Christmas Forest photo by Pettepiece Photography

A Walk Through Providence Christmas Forest

by Molly Gilmore for OLY ARTS In its 29th year, Providence Christmas Forest is a different kind of winter wonderland—a forest of trees and wreaths decorated in themes from traditional to surprising. One tree will have a NASCAR theme, while another was inspired by Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. The forest is the …

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Sister's Christmas Catechism

Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold

by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS From the coauthor of Late Nite Catechism comes the holiday comedy Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold for a one-night-only performance at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts. The Center calls the play “CSI: Bethlehem,” a holiday extravaganza. This comedy-mystery features “Sister,” a woman out …

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Hari Kondabolu

Joking in a Dark Place With Hari Kondabolu

by Adam McKinney for OLY ARTS Why is it such a common occurrence for comedians who talk politics to be met with the dismissive refrain, “Stick with the comedy?” For as long as comics have been making audiences laugh, they’ve also been ferrying us through tumultuous times of uprising and conflict. They comfort anxieties while …

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Iyad Burnat

Iyad Burnat: Political Activist and Author Reading

by Christina Butcher for OLY ARTS Political activist and author Iyad Burnat is touring the Pacific Northwest this week to speak about his new book, Bil’in and the Nonviolent Resistance, which addresses peaceful protests in the West Bank and the author’s lifelong struggle for justice and freedom in Palestine. Burnat’s reading at Traditions Fair Trade …

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Mia Learner in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

OFT Has The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

by Kelli Samson for OLY ARTS Two of the most treasured traditions at Olympia Family Theater (OFT) are the annual holiday show and the multigenerational cast show. This year, the two are brilliantly rolled together for a play that will surely get even the biggest Scrooge into the holiday spirit. Today’s parents may recall from …

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Jess Allan and Robert McConkey in The Physician in Spite of Himself

TAO Visits The Physician in Spite of Himself

by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS In December, when most theaters are doing holiday shows, Theater Artists Olympia (TAO) presents Molière’s 17th-century farce The Physician in Spite of Himself. TAO’s version of the French comedy, as adapted by Philip Wickstrom and the TAO collective and directed by Pug Bujeaud, is set in Louisiana in the …

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Thurston County Food Bank

Holiday Giving at Thurston County Food Bank

by Molly Gilmore for OLY ARTS During the winter holidays, people’s thoughts turn to feasting: stuffing both turkeys and themselves. Thoughts also turn to giving: sharing the season with friends who need an invitation to dinner, and with families who can’t afford a meal with all the trimmings. No wonder it’s the biggest season for …

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Olympia Farmers Market

Olympia Farmers Market Holiday Events

by Christina Butcher for OLY ARTS The Olympia Farmers Market is celebrating the holidays this year by holding a “Farm2Table Thanksgiving” event Nov. 19 and 20 and a “Holiday Shopping Delight” Dec. 22 to 24. The Farm2Table Thanksgiving event gives community members the opportunity to purchase everything they need for a Thanksgiving dinner at the …

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Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas

International Duo Comes to Olympia

by Molly Gilmore for OLY ARTS A cello is kind of a big fiddle, and in Scotland, it’s traditionally been paired with the violin (or “wee fiddle”). Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser and American cellist Natalie Haas are reviving that partnership and making it their own. “They’re both world-class master musicians,” said Emily Teachout, vice president …

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Hank and Jeanne Lohmann

Jeanne Lohmann, 1923-2016

UPDATED JAN. 17, 2017: One correction and one addition were suggested by Ms. Lohmann’s daughter, Karen Lohmann. We apologize for any misinformation or confusion in our original article. In the aftermath of poet Lucia Perillo’s death, OLY ARTS was saddened to learn of the passing on September 26 of renowned Olympia poet Jeanne Lohmann. Lohmann, …

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