Category: Media Release

Nelson, BC, July 5, 2023 – Following the success of the first season, the West
Kootenay Francophone Association (AFKO) is launching the new season of its podcast:
Franc Ouest.

The series consists of eight audio episodes and a short film dedicated to the fascinating
Francophone women of the West Kootenays. Sport, the outdoors and femininity in the
West Kootenays territory will serve as guidelines for this new season.

The team of Franco-Ontarian producer Patrick Lac is putting out a call to the public:
Which inspiring, athletic Francophone women should we interview?

From Revelstoke to Nelson, via Creston, Rossland, Kaslo, etc… you can help the team
in its search for sports personalities in skiing, biking, climbing, water sports – in short,
anything to do with the outdoors. Send your suggestions to balado@afko.ca or via
Facebook and Instagram to @francouest.

A look back at Season 1: Francophonie sauvage
The 19 episodes of Franc Ouest’s first season, “Francophonie sauvage”, are available to
listen to in their entirety on Apple Podcast, Spotify, WebOuest and AFKO.ca.
Franc Ouest not only showcases the French-speaking world, but also diversity; gender
diversity, extreme sports, racialized people and youth entrepreneurship are just some of
the hot topics covered in Francophonie sauvage.

The guests of host Patrick Lac share their experiences and stories. The first season
features inspiring guests such as :
● Mia Noblet, world slackline champion
● Alex Pilon, aka drag queen Johnny Poutina, Nelson’s LGBTQ+ ambassador
● Stéphanie Gauvin, renowned Rossland painter
● Sonia Ratté, entrepreneurial chef of Revelstoke’s La Baguette bakery

About AFKO
Located in the heart of the Queen City of the Kootenays, AFKO has been promoting the
French language in the region since 1986 through a variety of socio-cultural, community
and educational services and activities.

Source : Patrick Lac
Coordinateur balado
Podcast coordinator
AFKO: 250.352.3516
balado@afko.ca

Mangia, mangia… the Nelson Italian-Canadian Society says Summer BBQ Season is Just Around the Corner!

Remember those mouth-watering aromas coming from the barbeque last summer as you grilled up your Nelson Italian-Canadian Society sausages?  

And, remember how sad you felt as you ate the last morsel of the LAST sausage.  

Well, it’s time to dust off your BBQ after a long winter hiatus and get ready for the Nelson Italian-Canadian Society’s 4^th Annual Italian Sausage Fundraiser.

The NICS Online Store opened for orders on May 21st with a limited supply of hot and mild sausages as well as seasoned meat without the casings.

And new this year, based on customer feedback, the packages will have 6 instead of 5 sausages… eliminating the awkwardness of evenly splitting the final sausage 3 ways.

“With 6 sausages, the weight of the package will increase, so you are truly getting more sausage. There will be more to enjoy and more to share” says NICS President Paul Boscariol. 

The cost per package of sausages or seasoned meat without the casings will be $15.00.  

Money raised from this event will go to support local charities, non-profit organizations and Nelson Italian-Canadian Society student scholarships.

The NICS is grateful for the community’s ongoing support of their fundraising efforts and looks forward to serving you their tasty homemade sausages!

Access the NICS secure online store to place your order. https://nelson-italian-canadian-society.square.site/ 

The pick-up dates are Friday, June 16, from 3 pm to 6 pm and Saturday, June 17, from 9 am to Noon at the Nelson District Rod & Gun Club. If you have any questions, you can call Paul Boscariol at 250-505-6482 or email nelsoncanadianitaliansociety@gmail.com.

For those who do not have access to a computer but would still like to place a cash or cheque order, please call Paul at the number above.

Join us… and your sector colleagues!It’s time we had a talk! Join fellow artists, performers, writers and cultural organizers for a meet-up. The West Kootenay Regional Arts Council and Arts BC have partnered to create two gatherings—one in the East Kootenays and one in the West Kootenays.This will be a great opportunity to participate in professional development activities focused on equity, diversity and justice facilitated by Carla Stephenson of RAIL. Connect with representatives from the BC Arts Council, Arts BC, and your peers across the sector. Be inspired by artists and organizations as they share their sustainability stories and strategies, and inform WKRAC about your current strengths and obstacles to help us develop responsive regional supports.Come to create new relationships with artists and arts organizations and strengthen existing ones!Space is limited, so reserve your spot soon! Lunch is provided. In-person West Kootenay gathering: Tuesday, June 20, Taghum Hall, Taghum (near Nelson), 9:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Register Now – West Kootenay GatheringIn-person East Kootenay gathering: Thursday, June 22, Centre 64, Kimberley, 9:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Register Now – East Kootenay GatheringThis is a free event. Where the cost of attendance creates a barrier, WKRAC has funds available to support travel and participation. See application form for details.Are you an artist? Don’t miss the upcoming Zoom conversation specifically for artists and creators on May 31 at 2 p.m. Pacific. EVENT CONTACT Maggie Shirley Outreach Manager West Kootenay Regional Arts Council 250-801-2349 outreach@wkartscouncil.com

