Community Events

Tacoma Art Museum presents “Bart at TAM!” Learn the details behind the animation of America’s Favorite Family. Take a trip to the imaginary world of Springfield and see how this visual storytelling can bring a whole hilarious world to life. Bart at TAM opens July 20th and runs through October 27, 2019 with free Thursdays at the museum from 5-8pm.

Celebrate Washington at the Washington State Fair! Everything from concerts and a Fun Run to rodeo and hands-on learning awaits the entire family, and there’s a wealth of food and activities between all that amazing music! Daily Through Sunday, September 22nd. 

Tuesday, Sept. 17: CLOSED

Wednesday, Sept. 18: 10:30am – 9:30pm

Thursday, Sept. 19: 10:30am – 9:30pm

Friday, Sept. 20: 10:30am – 10:30pm

Saturday, Sept. 21: 9:30am – 10:30pm

Sunday, Sept. 22: 9:30am – 9:30pm

Neil Simon’s “Biloxi Blues” kicks off the new Lakewood Playhouse season! Eugene Morris Jerome is a young army recruit during WWII, going through basic training and learning about life and love and some harsher lessons while stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi in 1943. GET TICKETS NOW! Thursday-Sunday, September 12th-October 6th, 8pm (Sunday matinees are at 2pm). For more details, call 253-588-0042.

See the comedy about art, politics, commerce, free speech and what it means to be an American! “The Consul, the Tramp and America’s Sweetheart” is about the struggles the legendary Charlie Chaplin went through to make his first talking picture in an important time in America’s history. Thursday-Sunday, September 13th-29th. Shows are at 7:25pm except 1:55pm matinees on September 15th, 22nd and 29th. For more details, call 360-786-9484

Support the YMCA and have a night of fun and philanthropy! Enjoy the company of others while participating in a great dinner and auction, all to be able to surround children with caring through outstanding adult role models who make a positive difference in their lives! Friday, September 20th, 6pm (doors at 5:30pm). GET TICKETS NOW! See www.southsoundymca.org for more info.

Adults are invited to show solidarity with local high school students striking for action against climate change! There will be multiple speakers and information, plus the Get Out the Vote team registering and pre-registering people to vote! Friday, September 20th, 11am-1pm.

Support local arts and artists by taking the ARTrails studio tour! Travel to Lewis County art studios, checking out restaurants, shops and galleries at every stop, or simply taking a stroll! See the website for artist information and maps to the various studios. Saturday-Sunday, September 21st-22nd and September 28-29, 10am-5pm.

The Gala Opening Reception is Friday, September 20th 4-8pm and the Exhibition Gallery is open September 21-29 at the Historic Centralia Train Depot, 201 Railroad Ave.

Don’t miss Kerry Grombacher playing folk and western songs on guitar and mandolin! He will paint stories set in the landscapes of his life, from the New Orleans Bayou to Montana and the Northwest forests.

*Chehalis Timberland Library: Friday, September 20th, 2-3:30pm

*McCleary Timberland Library: Saturday, September 21st, 2-3:15pm

Join the Heartsparkle Players for a special fundraising performance! It will be an evening of stories, community and hope. $10-20 donation. Friday, September 20th, 7:30pm.

See Grammy Award-winner India.Arie at Tacoma’s Pantages Theater! The singer-songwriter is known for “Neo-Soul” and continues to be a pillar of contemporary R&B. Friday, September 20th, 7:30pm. For details see www.tacomaartslive.org

SRO Productions brings the hit musical “Mamma Mia!” comes to Yelm! Featuring beloved songs by ABBA, this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship is about a daughter’s quest to identify her father – and it’s a play you’ll never forget. Friday-Sunday, September 6th-29th.

“Calendar Girls” comes to Tacoma! The beloved show that finds Annie and Chris recruiting women to pose nude for an “alternative” calendar to raise money for a sitting area in the local British hospital waiting room is funny, sincere and just a wee bit naughty. Recommended for ages 12 and up. GET TICKETS NOW! Friday-Sunday, September 13th-29th, 7:30pm (Sundays at 2pm). For more details, call 253-272-2281.

