by Jennifer Crain for OLY ARTS On December 3, the Masterworks Choral Ensemble’s annual Christmas concert kicks off the Yuletide season. Gary Witley, director of the community chorus since he helped found it in 1981, says listeners can expect a family friendly evening with traditional favorites, sing-alongs and tunes to make them laugh. “Every Christmas …
by Ned Hayes for OLY ARTS The Inslee family has several traditions that revolve around family, and this year the first couple of Washington state was happy to share its traditions with OLY ARTS. According to first lady Trudi Inslee, Gov. Jay Inslee willingly transforms into an artist and storywriter over the holidays, as he’s …
by Jonah Barrett for OLY ARTS Once a year, the streets of Olympia close for a few hours as thousands of motorcycles roar down Pacific Avenue onto State, Capitol, Fifth and Deschutes Parkway. This is the 39th-annual Olympia Toy Run. Toys and proceeds are donated to the Salvation Army. They get there by being strapped …
READ COMPLETE JILL CARTER INTERVIEW HERE >> PRINT ARTICLE BELOW >> by Ned Hayes for OLY ARTS When the curtain first rose on Jill Carter’s original set design for Land of the Sweets 20 years ago, there was a gasp from the audience, followed by a round of applause. The audience cheered for the scenic design …
by Jennifer Crain for OLY ARTS Kids take the stage at Church of Living Water on December 2. One Starry Night, an evening of crafts, carols, choir and band performances—even live donkeys—is an annual event that launches the holiday season. Its central element is a retelling of the Christmas story. “It’s a really creative avenue …
by Christian Carvajal for OLY ARTS “Jake Marley was dead,” says director Kendra Malm, adding with a wink, “to begin with.” It’s a measure of the familiarity of Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost-Story of Christmas that Malm can drop that literary allusion so casually. In A Christmas Cactus, …
by Molly Gilmore for OLY ARTS In its 29th year, Providence Christmas Forest is a different kind of winter wonderland—a forest of trees and wreaths decorated in themes from traditional to surprising. One tree will have a NASCAR theme, while another was inspired by Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. The forest is the …
by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS From the coauthor of Late Nite Catechism comes the holiday comedy Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold for a one-night-only performance at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts. The Center calls the play “CSI: Bethlehem,” a holiday extravaganza. This comedy-mystery features “Sister,” a woman out …
by Molly Gilmore for OLY ARTS During the winter holidays, people’s thoughts turn to feasting: stuffing both turkeys and themselves. Thoughts also turn to giving: sharing the season with friends who need an invitation to dinner, and with families who can’t afford a meal with all the trimmings. No wonder it’s the biggest season for …
by Christina Butcher for OLY ARTS The Olympia Farmers Market is celebrating the holidays this year by holding a “Farm2Table Thanksgiving” event Nov. 19 and 20 and a “Holiday Shopping Delight” Dec. 22 to 24. The Farm2Table Thanksgiving event gives community members the opportunity to purchase everything they need for a Thanksgiving dinner at the …