Bag Making With Lorraine
2025-05-02 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver) | #4-420 Fitzgerald Ave., Courtenay, BC, Canada
May 2 – May 16
Join Lorraine for this great bag-making class!
You will use the Traverse Bag by Noodlehead Patterns, with a small modification to make it even more beginner-friendly.
Choose from two sizes!
This class is a great way to keep practicing those straight lines, sewing zippers, and making accurate measurements and cuts. You’ll learn how to use bag patterns, rotary cutters, and hardware.
For your convenience, we have included all the hardware, straps, zippers (with a few colours to choose from) and interfacing, so all you need to buy is your fabric. Use a lovely canvas or even a linen!
The only prerequisite: Basic knowledge of the sewing machine (Foundations, Get to Know your sewing machine class or Fundamentals are a great start.). If you are still beginner, Lorraine can help set up your machine, but there isn’t time to explain how to thread the machine, in order to keep the class focused on bag making!

Slow Stich Series
2025-05-02 18:30 - 20:45 | #4-420 Fitzgerald Ave., Courtenay, BC, Canada
May 2 – May 23
If you find yourself seeking a chance to slow down, to deepen your relationship with your garments and with your self, this 3-4 week series is an opportunity to do just that.
Join costume maker and artist Lori Kenney for a deep breath and many small stitches.
The practical side of this course is one of basic sewing skills many of us are missing, taking care of our clothes to make our wardrobe last longer.
The artistic side of this course will help you add character and understand traditional textile art practices from around the world, connecting you to the way humans have worked with fibres through history.
The meditative elements of this series will help you slow down, connect to your breathing and the rhythm of stitching.
Take inspiration from global textile traditions such as Kantha
techniques, mending and darning, and Japanese Boro, which focuses on re-purposing old textiles, re-piecing fabrics and building texture with stitch. Bring awareness to the calming repetition of hand stitch rhythms and discover the simple pleasure of making.
There will be time in this class for connection with each other, and portions of silence and breath.
The goal is to leave this series with a set of skills and abilities you can carry with you to calm your heart in times of need.
Please bring some worn and loved garments, as well as any scraps you would like to incorporate.
We will include materials to use, and have additional supplies available for purchase to bring home.

Lecture: Challenging Exile: Japanese Canadians and the Wartime Constitution
2025-05-10 14:00 - 15:30 | the Courtenay and District Museum, 207 4th St, Courtenay, BC, COURTENAY, BC, V9N 1G7, Canada
Location: Rotary Gallery of the Courtenay and District Museum
Speaker: UVic Professor of History Dr. Jordan Stanger-Ross
Dr. Stanger-Ross’ illustrated talk will explore the government’s attempted mass banishment of Japanese Canadians after the close of the Second World War.
Stanger-Ross was the lead researcher for the Broken Promises travelling exhibit from the Nikkei National Museum currently on display in our upstairs gallery.
Tickets: $5 for Historical Society members; $6 for general public. Advance tickets recommended. Tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling 250-334-0686 ext 2.

Natural Dye; Deep Dive!
2025-05-10 14:00 - 17:00 | #4-420 Fitzgerald Ave., Courtenay, BC, Canada
May 10 – Jun 7
If you love natural dyes, working with fibre and exploring colour, you’ll love this six week course with Eloise Holland!
Take control of your dye work and look more closely at the processes and chemistry behind the colours. This six-week intensive course is geared for fascinated beginners. You will finish this course feeling more confidence in your ability to safely and beautifully use natural dyes at home, with resources to continue building your skills!
On day one we will touch on best practices for a safe and efficient dye process, and look at the different materials to dye including recycled fabrics, wool, cotton and silk. We will cover tannin dyes with either Sumac or Walnuts
On day two we learn about the charm of red dyes. Madder is one of the oldest reds, and is a plant that can be grown locally. Coccineal is derived from an insect that feeds on cactus. These reds will bring us a variety of tones using modifiers and post mordants
On day three we cover the various yellows that are so abundant in the plant world. From Goldenrod to Tansy and Chamomile we look at the subtle shade variations these flavonoid dyes produce.
On day four is an introduction to Indigo which is always magical and exciting. We will touch on the basics of this vat dye, exploring resist dyeing and giving you the grounding for your own experiments.
On day five we will build on our previous work by looking at overdyeing. This is a day of experimentation.
On day six we will touch on dyeing with mushrooms and lichen. We are blessed with several locally available dye mushrooms and this is your chance to learn to coax colours from them.
-All materials will be provided, but please bring gloves and a face mask (to protect against small airborne particles). Feel free to bring a notebook, and please dress for mess. If you have some small fabrics or textiles you would like to dye, please feel free to bring them (doilies, scraps, small pieces only. No yardage!)

