Residents in the Peace region can expect a little bit of everything as the North Peace Cultural Centre prepares to launch its 2026–27 presentation series.
The upcoming season features a wide-ranging roster of live entertainment, spanning folk music, classical performances, comedy, and ballet.
According to Oliver Hackmeister, executive director of the North Peace Cultural Centre, the non-profit model allows the venue to take artistic risks that commercial spaces often cannot.
“Because we’re a non-profit society, we can take some risks that not every show has to make money,” Hackmeister said.
“Otherwise, you’re kind of stuck doing the same old thing all the time. You’re going to get a lot of country music, you’re going to get a lot of stand-up comics, and you’re going to get a lot of children’s programming.”
Instead, this year’s lineup boasts two Juno nominees, returning fan favorites, and world-class dance.
Among the season’s highlights is the return of Ballet Jörgen, bringing a unique Canadian spin to a classical favorite with Swan Lake set in Cape Breton. The dance company’s last performance at the center was a major milestone for the community.
“The last time they came to town, they sold out which is actually probably the first time the ballet has sold out in 10 years,” Hackmeister noted.
“So, we wanted to make sure that they had the opportunity to come back.”
Also returning to the stage is the Cheng2 Duo, a cellist and pianist pair who previously wowed local audiences. Hackmeister recalled their last visit, where he personally drove the musicians around alongside a million-dollar Stradivarius cello loaned from the Canada Council for the Arts.
The lineup further includes Burnstick, improv comedy acts, and Kairi Fire, a group delivering Caribbean-inspired Latin jazz centered around the steel pan drum.
Curating a diverse season in northern British Columbia comes with unique geographical challenges, but Hackmeister noted that collaboration with regional promoters makes it possible to bring top-tier talent up north.
For rural communities, bringing live art to the region serves a deeper purpose than just an evening out.
“Seeing a performer live… can be really helpful for young people who are going, ‘Well, I don’t know, I took lessons, but is this something that I want to do?'” Hackmeister said, adding that most visiting artists stay after the show to interact with the audience.
The series also draws regional crowds from communities like Dawson Creek and Grand Prairie offering a closer cultural destination than major hubs like Edmonton or Prince George.
Tickets for individual shows are currently on sale. The center is also offering a promotional deal through the end of September, where purchasing a $5 North Peace Cultural Society membership unlocks discounts of 20 to 25 per cent for multi-show packages.
Tickets can be secured online at npcc.bc.ca, in person at the box office on the corner of 100th Avenue and 100th Street in Fort St. John, or by phone at 250-785-1992.
