September 9, 2025The Stage is Set: RCA Presents its Performing Arts Season 2025–2026

The Mary Irwin Theatre opens its doors to another season of exceptional live performances. RCA Presents brings together artists from across Canada and beyond, creating connections between performers and audiences in Kelowna's cultural district.

This season explores musical traditions from blues guitar to choral music, comedy that sparks laughter and reflection, contemporary dance that tells powerful stories, and Indigenous culture that celebrates heritage and tradition.

September 2025
Colin Linden - September 19
Canadian blues legend Colin Linden launches the season with music from his latest album bLOW, blending Bo Diddley rhythms, Texas roadhouse grit, and gospel influences. He has fronted his band Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, and with 45 years of experience and collaborations with Bruce Cockburn, Bob Dylan, and John Prine, Linden’s guitar work and storytelling bring the energy and tradition of electric blues to the Mary Irwin Theatre. Special guest, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne will be performing an opening set this evening.

October 2025
Charlie Demers with Faris Hytiaa and Alison Lujan - October 3
Juno-nominated comedian Charlie Demers delivers sharp, intelligent stand-up infused with social commentary. Joined by host Faris Hytiaa and local comic Alison Lujan, the night combines perspectives from Vancouver’s comedy scene and the Okanagan for a mix of insightful humour and everyday observations.

Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Hero Trio - October 16
Nine-time Downbeat Magazine Alto Saxophonist of the Year Rudresh Mahanthappa leads a trio redefining jazz through inventive arrangements of classic tunes. The performance blends recognizable melodies with improvisation and rhythmic complexity, creating an unpredictable and engaging musical conversation. He will be joined by local saxophonist, Darren Williams, who will perform a selection of innovative original compositions.

November 2025
Andy Milne and UNISON - November 8
Pianist Andy Milne, a 2021 JUNO Award winner and former Oscar Peterson student, performs with his trio UNISON. The group combines the intimacy of small-ensemble jazz with Milne’s genre-crossing compositions, drawing from three decades of work in contemporary music.

Chloe Davidson - November 21
Singer-songwriter Chloe Davidson celebrates her album This is Our Garden with a program of orchestral-pop, piano ballads, and folk pieces written for audience participation. Backed by local musicians, the concert focuses on connection and community through shared singing.

December 2025
Vancouver Chamber Choir: True North - December 6
Directed by Kari Turunen, the Vancouver Chamber Choir performs True North, choral works from Canada, Estonia, Denmark, Latvia, and other northern countries. The program highlights how northern landscapes shape musical composition and vocal traditions.

Montreal Guitar Trio: Christmas Around the World - December 15
The Montreal Guitar Trio presents a holiday program reimagining classics such as The Nutcracker, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. The ensemble’s mix of guitars, violin, mandolin, bass, and accordion adds new textures to familiar seasonal music.

January 2026
RCA & Living Things Present: Play Dead - January 27
Montreal’s People Watching Collective combines acrobatics, movement, and physical theatre in a performance exploring life, loss, and resilience. The show uses physical storytelling and visual design to create both humorous and emotional moments.

RCA & Living Things Present: Punch Line - January 30
Performer Jacques Poulin-Denis blends spoken word, dance, and theatre in an unconventional artist talk. Shifting between characters and movement, he offers a layered look at creativity, performance, and personal reflection.

February 2026
Joe Grass with Ezra Ben-Shalom - February 18
Singer-songwriter Joe Grass draws on classic country traditions, adding inventive arrangements and instrumental textures. Opening artist Ezra Ben-Shalom performs songs from his debut solo album, Known and Unknown, blending folk influences with avant-garde harmonies rooted in Jewish musical heritage.

March 2026
José Navas: AVES - March 18
Choreographer José Navas performs four dance solos set to music by Bach, PJ Harvey, Billie Holiday, and Dorothy Moore. The program reflects on themes of love, vulnerability, and artistic expression through movement.

Tina Leon - March 26
Montreal-based vocalist Tina Leon blends soul, Motown, jazz, funk, and pop influences into original songs. Having performed and collaborated with Stevie Wonder, DJ Champion, and Garou, Tina Leon now presents a new chapter that feels more authentic and full of life.

April 2026
Derric Starlight & Dallas Arcand - April 17
An evening of Indigenous storytelling, comedy, and dance. Derric Starlight incorporates puppetry and humour shaped by his training with The Jim Henson Company, while Dallas Arcand, a four-time world champion hoop dancer, performs and shares the traditions of his art form.

FLUX: Trina Basu and Arun Ramamurthy & Vidya Kotamraju- April 30
Husband-and-wife violinists Trina Basu and Arun Ramamurthy present a program merging Indian classical music, Western chamber traditions, and jazz. Prior to their concert, dancer Vidya Kotamrajus performs a solo piece titled Maktub: Ashes to Alchemy, inspired by The Alchemist and combining Bharata Natyam with global music and multimedia.

May 2026
Ché Aimee Dorval - May 30
Canadian artist Ché Aimee Dorval blends trip-hop, dream pop, and electronica with an alt-indie edge, creating layered, cinematic compositions. In 2023, she appeared on a duet with Gord Downie (The Tragically Hip), contributed to Devin Townsend’s Lightwork, and released her third solo album, The Crowned, co-produced by Bob Rock and praised for its fusion of pop, soul, and indie elements.

June 2026
Cordâme - June 10
The Montreal ensemble Cordâme performs chamber music inspired by women poets from the Renaissance to the present. Works feature texts by Gaspara Stampa, Louise Labé, Emily Dickinson, Catherine Pozzi, and Louise de Vilmorin, interpreted through strings, winds, and voice.

Community Support and Membership

The Rotary Centre for the Arts thanks our essential supporters: Government of Canada - Canadian Heritage, BC Touring Council, BC Arts Council, and City of Kelowna, who provide foundational funding. Season sponsors PARC Retirement Living, Urban Harvest, Hotel ZED, Current Taxi, and Ballet Kelowna create partnerships supporting our cultural community. Stingray Radio and Staples provide media and print sponsorship.

As an RCA Theatre Member, you’ll save 20% on tickets, have early access to the best seats, and receive special promotions, while directly supporting professional arts in Kelowna. Your membership helps bring outstanding performances to our stage and contributes to the ongoing growth and improvement of the Mary Irwin Theatre.

Be Part of the Season

RCA Presents 2025-2026 gives you the chance to see artists who share years of experience, cultural insight, and creativity with our community. Every show is an opportunity to explore new music and enjoy cultural moments that bring us closer together.

This season offers something for everyone, from contemporary dance and jazz to stand-up comedy and choral music. We welcome you to enjoy performances that challenge, inspire, and reflect the experiences that connect us all.


The Stage is Set: RCA Presents its Performing Arts Season 2025–2026