Comox Valley Arts

Shared Wisdom (SOLD OUT)
2024-07-07 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Vancouver) | Miracle Beach Amphitheatre, 1720 Miracle Beach Dr, Black Creek, BC, V9J 1J5, Canada
An Intercultural Storytelling Experience

A community inquiry exploring stories to live by.
Guided by Chief Wedlidi Speck and Kester Reid of Fianna Wilderness School, this gathering will celebrate connections between Salish-Kwakwaka’wakw and Irish-Scottish traditions.
Detailed description: This circle will explore stories from two old traditions – the local Salish-Kwakwaka’wakw, and the Irish/Scottish tradition of settler lineages. As a community we will explore the cultural understandings carried by the stories, offering us insight into important questions of belonging, community, reciprocity and reconciliation. Participants will be invited to share their voice, and their perspective, as we inquire not only with the stories, but also with the land around us and the ways in which it participates in the old teachings of story.
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Chief Wedlidi Speck and Kester Reid will share the stories and facilitate discussion. This is an intercultural event that values diverse perspectives and decolonizing inquiry. Bring your curiosity and an open heart, and please plan to stay for the duration of the event.
This is an intergenerational event, and all ages are welcome, including children/youth that are able to participate for the duration (aged 7+).

CYMC Festival of Summer Sounds
2024-07-06 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-07-05 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-07-04 19:00 - 21:00 | BC
Comox Valley Youth Music Centre is once again hosting the Festival of Summer Sounds!

From July 5th – 23rd there will be an assortment of performances and concerts from Classical Music, Jazz Music, and Musical Theatre. There will be Student and Faculty concerts.

Get your tickets now at cymc.ca starting at $15 to reserve your spot. Payment at the door is available for most of the events, space permitted.

Email info@cymc.ca or registrar@cymc.ca with any questions!!

Classical Music

Comox Valley Faculty ConcertJuly 5th at 7:00 PM$25.00St Georges United Church505 6th St, Courtenay

Campbell River Faculty ConcertJuly 6th at 7:00 PM$25.00Trinity Presbyterian Church145 Simms Rd, Campbell River

Student ConcertJuly 9th at 1:30St Georges United Church505 6th St, Courtenay

Musical Theatre

ShowcaseJuly 11th at 7:00 PM$15.00George’s P. Vanier Secondary4830 Headquarters Rd, Courtenay

Newsies ProductionJuly 20th – 23rd at 7:00 PM$30.00July 23rd at 2:30 PM$28.00Sid Williams Theater442 Cliffe Ave, CourtenayTickets on sale at www.sidwilliamstheatre.com/events/cymc-presents-newsies/

Island Jazz Music

Jazz JamJuly 20th at 7:00 PM$25.00Weird Church2688 Penrith Ave, Cumberland

Faculty ConcertJuly 21st at 7:00 PMComox Pentecostal Church1919 Guthrie Rd, Comox

Student ConcertJuly 23rd at 1:00 PMWeird Church2688 Penrith Ave, Cumberland

We look forward to welcoming you to our events!

SUMMER 2024 MAKE ART SERIES + DROP-IN MAKE STATIONS
2024-07-04 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-07-03 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-06-28 13:00 - 16:00 | Comox Valley Art Gallery, 580 Duncan Avenue, Courtenay, BC
This summer’s Make Art Series and drop-in Make Stations have been developed by CVAG’s summer student interns, who have been inspired by the work presented in the exhibition: Diane Landry: Matière dans le Temps | Matter in Time from June 15 – September 24. Landry is known for her kinetic sculptural works and performances that utilize light, shadow, sound and movement. Much of her work incorporates the use of upcycled materials.

Activities will be facilitated by the student interns. Drop-in sessions are self-guided using materials created by the students. Participants are welcome to ask students for assistance.

CVAG STUDENT INTERNS 2024 – Naia Lisch | Rhea Whitehead | Griffin Halpin

About the Series + Drop-ins:

Materials + making tools are provided.

There will be instructions that you can take home so you can continue creating!

All ages + abilities are welcome, except where specified. Children and those who require support to participate must be accompanied by a capable + responsible person.

