Culture Days is back! This national celebration of arts and culture is a staple is Canada, with arts events happening across the country from September 20 to October 13, including right here in Kelowna. Culture Days programs invite the public to engage in hands-on experiences and showcases the vital role of arts and culture in our communities. The RCA is proud to have free and accessible programs taking place during Culture Days 2024. Check out a few events happening here and around the Okanagan! 

At the RCA 

Jazz Jam – September 26, October 3, & 10 

You know it, you love it, it’s Jazz Jam at the RCA. A fan favourite and integral part of the RCA’s accessible programing, Jazz Jam offers you a chance to experience incredible jazz music from both students and pros.  

Tips donated at the Jam help support the two annual RCA Jazz Jam Scholarships, offered by our talented Jazz Jam hosts Craig Thomson and Stephen Buck, in partnership with the Rotary Centre for the Arts. These scholarships are awarded to selected students who are continuing their musical studies at a post-secondary institution. 

Jazz Jam takes place every Thursday at the RCA at 5:00 PM. 

Tricia at the RCA with Curves and Edges – October 3 

Following Jazz Jam on October 3 is Patricia Dalgleish and Shelly Vida, also known together as Curves and Edges. Curves & Edges brings you the Canadian icons music you love, featuring layered harmonies and lively songs that explore themes like love, sisterhood, and more. From the 1920s to the 2020s, they cover a range of styles including pop, jazz, blues, country, world music, rock 'n' roll, classical, and Latin. 

With 25+ years of professional experience, Patricia is a skilled pianist, guitarist, and vocalist from BC, and well known around the RCA. A passionate supporter of the arts, Shelly has a background in promotions and event management. Coming from a musical family, she adds percussion and vocals to the rich tapestry of Curves & Edges. Her musical journey with Patricia goes back to 2002, contributing to the group's seamless harmonies and rhythms.


Tricia at the RCA is every first Thursday, following Jazz Jam at 7:15 PM.  

The Creative Exchange – Wednesday, October 9 

A newer community program at the RCA is The Creative Exchange with RCA tenant artist Mackenzie Perras. An open-mic for creators, The Creative Exchange brings together artists from all walks of life to discuss their work, network, get creative, and get inspired. Take 5 minutes in a relaxed, roundtable setting to introduce your work, discuss your current projects and get feedback from other creative professionals. Share the challenges or roadblocks you’re working through and open it up to fresh perspectives. Make meaningful industry connections and build your community. This is where Kelowna’s makers meet. 

The Creative Exchange happens every second Wednesday at the RCA at 6:00 PM.  

Colours from Earth: Collaborative Painting with Natural Paints – October 12 

Join Culture Days Ambassador and RCA tenant artist Mackenzie at the RCA for and explore the many art materials that exist all around us in the Okanagan. Participants will begin the day hearing from artists and creators from different cultural backgrounds about the naturally sourced substances they use to create their artworks. Mackenzie will then guide you through the final step of transforming these unique local materials into paints. You will have the chance to make and mixi your own natural colors with extra materials generously provided by Opus Art Supplies Kelowna. Then, come together to create a large, collaborative painting as a group. This is a unique opportunity to discover how art can come from all around us, don’t miss it! 

Colours from Earth is October 12 from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM. 

Sculpture Culture Sketch Tour – September 22 

This day-long urban sketching tour invites you to create on-location, plein air sketches at different sculpture locations in Downtown Kelowna. Choose between joining for a single 90-minute sketch stop or for the entire day, learning about each art installations significance and history.  

The Sculpture Culture Sketch Tour is best suited for Adult participation, but children under the direct supervision of their parent or adult guardian are welcome to join, and all content will be family-friendly. 

There are 4 stops in total, with one of them being outside the RCA. From 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM, gather on the outdoor area along the west-side of our building where you’ll find three outdoor sculptures: “Concept to Creation,” “Elemental,” and "Fruit Stand” – you can sketch any of the sculptures or the interesting architecture of the RCA itself. 

Sculpture Culture Sketch Tour is on September 22 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. 

Around the Okanagan 

Cultural District Walking Tours – September 21 

Once the heart of the Okanagan's historic fruit packing industry, Kelowna's Cultural District has transformed into the city’s vibrant hub for arts and culture. Now home to galleries, theatres, and museums, this lively area showcases the dedication of the local arts community and strong community planning. Experience an inspiring tour of The District and discover just how much it has evolved. 

Free guided walking tours of Kelowna's Downtown Cultural District take places every Saturdays until September 21, 2024 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. 

Blacksmithing Demonstration at the Westbank Museum – September 21 

Head over to the Westbank Museum for a blacksmithing demonstration with local blacksmith, Bruce Armon. Get a hand-on blacksmith experience, or just watch the action. Be sure to explore the museum after the demonstration for some unique exhibits. 

The Blacksmithing Demonstration takes place September 21 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. 

Spanish Tour of the Westbank Museum (Visita española al Museo de Westbank) – September 21

You can also experience a tour of the Westbank Museum in Spanish! Enjoy a free tour of the museum in Spanish with the museum's Executive Director, Jeremiah Ryder. 

The Spanish Tour takes place on September 21 at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM. 

Vernon Screening of Casorso Documentary – October 3 

In Vernon, don’t miss your chance to see the acclaimed documentary, The Casorsos: La Prima Famiglia. Presented by the Caetani Centre and the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club, this is the fascinating story of one of the first Italian families to arrive in the Okanagan. Their story encompasses the tribulations facing Italians after Unification in the late 1800s, experiences typical to Italian Immigrants before the turn of the century arriving in North America, what was happening in the new frontier province of B.C. and a snapshot of the early history of the Central Okanagan and Kelowna. This feature length documentary tells the story of Giovanni, Rosa, and their family of 9 children. You’ll learn about the families impact on both the City of Kelowna, the local Italian community, and their legacy in the Okanagan. 

This documentary was a huge hit when it was screened at the RCA in 2023. Now's your chance to catch it again or experience it for the first time if you missed it. 

A wine and cheese reception and Q&A session will be part of the screening. 

The Casorso Documentary will be screened at the Caetani Centre on October 3 at 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM. 

The Filipino Martial Arts Stick Dance "Sakuting" – October 5 

In the comfort of your home, you can experience the strength and beauty of Filipino heritage and culture through a virtual performance of the Filipino Martial Arts Stick Dance known as Sakuting (sah-KOOH-tihng). You will be mesmerized by this musical dance with its complex combination of jumps, turns, and striking stick movements.  

The virtual performance will premiere on October 5 at 10:00 AM on the Filipino Canadian Art Museum website. 

Filipino Martial Arts Illustration by Rommel Joson

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We’re thrilled to be part of Culture Days once again this year. This festival is a vital cornerstone of arts and culture nationwide, reminding us of the importance of making events like this accessible to everyone.

Join us for this years Culture Days festivities! Learn more about Culture Days here.  

As a registered charity, we depend on the generosity of our community to keep free, accessible programs like these running. You can help support the arts you love by directly donating to the RCA, becoming a Theatre Member or KVPACS Member, or even buying tickets to our shows and programs. Help us keep arts and culture alive in the Okanagan, donate today.