Community Events

Can a squirrel change the human heart? That’s the question raised in “Flora & Ulysses.” The Kate DiCamillo book adapted for the stage comes to life in a setting full of quirky characters and bursting with heart. Recommended for children ages 6 and up. Friday-Sunday, February 1st-17th, plus Thursday, February 14th. 360-570-1638

See old time fiddle music performances and take part in workshops at the Oly Old-Time Festival! Have food and refreshments and catch night events at the South Bay Grange and workshops at First Christian Church. See the website for the schedule. Thursday-Sunday, February 14th-17th.

Lovers of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music will delight in this tuneful, moving show! “The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber” is jam-packed with the composer’s most well-known signature tunes and his most popular and enduring works. Friday-Sunday, February 1st-24th.

See “Blithe Spirit,” a classic comedy! The play tells the story of a cantankerous novelist haunted by his late first wife and is full of insight and wit. Friday-Sunday, February 15th-24th.

See “The Wedding Singer” onstage! Based on the hit movie starring Adam Sandler, it’s now the most romantic musical in 20 years. Because rock star wannabe Robbie Hart had a disastrous wedding, he’s poised to do the same to everyone who employs him to sing. Both cruel and fun, “The Wedding Singer” is loaded with great songs and sparkling moments. Friday-Sunday, February 15th-17th.

Families with kids interested in racing are invited to Little Wheels Quarter Midget Association’s Ride Day! This non-profit racing for kids club is providing many activities for children as they seek more families to join in their sport. Kids 5-16 can drive a quarter midget for $15. Saturday, February 16th.

The Olympia Farmers Market still has the same exceptional items, even in the winter months! There is local winter produce, dairy, meat and fish – and those wonderful handcrafted items from your favorite local artisans. From now through March 31st, the winter hours are on Saturdays, 10am-3pm.

Come meet Big Mama, the life-sized walk-inside inflatable humpback whale! Explore Big Mama’s internal and external anatomy with experts from NOAA’s Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Learn all about what makes humpbacks important to our Washington waters. Practice identifying humpback whales, discover how they eat, and the importance of a thick layer of blubber. You might even discover that whales and humans are more similar than you’d expect! Saturday, February 16th, 10am-2pm.

The Randy Oxford & Linda Meyers Bands headline “Super Jam Northwest” to benefit victims of the Paradise Fire in California! Blues, country and rock bands will perform free of charge, and every cent of ticket proceeds go to the North Valley Community Foundation in Chico, California. There will be food vendors on hand for this special night, which concludes with a huge jam session. Saturday, February 16th, 12-10pm.

Two explorers, one boat, one Grand Canyon. See “Men on Boats,” the Olympia Little Theatre production of a one-armed captain and a crew of insane but loyal volunteers on an expedition set in the 19th Century. But there’s a twist: “Men on Boats” features a cast of ten who happen to be women, as gender is a perception and not necessarily chromosomes.  Saturday, February 16 at 7:55pm and Sunday, February 17 at 1:55pm.

(360) 786-9484.

Laugh along at a comedy classic from the 1980s, “Troop Beverly Hills,” where a Beverly Hills socialite becomes a den mother to a troop of Girl Scouts. It’s part of the Film Focus series on Sunday, February 17th at 3pm at the Theatre on the Square in Tacoma. For more information, call 253-591-5890.

Recent snowstorms and the government shutdown have taken a toll on the national blood supply. Give blood in Lacey Monday, February 18th, 2-7pm!

Call 1-800-733-2767 to make an appointment or find about American Red Cross blood drives in your community.

Bring everyone to the “Lovers Lane” concert with the Olympia Symphony Orchestra! This pre-Valentine’s show will feature music by Mozart, Brahms and more. The Brahms symphony (No. 4 in E minor, Opus 98) is considered to be the height of musical romanticism and is an especially rich and involved work. Rescheduled to Monday, February 18th.

Recent snowstorms and the government shutdown has taken a toll on the national blood supply. Do your part to help by giving blood in Raymond Tuesday, February 19th, 9am-3pm!

Call 1-800-733-2767 to make an appointment or find about American Red Cross blood drives in your community.

Derik Nelson (Glee) & Family’s unforgettable harmonies and multi-media show is coming to Shelton! The band, comprised of four siblings, has performed at over 100 places in the country and uses the latest in audio-video technology to take audiences on a journey through time, delivering a concert experience like no other. Tuesday, February 19th, 7pm.

