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.
The South Sound Reading Foundation will host its annual benefit breakfast fundraiser, “Readers are Leaders,” at the Lacey Community Center on Thursday, April 11. Keynote speaker Stacy Chapin’s son Ethan is one of the four University of Idaho students murdered in Moscow, Idaho on the night of November 13, 2022.
Olympia Family Theater’s executive director Mark Alford who plays Barney’s dad in “Barney Carey Gets His Wings” said, “The show is hilarious, but it doesn’t sacrifice any heart. At its core [it] is a discussion of self-identity and self-expression.”
“Light Up the Night—Winter Wonders,” an Art in Storefronts exhibit produced by Olympia Artspace Alliance is on view through March 31, 2024 in the windows of The Goldberg Building on Capitol Way S in Olympia. It features artwork by students from four area schools.
Both the Studio West Dance Theatre production, opening Nov. 24, and the Ballet Northwest version, opening Dec. 8, are beloved traditions. Studio West first performed the ballet in 2009, and the venerable Ballet Northwest premiered its version in 1983. “There’s always a buzz around The Nutcracker,” said Stephanie Wood-Ennett, the co-director of Studio West. “So many people feel that their holiday is not complete without it.”
Fall is a time for rebirth, for rejuvenation, especially
when coming in the wake of a scorching dry summer
and a pandemic that refuses to go away. And the biggest, most extravagant arts event of all, Olympia’s fall Arts Walk — October 6 and 7 — our semi-annual community event celebrating all of the arts, but with an emphasis on visual arts when a majority of downtown businesses turn parts of their stores into art galleries.
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is full of rock-tinged tunes and is based on the popular book, The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Featuring a multigenerational cast, Olympia Family Theater’s production of The Lightning Thief [October 6 – 29] is set to be a show that dazzles the stage with singing, dancing, action and adventure.
Capital Lakefair in its 66th season takes possession of Heritage Park on the shores of Capital Lake July 12-15, 2023 (Noon-10pm) and July 16, 2023 (Noon-Midnight). The Grand Finale fireworks display takes place Sunday, July 16, 2023 @ 10pm over Capitol Lake in Olympia, and can be viewed from Heritage Park, Deschutes Pkwy, Capitol Campus or anywhere with a view of the lake.
Capital Lakefair in its 66 season takes possession of Heritage Park on the shores of Capital Lake July 12 to 16, with carnival rides, food vendors, main stage entertainment, a parade and a half-marathon, a car show with more than 50 cars and crafts booths. And, as tradition has it, the weekend festivities culminate with a spectacular fireworks display Sunday night.