posts about events at the Washington Center
By CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL In 1993, bankruptcy threatened Northamptonshire, England’s nearly century-old shoe factory, WJ Brookes. Steve Pateman ran the firm for his still-living father, Richard, but only 21 employees remained. Pateman received a call from the owner of Laces in Folkestone, a shoe store catering to cross-dressers and drag queens. Pateman was asked whether WJ …
By LUCY VOLKER and BILLY THOMAS February’s performance by the Olympia Symphony Orchestra, Lovers Lane, has a fun and romantic tone. “As this concert is just before Valentine’s Day,” says conductor and musical director Huw Edwards, “Lovers Lane was a catchy title that fits the concert and our overall theme, with roads and journeys.” For its 66th …
By NED HAYES At the age of 19, Ira Glass began his career in public radio. Over the 39 years since, he’s held nearly every production job at National Public Radio including desk assistant, editor, newscast writer, producer, reporter and tape cutter. He’s hosted multiple shows including Talk of the Nation and Weekend All Things …
By CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL The Yiddish-American word klatch, which can rhyme with either batch or botch, means an informal gathering, usually one that facilitates conversation. Pizza Klatch is an Olympia-based organization that empowers LGBTQ+ youth in Thurston County by providing safe, supportive spaces — and yes, free pizza — in 15 area schools. It’s the result …
By Jonah Barrett Grab those glamorous, ruby slippers and follow the Yellow Brick Road all the way to Washington Street. L. Frank Baum’s magical tale of friendship and green people plays one night and one night only at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts this January. Now a national touring production, the story of …
By Kameko Lashlee Gaul Those looking for family-oriented, holiday fun that’s equal parts comic and touching should stop by The Washington Center to experience the Masterworks Choral Ensemble’s Yuletide Celebration: A Holiday Concert. December brings the ensemble’s 38th-annual performance, historically presented on the first Saturday in December. Although the celebration is a family Christmas concert …
By Molly Gilmore In Ballet Northwest’s 34th-annual The Nutcracker, sugarplums will dance, as will candies, mice, snowflakes and toy soldiers. It’s Tchaikovsky’s classic, holiday tale with an extra dash of romance: Clara, the young girl who dreams of wintry fairylands, gets a duet with a prince. Giving Clara in her toe shoes and the Nutcracker …
By Lucy Volker Legendary musicians Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt will be performing together at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts this February. “Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt are both outstanding singer-songwriters in their own right. Their lyrics and musicality is authentic and entertaining. To hear them performing together in a venue as intimate …
By Karen Lunde At the conclusion of the 2017-2018 season, after 18 years with Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia, conductor John Welsh retired. With Welsh’s blessing, Portland native Cameron May has taken up the baton as SOGO’s new conductor and music director. He comes to Olympia by way of Champaign, Illinois, where he’s finishing a …
By Molly Gilmore Masterworks Choral Ensemble begins its 38th season by celebrating nature’s glories. The singing group will wade in the water — and explore the elements of earth, air and fire, too — in Sacred Elements at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts. “I really resonate with the environment,” said Masterworks artistic director …