Learning Lounge: Ancestral Echoes × Art Wagon
2026-04-24 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | BC
Learning Lounge: Ancestral Echoes × Art Wagon

Pop-up podcast listening event — FREE

Saturday, April 24 • 1–4 PM

CVAG Plaza, Downtown Courtenay

Drop by the CV/Arts Art Wagon—now a cozy mobile listening booth—for a relaxed, free afternoon of snacks and episodes from Ancestral Echoes. Hear multigenerational conversations between MIKI’SIW Métis Elders and youth from Season 1. All welcome!

Bring a friend — listen, learn, and connect.

This event is part of the Reconciliation Advisory Table Learning Series is a project of the Comox Valley Reconciliation Advisory Table, a round table of Comox Valley’s local governments working collaboratively with First Nations, Inuit, Metis, and urban Indigenous peoples and organizations on advancing reconciliation and relationship building in our community. The Reconciliation Advisory Table was formed in 2022 and includes participants from the K’ómoks First Nation, Indigenous Women’s Sharing Society, Kumugwe Cultural Society, MIKSIW Métis Association, Sasamans Society, Upper Island Women of Native Ancestry, City of Courtenay, Comox Valley Regional District, Town of Comox and the Village of Cumberland. Public education is a priority for the Advisory Table and this new Learning Series (April 23-25) marks a key milestone in the group’s work. Find out more HERE

Poster featuring participants in season one of Ancestral Echoes: Chrys and Keygan. All episodes of Ancestral Echoes were recorded in the Comox Valley Arts Digital Creation Hub. Episodes of the upcoming season 4 will be played on DIGFM, a partner of this production. We thank the Comox Valley Art Gallery for their space and headsets. Ancestral Echoes is funded through Service Canada New Horizons for Seniors.

Just in Time Choirs 20th Anniversary Spring Concert 2026 part 2 " Directors Cut"
2026-04-25 19:00 - 21:20 | Sid Williams Theatre, 442 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay, BC, V9N 2J2, Canada
As part of their milestone 20th Anniversary Season, the Just in Time Choirs continue the celebration with their spring concert, “Director’s Cut – 20th Anniversary Highlights.”

Be a part of this commemorative musical extravaganza at the Sid Williams Theatre, where there will be performances on Saturday April 25th in the evening and Sunday April 26th in the afternoon.

For two decades, the Just in Time Choirs have been bringing community together through the power of song — sharing music, connection, and unforgettable performances. This special spring concert marks Part 2 of their anniversary concert series, featuring personal favourites chosen by Musical Director, Wendy Nixon Stothert.

The organization consists of three ensembles: Unplugged (everyone welcome), and the smaller auditioned groups, the Jems (treble) and Vocal Minority (mixed). They will be joined by skilled musical collaborators: Sean Mooney on piano, Beau Stocker on drums, Steve Wallace on bass, and Rachel Cooper on clarinet and sax.

These renowned contemporary choirs are known for their versatility; their performances cover a wide spectrum of musical styles from jazz, ballads, folk, swing, soul, and contemporary pop to classic rock. Drawing from standout moments across the past twenty years, Director’s Cut showcases songs that have shaped the choir’s musical journey — audience favourites, meaningful repertoire, and highlights that reflect the growth and spirit of the choir family.

Just in Time’s founder and Music Director, Wendy Nixon Stothert is excited to continue the celebration. “It has made me really happy to have a reason to dig into the archives and return to some of my favourite songs, some from quite far back!” says Nixon Stothert. “Many of these songs are reminiscent of very special performance moments we’ve had over these past 20 years. For example, I chose Stand By Me because I remember when 40 of us travelled to Cuba in 2014 and we sang it deep in a cave. Bumblebee is on the setlist because it reminds me of when my daughter sang the song with the Jems when she was 10 years old. Vocal Minority recorded a video version of Take On Me during the pandemic when we couldn’t sing in person together and singing it again now reminds me of the perseverance and dedication of the singers during those tough times. All of these magical moments, and many more, form a treasure trove that I love to reflect upon.”

The setlist also includes Coco Love Alcorn’s soulful “Revolution”, jazz standard “Cheek to Cheek”, an acapella version of Ah-Ha’s 80s hit “Take on Me”, “Sir Duke” by the incomparable Stevie Wonder and “Sway” a la Michael Buble. To name just a few! The concert finale brings all three choirs together to perform Led Zeppelin’s epic classic “Stairway to Heaven” and, fittingly, the jazz standard “Just in Time”.
This concert caps a year-long celebration honouring 20 years of music and community. Join the Just in Time Choirs as they look back on cherished memories while celebrating the vibrant energy that continues to inspire singers and audiences alike.

Tickets are $33.40 (incl fees) for adults, $15 for children 12 & under, plus fees. There is also a live stream option for $33.40 per household, and we are again offering a limited number of Community Supported Tickets at $15 for those under financial constraint.

Tickets available in person, by phone, and online at sidwilliamstheatre.com. Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets early as performances regularly sell out.

