What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Saturday, Feb. 24
Public art installation for Ukraine: Feb. 24 is the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. An art installation featuring 24 Ukrainian flags will be erected from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Heritage Park next to Capitol Lake on The Mound. A speakers program will begin at 2 p.m. The installation will be illuminated after sundown. Artist David Sederberg says the intention is to inspire conversation and action through peaceful imagery and words on the importance of maintaining, supporting, and defending democracy at home and abroad.
Ballet Northwest Pas de Deux: Ballet Northwest presents six principal dancers from Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle for this one-time only performance of famous duets from some of the world’s best known ballets. The program will include duets from Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Giselle, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and others. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St SE, Olympia. Tickets are $40 for students and youth and $45 for adults, plus a $4 service fee. Get tickets at the box office, at 360-753-8586 or order online at www.washingtoncenter.org.
Monday, Feb. 26
Olympia School District hearing on closing Madison Elementary: The school board has scheduled two public hearings on its proposal to possibly close Madison and McKenny elementary schools. The hearing on Madison will be at 6 p.m. Monday in Madison’s multipurpose room, 1225 Legion Way SE. The board is scheduled to possibly take action on school closure and consolidation during its regular board meeting on March 14.
Wednesday, Feb. 28
Lincoln Options Elementary School Enrollment Information Nights: Parents looking for an alternative K-5 program within the Olympia School District are invited to attend an Enrollment Information Night. A lottery determines the priority for enrolling new students who live outside of the Lincoln service area. Attendance at an Information Night is required for families to participate in the lottery. At the informational meeting, parents will learn about the school program, philosophy, parent involvement, and the lottery process. The meetings are Feb. 28 & March 7, both from 6 to 8 p.m. at the school, 213 21st Ave. SE, Olympia. Call 520-820-5390 or email lincolnenrollment@gmail.com for more information.
Modern Love contributor book signing: Author and New York Times Modern Love contributor Suzette Mullen is releasing a new book, “The Only Way Through is Out,” about coming out later in life, and she’s celebrating with a local book signing in Olympia at Browsers Books on Feb. 28. Suzette’s conversation partner for the event will be local writer and writing teacher Anne Hansen. The event begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday upstairs at the bookshop, 107 Capitol Way N., Olympia.
Welcome to Medicare Zoom Presentation: This presentation at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday 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. To get a link, 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.
Thursday, Feb. 29
Olympia School District hearing on closing McKenny Elementary: The school board has scheduled this hearing on its proposal to possibly close McKenny. It will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday in McKenny’s multipurpose room, 3250 Morse-Merryman Road SE. The board is scheduled to possibly take action on school closure and consolidation during its regular board meeting on March 14.
Olympia World Affairs Council: Steve Niva, professor of international and Middle East politics at The Evergreen State College, will address “Assessing the Threat of a Wider Middle East War” at this month’s meeting. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. at The Olympia Center, Room A (1st floor), 222 Columbia St. NW, Olympia, and on Zoom. For more details and login info, visit the OWAC website.
Saturday, March 2
Signs of Spring: Tired of winter? Get ready to spot the signs of spring, from budding trees to baby owls! Join City of Olympia Park Stewardship staff to make pinecone owls and nature bookmarks at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Activities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Native Plant Festival and Sale: Thurston Conservation District is holding its Annual Native Plant Festival & Sale on from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey. Shop for affordable native plants and learn how to create beneficial backyard habitat. There will be local vendors, community partner information booths, live music, hot coffee, and food trucks. The sale is a first-come-first-serve basis and plants do sell out. Questions? Contact Kiana Sinner at ksinner@thurstoncd.com or 360-972-0407.
Olympia Dance Festival: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts and Ballet Northwest present the 2024 Olympia Dance Festival at 7 p.m. Saturday. It will feature 16 dance companies from throughout Western Washington, as well as Giovanny Garibay as the special guest artist this year. Garibay, a Centralia native, now dances with the Cincinnati Ballet. The program will include ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, tap, jazz, Irish dance, Chinese dance, ballroom, musical theatre and more! Tickets are $21 plus a service fee. The Washington Center is at 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia.
Sunday, March 3
Students Orchestras of Greater Olympia Winter Concert: The Winter Concert highlights a variety of musical styles. Music Director Cameron May leads the Conservatory Orchestra in Copland’s Variations on a Shaker Melody and Moncayo’s Huapango, a dance-like work. SOGO member Cade McBride has arranged Debussy’s piano work The Sunken Cathedral for orchestra. The concert closes with the fourth movement of Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8. The 18-member SOGO Brass Choir opens the concert with the Fanfare for Brass and Percussion conducted by Greg Allison. The audience will also enjoy the Academy and Debut Orchestras performing familiar works from orchestral literature. The concert begins at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $8-23, with a $4 service fee; children 6 and younger get in free with service fee.
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.
