West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

Local Trail, Distant Shores: Water Colour Perspectives
2025-04-16 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-17 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-22 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-23 12:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | VISAC Gallery, 1501 Cedar Avenue, Trail, V1R 2J5
A series of watercolour paintings by Dan Ashman. The exhibition takes inspiration from the scenery of the West Kootenays.
Exhibition Dates:
March 27 – April 24, 2025
Opening Event:
March 27, 2025
Evening Hours:
April 15, 2025
Gallery Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday
12pm-4pm

Artist Statement:
If I am asked how long it took to paint a picture, I would reply, “Thirty-five years to learn how, and a few hours to put paint on paper”. It is a long process to master the media of watercolour and even after all this time, something can still go wrong. I’m still learning and developing my style.
About Dan Ashman:
Dan Ashman was born in British Columbia in 1956 and started his foray into art in High School by painting in oils. He moved to Trail to work as a Metallurgical Engineer at Teck and took up watercolours in 1987 during a night school course led by fellow engineer and local watercolour artist, Brian O’Hara. Subsequently, he attended workshops with Les Weisbrich, a watercolour artist from the Slocan valley, and Kiff Holland, a watercolour artist from the lower mainland. Otherwise, he is self taught.
Dan joined the Trail Art Club in 1988 and helped to establish the VISAC gallery. He was a member of the “Thursday Night Painters” when it was led by Bob Ross. His work has been shown in Art Club exhibitions, the VISAC invitational show, showings of the Thursday Night Painters both in Trail and Spokane as well as juried art shows. He has sold a number of paintings including one to St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.
As an avid outdoorsman, Dan was inspired by the captivating scenery of the West Kootenays and began to capture local scenes in watercolour either painting “en plein air” or in his studio. He is also an amateur photographer and uses photos from his travels as subject matter. Now retired, his recent works include landscapes from the West Kootenays, the Canadian Rockies, Hawaii, and Atlantic Canada.

“Uno” by Raul Pous Facha
2025-04-16 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-17 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-18 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-21 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-22 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-23 12:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | 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

Coig (Nova Scotia Celtic Folk) w/ Guests
2025-04-16 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Flying Steamshovel Inn & Gastropub, 2003 2nd Ave, Rossland, BC, V0G1Y0, Canada
Còig is one of Atlantic Canada’s most exciting Celtic traditional groups made up of accomplished multi-instrumentalists. With the fiery Celtic high-energy style as its musical core, Còig easily shifts between century-old tunes of past generations to original and upbeat compositions, featuring the band’s range of over a dozen instruments (vocals, fiddles, piano, guitars, banjo, mandolin, viola, bouzouki, whistles, and more). With driving tunes, haunting songs and infectious energy, Còig is an unparalleled music force.

Jesse Cook
2025-04-16 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Jesse Cook, the internationally acclaimed guitarist and composer, brings his mesmerizing fusion of flamenco, jazz, and world music to Nelson on April 16, 2025. Known for his virtuosity and captivating live performances, Cook has won numerous awards, including a Juno Award, and continues to enchant audiences with his unique blend of genres. His most popular tracks, such as “Café Mocha” and “Mario Takes a Walk,” showcase his extraordinary talent and diverse musical influences.
With a career spanning over two decades and multiple chart-topping albums like The Rumba Foundation and Love in the Time of Covid, Jesse Cook remains one of the most influential and innovative artists in world music. His live shows are an unforgettable experience, featuring his masterful guitar work, rhythmic brilliance, and a deep connection with the audience. Don’t miss the chance to experience Jesse Cook’s musical journey live in Nelson!

SELKIRK COLLEGE MUSIC PRESENTS: A SPRING SPECTACLE
2025-04-16 20:00 - 23:30, 2025-04-17 20:00 - 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
Two nights of music with all proceeds going towards student scholarships!

Wednesday April 16th Featuring
-Acoustic and Unplugged
-Motown and Classic Soul
-Hiphop
-ABBA

Thursday April 17th Featuring
-Jazz
-XIII
-Funk/Soul/R&B
Hendrix

Young Visions of 2025 Exhibit
2025-04-17 10:00 - 2025-05-31 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Kootenay Gallery of Art, 120 Heritage Way, Castlegar, BC, V1N 4M5, Canada
After a two month period of time closed for renovations, the Kootenay Gallery is pleased
to announce that it will launch its 2025 exhibition season with one of its most anticipated
annual events. The Young Visions exhibit runs in both the West and East Galleries from
April 17th to May 31st, celebrating the creative skills and talents of young people in
School District 20 from ages 13 to 18.
This year, students from Stanley Humphries Secondary School in Castlegar, and Kootenay
Columbia Learning Centre will participate in the show.
The gallery and exhibit will open with a reception on Thursday, April 17th from 5:00 to
7:00 pm. All are welcome to attend the opening.
Gallery hours are from 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.

For more information
contact the Gallery at 250.365.3337 or email kootenaygallery@telus.net.

Spring Fling FREE Thursdays
2025-04-17 16:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | 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.

Art & Ecology Book Study
2025-04-17 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
We are excited to offer a 5 week Art & Ecology course that will provide an opportunity for discussion, reflective writing, and art-making to critically examine the present and inspire the process of imagining and eventually realizing better futures. What we can create begins with what we can imagine.Co-facilitated by NMAG and the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute, the course will run on Thursday evenings from 6-8 pm, April 3 to May 1, 2025, at NMAG. There will be required readings each week from the collection of essays, An Ecotopian Lexicon.Registration fee includes a copy of the book, An Ecotopian Lexicon, a collaborative volume of engaging essays that offer new terms and concepts to inspire responses and alternatives to our current social and ecological trajectory.The content and readings are suited for adult learners. Maximum registration of 10 participants. Register here. Course cost is $40+GST for members, and $50+GST for non-members. Sign up for a Museum membership online or in person at the Front Desk.

