One Starry Night at Living Water

by Jennifer Crain for OLY ARTS

Kids take the stage at Church of Living Water on December 2. One Starry Night, an evening of crafts, carols, choir and band performances—even live donkeys—is an annual event that launches the holiday season. Its central element is a retelling of the Christmas story. “It’s a really creative avenue to get kids involved and make the story come to life for them,” says children’s pastor Beth Green. “It’s turned into a for-kids, by-kids event.”

Kids write the script every year, then rehearse with the help of director Brooke Gurrad and a host of other adults. This year, Tumwater High School junior Kaylie Hanson wrote original songs for the show along with Gurrad. About 35 kids and youth are involved, including 20 who take part in the drama.

The show will be accessible for even the youngest audience members. It opens with a handful of carols, followed by musical performances by the children’s choir and a band that includes drums, guitar, bass and vocals. The first and second acts of the drama are split by an interactive intermission that includes family craft stations, a photo booth, and a hospitality tent where kids can visit the donkey costars. After the show, people gather with cookies and cocoa.

This free, all-ages event draws between 500 and 600 people. Green says it’s not a church service or even a pageant, but rather a celebration of Christmas and a kid-centered evening for families.

What: One Starry Night

Where: Church of Living Water,
1615 Chambers St. SE, Olympia

When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2

How much: free

Learn more: 360-754-5830 | Living Water

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