West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

‘Grow Show’ book launch
2024-04-20 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Join MC Adam O. Thomas and Curator Arin Fay for an evening of storytelling at the official launch of Grow Show, the coffee table book inspired by the 2021 exhibition, which was designed and published by NMAG.
We will be welcoming some very special guest storytellers to the stage to discuss the legends and lore of the cannabis industry, in the days before legalization.

Earth Day Movie Night
2024-04-20 18:00 - 21:00 | Neighbours United, 499 Ward St, Nelson
Have you seen the Lorax? This classic animated tale is about a future where nature is scarce, trees don’t exist, and a 12 year old boy who goes a journey to find out why. Join us for a movie night that will inspire and ignite you. We’ll watch the film together, then we’ll write letters to our MLA in support of defending our own forests in B.C. because we care enough to take action.

Guest speaker: Matt Casselman on Cai Creek

Popcorn and drinks will be provided.
REGISTER HERE: https://neighboursunited.org/civicrm/event/register/…

Franc Ouest Podcast @ Revelstoke
2024-04-20 17:00 - 19:00 | La Baguette, 607 Victoria Rd, Revelstoke, V0E 2S0
5 à 7 de discussion avec les participantes et l’équipe de production ainsi que projection du court-métrage.

Screening the Franc Ouest: Nature+Elles documentary featuring 2 Revelstoke locals (Sabrina Hémond, founder of Hot Poc and Mélanie Bernier, Olympic medalist in ski mountaineering). Stick around for a round of discussions with them and the production team.

Guided Cold War Bunker tours
2024-04-20 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-04-13 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!

Met Opera: La Rondine
2024-04-20 09:55 - 13:30 | The Royal Theatre, 1597 Bay Ave, Trail, V1R 4B2, Canada
Puccini’s bittersweet love story returns to cinemas, with soprano Angel Blue starring as the French courtesan Magda, opposite tenor Jonathan Tetelman as Ruggero, an idealistic young man who offers her an alternative to her life of excess.
Live Streamed Met Opera, held at The Royal Theatre in Trail BC

DAMIEN ALBLAS w/ PARIS PICK AND THE PRICKS
2024-04-19 20:00 - 23:30
IT’s A TOGA PARTY!

Finley’s Afterwork Dance Party with White Lightning Blues, Rock and Boogie Band
2024-04-19 19:30 - 22:00 | Finley’s Bar $ Grill, 705 Vernon St, Nelson, BC, V1L 4G3, Canada
White Lightning Blues, Rock and Boogie Band returns to Finley’s Bar and Grill with another night of great dance music- classics from Little Walter to Chuck Berry, Little Feat to the Beatles and an ever increasing collection of Kootenay themed originals. Suggested Cover $10.

Blues Set w/ J. Greg Walter
2024-04-19 17:30 - 20:30 | Torchlight Brewing Co., 125 Hall St, Nelson, BC, V1L 7B4
Come on down to Torchlight Brewing Co. in Nelson, every Friday, for some end of the week week good times and great tunes!

Webinar: Monetize Your Creativity Using Instagram
2024-04-19 16:00 - 17:30 | Zoom
Have a side-hustle you want to get off the ground? Sign up for this interactive webinar to learn how to use Instagram to expand your reach & sell your art! Explore real BC artists’ unique strategies & brainstorm great ideas for your creative business!
Email info @ jeninelillian dot com to sign up, pay & receive Zoom link.

BIG FANCY & THE SHIDDY COWBOYS
2024-04-18 19:00 - 23:30 | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
The Legendary Loser in Person!
With Reena Vee and the Real Bad Times
and Dana Sipos “The Golden Stallion”

Nelson Community Drumming Experience
2024-04-18 19:00 - 20:30 | North Shore Hall, 675 Whitmore Rd, Nelson, BC, V1L 6H7, Canada
Set free your inner rhythm, connect with your community, and let the beat move you!
Rhythm by Nature presents a fully interactive and immersive drumming experience for one night only at the North Shore Hall, Nelson, April 18, 7 pm, as part of the Spring Community Drumming Tour!
No drumming experience is needed and all the instruments are provided.
Professionally facilitated, participants will learn about and experiment with different drums and drumming techniques from all around the world. You’ll experience a fun and inclusive drumming workshop, but that’s only the beginning!