Olympia residents can take advantage of the drop-off site and rid themselves of yard debris, tools, fencing and more! Some items, like cardboard, some plastic and scrap metal, are taken at no cost. For the rest, rates are assessed on the size of the load. Residents must unload their own vehicles. For a list of restrictions, see the City of Olympia website. Saturdays through November 23rd, 9am-2pm.

Students pre-school to age 18 can get free immunizations in Olympia! School required immunizations are available at Kaiser Permanente Olympia Medical Center on Saturday, September 21st from 9am-12pm. Kaiser Permanente is located at 700 Lilly Rd. NE. For more information, call 360-867-2609.

Local salmon are finishing their long, tiring journey and returning to their home streams to spawn! Come celebrate this amazing fish by creating salmon and fall-inspired artwork at the WET Science Center. Saturday, September 21st, 10am-4pm.

Join the “Tour of Homes” and see some of the most beautiful houses in Olympia, Tumwater and Lacey! FREE ADMISSION! Saturday-Sunday, September 21st-22nd, 10am-6pm. For more details or to download the 2019 guide, see www.omb.org/events/tour-of-homes/

The Exceptional Families Network is hosting a free disabilities resource fair in Pierce County – organizations, nonprofits, services, and products to help families! Learn about Service Dogs, Disability Travel, Safety Awareness, and Education Advocacy, meet organizations and services who can help. Learn about new products and services. Saturday, September 21st, 1-4pm.

Saturday, September 21
10am – 1pm

People coming to Tushita Kadampa Buddhist Center will often ask questions like: How can I be a better meditate? Where do I even start? Can I meditate? They get so many questions that they offer a regular series of Learn to Meditate classes. This fall classes will be in September (covering the basics of meditation ), October (to deepen our experience of concentration ), and December (a meditation retreat the weekend before New Year’s Eve).

This month they begin by looking at the basics of meditation – the what, why, and how. Starting a meditation practice is easy when you know what to do. This class will offer all the information you need and opportunity to practice. Everyone is welcome.

Class fee is $25. Discounted rate (50% off) for members, students, seniors, and unemployed is available.

Help remove invasive plant species that continue to choke out the native vegetation at Madison Scenic Park! The focus will be on removing English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and other non-native plants. Sturdy work boots/shoes a must! Saturday, September 21st, 10am-1pm. For more information, call 360-753-8365.

The park is located at 1600 10th Ave SE. Limited parking available. Meet inside the park by the large walnut tree. Visit http://volunteer.olympiawa.gov/ to sign up as a volunteer, then click on the work party you want to join.

The Tenino Farmers Market is celebrating its 15th year by being bigger and better than ever but still the best little market in Washington! Come and see them in historic downtown Tenino every Saturday from 10am-3pm through September.

Celebrate 60 years of live theater in Centralia! There will be live music, comedy and scenes from plays on the outside stage, with lots to do for kids on the inside stage, like face painting and mask making. FREE! Food is an additional cost. Saturday, September 21st, 11am-5pm.

AUDITONS FOR A VARIETY SHOW – The Lord Franzannian Royal Olympian Spectacular Vaudeville Show!

Wanna be in a great show? Or maybe you know someone who wants to be in a great show….Consider the Vaudeville show!
Even if your act isn’t fully developed, come on down and tell us about it!  Spread the word!

When:
Saturday September 21, 2019

Time:
2:00 pm

Where:
Octapas Café  – 414  4th Ave E. Olympia, WA 98501

Who:
Produced by Elizabeth Lord and the non-profit BigShowCity Performing Arts Organization

Contact:
Elizabeth Lord 360-754-7114 or cell 360-250-2721, Elizabeth-lord@hotmail.com, www.professionaltalker.com
(click on Vaudeville show tab)

More Info: BE IN THE VAUDEVILLE SHOW!

