West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

KOOTENAY COMEDY OPEN MIC
2025-02-12 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!

Circus Acts Insomniacs Present: “Go On, Git!”
2025-02-12 18:30 - 21:00 | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Circus Acts Insomniacs Present: “Go On, Git!”
A Western Variety Show
Saddle up for a wild night of live music and jaw-dropping circus acts! Featuring the rip-roaring tunes of The Sarah Orton Band and a lineup of performers ready to knock your boots off. Your charming host for the evening: Johnny Poutina!
Starring:

Jodie Michelle
Shivivi
Yeehaw Yessie!
Dandy Flanders
and, of course, Circus Acts Insomniacs

Round up your posse and mosey on over for aerial arts, partner acrobatics, dance, comedy, and a wagon-load of surprises. Dust off those boots, bring your best holler, and join us for a night of good ol’ fashioned Western revelry.
Feb 12 & 13 | 6:30
Capitol Theatre, Nelson B.C
$40 + fees
Giddy up or git! You won’t want to miss this showdown!

Circus Acts Insomniacs Present: “Go On, Git!”
2025-02-12 18:30 - 21:00 | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Circus Acts Insomniacs Present: “Go On, Git!”
A Western Variety Show
Saddle up for a wild night of live music and jaw-dropping circus acts! Featuring the rip-roaring tunes of The Sarah Orton Band and a lineup of performers ready to knock your boots off. Your charming host for the evening: Johnny Poutina!
Starring:

Jodie Michelle
Shivivi
Yeehaw Yessie!
Dandy Flanders
and, of course, Circus Acts Insomniacs

Round up your posse and mosey on over for aerial arts, partner acrobatics, dance, comedy, and a wagon-load of surprises. Dust off those boots, bring your best holler, and join us for a night of good ol’ fashioned Western revelry.
Giddy up or git! You won’t want to miss this showdown!
Feb 12 & 13 | 6:30
$40 + fees
The Capitol Theatre Nelson

Visual Exploration Club (Ages 9-12)
2025-02-12 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-02-05 15:30 - 16:30 | VISAC Gallery, 1501 Cedar Avenue, Trail, V1R 2J5
About Visual Exploration Club (VEC):
Students can expect to learn about other artists, experiment with various materials, and make mistakes. Each participant receives a sketchbook to track their skill development in a wide range of materials such as drawing, painting, printmaking and 3-dimensional art.
This session is for ages 9-12, or intermediate students in grades 4-7.
Workshop Dates:
Wednesday afternoons
January 8 – June 4, 2025 (20 sessions)
3:30pm-4:30pm
No classes during SD20 Spring Break; March 19 & 26, 2025

Minimum 5 students, with a maximum of 12.
Class Fee:
$200 per participant
All supplies are provided
Where:
VISAC Gallery – Under the red gallery awning
1501 Cedar Ave, Trail
Lower Level of Selkirk Building
Register here:
https://revenue-can.keela.co/visual-exploration-club-january-june-2025-9-12
About the instructor:
Erin has a BFA in Studio Arts from UVic and a Masters of Illustration from Falmouth University. Her classes focus on process-based activities that don’t have a set outcome, fostering creativity and a low pressure environment, encouraging exploration and making mistakes!
If you have any questions, reach out to info@visacgallery.com

Ali Hassan: Does This Taste Funny?
2025-02-11 19:30 - 22:00 | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Ali Hassan’s career plans started off as simply as anyone’s: become a chef, get a food show on television, get a second food show on television, be the face of the network and have oven mitts with his face on them. But sometimes things get in the way of your dreams: like your parents’ disappointment, your family of four children and your successful comedy career.
This show is a hilarious exposition of Ali’s journey in and out of the culinary world in which he spent 12 years. Think Eat, Pray, Love….minus the Prayer.
Adult: $30; Senior: $27; Under 30: $15
The Capitol Theatre

20/40 February Edition: Sketch Comedy Show
2025-02-11 19:30 - 21:30 | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
20/40 is an experimental theater show with twenty plays performed in forty minutes, and the audience picks the order!
The plays you’ll see will include performance art, dance, audience participation, sketch and more! 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.
Did this cast and crew get together to write, rehearse, and perform their TUSHYS off for one night and one night only????? Youbetcha.
February Cast:
Ashley Betschel
Kevin Desautels
Amy Rees
Michelle Hart
Emma Hill
Carla Sinclair
Directed by Michelle Hart
7:30 Seats | 8:00 Show
$20 at door | $15 in advance