An Evening w/ Big Sugar
2024-04-18 19:00 | Spiritbar, 422 Vernon St, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4E5
The legendary Big Sugar celebrate their ground-breaking “Five Hundred Pounds” deluxe vinyl release from Third Man Records with a 2 set theatrical presentation that spans their storied career from Hugo Boss suit days to their more recent Roots Rock Reggae vibes. Gordie Johnson’s power trio breathe life into their early blues and jazz-tinged songbook that has influenced generations of guitarists. “The theatre setting gives us the opportunity to explore a much wider range of styles while still presenting a Big Sugar rock and roll show!”
Since the 90’s Big Sugar have been a staple on the airwaves and highways with a unique combination of Jamaican rhythms, blues tonality and heavy rock aggression. Songs like ‘Diggin A Hole’, ‘If I Had My Way’, ‘Turn The Lights On’ and ‘Roads Ahead’ with their roots/rock/reggae style featuring Gordie Johnson’s signature guitar playing have built a loyal following, earning Big Sugar a Road Gold Award as they continue to sell out concerts across North America.
Website: bigsugar.com Facebook: facebook.com/bigsugarmusic Instagram: instagram.com/big_sugar_music Twitter: twitter.com/big_sugar_music YouTube Channel: youtube.com/user/BigSugarBand

Faceless Dolls workshop series
2024-04-18 17:30 - 19:30, 2024-04-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
The Faceless Dolls campaign, created by the Native Women’s Association of Canada, was launched in March 2012 to raise awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and of the impact this tragedy has on communities across Canada. The project builds on the work of Gloria Larocque’s ‘Aboriginal Angel Doll Project.’

Join Nelson Museum Social Justice Coordinator Lesley Garlow for free, facilitated workshops to create your own faceless doll. You can attend one, a few, or all of the workshops, and completed dolls will be on display in the Community Cabinets on the main floor of the Museum. This is a FREE program, no registration is required, and all materials will be supplied.

Collage Journalling workshop
2024-04-18 17:30 - 19:00 | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Unleash your creativity and the power of self-expression as you explore the art of collage journalling. Celebrate every colourful moment of your wild life, guided by facilitator Fern Van Horne.
This workshop is FREE but pre-registration is required, and space is limited. Please email programs@nelsonmuseum.ca to register.

Youth Workshop – Visual Exploration Club – Ages 15-18
2024-04-18 15:30 - 16:30 | VISAC Gallery, 1501 Cedar Avenue, Trail, V1R 2J5
This bi-weekly club has a different theme per session. Participants will explore a variety of materials to gain confidence in their art making, building a sketchbook to reflect their growth as an artist. Themes include: Watercolour, Clay & 3D Art, Repainting Thrifted Art, and Paper Mosaic.
When: Thursdays (bi-weekly) 3:30pm-4:30pm
Duration: Jan 11-May 16, 2024 (No VEC club during Spring Break)
Age: 15 – 18
Class fee: $80 for 9 classes (January – May); or $10 drop-in per youth

Where:

VISAC Gallery – Under the red gallery awning
1501 Cedar Ave, Trail
Lower Level of Selkirk Building

Please email info@visacgallery.com with any questions.

