Hunchback at 5th Avenue Features Olympia Performers

by Kelli Samson and Yvonne Joyce for OLY ARTS The 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle is staging a new rendition of The Hunchback of Notre Dame in the month of June, loosely based on the Disney film, but with darker tones drawn from the original Victor Hugo novel. This new version of Hunchback has the notable distinction …

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Nathan Rødahl

Nathan Rødahl Conducts Olympia Chamber Orchestra

by Kelli Samson for OLY ARTS Native Olympian Nathan Rødahl will conduct the Olympia Chamber Orchestra’s fall concert, where Arriaga’s Symphony in D, Janacek’s Suite for Strings, Korngold’s Shneeman (The Snowman), Debussy’s Petite Suite and Bizet’s Symphony in C come together in an unconventional performance. Each of the five composers share something in common with …

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The Washington Center for the Performing Arts

The Washington Center Season Launch

by Kelli Samson for OLY ARTS The Washington Center for the Performing Arts has been closed for the summer while the City of Olympia made updates to the HVAC system. Rest assured, come October 5 the center will open its 32nd season with an energetic performance by Gaelic Storm. While every act slated to grace …

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Lacey Children’s Day

Lacey Children’s Day at Huntamer Park

by Kelli Samson for OLY ARTS With the help of Lacey Timberland Library, Lacey Loves to Read and the North Thurston School District, Lacey’s Parks and Recreation Department gives all families a reason to get out of the house this fall. This year marks the 21st-annual Children’s Day, which is held rain or shine. Its …

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Olympia Family Theater season 2017-2018

Journey With Olympia Family Theater This Season

by Kelli Samson for OLY ARTS Let Olympia Family Theater take you on a fantastic voyage during its 2017-2018 season. “All good stories take us on a journey in some way,” says artistic director Jen Ryle. Each season, OFT strives to bring us something old, something new and something original to the theater, plus something …

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Studio West Dance Academy’s Decade of Dance

by Kelli Samson for OLY ARTS Nine years ago, Studio West Dance Academy had two studios, four instructors and one office administrator. Flash forward to this, the company’s 10th season, and to say it’s grown is an understatement. SWDA now has five studios, 15 instructors and six office administrators. Not only that, it now serves …

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Locust Street Dixieland Band

Chehalis Garlic Festival Features Music, Munchies and Mirth

by Kelli Samson for OLY ARTS If there’s one thing summertime loves, it’s a festival. It seems there’s one for everyone’s interests. There are beer festivals. There are barbecue festivals. There’s a mushroom festival. There are festivals celebrating farm-fresh food. There’s even a festival celebrating … sand. But don’t forget the garlic. Yes, there’s a …

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Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Olympians at Oregon Shakespeare Festival

by Kelli Samson for OLY ARTS Shakespeare famously wrote, “To be, or not to be? That is the question.” In theater as in life, this line from Hamlet always applies. Opportunities to grow in the craft present themselves to those actors passionate enough to heed their calling. Thus, under the dedicated artistic direction of Kathy …

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Kissy Flick

Kissy Flick at Music in the Park

by Kelli Samson for OLY ARTS Kissy Flick makes its Music in the Park debut with a sound the duo describes as eclectic as Olympia. It’s a blend of Americana, jazz, pop, and roots music that sounds like Jack Johnson himself put it together. Tenino couple James and Kissy Flick met nearly a decade ago. …

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Wally & the Beaves

Wally & the Beaves at Port Plaza

by Kelli Samson for OLY ARTS Pull your poodle skirts and saddle shoes out of the closet and get ready for an old-fashioned sock hop to celebrate the golden age of rock. This event will be at the Port Plaza as part of Olympia’s Music in the Park. The 90-minute concert will open with Danny …

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