No cost — donations are gratefully accepted and contribute to ongoing community outreach.

DROP-IN MAKE STATIONS

All ages and abilities are welcome to participate in these self-guided art-making stations set up in CVAG’s Community Gallery space Wednesdays – Saturdays during gallery hours.

MAKE ART SERIES

Wednesday and Thursday workshops require REGISTRATION, as spaces are limited.Email register@comoxvalleyartgallery.com with your name, age, and the workshop you are registering for. If you are a caregiver, include the number of participants and ages.

Workshop Dates:

Friday, June 28 – KitesWednesday July 3 – BookbindingThursday, July 4 – BookbindingWednesday, July 10 – Handmade PaperFriday, July 19 – PinwheelsFriday, July 26 – Casted ShadowsFriday, August 2 – Found Material SculpturesFriday, August 9 – KitesFriday, August 16 – PinwheelsFriday, August 23 – Screen Printing

See the individual series descriptions on their website for specific guidelines.

Sheena Legrand with Special Guest Andy Gartner
2024-07-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Weird Church, 2688 Penrith Ave., Cumberland, British Columbia, V0R 1S0, Canada
There’s a special moment when the breath meets the heartbeat, and time stands still. The pull to move with the music emerges, and hesitancy falls away. Sheena Legrand channels this in “Back To Life” – her latest offering to the world since 3 full length albums as Sheena Grobb.
Listening to her music, there is a comfort, a familiarity, a remembering who we are. Expect this WCMA-nominated indie-folk/pop songwriter and multi-instrumentalist to serve us a generous helping of sweet melodic hooks, intricate keys, and delicately layered vocals reminiscent of her earlier work, with an electrifying live loop experience that will be sure to get your body moving.
Sheena’s songwriting reflects the inner strength, playfulness, and electricity that exists when standing on the edge of our infinite potential. Her audiences live happily on that edge with her where the journey really begins.
Check out Sheena’s latest release “Green Light” – now available on all platforms. This is the songbird’s first commercial single in 10 years, and a celebration for anyone finding their way ‘back to life’.
With that in mind, you won’t want to miss local songwriter Andy Gartner as he shares his long awaited song list to warm the room. Andy’s powerful voice and captivating songwriting have been kept under wraps up until now…

Canada Day Open House at Courtenay Museum
2024-07-01 11:00 - 15:00 | 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 am to 3 pm on Monday, July 1st.
Guests are welcome to enjoy live music by Alan Jossul, enter to win door prizes, and try their hand at kids’ crafts.
While you’re at the museum loving the air-conditioned comfort, take a few moments to check out the new second floor exhibit “Models & Miniatures”.
Canada Day is a great chance to explore history at the museum.
The Courtenay and District Museum is located at 207 Fourth Street in downtown Courtenay. FMI: 250-334-0686 ext 2.

Sarah Wilson - Guest Artist
2024-06-30 10:00 - 16:00 | Potters Place Gallery, 180B 5th Street, Courtenay, British Columbia, V9N 1J4, Canada
Currently ongoing, closing on June 30th

The Potters Place Gallery is pleased to feature the ceramic art of Sarah Wilson for the month of June.
Sarah Wilson is a potter based in Ladysmith, Vancouver Island. Sarah believes potters have a unique opportunity through the nature of their craft, to bring beauty to the simplest moments in everyday life. In our fast-paced world, where we are surrounded by mass consumerism, objects made with intention are ever important. A huge inspiration for Sarah has always been the surrounding natural environments in the places she has come to know as home. With a background in ocean conservation, Sarah strives to create a sense of connection to nature through her work.
Swing by the gallery to check out her beautiful nature inspired art from 10-4 Monday to Saturday throughout the month of June.

