by Ned Hayes for OLY ARTS The Olympia Symphony celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Concert at the Capitol on July 31, 2016. This annual “Festival on the Green” takes place on the grounds of the Washington State Capitol campus, and is a decade-long tradition for the Olympia Symphony Orchestra. In an unusual move, the …
by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS The classic-rock band Blind Facsimile, aka Blind Fax, is Deb Rutter (vocals), Lorraine Stensager (vocals, keyboards), Tim Stensager (vocals, keyboards), Brian Ferris (guitar, backing vocals), Evan Ogden (drums) and Vince Chavez (bass). Chavez says the band “captures the heart and soul of classic rock, playing music which defined generations. …
by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS On Aug. 5, Music in the Park moves to the Port Plaza at Percival Landing for a show from old-style-blues band Blues County Sheriff. Band members say they live to have fun and put on a great show. “Forget the myth that blues is sad music,” they say. “Our …
by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS The gypsy-jazz band Swing 49 performs for Olympia’s Music in the Park this summer. Self-described as offering soulful vocal jazz, virtuosic guitar solos and funky horn lines, Swing 49 is Jacqueline Schafer, vocals; Tovi Newman, guitar; Forest Wilson, guitar; Logan Bean, trumpet and Joe Eunice, bass. Calling Olympia home, …
by Ned Hayes and Christian Carvajal for OLY ARTS June 8, 1933 — July 12, 2016 Andy Crow, regionally renowned organist and musician, passed away on the afternoon of July 12. Crow was celebrated throughout the Pacific Northwest as a musician who was equally skilled on the organ and piano. He played many recitals, wrote original scores for …
by Christian Carvajal for OLY ARTS Wednesday, July 13, noon – 11 p.m., Public Employee Appreciation Day Coupons, available from the information trailer or WSECU booth, offer a reduced price on concession fare to civic servants. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Lakefair Juried Art Show (Governor Hotel, 621 Capitol Way S) 12 p.m. …
by Molly Gilmore for OLY ARTS Music lovers can get an earful of classical music at Emerald City Music’s new series of chamber concerts, starting July 14 in Olympia. The new series, founded by New York violinist Kristin Lee and arts administrator Andrew Goldstein of Seattle, aims to bring chamber music to a wider audience. …
by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS The Olson Brothers, Luke and Isaac Olson, are a country band from Olympia. They won the 2013 Capital Lakefair Battle of the Bands and a national songwriting contest with “Sunrise,” the original song they got to play at the Grand Ole Opry. Drummer Seth Bowman, bassist Milo Mullen and …
by Kristopher Stewart for OLY ARTS The opening night of Capital Lakefair, July 12, will bring a variety of performances to the main stage at Heritage Park, but one is set apart from the rest. The annual “Battle of the Bands” event, which pits high-school bands against each other, runs from 6 p.m. to 8:30 …
by Guy Bergstrom for OLY ARTS Bands come and go–but The Nashville Tribute Band has endured for more than 12 years and 500 shows around the world. Now they’re bringing that show to Olympia on July 14. Founder Jason Deere is an award-winning songwriter and producer, and he explained that the members of the band …