What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Friday, Nov. 10
SPSCC Theatre Collective Presents “Hurricane Diane”: South Puget Sound Community College Theatre Collective presents “Hurricane Diane” at the Minnaert Center for the Arts main stage on the Olympia campus from Nov. 10-19. “Hurricane Diane” by Madeleine George is a contemporary comedy about climate change that combines “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” and elements of ancient Greek drama. Diane is a gardener with supernatural abilities owing to her true identity, the Greek god Dionysus, who has returned to the modern world to gather followers and restore the Earth to its natural state. She decides that there’s no better place to start than a suburban New Jersey cul-de-sac. The cast includes Heather Matthews, Kimberlee Wolfson, Meghan Goodman, Andrea Weston-Smart, as well as SPSCC student Anna Holbrook. Admission is a suggested $10 donation at the door. SPSCC students, staff, and faculty get in free. More information, including performance dates and times, is available on the college’s Arts & Entertainment Calendar.
Saturday, Nov. 11
Thurston County Veterans Day commemoration: Thurston County Veterans Council will present the annual Veteran’s Day Celebration from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Capitol Rotunda in the state Legislative Building on the Capitol Campus in Olympia. The celebration will feature the American Legion Band and other presentations. The Vietnam Veteran Name Reading and Pinning Ceremony will be at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the west Capitol Campus.
“Fantasy A Gets a Mattress” screening: This film, shot entirely on location in Seattle will be screening at 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 11-12, at the Capitol Theater in Olympia. It is a dark comedy about the Seattle hip-hop scene, rapid urban change, the housing crisis, disability, artistic ambition, and what it takes to break through. The film took four years to make, and 80% of the shooting locations no longer exist. Fantasy A, autistic Seattle rapper, suffers trials and tribulations from total creeps as he attempts to become a superstar. Come out and meet special guests (including the mattress itself?!). The film won Best Narrative Feature at both the Seattle Black Film Festival and Local Sightings Film Festival.
Monday, Nov. 13
Olympia Municipal Court Joy of Giving Drive: Community members are invited to donate items from Nov. 13 through Nov. 30. Donations will be accepted weekdays between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Lee Creighton Justice Center, 900 Plum St. SE. Items will be distributed during the Miracle on Plum Street Resource Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1.
Tuesday, Nov. 14
Christian Women’s Connection: The “Fall is in the Air” Luncheon is at noon Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Panorama in The Gallery which is next to Seventeen51 Restaurant & Bistro, 1751 Circle Lane SE, Lacey. The roast turkey lunch is $20 inclusive. There will be music provided by Sunrise Beach School. The speaker is Brenda Peterson from Cosmopolis, a former wardrobe and color consultant and now an artist specializing in florals. Her topic will be “From Darkness to a Life of Hope.” Call Sylvia for reservations at 360-791-4698 or 360-943-0627.
Sugar Skull -- A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure: This is a touring bilingual/bicultural musical for young audiences and families that uses traditional regional music and dance from Mexico to tell the story of twelve-year-old Vita Flores. Vita thinks her family has gone loco planning a celebration for deceased loved ones. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $34 to $19.
Wednesday, Nov. 15
Welcome to Medicare In Person Presentation: This presentation at 4 p.m. Wednesday at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW. is 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. This session will also be helpful for current beneficiaries who are evaluating their options for 2024. For more information, email Jrich@southsoundseniors.org or call and leave a message at Senior Services SHIBA program at 360-586-6181 ext 134.
Thursday, Nov. 16
Olympia Garden Club: This club provides education, resources, and networking opportunities to promote gardening and floral design. Visitors are welcome at club meetings at Gull Harbor Lutheran Church, 4610 Boston Harbor Road NE. The next meeting is Nov. 16. Members gather at 9:30 a.m. with a social time and sales of plants donated by members. Meetings begin at 10 a.m.; they include a business portion, a review of horticulture samples from members’ gardens, a report on the habits of various birds, and a floral design of the month. November’s program features Rob Pudner, Recycling & Waste Reduction Specialist at Thurston County Public Works. November is also the month we create fresh green wreaths, centerpieces, and other holiday items for sale. Proceeds go the area schools to help with their agriculture/gardening projects. Bring a lunch and water. Coffee and tea will be provided. For more information, go to www.olympiagardenclub.org.
Welcome to Medicare Zoom Presentation: This presentation at 10:00 a.m. Thursday includes 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. This session will also be helpful to current beneficiaries who are evaluating their options for 2024. 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.
Welcome to and In Person Medicare Presentation in Mason County: The Mason County Senior Activity Center in The Pavillion at 190 Sentry Drive in Shelton will host this presentation at 11 a.m. Thursday. It is an introduction to options for new Medicare beneficiaries and covers Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage Plans, Part D Prescription Plans, Medicare Supplements and Programs available to limited income beneficiaries. This session will also be helpful to current beneficiaries who are looking to evaluate their options for 2024. For more information, email Jrich@southsoundseniors.org or call and leave a message at Senior Services SHIBA program at 360-586-6181 ext. 134.
Olympia World Affairs Council: The monthly speaker program will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at South Puget Sound Community College’s Brewery District classroom, 4200 Capitol Blvd. SE, Tumwater, or join via Zoom by going to www.olympiawac.org. The topic will be “Morocco’s Triple Role in the Global Border and Migration System” presented by Steve Niva, professor of international politics at The Evergreen State College. For more details and login info, visit the OWAC website.
Seattle International Comedy Competition: The competition returns to Olympia. Up to 10 comedians will face-off in the semi-final round of the popular Seattle International Comedy Competition at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE. The three local judges who will decide who moves on based off audience response. Recommended for ages 18+. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and tickets are $45 to $25.
Friday, Nov. 17
Oly on Ice opens: The downtown ice skating rink opens for the winter season and runs through Jan. 15. Hours on opening day will be 3:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online in advance or on-site, on a first-come/first served basis. Your reservation is only valid for the time and date purchased. Tickets are for 75 minutes of skating time, which begins at the time of check-in. Skaters will not be asked to leave at the end of their 75 minutes unless the rink reaches capacity. Tickets are $9 to $15, with those 3 and younger paying just $5.
Saturday, Nov. 18
Toilets Through the Ages and Treatment Plant Tour: Toilet technology has evolved far from Roman troughs and chamber pots! Learn how sewer science has progressed through human history. After a 1 p.m. presentation, take a tour of LOTT’s Budd Inlet Treatment Plant to see how wastewater is cleaned. Tour participants must be 10 or older and wear closed-toe, closed-heel shoes. Related crafts and activities all day at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St NE, Olympia. Admission is free.
Sunday, Nov. 19
Seattle Pro Musica at St. John’s: Seattle Pro Musica presents “A Celtic Winter: music from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales” at 3 p.m. Sunday as part of the St. John’s Concert Series at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 114 20th Ave SE, Olympia. The concert will feature works by Judith Weir, James MacMillan, Tarik O’Regan, Paul Mealor, and more, sung in Welsh, Gaelic, and English. Suggested donation is $20 per person though all are welcome. Proceeds support the St. John’s music program.
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