Out and about? Celebrate with seasonal classics, or savor music of Bali and Brazil
Back on the ‘Island’
“Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale …” If you’re already singing along, you’re smack dab in the target audience for “Island Castaway Christmas,” a live “Gilligan’s Island” holiday special happening Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15 and 16. The show is a fundraiser for Juice Box Productions, which makes fun-size shows for young audiences. The company plans to offer more grownup shows under the moniker “WineBox Theatre.” “Island’s” cast is filled with familiar faces, including Heather and Michael Christopher (playing Ginger and the Professor), Kim and Russ Holm (the Howells) and John Serembe (the Skipper). Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at OlyTheater at the Capital Mall, 625 Black Lake Blvd., Olympia. Tickets ($20 each) have been selling briskly, so if you’re interested in going, check availability online.
Sing along with SOGO
Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia is offering its annual “Messiah” sing-along Monday, Dec. 18. The group’s Conservatory Orchestra will play George Frideric Handel’s famed oratorio. The performance will feature guest soloists Megan Wakefield (soprano), Brianna Kramer (mezzo soprano), Dan Colgan (tenor) and John Guarente (baritone), and the audience is invited to sing the choral parts. (Just listening is OK, too.) Those planning to sing can bring their own scores, borrow one or buy one for $10. The sing-along is free, with donations welcome. Also offering a chance to sing along is Olympia Little Theatre’s radio-play version of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The production, which includes clever commercials set to holiday tunes, wraps up its run with performances at 7:25 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15 and 16, and 1:55 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at the theater, 1925 Miller Ave. NE, Olympia. Tickets are $10-$16.
From Bali to Brazil
Emerald City Music’s “Inspired by Gamelan,” happening Saturday, Dec. 16, in Olympia, explores the traditional percussion ensemble music of Indonesia and its impact on composers. The concert will feature Gamelan Gita Asmara, a Vancouver, Canada-based ensemble that plays both traditional and contemporary music of Bali. Also performing are violinist and Emerald City music director Kristin Lee, percussionist Svet Stoyanov, and pianist Michael Stephen Brown. The program includes a range of music from Bali as well as pieces by Steve Reich, Claude Debussy and Lou Harrison. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Capital High School Performing Arts Center, 2707 Conger Ave. NW, Olympia. Tickets are $10-$40. Also performing Saturday, Dec. 16, is Olympia’s own Choro Tomorrow, which focuses on choro, the syncopated roots music of Brazil. The concert is at 7 p.m. at New Traditions Fair Trade, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia. Tickets are $18-$25, and half of the proceeds will go to New Traditions.
Freelance writer Molly Gilmore talks about what’s happening in Olympia and beyond with 95.3 KGY-FM’s Michael Stein from 3 to 4 p.m. Fridays.