Experience Downtown Olympia on Third Thursdays! Participating shops, many staying open later than usual, feature deals, guest authors, artists, and refreshments! Eateries offer chef and barista specials and entertainment! See olythirdthursday.com for info, contests, and activities! A fun element of each Third Thursday is the Challenge Game! Participating Third Thursday businesses will hand out game cards. Participants can visit each business to get another letter to solve the phrase of the month. Complete the phrase first and win!

Downtown shops, restaurants and galleries offer unique Third Thursday promotions; art galleries hold artist receptions, and you can enjoy food and beverage tastes at boutiques.

The info booth, located in the US Bank parking lot, is open Third Thursdays from noon through 7pm, while most activities take place 4-7pm.

Presented by Providence Health Services in partnership with the Olympia Downtown Alliance, 360-357-8948, and KXXO Mixx 96.1!

With winter storms and the recent government shutdown, national blood supplies are low. You can help with the situation by giving blood in Silverdale Thursday, February 21st, 1-6pm.

Call 1-800-733-2767 to make an appointment or find about American Red Cross blood drives in your community.

Artists looking to grow their business are invited to a cost-free gathering put on by Enterprise for Equity! Explore what it means to be both successful and creative with guided activities and a panel of four artists discussing their path to success. Thursday, February 21st, 5-9pm.

The “Glass Break” discussion series at the Museum of Glass will feature School of the Arts teacher Doris Conrath! She will discuss the importance of community support in education of young artists and will share the exciting ways that the museum and Tacoma Public Schools are working together to teach the arts. Thursday, February 21st, 5:30pm. Third Thursdays are free 5-8pm at downtown Tacoma museums.

Meet author Kazu Kibuishi as part of the “Lacey Loves to Read” month-long celebration! The evening will begin with student art work, free books from the South Sound Reading Association plus book and bag sales. After the author presentation, he will sign his books. Thursday, February 21st, 7-8:30pm.

From Namu to Free Willy to Blackfish, orcas have fascinated us for generations! But our Washington State marine mammal is in trouble. Learn all about our local orcas and how YOU can help save them. Join the Puget Sound Estuarium for a 7 pm presentation with Cindy Hansen from the Orca Network. Thursday, February, 21st, 7-8:30pm.

The Estuarium’s Discovery Speaker Series is a free event offered on selected third Thursdays in partnership with LOTT’s WET Science Center.

For more information please visit: http://SSEAcenter.org/DSS

See “Murder By Merlot,” a murder mystery dinner put on by Tacoma Little Theatre! It’s a thriller about a wine-making enterprise encompassing deception, secrets, pride, passion – and a murder. RSVP now for a delicious dinner, with adult drinks available. Thursday-Sunday, February 21st-24th, 7:30pm (Sunday matinee at 3pm).

“Angels In America” focuses on the stories of two troubled couples, one gay, one straight, and is a complex, often metaphorical, and at times symbolic examination of AIDS and homosexuality in America in the 1980s. The two parts of the play are entitled “Millennium Approaches” and “Perestroika,” where certain major and minor characters are supernatural beings (angels) or deceased persons (ghosts). Friday-Sunday, February 22nd-March 17th.

Millennium Approaches:
Fridays and Saturdays, 8pm, and Sundays, 2pm, February 22nd-March 17th (“Pay What You Can” Wednesdays, 7pm) 

Perestroika
Thursdays (“Pay What You Can”) and Sundays, 7pm February 28th-March 17th

For more details, call 253-588-0042.

Eat, Drink and Play your way through Hands On Children’s Museum! It’s a night of nerdy fandom for adults 21+ at Hands On! Dress as your favorite comic book character and compete in the costume contest, silkscreen a cape, make a mask, meet Batman, learn how to animate comics and so much more! Friday, February 22nd, 7-10pm. Tickets: $22 | Day of: $28. Includes admission, all activities & a drink. Don’t wait! This event SELLS OUT!

Get those daubers out for the first Bingo of the year starting with OlyBingo Night’s “Bada Bingo!” There will be a themed dinner and a full bar with Jello shots. You’ll have the chance to purchase special game cards, enter into the 50/50 raffle and take part in the theme’s costume contest. Game prizes start at $50 for regular games and $150 for special games. 21 and over only. Friday, February 22nd, 7pm (dinner at 6pm). For more information call 360-586-6181.

Don’t miss the Destiny City Film Festival, with an amazing 34 films from around the globe! Many of the movies have been nominated for the 2019 Academy Awards, and some originated in the Pacific Northwest. Friday-Sunday, February 22nd-24th. For more details, call 253-752-9500.