This project is made possible by:FacebookInstagramWebsite

NEWS RELEASE ARTS AND CULTURE COLLEAGUES INVITED TO CONNECT AND SHARE How can we support artists—especially those deserving equity and justice—and arts and culture organizations in the Kootenays? That’s the question posed by the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council and the reason it’s launching a new series of free conversations, called Kootenay Art Connect, taking place online and in person in May and June 2023. “How can the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council collaborate with artists and local arts organizations to further strengthen the arts scene in the Kootenays?” asked Maggie Shirley, the arts council’s new Outreach Manager, who is organizing the series. “We invite anyone in this sector to come tell us your needs and what you can offer to arts and culture in the Kootenays.” Participants will explore questions like: What are your professional development needs? How can the arts council help you better network, share knowledge and exchange resources? The series includes online events for artists (May 31), arts organizations (June 8) and artists deserving equity and justice (June 12). The in-person events are in the West Kootenay (Taghum, June 20) and East Kootenay (Kimberley, June 22). For the in-person gatherings, places are limited to 50 each (with lunch provided), so people are encouraged to sign up soon. Everyone is invited to attend. Facilitators and guest speakers include Carla Stevenson, Executive Director/Co-Artistic Director of Renascence Arts and Sustainability Society and the Tiny Lights Festival; and representatives from Arts BC. The series is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts. To learn more and register, visit wkartscouncil.com/kootenay-art-connect-convos. (Note: The deadline to register for the in-person events is Friday, June 9. There’s no deadline for the online events.) As the regional arts council for the Kootenays, the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council supports a thriving arts, culture and heritage sector and acts as a catalyst to build capacity throughout the creative ecology. Learn more at wkartscouncil.com.    MEDIA CONTACT Maggie Shirley Outreach Manager West Kootenay Regional Arts Council 250-801-2349 outreach@wkartscouncil.com               Thank you to our funders: Facebook Instagram Website Forward to a Friend Our mailing address is: West Kootenay Regional Arts CouncilPO Box 103 Nelson, BC V1L 5P7Canada Add us to your address book 250-352-2421 / admin@wkartscouncil.com

The West Kootenay TEETH Clinic hopes to be up and running this JUNE after shutting down due to arson in February 2022, but they need YOUR HELP!

We are having a fundraiser concert MAY 19th @ The Royal featuring:

BROKEN CITY

HILLSIDE FOOLS

QUILLAN HANLEY & SARAH ORTON

THE UKULADIES & FRIENDS

There will be raffle and silent auction prizes as well.

Show starts at 6pm. Tickets $25

Visit: https://www.theroyalnelson.com/events for ticket sales.

Can’t make it, but wish to donate?

Visit https://www.canadahelps.org/…/west-kootenay-community…/

  · 

Our Spring Banquet will be held Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Nelson District Rod & Gun Club Hall.

Ticket sales are now open to everyone, NICS members, their families and friends, and the public too. Final ticket sales on April 29th.

Only 150 tickets are available, so be sure to act quickly.

Tickets are $50.00 each. Reserved seating arrangement of Tables of 8.

Social Hour 5:30 pm – Dinner 6:30 pm – Dancing to Follow

Music provided by Eric Laughton

We need volunteers for the event. Please contact Laura for details (her email address is below).

How to purchase pickets:

– Using Interac e-transfer via email to nelsonitaliancanadiansociety@gmail.com.

Tickets purchased using Interac will be available for pick up at the door.

– At DeVito Shoes, 411 Hall Street (cash or cheque only)

When purchasing your ticket, you need to provide:

– Your name and the name of any other NICS members you are buying tickets for

– Phone number

– Specify any dietary restrictions for people in your group

– Any seating assignment requests

Inquiries can be directed to:

Laura Cillis: membership@nelsonitaliancanadiansociety.com

or

Anthony Sanna: vp@nelsonitaliancanadiansociety.com