ALL UPCOMING EVENTS
Inverness Recreational Dance
Inverness classes are now available for Sign Up on the Inverness County Recreation Website!
https://app.univerusrec.com/.../calendars/courses/index.asp
Classes start the first full week of November and run for 6 weeks. All classes $40, Adult Ballet is $60.
Age 4-5 Hip Hop 4pm
Age 4-5 Jazz 4:30pm
Age 6-7 Hip Hop 5pm
Age 6-7 Jazz 5:30pm
Adult Ballet 6pm
Age 8+ Hip Hop 6:45pm
Age 8+ Jazz 7:15pm
Youth Engagement Session
The Municipality of Inverness County is hosting an engagement session for youth aged 16 - 30 at Inverness County Centre for the Arts on December 20th, 2024. For more information and to register, click the link here
A Festive Christmas Fundraiser Party
Join us for an evening of drinks, light snacks, a silent auction, and live entertainment on December 14th to fund raise for our 2025 season! The night will feature live music with local musicians, Claverhouse band, and Abbey Mullendore with Steve Luxton. We hope to see you there!
Coffee and Connect
Our next Coffee & Connect in Municipality of the County of Inverness is November 28th! Calling all newcomers, volunteers, community leaders and inspiring professionals! Looking to expand your network or eager to help others make meaningful connections in Municipality of the County of Inverness? Join us for a relaxed and engaging meetup! Connect with your Cape Breton Connector Program Co-ordinator, the Cape Breton Welcome Network, and a community Connector. It’s the perfect opportunity to share stories, build relationships, and grow your network in a friendly, welcoming environment! Date & Location: Inverness County Centre for the Arts Thursday, November 28 | 12 - 2 p.m. Let’s connect and build a stronger community together!
Coffee and Connect
Calling all newcomers, volunteers, community leaders and inspiring professionals!
Looking to expand your network or eager to help others make meaningful connections in Municipality of the County of Inverness? Join us for a relaxed and engaging meetup!
Connect with your Cape Breton Connector Program Program coordinator, the Cape Breton Welcome Network, and a community Connector. It’s the perfect opportunity to share stories, build relationships, and grow your network in a friendly, welcoming environment!
Exhibition Proposals
It’s that time of year again! we have officially opened our call for proposals for exhibitions for the 2025 season. We encourage everyone to apply, we are looking forward to meeting all of you and reviewing your applications!
All proposals are to be emailed to info@invernessarts.com, subject line “Exhibition Proposals 2025”
Proposals will be accepted for review until November 27th, at 5:00PM
For further submission details, please visit our website to review the criteria, and view our gallery floorplan.
invernessarts.com/exhibit-proposals
For any questions, please email our Events Director, Olivia MacDonald, at olivia@invernessarts.com, or give us a call at (902)-258-2533
We look forward to reviewing your submissions!
Elves Fair
Our annual Elves Fair market will be taking place on November 17th, from 12:00 - 4:00PM
All of the markets throughout our community are a great opportunity to engage and support with our local crafters and businesses, as well as a chance to find the perfect gifts for all of your loved ones with Christmas around the corner
VENDOR APPLICATION INFORMATION:
Vendor applications are now open and ongoing until all spots are filled. To apply for a spot, please email Olivia MacDonald at olivia@invernessarts.com outlining your business, craft, or goods. Primary and secondary producers are welcomed at the market, meaning that we expect our vendors to grow, make, or finish their products themselves. You can apply for a maximum of (2) tables. The cost is one table for $30, or $50 for two. We look forward to seeing you there!
Hometown book launch with tom ryan in conversation with kate beaton
Join us for an evening of celebration with Tom Ryan and Kate Beaton in the release of Tom Ryan’s newest novel “The Treasure Hunters Club”. Tom and Kate will be discussing some of the inspirations behind TTHC, with books available for purchase. This is a non-ticketed, free event for the public.
Painting with Tom Ryan
Art Class will be offered at ICCA again this Fall. We will be meeting at the Art
Centre on Wednesdays at 6:30 to 9, starting October 16. Anyone interested in
joining up should bring some basic supplies like tole paints, brushes and a
canvas or 2. If you’re uncertain, we’ll help you out. Most of the supplies are
available at the Dollar Store.
