What’s happening this week around Thurston County

Sunday, Sept. 10

The African Children’s Choir performs in Olympia: This traveling choir will perform at 9 and 10:30 a.m. at Hope Community Church, 2425 Black Lake Blvd. SW. and again at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Calvary Chapel, 919 Division St. N., Olympia. The tour is organized by the international Christian nonprofit organization Music for Life. The African Children’s Choir is composed of African children, aged 10 to 12 years old, all who come from vulnerable backgrounds and have faced hardship and lack of education.

Sea Stroll Historic Shoreline Tour: Learn how the cultural and ecological history of Olympia’s historic shoreline intertwine during a Puget Sound Estuarium Sea Stroll walking tour. Starting from the Estuarium, the tour loops around the downtown core to track the historic changes to Olympia’s shoreline. Sea Stroll is approximately 2 hours and 1.5 miles long so don’t forget your comfy walking shoes. The Sea Stroll tour also includes a tour of the estuarium. Cost is $15 for adults; kids 12 and younger can go for free. To register, visit: https://seastroll.eventbrite.com/

Monday, Sept. 11

Friendly Flower Garden Club meeting: The club will meet Monday, Sept. 11, at Mountain Greens Mobile Home Park Clubhouse, 5280 55th Lane SE, Lacey, off of Yelm Highway. There will be a social gathering at 9:30 a.m. with a meeting and program to follow. The presenter will share her of knowledge about flowers she grows and uses for long lasting arrangements, as well as the best time to cut them and condition them. Bring your own brown bag lunch. Light refreshments provided. The club is free and open to the public.

Tuesday, Sept. 12

Deadline for comments on state’s new Youth Outdoor Athletic Facilities grant program: The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office is seeking public comment on a new program that will provide grants to increase youth access to community athletic facilities. The new Community Outdoor Athletic Facilities program will provide grants to buy land and develop or renovate youth outdoor athletic facilities in communities that lack recreational opportunities and have underserved populations. The office is seeking comment on a range of policies, including how large grants may be, what types of activities will be allowed and what costs will be reimbursed. Comments must be submitted on a designated website form by Tuesday, Sept. 12. More information about the grant program may be found on the grant web page. The Legislature has provided $12.6 million for the program. Local governments and districts, nonprofits and Native American tribes may apply.

Musician Vince Brown performs for OlyDance Swing Dance: On Sept. 12, Vince Brown will join vocalist Anjali Silva, sax player Cliff Colon and bassist Osama Afiffi for the Tuesday night Swing Dance hosted by OlyDance at The Eagles Ballroom, 805 Fourth Ave. E. in Olympia. A beginners swing dance lesson runs from 7 till 7:30 p.m. and the band plays from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 13

Governor’s Mansion tours relaunch: After a summer hiatus, the Governor’s Mansion Foundation will once again host 30-minute tours starting in September. Visitors will get to see new furnishings and a temporary art exhibit by Washington artists. For reservations, complete an online Mansion tour request form. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance (tour slots fill up fast). The tours are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis and each tour is open to 20 guests. For additional information, call 360-902-8880 or email tours@des.wa.gov (include “Gov. Mansion Tours” in subject line). The circa-1908 Mansion is the oldest building on Olympia’s Capitol Campus. Tour times on Wednesday, Sept. 13, will be at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Welcome to Medicare Presentation: This in-person workshop will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NE. It will include an introduction to options for new Medicare beneficiaries. It covers Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage Plans, Part D Prescription Plans, Medicare supplements and programs available to limited-income beneficiaries. Email jrich@southsoundseniors.org or call and leave a message at Senior Services SHIBA program, 360-586-6181 ext. 134.

Olympia Timberland Library series on aging: Olympia Timberland Library is hosting a free program series this fall called “The Next Chapter: A Series on Aging.” It will start with “Yes, You Can: Self-care for Family Caregivers” at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13. Learn tips, tools, and resources for caring for yourself while caring for a loved one from author Gretchen Staebler and Family Caregiving Specialist Kathy Howard from the Area Agency on Aging.

Thursday, Sept. 14

Secretary of State’s office to display original Washington Constitution: In honor of U.S. Constitution Week, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs will host a public showing of the original 1889 Washington Constitution from 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, in the Legislative Building in Olympia. That afternoon, visitors to the Office of the Secretary of State will be able to view the 1889 document in a secure display case. State Archives experts will be on hand to answer questions about the document, which will be protected by the Washington State Patrol throughout the exhibition. Learn more about the 1889 Washington Constitution and download your own copy from the Washington State Digital Archives.