Unbridled Connection
2024-04-18 - 2024-04-28 | 167 Deer Park Avenue, Kimberley, BC, V1A 2J5, 167 Deer Park Avenue, Kimberley, V1A 2J5
THE ART OF CAPTURING AUTHENTICITY
Kimberley-based equine photographer Jenny Rae Bateman captures the beauty of free-spirited horses and the genuine connection between horse and rider. She does so in the wilderness, at rodeos, clinics, and during intimate portraits of the Western lifestyle. Jenny is excited to announce her upcoming solo art exhibit “Unbridled Connection”, open to inspire visitors at Art Gallery Kimberley in BC’s Best Small Town from April 18 – 28, 2024.
Growing up as an only child in Westbank, BC, Jenny stumbled upon a guest ranch where she found a welcoming community of horse enthusiasts. It was here she learned to groom, tack and ride horses—an experience that started her passion for horses and the Western lifestyle.
Drawing inspiration from the dynamic energy of horses and equine photographers like Katarzyna Okrzesik and Christopher “Click” Thompson, Jenny’s photography captures both the untamed beauty of wild horses and the harsh realities they face while surviving beyond fences. Her work also provides a glimpse into the lives of hard-working, down-to-earth, big-hearted individuals—a lifestyle characterised by its resilience and grit.
“I was intrigued by photography after witnessing my father capturing black & white photos of our family and developing his own film in the basement of our home”, Jenny reflects. However, it was Jenny’s husband, himself a skilled photographer, who encouraged her to pursue photography professionally. Primarily self-taught, Jenny has expanded her knowledge through online courses and the mentorship of individuals like her husband and Julie Anne Davies, whose genuine and kind approach and skills continue to inspire Jenny.
Jenny believes horses have an innate ability to discern a person’s character, forming a connection with those who approach them with respect and sincerity. She explains, “You get from a horse what you are willing to give and I respect that. Once a horse has determined your character and intentions, it is able to consent to working with you. Horses have a calming effect, their souls are pure and their beauty is magnificent. I am in awe of their strength and willingness to work with humans.” For Jenny, photography is more than just shooting images; it’s about storytelling, evoking emotions, and making connections.
Despite the challenges of the weather and the unpredictable nature of horses, Jenny finds joy in the remoteness of the backcountry. She describes the feeling as “being between somewhere and nowhere”, sitting down in the dirt, observing the behaviour of these elegant creatures. Whether in the peace and quiet of the backcountry or the hustle and bustle of the rodeo grounds, Jenny enjoys the immersive experience, searching for the essence of each moment.
Beyond publications such as in LENS Magazine and a column in a woman’s online Moto magazine in Australia, as well as being chosen to travel with Wild Women Expeditions to photograph the ladies’ adventures, Jenny’s career highlights are the personal connections made through her photography. The impact her photos have on people, bringing out cherished memories and emotions, shows the power of photography.
Please join us at Art Gallery Kimberley between April 18 – 28, 2024. Jenny’s exhibit welcomes visitors from Thursday through Sunday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and from Monday to Wednesday by appointment. Come experience the inspiring beauty and authentic stories captured through Jenny’s lens.

Weekly Tango Mini Lesson & Practice
2024-04-17 19:30 - 21:30 | Christie Lee’s Hall, 807-703 Radio Ave, Nelson, BC, V1L3L3, Canada
Want to learn and practice dancing Argentine Tango?

We host a weekly mini-lesson and practica at Christie Lee’s Hall in Fairview.

The guided portion from 7:30-8:15 has a different host and topic each week (check our Facebook page for host and topic announcements). We have an open practice after the lesson until 9:30pm.

Dancers of all levels are welcome! Material is beginner-friendly.

Tango is an improvised partner dance originating in Argentina and Uruguay; you don’t need a partner to attend tango practices or events and it can be danced by anyone and everyone.

Please bring your dancing shoes and a water bottle.

5$ donation

Where to find us: Christies Lees Hall is on Radio Ave., in lower Fairview. You can access Radio from 4th or 7th Streets. The Hall’s part of the Kiwanis Villa complex. On Radio Ave. look for “701” on the deck post near the sidewalk leading to the front doors. Also, look for the sandwich board near the sidewalk.