Flourish: Pearl Ellis Gallery Summer Members Show
2025-05-27 10:00 - 2025-06-21 16:00 | Pearl Ellis Gallery, 1729 Comox Ave, Comox, BC, V9M 3M2, Canada
The Pearl Ellis Gallery is delighted to present Flourish, its annual Summer Members Show, on display from May 27 to June 21. This vibrant exhibition celebrates the beauty and abundance of the season through the eyes of local artists, with works that capture the warmth, colour, and energy of summer.
Over 40 artists from across the Comox Valley will be featured, showcasing a variety of styles and mediums including painting, photography, fibre arts, and sculpture. From lush landscapes to vivid florals, each piece invites viewers to reflect on the joys of summer and the natural world in full bloom.
An opening reception will be held on Saturday, May 31, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Visitors are invited to meet the artists, explore the show, and enjoy light refreshments in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.The Pearl is a non-profit community gallery, located across from the Comox Mall at 1729 Comox Ave, and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is always free, and all artworks are available for purchase.
For more information, visit pearlellisgallery.ca or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Lecture: The Coast Salish Woolly Dog
2025-05-27 19:00 - 20:30 | the Courtenay and District Museum, 207 4th St, Courtenay, BC, COURTENAY, BC, V9N 1G7, Canada
Location: Rotary Gallery of the Courtenay and District Museum
Speaker: researcher and writer on Coast Salish textiles Liz Hammond-Kaarremaa
This illustrated presentation will give a brief overview of Mutton’s story (Mutton was the name of the only known woolly dog whose pelt is at the Smithsonian). Genetic research has been combined with Oral History from Elders, weavers and Knowledge Keepers to reveal the Coast Salish Woolly Dogs’ cultural significance.
Tickets: $5 for Historical Society members; $6 for general public. Advance tickets recommended. Tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling 250-334-0686 ext 2.

Adult/Teen Intro To Crochet
2025-05-28 18:30 - 20:30 | #4-420 Fitzgerald Ave., Courtenay, BC, Canada
May 28 – Jun 11
Ready to get crocheting? You will love this three-class session! This class is for Teens (14+) and Adults!
Starting with some simple stitch trials,you will gain experience and confidence in crochet, and then make this adorable cat plushy!
Learn to work in rows, circles and make a granny square!
All materials are included, with a range of colours to choose from.
You will be able to bring the project home to work on between classes, and keep your new crochet hook and yarn!

Wingnut Comedy Open Mic
2025-06-04 19:30 - 21:00 | HighTidePub, 268 Fifth Street, Courtenay, BC, V9N 1J6, Canada
This Wednesday at High Tide Pub in Courtenay. Emcee Chris Basso from the Comedy Misfits leads an evening of comedy from valley comedians trying new material. Headliner Alex Grant will finish off the evening. Comics sign up at 7pm. Show starts at 7:30pm. Cover charge $5.00