Sam Tudor Live in Concert
2024-06-29 20:00 - 22:00 | Weird Church, 2688 Penrith Ave., Cumberland, British Columbia, V0R 1S0, Canada
The underpinnings of the songs are genre-less; jazz players join forces with Eno inspired beats while acoustic guitars meet distorted synths. What unifies the project is Tudor’s distinct voice: a sandy, melancholic narrator, leaning in close with confessional and cathartic writing. The band’s live show is not to be missed – moving and personal, with both hushed tones and bombastic walls of sound. On this tour, Sam is touring with guitarist / vocalist Lilli Carr and bassist Jasper Wrinch, in an intimate trio set-up that focusses on the songwriting.
“a moving and honest performance… embellished with jazz, baroque, and electronic touches”
— VICE Magazine
Doors at 8pm, Show at 8:30pm

Pivot ‘n Grow Reception
2024-06-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Pearl Ellis Gallery, 1729 Comox Ave, Comox, BC, V9M 3M2, Canada
Please consider this your invitation to the OPENING RECEPTION of ‘Pivot ‘n Grow’, a two-person art show and sale with Qualicum Beach artist, Linda Grieg, and Kate Bridger!
Kate’s part of this exhibition is the ‘Pivot’ half as it reflects the new direction their work has been going in since the start of this year.
Their display will feature a selection of works that predate 2024, including a few from their Made On Monday collection, plus some 3D work, a couple of clocks and their most recent, more abstract, pieces.
ALL work is specially priced for this exhibition with art produced prior to 2023 significantly reduced. And, they’re offering FREE copies of their book, ’The Fabric Of Nelson’, while quantities last.
The reception will be held this Saturday, June 29th at The Pearl Ellis Gallery in Comox between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
“The ‘easy’ part of this exhibition was creating the art … the slightly more difficult challenge will be preparing a few tasty nibbles for our refreshment table!! I hope to see you there” Kate Bridger
The exhibition continues Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until July 20th.

Poetry & Music - With Catherine McNeil
2024-06-24 14:00 - 17:00 | Courtenay Public Library, 300, 6th St, Courtenay, BC, V9N 9V9, Canada
Come celebrate Pride with Catherine as she reads from Emily & Elsbeth, her newest publication with Caitlin Press.
Catherine will also read from her book Under the Influence, and sing a few tunes accompanied by button accordion and guitar.
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Emily & Elspeth follows two women and their unique paths to love… and each other. Through poems that flirt with the intersections of desire, art, and commitment, Catherine pieces together Emily and Elspeth’s relationship as playfully as she takes it apart.
Weird, wonderful, and slightly dangerous, this is a queer love story that’s anything but typical.

The Addams Family- At The Sid Williams Theatre
2024-06-22 17:00 - 19:00 | Sid Williams Theatre, 442 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay, BC, V9N 2J2, Canada
Join us for a dance performance of “the Addams family”. A kooky, upside-down world where to be sad is to be happy, to feel pain is to feel joy. The Addams live their gloomy lives in isolation from the outside world. Gomez prepares his son Pugsley for his upcoming “Mazurka”, a rite of passage that every Addams family member takes. Morticia struggles to keep their daughter, Wednesday, from wanting to experience the world outside the mansion after a balloon and confetti appear on their property. Please join us as the Addams family and the world they live in learn how to join worlds and not judge a book by its cover.

Emerging Voices : Local High School Students Show (Closing)
2024-06-22 12:00 - 20:00 | Pearl Ellis Gallery, 1729 Comox Ave, Comox, BC, V9M 3M2, Canada
The Pearl Ellis Gallery presents “Emerging Voices,” an exhibition featuring the artwork of secondary students from Highland Secondary and Georges P. Vanier Secondary schools. Running from May 28 to June 22, this showcase highlights diverse mediums such as sculpture, paintings, photography, and mixed media. This exhibition highlights the passionate activity and dedication found within the art programs of both schools.
“People often remark that they are impressed at the high level of quality and creative depth these young artists are able to attain,” said Teresa Kachanoski, President of the Pearl Ellis Gallery board of directors. “We’re always proud of the students, their hard work and commitment, and look forward to sharing our annual high school show with the public once again.”
The opening reception is on May 30 from 6-8 pm, offering a chance to meet the artists and teachers. Admission is free.
Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 12 pm to 4 pm, and from June 1, 10 am to 4 pm.

Downtown Comox Summer Fest 2024
2024-06-22 10:00 - 17:00 | BC
Event Location: We are shutting down Comox Avenue between Church St and Port Augusta!

