Rob Patrick and the Beginning of Everything

Audio artist Rob Patrick, long-time program director of the Olympia Film Society, has been awarded a fellowship by the New York Public Library of the Performing Arts). It has enabled Patrick to complete an experimental audio documentary. If Your Heart Hurts, Rub a Little Dirt On It: MGM and the Beginning of Everything is a free-form sound portrait of movie-making in the Hollywood studios during the 1930’s, and of some of the women who became stars during that decade.

Keep on Laughing at Olympia Little Theatre

“Keep on Laughing” by Paul Elliott is Olympia Little Theatre’s 87th season opener. This wacky and playful sequel to “Exit Laughing,” which was performed by Olympia Little Theatre in March, combines rapid-fire dialogue and plenty of entendre, presenting poignant undertones that explore an enduring question: are you ever too old to have fun? The main cast of “Exit Laughing” and director Dave Marsh have resumed their roles for this production.

The Phantom of the Diner — On Edible Art, an Introduction, Part the First

Oly Arts is happy to announce the beginning — joyfully starting in September 2026 — of a new column of culinary and artistic delight, “The Phantom of the Diner,” by a mysterious and erudite writer who identifies only as The Phantom, and who asserts that “There simply must be some right perspective in the world, … a hierarchy of principle and right order to our existence, even in our world of postmodern relativity.” So welcome, dear reader, to the world of The Phantom.

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Millions in Inspire Olympia Grants Awarded to 49 Arts Nonprofits

Because voters approved a one-tenth of one percent Olympia sales-tax increase (now in its third year) to fund the Inspire Olympia grant program, the city recently announced $3.3 million in grants for 2026-27, with $2.1 million awarded to 49 arts nonprofits. Thanks to this, Olympia has gained a theater and a gallery as well as other opportunities for the community to experience and participate in arts of all kinds.