Located in the Tumwater Historic District, Schmidt House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by Seattle architect C. Alfred Breitung, it was built in 1904 for the founder of Olympia Brewing Company, Leopold Schmidt, and his wife Johanna. The house is surrounded by European statues imported by Schmidt, native plant and rose gardens and a reflective pool.
Amidst this rich local history and culture, Tumwater’s Schmidt House is hosting their Midsummer Night’s Dream Faire experience, described as a whimsical faire, which includes live music by renowned jazz band Pearl Django and a live fire performance by the amazing fire dancer Ishani Ishaya, and there will be lawn games including croquet, badminton, corn hole, and a giant dice game.
From Tacoma, the five-piece Pearl Django known as a gypsy jazz band blends the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli with other American jazz. Creative director of The Ish Facto, Ishani Ishaya is a dance instructor, belly dancer and choreographer from Portland.
You will be served themed food provided by Baby’s Dream Dogs, and drinks which will include a themed cocktail, hard cider, as well as soft drinks while you meander (like the lovers in the play) through their magical gardens, being entertained by delightful and varied multidisciplinary live performances.
The genesis of this event was prompted by an act of generosity by then Mayor of the City of Tumwater, Pete Kmet during the pandemic. The Procession of the Species organization had lost its storage space, and Kmet offered space in one of the City’s buildings, thus saving the procession and enabling it to restart this year. To continue this outreach, the city partnered with the Olympia Tumwater Foundation to provide this fundraising event to benefit the Procession of the Species organization, an integral part of our local cultural identity.
Britt Bowman who is the City of Tumwater’s Arts Program Specialist said, “The Tumwater City Council officially approved the Tumwater Arts Program Strategy in December 2022. The Tumwater Arts Program is housed in the Recreation Division of Parks and Recreation. The Tumwater Arts Strategy aims to create new partnerships, events, and systems, that elevate the lives of Tumwater residents and other stakeholders through artmaking, engagement with the arts, and cultural exchange.”
The Midsummer Night’s Dream Faire looks to be a fun, meaningful, and supportive event!
WHAT
Midsummer Night’s Dream Faire with live music, performances, games and refreshments (21+)
WHEN
Thursday, August 8th. 6pm-9.30pm
WHERE
Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater, (Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls)
HOW MUCH
$25 per person
LEARN MORE
https://olytumfoundation.org/summer-at-the-schmidt-event-series