"Joie de Vivre," sculpture by David Varnau

Percival Plinth Project

by Molly Gilmore for OLY ARTS Olympia is buying a new piece of art, and anyone who can get to Percival Landing this month is invited to help choose it. Over a dozen new sculptures by Northwest artists have been installed on the plinths, or sculpture stands, along the landing, and ballots on which to …

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Darol Anger and Rushad Eggleston

Darol Anger and Rushad Eggleston at NOVA School

by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS Darol Anger and Rushad Eggleston have played together in The Fiddlers Four, The Republic of Strings and other groups worldwide. Olympians can now see them live in a concert for Arbutus Folk School. The concert will be held at NOVA School. Anger performs quadruple duty as composer, educator, fiddler …

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Capital Lakefair Parade, 1964

The History of Capital Lakefair

by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS This year Capital Lakefair celebrates 60 years of service to our community and the communities around Olympia. The history of Lakefair begins with the lake itself: Capital Lake was built as an artificial structure in 1950. Swimming, boating and other activities took place in the lake. Capital Lakefair was …

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The Adarna

The Adarna at Capital Lakefair

by Jonah Barrett for OLY ARTS This July will see the return of Seattle rock band The Adarna to Lakefair, playing during the final hours of the last day of the festival. The Adarna describes its genre as “Jet City rock,” because Seattle is the birthplace of both the band and the Boeing company. The …

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Harumph

Harumph at Music in the Park

by Nora Kovacs for OLY ARTS After releasing its debut album Threes this past February, Oklahoma-based, Americana-and-jazz band Harumph brings its vintage-sounding tunes to Olympia’s Music in the Park. Formed by Olympia native Kate Dinsmore, who leads the group with her effortlessly robust vocals, and composer-pianist David Leach, Harumph is a contemporary twist on old-fashioned …

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David Correa

David Correa at Music in the Park

by Rosemary Ponnekanti for OLY ARTS David Correa has been blending Spanish guitar with Afro-Cuban and Latin rhythms since 1999, tucking in a bit of Middle Eastern influence for extra spice. His San Francisco-based band regularly tours the western United States, winning three Norbay awards in a row for best Latin band. This March, Correa …

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Nate Botsford

Nate Botsford at Music in the Park

by Rosemary Ponnekanti for OLY ARTS Portland singer-songwriter Nate Botsford has been making music since he was a kid crafting his own guitar from a popcorn box. He made it big in 2015 with a win at the national songwriting competition Project Aloft Star before scoring the help of producer Billy Mann (Cher, Celine Dion, …

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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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Misty Mamas

Misty Mamas at Music in the Park

by Christina Butcher for OLY ARTS There’s aren’t many bluegrass bands that can rival Misty Mamas in dishing up traditional, folksy music with mesmerizing harmonies and hip-slapping rhythms. Based out of Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington, Misty Mamas comprises Katherine Nitsch on vocals and guitar; April Parker on vocals, mandolin and accordion; Eileen Rocci on …

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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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