Fun events and things to do this week in Thurston County

Dec. 20

After 3,000 miles, musicians are home for the holidays

Singer-songwriter duo Emalee Hill of Olympia and Anna Robinson of Union spent six months hiking the length of the Rocky Mountains from the Canadian border to the Mexican one, playing concerts in bars, theaters and living rooms along the way. The twosome returns to this neck of the woods for a homecoming concert Friday in Olympia. They’re promising stories from the trail, too. The performance/party (with beverages and appetizers) will happen at 7 p.m. at Prosperity Grange, 3701 Steamboat Island Rd. NW, Olympia. Tickets are $20-$25, with kids admitted free. Find out more at facebook.com/3000miles.

Dec. 20-22

On the river and through the woods

By land and by water, Toad of Toad Hall, Rat, Mole and Badger have all kinds of adventures in “The Wind in the Willows,” in its final weekend at Olympia Family Theater. Based on the beloved book by Kenneth Grahame, the Olympia original musical — written and directed by Andy Gordon, with music by Bruce Whitney and lyrics by Gordon, Whitney and Daven Tillinghast — is an often droll love letter to the power of friendship. When the impetuous Toad (Jordan Richards) gets into trouble, his furry friends muster all their courage and cleverness to set things right. Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Olympia Family Theater, 612 Fourth Ave E., Olympia. Tickets are $15-$20. Get tickets and details at olyft.org or 360-570-1638.

Dec. 20-31

The haunting of ‘Holmes’

“Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol,” Harlequin Productions’ holiday offering, finds the famed detective feeling as misanthropic as Ebenezer Scrooge. But just as in Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic, John Longenbaugh’s 2010 pastiche brings in some spirits and turns things around, leaving Sherlock — and audiences — in the holiday spirit. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday plus Dec. 26-28; 2 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday plus Dec. 28 and 29; and 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at the State Theater, 202 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Tickets are $25-$50. Find out more and get tickets at harlequinproductions.org, or call 360-786-015.

Dec. 20-22

An old-fashioned romance

Olympia Little Theatre returns to the start of the 19th century in “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley,” a holiday romance in which “Pride and Prejudice’s” Mary Bennet gets her chance at love. Kathy Dorgan, well known for her many years as the Olympia High School drama teacher, directs the 2016 comedy by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon. Performances are 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. Find out more at olympialittletheater.org, or call 360-786-9484.

Dec. 21

Hometown ‘Heroes’ reunite for the holidays

Childhood best friends DK and Yonk Reinemer and Tim and Ben Eisner — the self-proclaimed Heroes of Improv — bring their skill at spontaneity back home Saturday night. It’s about the dozenth time the comedy quartet has combined a holiday visit to Olympia family with a show made up, according to the quartet’s press release, “entirely on the spot.” This year, the Reinemers and Eisners will show their stuff at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. at Olympia Family Theater, 612 Fourth Ave. E, Olympia. Tickets are $10-$15 in advance and $15-$20 (cash only) at the door. Get details and tickets at brownpapertickets.com/event/4450065.

Dec. 22

Greet Chanukah with lights and treats

Celebrate Chanukah with the Jewish Community of Olympia’s Giant Menorah Lighting, happening Sunday in Sylvester Park. Besides the 9-foot menorah, a symbol of the strength of light over darkness, the event will include a gelt drop (gelt, for the uninitiated, is chocolate wrapped in gold foil) and hot latkes and doughnuts. It’s free, and all are welcome. The celebration will happen from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the park, 615 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Find out more at jewisholympia.com/chanukah2019.

Dec. 23

Sing along with the symphony

Audience members are generally not welcome to sing along at symphony concerts, but the Olympia Symphony Orchestra’s “Home for the Holidays” is all about it. The orchestra, which hasn’t done a holiday concert since 2007, will get in the holiday spirit Monday with a concert stuffed like a stocking with carols. Jill Barnes, executive director of The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, and Nadine Bozeman, artistic director of the Olympia Youth Chorus, will lead the singing. The music will begin at 7 p.m. at the center, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. The concert is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. Get details at washingtoncenter.org or olympiasymphony.org, or call 360-753-8586.