Just in Time Choirs 20th Anniversary Spring Concert 2026 part 2 " Directors Cut" - Virtual Event
2026-04-26 14:00 - 17:20 | Virtual

UK avant garde guitar legend FRED FRITH w/ Phipps Pt.
2026-05-01 18:30 - 22:00 | Comox Valley Curling Centre, 4835 Headquarters Road, Courtenay, BC, V9J1P2, Canada
CVGBs presents:
From the UK, guitar and avant garde legend
FRED FRITH
with special guests from San Francisco
PHIPPS PT.
& from Cumberland
Devils Club
Friday May 1, 2026 6:30 PM Comox Valley Curling Centre
CVGBs is excited to welcome renowned avant-garde guitar player Fred Frith for a very rare show on Friday May 1. Frith who has an illustrious career dating back to England in the 1970’s, notably with Henry Cow, Art Bears, Skeleton Crew, Massacre, and countless more. His unique style has provided him the opportunity to play a veritable who’s who of innovative artists such as Brian Eno, John Zorn/Naked City, Mike Patton (Faith No More), the Residents, Richard Thompson, Bill Laswell, KK Null, Jad Fair, Tom Cora, Derek Bailey, Sonny Sharrock, Henry Kaiser, Hans Reichel… This list could go on for pages… Frith provided iconic guitar work on two of Eno’s legendary records “Music for Films” and “Before and After Science”.
Understatement: Fred Frith is a legend of improvised and experimental music, and beyond being one of the world’s most iconic and most renowned avant garde guitar players, he is a truly inspirational artist. While improvised music has been the common thread throughout his career Frith has actively engaged in theatre and dance work, providing accompanying sounds. Frith has appeared on over 400 recordings and continues to actively tour. He is the subject of the 1990 feature length documentary Step Across the Border.
https://www.fredfrith.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Frith
https://www.discogs.com/artist/78003-Fred-Frith
Joining Fred on this tour is Phipps PT. which is an electronic experimental folk duo consisting of Lovage Sharrock and Jon Leidecker (Wobbly). Sharrock is a native of the Comox Valley while Liedecker hails from San Francisco. Leidecker is best known as a member of seminal experimental art band Negativland and part of Thurston Moore’s Ensemble. Moore is best known as the guitarist/leader of Sonic Youth. Wobbly has also collaborated with artists including Matmos, Dieter Moebius (Cluster), Tania Chen, Fred Frith, Tim Story, David Toop, Zeena Parkins, and People Like Us. Free improvisation, acid folk and ambient electronics, the music Sharrock and Leidecker create is a conversation between two artists and long-time friends.
https://phippspt.com/
https://phippspt.bandcamp.com/
https://lovagesharrock.com/
Opening the show will be the debut performance of new Cumberland experimental duo Devils Club. Two members of Vancouver’s legendary Sex Church, Devils Club will bring the weird with their new Basement Kosmiche project Devils Club. Half of Devils Club also happens to be behind much of the great beer from Land and Sea!
https://soundcloud.com/devilsclub6
Tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/fred-frith-with-special-guests-phipps-pt-tickets-1982758565243
https://www.facebook.com/events/1446894333662271/
Comox Valley Curling Centre, 4835 Headquarters Road, Courtenay
Doors 6:30 PM Tickets $30 Licensed, All Ages welcome

Holding Heritage: Unspoken Stories
2026-05-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Cumberland Museum & Archives, 2680 Dunsmuir Ave, Cumberland, BC, V0R 1S0, Canada
Unspoken Stories showcases candid conversations between
Chinese-Vietnamese Boat People refugees and their families.
At its heart is the belief that for younger generations to carry culture forward, they must first be inspired by the stories of their own families.
By encouraging honest and intentional dialogue across generations, we invite viewers to see how embracing personal understandings of their roots can spark pride, belonging, and a deeper connection to both their identities and family histories.
The screening will be followed by a discussion with:

Hollie Ha, Holding Heritage founder and Unspoken Stories creator
Sandy Ho, Author of “No Way But Through: A Family Memoir”
Andrew Ha, interviewee from the Unspoken Stories project

Hollie Ha bridges generations by sharing candid conversations and untold stories of Chinese-Vietnamese Boat people refugees and their descendants. Through these meaningful exchanges, the series explores the delicate interplay between heritage, identity, and family dynamics.
Watch the trailer here!

Backyard Blues (House concert)
2026-07-04 19:00 - 21:30 | 888 Knight Rd, Comox, 888 Knight Road, Comox, BC, V9M 3T2, Canada
Join us for an evening of musical entertainment with Steve Mitchel & Mick Sherlock, the Gentlemanly Bluesman! With beautiful vocal harmonies, resophonic guitar and Ukulele. You’ll be moved by this rockin blues that you can sing along to, or swing along to. The Gentlemanly Bluesman Duo aim to rock your soul!!
Contact Linda Price for ticket info – 250-650-2888
25.00 per person
