What's Up in Wells

The Aprés Ski @ Troll Mountain | Kimberley MacGregor and Elliot Thomas
2024-02-03 15:30 - 17:30 (America/Vancouver) | Troll Ski Resort, Barkerville Hwy 27 E., BC, Canada
MA is partnering with Troll Ski Resort to bring you some Aprés Ski entertainment!
On February 3rd, join us as the last lift runs for some live music in the lodge! We’re excited to feature singer/songwriters Kimberly MacGregor and Elliot Thomas, backed by Danny Bell on drums.
Live music starts around 3:30 PM and ends around 5:30 PM – You’ll be home in time for Troll Midnight!
This show is pass-the-hat style pay-what-you-can: No lift ticket required and all ages are welcome!
This is made possible through the generosity of Troll Resort and IMA’s public funders, the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

Karaoke Night
2024-02-03 21:00 - 2024-02-04 02:00, 2024-02-10 21:00 - 2024-02-11 02:00, 2024-02-17 21:00 - 2024-02-18 02:00, 2024-02-24 21:00 - 2024-02-25 02:00, 2024-03-02 21:00 - 2024-03-03 02:00, 2024-03-09 21:00 - 2024-03-10 03:00, 2024-03-16 21:00 - 2024-03-17 02:00 | Jack O’ Club Restaurant & Pub, 12383 Hwy 27 E., Wells, BC, V0K2R0, Canada
Every Saturday from 9 pm to 2 am

Adult Pickleball Nights
2024-02-06 19:00 - 21:00, 2024-02-13 19:00 - 21:00, 2024-02-20 19:00 - 21:00, 2024-02-27 19:00 - 21:00, 2024-03-05 19:00 - 21:00, 2024-03-12 19:00 - 21:00, 2024-03-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Wells Community Hall, 4269 Sanders Ave, Wells, BC, V0K2R0, Canada
Wells Pickleball is back! Tuesdays @ 7pm, starting tomorrow, at the Community Hall. All you need is a pair of running shoes. Drop in fee is $3. No experience required. We will also be running youth Pickleball on Thursdays from 4-5:30 pm.
Hope to see you there!

Youth Pickleball Nights
2024-02-08 16:00 - 17:30 | Wells Community Hall, 4269 Sanders Ave, Wells, BC, V0K2R0, Canada
Wells Youth Pickleball is back! Thursday from 4-5:30 pm, at the Community Hall. All you need is a pair of running shoes. Drop in fee is $3. No experience required. We are also be running adult Pickleball on Tuesday from 7-8:30 pm.
Hope to see you there!

Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run
2024-02-09 - 2024-02-12 | BC
Where sled dog teams travel wilderness trails between Quesnel, Wells & Barkerville over three days – Feb 9-11, 2024
Schedule of Events:
Feb 9: Troll Ski Resort
11:30 am: Swearing in of mail carriers
12:45 pm: Mushers meeting
1:00 pm: Stage #1 begins!
6:00 pm: Banquet & Auction at Troll Ski Resort
Feb 10: Jack O’ Clubs General, Wells, BC
10:45 am: Mushers meeting
11:00 am: Stage #2 begins!
3:00 pm: Musher sports
6:00 pm: informal social for mushers and volunteers
Feb 11: Barkerville, BC
9:30 am – 10:30 am: Registration for the Barkerville Dash
9:45 am: Mushers meeting
10:00 am: Stage #3 begins!
11:00 am: Barkerville Dash begins
11:15 am: Participants begin to arrive at the Barkerville Post Office
1:00 pm: Wind-up and Awards

