West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

Lardeau Valley Museum 25th Anniversary Celebration
2025-06-29 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver) | Lardeau Valley Museum, 13435 Highway 31, Meadow Creek, V0G1N0
Don’t miss the fun! It’s been 25 years since our community’s museum opened its doors, and we’re in for a delightful celebration. There will be fun for all ages: live music, a free barbecue lunch, children’s games, a local vendor market, museum tours and more. A highlight of the day will be the much-anticipated opening of a time capsule sealed in the year 2000. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view a special display of handmade indigenous artifacts created by Yakan Nukiy Council member Robin Louie. Come join the community celebration!

HEAVY AIRSHIP – ZEPPLIN TRIBUTE
2025-06-28 21:00 - 23:30 | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada

Kootenay Burlesque Festival
2025-06-28 19:30 - 22:30, 2025-06-27 19:30 - 22:30 | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Get ready to be dazzled, delighted, and downright enchanted as the 6th Annual Kootenay Burlesque Festival returns to Nelson on June 27 and 28 at the iconic Capitol Theatre. Presented by local producer and performer Vesper Valentine, this premier weekend event offers two distinct showcase nights celebrating the sensuality, artistry, and spectacle of burlesque and variety performance.
Friday, June 27 – The Dirty & Nerdy Show
Step into a seductive realm where intellect meets irresistible allure. This cheeky, geeky night features acts that blend pop culture, fantasy, and risqué brilliance in a celebration of all things naughty and nerdy.
Saturday, June 28 – The Sparkle & Sass Soirée
An opulent evening of glitz, glam, and grandeur, this showcase brings together burlesque royalty and world-class variety performers. Expect feathers, rhinestones, sass, and spectacle

With Headliners:Qween Qwan – the #1 most influential burlesque performer in the world and winner of Most Dazzling from the Burlesque Hall of FameEros Sea from New OreleansRaphael De La Getto from Colorado
Daft Hunk from Nelson, BC

Feature Performers:Maverick from VancouverPoseidon Davenport from New Orleans

Special Invited GuestLady Sapphire Noir

More than 40 additional performers from across North America will round out the festival with a mix of burlesque, aerials, circus, drag, and vaudeville variety across two themed nights. The weekend also features educational workshops led by professional touring artists. Open to all levels, workshops will be held on Saturday, June 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Intuit Movement Studio.
Tickets and Pricing
Advance tickets are $33 per night, or $38 at the door.
Attend both nights for only $25 per show with a weekend pass.
Tickets are available online or in person at the Capitol Theatre.For full festival details and workshop registration, visit: www.kootenayburlesquefestival.com

Live Music at the Hume Hotel Beer Garden
2025-06-28 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-06-27 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-06-23 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-06-21 18:00 - 21:00 | Hume Hotel Beer Garden Stage, 422 Vernon Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4E5, Canada
Live Music, through the week.
The Beer Garden has its own stage that features local musicians and DJs on select nights of the week! Check out our lineup for upcoming shows that are featured 6-9pm.

kt̓kmin uɬ c̓ik̓ʷm (mark and make light) Opening Reception
2025-06-28 17:00 - 19:00 | Oxygen Art Centre, 320 Vernon St Unit-3, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4E4, Canada
The public are invited to attend the Opening Reception of kt̓kmin uɬ c̓ik̓ʷm (mark and make light), on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. The artists will be in attendance. Light refreshments will be provided. Admission is free.
Axel-Strain and Van Stone will be in artists-in-residence at Oxygen Art Centre from June 22, 2025, to June 28, 2025, in preparation for their exhibition kt̓kmin uɬ c̓ik̓ʷm (mark and make light), which will be on view at Oxygen Art Centre from July 2, 2025, to August 23, 2025. The Opening Reception is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Everyone welcome to attend.
Oxygen Art Centre is an artist-run centre located at #3-320 Vernon Street along the alleyway behind Baker Street. All events are free to attend.
This program is generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Regional District of Central Kootenay ReDi program.
Learn more information about the artists, the program and event at Oxygen’s website.