Visual Exploration Club (Ages 5-8)
2025-02-11 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-02-04 15:30 - 16:30 | VISAC Gallery, 1501 Cedar Avenue, Trail, V1R 2J5
About Visual Exploration Club (VEC):
Students can expect to learn about other artists, experiment with various materials, and make mistakes. Each participant receives a sketchbook to track their skill development in a wide range of materials such as drawing, painting, printmaking and 3-dimensional art.
This session is for ages 5-8, or primary students in grades K-3.
Workshop Dates:
Tuesday afternoons
January 7 – June 3, 2025 (20 sessions)
3:30pm-4:30pm
No classes during SD20 Spring Break; March 18 & 25, 2025
Minimum 5 students, with a maximum of 12.
Class Fee:
$200 per participant
All supplies are provided
Where:
VISAC Gallery – Under the red gallery awning
1501 Cedar Ave, Trail
Lower Level of Selkirk Building
Register here:
https://revenue-can.keela.co/visual-exploration-club-january-june-2025-ages-5-8
About the instructor:
Erin has a BFA in Studio Arts from UVic and a Masters of Illustration from Falmouth University. Her classes focus on process-based activities that don’t have a set outcome, fostering creativity and a low pressure environment, encouraging exploration and making mistakes!
If you have any questions, reach out to info@visacgallery.com

Join the Friends of the Nelson Public Library
2025-02-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Nelson Public Library, 602 Stanley St, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 1N4, Canada
The Friends of the Library are dedicated to helping the Nelson Public Library through successful booksales and other creative fundraising efforts live trivia nights, with the funds going to new books, necessary technologies, furnishings and program supplies.
Join us: New members are welcome! It’s a great way to meet people and contribute to a vital and important part of our community. We meet at noon (12 pm) the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Nelson Public Library.
For more information check out Friends of the Library webpage.

Newkeys Place presents, Blues in The Afternoon with Sam Hurrie
2025-02-09 16:00 - 19:00, 2025-02-02 16:00 - 19:00 | New Key’s Pub, 16070 BC-3A, Crawford Bay, BC, V0B 1E0, Canada
Newkeys Place in Crawforbay presents, Blues in The Afternoon with Sam Hurrie, Like with friends.
Sundays 4-7

The Baby Tyler Show
2025-02-09 15:00 - 16:00 | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
A mind-bending puppet show by Fraggle Rock/Sesame/Henson puppeteer. “Hansen turns anything and everything into a puppet and makes it funny. A MUST-SEE!” – FringeReviews.com
Watch as Ingrid performs a live puppet film before your very eyes, using only household objects, a camera, and her bare hands.
“Utterly magical, insanely inventive, wickedly funny. ★★★★★” – Free Press.
“Both live and magnified on screen, in cunningly angled cameras and mirrors, we see Hansen create characters from her own hands, fingers, face. NUTTY, INGENIOUS, MESMERIZING.”
-12th Night.
“GENIUS PHYSICAL COMEDY!” – Entertainment World.
“Immensely funny, creative, uproarious and surprising…Her physicality is impeccable.”
– The Star Phoenix
“Unbelievably funny.” – PLANK Magazine
“Unbelievably charismatic.” – The Charlebois Post
Danish-Canadian puppeteer Ingrid Hansen also performs on television with the Jim Henson Company’s Fraggle Rock and Sesame Workshop’s Emmy-Award-Winning series Helpsters.
Age 5+
Adult: $15; Senior: $13.50; Under 30: $10
The Capitol Theatre

Break it to Make it | Youth Workshop
2025-02-09 10:30 - 14:30 | 320 Wilson St., Revelstoke
Calling all creative and curious youth ages 12–17—are you ready to dive into the world of messy, hands-on, experimental art? Forget about perfection and polished masterpieces; these half-day classes are all about the experience of making art! This class is perfect for those who feel unsure of what to make, those that struggle with perfection, and those who just want to have fun.
These classes take an unconventional approach to creativity, championing exploration and curiosity. You’ll explore strange, messy, and playful activities that go beyond just paint and composition. From experimental techniques to playful destruction, this is your chance to embrace the chaos and make some bad art. Come hang out, we have snacks.
“Break it to Make it” – February 9
– OR –
“The Bad Art Bonanza” – February 16
– Sunday, 10:30am – 2:30pm
– $40 per session, all materials provided
– Students can choose to take one, or both sessions
– Ages 12 – 17
– Some snacks will be provided (Courtesy of Save On), however students will still need a packed lunch
– RVAC Jailhouse Studios, 320 Wilson st.