The class is for any level of artist and an opportunity to relax with friends and
fellow artists and leave your worries behind for a few hours each week. You will
even create a masterpiece or two. Remember everyone starts at the beginning.
Cost is $40.00 for 8 weeks.
Meditation with Helen Tworkov
Join Helen Tworkov at ICCA every Saturday until November 9th in a guided meditation class. This class is free and all are welcome, but guidance and discussion will be geared toward those new to meditation.
Book Reading & Screening with Author Christopher Murphy
In "Far Out!", author Chris Murphy has captured a fascinating but under-reported period in Nova Scotia’s recent history - the unlikely story of hundreds of “Back to the Landers” who migrated from the rest of Canada, US, and Europe to rural corners of the province in the late 1960s and 70s.
This mainly young, urban cohort had rejected their parents’ 9-5 “rat race”, the demands of the consumer society, and political conflict over the Vietnam War. Instead, they sought an “alternative” - a more peaceful, simple, and independent existence, living off the land,
Nova Scotia in the late 60s offered them the chance to realize their romantic rural ideals. But despite cheap land and funky old farmhouses they bought for a song, most were ill-equipped to attain their dreams. One or two Maritime winters sent most on other life paths. But a surprising number adapted, thrived, raised families, and contributed in different ways to their new communities.
Chris and his brother Peter Murphy interviewed and filmed more than 50 remaining “landers” whose personal migration stories shatter tired stereotypes about "naive hippies" and "draft dodgers". In a series of events around the province this autumn, Chris will read excerpts from “Far Out!” and be interviewed by Costas Halavrezos, former host of CBC Radio's Maritime Noon. Also, Peter will preview a brief related video from the documentary project. A Q&A with the audience will follow readings, and the book will be available for purchase at the events (cash or debit preferred).
"Far Out!" is illustrated with many period photographs as well as original sketches by artist Anna Syperek, who also created the striking cover art.
For interviews or information, contact Chris Murphy: 902-210-0429 or cjamesmurphy46@gmail.com. Also, explore the backtotheland.ca website.
The Vancouver Islanders: traditional pop, swing, and jazz
From Vancouver Island: a dynamic female duo perform traditional pop, swing, and jazz in Cape Breton at the Inverness County Centre For The Arts.
Come join us for a night of amazing music with vocalist Angela Verbrugge (Best Jazz Artist nominee, Western Canadian Music Awards 2024), and pianist Ashley Wey.
Get ready to be swept away by their incredible blend of traditional pop, swing, and jazz music. With mesmerizing piano melodies and soulful singing, this event promises to be a night to remember. Don't miss out!
From Victoria, BC, Vancouver Islanders
ANGELA VERBRUGGE & ASHLEY WEY
~~~SWING, CHEMISTRY AND CHARISMA~~~
All the way from Vancouver Island, vocalist Angela Verbrugge and pianist Ashley Wey are in Atlantic Canada to perform for you for the first-time! Angela has been touring the world singing about love gone right (or very wrong!). Her lyrics range from humorous tales of romance while trying to eat buttery corn at a summer picnic, to the mad dash panicked adventure of being late, to sweet reflections newfound infatuation, to sour reflections on feeling wholly unloveable.
The whimsical style takes inspiration from vintage movie musicals (such as those with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers), traditional swing era pop and American songbook (such as those sung by Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole and Julie London), and jazz standards (such as songs performed by Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé and Newfoundland vocalist Heather Bambrick).
Born in Kingston, Ontario, Angela has a penchant for drama having studied theatre in Toronto (and just generally being a dramatic person!) before moving to western Canada in 1997. Verbrugge has released three critically-acclaimed albums, in 2019, 2022 and the latest in May 2024 on USA-jazz labels. She won the JazzTimes’ Magazine poll for Best Female Vocalist, and was nominated for Jazz Artist of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards. Rave reviews of her recordings have resulted in performance opportunities in far-flung places including Japan, Türkiye, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Taiwan, UK and many Canadian provinces, all in the last four years. Her music has been played on radio around the world including CBC, NPR, and she took the number one spot of the Earshot charts multiple weeks.
