West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

Nelson Sketch Comedy Revue: Volume II
2025-05-15 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
After selling out the Capitol Theatre in November 2024 with the premiere of Nelson Sketch Comedy Revue, we’re back—bigger, bolder, and weirder than ever.
This show is a love letter to the phrase “Keep Nelson Weird.” It’s a live show packed with fast-paced, scripted comedy. Each scene is short, sharp, and completely original—written and performed by the cast. Expect the return of Nelson News Tonight—and if you don’t know what that is… well, we won’t spoil it for you.
What audiences said about our last show:
“That was such an amazing show! Maybe the best I’ve seen in Nelson, honestly. Please do it again!”
“I haven’t laughed that much in a long time.”
“We loved it so so much and can’t wait to see the next show!”
“PEOPLE IN THE BATHROOM CAN”T STOP TALKING ABOUT HOW GOOD THE SHOW IS!!!! AHHH!!!!!”
The Cast:
Jaymes Bowman
Michelle Hart
Emma Hill
Ruby Horton
Kait Hundt-Lippett
Ruth Krulitsky
Jonathan Ramos

With special guest, Jackie Atkins!

Directed by Michelle Hart
This 90-minute production, including an intermission, features mature content—parental discretion is advised.
Due to the incredible response to our last show, we’re thrilled to add a second performance! Don’t miss your chance to catch us at the Capitol Theatre on May 15 or May 27

DANNY BELL & HIS DISAPPOINTMENTS, JARED JACKEL’S BAD VIBRATIONS, AMY NELSON
2025-05-15 20:30 - 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
WESTERN FOLK // PSYCH // PUNK // SPOOKY BLUES // DEPRESSION ERA BLUES

“Uno” by Raul Pous Facha
2025-05-16 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-19 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-20 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-21 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-22 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-23 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

Friday Blues at Torchlight Brewing Co.
2025-05-16 17:30 - 22:00, 2025-05-23 17:30 - 22:00 (America/Vancouver) | Torchlight Brewing Co., 125 Hall St, Nelson, BC, V1L 7B4

Electrojazziness
2025-05-16 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Langham, 447 A Avenue, Kaslo, BC, V0G 1M0, Canada
The Langham presents an interactive, improvised concert with Electrojazziness.

Electrojazziness is an incredible jazz x electronica x hip hop fusion project, featuring the amazing Montreal-based jazz piano maestro Alex McNally and the Nelson-based live-music-production wizard and freestyle rapper thisissami.

What does “interactive concert” mean? Well, it’s a concert where the audience will get to direct the music & lyric journey. Attendees and Electrojazziness will collaboratively weave a tapestry that is sure to delight your senses!

These two life-long improvisers come have been exploring different forms of interactive performance for many years, and Electrojazziness was born when they met doing street performance in Montreal. We invite you to help us co-create a magical, eclectic, groovy improvised journey with us at The Langham.

This evening will begin with a workshop at 7:15pm where you will get a chance to learn production techniques from these pros and collaborate with them. The interactive concert kicks off at 8:00pm.

Tickets: $20 for adults, $10 for youth (<21 years)

STAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE! FUNDRAISER, LIVE MUSIC & DANCE PARTY
2025-05-16 19:00 - 2025-05-17 01:00 (America/Vancouver) | Eagles Hall, 641 baker street, Nelson, BC, V1L 4J3, Canada
STAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE ! “From Turtle Island To Palestine, Colonization Is A Crime!”
A night of LIVE politically conscious music and dance, to fundraise for the Autonomous Sinixt and Nelson4Palestine (supporting their sponsorships of 2 children in Gaza, who were orphaned by the Zionist Israel’s military during the ongoing genocide).
———————-
EVENT DETAILS:
———————
TIME: 7pm-1am
LOCATION:
– The Eagle’s Hall (641 Baker Street)
– Happening on Sinixt təmxʷúlaʔxʷ (homeland), in so-called “Nelson”
AGE RESTRICTION:
All Ages welcome
*Note: expect some swearing in the music
..if it was a movie, we’d rate it PG-13.
DRINKS:
Non-Alcoholic, Flavoured Fizzy Drinks Available.
– Feel free to bring your own water bottles and snacks
SOUND SYSTEM
-https://www.instagram.com/live.harmonics/
Live Harmonics will be bring in a PK sound system!
—————————
TIMELINE (7pm-1am)
—————————
DOORS OPEN: 7pm
7pm-8pm: SILENT AUCTION & KEFFIYEH RAFFLE + DJ WHO
– please bring cash, water bottle and snacks
– To donate see “Tickets & Silent Auction” section below
8pm-8:30: OPENING CEREMONIES
– Opening Ceremonies & Land Acknowledgement
– Host: Othman Hamdan “The Imprisoned Blogger”
– Guest Speakers: BOLC, Nelson4Palestine, Nelson Tenants Union
LIVE POLITICAL MUSIC
8:30-9pm: KAY THE AQUANAUT
910pm-10pm: LEE REED
COMMUNITY DJ DANCE PARTY
10pm-11:30am: RAFFERTY FUNKSMITH
11:30-1am: MOCHILERO
——————————————————-
TICKETS & SILENT AUCTION / DONATIONS
——————————————————-
TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE & AT DOOR:
– $10-20 (SLIDING SCALE)
– $10-15 (YOUTH / LOW INCOME FOLKS)
– $15 – 20 (IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO PAY FULL PRICE)
* Limited subsidized tickets available, by email: stageagainstthemachine@protonmail.me
– Pre-paying to reserve your spot & helps us to prepare.
ONLINE TICKETS / PRE-PAY:
1) Send E-transfer to: STAGEAGAINSTTHEMACHINE@PROTONS.ME
2) In the comments field: specify # of tickets you are paying for + your name and/or the names of attendees joining you.
3) You name(s) will be on a list / ID required
*DM if any of this is an issue for you
*All pre-sale ticket purchasers receive (per ticket):
1 FREE raffle ticket for 1 handmade Keffiyeh (from www.inaash.org), upon arrival.

