November 04, 2026 — Dance and film — including local talent — are in the spotlight
- Ballet Victoria’s ‘Alice’:
Canada’s Ballet Victoria is bringing its quirky production of “Alice in Wonderland” to Olympia on Saturday, Nov. 7. Set to a score including pieces by Benjamin Britten and Gioachino Rossini, the ballet features the Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter and other familiar denizens of Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland along with some lesser-known characters. “Carroll’s original story has so many characters,” Ballet Victoria artistic director Paul Destrooper told the Victoria News (https://vicnews.com/2026/05/09/story-of-alice-in-wonderland-to-come-alive-in-ballet-victoria-production/). “We’ve chosen the ones that are the most interesting, playful and humorous.” The production, brought to Olympia by Ballet Northwest, features holographic projections, elaborate costumes and animated sets meant to create a modern, cinematic look. The performance begins at 2 p.m. at The Washington Center For The Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE; Olympia. Tickets (https://www.washingtoncenter.org/event/ballet-northwest-presents-ballet-victorias-alice-in-wonderland-2026-11-07/) are $35-$45.
Michaela Kiersch conquers steeper climbs than any woman before her in “Sending Spree,” part of the Reel Rock tour. Photo by Kevin McNally.
- New works by local choreographers:
The first New Works: South Sound Choreographers’ Showcase, happening Saturday, Nov. 7, and Sunday, Nov. 8, features contemporary works by choreographers from Thurston, Pierce and Lewis counties. Co-produced by Sydney Blanchard, artistic director of Moving Parts Dance Co., and freelance artist Alice Grendon, the showcase spotlights the work of adult professional dancers and choreographers. Performances are at 6 p.m. Nov. 7 and 1 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Capitol Theater, 206 5th Ave. SE, Olympia. Tickets (https://www.olympiafilmsociety.org/movie/new-works-south-sound-choreographers-showcase/) are $11.25-$26.25, with children 12 and younger admitted free. - OFS hosts local films and rock-climbing drama:
The Olympia Film Society’s Locals Only, screening Friday, Nov. 6, features an eclectic array of short independent films. Subjects of the films include habitat destruction, top surgery and an angry ghost. For a few of the films, the titles say it all: “Curse of the Were-Alien,” directed by Katie Wallen, and “Fitted Sheet,” directed by Celia Beasley. Attendees get the chance to vote for their favorite film. The event, moderated by Jonah Barnett, also includes a post-film discussion with the filmmakers. The screening (https://www.olympiafilmsociety.org/movie/locals-only-2026/) begins at 7 p.m., with doors open at 6, at the Capitol Theater. Admission is free, with donations accepted at the door. Also coming up at the theater is the Reel Rock film tour, which includes four world-premiere films about inspiring rock-climbers tackling steep challenges. (See what I did there?) The tour trailer (https://youtu.be/KJ345dGPHJk) offers a chance to check out the climbers’ ups and downs — and some breathtaking landscapes. This is the first time the festival, now in its 20th year, has been screened in Olympia. The adventure begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, with doors open at 6. Tickets (https://www.olympiafilmsociety.org/movie/the-reel-rock-film-tour/) are $20-$23.25.
Molly Gilmore will be devoting the weekend to catching up on plays she has yet to see, including Olympia Little Theatre’s “Baskerville” (https://olympialittletheater.org/shows/baskerville-a-sherlock-holmes-mystery/) and Theater Artists Olympia’s “A Spirited Manor.” (https://www.olytheater.com/)
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.