers are then utilized in other projects, we will talk about this too!)
This process is based on an exercise found in Art and Fear a book by David Bayles. This is suggested reading before or during the event. Please focus on the many pots vs single pot discussion.
Discover how destruction can free you from perfectionism and reignite your passion to play

Creston Clay Fest
2026-07-11 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Edmonton) | Eversfield Ceramics, 1522 Airport Road, Creston
Local Potters invite the public to learn, play, and explore the world of ceramics. Refreshments and interactive kids table available throughout the day. Fun for all ages!
