Critic’s Corner: Best Visual and Performing Arts of 2024

Many of the South Sound’s best theater and visual arts critics write for OLY ARTS. We asked six of them to highlight some of their favorite visual and performance art shows from 2024, and we congratulate and celebrate the Olympia and Tacoma-area artists selected. Due to the limitation we put on the critics of no more than two or three shows, we are aware of and acknowledge that many great shows and artists were not picked. We are lucky to live in such a vibrant creative community.

LoveOly SummerFest 2024

By John Longenbaugh This is on page 8-9 of OLY ARTS Summer 2024 print edition. Ah, summer. The time of year when what you want isn’t just one good thing, but a bunch of them sort of bumping into each other in an exciting fashion. Take the words “Love,” “Oly,” “Summer” and “Festival”— four fine …

Read more

LoveOly SummerFest 2024

At “LoveOly SummerFest 2024” running June 21-23, there are family-friendly activities like the much-beloved Pet Parade and live performances from Oly Family Theatre. There’s an impressive line-up for the music stage featuring two days of more than a dozen local and regional bands and musicians.

Enjoy Music and Literature Across the Decades with Three Concerts From SPSCC

With the goal to make live music more accessible for the college’s students, staff and faculty and greater community, the Music Department at South Puget Sound Community College is hosting three concerts (March 15, 16, and 19) at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts Main Stage that traverse time and genre, showcasing elements of classic poetry, grand overtures and big band sounds through the decades.

Winners of the 2023 Washington Center Arts Awards

Comedian Gabriel Rutledge and Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia founders Greg and Krina Allison are winners of The Washington Center for the Arts’ annual arts awards, and will be honored on June 29.

SOGO Winter Concert at the Washington Center

The Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia’s Conservatory Orchestra, with Music Director Cameron May conducting his most advanced musicians, will give the first-ever performance of Olympia composer James DeHart’s “Children’s Concert Overture.” The orchestra will bring the festivities to a close, with clarinetist Alessandro Martinez, a senior at Olympia High School, performing.

PARC Foundation Puts Its Money Where the Arts Are

By CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL It’s easy to find noteworthy talents in Thurston County. This publication relies on that. What’s harder to find is someone willing to fund such talents until they can be showcased and, if possible, earn financial stability. Thankfully, the PARC Foundation has stepped up that laudable task. Inspired by the success of a …

Read more

The Glory of the Lord Shall Be Revealed – Messiah Sing-Along

by Adam McKinney for OLY ARTs As the winter months descend on the world, the cold and darkness is met with a combination of reverie and revelry. Nights get quieter, and the solitude is countered with companionship and sacred celebration. A singular holiday celebration is the annual singing of Handel’s Messiah, an oratorio from the …

Read more

SOGO HoHo Holiday Variety Show

by Jonah Barrett for OLY ARTS The holidays kick off with a roar at the 2017 Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia (SOGO) holiday show, sponsored by Tumwater Eye Center, Academy Mortgage Corporation, and PCS Structure Solutions. The SOGO HoHo event acts as a variety show with holiday cheer to delight all attendees. The performing SOGO …

Read more

Kenny G Headlines the Washington Center

(Update: Kenny G show is now sold out) by Karen Lunde for OLY ARTS Kenny G will ring in a joyful holiday season at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts on November 29. The jazz saxophonist, a Washington native, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Washington in Seattle. His 1994 Miracles: The …

Read more

Skip to content