Lunar New Year Feast
2024-02-10 18:00 - 20:00 | The Wells Hotel, 2341 Pooley St., Wells, BC, V0k2R0, Canada
Celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Dragon by joining us for a Chinese Buffet Feast! We’ll be adorning the Pub in lanterns, hosting some fun activities, and going all out with the food, making the all-you-can-eat feast from scratch in-house to celebrate the authentic flavours of China. $5 for every ticket sold will go to support Barkerville Historic Town and Park’s Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, a celebration of Chinese culture and history.
Time: 6 pm to 8 pm buffet service. Pub open late for games and drinks.
Price: $45 per person. $20 for children 12 and under. Due to the high interest in the event, tickets must be purchased in advance. Purchase tickets online, call, or stop by the hotel to reserve your seat: https://the-wells-hotel.square.site/ or 250-994-3427
The Buffet Menu:
– Assorted hand made dim sum from the Delicious Dim Sum Co. in Richmond
– Veggie fried rice
– Cashew chop suey with house-made tofu
– House-made char siu pork (sticky BBQ)
– Ginger beef stir fry
– Shrimp wonton soup with house-made wontons
Special cocktails available at the bar

Winter Hip-Hop Classes
2024-02-12 17:45 - 20:15 | Wells Community Hall, 4269 Sanders Ave, Wells, BC, V0K2R0, Canada
Happy November!
Winter hip-hop is back again with Tyler Burnson!
Join us every second Monday! Must register in advance!
This class serves as an introduction to Hip Hop Dance Styles, where we build weekly on choreography!
There are 3 fee tiers you can choose from! Visit island-mountain-arts.square.site for more information!

Suggested Fee: $60.00 – 80.00+GST – This rate is made possible through support from the Province of British Columbia
Sustaining Fee: $162.00+GST – This would be the cost of the program if IMA received no grants from the province.
Pay What You Can at the Door – We want you to take part, but you do need to register in advance!

With instructor Tyler Burnson.
8 classes total! Max 10 Participants!
TIME: Every Second Monday
Ages 6 – 12 from 5:45 – 6:45
Ages 18+ from 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM
Monday, Nov 06
Monday, Nov 20
Monday, Dec 04
Monday, Dec 18
TUESDAY, Jan 02 (Moved due to New Years)
Monday, Jan 15
Monday, Jan 29
Monday, Feb 12

Valentine's Day Dinner
2024-02-14 17:00 - 21:00 | The Wells Hotel, 2341 Pooley St., Wells, BC, V0k2R0, Canada
We’ll be opening up the Hotel Dining Room for dinner service one night only to create a beautiful space on Valentine’s Day. Candle light, flowers, a special menu, and wine pairings. Menu and reservations coming soon.

Book Reading: Mini Saga in South Africa by Hilary Crowley
2024-02-16 20:00 - 21:00 | The Wells Hotel, 2341 Pooley St., Wells, BC, V0k2R0, Canada
Hilary’s latest book is Mini Saga in South Africa, published by Friesen Press, and can be found everywhere online and in local book retailers. This memoir relates exciting adventures as well as explores the political landscape of the time. “What a wonderful experience, and a great message about seizing life’s opportunities!”
Hilary will be joining us in Wells Friday, February 16 at 8 pm in the Wells Hotel Lounge for a reading from her new book

