September 16, 2026 — Catch Blues by the Water and Laughs on Stage
StoryOly Grand Slam
You never know what you’re going to hear at StoryOly’s story slams, where volunteers tell unscripted personal stories. At the monthly slams (https://storyoly.com/), you never know whom you are going to hear, either. The annual Grand Slam, though, is something special: The top tellers from the past year take to the Capitol Theater stage with new true tales — and unlike at the monthly events, there’s no theme, so pretty much anything goes. The tenth Grand Slam, hosted by professional storyteller Elizabeth Lord and featuring funky music by Moon Scooter, is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, with doors opening at 6 at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. The slam is open to ages 14 and up, and adult content and language are to be expected. As noted above, you never know what you are going to hear. Tickets are $23.25 in advance (https://olympiafilmsociety.org/movie/storyoly-grand-slam) and at the box office, where no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Downtown Creative District (https://www.olympiawa.gov/community/downtown/creative_district.php)
Debra Van Tuinen’s art: “Dusk” (oil encaustic with gold leaf on panel) hangs next to a 1974 self-portrait in charcoal and two small encaustic works. Photo courtesy of Debra Van Tuinen.
57 years of art
Debra Van Tuinen, known for large and striking abstract paintings that reflect her fascination with light, is showing nearly six decades of her work at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts. The pieces, which include drawings, etchings, paintings and encaustics, date back as far as 1969. One surprise: She had a black-and-white period. Of her current work, Van Tuinen wrote in an artist’s statement: “I aim to incite wonder and curiosity in others as my work captures the light emanating from within the canvas, transporting viewers to the infinite space between realism and abstraction, macro and micro, two-dimension and three-dimensional. … I emphasize process over product.” Her work, inspired by Northwest landscapes and seascapes as well as what she calls “inner landscapes,” often seems to glow. You can meet Van Tuinen and wander the lobby gallery at leisure at a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, and the show will be on view through Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the center, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. The exhibition (https://www.washingtoncenter.org/creative-connections/our-gallery/) can be seen between noon and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday (call 360-753-8585 for an appointment), during community events and one hour before center shows for ticketholders.
‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’
Lakewood Playhouse’s stunning “Kiss of the Spider Woman” is heading into its final weekend. See it if you can. The Tony-winning 1993 musical, set in an Argentinian prison, follows the relationship of two unlikely cellmates — queer window dresser Molina (Adrian Roberto) and fiery revolutionary Valentin (Sergio Antonio Garcia). Created by John Kander and Fred Ebb (the team behind “Cabaret” and “Chicago”) and Terrence McNally, “Kiss” (https://www.lakewoodplayhouse.org/kiss-of-the-spider-woman.html) is a fascinating mixture of intense and disturbing themes and joyful song-and-dance numbers. It’s about the power of the arts, after all, and the Spider Woman (Courtnee Ramos) is a film star beloved by Molina, whose movie memories help to block out the horrors of prison life. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 and 19 and 2 p.m. Sept. 20 at the playhouse, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd. SW, Lakewood. Tickets are $25-$35.
Molly Gilmore
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.