What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Saturday, Sept. 16
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.
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.
Tuesday, Sept. 19
Author Larry Rasmussen speaks on Earth Ethics: The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd will host this climate change talk by Larry Rasmussen on “Earth Ethics: An Honest Conversation about Earth-Honoring Faith When Uncertainty’s a Sure Thing.” The event will run 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the church at 1601 North St. SE, Olympia, across from Olympia High School. Rasmussen, a professor emeritus of Union Seminary in New York City, wrote “The Planet You Inherit: Letters to My Grandchildren when Uncertainty’s a Sure Thing.” He won the 2023 Nautilus Gold Prize for best 2022 book in Ecology & Environment. All are welcome, and attendees are encouraged to read his book and bring questions.
Welcome to Medicare Zoom Presentation: At 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, this Zoom event will offer an introduction to options for new Medicare beneficiaries. It will cover Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage Plans, Part D Prescription Plans, Medicare Supplements, and programs available to limited income beneficiaries. 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.
Wednesday, Sept. 20
Thurston County Planning Commission Public Hearing on Capital Improvement Program: The Thurston County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to accept public comment on the 2024-2029 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). You can view more detailed information about the proposal at https://www.thurstonplanning.org. The head will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, in Suite 110 at 3000 Pacific Ave. SE, Olympia or online. Those wishing to testify should appear at the hearing in person or virtually. However, written or emailed comments can be submitted until noon Sept. 20 to Andrew.Boughan@co.thurston.wa.us or via the mail to Thurston County Community Planning & Economic Development, Attention: Andrew Boughan, Associate Planner; 3000 Pacific Ave. SE, Olympia, WA 98501. The CIP is Appendix G of the Thurston County Comprehensive Plan. It is part of the county’s capital facilities element, required under the Growth Management Act. The CIP is a six-year financing plan for capital facilities.
Welcome to Medicare In Person Presentation: The Olympia Center at 222 Columbia St. NE will host an in-person introductory session at 4 p.m. that will cover options for new Medicare beneficiaries, including Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage Plans, Part D Prescription Plans, Medicare Supplements and programs available to limited-income beneficiaries. For more information, email Jrich@southsoundseniors.org or call and leave a message at Senior Services SHIBA program, 360-586-6181 ext. 134.
Thursday, Sept. 21
Welcome to Medicare Zoom Presentation: At 10 a.m., Sept. 21, this Zoom event will offer an introduction to options for new Medicare beneficiaries. It will cover Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage Plans, Part D Prescription Plans, Medicare Supplements, and programs available to limited income beneficiaries. 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.
Friday, Sept. 22
The Chehalis Flying Saucer Party: The annual Chehalis Flying Saucer Party is happening in downtown Chehalis to celebrate the coining of the term “flying saucer,” which happened at the Chehalis Airport in Lewis County in 1947. This year’s theme celebrates the ‘90s UFO craze. The two-day event running Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22-23 is a fundraiser for the Lewis County Historical Museum. Festivities start at 6 p.m. Friday at McFiler’s Chehalis Theater with the Northwest Flying Saucer Film Fest. Then on Saturday, City Farm hosts a lineup of expert speakers including retired Navajo Ranger Jonathan Dover (Ancient Aliens, Unsolved Mysteries), Shanelle Schanz (granddaughter of pilot Kenneth Arnold, who coined “flying saucer”), Vince Ynzunza (Pacific NorthWeird), and Scott Schaefer (Almost Live, Sightings, Bill Nye the Science Guy). McFiler’s Bar & Restaurant will have free live music throughout the day and a costume contest dance party with a $100 cash prize for Best Costume. The Lewis County Historical Museum will have displays devoted to the “90s UFO Craze” and also will be the site of the annual “Saucer Drop” where anyone can catch a flying saucer and win a prize. Tim Burton’s classic sci-fi comedy “Mars Attacks!” will play at McFiler’s Chehalis Theater and there will be vendors at both the museum and City Farm. VIP Packages are $55 and include access to all events as well as a T-shirt and goodie bag. Individual event tickets on sale at www.flyingsaucerparty.org
Saturday, Sept. 23
Lula Fest celebration of Hispanic arts and culture: Presented by Ultimano Comms+, the Olympia Downtown Alliance, and the City of Olympia, Lula Fest will bring people together in a family-friendly community celebration of Hispanic arts and culture from 3 to9 p.m. Saturday at the corner of State Avenue and Washington Street in downtown Olympia. It will feature live music by Terror/Catus, The Bridge Music Project, Anjali Silva, Pretty Funked Dub, and Malo Castro and WEPA. There will be food vendors, a beer garden and custom cars. Admission is free.