The Wells International Gourmet Ski Tour
2024-02-17 10:00 - 16:00 | BC
The Wells International Gourmet Ski has been the main fundraiser for WATS for over 10 years. Participants get to experience a few of the things that make Wells great: the skiing, the company, the gorgeous natural setting, and the delicious food produced in our humble kitchens!
Ski as much or as little as you would like, eat fantastic International cuisine at four food stations along the way, and join us for hot drinks and desserts at the finale. Get dressed up in your most ridiculous costumes for a chance to win great prizes! Stay in Wells for the evening and join us at the Sunset Theatre for our popular Winter Film Fest.
Tickets for the 2024 Gourmet Ski Tour event are sold out.
THE WELLS INTERNATIONAL GOURMET SKI WEEKEND ITINERARY
Saturday Breakfast — Breakfast is available at the Diggy’s Dinner, The Wells Hotel or Becker’s Lodge (Bowron Lake)
Check-in and sign waiver
Note: Everyone (including minors and infants) must check in and sign their waiver (parents must sign for minors). Also everyone must check out when they have finished skiing (otherwise SAR will be looking for you!) You will also receive your map, dishes and cutlery, and your swag!
Where: Location: Frog on the Bog
When: 10 am until 12 noon
Parking: BGM (Barkerville Gold Mines) parking lot across from the Frog; not behind the Jack O’ Clubs
Ski and eat (and laugh)
There will be 4 food stations located out on our trail system, and the final station back at the Jack O’ Clubs. Their locations will be marked on the map we will give you when you sign in and complete your waiver.
Where: Start skiing from trail head — look for the banner at the northeast corner of the Jack O’ Clubs parking lot.
When: Start skiing anytime between 11 am and 12 noon; food stations close at 2:45 pm
How: Ski the trails in any order or direction; visit the food stations in any order; visit the “Booty Basket” locations (marked on the map) to see some new trail development and to get extra treats!
Desserts and Finale (Prizes!!)
Where: The Jack O’ Clubs pub
When: Pub will be open for drinks starting at 1 pm; desserts will be ready to sample starting at 2pm to 4pm; prize give-away starts at approximately 3:30 pm; group photo in front of the Jack O’ Clubs at approximately 4 pm.
Dinner
The Jack of Clubs
The Wells Hotel
Reservations are strongly recommended.
Winter Film Festival
The acclaimed Winter Film Fest is a great event in its own right. Dave Jorgenson of Whitegold Adventures has chosen some amazing short films for the 2024 Festival
Where: The Sunset Theatre
When: 7 pm
Cancellation Policy for Gourmet Ski
Full refund (less $25 administration fee) until February 1st. No refunds after February 1st.
Accommodation — Book your accommodation early at:
Wells Hotel — (250) 994-3427
Mountain Thyme Getaway/Willow River Inn — (250) 994-2345
The Tomato House — booked
The Nest — (250) 994-3466 (Island Mountain Arts)
Barkerville Cottages — (250) 994-3332
St. George Hotel (Barkerville) – 780-712-2810 or stgeorgehotel@xplornet.ca
The Whitecaps — 250.991.1020 or whitecapsmotel@hotmail.com
Becker’s Lodge at Bowron Lake 1-250-992-8864 or 1-604-424-4333
If you can’t find accommodation, let us know and we will try to assist you
Sunday — relax, enjoy the sights and trails around Wells, Barkerville and Bowron Lakes!

Gourmet Ski Winter Film Festival Presented by the Wells & Area Trail Society
2024-02-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Sunset Theatre, 2357 Pooley St., Wells, BC, v0k2r0, Canada
Stay tuned for more details on the wonderful winter outdoor themed short films that will be presented by WATS as part of their annual Gourmet Ski Weekend. It’s always a great evening after a long fabulous day of skiing.
Visit the WATS website for details about Tickets for the Film Fest, which can also be purchased at the Door @ the Sunset Theatre. The tickets for the Film Fest are separate from the Gourmet Ski Tickets.

FREE Family Day Activity | Plein Air Pastels and Painting with Peter Corbett
2024-02-18 12:00 - 16:00 | BC
PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE!
Thanks to support from the Province of BC and the BC Museums Association, this event is free to attend. Space is limited, though, and we need numbers so we can have snacks and drinks for everyone involved.
https://forms.gle/efYfN2EkU4J1ePqj6
In honour of the BC Family Day Weekend, Island Mountain Arts and St. George Studio are delighted to invite you to an afternoon of Plein air painting and pastels with local artist Peter Corbett.
We’ll supply materials. Dress warmly and bring your own thermos for warm beverages.**
We ask that all youth under the age of 12 be accompanied by a parent or a guardian, and all youth under 18 come with a written note of permission from their parent or guardian.

