Luminary Procession, photo by Richard E Swanson

Light It Up at the Luminary Procession

by Molly Gilmore for OLY ARTS ((See the OLY ARTS Luminary Procession 2017 photo essay, taken by Shanna Paxton)) The subtler sibling to the many-splendored Procession of the Species, the Luminary Procession shines bright, filling the streets of Olympia with glowing paper lanterns and live music. When it began in 2009, this procession was intended …

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chalk art at Procession of the Species

Chalk Art at the Procession of the Species

by Ned Hayes for OLY ARTS Nearly every inch of the route for the Procession of the Species is covered with vibrant chalk art. The Procession team hands out chalk to children from ages 0 to 99: Everyone is invited to create their own art on the route. Yet this is not just a momentary …

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La Petite Maison

Fine French Cuisine at La Petite Maison

by Jennifer Crain for OLY ARTS In a little house on Olympia’s west side, Justin Wells creates cassoulet, chateaubriand and morel tarts while Zoe Wells welcomes diners looking to celebrate an anniversary or enjoy a solo meal over a glass of Beaujolais. La Petite Maison, which the couple started six years ago, has received praise …

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Norway Day, photo by Joanne Gray

Norway Day in Lacey

by Jonah Barrett for OLY ARTS Jippi! Norway Day returns to Thurston County, going strong in its 11th year. Guests are encouraged to attend the annual festival to experience Nordic culture, kindly hosted by the Sons of Norway and Daughters of Norway. “We just love putting on Norway Day, and we hope the public loves …

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Garrison Keillor

Weekend Preview: April 7, 2017

WEEKEND PREVIEW is your weekly guide to events in Thurston County. This week, there are enough high-profile author talks and beautiful classical music performances to keep you bouncing between venues.  Grab your tickets quick, before the seats fill and the lights dim.    Click here to listen to our podcast version of Weekend Preview, sponsored by …

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Out on a Limb dancers, photo by Josolynn Jones

Experimental Choreography at Out on a Limb

by Molly Gilmore for OLY ARTS Out on a Limb, Olympia’s second-annual showcase for experimental dance, promises some surprises, a few chills and a chance to be part of the dance. The event, curated by members of the Random Acts of Dance Collective and Company Y, features a diverse selection of work inspired by butoh, …

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Scot and Linda Whitney

Harlequin Announces Its 2018 Season

Linda and Scot Whitney, respectively the artistic director and managing artistic director of Harlequin Productions, announced that company’s upcoming season at their annual Eclectica! benefit on April 1. “You will note,” says Linda Whitney, “that rain appears to be theme. Rain cools, cleanses, restores, depresses, compresses, challenges and can even delight.” It sounds like it’s …

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Garrison Keillor

Garrison Keillor: Our Prairie Home Companion

by Christian Carvajal for OLY ARTS “Well, it’s been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon, Minnesota…” With those familiar words, listeners to A Prairie Home Companion on National Public Radio have delighted for decades to the small-town shenanigans related by master writer and storyteller Garrison Keillor. Keillor hosted the show from 1974, when it was …

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Eli Sterling, photo by Laura Killian

Eli Sterling: The Man Behind the Masque

by Christian Carvajal for OLY ARTS It’s no exaggeration to call Eli Sterling the visionary behind Olympia’s own Procession of the Species. He produced a series called Earthbound for Thurston County Television in 1991; it went on to win nine Northwest regional and national public-access television awards. Earthbound, says Sterling, “was dedicated to pursuing a …

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Procession of the Species – 2017

OLY ARTS is excited to provide comprehensive coverage of the 2017 Procession of the Species. Our coverage is listed below. ((See the OLY ARTS Procession 2017 photo essay, taken by Shanna Paxton.)) The 2017 Procession Celebration: Luminary Procession 9:30 p.m. Friday, April 28, 2017 Procession of the Species 4:30pm Saturday, April 29, 2017 Procession Mission To …

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