Organizers of the April 28 event signed a six-week lease on the 4,000-square-foot space earlier this week - ending a search for studio space that began last June when they learned they wouldn't be able to return to the old Madison School for another season.
The new spot is much smaller than old Madison, which was purchased about a year ago by New Bridge Community Church. But there's still enough room for the Procession's art and costume-making activities, which include papier-mache, batik work and luminaria, according to Nicole Mercier, president of the board of directors for Earthbound Productions, the nonprofit group that organizes the event.
"It's an ideal spot for a location," she said.
"We were worried that there wasn't going to be a spot."
Even though Procession of the Species is less than a month away, organizers say there's still plenty of time to create a costume, join a music or dance group, or otherwise get involved in South Sound's annual celebration of Earth Day and the Endangered Species Act.
"That's the great thing about Procession groups - it's never too late to join any of them," said Bernadette McCune-Sokoloski, director of Salsa del Caribe, a Cuban and Afro-Brazilian music and dance group. "You can join in at anytime."
Earlier this month, several music and dance groups began offering weekly workshops to prepare for Procession at a loft space on Cherry Street that's owned by Fish Brewing Co.
It's a venue that Juli Kelen, a dancer with the 80-member-plus Samba Olywa, described as "wonderful."
"I love the natural light," she said. "We're not buried in a basement or locked away somewhere."
The loft also features wood floors, which are easier to dance on than old Madison's carpet-over-concrete, Kelen said.
"You not only got your bones jarred, but your joints twisted," she said of the old space. "I liked that we had a central location. But for a dancer, that gymnasium was really bad."
A few groups also are offering workshops at venues that they use year-round. For example, every Monday night, the basement in the Eagles Hall comes to life with the thumping of bongo drums, jingling of tambourines and the shaking of maracas.
Those are just a few of the sounds of Planet Percussion, a global music and dance group that formed in 1998. The group usually performs about 15 gigs a year, including the Thurston County Fair and Lakefair. But during Procession season, the group is open to anyone who wants to join, especially families.
"You don't have to have any kind of previous dance or percussion experience," said dance director Mercy Kariuki-McGee. "We'll teach them all of the movements."
Of course, there's no rule that you have to attend a workshop to be involved in the Procession. Many people show up the day of the event and jump right in.
Others, such as musician David Curts, try to participate in as many art and music workshops as possible.
The retired state worker, who performs with the West African percussion group known as Crow Drummers, said he likes the Procession because it promotes creativity and brings together people of all ages and backgrounds.
"It's just kind of magical," he said. "It's an opportunity to play. You get to go back to kindergarten where everything is just great."
Lisa Pemberton writes for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-704-6871 or lpemberton@theolympian.com.
If you go
What: 2007 Procession of the Species
When: 4:30 p.m. April 28
Where: Groups traditionally begin assembling at Legion Way and Cherry Street between Jefferson and Chestnut streets in downtown Olympia.
Studio open house
An open house is planned for noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at the new community arts studio, 115 State Ave. N.E., Olympia.
People are welcome to drop in for a tour, enjoy music and refreshments, and work on art projects.
The studio will remain open until 10 p.m. For more details, call 360-705-1087 o r go to www.procession.org.
Get involved
Several groups are offering community music and dance workshops to prepare for the Procession of the Species on April 28 in downtown Olympia.
Participants are encouraged to pay a one-time $10 donation per group, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
* Planet Percussion, a group that specializes in music a nd dancing from around the globe, practices from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays in the basement of the Eagles Hall, 805 Fourth Ave. (corner of Fourth and Plum), Olympia. For dance inquiries, call Mercy Karoki-McGhee at 360-888-3119. For other information, call David Curts at 360-870-3989 or go to www.planetpercussionband. com.
* Drum Fun, a freestyle drum circle with freestyle dancing, practices from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays in the youth room at The United Churches, 110 11th Ave. S.E., Olympia. For more information, call Scott Bishop at 360-943-1938 or go to www.oly-wa.us/drumcircle.
* Crow Drummers, a community group that plays West African music on traditional West African instruments, meets from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Thursdays at the "blue door studio" at 525 Cherry St., Olympia. Call David Curts at 360-870-3989 or go to www.oly-wa.us/drumcircle/crowdrummers.php.
* Salsa del Caribe, a Cuban and Afro-Brazilian dance and percussion group with brass and woodwinds, practices from 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays at the "blue door studio" at 525 Cherry St., Olympia. All ages, instruments and experience levels are welcome. Call Bernadette McCune-Sokoloski at 360-413-0905 or go to www.salsadelcaribe.com.
* Samba Olywa, a Brazilian and Afro-Brazilian music group with Samba dance, practices from 5 to 7 p.m. Sundays at the "blue door studio" at 525 Cherry St., Olympia. Call Juli Kelen at 360-866-6129 or go to www.sambaolywa.com.
