TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

Poet of the Common Man: A Tribute to Merle Haggard” is a heartfelt musical tribute to the legendary American country artist Merle Haggard, performed by Canadian singer-songwriter Lawrence Maxwell and his ensemble, the Band of Fugitives. The show delves into Haggard's tumultuous life—from his early days as a train-hopping drifter in California to his rise as one of country music's most influential outlaws. The performance features a selection of Haggard's iconic songs, offering audiences a glimpse into his personal and professional journey.

Lawrence Maxwell, hailing from Prince Edward Island, is known for his "blue-collar poetry" and neo-traditional country sound. His 2022 album, Ballad of Miles, received critical acclaim, with Roots Music Canada describing it as “the first great Canadian alt-country album of 2022.” Maxwell's music has garnered airplay on platforms like Sirius XM’s 'Top of the Country,' Country Hits Radio UK, and CBC.

The tribute show has been well-received, with performances across the Maritimes, including venues like the Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, and The Grace Arts Centre in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia .

For those interested in experiencing Maxwell's tribute to Haggard, the show offers a blend of storytelling and music that honors the legacy of one of country music's most enduring figures.

Join us for an evening of celebration as we launch Anne Lévesque’s debut novel, The Secret Lives of Public Servants — the 10th title from Galleon Books!

Decades after leaving the public service, Lee Gaik Wah, Stephen Higdon, and Caroline Melançon are now Lost Annuitants. Art school graduate Del Charbonneau is the pension clerk obsessed with tracking them down. Wry, warm, and wonderfully strange, the novel interweaves the past and present of four unforgettable characters with a humorous, richly detailed depiction of life inside a large government office.

A meditation on work, the power of imagination, and the bonds that sustain us, this is a story full of wit, compassion, and surprise.

Praise for The Secret Lives of Public Servants:
“Darkly hilarious and unexpectedly poignant... a wickedly smart, slyly subversive read.”
— Tom Ryan, author of The Treasure Hunters Club

Come meet the author, hear an excerpt from the book, and celebrate with us! Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Come to the Centre this Friday and dance the night away (from 6-8PM) with your little ones! Put on your most dazzling pair of pyjamas, and shiniest pairs of shoes, and have a great time.

Join us this Friday, July 25th and get inspired with Anne Levesque - create something unique to you, inspired by our annual Hands Dancing exhibit!

“A uniquely thrilling and emotive fantasy ride along a sea-bordered highway

The wondrous rustic landscape of Nova Scotia bursts from the page in Vera Bushwack , where reality gladly gives way to fantastical flights of fancy before gently coming back down to earth. A chainsaw fires up and Drew’s vision blurs. Their body vibrates alive with the whrrr of the engine, the whiff of gas. Drew dissolves as their alter-ego, Vera Bushwack, takes charge. Assless-chaps-wearing, unflinching Vera slashes through thick trunks, felling trees righteously from the back of a majestic steed.

Vera’s here to help, of course. Drew needs to clear the land for their future cabin in the woods. And if it weren’t for Vera’s brazenness, Drew may, ironically, fall reliant on others to learn self-reliance. Nevertheless, men enter Drew’s orbit, all too eager to explain how things work―an aggravating occurrence that comes crashing into Drew as dependably as the nearby ocean waves.

Joy, anger, grief, and self-acceptance ripple through these pages with Sig Burwash’s hilariously expressive pencil drawings and flair for buoyant watercolors. Approaching something like liberation, our protagonist comes to terms with past traumas, boundaries, and the many expressions of themself.“ - Goodreads

Burwash will be in conversation with Amish Morrell - beginning at 7PM, this event is admission by donation.

The Sunset Series is thrilled to announce that award-winning East Coast folk icons JP Cormier and Dave Gunning will take the stage as headliners on Saturday, July 5, 2025, bringing their celebrated blend of storytelling, musicianship, and Maritime charm to what promises to be an unforgettable evening of live music. Opening the show will be rising talent Alexander Anderson, whose fresh sound and heartfelt lyrics have been turning heads across the region.

JP Cormier and Dave Gunning, both celebrated individually for their decades-long careers, are even more captivating as a duo. With a seamless mix of guitar mastery, harmony-rich vocals, and genuine camaraderie, their performances resonate deeply with fans of authentic folk and roots music.

Check out Alexander Anderson here!

Tickets are $30 General Admission, and available here

The First Annual Inverness Sea Glass Festival, Saturday June 21st, 10am to 6pm.

ICCA will be hosting the first annual Sea Glass Festival celebrating the history and beauty of genuine, natural sea glass.

We will have artists and craftspeople, knowledgeable speakers, a sea glass contest, and more! A family-friendly event which includes activities for children.

Vendor application information can be found below:

First Annual Sea Glass Festival

The ICCA Board and Festival Committee are excited to invite you to our First Annual Sea Glass Festival. The Festival will take place Saturday June 21st. 10am to 6pm. Set up will start at 8am Saturday morning, or Friday evening starting at 6pm.

We will have a Sea Glass and pottery shard contest, guest speakers, demonstrations, kids activities and more. There will be a $2. entrance fee, children under 12 free.

Vendors will be asked to donate something for a gift basket which we will sell tickets on to help cover our costs. A food truck will be on site.

Priority will be given to products featuring genuine sea glass handcrafted by you, the artist. We will consider handcrafted products with a beach theme.

No manufactured objects will be accepted. There will be a discount for any vendors willing to give a demonstration. Tear down will be at 6 pm, not before. Please have your own table cover.

Fees:

1 - 2.5’ X 5’ table and 2 chairs $45.00

2 - 2’5 X 5’ tables and 2 chairs 65.00

*Please let us know if you need an electrical outlet.

For more information, or to register as a vendor, please contact Beth Ryan:

bethryan199@gmail.com

The Cabot Trail Writers Festival is delighted to host a reading, conversation and audience Q&A with the three authors nominated for the 2025 Alistair MacLeod Prize for Short Fiction: Allison Graves (Soft Serve), Amanda Peters (Waiting for the Long Night Moon) and Susie Taylor (Vigil).

The evening will be hosted by author Alexander MacLeod. We’re very pleased to bring these three extraordinary writers (see below for their bios) together to share their work and celebrate their nomination for an Atlantic Book Award particularly dear to Cape Breton hearts, named in honour of one of our most beloved authors and now administered by the Cabot Trail Writers Festival.

This event will be pay-what-you-can (recommended: $15). All proceeds will go towards the award and event costs. Books will be available for sale, a cash bar will be open, and light refreshments will be served. Our thanks to the Inverness County Centre for the Arts for generously opening their doors to welcome us into their space to share this beautiful evening of laughter, inspiration and stories..

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

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!

Tickets are $30, and are available here.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

Tickets are available here