CITIZEN RAGE, IDIOFAME, POOR SPORT, FOLDED HAND
2025-05-16 20:00 - 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
NOISE CULT PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS
two bangin nights with
MAY 16TH -$25
CITIZEN RAGE
IDIOFAME
POOR SPORT
FOLDED HAND
MAY 17TH – $25
TERAKKA
PURE LOVE ETERNAL PEACE
GARDENER
INFINITE ENCLOSURE
WEEKEND PASS – $40

Kaslo May Days
2025-05-17 - 2025-05-19 | Downtown Kaslo, Kaslo
The 2025 Festival will take place May 17 to May 19, 2025.
Whether you’re new to Kaslo, a long-time local, or back for a visit over the Victoria Day long weekend, Kaslo May Days feels like coming home. May Days—a celebration of the return of summer—has been part of the fabric of this community since 1892. Every year, for three glorious, fun-filled days, the Kaslo & Area Chamber of Commerce serves as its proud host and steward.
During May Days, dozens of arts and crafts vendors set up booths at Vimy Park to sell their wares alongside artisan food producers, craft beer, and other gourmet treats. The park’s Gazebo becomes a stage for Music in the Park, with a foot-tapping, finger-snapping lineup of live music performances throughout the weekend. In keeping with tradition, local children enact the Maypole Dance, which just so happens to be the longest consecutive annual Maypole Dance in North America. And it’s not just the park—during May Days, the entire village of Kaslo is abuzz with events and activities.
Logger Sports is a marquis May Days tradition in Kaslo, and a spectator favourite. Competitors travel here from all over the continent to vie for prizes at this spirited two-day event, which features competitions in Tree Climbing, Log Rolling, Axe Throwing, and Springboard Chopping. If you’re new to May Days, we can pretty much guarantee you’ve never seen anything like this before!
Show ‘n’ Shine has been a part of May Days for more than 25 years. Typically held on Sunday, hundreds of unique cars—from 1900s antiques to rare sports car icons like the AC Cobra—can be seen lining the streets of Kaslo’s historic downtown.

Guided Cold War Bunker tours
2025-05-17 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!

Kaslo May Days Logger Sports
2025-05-17 11:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-18 11:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | British Columbia
Logger Sports has become one of the main events at the annual Kaslo May Days Celebration. Competitors from across Canada and the United States compete for big prize money and the opportunity to show off their logging skills.
The venue is the shore of beautiful Kootenay Lake with its gorgeous backdrop of the Purcell Mountain Range. Our grounds are steadily being improved with beautiful amphitheater style seating and a new log rolling pond.
Every year on the Victoria Day long weekend spectators are thrilled by Canadian Championship events such as Tree Climbing, Log Rolling, Axe Throwing and Springboard Chopping to name a few.

2025 Schedule

Still Life workshop w/ Cath McIntosh
2025-05-17 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Vancouver) | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
Catherine McIntosh is your instructor for this 2-part still life painting workshop. Bring your own objects to paint or use the items on hand.
Pre-registration is required and is $50+GST for non-members and $40+GST for Museum members, all painting materials are provided. Space is limited so register early! Register here.