** If it is exceedingly cold, the workshop will take place from the 2nd floor IMA studios.
PARTICIPANT TO BRING:
Be prepared to take a short walk around Wells! That means all the goods you need to keep warm.
Gloves, not mitts – your hands will get cold
What you need to keep warm – we recommend good base layers and pants that you can sacrifice to paints.
Your thermos of choice – we’ll make sure you have hot chocolate tea, coffee and other beverages to keep yourself warm
Camp Chair – Optional
IMA WILL PROVIDE:
Easels
Drawing boards
Paper
Art materials such as pens, pencils, erasers, paints (watercolour, acrylic) and oil pastels
Snacks and warm drinks.
This project is supported by the Province of British Columbia

BC Family Day Celebrations at Barkerville
2024-02-19 10:00 - 16:00 | Barkerville Historic Town & Park, 14301 Hwy 26 E., Barkerville, BC, V0K2R0, Canada
Join us on February 19th for our BC Family Day event! Stop in at the House Hotel for a snack and a warm beverage, take part in our annual Kick Sled Races, and enjoy a special performance at the Methodist Church. We will also have a 2-for-1 annual pass sale down at the Welcome Centre.
AND! Thanks support from the BC Government, admission for the day is free!
Visit https://www.barkerville.ca/family-day/ to learn more!

Goat River Trail - Quesnel Info Session
2024-03-03 13:00 - 15:00 | College of New Caledonia Quesnel
Come! Learn about the historic Goat River Trail, a 50km wilderness route connecting the Bowron plateau and the temperate rainforest of the Robson Valley. Enjoy a video presentation, some Red Tomato Pie pizza, and a discussion.
Look for directions at the CNC front entrance.

Trail info: http://tinyurl.com/34p8v392
Event video: https://meet.google.com/yeb-egfi-wjo

St. Patrick's Day at the Wells Hotel
2024-03-17 17:00 - 22:00 | The Wells Hotel, 2341 Pooley St., Wells, BC, V0k2R0, Canada
The Wells Hotel began with the dream of an Irishman, Paddy MacDonell, and lives on today. Come and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with house-made Irish stew and soda bread, drink specials, and good cheer! Sláinte!
To help celebrate, we’ll be hiding charms around the Pub and Lobby. Find a charm, exchange it for $1 off your bill (reedeamable on Mar 17th only).
There are 80 lucky charms to be found, so lucky patrons could strike it rich!

Armed with a Compass: A Northern Exposure Conference
2024-03-21 - 2024-03-24 | BC
WHAT IS ARMED WITH A COMPASS?
Armed with a Compass is a multi-day conference. Part workshop, part networking and part showcasing, together we will deep dive into the climate crisis from the perspective of rural arts and events organizers. With record-shattering drought, fire and flood seasons a normalized phenomena in British Columbia, the importance of swift and compassionate response while also continuing to provide meaningful experiences to the artists and audiences we serve holds particular weight with rural arts and events organizers.
Armed with a Compass is rooted in information sharing, and will blossom into active time for writing, discussion, planning and review. It is intended to be a deeper-than-surface dive as we broach the manifestation of the climate crisis in rural BC and its impact on the systems of arts presentation that have long been a standard means of livelihood for artists and organizers.
ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES:
Folks living/working in the Arts in non-metropolitan areas come away with strengthened and comprehensive emergency plans and the knowledge and confidence to implement them when needed.
A greater understanding of the role of the Arts in emergency planning, management, and community recovery.
Knowledge sharing and deepened relationships between the emergency response and disaster recovery and the Arts sectors.
New and rekindled relationships with rural presenters and artists from around BC.
HOW IS THIS HAPPENING
A bar of logos from Island Mountain Arts, The government of Canada, Arts BC, Rural Arts Inclusion Lab and Vancouver Foundation.
Northern Exposure is made possible through the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage, Arts BC and the Vancouver Foundation Recovery and Resilience Grant; and the Rural Arts Inclusion Lab (RAIL)
LOGISTIC DETAILS FOR NORTHERN EXPOSURE ATTENDEES
DATES:
Opening Reception: Wednesday March 20th at 7:00 PM | Island Mountain Arts (2323 Pooley Street)
Day 1: Thursday March 21st from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, with Showcase from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Day 2: Friday March 22nd from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, with Showcase from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Day 3 – Wrap Up: Saturday March 23rd from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
LOCATION:
Wells, B.C. + Barkerville, B.C. | SECWÉPEMC AND DAKELH TERRITORY
COST:
$180.00 + GST
Modest Breakfast and Lunch included from the 21-23 dates.
Participants are responsible for their own evening meals, accommodations, and travel expenses.
SUPPORTS AVAILABLE:
Bursaries are available to assist with registration and travel costs. Island Mountain Arts can also assist with finding accommodations for participants. Details in the registration form.
Get in touch with Elyssia at northernexposure@imarts.com for more information.