The Comox Business in Action (BIA) kicks off the summer season with the Annual Summer Fest on Saturday, June 22. This event is a community favourite that brings summer fun to the streets of downtown Comox.

Event highlights include:

Over 50 vendors featuring artisans and merchants on Comox Ave
Live Entertainment on the Main Stage
Local downtown businesses offering specials and featuresFamily-friendly activities including bounce-a-rama and face painting
Events happening at Comox Centre Mall

Entertainment Schedule
10-11:50 DJ Aimee12-12:45 – Cafe Ole1-3 DJ Micheal3-3:45 Focus Your Audio
Sponsors:Thank you to our generous sponsors that make Downtown Summerfest a success
Title Sponsor: Harbourview DentalTidal CafeCoastal Community Credit UnionYQQ Comox Valley AirportTown of ComoxBC TransitEagle 97.3Comox CentreExperience Comox Valley
More Info:Check out the EVENT ON FACEBOOK for MORE INFO

Vendor Applications

Vendor applications are SOLD OUT! Please contact the organizers directly if you would like to be a part of Summer Fest: Haeley.events@gmail.com or cleotetraultrmt@gmail.com.

Cumberland Home & Garden Tour
2024-06-22 09:00 - 17:00 | BC
The Resilience Edition!

Join us for a day long exploration of gardens, urban farms, built spaces, studios, homes, cottages, community gathering places that share the story of building community resilience!

Discover ways that Villagers are conserving and capturing water, going solar, growing food, small scale farming, raising bees and chickens, creating housing security, making shade, bringing people together, building to protect old buildings, and innovating with new ones. This tour is all about how we cultivate cultural, social, environmental, economic and climate resiliency as a Village. Join us and be part of this special day!

What does Resilience mean?

Resilience is all about how organisms, ecosystems, individuals, families, and communities respond to change and thrive. This can be economic change, social and cultural change, environmental change and climate change.

Tickets are on sale NOW

Thanks to Outback Nursery, Facet Custom Builders, Standing Bear Construction, Hakai Energy Solutions, Katrina Koboly Royal LePage and Commonhouse Design for their generous support for our 2024 Tour!

OFF THE PRESS!
2024-06-20 17:00 - 21:00 | Cumberland Museum & Archives, 2680 Dunsmuir Ave, Cumberland, BC, V0R 1S0, Canada
An Exhibition of Collaborative Artworks

Off the Press! invites local artists into collaboration with Cumberland’s Black Cat Skateboard Press to assert their presence publicly, sharing their unique skills, identities and cultural knowledge through combined processes and materials.

These artworks serve as expressions of self within the Museum, and as tools for physical navigation, community building, experimentation and resilience beyond these walls.

Through the unlimited potential of collaboration we consider ways in which an individual’s self expression can foster a sense of community belonging.

Want to see how a Black Cat Skateboard is made?

Join us for live pressings at the Cumberland Museum & Archives on Sundays at 11AM throughout the Summer! July 7, 14 & 28, August 18 & 25

Want to get involved?

Visit the exhibition to grab a template and draw your own design for a Black Cat Skateboard. Skateboard designs will be displayed in the satellite exhibition, Off The Press! Gallery, 2708 Dunsmuir AveOpening Celebration June 20 5-9 PM @ Cumberland Museum & Archivesfeaturing live music by Pranatricks

DIANE LANDRY: MATIÈRE DANS LE TEMPS | MATTER IN TIME
2024-06-15 13:00 - 17:00 | Comox Valley Art Gallery, 580 Duncan Avenue, Courtenay, BC
OUVERTURE DES ARTS | OPENING EVENT

June 15 2024 / 1:00pm – 5:00pm

OUVERTURE DES ARTS – Publique | Tous âges | Événement gratuit
ART OPENING – Public | All Ages | Free Event

Discussion d’artiste | Réception:
La cérémonie d’ouverture aura lieu le 15 juin dès 1PM.
L’artiste sera présente!
Nous espérons vous voir en grand nombre.
Les portent de la gallerie ouvrent à 10AM pour un aperçu avant-première — 580 Duncan Avenue, Courtenay, BC.
Artist Talk | Reception:
The exhibition’s opening event on the afternoon of Saturday, June 15 will begin at 1PM.
The artist will be with us!
We hope you are able to attend.
Doors to the gallery open at 10AM for public preview of the installed works prior to the event — 580 Duncan Avenue, Courtenay, BC.