Google map link: https://goo.gl/maps/zFraPXNpJ6aBBJtv6
Maps will tell you that it’s “temporarily closed” but don’t believe it!

Indigenous Reads Book Club
2024-04-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Nelson Public Library, 602 Stanley St, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 1N4, Canada
Embark on a learning journey with us! We will be reading books exploring the truth of Indigenous history and stories. Come to one or come to all and learn the richness of Indigenous culture. New learners welcome at The Nelson Public Library
MMIWG2S (Murdered, Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, Two Spirit) – Surviving the City by Tasha Spillet – January 24
Residential Schools – Five Little Indians by Michelle Good – February 21
Indigenous History – This Place: 150 Years Retold – March 20
Indigiqueer – Johnny Appleseed by joshua whitehead – April 17
Indigenous Humour – Prairie Chicken Dance Tour by Dawn Dumont – May 22

Weave a Portrait with Carl Stewart
2024-04-15 - 2024-04-16 | The Arts Station, Fernie
Carl Stewart is an artist living in Ottawa. He has an extensive repertoire of works created for solo and group exhibitions in Canada and the US.Using a photograph or other visual reference, students will learn various computer-assisted and freehand methods of transferring images to graph paper to create templates for weaving portraits. Students will weave samples using Swedish inlay and learn techniques which will incorporate gradations of colour and texture to a woven image.Each student must provide a portable 4-shaft loom warped with a 3-yard warp of 8/2 cotton set at 20 ends per inch. The warp will be 10 to 12 inches wide and in a dark colour of the weaver’s choice. Students will also provide their own cotton weft yarns. The class is limited to 12 students. The workshop fee is $20.00.Send expressions of interest to vallance@telus.net. Those who register will pay a non-refundable $20 deposit.

ABIGAIL LAPELL W/ GUESTS
2024-04-14 20:00 - 23:00 | The Flying Steamshovel Inn & Gastropub, 2003 2nd Ave, Rossland, BC, V0G1Y0, Canada
Toronto songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Abigail Lapell returns with Anniversary, an evocative collection of original love songs. Produced with Great Lake Swimmers’ Tony Dekker, the album was recorded at 200-year-old St Mark’s Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake,
Ontario.
Dekker helped shape the sessions’ spooky, resonant sound and also lent his voice to a couple of spellbinding duets. Lapell’s deft lyrics jostle with love song tropes, grappling with love’s finitude and the irony of how codependency and longing are revered in popular
music.
Balancing upbeat earworms with elegiac ballads, Anniversary ultimately emerges as an earnest celebration of commitment. A stellar cast of musicians rounds out Lapell’s powerhouse vocals, piano, harmonica and fingerstyle guitar.
The ensemble’s sensitive orchestral country-jazz arrangements feature bass, drums, viola, trumpet and pedal steel along with the church’s own harpsichord and organ.
Anniversary is out May 10, 2024 on Outside Music

Newkeys Place presents, Blues in The Afternoon with Sam Hurrie
2024-04-14 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

Strings & Winds – an Up Close & Intimate Concert
2024-04-14 14:00 - 16:00 | Vallican Whole Community Centre, 3762 Little Slocan South Road, Vallican, British Columbia, V0G2J0, Canada
Join two Slocan Valley classical ensembles – The Lakeside String Ensemble, an eclectic mix of professional and amateur string players from Slocan Lake, and the Shifting Winds a quintet featuring flute, fluegelhorn, french horn, euphonium and bass clarinet. for an afternoon classical concert at the beautiful Vallican Whole Community Centre in the Slocan Valley.
The concert is Sunday April 14th at 2pm, and audiences will enjoy two classical sets. There will be tea, coffee, cakes and baked goods for sale. Tickets are $25, and can be reserved online via email: info (at) vallicanwhole (dot) com.

