What’s happening this week around Thurston County

The Olympian staff
·6 min read

Saturday, Aug. 5

Summer Nights at the Port: The Port of Olympia is celebrating the season — and its view of the water and the Olympic Mountains — with Summer Nights at the Port, featuring free music, food trucks and a beer garden. The final concert is by The Little Lies, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at the port’s NorthPoint, 1210 Marine Drive NE, Olympia. Food and drinks go on sale at 5 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets, and dress in layers.

Sunday, Aug. 6

Tour the Bigelow House Museum: The historic Bigelow House Museum at 918 Glass Ave. NE in Olympia is open for regular escorted tours on the first and second Sundays of the month at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. For more information about tours, tickets and membership, visit olympiahistory.org or email bigelowhousemuseum@gmail.com.

Scherler Sundays Free Summer Concert Series: Head to the backside of the old Carnegie Library at 620 Franklin St. SE in downtown Olympia for a free outdoor concert series sponsored by Scherler Beer at 3 p.m. each Sunday through Aug. 13. This Sunday’s show will feature Chance of Ghosts, XOHNO and Morgan & the Organ Donors. The events are family friendly and include an interview of the performers by Markly Morrison with the podcast Low Profile. There is limited seating, but lawn chairs are welcome. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Benise -- Fiesta! This Emmy-Award-winning Spanish guitar and dance spectacular features an international cast of musicians and dancers in stunning costumes. Armed with his Spanish guitar, Benise will take the audience on a musical adventure through Spanish flamenco, Cuban salsa, Brazilian samba, Parisian waltz, exotic drumming, and more. The touring show comes to Olympia for a 7 p.m. performance Sunday, Aug. 6, at the Washington Center for the Performing Art, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets range from $95 to $39 plus a service fee.

Tuesday, Aug. 8

Single tickets go on sale for Washington Center season shows: At noon Tuesday, Aug. 8, tickets to individual shows in the Washington Center for the Performing Arts 2023-24 season go on sale. Up until now, only season subscriptions were on sale. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling or stopping by the box office at 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Box office hours are noon to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Check out the full lineup on the Washington Center website.

Wednesday, Aug. 9

Celebrate the new Sprayground at Lions Park: The City of Olympia’s Sprayground at Lions Park opened earlier this summer, and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (except when maintenance is needed) at the neighborhood park at 800 Wilson St. SE. However, the city is hosting an official Ribbon Cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9.

Sierra Club South Sound annual picnic: The Sierra Club South Sound Group will gather from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, at Park Shelter #1 near the Rose Garden at Squaxin Park (formerly Priest Point Park) at 2600 East Bay Drive Northeast, Olympia. Their goal: Provide the space and time for local environmental activists in Olympia to get together, network and have some fun. The club will serve plant-based burgers and hot dogs with fruit and veggie side dishes, desserts and cold drinks. Attendees are welcome to bring a side dish or dessert to share. Carpooling to the park is recommended. Sign In at the picnic or register early for a reminder email and any weather updates.

Thursday, Aug. 10

Olympia Farmers Market celebrates Farmers Market Week: The Olympia Farmers Market will celebrate National Farmers Market Week from Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 10-13. The observance will include special demonstrations led by vendors and community partners. At noon Thursday, vendor MycoUpprhizal Mushrooms will demonstrate how to grow your own mushrooms on logs at home. At 10 a.m. Friday, Hive Five Bees will display a demonstration honeybee hive so visitors can see the bees at work and learn about these pollinators, their role in agriculture, and the sweet honey they create. At noon Saturday, vendor Olykraut will demonstrate how to create your own kefir water and kombucha using natural fermentation. And at 10 a.m. Sunday, Slow Flood Greater Olympia will perform a cooking demonstration using local produce from the market. All four days visitors can enter a free raffle to win a basket full of market goodies.

Saturday, Aug. 12

Pond Life Safari: Take an up-close look at water bugs found in local ponds using microscopes and magnifying glasses. See how many creatures you can identify and make wetland wildlife art. It’s happening at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Admission is free. Activities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12.

In the Spirit Arts Market and Northwest Native Festival: This annual summer celebration of diverse Native American arts and culture will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma. It is hosted collaboratively by the history museum, Tacoma Art Museum, and Museum of Glass. Shop at art vendors, listen to Native music, watch dynamic cultural dance, make art, explore exhibitions and more. Admission is free. The museum is at 1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma.

Hood Canal Summerfest: Formerly called The Taste of Hood Canal, this one-day festival put on by the North Mason Rotary runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Belfair State Park, three miles southwest of Belfair on the north shore of Hood Canal in Mason County. The event includes a car show, firefighters’ breakfast, live music, food vendors, local artists and a beer and wine garden.

Ron Funches standup comedy: The comedian will perform live at Olympia’s Capitol Theater at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Tickets are $30 general admission and $25 for Olympia Film Society members. Doors open at 7 p.m. at the theater at 206 Fifth Ave. SE.

Woody Guthrie tribute and sing-along to benefit food bank: Historian, teacher, folksinger, and actor Joel Underwood will perform “That Ribbon of Highway: Songs & Stories of Woodie Guthrie in the Pacific NW” at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at New Traditions, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia. Audiences can sing along to favorites such as “Roll on Columbia”, “Pastures of Plenty”, and “This Land is Your Land”, but those who attend also will hear the stories behind the songs. Admission is by donations of $5 to $25, which will benefit the Thurston County Food Bank.

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.