Angela is joined by Ashley Wey, a red-head, born-and-bred, infrared west coast pianist (yes, we love rhymes!). The vibrant, passionate and swingin’ pianist started at the tender age of 5, and turned pro at age fifteen, never looking back. She attended Humber under mentors such as Don Thompson before setting sail to play jazz on cruise lines and in Australia. Returning to settle in Victoria, she became one of the busiest most in-demand musicians as both a leader and an accompanist on Vancouver Island. An in-demand educators for all ages, Ashley spent several years as one of the captains of the ship at Hermann’s Jazz Club, helping it weather the pandemic storm… curating programming, doing sound and operations. In one moment she will deliver a ridiculously swinging Oscar Peterson tribute. In the next, she is a tasteful interpreter of soul/pop sounds. Ashley's on-stage charism and joy have built her a huge following in British Columbia.
The Vancouver Islanders offer the attendees a lively evening of fun and flirty classics with a modern twist to keep audiences on their toes, which incidentally will be a-tappin.
Solo Show with William Hess
From September 15-October 27, the ICCA is very proud to present an exhibition of
the work of the singular painter William Hess. Hess, who emigrated from West Germany in
1951, ran a toy store in Inverness, and created some of the most memorable images ever
painted of Cape Breton Island. His work, which also depicted many other subjects, is well
known in the area, and many pieces are owned by local art lovers. We will be appealing to
the community to help make this show a huge success, and a formal request to loan work
to the centre for the exhibition will be forthcoming.
40th Anniversary screening of the film HERBICIDE TRIALSNFB 1984 and Black River Productions 1991 - 52 minutes
40th Anniversary screening of the film
HERBICIDE TRIALS
NFB 1984 and Black River Productions 1991 - 52 minutes
Wintersleep
Wintersleep, Halifax indie-rock stalwarts, are lacing up the skates for a limited run of Nova Scotia shows for this summer. Drawing on 7 albums worth of material, these sets will be varied and bespoke, full of joy and surprise. Come join us! Wintersleep will be performing with us at Inverness County Centre for the Arts on August 31, 2024
Doors open at 6:30pm
The Gilberts will be opening, following Abbey Mullendore and Steve Luxton
We look forward to seeing you there!
This project is supported by investment from the Province of Nova Scotia through Music Nova Scotia (MUSIC NOVA SCOTIA) under its Music Nova Scotia Investment Program/
Book Launch with Helen Tworkov
Inverness County Centre for the Arts welcomes Helen Tworkov for the launch of her memoir, Lotus Girl
Inverness, NS—The Inverness County Centre for the Arts, Inverness County’s arts hub, will host a book launch for longtime Inverness resident Helen Tworkov on Sunday, August 18.
Helen’s memoir, Lotus Girl: My Life at the Crossroads of Buddhism and America, is a moving and beautifully written account of her extraordinary life. As bestselling author Pico Iyer has said, “other books have told us, engagingly, of how West began to meet East in the 1960s and beyond. But none I have read cuts through every illusion and projection with the warmth, the clarity, the unflinching self-awareness of Helen Tworkov’s indispensable memoir. She takes us, exhilaratingly, to Kyoto, Saigon and Kathmandu and she offers us fond, indelible portraits of some of the seminal figures of our time. But the great gift of Lotus Girl is to share with every reader a wise, undeluded, deeply searching enquiry into mind and how we can start to transform it.”
Helen has been a part time resident of Inverness County since 1970, and, in addition to exploring her early years growing up in the New York art world, and her life spent at the centre of Buddhism’s flourishing in the West, her memoir is full of stories about her decades in Cape Breton. In a starred review, Publisher’s Weekly called it “a stimulating and elegant memoir.”
The event will run from 3:30 to 5:00pm. It will feature a reading by Helen, a conversation with Jared Bland, known locally for his interviews at the Cabot Trail Writers Festival, and a Q&A with the audience. Light refreshments will be served afterward. Books will be for sale, and Helen will be pleased to sign copies.
Artist Talk: Sameer Farooq
Cape Breton born artist Sameer Farooq will share ideas about his practice over the past decade including building imaginary museums with the public, the role of meditation/contemplative practice in his work, and his recent foodways research, specifically on the importance of building tandoor ovens and working with flatbread libraries as a lens on migration.