Epidermis Circus
2025-02-08 19:30 - 22:00 | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
“A GENIUS OF PHYSICAL COMEDY.”- Entertainment World.
“HILARIOUS. Her physicality is impeccable.”-Star Phoenix News.
“Unbelievably charismatic.” – The Charlebois Post
“Remarkable feats of puppetry.” ​- CBC
A spicy puppet cabaret, hosted by a sassy grandma who keeps trying to steal the show. This beautifully twisted variety show is performed by Ingrid Hansen, who also puppeteers for Jim Henson Company’s Fraggle Rock. Watch behind-the-scenes as Hansen performs a live puppet film, animating cheeky vignettes in the palm of her hand and projecting them onto a huge screen. “Both live and magnified on screen, in cunningly angled cameras and mirrors, we see Hansen create characters from her own hands, fingers, tongue, in a saucy and jostling vaudeville of ‘stars’. NUTTY, INGENIOUS, MESMERIZING.” – 12th Night. Costumes by JIMBO (winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race.)
FOR AGES 14+.
Capitol Theatre
Adult: $25; Senior: $22.50: Under 30: $10

Square Dance Winter Rager!
2025-02-08 18:30 - 21:30 | Ymir Community Hall, First Avenue at Cherry Street, Ymir, BC, V0G 2K0
The square dance at Tiny Lights Festival in 2024 was such a riot that we’re bringing it back for some winter fun. With rippin’ fiddle tunes, a bar, and all your pals – the Ymir Hall is the place to be on the evening of Feb 8th. No experience needed! Our caller, Louis Bockner, will guide you through everything you need to know. No partner needed! Arrive alone or as a group – it all gets sorted out at this inclusive party.
Come not only for the chaos and dancing but also for the world-class music brought to you by Patrick M’Gonigle (Fiddle/Mandolin, Nashville), Trent Freeman (Fiddle, Vancouver), Jill McKenna (Upright Bass, Nelson) and Steve Brockley (Guitar, Rossland).
FEBRUARY 8TH @6:30 PM
Ymir Community Hall
*This Event Is 19+*

Weekend Carving Masterclass
2025-02-08 12:00 - 2025-02-09 16:00 | Blewett, Nelson, BC, V1L 6X1, Canada
Join me for a weekend of carving by the wood stove. This two day package includes both the Cooking Spoon class and the Eating Spoon Class back to back at a discounted rate and on the same weekend.
In the 4 hour Saturday class you will begin by learning the basics of wood identification and tool handling along with some basic carving techniques. In the 6 hour Sunday class we will get stuck into some more technical work exploring more organic forms and ergonomics, as well as different decoration and finishing options.

Guided Cold War Bunker tours
2025-02-08 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-02-01 11:00 - 12:00 | 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.
Email info@nelsonmuseum.ca to register. Adult admission required – children under 18 are always free!

Apres FREE! Thursday evenings
2025-02-06 16:00 - 20:00 | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
The days are shorter but the Nelson Museum is open longer! Thursdays from 4-8pm is FREE admission to the galleries, museum and Shop, where you can explore the newest exhibitions, learn about local history, and shop over 100 local artists!

Fall into Fall FREE Thursday evenings
2025-02-06 16:00 - 20:00 | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
The Nelson Museum is open late on Thursdays and admission is FREE from 4-8pm. Explore the new gallery exhibitions — A Crack in the Mirror in Gallery A and Within This Earthen Vessel in Gallery B — discover the region’s history in the 2nd Floor Museum Exhibit, and shop work from over 120 local artists in the Gift Shop.

Visual Exploration Club (Ages 13+)
2025-02-06 15:30 - 16:30 | VISAC Gallery, 1501 Cedar Avenue, Trail, V1R 2J5
About Visual Exploration Club (VEC):
Students can expect to learn about other artists, experiment with various materials, and make mistakes. Each participant receives a sketchbook to track their skill development in a wide range of materials such as drawing, painting, printmaking and 3-dimensional art.
This session is for ages 13+, or secondary students in grades 8-12.
If your child is 16 or older, they can also participate in adult classes such as pottery workshops or any drop-in groups.
Workshop Dates:
Thursday afternoons
January 9 – June 5, 2025 (20 sessions)
3:30pm-4:30pm
No class during SD20 Spring Break; March 20 & 27, 2025
Minimum 5 students, with a maximum of 12.
Class Fee:
$200 per participant
All supplies are provided
Where:
VISAC Gallery – Under the red gallery awning
1501 Cedar Ave, Trail
Lower Level of Selkirk Building
Register here:
https://revenue-can.keela.co/visual-exploration-club-january-june-2025-ages-13
About the instructor:
Erin has a BFA in Studio Arts from UVic and a Masters of Illustration from Falmouth University. Her classes focus on process-based activities that don’t have a set outcome, fostering creativity and a low pressure environment, encouraging exploration and making mistakes!
If you have any questions, reach out to info@visacgallery.com

Open Mic Night at The Angry Hen
2025-02-05 18:00 - 21:00 | Angry Hen Brewing, 343 Front St, Kaslo, V0G1M0
Open mic night at The Angry Hen in Kaslo.
The first Wednesday of every month. All live music is presented in conjunction with Propel Studios, a full-production recording studio with accommodation directly across the street from The Angry Hen.