Shambhala Pre-Party
2025-06-28 12:00 - 2025-06-29 12:00 | Salmo River Ranch, Highway 3, Salmo
As the sun sets over Salmo River Ranch, the night awakens. On Saturday, June 28th, bring the farm to life early at the Shambhala Pre-Party, an intimate prelude to Shambhala Music Festival in the heart of the picturesque Riverside Campground. Feel the energy of the Farmily and the anticipation of what’s to come.
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Catch gentlemens Club, Truth, Smoakland and more

It’s about to go down on the Salmo River Ranch ⚡️⚡️⚡️ Turn the bass up with Gentlemens Club, Truth, Smoakland, K+Lab, SkiiTour, VEIL, Abstrakt Sonance, Carissa Gem, Chimp It, Dolla Hilz, Dubconscious, and Kato at the Shambhala Pre-Party. Find yourself lounging by the river by day, and lighting up the 300-degree dancefloor by night.
Early Bird and General Admission Pre-Party Tickets go on sale Friday, March 28 at 12:00 PM (PDT) and include free tent camping and free parking. Seeking a dreamier stay? Explore lodging packages.

Family Beach Party on Soul’s Paradise Beach
2025-06-28 11:00 - 16:00 | Soul’s Paradise, 16961 Pilot Bay Road, Kootenay Bay, BC, Canada
Enjoy a family beach party/potluck 🙂 Lady V & Bass Cat will play classic hits and beats for all the family. Valéry & Sadie will teach a basic choreography so that everyone can dance together. Park on Pilot Bay Road. Bring a chair, food & drinks. Free for everyone under 18 years old. $10/Adult

Saturday Bunker tours
2025-06-28 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.

Click on the link to register. Adult admission required – children under 19 are always free! (https://form-can.keela.co/bunker-tours)

KITTY AND THE ROOSTER w/ SPENCER JO
2025-06-27 21:00 - 23:30 | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada

ArtWalk 2025 Opening Night
2025-06-27 18:00 - 21:00 | Downtown Nelson, Various, BC, Canada
Join the Nelson District Arts Council for the annual ArtWalk Opening night on Friday, June 27th. Wander the street checking out the art at over 20 venues, listen to music and be entertained as you stroll.

“Uno” by Raul Pous Facha
2025-06-27 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-26 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-25 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-24 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-23 12:00 - 16:00 | VISAC Gallery, 1501 Cedar Avenue, Trail, V1R 2J5
Meet Raul: Architect, Artist, and Digital Fabrication Visionary

“I’m Raul, an architect and artist of Mexican origin, now based in Canada since 2022. My lifelong fascination with materials and manufacturing techniques has deeply influenced my approach to design. While I’ve always appreciated the artistry and individuality of handmade products, I’ve also recognized the challenges they face in achieving precision and consistent quality.

This curiosity led me to digital fabrication, where I discovered the power to translate complex designs into reality with precision and control. Through the fusion of technology and craftsmanship, I am able to create pieces that retain the unique essence of handmade work while elevating their quality and accuracy.”

Exhibition Dates: March 10 – 20, 2025

Opening Reception: Thursday, March 13 from 4:00pm-5:30pm

Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday, 12pm-4pm

To learn more, visit us at: https://visacgallery.com/exhibitions/#unoraulpousfacha

TROPICAL GETDOWN
2025-06-26 19:00 - 23:00 | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
Join us for an electrifying night where rhythm, movement, and community come alive with Latin and Caribbean flair!
We’ll kick things off with a 30-minute Dancehall/Reggaeton intro class — perfect for all levels — where you’ll learn signature moves and feel the pulse of the islands and the streets. It’s the perfect warm-up to set the vibe for the night.
Then get ready as DJ Dubconscious and DJ F4therhood take over the decks, blending Latin and Caribbean beats that will keep you dancing non-stop. From tropical rhythms to spicy transitions, it’s going to be a night of pure fuego and irresistible energy on the dance floor!
As the night builds, brace yourself for a smoking hot performance by the fierce Tapatia Collective Ladies Team an exclusive presentation of the choreography they’ll be taking to Mexico City. This is your chance to witness the piece before it hits the international stage, and rally behind these powerful performers as they represent with style, strength, and pure dancehall fire.
Come for the class. Stay for the vibes. Celebrate the culture. Support the movement.