During the summer of 2024 he will be spending two weeks staying at MacKinnon’s Brook in Cape Breton, making work that engages with Sight Point/Cape Mabou, as part of a project organized by Outdoor School (Diane Borsato and Amish Morrell).
“between now and now” jeri coppola
New York City-based artist Jeri Coppola, who has been spending time in Inverness County
for more than 30 years, will exhibit “Between Now and Now”, a solo show, running from August 11
to September 8. The show will feature a variety of different media exploring the concept of
memory while reflecting the deep influence of the Cape Breton landscape on Coppola’s
extraordinary and surprising work.
Dark Arctic
a show of artists from The Arctic Circle Residency, 2023
Longyearbyen, International Territory of Svalbard—We came from all over to meet on the top of
the world. To spend time in the sparse, unrelenting landscape of which all of us had been
dreaming: embarking on a residency on a ship that took us out of internet and cell service (and
perhaps reality) and pushed us in ways none of us could have imagined.
Beauty and danger, endless horizons, space and ice. Using sound, drawing, photography and text
we are all trying to relay what we witnessed. The landscape is enormous, and it is impossible not
to be moved by what climate change is doing to it. While the high Arctic of 80ºN is not exactly a
liminal space, it does have desolate and abandoned locations that evoke an unsettling,
melancholic, and sometimes surreal atmosphere. We visited scientific research stations, some in
use seasonally, others abandoned completely, as well as the active research site at Ny-Ålesand.
Our thoughts turn to historical trips and the difficulty in navigating the terrain.
We are a group of artists and writers seeking to celebrate (and perhaps memorialize) who we
are/will be/were as a species interacting with its environment. People are capable of creating
such beauty—of such radical acts of kindness and compassion and joy—but also of enacting such
terrible things on one another and our planet. What burden do we, as artists, carry in this regard?
The science of the environmental and climate crises is clear, of course. But—we ultimately
propose—it is the role of artists to communicate what the environment means. What does the
climate crisis mean? How can we make resonant the stories of humans' relationship to the natural
environment? How do we communicate the exigency, the action, and the fierce urgency of what
is needed at this moment and in this crucible?
Witnessing matters, and so does representation. They matter especially for artists, who shape
public discourse, thought, and ideas before any theorists, academics, or politicians and industry
leaders. Art is the first driver of imagination, of unthought possibilities; and here, with our species
facing existential collapse, artists have a responsibility to not only enter the conversation, but to
drive it toward the creation of new ideas and new ways of being. It is our most important
question, and it is the right one.
Tracy and Martina
Tracy and Martina are two fun-loving best friends from Cape Breton.
As their motto suggests, “savin’ money, savin’ time, for gettin’ loaded,” Tracy and Martina are experts when it comes to partying on a dime. Despite living in a rural post-industrial community, these girls always find entertainment and glamour in everyday activities.
Whether they’re playing bingo, getting groceries, shootin’ the sh!t, or going out, Tracy and Martina never miss an opportunity to cake on some makeup and cause a scene.
This show will be 19+.
Brett Matthews with Claverhouse
Brett Matthews, a Cape Breton native, redefines Americana with influences from R&B to Country, akin to Bon Iver and City & Colour. Starting music at 13, he joined Classified's band in 2019, playing over 40 shows. His song "If I Die Today (feat. Classified)" was selected for the top 25 finalists in the American Songwriter Song Contest and has been chosen as a semi-finalist in other international songwriting competitions. He has also just released his single "Tomorrow" on all streaming platforms.
With Brett's mix of soft vocals and strong message to push on - and fight to hold on, the song takes you on the journey of finding and offering help for those who need it most. The key lyric, "tomorrow may never come" is in reference to how we are never promised tomorrow, so we should be living in the moment, and be the most present and we can be with ourselves and those around us.
Brett Matthews and Claverhouse will be taking ICCA by storm this August 3
Doors open at 7:00pm
Evening with Jane Bowles Directed By Joanne Akalatis
Evening with Jane Bowles directed by JoAnne Akalaitis
Inverness County Centre for the Arts
A short dramatic film “Other Children “ adapted from a Bowles short story, shot in 1976 in Inverness, Margaree, Baddeck featuring Juliet Glass , Erik Moskowitz and Joan Jonas .