Natural Dye; Deep Dive!
2025-06-12 15:00 - 18:00 | #4-420 Fitzgerald Ave., Courtenay, BC, Canada
Jan 12 – Feb 16
If you love natural dyes, working with fibre and exploring colour, you’ll love this six week course with Eloise Holland!
Take control of your dye work and look more closely at the processes and chemistry behind the colours. This six-week intensive course is geared for fascinated beginners. You will finish this course feeling more confidence in your ability to safely and beautifully use natural dyes at home, with resources to continue building your skills!
On day one we will touch on best practices for a safe and efficient dye process, and look at the different materials to dye including recycled fabrics, wool, cotton and silk. We will cover tannin dyes with either Sumac or Walnuts
On day two we learn about the charm of red dyes. Madder is one of the oldest reds, and is a plant that can be grown locally. Coccineal is derived from an insect that feeds on cactus. These reds will bring us a variety of tones using modifiers and post mordants
On day three we cover the various yellows that are so abundant in the plant world. From Goldenrod to Tansy and Chamomile we look at the subtle shade variations these flavonoid dyes produce.
On day four is an introduction to Indigo which is always magical and exciting. We will touch on the basics of this vat dye, exploring resist dyeing and giving you the grounding for your own experiments.
On day five we will build on our previous work by looking at overdyeing. This is a day of experimentation.
On day six we will touch on dyeing with mushrooms and lichen. We are blessed with several locally available dye mushrooms and this is your chance to learn to coax colours from them.
-All materials will be provided, but please bring gloves and a face mask (to protect against small airborne particles). Feel free to bring a notebook, and please dress for mess. If you have some small fabrics or textiles you would like to dye, please feel free to bring them (doilies, scraps, small pieces only. No yardage!)

Zeke Ziner : Freedom and Discipline
2025-06-25 12:00 - 2025-07-19 17:00 | Artful the Gallery, 526 Cumberland Rd, Courtenay, BC, V9N 2C7
Joe Ziner presents a retrospective legacy of Graphics and Sculpture from the oeuvre of his father Zeke Ziner. The collection includes works from the late 1930s through to the 21st century and collectively provide a fantastic overview of mid-century modern sculpture and art. Lovingly curated by Joe Ziner, on display are examples of the various print series created in collaboration between Zeke and Joe. Most notable are the relief prints created using edge grain cedar plates, utilizing the linear depression of the spring wood with a gramophone needle to create the completely unique effect. Exhibition runs through July 19.

Skits Happen Improv Show
2025-06-27 19:00 - 20:30 | Little Red Curch, 2182 Comox Ave, Comox, British Columbia, Canada
East Comox’s #1 Amateur Improv Comedy Troupe will be performing extraordinary aerial acrobatics and there will be unicycles. Just kidding. But they will most definitely make you laugh with their skits. See you there!

Canada Day Open House at The Courtenay and District Museum
2025-07-01 11:00 - 14:00 | the Courtenay and District Museum, 207 4th St, Courtenay, BC, COURTENAY, BC, V9N 1G7, Canada
The Courtenay and District Museum will celebrate Canada Day with an open house from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on Tuesday, July 1st. Guests are welcome to enjoy live music by Alan Jossul, enter to win a door prize, and try their hand at kids’ crafts.
There will also be a special one-day-only 50% off sale for the book Step Into Wilderness: A Pictorial History of Outdoor Exploration in and around the Comox Valley (limit of 3 per person).
While you’re at the museum loving the air-conditioned comfort, take a few moments to check out the second-floor exhibit Broken Promises, a travelling exhibit from the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.

The Boy in the Treehouse
2025-07-04 19:00 - 20:30 | Sid Williams Theatre, 442 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay, BC, V9N 2J2, Canada
Reconciliation Theatre invites audiences of all ages to experience The Boy in the Treehouse, a touching and humorous coming-of-age story by award-winning Anishinaabe playwright Drew Hayden Taylor. This enchanting show is perfect for families, blending laughter, discovery, and the universal journey of finding where we belong. The production team features many of the families of Reconciliation Theatre Society, as generations of artists come together to share cultural practice and produce The Boy in the Treehou

WALL THINGS ART
2025-07-05 00:00 - 2025-07-12 23:59 | BC
July 5 – July 12th 2025, WALL THINGS ART will be featuring a week of mural painting across West Courtenay featuring local artists culminating in a wrap up event hosted by Gladstone Brewing Co. The wrap up party will include interactive art events, a freewall unveiling and Live DJ’s on Saturday July 12. Check out wallthingsart.com for more details.