Books, Brownies and Beans is a book lover’s paradise! Thousands of used books will be for sale, from Pulitzer Prize winners to children’s books, DVDs and games, all to benefit the Olympia area homeless. There will be yummy brownies, live music, coffee and an enormous selection of used books at deep discounts. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own tote bags. Saturday, February 23rd, 9am-4pm.

Questions: Darlene Sarkela

liberalfaith@ouuc.org

360-786-6383 Ext. 100

The Olympia Farmers Market still has the same exceptional items, even in the winter months! There is local winter produce, dairy, meat and fish – and those wonderful handcrafted items from your favorite local artisans. From now through March 31st, the winter hours are on Saturdays, 10am-3pm.

Celebrate Dental Health Month with services for children and their families at no cost! There will be free dental screenings, fluoride varnish applications, mouth guards – plus fun activities like face painting and appearances by Chompy the Carrot and the Wisdom Tooth. Several organizations will have information on hand. Saturday, February 23rd, 10:30am-2:30pm.

Children can meet Batman and Wonder Woman and get their photo taken at the Hands On Children’s Museum! Saturday, February 23rd, 1-3pm.

Some of the most fascinating things about the woods are the nearly-invisible relationships! Meet John F. Williams, who will highlight some of these relationships with excerpts from his collection of films and his new publication, Salish Magazine. He’ll illustrate that there is actually is a “system” in ecosystem. Best for ages 10 and older. Related crafts all day. Saturday, February 23rd, 10am-4pm (presentation at 2pm).

The “Dance to Make a Difference” charity gala supports two non-profit organizations working to support homeless and low income families! Experience a fantastic dance performance as well as light dinner, wine and live music. There will be a silent auction during the reception and before the dance show. Saturday, February 23rd, 6pm. This is a benefit for Homes First and the Family Support Center of South Sound.

A young beautician, newly arrived in a small Louisiana town, finds work at the local salon, where a small group of women share a close bond of friendship and welcome her into the fold. An all-female cast from L.A. Theatre Works presents the national tour presents a staged reading of “Steel Magnolias” Sunday, February 24th at 3pm. For more information, call 253-591-5890.

A new show featuring master fiddlers Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy will be commanding the stage Sunday, February 24th at 7:30 pm. This fierce fiddling duo combines traditional Celtic heritage with a taste for the contemporary, featuring dancing and singing with energy and passion.

See the 91st Academy Awards on the big screen! The Olympia Film Society brings glitz and glamour to the Capitol Theater with a live simulcast of the show, including hors d’oeuvres and a chance to win prizes in the trivia and Oscar ballot contest. Dress to impress and take a stroll down the red carpet! Sunday, February 24th, 4pm (red carpet), 5pm (show).

“Kinky Boots” is a joyous musical celebration featuring music by pop icon Cyndi Lauper will be presented in Tacoma on Tuesday, February 26th at 7:30pm. It’s a musical about fancy boots, the friendships we discover, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your own mind.

As blood supplies were affected by recent winter storms and the government shutdown, a buildup of the national reserve is needed. Give blood in Montesano Tuesday, February 26th, 8:30am-1:30pm!

Call 1-800-733-2767 to make an appointment or find about American Red Cross blood drives in your community.

A fabulous entertainer with a wildly exciting idea and a struggling factory owner combine to create a line of footware that is unlike anything that the world has ever seen in “Kinky Boots,” the Broadway show being performed at the Washington Center! Wednesday, February 27th at 7:30pm.

With winter storms and the government shutdown impacting the national blood supply, the reserve needs to be built up again. Give blood in Aberdeen on Wednesday, February 27th, 12-5pm!

Call 1-800-733-2767 to make an appointment or find about American Red Cross blood drives in your community.

Families looking for an alternative K through 5 program in the Olympia School District won’t want to miss Lincoln School’s information night! Parents will learn more about the school program, curriculum, philosophy, volunteer involvement in addition to the lottery program that enables students from out of the service area to attend. Thursday, February 28th & Wednesday, March 6th, 6-8pm.

See “Absurd Manifestations: Two Short Comedies”! This type of absurdist theater incorporates themes of existentialism, the muddling of truth and meaning, and the absurdity of the everyday ordinary. The performers portray fascinating characters in a range of emotions! Thursday-Sunday, February 28th-March 3rd (Thursday-Saturday performances are at 7pm and Sunday is at 2pm).