A reading “ But perhaps something nice will happen anyway “ a collage of the work of Bowles from her collected works ‘My Sister’s Hand in Mine‘ and her selected letters ‘Out in the world’ featuring Leslie Freeman, Cindy O’Neal, and Kristin MacDonald.
Jane Bowles wrote from the early 40’s to the mid- 60’s and is considered by critics a revolutionary and brilliant stylist and one of the most truly original writers of the 20th century .
Tennessee Williams called her “ the most important writer of prose in modern American letters .” Truman Capote called her “tragic view central to her vision” and at the same time “
a very funny writer “
Her output was small but rich filled with remarkable characterizations of mostly women who are eccentric, poetic, hilarious , dry, and often deeply unsatisfied.
Bowles herself lived a bohemian life filled with a cast of characters consisting of every notable artist of the day including her husband the writer and composer Paul Bowles , wandering the worlds of New York, Paris, Ceylon and most consistently, Tangiers.
She was mentally ill and alcoholic, suffered a stroke at age 40 and died 13 years later .
Some contend that has was poisoned by her Moroccan lover Cherifa, who practiced black magic.
July 30th, 2024
16080 HWY 19, Inverness
7PM
Admission by Donation
We look forward to seeing you there.
Swift Kick
Swift Kick will be kicking off our Sunset Series this July 20!
Doors will open at 6:30pm.
The show will be all ages.
A Reading by acclaimed Poet/Playwright Cornelius Eady
Immerse yourself in his powerful verses and captivating narratives as Cornelius Eady shares insights into his works on society and race.
Don't miss this opportunity to experience the artistry of Cornelius firsthand. Refreshments will be served. We look forward to welcoming you to an unforgettable afternoon of literature and inspiration.
Hands Dancing
In July, the Hands Dancing tradition will continue, with our annual members show running
from July 7 to August 4. This show, beloved by gallery goers each year, will feature an
incredible array of work from the ICCA’s broad and gifted membership.
Yoga with Richard Allon
GENTLE MEDITATIVE YOGA w/ Richard Allon
Classes: $10
Every Friday from 10:30am - 11:45am
Allow yourself to be in yoga practice and experience deep relaxation of body and mind.
The class includes moving thru a flow of classic yoga asanas (postures) while mindfully following the breath, the movement of your mind and the sensations arising in the body as you move.
Richard began exploring yoga over 40 years ago with a teacher he met named Ketul in New York. He then did further certification studies at the Kripalu Center In Massachusetts after which he returned to New York where he taught for about twenty five years at his teachers Rasa Studio and a number of other venues in the city.
He loves teaching during the summer months while he’s in Cape Breton and has always enjoyed sharing the gentle meditative practice with everyone.
Gentle Meditative Yoga with Richard Allon
Gentle meditative yoga with Richard Allon will begin on July 5th, from 10:30-12. Classes are ongoing, and the cost is $10 per class (cash only).
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Richard began exploring yoga over 40 years ago with a teacher he met named Ketul in New York. He then did further certification studies at the Kripalu Center In Massachusetts after which he returned to New York where he taught for about twenty five years at his teachers Rasa Studio and a number of other venues in the city.
He loves teaching during the summer months while he’s in Cape Breton and has always enjoyed sharing the gentle meditative practice with everyone.
ID: Graphic of individual meditating.
White text reads - Gentle meditative yoga with Richard Allon. Fridays 10:30am - 12:00pm.
Turquoise text reads - July 5th - Ongoing.
the Art of Pysanky
Lisa O’Neill will showcase her mini exhibit in the Cabinet Gallery on the Ukrainian derived art of Pysanky. Pysanky, or Ukrainian Easter Eggs, are an ancient folk art originating in Ukraine. They are created on real eggshells, and stone eggs, by alternating the application of hot beeswax applied with a stylus or writing pen, called a kistka, and dipping in dyes of progressively darker shades. The traditional symbols and colours each have different meanings. The last step is to remove the wax with a candle flame to reveal the beautiful design hidden beneath. O’Neill’s show will run from June 30th, 2024 - July 26th, 2024.