BLACK MOUNTAIN with Heavy Trip & Ofcosmos
2025-07-13 18:00 - 22:00 | Comox Valley Curling Centre, 4835 Headquarters Road, Courtenay, BC, V9J1P2, Canada
CVGBs presentsFrom Los Angeles & VancouverATO Recording Artists
BLACK MOUNTAIN

With special guests from Vancouver HEAVY TRIP

With Cumberland’s OfCosmos

6 PM Sunday July 13Comox Valley Curling Centre4835 Headquarters Road, Courtenay
Licensed all ages event.$30 Advance tickets at https://www.eventbrite.ca/ https://shorturl.at/LJMzU and https://cvgbs.tickit.ca/events/29760#t-18663d834

A night of glorious space heaviosity headlined by BLACK MOUNTAIN, the now approaching legendary psych rock, genre challenging cosmonauts fronted by singer/songwriter Stephen McBean (Pink Mountaintops, Jerk With A Bomb, Mission of Christ, Ex-Dead Teenager, Obliterations, Jerk Ward, Grim Tower, Gus, Onionhouse) and Amber Webber (Lightning Dust).Touring with Black Mountain are Vancouver’s Heavy Trip. Cumberland’s Ofcosmos will get things started!

BLACK MOUNTAINThe rock canon has many anti-heroes, Black Mountain being the latest. In the past, Can’s ‘Tago Mago’ established that the only rule in rock and roll is that there are no rules. Delinquent proto-metallers Black Sabbath demonstrated that you can make a lot from not that much. Now Black Mountain teach us that you don’t have to be afraid of the past to move bravely into the future.
Black Mountain is a Canadian psychedelic rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia. The band is composed of Stephen McBean, Jeremy Schmidt, Adam Bulgasem, Amber Webber, and Arjan Miranda. Since forming in 2004, Black Mountain has released five globally celebrated LPs: Black Mountain (2005), In the Future (2008), Wilderness Heart (2010), IV (2016) and Destroyer (2019)
https://www.blackmountainarmy.com/https://blackmountain.bandcamp.com/https://www.instagram.com/blackmountainarmy/https://www.facebook.com/BlackMountainOfficialhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Mountain_(band)

HEAVY TRIPAlong shore of an all powerful river, thousands of years heavy water flow crushed gargantuan bedrock into fine un earth like sands. Three men found this estranged riverside and endured an al mighty HEAVY TRIP.https://www.facebook.com/HeavyTripDudeshttps://heavytripdudes.com/https://www.instagram.com/heavy_trip_dudes/

OFCOSMOSWith a solid, groove based rhythm section, ambient effects driven, hypnotically rhythmic guitar and powerful lead vocals, Ofcomsos’s sound isn’t easily sorted into a familiar genre. You can find elements of psychedelic folk, dub, post punk and even the funk.https://www.instagram.com/ofcosmosmusic/https://ofcosmos.bandcamp.com/album/see-the-skyhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092328942636…

CVGBs is a loose collective bringing oddball music, art, & culture to the Comox Valley.

Comox Valley Songwriters Circle
2025-07-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Artful the Gallery, 526 Cumberland Rd, Courtenay, BC, V9N 2C7
Each month singer/songwriters gather to share their tunes at Artful : The Gallery. The range of abilities, experience and genres welcomes musicians who appreciate the challenge (and the deadline!) of creating a new song each month.
The circle provides a place to be inspired, seek feedback and to be
able to hear what other creatives are working on. Most musicians bring along their
guitars or ukuleles, although some sing a capella or use the in-house piano for accompaniment.
Host Ashley Sykes’s love of connecting with other artists provides motivation to write
and perform in the supportive group. The circle does not provide instruction; it provides an opportunity to perform your song, and to be impacted by others doing the same.
Attendance is by donation ($10 or pwyc). The group welcomes newcomers, and the
only criteria is that the songs performed are original.