MINERS MEMORIAL
2024-06-14 08:00 - 2024-06-16 17:00 | Cumberland Museum & Archives, 2680 Dunsmuir Ave, Cumberland, BC, V0R 1S0, Canada
Miners Memorial hosts a series of events including Song of the Workers and a graveside vigil commemorating the lives lost and pays tribute to those who fought on their behalf for safer working conditions. This time-honoured event upholds the commitment to continue the fight for workers of today and commemorates the loss of over 300 lives in Cumberland mines, who never returned home after a day of work.
The Museum will also host a series of events including talks, walking tours, a community picnic and in-museum tours over the weekend. Check out the full schedule of events coming soon.
2024 SCHEDULE – MORE UPDATES COMING
FRIDAY, JUNE 14 AT 7 PM – 10:30 PM | SONGS OF THE WORKERS
LOCATION: THE CUMBERLAND CULTURAL CENTRE, 2687 DUNSMUIR AVE
Back in the flesh, the Songs of the Workers concert event features local and visiting musicians sharing stories and music about workers and their lives – coal mines, textile factories, farms, kitchens, logging camps, fish plants, kitchens, assembly lines, picket lines, and unemployment lines. Work that builds us up and work that tears us down. The struggle, triumphs and tribulations of all our labours.
Admission to the event is by donation, all are welcome and will be accommodated until capacity is met. No registration is required for entry donations will be accepted at the door.
SATURDAY, JUNE 15 AT 8 AM – 9:30 AM| PANCAKE BREAKFAST
LOCATION: THE CUMBERLAND RECREATION INSTITUTE, 2665 DUNSMUIR AVE
Start the day with ‘ food for the people’; with its limited ingredients and short preparation time, the pancake has historically been a working-class food. This year the BCGEU’s Cross Component Committee will be serving up fluffy cakes to be buttered and soaked in syrup as desired.
Breakfast is by donation; please drop in between 8 am and 9: 30 am.
Event Sponsor: BCGEU’s Cross Component Committee
SATURDAY, JUNE 15 AT 11 AM | GRAVESIDE VIGIL
LOCATION: THE CUMBERLAND MUNICIPAL CEMETERY, 4441 MINTO ROAD
This year we look forward to hosting a gathering of people at the Cumberland Municipal Cemetery. The graveside vigil commemorates the lives lost in the Cumberland mines and pays tribute to those who fought on their behalf for safer working conditions and worker rights. There will be an opening welcome and short addresses from Union and community members, followed by the tradition of laying a bouquet on individual graves. This time-honoured tradition upholds the commitment to continue the fight for workers of today and commemorates the loss of individual lives, over 300 in Cumberland, and the challenges faced by the families whose loved ones never returned home after a day of work.
A bouquet can be purchased for those intending to come on the day or for those who would like a volunteer to lay a bouquet in their honour.
Purchase A Bouquet
For additional information, questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Rosslyn Shipp at director@cumberlandmuseum.ca
This year’s bouquests will be crafted by Valley Home Meals, a local Comox Valley like minded small business; 5% of all flower sales go to Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation for Cancer. When you purchase your Miners Memorial Bouquet your support moves beyond our event and lives on within our community.
SATURDAY, JUNE 15 AT 12:15 PM | NIKKEI NO HAKA JAPANESE CEMETERY GRAVESIDE VIGIL
LOCATION: NIKKEI NO HAKA JAPANESE CEMETERY, UNION ROAD, CUMBERLAND

Following the Cumberland Municipal Cemetery, please join us as we gather at the Nikkei No Haka Japanese Cemetery. The Japanese and Chinese cemeteries, sacred grounds bear witness to the profound contributions of these communities to Cumberland’s mining industry. Amidst the tranquil surroundings, we will take a moment to honor the memory of those who labored tirelessly, their sacrifices woven into the fabric of Cumberland’s history. Mayor of Cumberland, Vicky Brown and Museum Director Rosslyn Shipp, will both reflect on the significance of this occasion and the enduring legacy of those we stand to commemorate.