“Although not Ukrainian myself, I learned the art of Pysanky from a Ukrainian family over 30 years ago. I not only learned the technique, but also the importance of the symbology used. Each pattern represents a message that, when put together, provides a combination of blessings for the receiver of the egg. Some represent strength, some fertility, or health. There are so many! Even colour has meaning. I have instructed several workshops over the years to keep the interest in this beautiful craft alive.” - Lisa O’Neill
Portraits of Cape Breton: Alfred LeBlanc Book Signing
Please join us tomorrow, June 21st, for the book signing of Alfred LeBlanc's newly released Portraits of Cape Breton photography book.
LeBlanc will be joining us from 2 - 4pm.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Portraits of Cape Breton
This book is a collection of intimate, true and honest black and white portraits of Cape Bretoners in their homes, workplaces and natural environments. Photographer LeBlanc, a native Cape Bretoner, has the unique gift of gaining the confidence and trust of his subjects.
About Alfred LeBlanc
I was born and raised in Margaree Forks, Cape Breton. I did university studies, with a focus on political science and economics, at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S., Oxford (on a Rhodes Scholarship), and Queen?s University, Kingston, Ont. In my late 20s, I spent a further three years studying theology in Montreal and Toronto to be a diocesan Catholic priest, but decided against that option in the end and made my career in the public service in Ottawa.
Most of my professional career has been in various executive roles with the Government of Canada, based in Ottawa. My areas of work and expertise with the Government of Canada included federal-provincial relations and major transfers, innovation, science policy and national unity.
I was married to Jean Scott from Scotland in 1995. We have two daughters, both graduating in 2024; the oldest from medical school at McGill University and the youngest from veterinary medicine, at the University of Edinburgh. We also have two West Highland terriers — Hamish and Fergus.
In addition to photography, my interests include travel, reading and cooking. I have kept active over the years by running, biking, cross country skiing and rowing.
Meditation with Helen Tworkov and Jared Bland
This class, suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators, will explore the ways in which meditation can help steady our minds, ground us in experience, and open our hearts. Through guided mediation and discussion, and in a welcoming and encouraging environment, participants will learn the basics of the practice, and explore techniques to use mindfulness to support their daily lives. Chairs and cushions will be available, and all classes are free.
Helen Tworkov has studied Buddhism in the Zen and Tibetan traditions. She is the founder of Tricycle: The Buddhist Review and author of the forthcoming memoir, Lotus Girl. She has been a part-time resident of Inverness for more than fifty years.
Jared Bland lives in Glencoe, Cape Breton and Toronto. He was formerly the publisher of McClelland & Stewart, and the Arts editor of The Globe and Mail. He is a student of Tibetan Buddhism and learned meditation in that tradition.
Classes will begin on June 20th at 10:30AM.
There is no fee for this workshop, it is a free class.
Al Golpe del Guatimé
Al Golpe del Guatimé's concert "Son de Jade" is a project that celebrates the relationship between traditional Son Jarocho music from 18th century Veracruz in Mexico, and oriental music of the east. The Oriental influences are evident in Jarocho melodies, such as the Fandanguito, Cascabel, and Petenera, reflecting minor modes and the Arab-Andalusian heritage that traveled to Mexico during the conquest.
The concert highlights an important oriental melodic base in this Mexican genre that is linked to mystical and profound evocations of moods, musical ideas, everyday moments, socio-political and even religious events, a heritage undoubtedly from the genre's oriental roots which are demonstrated in the Menoreados Jarocho songs such as the Fandanguito. In Jarocho music, music and poetry blend, forming an infinite symbol: poetry inspires the musician, music inspires the poet. This synergy is manifested in lyrics, sometimes inspired by music, sometimes by poetry.
Singer and requinto player José Ángel Gutiérrez, with over forty years of experience, has developed a strong Oriental melodic base and great improvisational ability, integrated into both traditional Jarocho music and his original compositions.
Evelyn MacRae at ICCA
Evelyn MacRae will be performing at ICCA June 16, from 2- 4pm.
Tickets will be available at the door, and will be cash only. We look forward to seeing you there!