TEKARRA, PURE LOVE ETERNAL PEACE, GARDENER, INFINITE ENCLOSURE
2025-05-17 20:00 - 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada

Kaslo May Days Show and Shine
2025-05-18 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver) | British Columbia
The Kaslo Show and Shine was started by a small group of dedicated car buffs as a feature in the 1997 May Days celebrations held on the May long weekend every year. The inaugural event had approximately 15 vehicles on display and from that small beginning has been held every year since and has seen continuous growth to the point that in 2012 there were just under 100 registered cars covering the years from the 1930′s up to some exceedingly rare Mustangs from the 1960′s and 1970′s
Kaslo is a village of about 1000 people, situated about an hours drive North of Nelson BC on the West Shore of Kootenay Lake and nestled between the Purcell mountains to the East and the Selkirk range to the West. For a small community Kaslo has an unusually high number of interesting and unique vehicles both in the village and in the surrounding area and has counted among its residents one of only two original Shelby Cobras licensed in BC amongst other interesting vehicles.
Over the years the Show and Shine has began to attract cars from further afield and has seen cars from as far afield as Spokane, Vancouver BC and the Prairie Provinces of Canada.

Newkeys Place presents, Blues in The Afternoon with Sam Hurrie
2025-05-18 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

Kaslo May Days Parade
2025-05-19 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Vancouver) | British Columbia
Everyone loves a parade—especially our beloved Kaslo May Days Parade! Come out and cheer on our incredible local participants, including the Kootenay Kilties, local organizations, businesses, and our dedicated Emergency Service Providers.
We welcome everyone to join in the fun! However, for safety reasons, please do not throw candy from vehicles. In past years, this has led to unsafe situations with children running into the street. If you’re walking in the parade, you’re welcome to toss candy onto the sidewalks instead.
2025 Theme: CANADA Show off your Canadian pride by wearing red and white, flying the flag, and designing a fantastic float!
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, at 12:00 PM sharp Parade Route: The parade kicks off at the Kaslo Legion, traveling down historic Front Street, then along 4th Street to B Avenue before taking a second lap around the block. From there, it continues down Front Street, passing the beloved SS Moyie, and finishes at Vimy Park fairgrounds.
A Long-Held Tradition:The JVH Graduating Class proudly takes the second-to-last spot in the parade. As tradition dictates, along the final stretch—from Front & 4th Street down to Vimy Park—spectators are welcome to toss small water balloons at the grads (water only, please!).
Want to Join the Parade?If your organization or business would like to participate, we’d love to have you! Contact the Chamber Event Manager at thekaslochamber@gmail.com for details.
Please give a big thank you to volunteer Parade Marshall Mark Dobroski & let’s make the 2025 Kaslo May Days Parade a celebration to remember!

Steve Marc w. Buns
2025-05-22 | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
Dance your buns off to some multi genre groove music with Buns (from Calgary) and Steve Marc (from Castlegar).

Spring Fling FREE Thursdays
2025-05-22 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.

Speaker Series with Cindy Devine: Cultivating a Champion
2025-05-22 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Vancouver) | Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre, 1100 Hwy 3B | Junction of Hwys 3B & 22, Rossland, BC, V0G 1Y0, Canada
Get ready for an evening of epic stories, serious inspiration, and a whole lot of trail talk! We’re stoked to welcome Cindy Devine—world champion downhill mountain biker and absolute legend—for a ride through her incredible career, starting at 6 pm on Thursday, May 22 at the Rossland Museum.
Cindy will share how her active childhood laid the foundation for becoming the very first UCI World Downhill Mountain Bike Champ in 1990. She’ll chat about the wild early days of competitive mountain biking, what it was like blazing trails as a female racer in a male-dominated sport, and how the scene has evolved over the decades.
As an inductee in the World Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame, and most recently, the BC Sports Hall of Fame, Cindy’s legacy is the stuff of two-wheeled dreams. Lucky us—she calls Rossland home!
Whether you’re a mountain biking fanatic or just love a good story, this is one talk you won’t want to miss. Admission by donation. Bring your friends—let’s ride!

Author Event: Tom Langford at the Fernie Museum
2025-05-22 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Edmonton) | Fernie Museum, 491 2nd Ave, Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
Join writer and academic Tom Langford to present this new and welcome addition to Fernie’s history!
Doors at 7pm. Free Admission.
Nibbles and cash bar included, and early-release copies will be available for purchase.
The Canadian postwar economic boom did not include the Crowsnest Pass and Elk Valley. The Lights on the Tipple Are Going Out tells the story of our fight for survival.
Underground mine closures began in 1950, prompting various attempts by coal companies, labour unions, leftist political parties, municipal governments, and business groups to save the local economy. Efforts to reindustrialize in the mid-1960s brought unregulated, pell-mell growth, unsafe working conditions, and extreme pollution. Starting in 1968, however, the tide turned again as new mountaintop strip mines were built to produce metallurgical coal for Asia-Pacific steelmakers.
Today, in the face of the climate crisis, green steel manufacturing is being developed that eliminates the use of CO2-emitting coal. In the coming decades, as this book argues, the Crowsnest Pass and Elk Valley will need to stress ecosystem restoration, sustainable economic activities, and the inclusion of First Nations at the centre of economic decision making in order to embrace a future beyond coal.