It’s time to get your act together!
Olympia’s most popular annual variety show wants you or your group to share your talent and be part of The Lord Franzannian Royal Olympian Spectacular
Vaudeville Show! Vaudeville Show Definition: n. A series of unrelated acts performed in rapid succession. Very popular in the United States
in the early part of the 20th century.

BigShowCity Performing Arts Organization is seeking short (2-6 min) live performance acts that are often: funny, or skillful, or daring, or weird, or simply audience worthy. (Not so much serious drama, not so much rock bands.) They can be solo acts, or group numbers. Acrobats, Dancers, Jugglers, Puppeteers, Storytellers, Singers, Actors, Magicians, Comedy, _________ fill in the blank. All talents encouraged from the traditional to the modern bizarre. All performers selected to be part of the show will receive a stipend.

Actual Vaudeville show runs: October 11-13 and 18-20, 2019

This is a fun show to participate in and it is very well liked in our community – every performance sells out! At the audition, show us your act, or even just tell us all about your idea for an act.
Remember, even if your act isn’t fully formed and rehearsed, we still will have another month to get it up to speed. Go for it! Take a chance.

Get creative, anything goes. What can you do?

Thurston County Republicans will hold their annual Party Picnic Saturday, September 21 3-6 p.m. Enjoy the last days of summer, make new friends, and learn more about who they are and what they believe. Hotdogs, hamburgers and drinks provided – bring a side dish to share. Children welcome and playground nearby.

The Oktoberfest of Olympia is on! This traditional look at one of the world’s premier ethnic events highlights Bavarian food like bratwurst, schnitzel, authentic black forest cake, food for kids, live music, a balloon artist, arm wrestling and more! Some of the profits will pay for restoration of the Olympia Elks Lodge. GET TICKETS NOW! Saturday, September 21st, 4:30-10pm.

Presented by the Elks Lodge #186. The chair of the event, Audrey Pastore, was raised in Germany in a little village east of Frankfurt.  All dishes and fixings are created by the German cook Angelika Irwing, who brings 30 years of professional restaurant experience, along with Josh Edmonson, the owner and operator of The Bird’s Nest. To view the menu please visit www.elkslodgetix.com 

This event will sell out! Attendees should buy their tickets in advance, especially since they only have 40 dinner tickets left!  They may be able to accommodate folks who don’t want to eat dinner: you may pay $10 at the door to participate in the celebration!

Purchase tickets in advance at https://olytickets.sasquatchticket.com/event/2019-Oktoberfest

Prosit!

Come as you are or dress up in fancy clothes for a preview of the Evergreen Playhouse’s 60th season! There will be scenes from upcoming shows, hors d’oeuvres, wine, lights and a chance to mingle with actors, designers and patrons that love live theater! FREE! Saturday, September 21st, 6pm.

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.  The Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Thurston County is Sunday, September 22, 2019 (registration at 9 am, ceremony at 10 am, walk at 10:30 pm) at Heritage Park, 5th Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98501

Registration: http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2019/WA-WashingtonState?fr_id=12878&pg=entry

Step up to help end hunger by joining Thurston’s Hunger Walk around Capital Lake! Walk as much (or as little) as you like, and help raise funds to feed our neighbors in Thurston County, including Senior Services, The Community Kitchen and Thurston County Food Bank. The walk meets at Marathon Park. Sunday, September 22nd, 3pm. More information at http://bit.ly/hungerwalktc.

The “One Book, One Community” event is based on Indigenous Peoples history and culture! Come to an evening featuring author Tommy Orange, whose debut novel “There There” is a national bestseller. The evening with conclude with a Q & A and a book signing. FREE! Sunday, September 22nd, 7-8:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm). For more details, call 360-753-8586.

Find out about Naches Pass! Author-historian Dennis Larsen will revisit the first wagon road in Washington Territory, going back to the mid-1800s! FREE! Tuesday, September 24th, 5:30pm. For more info, call 360-491-0857.