Chromophobia
2025-07-22 10:00 - 2025-08-16 16:00 | Pearl Ellis Gallery, 1729 Comox Ave, Comox, BC, V9M 3M2, Canada
Pearl Ellis Gallery is excited to announce Chromophobia, an art exhibit by Queer for Queer Artists’ Collective.
This exhibition is a vibrant celebration of queer identity, creativity, and self-expression. Featuring over 60 pieces of art in various styles, the exhibition uses bold colours and designs to challenge societal pressures to conform. It emphasizes the importance of individuality, love, and acceptance while fostering a sense of community and pride.

Crafty Summer Fun: Clay Creations (Week 1)
2025-07-29 10:30 - 2025-08-01 11:30 | the Courtenay and District Museum, 207 4th St, Courtenay, BC, COURTENAY, BC, V9N 1G7, Canada
For ages 7-11 (must have completed kindergarten)
Join us for a fun 4 day camp full of fun with clay! Kids will be guided through multiple clay activities that they will bring home at the end of the week. Please bring a small item that can be used for impressions in our fun creations.
Register Now!
Register now by emailing student@courtenaymuseum.ca.

Jaques De Backer
2025-07-31 12:00 - 2025-08-23 17:00, 2025-08-01 12:00 - 2025-08-24 17:00, 2025-08-02 12:00 - 2025-08-25 17:00, 2025-08-02 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-08-06 12:00 - 2025-08-29 17:00, 2025-08-07 12:00 - 2025-08-30 17:00, 2025-08-08 12:00 - 2025-08-31 17:00, 2025-08-09 12:00 - 2025-09-01 17:00 | Artful the Gallery, 526 Cumberland Rd, Courtenay, BC, V9N 2C7
Jacques De Backer has filled the walls at Artful : The Gallery with colour and light through August 23. His iconic Cumberland alleyways, farm scenes and stunning cow portraits are interspersed with his wood sculptures and memories from a life lived globally. Jacques De Backer has been painting and sculpting since he retired 30 years ago, and he is a Comox Valley favourite, with other artists, and art collectors. The majority of the artworks are oil on canvas, with a wide range of sizes and prices to choose from. From small oil on panel studies for $50 to 3’ X 4’ scenic oil on canvas panoramas well priced at $2000. Artist reception Saturday, August 2, 7 to 9pm at Artful : The Gallery. 526C Cumberland Rd in Courtenay. Gallery hours Weds-Sat 12-5pm.

Jennifer Castle w/ Amy Muloin & The Alley Flowers w/ Pranatricks
2025-08-02 19:00 - 23:00 | Comox Valley Curling Centre, 4835 Headquarters Road, Courtenay, BC, V9J1P2, Canada
from Toronto, Paradise of Bachelors Recording Artists
JENNIFER CASTLE

with special guestsAmy Muloin & The Alley Flowersplus Cumberland’s Pranatricks
7 PM Saturday August 2Comox Valley Curling Centre4835 Headquarters RoadLicensed, all ages welcome until 10 PM.Tickets on Sale at Tickit and Eventbritehttps://cvgbs.tickit.ca/events/30100#t-4f916c0f3https://www.eventbrite.ca/…/jennifer-castle-w-amy-the…

