July 15, 2026 — Catch song and dance men and jump into Lakefair
Port starts summer concerts
Seattle singer-songwriter LeRoy Bell will perform Friday, July 17, in Olympia as part of Summer Nights at the Port. His name might not ring a bell (it was too difficult to resist writing that), but he’s had quite a career. He was one half of Bell & James, whose 1979 “Livin’ It Up” reached no. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. Bell also co-wrote Elton John’s 1979 hit “Mama Can’t Buy You Love” and made it to the finals on Fox’s “The X Factor” in 2011. And that’s far from a complete list of his accomplishments. Bell will play at 7 p.m. at the Port’s NorthPoint, 1210 Marina Drive NE, Olympia. The concert, the first of four port events this summer (https://portolympia.com/community/summer-events-at-the-port/), is free, and there’ll be a beer garden and food trucks from 6 to 9 p.m.
Elvis is still in the building
It seems that Olympia has gone crazy for Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and the like this summer, what with the buzz about Harlequin Productions’ “Million Dollar Quartet,” which tells the tale of the fateful day on which Presley, Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins recorded an impromptu jam session together Some people have even seen it multiple times. Now, Harlequin is offering up yet more Elvis as played by gifted gyrator Ben Bailey. Bailey, who performs in the “Frozen Sing-Along” at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, will present his one-man show “Elvis ’56: The Story Behind the King’s Rise” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, and Thursday, July 23, at Harlequin’s State Theater, 202 4th Ave E., Olympia. Tickets (https://harlequinproductions.org/event/elvis-56-the-story-behind-the-kings-rise/) for the 45-minute show are $20. “Quartet,” meanwhile, continues through Friday, July 26. Tickets (https://harlequinproductions.org/show/million-dollar-quartet/) are $39-$55; for performances at 7:30 p.m. July 16 and 18, pay what you choose.
All’s fair in Oly
As anyone who’s driven through downtown in the past week has surely noticed, it’s Lakefair time once again. Closed streets, increased traffic and people crossing the street without regard for crosswalks or intersections are among the signs of the old-fashioned five-day fair, beloved for its rides, entertainment and food booths — including the Thurston County Democrats’ Demoburger and the Thurston County Republicans’ pulled pork, nachos and “crispy fries that don’t mess around.” Among the nonpartisan food options are Hawaiian food, samosas, funnel cakes, kettle corn and elephant ears. The Grand Parade down Capitol Way happens from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18, and the Grand Finale Fireworks show begins at 10:15 p.m. Sunday, July 19.
Molly Gilmore first heard of LeRoy Bell when she came across his beautiful 2007 song “I Dream of Peace.” She suggests you listen. (https://youtu.be/ytanVLWiijc?si=WFSEM2_jo7zs9Crn)
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