Fun things to do this week in Thurston County

March 22-24

Catch ‘em while you can

It’s closing weekend for not one but two plays that have South Sound theater buffs buzzing:

• Harlequin Productions’ “Love and Information,” a collage-style show that explores the nature of, yes, love and information, wraps up its run with performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the State Theater, 202 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Tickets are $20-$35. Details: 60-786-0151, harlequinproductions.org

• Olympia Little Theater’s “Bunbury,” a critically adored comedy about fictional characters who take matters into their own hands, has three shows to go at 7:25 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1:55 p.m. Sunday at the theater, 1925 Miller Ave NE, Olympia. Tickets are $9-$15. Details: 360-786-9484, olympialittletheater.org

March 22

Reception kicks off eclectic art show

There’s a lot to see — and nothing to fear — at South Puget Sound Community College’s second annual Juror’s Invitational, an eclectic show featuring award-winning artists from last year’s Southwest Regional Juried Exhibition. Whether or not you’re an art lover, you might want to check out Lisa Kinoshita’s comments on consumerism and Jason Sobottka’s rhinoceroses making hilarious attempts to hide from poachers. The exhibition, open through April 19, kicks off with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at The Minnaert Center for the Arts at SPSCC, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia. Learn more at spscc.edu/gallery or 360-596-5527.

March 23

Wood you like to celebrate?

Even in a tree-hugging place like Olympia, Arbor Day isn’t generally the most festive of holly-days. But the City of Olympia is paying tree-bute to fir friends with a celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Percival Landing Park, 217 Thurston Ave. NW, Olympia. There’ll be trees to take home, a talk on pruning, a ceremony, and even an hour of music by the Artesian Rumble Arkestra. (The tunes begin at 11:15 a.m.) Read all about it at olympiawa.gov/arborday.

March 23

Odes to joy

Olympia Youth Chorus celebrates in song at “Threads of Joy,” set for Saturday. The concert — which will feature five choirs of varying ages — will include such sadness-smashers as “The Rainbow Connection,” first sung by Kermit the Frog in “The Muppet Movie,” the 1979 delight about how the Muppets got together. Music begins at 4 p.m. at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $8-$17 at washingtoncenter.org, the box office or 360-753-8586.

March 24

‘Life’ of Ira

Ira Glass, host of the venerable public-radio program and podcast “This American Life,” will speak Sunday in Olympia, and it might not be too late to get a ticket. Fans of the award-winning show already know why they’d want to listen to the quirky intellectual (who, incidentally, is the second cousin of composer Philip Glass) talk about any subject he chooses. On Sunday, the topic is “Seven Things I’ve Learned,” a number that seems vanishingly small given Glass’ long and illustrious radio career. The show is at 5 p.m. at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $20, or $117 for a VIP ticket with a pre-show meet and greet, but availability is limited; call the box office at 360-753-8586.

March 28-31

‘That’s Fronkensteen’

Broadway Olympia, Olympia’s newest theater company, has already tackled “The Rocky Horror Show.” Next up, the camp-loving company’s production of “Young Frankenstein,” Mel Brooks’ 2007 musical adaptation of his camp classic about Dr. Frankenstein, Igor, Frau Blucher — and Abby Normal. Performances are at 8 p.m. March 28-31 and 2 p.m. March 30 and 31 at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $22 and $25. Find out more at broadwayolympia.com.

March 26

Memories of Mary

“Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, ‘Stay awhile,’ ” Mary Oliver wrote. The beloved poet died Jan. 17, leaving her flocks of fans with 20-plus volumes of intimate observations about the world around her — and with a renewed appreciation of the wonders of nature and the power of presence. Local luminaries and other poetic types will celebrate Oliver and her life with readings of her work at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Browsers Bookshop, 107 Capitol Way N., Olympia. Get details at browsersolympia.com or 360-357-7462.

This story was originally published March 19, 2019 at 2:51 PM.