JENNIFER CASTLEAs a singer, songwriter, and collaborator, Toronto native Jennifer Castle became a fixture of the city’s indie underground in the late 2000s, releasing introspective folk-oriented music first as Castlemusic and later under her own name, while also recording with a variety of outsider acts like Doug Paisley, U.S. Girls, Fucked Up, and Constantines. In later years, her music took on elements of light psychedelia and chamber pop, especially on 2014’s highly touted standout Pink City (shortlisted for the Polaris Prize for best album made in Canada). Castle introduced a fuller sound with country accents on 2018’s Angels of Death, then shifted gears into a spare, psychedelic folk-inspired approach for 2020’s Monarch Season. Her new album Camelot furthers her ambitious explorations into indie country folk, and received a massive 8 score from the influential Pitchfork. The first single Blowing Kisses was featured prominently in season three of the hit show The Bear. Jennifer will be touring with Destroyer this fall, in preparation she is playing a series of intimate BC concerts. Jennifer has been called ‘a national treasure” by multiple publications, the Comox Valley is in for a rare treat Saturday August 2.https://paradiseofbachelors.com/jennifer-castle/https://www.jennifercastlemusic.com/https://www.facebook.com/jennifercastlemusichttps://www.instagram.com/jnfrcastle/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoaUJrAwmhFyWM9lV1j1eZw

AMY MULOIN AND THE ALLEY FLOWERS“Amy Muloin will make you want to quit your job and sing songs around campfires full time. Her soaring vocals and groovy rhythm guitar take you on adventures through creativity, love, and the pursuit of passion.” Amy Muloin and the Alley Flowers will be hustling directly from their show at the Filberg Festival to play a completely different and more adventurous set at the CV Curling Centre in support of Jennifer Castle.https://amymuloin.com/musichttps://www.instagram.com/amymuloin/https://amymuloin.bandcamp.com/track/underground-rough-mixhttps://www.facebook.com/CommonFolkAmyMuloinhttps://www.youtube.com/@amymuloinmusic

PRANATRICKSPranatricks is an Indie-Psych-Folk artist and multi-instrumentalist/producer now calling Cumberland home. His debut album ‘Cherished’ released in 2023 garnered several accolades including 11 weeks of charting on Earshot and significant appearances on the National Top 50 including a #1 at CJSF in Vancouver. The music blog Indie Boulevard named ‘Cherished’, Best Album of 2022. In April of 2024 Pranatricks released his second album ‘Elements of’ and was featured by Exclaim! as a part of their New Faves for June 2024 and one of 8 Emerging Canadian Artists You Need to Hear.https://www.facebook.com/Pranatrickshttps://www.instagram.com/pranatrickshttps://www.tiktok.com/@pranatrickshttps://pranatricks.com/

Artful : The Poets
2025-08-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Artful the Gallery, 526 Cumberland Rd, Courtenay, BC, V9N 2C7
Join host Ed Varney as he welcomes our feature poet Carol Neufeld. For more info about Carol visit Artful : The Gallery’s event page, link below. Carol’s feature spot will be followed by an open mic. Sign up at the door for the open mic, 5 minutes max per poet, $10 or pwyc.

Crafty Summer Fun: Prehistoric Paper Mache (Week 2)
2025-08-05 10:30 - 2025-08-08 11:30 | the Courtenay and District Museum, 207 4th St, Courtenay, BC, COURTENAY, BC, V9N 1G7, Canada
For ages 7-11 (must have completed kindergarten)

Dive into 4 days of making your very own dinosaur inspired paper mache creations! Kids will be guided through the process of designing and creating paper mache dinosaurs that they will bring home at the end of the week.
Register Now!
Register now by emailing student@courtenaymuseum.ca.

Double Duo Concert
2025-08-09 18:30 - 21:30 | Artful the Gallery, 526 Cumberland Rd, Courtenay, BC, V9N 2C7
Two dynamic Comox Valley Duos are coming together to perform at Artful : The Gallery on August 9. Doors at 6:30, and the show begins at 7pm. Duo #1 is Judy and Bruce Wing with their intertwined guitar parts that support their smooth vocals, evocative lyrics and percussive rhythms. Duo #2 is Dogwood Bloom, known for their soulful harmonies and heartfelt songwriting. Members Ashley Sykes and Shane Phillips are known for their warm and intimate live performances.
