by Adam McKinney for OLY ARTS Old-time string music, with origins dating back to the late 19th century, never really went away. More accurately, it fell out of popular style, as most hit genres eventually do. Being a fundamentally American art form, though, it was always around, and it got a boost in national attention …
by Adam McKinney for OLY ARTS When we talk about old-time music, there’s an implicit promise in that description. We’re discussing music that carries forward traditions that were baked into it from its inception. Like any other art form, innovations, excursions, and experiments have transpired over the years, but old-time music, by design, is built …
by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS Banjo player and singer Riley Baugus will perform with Sabra Guzman at the Oly Old Time Festival main concert Feb. 2. Baugus plays and sings in the Round Peak style from Surry County, North Carolina. “Riley is a charismatic performer and excellent storyteller,” said Emily Teachout, festival co-founder and …
The Oly Old Time Festival is taking place in three locations around Olympia in 2018. – First Christian Church 701 Franklin St. SE, Olympia – South Bay Grange 3918 Sleater Kinney Rd. NE, Olympia – Arbutus Folk School Arbutus Folk School, 610 Fourth Ave. E, Olympia Check-In The Oly Old Time Festival requests that all attendees check in …
by Tom Simpson for OLY ARTS The Oly Old Time Festival is not only a musical showcase for new, emerging and established musical artists. It’s also an experiential activity. Every evening of the festival hosts an interactive square dance with a fantastic live band and callers who provide clear direction, organization and a sense of …
THEATER REVIEW by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS I carried delicious anticipation and a measure of trepidation to the opening of American Idiot at Lakewood Playhouse – anticipation because it is such a highly praised musical, and trepidation because what little I had heard of Green Day’s music seemed ear splitting with garbled lyrics. I …
by Adam McKinney for OLY ARTS There aren’t many popular musical institutions more respected or longer lasting than Ladysmith Black Mambazo. They’d already been around for over 20 years before they found an international audience through their contributions to Paul Simon’s genre-mixing masterpiece Graceland, and they’ve continued to amass gold and platinum albums since. Their …
by Karen Lunde for OLY ARTS Two accomplished musicians, their acoustic guitars, and some front-porch tales—that’s what audiences can expect during An Evening with Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen on The Washington Center Main Stage, Saturday, Jan. 27. Lovett and Keen, both singer-songwriters with impressive discographies spanning decades, will provide an evening of down-home songs …
by Adam McKinney for OLY ARTs As the winter months descend on the world, the cold and darkness is met with a combination of reverie and revelry. Nights get quieter, and the solitude is countered with companionship and sacred celebration. A singular holiday celebration is the annual singing of Handel’s Messiah, an oratorio from the …
by Karen Lunde for OLY ARTS The Masterworks Choral Ensemble will brighten the Washington Center Main Stage on Saturday, December 2, with its annual holiday concert. This year’s performance, entitled Season of Light: A Christmas Celebration, will include familiar carols (some with new arrangements), medleys and four audience sing-alongs. The choir will even keep up …