by Jennifer Crain for OLY ARTS In October, Olympia Symphony Orchestra embarks on an ambitious celebration of its 65th year. The program Opening Statements launches the season with “Awakening,” a contemplative, three-movement piece by Joseph Curiale, an American composer who’s created works for the screen and concert stage for more than three decades. Maestro Huw …
by Jonah Barrett for OLY ARTS For those wanting to find an escape from mainstream media, zines provide a type of oasis. Olympia Zine Fest celebrates its third year this October, and everyone is invited. What are zines? They’re little, self-published pieces of literature, with topics ranging from short-story collections to activist manifestos to lists …
by Christina Butcher for OLY ARTS Hold on to your seats, Olympia, because the Lord Franzannian Royal Olympian Spectacular Vaudeville Show is back, and it’s slated to be bigger and better than ever before. Directed by local storyteller Elizabeth Lord, LFROSVS is an annual variety show featuring short, one-act performances by acrobats, actors, dancers, musicians, …
by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS Stable Studios is tucked away in an easy-to-overlook building on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Cherry Street in downtown Olympia. The artist it’ll feature for Arts Walk this fall is anything but little-known. She’s Susan Christian, former owner of Salon Refu and a painter who’s been showing her work …
by Christina Butcher for OLY ARTS Olympia poet Laureate Amy Solomon-Minarchi is doing everything she can to change the perception of poetry as a stuffy, elitist art form. “Poetry is accessible,” says Solomon-Minarchi. “We do not need to be in a fancy school, have advanced equipment and technology or have a small window of opportunity …
by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS For the two days of Arts Walk and approximately a week thereafter, Thomas Architecture Studios will present sand carvings by Amos Callender and Tom Rieger. TAS is a combined architectural studio and art gallery. Callender says various factors will determine exactly how long the work is on view. Last year …
by Christina Butcher for OLY ARTS In any community you’ll find people like Mariella Luz, who not only participate in the arts but actively support them. She does so through her work as a studio potter, instructor at Arbutus Folk School and founder and director of Olympia All Ages Project. Luz sits on the boards …
by Jonah Barrett for OLY ARTS St. Martin’s University will screen the award-winning, social-justice documentary Promised Land, which follows the Chinook and Duwamish tribes of the Pacific Northwest as they fight for restoration of treaty rights they’ve long been denied. Promised Land is the premiere feature from filmmaker duo Sarah and Vasant Salcedo, the team …
by Ned Hayes for OLY ARTS Lonnie L. Spikes Jr. is the artist whose piece “Fly Away” graces the cover of the Fall Arts Walk edition of OLY ARTS. “Fly Away” was created by Spikes after the death of a relative. During the funeral procession, Spikes noticed a monarch butterfly resting on a cross above …
by Christina Butcher and Ned Hayes for OLY ARTS Olympia Arts Walk is a celebration of the visual arts, but it’s also an opportunity to demonstrate the physicality of creativity. For the fourth year in a row, the Washington Center for the Performing Arts will host a free, public dance recital with Random Acts of …