by Karen Lunde for OLY ARTS In June of 1947, the Olympia Symphony Orchestra (OSO) performed its first ever work — Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Overture to Don Giovanni.” Now, at the culmination of its 65th season, the OSO will once again open with Mozart’s famous overture — in essence, coming full circle. The concert …
by Tom Simpson for OLY ARTS Olympia’s own Lavon Hardison was voted the 2017 Northwest Vocalist of the Year on Monday night by Earshot Jazz, a nationally known jazz non-profit organization in Seattle, Washington. “Thanks to Earshot Jazz and all of you who voted! I’m humbled by this honor,” said Hardison on her Facebook page. …
by Jonah Barrett for OLY ARTS FRANKIE COSMOS April 18 “Frankie Cosmos is the best band to listen to while you’re hugging a small dog or getting splashed with rain by a bus,” said programming director Rob Patrick. “We recommend everyone come out to the show to cry together.” SERA CAHOONE April 21 “We’re excited …
by Karen Lunde for OLY ARTS When one thinks of Mendelssohn, one likely thinks of Felix. But Felix Mendelssohn’s older sister Fanny was a virtuoso pianist and a prolific, gifted composer. Her talents were obscured by the societal constraints of her time, which kept women from pursuing musical professions. For its April concert, Masterworks Choral …
by Christian Carvajal for OLY ARTS Portland-based Pink Martini is a danceable jazz combo with international flair. “More and more,” said founder Thomas Lauderdale, “as time goes on and we see the growth of so much bitter divisiveness in America and across the globe, our ambition is to find commonalities and bring people together with …
* Article updated with additional comments from Oly Film Collective * by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS Olympia Film Collective “Studio” are short film projects shot in four-to-six-hour timeslots. The Collective, an ad hoc group of local filmmakers, is seeking new voices who can help create upcoming “Studio” projects. The upcoming “Studio” slots include two project …