October 14, 2026 — A Premiere, a Debut and Two Comics with Cred
Magical ‘Sisters’ at OFT
Olympia Family Theater’s “The Luna Sisters of Element,” written by locals O. Salazar de Breaux and Katherine Trahan, follows four sisters trying to navigate life after their mother disappears. The world premiere is Friday, Oct. 16. The sisters — Rory (Maisy Morris), Zo (Amelie McClain), Val (Carolina Kaipov) and Lina (Zarah Keenan) — begin to develop magical powers, each connected to one of the four elements (earth, air, fire and water) and soon find themselves dealing with dark and mysterious forces. “ ‘The Luna Sisters of Element’ is a story about family, about finding your own element and about understanding that none of us exist alone,” director Angel Ramirez said in a press release. Set in Olympia, “Sisters” (https://olyft.org/luna-sister-of-element/) is inspired by Mexican-American culture and the traditions of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Performances, which include original music, are at 7 p.m. Oct. 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 and 3 p.m. Oct. 17, 18, 24 and 25 and Nov. 1 at the theater, 612 4th Ave. E, Olympia. Masks are required for the Oct. 18 performance. Tickets are $20-$25, with no one turned away for lack of funds. For performances Oct. 22 and 29, pay what you choose.
Emerald City features OSO’s Reeves
Emerald City Music, the Seattle- and Olympia-based chamber music series, is kicking off its 11th season on Saturday, Oct. 17, with a program including cellist Holly Reeves of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra. “We are thrilled to have Holly performing with us on our mainstage performances in Olympia and Seattle in October,” said Sean Campbell, Emerald City’s executive director. The concert, “Rhapsodic Musings,” marks the first time an Olympia musician has performed with Emerald City’s ever-changing ensemble. And Reeves’ inclusion is not the only way the series is going local: This season (https://www.emeraldcitymusic.org/), every program will showcase local musicians in the lobby before the Olympia shows. The Oct. 17 concert will feature music by guitarist Steve Luceno and vocalist Joanne Green. “Rhapsodic Musings,” featuring works by Antonín Dvořák, Béla Bartók, Grażyna Bacewicz and Elliott Carter, whose “Rhapsodic Musings” gives the program its name. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at The Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts, 2011 Mottman Rd. SW, Olympia. Luceno and Green will perform in the lobby at 6:30, and Emerald City artistic director Kristin Lee will talk about the featured composers at 7. Tickets (https://www.washingtoncenter.org/event/emerald-city-music-presents-rhapsodic-musings-2026-10-17/) are $16-$55.
Funny guys
Two acclaimed comedians will be showing their stuff in Olympia this week. Satirical singing sensation Randy Rainbow is bringing his political humor and musical gifts to town on Thursday, Oct. 15. The six-time Emmy nominee will perform with a full band at 7:30 p.m. at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. S.E., Olympia. Tickets (https://www.washingtoncenter.org/event/randy-rainbow-national-freakin-treasure-2026-10-15/) are $63-$115. On Friday, Oct. 16, Gary Gulman is bringing his solo show “Grandoliquent” to Olympia. Gulman has an impressive standup resume, but“Grandiloquent,” which played Off-Broadway last year, is his first venture into theater. The show explores his 1970s childhood, from the goofiness of Tupperware parties to the trauma of repeating first grade. The show begins at 8 p.m. at the Capitol Theater, 206 5th Ave. SE, Olympia, with doors open at 7. Tickets (https://www.olympiafilmsociety.org/movie/gary-gulman-grandiloquent/) are $38.25-$75.25.
Molly Gilmore loves the word “grandiloquent.”
To keep track of what is happening in the arts in the South Puget Sound region, be sure to read Molly Gilmore’s weekly “Arts Aficionado” column in Oly Arts magazine. Subscribe to Oly Arts to receive an email when we publish new articles and columns.