Workshop on Medicare-related cost savings programs: This Zoom presentation at 1 p.m.Thursday, Sept. 14, will cover Medicare Basics, the Medicare Savings Program, the Extra Help Program and Wellness and Preventative benefits available through Medicare coverage. To get a link to register, email jrich@southsoundseniors.org or call and leave a message at Senior Services SHIBA program at 360-586-6181 ext. 134. A registration link will be sent to you.

Saturday, Sept. 16

Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Thurston County residents are set to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s starting with an opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at Heritage Park on the east side of Capitol Lake in Olympia. The walk begins at 11 a.m. Event organizers hope to raise $80,000; so far there are 45 teams and more than 200 walkers. For more information, visit the event webpage.

Chor Anno in concert at Gloria Dei Lutheran: Hear one of the Pacific Northwest’s finest choral groups, made up of outstanding choral directors from all over the Pacific Northwest. Their concert will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1515 Harrison Ave. NW, Olympia. Tickets are not required, but a $20 donation per adult is appreciated.

Zonta of Olympia’s Hotel Olympian Gala Extravaganza: This fundraiser for the Zonta Club of Olympia, a local nonprofit service organization, is an immersive play that recreates the real-life 1920 celebration — called “The Hotel that Saved Our Capitol” — held at the grand opening of the Hotel Olympian on Legion Way. The Zonta event starts at 6:30 p.m Saturday, Sept. 16, and again at 2:30 p.m. Sunday Sept. 17 in the hotel ballroom at 116 Legion Way. The play features 12 of Olympia’s best-loved actors, including Carolyn Fry, Jana Tyrrell, John Serembe, Jill Barnes, Russ Holm, Kim Holm, Xander Pena Layden, Molly Gilmore, Michael Stein, Mark Alford and Andrew Gordon. The show includes 10 classic songs from 1920. Tickets are $85 and include a personal charcuterie box, dessert, coffee, tea and no-host bar. Advanced tickets must be purchased online on the Zonta website at least two days before the show.

Love a Pitbull Day: Pitbulls and their friends are welcome to join in on the Bully Walk from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at New Bridge Community Church, 812 Central St. SE, Olympia. The event will feature games, contests, fashion shows, food, prizes and more. This event is hosted by Covenant Creatures.

Voter Registration Training: The Community Engagement Ministry of New Life Baptist Church in Lacey is providing a Voter Registration Training Session for people in the Thurston County area who are interested in a free one-time opportunity to become a Voter Registrar. This training session is open to anyone and is a nonpartisan activity. It will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, in the Morris Fellowship Hall at New Life Baptist Church. 7838 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey. The training will be facilitated by the League of Women Voters, with support from the Thurston County Auditor’s Office.

Olympia Symphony Orchestra tribute to the Beach Boys: The Olympia Symphony Orchestra, with conductor Alexandra Arrieche, will perform the American premiere of “The Seven Symphonies: A Classical Tribute to Beach Boys Music.” The concert features seven symphonies derived from 33 different Beach Boys songs, carefully selected by Rob van Weelde and arranged by Roeland Jacobs. Initiated in 2017, this project took four years to produce. Recordings of the album took place at Galaxy Studios in Belgium by the Antwerp Philharmonic (conducted by Alexandra Arrieche) in August 2021. The album was released in 2022. Footage from the concert in Olympia will be included in an international documentary detailing the evolution of this project. The concert begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $29-$99.

Luminary Celebration: West Central Park on Harrison Avenue in west Olympia will host this free end-of-summer community celebration of light and music, featuring luminaries and the Artesian Rumble Archestra. Attendees are strongly encouraged to bring their own luminaries and safe lighted creations and costumes. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16.

StoryOly Grand Slam: This annual showcase of the best storytellers happens Saturday night, Sept. 16, at the Eagles Ballroom, 805 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Doors open at 6 p.m., storytelling begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the door only on the night of the show, and cost a suggested donation of $15-25. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to Planned Parenthood of Olympia

Would you like to have your event included in our weekly What’s Happening listing? Email the details to news@theolympian.com at least 10 days before the event. Please put What’s Happening in the subject line.