See “Rent,” the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit! This timeless celebration of friends and creativity reminds us to measure our lives with the only thing that matters – love. GET TICKETS NOW! Tuesday-Wednesday, September 24th-25th, 7:30pm.

Help weed, and tackle the horsetail growing throughout Yashiro Japanese Garden in Olympia! The park is located at 1010 Plum St. SE. Meet at the side entrance to the park. Parking is available at the Lee Creighton Justice Center, 900 Plum St. SE. Wednesday, September 25th, 9:30 am-12pm. Questions? Call 360-753-8365.

Visit http://volunteer.olympiawa.gov/to Sign Up as a volunteer, then click on the work party you want to join.

Fall is a great time to see the Washington State Capitol Campus and Governor’s Mansion with all the fall foliage! Each tour is open to 25 guests. Make reservations for tours at least 24 hours in advance. Wednesdays through October 30th. For more details, call 360-902-8880. Make a reservation at http://www.apps.des.wa.gov/Mansion/Mansion.aspx

All are welcome at the Olympia Garden Club’s monthly meeting! It includes a social hour, plant sale and horticulture display followed by a short meeting, and more programs, including edible plants and flowers. Bring a lunch! Thursday, September 26th at 9:30am at Gull Harbor Lutheran Church, 4610 Boston Harbor Road NE, Olympia.

Itinerary:

* Bird Report of the Month: Bobbie Moody
* Theme of the Month: Incorporating items from your food garden in your designs – Marlene Lopp and Barb Trudnak
* Overview of horticulture display
* Lunch Break: Please bring your own sack lunch and eating utensils
* Program: Edible Plants and Flowers – Make a Salad
* Hands On: Corsages – Debbie Spiller and Sharon MacKenzie

Join South Sound Greens on Thursday, September 26 2019, 11 to 3, at the Grass Lake Park in West Olympia. Meeting place is the parking area at 814 Kaiser Rd NW (just north of 6th
Ave NW).  Plant new trees, care for existing ones, and hear presentations on the role of forests in rolling back CO2 and on how we might pay for it all.  Bring your own sandwich; they’ll supply drinks and fruit snacks.

Fore! Join the open golf tournament hosted by Washington State’s Public Affairs television network (TVW)!  Registration includes greens fees, cart, range access and box lunch – there will be a raffle, prizes and a taco bar after the tournament, which will raise money for their high school civics education program. REGISTER NOW! Thursday, September 26th, 11am. To register: http://www.tvw.org

The Schmidt House is the scene for a special talk from Ray Egan! He will talk about the Ox Rope Story from the earliest settlements in Washington State’s history. Is it a story, fact or fable? Arrive early to get a good seat! FREE (donations accepted)! Thursday, September 26th, 12pm (doors open at 11:30am).

American Red Cross Blood Drive Friday, September 27th from 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Henderson Building, 3800 Henderson Blvd, Olympia. Call 1-800-733-2767 to schedule an appointment.

Willkommen to Oktoberfest Bingo!  This is not your grandmother’s bingo!  Full service bar, Jello shots, costume contest, 50/50 raffle and $5 Bavarian-themed dinner at 6pm.  In the best German tradition, there will be pretzel necklaces available to purchase.  Celebrate this passage of fall with a little bit of Bavaria in Lacey!  Must be 21. Friday, September 27th, 6pm (dinner), 7pm (games).

For more information, contact 360-407-3967.

The Olympia Family Theater season opens with “The Delicious Revenge of Princess Rubyslippers”! This story of make believe finds Ruby meeting her fairy godmother, a giant, a witch and a charming prince, with a bit of sibling rivalry and fun mixed in. Recommended for ages five and up. Friday-Sunday, September 27th-October 20th. For more details, call 360-570-1638.

Don’t miss Carlene Carter’s country rock show at the Rialto! The daughter of June Carter Cash and country star Carl Smith, and stepdaughter of Johnny Cash, she is the embodiment of the Carter Family in the 21st Century. GET TICKETS NOW! Friday, September 27th, 7:3opm.

