This spring, Arts Walk features an incredible lineup—including the Procession of the Species Celebration from Earthbound Productions, along with artists, makers, and performers showcasing creativity in all forms. From exhibits and events to hands-on activities, more than 115 neighboring businesses become part of the experience, transforming downtown into a bustling hub of imagination and expression …
by Molly Walsh As the weather grows warmer and days grow longer, the Lacey Spring Fun Fair will celebrate the season with a weekend of entertainment for the whole family. The Lacey Spring Fun Fair takes place Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 …
by Molly Walsh As the pages turn from winter to spring, a series of special events from Olympia Timberland Library will allow attendees to discover regional bands, share their favorite stories, engage in meaningful philosophical discussion and reconnect with their inner child. Programming includes events for infants, toddlers, school-age children, teens, adults and families. According …
Programming for the youngest patrons and their families at Shelton Timberland Library can help jumpstart a lifelong love of reading, learning and community participation. According to Kristine Techavanich, youth services librarian for Shelton Timberland Library, the bottom level of the library is a devoted space for children, tweens, teens and families.
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 Family Theatre, which has closed its adjacent all-ages space and reduced staff hours, is hard at work on raising the money it needs to keep the theater on solid footing going forward. Dean Shellman, chair of the non-profit theater’s board, said, “We’re carefully looking for savings opportunities that don’t change the experience for our audiences and students. OFT provides magical moments for families, and that won’t change.”
by James O’Barr — The recent announcement of the Olympia Family Theater’s 18th season came with an additional proud flourish: The Olympia City Council has awarded OFT two years of funding as one of its Inspire Olympia creative non-profits. The 2024-2025 performance schedule, together with the additional financial support of Inspire Olympia funding, finds the new year at OFT full of high promise, starting with The House at Pooh Corner.
String and Or So It Would Seam: A Giant Puppet Voyage Into the Hidden Universe runs through July 21 in Olympia’s Decatur Woods Park and then tours the Northwest till Sept. 1. You really do want to make time for this confection, packed with visual puns and silly walks. String and Shadow’s worlds of fantasy and fable aim to pluck at the strings of universal wonder, innocence, and joy.
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 …
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz at Olympia Family Theater comprises both young and not-so-young actors, smoothly stirred into a well-tuned ensemble; part of the fun of watching it is the speed and energy with which the story is rolled out, almost like street theater, or commedia, or circus.