An Evening of Poetry and Literary Company
2024-04-13 20:00 - 22:00 | Silverton Memorial Hall, 203 Lake Ave, Silverton, V0G 1M0
Celebrating National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month and we should celebrate.
April 13th Silverton Memorial Hall will host An Evening of Poetry and Literary Company. Five established local adult poets will be joined by several young emerging poets reading their work. Over 40 books have been published by the cohort of adult poets. The doors open at 7:30pm and the readings start at 8pm. The event is free.
Tom Wayman stands as one of BC’s leading poets with over 20 published collections of poetry, plus several collections of short stories, novellas and novels. Recently Wayman was presented with BC’s George Woodcock Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing his long-standing contribution to the literary world in BC and Canada. Barbara Curry Mulcahy published The Man with the Dancing Monkey to strong reviews and is a regular contributor to literary magazines in BC and across Canada. Sean Arthur Joyce published seven books of poetry, a novel and several historic volumes. The former President of the Federation of BC Writers, Keith Liggett has published six books of which two are collections of poetry. Kate Smyles swings back and forth between singer/songwriter and poet. This evening she will be treading the boards as a poet. To round out the evening, several emerging poets from the Lucerne School will join to read their recent work.
Sean Arthur Joyce, Barbara Curry Mulcahy, and Tom Wayman all have books being released in the near future and will have work for sale at the reading.
Slocan Lake Arts Council will host a refreshment stand and the book sale table of published works by the reading poets.
The evening is supported by Silverton Writes, Slocan Lake Arts Council, and grants from the Columbia Basin Trust and the RDCK.
It should be an interesting evening with a wide variety of styles and voices in celebration of National Poetry Month.
And it is FREE.
For more information:
Keith Liggett
t.keith.liggett@gmail.com
250-423-8657
Tom Wayman www.tomwayman.com
Barbara Curry Mulcahy www.barbaracurrymulcahy.ca
Sean Arthur Joyce www.seanarthurjoyce.ca
Keith Liggett www.keithliggett.ca

An Evening of Poetry and Literary Company
2024-04-13 19:30 | Silverton Memorial Hall, 203 Lake Ave, Silverton, V0G 1M0
April 13th Silverton Memorial Hall will host An Evening of Poetry and Literary Company. Five established local adult poets will be joined by several young emerging poets reading their work. Over 40 books have been published by the cohort of adult poets. The doors open at 7:30pm and the readings start at 8pm. The event is free.
Tom Wayman stands as one of BC’s leading poets with over 20 published collections of poetry, plus several collections of short stories, novellas and novels. Recently Wayman was presented with BC’s George Woodcock Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing his long-standing contribution to the literary world in BC and Canada. Barbara Curry Mulcahy published The Man with the Dancing Monkey to strong reviews and is a regular contributor to literary magazines in BC and across Canada. Sean Arthur Joyce published seven books of poetry, a novel and several historic volumes. The former President of the Federation of BC Writers, Keith Liggett has published six books of which two are collections of poetry. Kate Smyles swings back and forth between singer/songwriter and poet. This evening she will be treading the boards as a poet. To round out the evening, several emerging poets from the Lucerne School will join to read their recent work.
Sean Arthur Joyce, Barbara Curry Mulcahy, and Tom Wayman all have books being released in the near future and will have work for sale at the reading.
Slocan Lake Arts Council will host a refreshment stand and the book sale table of published works by the reading poets.
The evening is supported by Silverton Writes, Slocan Lake Arts Council, and grants from the Columbia Basin Trust and the RDCK.
It should be an interesting evening with a wide variety of styles and voices in celebration of National Poetry Month.
And it is FREE.
For more information:
Keith Liggett t.keith.liggett@gmail.com
250-423-8657