Support Northwesterners living with ALS as well as family and caregivers at a charity walk at Fort Steilacoom Park! Help raise funds for research, advocacy and care services. This 2.5 mile walk is open to the public – registration is FREE! Saturday, September 28th, 11am. For more details, visit www.alsa-ec.org or call 866-STOP-ALS (786-7257).

Come to the Aviation/Airline Collectibles Show and find unique and historic aviation parts, uniforms, pilot insignias and accessories! It’s buy, sell or trade! Bring the whole family – children six and under are FREE! Saturday, September 28th, 9am-2pm. For more details, call 360-705-3925.

Tables are available for vendors for only $25 each.  No reservation required for tables; first come, first served.

Vendor set-up times are Friday, September 27th from 4-6 pm, and Saturday, September 28th from 8-9 am. General admission is $8 per person. Museum members and children 6 and under are free.  olympicflightmuseum.com or call (360) 705-3925.

Kokua’s 5K Poker Run/Walk/Roll is an opportunity to help sponsor Kokua’s services to the community and is kid, pet and wheelchair friendly. This year’s contributions will go towards the purchase of a Wheelchair Van to help get more people into the community! REGISTER NOW! Saturday, September 28th, 10am-1pm.

9am-10am: Registration
and Packet Pickup

10am:
Runners, Walkers and Rollers Leave the Start Line

12-12:30
Awards & Raffle

Online registration at:

https://tinyurl.com/kokua5k2019

The winner of this Poker Run, Walk and Roll will be based on the best poker hand and ribbon will be awarded to the 1st and 2nd fastest male and female. At registration each participant will draw their first poker card.  There will be three stops along the 5k course where participants will draw poker cards and be able to grab a drink. The final poker card will be drawn at the finish line.

Raffle prizes this year are:

·       Assortment of chocolates from BitterSweet Chocolates

·       Anytime Fitness gift basket

·       $100 spa gift card

·       A week lodging at the Krystal Resort in Puerto Vallarta

Kokua is a Non-Profit organization whose mission is to provide individuals with disabilities the supports needed to lead full and meaningful lives. For more information on Kokua or to donate please visit http://kokuaservices.org

Registration is $30 per person until September 21st then $35 per person. Day of registration is 9am-10am.

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. Saturday, September 28th, 10am-4pm.

Help with restoration at Karen Fraser Woodland Trail, formerly Olympia and Lacey Woodland Trails! This fun and exciting stewardship work party for National Public Lands Day connects our communities
through volunteerism. Tools, gloves and light refreshments will be provided. Saturday, September 28th, 10am-1pm.

Meet near 3811 Pacific Ave where the Woodland Trail meets the Chehalis Western Trail. Park in the empty lot at 3811 Pacific Ave, Lacey. Registration required. Visit http://volunteer.olympiawa.gov/ to Sign Up as a volunteer, then click on the work party you want to join. Questions? Call 360-753-8365.

“Sip, Savor and Stroll” is an exclusive, yet affordable, progressive dinner in downtown Olympia! Experience new culinary trends, meet talented chefs and brewers of handcrafted ales while getting a peek into Olympia’s culinary scene. There’s an after hour party at Rhythm & Rye with the Hook Me Up Band! GET TICKETS ONLINE! Saturday, September 28th, 2-5pm. For details, call 360-259-0423.

The Lacey South Sound Chamber Denim and Diamonds Dinner and Auction includes a silent auction, drinks, a catered dinner, live auction, and great raffle games! Proceeds from this event will support the Chamber, Kidwiler Scholarship Foundation, and up to two other non-profits. Saturday, September 28th, 5:30-9:30pm.

See Naturally 7 in concert! This seven-man crew has perfected an intriguing a cappella style: Not only do they sing, but they use “vocal play,” the art of becoming an instrument, using the human voice to create the sounds of drums, keyboards, guitars and even turntables! GET TICKETS NOW! Saturday, September 28th, 7pm.