Summer Lovin’ FREE Thursdays
2025-06-26 16:00 - 20:00 | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Come on down to the Nelson Museum on Thursday evenings, where you can visit the galleries, museum, and shop for FREE. 4-8pm every Thursday.

Beginner / Intermediate Wheel Throwing with Sarah Zanussi
2025-06-25 18:00 - 20:30 | VISAC Gallery, 1501 Cedar Avenue, Trail, V1R 2J5
Join instructor Sarah Zanussi for 6 weeks of clay exploration. Sarah teaches a mix of hand building and wheel throwing techniques in her workshops, so this is an excellent class for those who aren’t sure which style of making is their preference yet. Take this opportunity to begin, or further develop, your skills in the pottery studio. Participants will learn wedging, centering, pulling, trimming, making handles, as well as some hand building techniques.
When: Wednesdays, 6:00pm-8:30pm
Duration: 6 weeks (May 21 – June 25, 2025)
Class Fee: $270 for VISAC members (or $300 for non-members)
Supply Fee: $20 for clay, to be paid by cash or e-transfer on the first day of class.
Minimum 4 students, with a maximum of 5.
Youth ages 16-18 are welcome to participate, with parental consent.
Where: VISAC Gallery – Under the red gallery awning
1501 Cedar Ave, Trail
Lower Level of Selkirk Building
About Sarah Zanussi of Pisces Pottery:
Creating nature inspired, whimsical collections of functional pottery from her home studio. To learn more, check out her work on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pisces_pottery/
If you have any questions, please reach out to info@visacgallery.com

Wednesday Bunker Tours
2025-06-25 13:00 - 14:00 | 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.

Wednesday Bunker tours run seasonally from June to September. Saturday Bunker tours are offered year-round. Click on the link to register. Adult admission required – children under 19 are always free!

Incandescence
2025-06-24 19:00 - 21:00 | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Incandescence, a National Film Board of Canada production, is an immersive cinematic experience that weaves together on-the-ground footage with extraordinary stories of survival and adaptation that transform our understanding of wildfire.
Wildfires are burning with increasing intensity around the world. Following the rhythms of the seasons, Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper’s Incandescence is an immersive cinematic experience, weaving on-the-ground footage with extraordinary stories of survival and adaptation that transform our understanding of wildfire. The film takes shape from the ancient patterns embodied in fire: destruction, aftermath and rebirth. From the flightpath of bees to an osprey’s aerial perspective, floating over the landscape: the Earth comes back.
This important documentary provides insight into the devastating impact of the Okanagan wildfires in recent years, highlighting the personal stories of affected individuals and the environmental consequences that resulted. Join the directors Ami and Ripper after the screening for a community post-screening Q & A.
This event is presented by the Capitol Theatre.

Chloe Albert with Sapphire Guthrie
2025-06-22 19:30 - 21:30 | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Chloe Albert has been a staple in the Canadian indie music scene since the release of her debut Canadian Folk Music Award-winning album Dedicated State in 2008. Her sophomore album Dreamcatcher
earned her a JUNO Award nomination for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year, a Western Canadian Music Award nomination, and multiple Edmonton Music Awards, rooting her as an important figure in the
Canadian songwriting landscape. A prolific, multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter, Chloe has been playing music professionally for over fifteen years, opening for artists like Lyle Lovett and K.D. Lang.
Sapphire Guthrie is a local singer songwriter whose poetic and lyrical songs span many contemporary genres. Her performances are an intimate invitation for audiences to lose themselves in the warmth of her voice, and explore themes of the human condition, social and political affairs, and the beauty of the natural world.
Tickets: $20

Newkeys Place presents, Blues in The Afternoon with Sam Hurrie
2025-06-22 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

FrancoFête 2025: catapult, bocce and guinguette!
2025-06-22 12:00 - 19:00 | Lakeside Park, Nelson, V1L 5S4, Canada
Get ready for Francofête 2025!
Join us on June 22nd from 12 to 7 pm at Lakeside Park for a day packed with French culture and community spirit. Dive into a bocce tournament, join an epic poutine-eating contest, sip on delicious drinks from our guinguette-style bar, and enjoy a slam poetry performance. It’s a family-friendly event that’s completely free — come and celebrate with us! Discover the richness of the French language and the warmth of francophone Visit afko.ca/francofete-2025 for more details. Let’s make it a day to remember!