Northern Exposure’s Evening Artist Showcase - Night One
2024-03-21 19:00 - 22:00 | BC
General Admission: $25.00 + Fee
IMA Members: $20.00 + Fee
Youth 12-18: $15.00 + Fee

Even if you aren’t attending the Northern Exposure Conference, you can get in on the action! Join us as we invite 3 artists to share their craft with us during Northern Exposure’s Evening Artist Showcase – Night One.
This showcase will meet at the Sunset Theatre at 7:00 PM. From here, the audience split into groups, moving between three Wells venues, making up one evening of supporting independent Canadian music and theatre from friends old and new. Bring your kind listening ears for this one!
For this event, patrons will move between 3 performance venues, taking in the fresh air of the night in between each of the sets. If mobility is a concern, please get in contact with Elyssia Sasaki. (info@imarts.com).
THE ARTISTS
MUSIC | BEN MATCHETT
Hailing from Northern BC, Ben was heavily influenced by the folk and classic rock of his childhood. Ben has that magical balance of the bygone songwriting era; his lyrics are at once specific to his life, and universal to the human experience. Ben draws inspiration from observation and is a natural storyteller, captivating his audience with vulnerable ballads of love and loss – with a dash of uptempo guitar pickin’ and humour for good measure.
www.benmatchettmusic.com
Instagram @benmatchettmusic
FB @benmatchettmusic

THEATRE | BREAK A LEG BY BRIAN FIDLER*
*The participation of this Artist is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance•Opera•Theatre Policy.
Break a Leg is a collectively improvised tale inspired by Tramadol, extra-strength Tylenol and the power of community. Created through the haze of a badly broken leg, Fidler draws the audience into his experience through storytelling and games that speak to the better part of human nature and our innate desire to help each other in challenging circumstances.
Brian Fidler- Performer/Creator
For over 20 years Brian has been making theatre, creating outdoor multi-disciplinary events and directing shows in his hometown of Whitehorse, Yukon (the Traditional Territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council). His cardboard science fiction puppet shows and original plays have been presented across the country and have toured to every community in the Yukon. Brian is the Creative Producer of Theatre in the Bush, a site specific outdoor event set deep in the boreal forest. In the summer of 2024 Brian will return to Wells to create a customized version of Theatre in the Bush as part of the ArtsWells Festival.
www.ramshackletheatre.ca
Instagram: @ramshackletheatre

MUSIC | GENEVIEVE JAIDE
Genevieve’s latest release, “Why Am I Like This”, was written as a coping mechanism to work through her personal mental health journey. The title track is a familiar story about social anxiety in which you wish you could promptly teleport *literally* anywhere from the situation that you are in – a pretty relatable feeling. The EP sifts through different memories and digs deep into the strange realities of one’s messy mind. The genre jumps around from alternative, folk, indie-pop, to Canadiana, but maintains Jaide’s lyrically driven, terrifically vulnerable singer-songwriter vibe.
Genevieve Jaide is a northern blooded songstress inspired by the environment, nature, and the alluring people she has met throughout the years. She carefully releases heavy emotions through lyrics and melodies, and pairs these feelings with a groovy alternative vibe.
Her folk alternative sound is accompanied by: Brock Patch, Connor Pritchard, Michael Lurincic and Calvin Hilde.
Genevieve currently resides in Northern BC on Lheidli T’enneh Territory with her partner, two orange cats, and dog.
https://www.genevievejaide.com
Instagram: @genevievejaide
Facebook @GenevieveJaide