SATURDAY, JUNE 15 AT 2- 3:45 PM | COMMUNITY COLD PLATE LUNCH
LOCATION: CUMBERLAND CULTURAL CENTRE, 2674 DUNSMUIR AVE
Join your comrades for a cold plate picnic dinner (vegetarian and GF options included). Lunch tickets are available sliding scale $10-$30, but we’re asking folks to register for their dinner tickets in advance so our volunteer crew knows how many potatoes to peel!
There will be live music and more.
The afternoon will host a special presentation by Oscar Wolfgang, discussing his upcoming project: a feature film entitled “Ginger” about workers’ rights and community, the story of Albert Goodwin. Oscar will share his inspiration with you and follow up with a Q&A session.
LUNCH SCHEDULE
1:45 pm- Doors Open at the Cultural Centre
2:00 pm – Welcome
2:10 pm – Lunch Bell!
2:50 pm – Special Guest Speaker Oscar Wolfgang
3:10 pm – Desert, Music and visiting
3: 40 pm – Closing remarks
Please register for the picnic so we know how much food to prep!
Interested in sponsoring this year’s lunch, please connect with the Museum Director, Rosslyn Shipp at: director@cumberlandmuseum.ca
Meal Ticket
SATURDAY, JUNE 15 AT 4:05 PM | AN ACTIVITS’ REFLECTIONS
LOCATION: CUMBERLAND MUSEUM & ARCHIVES, 2680 DUNSMUIR AVE
Brian Charlton has been a labour activist for over fifty years and has had his share of experiences fighting for workers rights. He thanks you for the opportunity to share some of those experiences. Brian will talk about his union, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and their battle to win maternity leave rights in 1981. In addition, as an example of the international dimensions of the union work we will look at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the historic Battle in Seattle in 1999. Hopefully we will then show how all these actions tie into the challenges we as workers face today. There will be a discussion period following the talk.
No registration is required, please just drop-in.
Event supported by the Health Sciences Association
SATURDAY, JUNE 15 AT 5 PM | ECHOES OF STRUGGLE: A LABOUR HISTORY JOURNEY THROUGH DOWNTOWN CUMBERLAND
LOCATION: THIS TOUR STARTS AT THE CUMBERLAND MUSEUM
As you stroll along Dunsmuir Avenue, once bustling with miners and laborers, you’ll discover the hidden gems of labour history with local walking tour guide Marianne Bell. From the former union headquarters to the sites of pivotal strikes, each stop unveils a chapter of Cumberland’s vibrant past.
Join The Downtown Walking Tour
SUNDAY, JUNE 16 AT 10 AM | CUMBERLAND CEMETERY TOUR
LOCATION: THE CUMBERLAND MUNICIPAL CEMETERY, 4441 MINTO ROAD
The histories of Cumberland’s past will come alive with a guided tour of the Cumberland Cemetery. Established in 1895, The Cumberland Cemetery is a resting place of generations of Cumberlanders. Join Museum Director Rosslyn Shipp as she tells the interwoven stories of disaster, heroism, and the challenges and hardships of an early settler community on this 90-minute tour.

Registration coming soon.

SUNDAY, JUNE 16 AT 1:00 PM AND 1:35 PM | MUSEUM TOUR
LOCATION: CUMBERLAND MUSEUM & ARCHIVES, 2680 DUNSMUIR AVE
Join Cumberland Museum & Archives Director Rosslyn Shipp for a 30-minute tour of the new exhibition, Wish You Were Here – Preserving Cultural Memory: the power and place of communication through Cumberland’s Archives. This tour will focus on the new exhibition’s section: Remembering is resistance, exploring Cumberland’s history through archival letters, shedding light on social justice, community resilience, and the complexities of cultural memory.
No registration is required, please just drop-in.

Comox Valley Songwriters Circle
2024-06-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Artful the Gallery, 526 Cumberland Rd, Courtenay, BC, V9N 2C7
The circles are a place for both new and experienced songwriters to come share new songs they are working on, or to dust off some old ones that may need some practice. We take turns going around the circle sharing one song at a time, and each artist can decide if they want others to jam or singalong to their tune.