BUNS with STEVE MARC
2025-05-22 19:00 - 23:00 (America/Vancouver) | The Royal, 330 Baker Street Nelson, BC V1L 4H5, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4H5, Canada
MULTI GENRE GROOVE MUSIC
19+

The SpongeBob Musical
2025-05-22 19:30 - 2025-05-25 22:00 (America/Vancouver) | Capitol Theatre Nelson, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson
Black Productions is delighted to present The SpongeBob Musical. Dive into the world of Bikini Bottom with this incredibly zany, Tony Award-nominated musical based on the hit TV series created by Stephen Hillenburg! When a volcanic eruption threatens their underwater paradise, SpongeBob and his friends must band together to save their home. With its heartwarming themes, hilarious antics, and catchy songs by some of the music industry’s biggest names, “The SpongeBob Musical” is a joyful celebration of optimism, friendship, and courage.
The SpongeBob Musical features a book by Kyle Jarrow, with original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alexander Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants and T.I., and songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny and Andy Paley. Additional lyrics are by Jonathan Coulton, with additional music by Tom Kitt. The musical production was conceived by Tina Landau.
DATES: MAY 22-25 @ 7:30pm
MAY 24 & 25 @ 2:00pm
TICKET INFO: Tickets are $42 for adults and $36 for children (plus taxes and fees)

Nelson Community Drumming Experience
2025-05-23 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | 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!
Welcome to the Nelson Community Drumming Experience as part of Rhythm by Nature’s Community Drumming Tour!
Supported by the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance, Rhythm by Nature brings you a fully interactive and immersive drumming event, for the whole community, at Nelson’s North Shore Hall.
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!
Here are a number of reasons why this event is for you:

Group drumming is an effective way to reduce stress and negative emotions
You’re pulled into the present moment which induces deep relaxation
It provides a sense of empowerment and self-confidence
It is a powerful and positive way to connect with your local community
It can reduce chronic pain & boost the immune system
Your body and mind align with the natural world and your inner nature
You’re offered a non-verbal communicative tool to express and connect
It provides a foundation for personal transformation and growth
Oh, and it’s a whole lot of fun!

Discounts are offered when you buy three or more tickets!
Instruments are provided but feel free to bring your own.

A little about Rhythm By Nature and your facilitator, Patrick Carrick:
Patrick is a certified ‘Circles of Rhythm’ master facilitator, endorsed REMO Rhythm Wellness & You provider, professional percussionist, and music educator. Patrick has a passion for bringing people together through the power of rhythm and has worked within a wide variety of musical genres and ensembles.
Patrick founded Rhythm by Nature in 2016 and it has since become a popular mainstay in BC’s Kootenay region, offering a variety of programs and events that promote community connection, wellness, social development, and creativity.
Patrick’s affection for music and drumming has taken him all around the world, finally growing roots in the Columbia Valley. After completing three levels of facilitation training with the nationally acclaimed ‘Circles Of Rhythm’ & internationally recognized Rhythm2Recovery, Patrick has been hosting community drumming events throughout the Columbia Basin. Rhythm by Nature has earned a reputation for its positive community impact and inclusive approach to group drumming.
Thanks to the support of the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance, Rhythm By Nature is touring the entire Columbia Basin during the spring of 2025 with the intention of demonstrating the many benefits that come from the Integrative Community Drum Circle.
An Important Distinction:
Rhythm By Nature follows the ‘Integrative Community Drum Circle (ICDC)’ methodology. This means that our drumming is not based on any ethnospecific traditions, cultures, or rhythms. The ICDC employs a multicultural approach so that the experience is accessible to everyone. It’s about celebrating our diversity, creativity, and playfulness. Our drums are from all around the world but do not hold any limiting cultural or ceremonial significance. Our instruments are of premium quality and are made from 100% recycled wood fibre.
Families are most welcome. We find that very young children have trouble holding attention for the whole session, so we kindly ask that children of all ages be responsibly supervised for the enjoyment of all.: ) If you’re interested in a session designed specifically for young people, we offer programs for schools and youth events of all kinds!
We would like to thank Nelson’s North Shore Hall for hosting and the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance for their support.

Classical Guitarist Josh Searles
2025-05-23 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | St. Saviour’s Anglican Church, Nelson, 701 Ward Street, Nelson, V1L 1T3, Canada
Canadian classical guitarist Josh Searles plays Spanish favourites and modern classics! Presented by Nelson Guitarworks. Tickets $25 at Eddy Music or at the door!