Harmony Festival
2025-06-22 11:00 - 19:00 | Slocan Beach, Village of Slocan, Canada
3rd Annual HARMONY Festival
Music, dance and play!
By donation $0-$50Pay-what-you-can or Pay-it-ForwardCash, scan or e-transfer treehuggersocietybc@outlook.com
A non-profit community event.Family Friendly and no alcohol served.
Local artists and free workshops:

Friday June 20th3:00 Open micCONTACT IMPROV WORKSHOP5:00 Mountain Weather Band7:00 Month of Sundays Dance * DJ Wax Headroom

Saturday, June 21st10:00 SONG WRITING & SAND SCULPTING WORKSHOPS12:00 Kiara Astara Prayers12:50 Mandi Sparrow & Jupiter Skye Dance1:00 Judy Brown & Sam Hurrie2:00 thisissami::rawHOOP DANCE WORKSHOP3:00 Melvyn4:00 Keith RathieBATIK WORKSHOP5:00 Rosa Good6:30 I Herd Cats Collective & Dance Cypher8:30 TruckVanCarPyro Pixie Fire Dance11:00 Solstice Lakeside Jam

Sunday, June 22nd11:00 INNER SOUL SOUNDS WORKSHOP12:00 Kera Willis1:00 Jasmine Wiley Wu with Belisse Binah Bellydance2:00 Barnharmonics3:00 Puppets Got Talent & Spin The Wheel4:00 Soul PotionMIX AND MATCH PUPPET MAKING WORKSHOP5:00 DJ Adham Shaikh

SATURDAY WATER GAMESSUNDAY FIREFIGHTER GAMEsVOLLEYBALLBOUNCY CASTLEKID’S CRAFT ZONEFACEPAINTINGBINGORAFFLE AND 50/50 DRAWSROSE WOMB SANCTUARY TENT

FOOD & ARTISAN VENDORS:FoodhiniTalishack KitchensCheez 2 PleezJaganath ExpressRawsaReverie Bakerie
Bring games to share!
If you have an idea for a last minute 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 tableBINGO callerCollecting donations at the gate
Show up, PM or email treehuggersocietybc@outlook.com to let us know you want to help.
HARMONY is hosted by non-profit Treehugger Retreats and Events Society and produced by Live Harmonics Sound Science.
Our intention is to support local artists, small businesses and organizations, to create a space to bridge connections between old and new residents of the Slocan Valley and to bring increased tourism to the Village of Slocan. We also give back to the community by hiring local artists and tradespersons, donating extra revenue to local non-profits, and loaning equipment for free for other non-profit community events throughout the year.

Thank you to our sponsors and supporters!Village of SlocanSlocan Valley Legacy FundReDI Grant, Village of Slocan and Area HRDCK Community Development GrantColumbia Basin TrustKootenay InsuranceTrowelex Rentals & SalesKootenay Savings Credit UnionKootenay Co-OpSlocan Village MarketNelson & District Credit UnionTransformation Development

Organizers acknowledge that we will gather on snʕickstx tmxʷúlaʔxʷ (Sinixt territory) and give gratitude to this land and its waters. We wish to continue to build connections, with ourselves, with each other and with Mother Earth.

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).

Dark Chapters closing event with David Garneau
2025-06-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
David Garneau returns to the Nelson Museum with guests Susan Musgrave, Paul Seesequasis, and Fred Wah, for an artist talk and reading event, featuring excerpts from the Dark Chapters publication and amongst the artworks in Gallery A. This event is free and open to the public.
Rocks and books, bones and shadows—studied in isolation, interpreted by 17 leading artists, poets, essayists, and academics from across the country—come together in Dark Chapters, a striking project by Métis artist David Garneau. Presented as both a touring exhibition and a publication, Dark Chapters explores the tension and balance between everyday objects and powerful cultural symbols.
David Garneau (Métis) is a Professor of Visual Arts at the University of Regina. He is a painter, curator, and writer who engages creative and critical expressions of Indigenous contemporary ways of knowing, being, and doing. In 2023, he received the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Art: Outstanding Achievement and was inducted into the Royal Society of Canada.
