Rachel Benton is a freelance writer who graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 2023. She has a double major in history and political science along with a minor in music.
Attending performances is Rachel’s favorite pastime, and she is grateful to use her voice to engage excitement for the arts.
If you’re not able to join Rachel in the audience, you can read her performance reviews on Instagram: @rachelintheaudience.
- Ballet Northwest’s 55th Season
Ballet Northwest boldly enters its 55th Season with highly innovative, inspirational and diverse programming in store. Time flies by quickly, so mark your calendars now and make a plan to purchase tickets for the following events: Crescendo: a one-night-only event October 11, when dancers will share the stage with Masterworks Choral Ensemble and Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia. The Nutcracker: Olympia’s favorite December tradition that invites the whole family into a land of sweets and all others we create in our imagination. As we count down the days to each event, we are excited to give you an inside glimpse into everything that is in store. - Oly Arts Fall Winter 2025 Print Edition
The Fall/Winter print edition of OLY ARTS N0. 34 is published! Here is a list of the articles and where in the Olympia area you can pick up your FREE copy. Enjoy! - Bear’s Souper Sunday Cookbook: Recipes for Hungry Animals
Bear’s Souper Sunday Cookbook: Recipes for Hungry Animals is a charming cookbook for the whole family with recipes and stories by Olympia author Chris Hyde and illustrations by Olympia artist Roxanna Groves. The Souper Sunday movement began with an idea that came to Hyde to foster community togetherness and feed his neighbors in a world isolated after the Covid pandemic. What started out as a Facebook group that offered free soup to community members flourished into something bigger including this book. - Oly Arts Summer 2025 Print Edition
The Summer print edition of OLY ARTS N0. 33 is published! Here is a list of where in the Olympia area you can pick up your FREE copy, and a link to the PDF file so you can read it online. Enjoy! - An Inside Look at Masterworks Choral Ensemble’s Women Rock Concertby Rachel Benton Joy and excitement fill the air as Olympia’s own Masterworks Choral Ensemble (MCE) begins to prepare for their season finale Women Rock concert. Women Rock is a pops concert that highlights the works of female songwriters, some of whom wrote songs that were made famous by male performers, giving the audience a …
- The Lacey Cultural Celebration is Coming
There is a world of fun planned for this year’s Lacey Cultural Celebration, happening Saturday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at St. Martin’s University. There will be dance and music, activities for children and adults and food vendors from around the world. Jeanette Sieler at Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation advises to “come early and plan to stay the whole day … don’t try to do it all in an hour.” - Olympia Singer Gretchen Christopher to Release New Album
Olympia’s own Billboard hit singer and songwriter, Gretchen Christopher, whose music career began with her 1959 hit “Mister Blue,” has performed solo and with her group, The Fleetwoods. She will be releasing a new album, “21: The Times of Our Lives (Tomorrow is Not Promised)” in the near future.