Northern Exposure’s Evening Artist Showcase - Night 2
2024-03-22 19:00 - 22:00 | BC
A PART OF THE NORTHERN EXPOSURE CONFERENCE
General Admission: $25.00 + Fee
IMA Members: $20.00 + Fee
Youth 12-18: $15.00 + Fee

Even if you aren’t attending the conference, you can get in on the action! Join us as we invite 3 artists to share their craft with us during Northern Exposure’s Evening Artist Showcase – Night 2.
This Showcase will meet at the Sunset Theatre at 7:00 PM. From here, the audience split into groups, moving between three Wells venues, making up one evening of supporting independent Canadian music, dance and storytelling from friends old and new. Sights and sounds abound for this one, with the opportunity to learn, and to get up and move!
For this event, patrons will move between 3 performance venues, taking in the fresh air of the night in between each of the sets. If mobility is a concern, please get in contact with Elyssia Sasaki. (info@imarts.com).
DANCE | A MATTER OF DEVIANCE BY METHOD DANCE
Method Dance Society is a Not-for-Profit dance company based on the unceded Indigenous Territory of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation (Prince George, BC). Method seeks to increase public knowledge, appreciation and interest in contemporary dance by exhibiting and developing regional programs and performances in Northern B.C. Our projects and programs provide tools and resources for regional dance artists to practice their craft and expand their skills.
Cai Glover (choreographer): Cai Glover honed his craft as a performer and choreographer with Cas Public from 2012 to 2022. He contributed to 8 creations for the company, showcasing his innovative approach. Recently, he founded “A Fichu Turning,” exploring the intersection of poetry and movement. As a hard of hearing artist, hearing differently has become a driving force of his artistry and originality as a mover, interpreter and choreographer.
https://www.methoddance.ca/
https://www.instagram.com/methoddancesociety/
MUSIC + STORY | AMANDA WOOD

Amanda Wood is Anishinaabekwe from Ginoogaming, under James Bay Treaty 9, and Nlaka’pamux from North Bend, BC. Born and raised in northern BC, she is a guest on the Dakelh lands of Lheidli Te’nneh (Prince George, BC) A multi-disciplinary performance artist and graduating second year En’owkin NIPAT student. Amanda is a singer /songwriter playing the traditional hand drum and guitar. She incorporates her ancestral language of Anishnaabemowin-Eastern dialect learning from her mentor & Grandmother Hazel Charles alongside study groups online. She shows her process in real time through infusing it into her soulful “ancestral-roots and rhythm” musical sound and writing. Integrating her learning through creating. Music has always remained the creative conduit in every chosen medium. A constant in every type of process and integrator of understanding in her creative process.

MUSIC | ELISA THORN

Elisa Thorn is a harpist, vocalist and composer living and working in Vancouver on the unceded territories of the Sḵwxw̱ ú7mesh, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Known for her distinct use of the instrument, she performs in many contemporary contexts from pop to jazz to experimental. Her music is propelled by two artistic objectives: firstly, how to create music that is both abstract and accessible; and secondly, how harp can take the lead in ensembles in a way that does not compromise sensitivity with its boldness, or generosity with its curiosity. Interested in the intersection between composed and improvised music, she is involved with many projects including HUE, The Giving Shapes, and Gentle Party, and works alongside many artists such as Mauvey, Tonye Aganaba, Loscil and Mother Mother. Her solo project combines elements of experimental folk and indie music that is informed by her classical technique and career as a contemporary musician. Finding genre labels sometimes lacking, she jokingly calls it “minstrel-core.” She will be releasing the debut album of this project in summer 2024.
www.elisathorn.com
www.instagram.com/elisathorn
The Northern Exposure Conference is a partnership between Island Mountain Arts, Arts BC and Rural Arts Inclusion Lab. It is supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage, The BC Arts Council and the Vancouver Foundation.