CKCA Q&A Session
2025-02-05 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-02-03 16:00 - 17:00 | Online
Do you have an idea for a project that focuses on arts and culture? Grants from the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA) could help.
These grants—funded by Columbia Basin Trust and managed by the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council—are available for all art disciplines, for both individuals and arts and culture organizations in the Columbia Basin.
Q&A sessions
To learn more about these grants and how to apply, attend one of our FREE question-and-answer sessions. The events all take place online through Zoom.
REGISTER NOW IN THE ONE THAT WORKS FOR YOU!

Wednesday, January 15, 2025: noon Pacific / 1 p.m. Mountain
Wednesday, January 29, 2025: noon Pacific / 1 p.m. Mountain
Monday, February 3, 2025: 4 p.m. Pacific / 5 p.m. Mountain
Wednesday, February 5, 2025: noon Pacific / 1 p.m. Mountain

Before you attend a session, we encourage you to watch the video about the specific program you’re considering applying to. To find the video, select the program that interests you and navigate to that program’s page. Afterwards, come to the Q&A session with your questions.
If you have questions about your specific project, rather than the programs themselves, contact us directly instead of asking them during a session.

Tea & Textiles
2025-02-05 09:00 - 12:00 | 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.

Les Filles Du Roi
2025-02-04 19:00 - 21:00 | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Capitol Film Series: The lives of young Mohawk Kateri and her brother Jean-Baptiste are disrupted by the arrival of the king’s daughters, young French women sent to the new colony to marry and have children. They forge an unlikely relationship with young Marie-Jean Lespérance, whose dream of a new life is more complicated than she could have imagined.
Tickets $15

Life Drawing | Weekly Drop In
2025-02-03 18:00 - 20:00 | 320 Wilson St., Revelstoke
Sharpen your life drawing skills this winter in a relaxed, low-pressure environment! Life drawing is the practice of sketching from a live model, offering artists a chance to study anatomy, form, and expression.
Join us every Monday for sessions open to anyone, regardless of skill level. These self-directed classes provide the perfect opportunity to practice at your own pace, with a facilitator on-site to guide the session rather than provide instruction.
Semi-draped Sessions (Underwear) | Ages 15+
Undraped Sessions (Nude) | Ages 19+
All genders and body types will be invited to model
– Monday nights
– 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
– Please arrive at least 10min early to give yourself time to set up
– $15 per session
– Some materials provided but BYO encouraged
– RVAC Main gallery, 320 Wilson st.
– No bookings required

Learn to Sharpen Your Carving Knives
2025-02-01 12:00 - 15:00 | Blewett, Nelson, BC, V1L 6X1, Canada
In this 3 hour workshop we will cover how to sharpen both a traditional Scandinavian grind carving knife and also curved hook knives. You will provided with your own simple sand paper based sharpening kit and strop to take home with you. I can provide knives for you to practice on, or if you have your own tools please feel free to bring them along with you to sharpen.
Sharping tools is an essential and often overlooked skill that is important to your enjoyment of the craft, your tool lifespan and also your own safety. Believe it or not, sharp tools are safe tools! It is super common to feel nervous about sharpening especially as a beginner. I’m here to assist with that!

Winter Carnival
2025-02-01 01:00 - 2025-02-02 01:00 | Expo Park, Slocan
3rd annual Winter CarnivalCelebrating the Slocan Valley
A non-profit community eventA family friendly gatheringNo alcohol served
By donation and everyone welcome!$0-$50 sliding scale (pay-what-you-can/ pay-it-forward)

Live Performances All Day:
1:00 Heather Rose2:00 Mitch Robillard3:00 Kosmic T and the Whole School3:30 Puppets on The Move4:00 Spin the Wheel4:30 Soul Potion6:00 DJ Wax Headroom7:30 Boreas Ignites Fire Dance with Flowantix8:00 TruckVanCar

Afterparty @ The Legion 10pmWith Dubconscious, Daily Basis and Luminesce

SlideFree kids crafts & Lantern Making workshopFree Snow conesFood & Artisan VendorsTea and Soup LoungeFire Pits & ArtCarnival games and prizes hosted by Slocan Valley Youth NetworkRaffle prizes and 50/50 draw

Food Vendors including:FOMOTasty Times Vegan EateryOh My Lard

Bring games to share!

If you have an idea for a workshop, let us know!

We are looking for volunteers to make this community event a success!Fundraising and promotionSet up, tear down and clean upGarbage and RecyclingVolunteer CoordinatorSecurityRaffle prize and merchandize tableCollecting donationsShow up, PM or email treehuggersocietybc@outlook.com to let us know you want to help.

Winter Carnival is hosted by non-profit Treehugger Retreats and Events Society and produced by Live Harmonics Sound Science.