Kootenay Renegades with Holly Hyatt and Jon burden
2025-04-18 19:30 - 22:00 (America/Vancouver) | Finley’s Bar $ Grill, 705 Vernon St, Nelson, BC, V1L 4G3, Canada
Finley’s After Work Dance party

SATANIC TEA CO, MISYRION, SHOTGUN DEVINE
2025-04-18 20:30 - 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada

Easter Egg Hunt at the Rossland Museum
2025-04-19 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre, 1100 Hwy 3B | Junction of Hwys 3B & 22, Rossland, BC, V0G 1Y0, Canada
Join us at the Rossland Museum on Saturday, April 19th, for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt—a day packed with egg hunts, Easter-y crafts and races, face painting, activities, and more!
Date: Saturday, April 19th
Egg Hunt Times:
Morning Hunts: Ages 0-8(ish) 10:30 AM | 11:30 AM
Afternoon Hunts: Ages 6-12(ish) 1:30 PM | 2:30 PM
Entry by donation
Bring your baskets and your best bunny hops—we’ll see you there!
NOTE: Much of this event will be taking place outside. Warm clothes and footwear are recommended!
This event is generously supported in part by the Columbia Basin Trust.

Guided Cold War Bunker tours
2025-04-19 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver) | 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!

Lil’ Mikey Presents: Cry Bébé’s Dub in the Pub @ Backroads Brewing
2025-04-19 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Vancouver) | Backroads Brewing, 460 Baker St, Nelson, BC, V1L4H8, Canada
An unhappy hour dub set with the Number one Saddest Sound in Town. Turn your smile upside down with a skillful selection of Sentimental Saddies, Melancholic Melodies and Dubby Downers. 100% Saddest-faction Guaranteed!

KHC Presents Wesli
2025-04-19 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Edmonton) | Golden Civic Centre, 806 10th Avenue S, Golden, BC
Delving deeply into Caribbean and African groove-based musical forms such as reggae, Haitian voodoo, rara, Afro beat, and hip-hop, Wesli creates music that is highly danceable, but also has political and cultural insights.
One of the most gifted global-roots musicians living in Canada, Wesley Louissant – stage name Wesli – was born in Haiti but fled the coup that deposed Jean-Bertrand Aristide and found himself at age 11 in a Cuban refugee camp. Musically precocious, Wesli was still in his teens when he began to establish an international reputation as a performer and arranger. At age 21 he won a scholarship to study music in Montreal, and that has been his base ever since. After impressive collaborations with celebrated diasporic musicians such as Senaya and Sara Rénélik, Wesli began recording his own CDs, with Rapadou Kreyol winning a 2019 Juno for World Music Album of the Year (one of many awards he’s received). Delving ever more deeply into Caribbean and African groove-based musical forms such as reggae, Haitian voodoo, rara, Afro beat, and hip-hop, Wesli creates music that is highly danceable, but also has political and cultural insights embedded in messages of hope, truth, and peace. “You want to say something useful to society, not just entertain people,” he explains. Latterly, this gifted vocalist and multi-instrumentalist has taken a deep dive into the Creole culture of Haiti, resulting in the well-reviewed CD Tradisyon, which focuses on Haiti’s acoustic and traditional roots music. This charismatic, effortlessly uplifting performer will be in full flight in Golden as he takes to the stage with his electrifying – and very international – seven-piece group. According to New York-based arts-and-culture daily Nippertown, “This crackling band had the crowd jumping out of their seats. Complex but never busy, they came across as an extremely seasoned unit dedicated to escaping gravity and inviting us along for the ride.”

Fiesta Latina
2025-04-19 19:30 - 2025-04-20 02:00 (America/Vancouver) | Finley’s Bar $ Grill, 705 Vernon St, Nelson, BC, V1L 4G3, Canada
Fiesta Latina is firing up the dance floor at Finley’s
Join us for an electrifying Fiesta Latina hosted by Tapatia Collective!
Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms and flavors of Latin America.
Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just looking to spice up your weekend, this event is for you!
Don’t miss out on this unforgettable celebration of Latin culture and community. Grab your friends and come join the fiesta!
We can’t wait to dance the night away with you.

SWIPE RIGHT >>> A DRAG SHOW DATING GAME
2025-04-19 20:00 - 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
LIVE> LAUGH> LOVE> IMPROV

Featuring!
SHIRAZ DIVILLE & LBEE
ELLA LAMOUREUX
SLEEZY DAN
MISTER. E. BOX
AL GORE RYTHM

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

Newkeys Place presents, Blues in The Afternoon with Sam Hurrie
2025-04-20 16:00 - 19:00 (America/Vancouver) | 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

Oh Pray Tell – Live At The Langham
2025-04-22 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Langham, 447 A Avenue, Kaslo, BC, V0G 1M0, Canada
Experience the captivating power of Oh Pray Tell!

This extraordinary trio, comprised of Sally Titasey, Betty Supple, and Shayna Jones, weaves together stomp, clap, banjo, and breathtaking harmonies to create a performance that transcends traditional music.

Prepare for an evening filled with experimental folklore, compelling stories, and a truly inspiring atmosphere. Join Oh Pray Tell at the Langham on April 22nd at 7pm!

An Evening with Vera Maloff
2025-04-23 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | 1505 Bay Avenue, 1505 Bay Avenue, Trail, BC
Join Vera Maloff, Doukhobor historian, as she discusses her books, Our Backs Warmed by the Sun and They Called Him a Radical: The Memoirs of Pete Maloff.

DAYGLO, DIRT NAP, THE DEVILS PUNCHBOWL!
2025-04-23 20:30 - 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
CROSS CANADA SPRING TOUR!