Transparencies: New Support Group for Parents
2024-06-05 18:15 - 19:45 | BC
TRANSPARENCIES: Clear support for parents of trans and nonbinary kids

This is a free group for parents or caregivers, hosted by the Pride Society of the Comox Valley.

We will meet once a month in person near downtown Courtenay from 6:15 – 7:45 pm on the following dates:

January 17, February 7, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 5

For more information or to register contact: kerry.kentfield@gmail.com

Artful : The Poets Features Claire Gordon
2024-06-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Artful the Gallery, 526 Cumberland Rd, Courtenay, BC, V9N 2C7
Our monthly openmic kicks off with Claire Gordon as the feature poet for June! Claire is a recent graduate from Vancouver Island University with a major in English. She is a settler of Celtic, French, and Polish ancestry; born and raised in Snuneymuxw territory and now living in the Village of Cumberland in K’ómoks territory. Her writing meditates on human interaction with and on the land through narrative and documentary poetics. She is interested in form, imagery, and culture-creation through art. Claire’s academic and creative work has appeared in Queen City Writers, Canadian Yogi, and Sea & Cedar Magazine, among others.

Closing - The Octet Salon
2024-06-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Artful the Gallery, 526 Cumberland Rd, Courtenay, BC, V9N 2C7
Eight Comox Valley artists doing what they love best! Kate Bridger, Janice Hayward, Teresa Kachanoski, Jude Goffman, Elaine Smith, Laurie Martz, Sonja Turnbull and Nina Menz bring their creativity, inspiration, and productivity to expression through felt, fabric, photography, paint, and mixed media. Artist Reception: May 11, 7-9 pm.

Central Island Studio Tour (Day 2 of 2)
2024-06-02 10:00 - 16:00 | BC
Discover the 2024 Central Island Arts Guide and Studio Tour: June 1 & 2, 2024
Join the biggest regional studio tour highlighting talented artists in our area from Campbell River to Parksville.

Explore open studios, meet artists, and celebrate the arts on June 1 & 2, 2024, 10 am to 4 p.m.

Check out the Studio Tour Guide online at this link here
Or pick up a printed Studio Tour guide and explore the Map to plan your studio visits: copies will be distributed across the region with The Comox Valley Record.
You can also pick up your guide at CV/Arts (202-580 Duncan Ave, Courtenay), at Tin Town cafe and other locations across the Central Island Region.

Online Listings
Dive into artists’ stories and portfolios at centralislandartsguide.com

Planning Your Experience
Look for Green Banners to find participating studios.

Attend Artist-led Demonstrations
Experience art in action with demos, tours, workshops and talks.

Tin Town Cafe: Studio Tour Headquarters
This year CV/Arts is partnering with Tin Town Cafe, the Headquarters and artist hub for the 2024 Studio Tour. You can pick up a printed Studio Tour guide to plan your adventure, grab a coffee, delicious treats, purchase artwork and meet some of the artists they represent.
Wachiay Studio will be there too with artist Emily Thiessen who will be inviting participants to print their own art card in a drop-in live screen printing demo on Sunday, June 2, 11 am to 2 p.m.
LOCATION: Tin Town Cafe 106-2456 Rosewall Crescent, Courtenay BC V9N 8R9

Central Island Studio Tour (Day 1 of 2)
2024-06-01 10:00 - 16:00 | BC

(Closing) Island Clay Works - Guest Artist
2024-05-31 08:00 - 17:00 | Potters Place Gallery, 180B 5th Street, Courtenay, British Columbia, V9N 1J4, Canada
The Potters Place Gallery is pleased to feature the ceramic art of Anita and Neil Lawrence of Gold River for the month of May. Drop by to see their beautiful display of sgraffito trays, bowls, mugs, vases and much more. Neil’s work is finished in wildlife and fish designs and Anita’s is more eclectic with additions of local flora and fauna.

