Olympia starts 2024 off with high-flying, slow-moving, postcard-sized fun

Molly Gilmore
·2 min read

Postcards from ‘Within’

South Puget Sound Community College’s Fine Art Postcard Exhibition is an art show for everyone. The annual exhibition — a fundraiser for the college’s Leonor R. Fuller Gallery — welcomes submissions from well-known artists as well as tots with crayons. This year’s show, with the intriguing theme “The Creature Within,” features 273 pieces by 112 artists. It’s the biggest postcard show since 2018, according to gallery director Sean Barnes. Also distinguishing this year’s show: lots of mixed-media pieces, lots of mythological creatures, and lots of cats. The show is on view through Feb. 2 at the gallery in the Minnaert Center for the Arts, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia. Gallery hours are noon-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and there’ll be a closing reception at 6 p.m. Feb. 2. All of the pieces are for sale in an online auction.

“The Creature Within” is the theme for South Puget Sound Community College’s 2023 Fine Art Postcard Exhibition, on view through Feb. 2.
“The Creature Within” is the theme for South Puget Sound Community College’s 2023 Fine Art Postcard Exhibition, on view through Feb. 2.

Local ‘Heroes’ film dives into local music history

“Even Hell Has Its Heroes,” screening Saturday, Jan. 6, at Olympia’s Capitol Theater, dives deep into local music history. The 2023 documentary explores the history and legacy of meditative Olympia metal band Earth, which has been called the slowest metal band ever. Though little known, Earth had a big influence on grunge: Kurt Cobain was a close friend of band founder Dylan Carlson, and a fan of Carlson’s attitude and, apparently, his fashion sense. In the film, Kill Rock Stars founder Slim Moon discusses Carlson’s penchant for flannel. The screening, which will be followed by a Q&A with director Clyde Petersen, is at 7 p.m., with doors open at 6:30. Tickets are $9-$12.

“Even Hell Has Its Heroes,” screening Jan. 6 at the Capitol Theater, tells the story of the Olympia band Earth, led by Dylan Carlson, who’s been credited with shaping the grunge aesthetic.
“Even Hell Has Its Heroes,” screening Jan. 6 at the Capitol Theater, tells the story of the Olympia band Earth, led by Dylan Carlson, who’s been credited with shaping the grunge aesthetic.

Aerial action

Imagine you’re sitting in a cozy bar with your favorite libation — and overhead, remarkably fit people dressed in glittery outfits are performing acrobatic feats. That’s the scene at The Brotherhood Takes Flight, a monthly aerial show at The Brotherhood Lounge, 119 Capitol Way N., Olympia, The high-flying show, presented by Olympia’s Airbound Underground, happens at 5 p.m. the first Sunday of each month, with doors open at 4. The Jan. 7 show also features Seattle aerial duo Space Oddity (Jody Poth and Lindsay Letharia). The cover charge is $15, with no one turned away for lack of funds.

Freelance writer Molly Gilmore talks about what’s happening in Olympia and beyond with 95.3 KGY-FM’s Michael Stein from 3 to 4 p.m. Fridays.