Free Artist Talk | Karen Tamminga-Paton
2024-04-13 16:30 - 17:30 | Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, 320 Wilson Street, Revelstoke, V0E 2S0
Join main gallery artist Karen Tamminga-Paton for a free artist talk on Saturday, April 13th, from 4:30 – 5:30pm. Dive into the world of political, global, and environmental health as Tamminga-Paton shares the inspiration behind her stunning large-scale paintings.
This thought-provoking exhibition “Ventilate” stems from conversations held worldwide, and now it’s your chance to join the dialogue right here in Revelstoke! Stick around after the talk for a Q&A session and the opportunity to meet the artist in person. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome to attend.
– RVAC, 320 Wilson st.
– April 13, 4:30 – 5:30pm followed by a Q&A
– All welcome, no RSVP required

Author Reading Series: Alicia Elliott + Brandi Bird
2024-04-13 13:00 - 14:30 | Oxygen Art Centre, 320 Vernon St Unit-3, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4E4, Canada
Author Reading Series: April 2024
Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 1:00 PM PST (Zoom)
Alicia Elliott + Brandi Bird
+ introducing Morrigan Bonegardener
Free! Register to attend (Zoom)

Oxygen Art Centre is delighted to present the first event of 2024’s Author Reading Series featuring Alicia Elliott and Brandi Bird, and emerging writer Morrigan Bonegardener at an online reading event on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 1:00 PM PST (Zoom).
To attend, please register in advance. This event is free, everyone welcome!
The online event will feature readings by all three authors, as well as a short question and answer period at the event. This program is generously supported by the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance.
Learn more about this event and upcoming events and workshops, here.

Beginner Blacksmithing
2024-04-13 10:00 - 18:00 | Boundary Museum and Archives, 6145 Reservoir Road, Grand Forks, V0H 1H5
Forge your own Fire Pocker or Forge a Railway Spike into a Knife

Fun With Props Workshop
2024-04-13 10:00 - 13:00 | White Monkey Design, 805 Victoria Street, Nelson, V1L 4L4
2024 Momentum Masterclass Workshop Series
Fun With Props with Booth Milton (White Monkey Design)
COST:
$30 General
$25 for KSBI Members
$20 for Students
Email lynn@kootenayfilm.com to sign up
WHEN: Saturday April 13, 2024, 10am – 1pm PST
WHERE: White Monkey Design
805 Victoria St, Nelson, BC V1L 4L4
.
.
.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
This workshop will give you an overview and introduction to the Props Department in the film industry. We’ll go over responsibilities and typical techniques used for prop building. Participants will have a hands-on look at examples from the art department and hero props from White Monkey’s extensive props collection. As well, participants will get a mini tour of White Monkey’s mini prop building studio in Nelson (scaled-down from their original props house in Vancouver). The open discussion format will allow for any questions you have about working in props in film and the creative process, to be answered by an industry professional with over 30+ years experience.
.
.
.
ABOUT BOOTH:
A renowned artist in the film industry, Booth Milton has been creating and designing sci-fi, steampunk, pre-cowboy vintage, and iron props for over 30 years. He is an expert in sculpting, with a focus on science fiction and recycled art.
Emily Carr 3D Studies graduate and sculptor of all things cool, Booth has
collaborated in designs and engineering of many hero props for major sci fi and fantasy movies and TV series shot in Vancouver such as the Flash, Arrow, I-Robot, Fantastic Four 1 and 2, X Men 1 and 2, Battlestar Galactica, Stargate, Night at the Museum 2, Watchmen, Sucker Punch, Imaginarium of Dr Parnasis, Eurika, Chronicles of Riddeck, Descendants 1 and 2, White Fang 2 and countless Disney shows, to name a few.
He founded White Monkey Design Inc. working alongside Jocelyn Banyard, primarily to service the art, movie, retail, museum and exhibit industries. The only ‘Dirty Studio’ serving Greater Vancouver until 2021, known for mixing traditional techniques and materials with emerging cutting edge technology. After closing the Vancouver studio, he now resides in Nelson, BC and has created a mini studio that is home to his legacy of props making.
‘His work shows a tremendous dexterity, flexibility in the range of materials he can work in as well as an elegance and energy that simply radiates off each piece.’

https://www.whitemonkeydesign.com/