Closing - Community Improv
2024-05-29 19:00 - 20:30 | Little Red Curch, 2182 Comox Ave, Comox, British Columbia, Canada
Community Improv is for all humans who want to play, have fun, make stuff up and
take a little seriousness off for a few hours. Drop-in by donation (sugg. $10.00 – $20.00)

Strathcona Symphony Orchestra presents Tchaikovsky - From Dark to Light
2024-05-25 19:00 - 20:30 | Tidemark Theatre, 1220 Shoppers Row, Campbell River, British Columbia, V9W 2C8, Canada
The Strathcona Symphony Orchestra’s (SSO) From Dark to Light! program features two of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic works, Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, and one of the most difficult violin pieces in history, Violin Concerto in D Major, with Canadian-born soloist, Gregory Lewis.
The performances will be at the Filberg Centre in Courtenay (Friday, May 24th) and the Tidemark Theatre in Campbell River (Saturday, May 25th).
A Canada Council for the Arts recipient, Gregory won the right to play a 1768 Gagliano violin for three years and he will be the SSO’s guest soloist for the challenging violin piece.
Gregory grew up in Thunder Bay and left at the age of sixteen to pursue his musical education and a bachelor’s degree in Winnipeg before relocating to the U.S. to get a master’s degree at Yale University. He is now pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree while simultaneously playing in Yale’s award-winning Quartet in Residence, the Callisto Quartet. The Callisto Quartet maintains a busy international touring schedule, appearing at notable venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Ravinia Festival.
Gregory’s connection with SSO Music Director and solo cellist, Helena Jung, dates to 2017 when he first performed on Vancouver Island with Campbell River-born pianist, Carter Johnson. Carter introduced Gregory to Helena, and the three musicians toured Vancouver Island in 2018 and 2019. Helena contacted Gregory in early 2023 with the idea of performing Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto with the SSO and Gregory enthusiastically agreed to the request.
The concert’s title, From Dark to Light! refers to the emotional trajectory of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and Violin Concerto, taking the listener on a journey through a range of emotions, from darker, more turbulent passages to moments of light, hope, and resolution.
Helena Jung, said, “I want the audience to feel how Tchaikovsky explores struggle, despair, and eventually triumph in Symphony No. 5, mirroring his inner turmoil.”
“In these times of political uncertainty, social unrest, and environmental challenges, I hope the theme of moving from darkness to light helps our listeners find inspiration and resilience,” she said.
Classical music has also served as the inspiration for modern pop music to ballads, including Frank Sinatra’s Moon Love which was adapted from Tchaikovsky’s 2nd movement in Symphony No. 5.
Tickets for the SSO’s From Dark to Light! Courtenay performance can be purchased at https://strathcona-symphony-orchestra.tickit.ca/ or the Campbell River concert at https://tidemarktheatre.com/events/. Tickets may be available at the door, but we have been selling out.
Please visit www.strathconasymphony.ca for more information or the SSO’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/StrathconaSymphonyOrchestra.

Miniature Craft Workshop: Custom Fridge Magnets
2024-05-25 11:00 - 13:00 | the Courtenay and District Museum, 207 4th St, Courtenay, BC, COURTENAY, BC, V9N 1G7, Canada
The Courtenay and District Museum will be hosting a miniature sculpting/painting workshop on Saturday, May 25th from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm to celebrate the completion of the new exhibit, Models & Miniatures. Anyone 10 and up is welcome to drop in the museum’s Rotary Gallery and sculpt, bake, then paint their very own custom fridge magnets to take home.
This is a free drop-in event with some painting involved, so arrive ready to get a little bit messy! Our volunteer enthusiast, Josh, will be on hand to guide the group and assist with any difficulties, and materials will be provided to accommodate 1 magnet per person while supplies last.
This latest exhibit explores the themes of scale and how we gain new perspectives through different sizes. Check out the hands-on table, take part in an I-Spy matching game, and see what the museum’s collection has to offer for all things big and small. Head over to the Courtenay Museum website for more details.
Models & Miniatures Exhibit
https://www.courtenaymuseum.ca/programmes-exhibits/our-exhibits/current-exhibit/
Miniature Craft Workshop: Custom Fridge Magnets
https://www.courtenaymuseum.ca/events/miniature-craft-workshop-custom-fridge-magnets/