Free Thurston County Preparedness Expo: Thurston County Emergency Management and Tumwater School District will host this event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Peter G. Schmidt Elementary School, 237 Dennis St. SE, Tumwater. Come learn how emergency management personnel and first responders protect you, and how you can prepare to protect yourself from emergencies. There will be free activities for the whole family.
League of Women Voters New Member Orientation and Refresher: Meet new members and get your “league on” getting to know each other and engaging your interests and passions to help make democracy work. The event will take place from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 at Panorama’s Pavilion Building, 1716 Sleater Kinney Road SE (adjacent to Panorama’s Convalescent & Rehab Center) in Lacey.
Dry Tikes & Wet Wipes Stuff the Bus event: This nonprofit that distributes diapers and related supplies will be collecting supplies from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Lacey Target store, 665 Sleater Kinney Road SE. Help stuff an Intercity Transit bus with diapers, pull-ups and wipes. The event will include a fire truck, race car, and other family fun.
Olympia History & Haunted Tour: Pretty Gritty Tours is launching its history and haunted walking tour of historic downtown Olympia. Led by author Ira Wesley Kitmacher, the tour will meet on the boardwalk in between the Olympia Oyster House (320 Fourth Ave. W) and the iconic “Kissing Statue.” The tour will talk about the region’s and city’s history and haunted folklore, and walk the streets of historic Olympia. This tour explores the legends behind the city’s founding, “mosquito fleet,” shipwrecks, shanghaiing, ghosts, other “undead” and cryptids. It is an outdoor walking tour, so dress for the weather. Tickets are $30.
Fall in the Northwest Market: This second annual event will feature about 80 vendors and take place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23-24, at the Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Road SE. The market will feature crafters, vendors and food trucks in all three buildings at the fairgrounds. Admission is free.
Day and Night at the WET Science Center: Celebrate the start of fall by observing the Autumnal Equinox, when the Earth receives an equal amount of daylight and darkness. Make sunny crafts fitting for the day and starry art fitting for the night between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Admission is free.
Vince Brown performance at Harvest Party: On Saturday, Sept. 23, the Olympia Food Coop will host its annual Harvest Party from 1-4 p.m. at Percival Landing Park along Budd Inlet in downtown Olympia. Local guitarist Vince Brown will perform with vocalist Anjali Silva.
Elvis Presley tribute concert: Seattle Elvis impersonator and tribute artist Robbie Dee has been an Elvis fan ever since seeing the movie “Blue Hawaii” as a teenager growing up in Edmonds. He and the Graceland Station Band will take the stage at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23. The two-hour show will span Elvis’ career from the 1950s to the 1970s. Tickets are $50 and $29.50. The center is at 512 Washington St. SE.
Sunday, Sept. 24
Screening of the silent movie “Peter Pan”: The Washington Center’s rare screening of the classic 1924 silent film version of J. M. Barrie’s world-renowned stage play “Peter Pan” will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, at the center, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. The film will feature the center’s house organist Dennis James performing his solo organ transcription from his painstaking reconstruction of the original orchestral musical score that accompanied the film when it was first released nearly 100 years ago. Tickets are $21 or $26.
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.
