Fun things to do this week in Thurston County

Jan. 3

Go on a virtual vacation — or doctor visit

Kids who wish they were on a vacation right now can make believe Friday at the Hands On Children’s Museum. The theme at this month’s First Friday Night is Vacation Getaway, and kids are invited to explore such beach-themed activities as Sand Animation and with snow-inspired fun like Sweater Science and Rollers, Ramps and Skis. The event will also include a Teddy Bear Clinic conducted by Kaiser Permanente. Each kid will get a free teddy bear, which they can take to the clinic for a checkup. The activities happen from 5 to 9 p.m. at the museum, 414 Jefferson St. NE, Olympia. Admission is free for the first two people in a family or group and $2 for each additional person. Find out more at hocm.org, or call 360-956-0818.

Jan. 3

Hear acclaimed Austrian organist

Organist Lukas Hasler performs Friday at the newly reopened Saint Michael’s Church in Olympia. Hasler, 22 and a student at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Austria, tours internationally and has performed in Germany, France, Italy, Great Britain, Russia and Israel as well as at some of the largest cathedrals in the United States. He has won a number of music competitions and performed in several festivals. He’ll play at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the church, 1055 Boundary St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $5-$20, with children younger than 12 admitted free. Get them and find out more at saintmichaelparish.org/hasler/.

Jan. 4 and 7

Get poetic with Olympia’s laureate

Olympia poet laureate Sady Sparks will share her passion for poetry Saturday at an open house along the water. Sparks welcomes people of all ages to play with poetry at the event, which will feature word games, poetry stations and an opportunity to explore living more poetically. Hot beverages will be served, too. The free drop-in event happens from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Harbor House on Percival Landing, 405 Columbia St. NW, Olympia. Want more poetry? Sparks will read one of her poems at the Olympia City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Olympia City Hall, 601 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Since 2016, the council has invited the city’s laureate to read at its first meeting of the new year. Get details on both events at olympiawa.gov/city-services/parks/public-art/poet-laureate.aspx.

Jan. 4

‘Shrek’ screening is free for kids

A friendly green ogre meets fairy-tale characters and falls in love with a princess in the 2001 animated film “Shrek,” showing on the big screen Saturday at the Capitol Theater. “The movie was hilarious, yet touching,” wrote Ellis Boran, the Olympia Film Society’s 12-year-old social-media influencer/critic. “The movie didn’t have many flaws, but I do think they could have cut down on the jokes.” Ellis, a student at the Northwest School of Innovative Learning, has been writing his Cine-Files column for the film society since the spring. Check him out on Instagram at @inspired_orca, or read the rest of his “Shrek” review at olympiafilmsociety.org/free-for-kids-12-under-ofs-kids-club-shrek/. The screening, part of the Kids Club series, happens at 11 a.m. at the theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. It’s free for children 12 and younger and $5-$8 for teens and adults. Find out more at olympiafilmsociety.org, or call 360-754-6670.

Jan. 6 to Feb. 7

Postcard show explores ‘Power Tools’

South Puget Sound Community College’s annual Fine Art Postcard Exhibition offers the opportunity to explore what’s on the minds of artists from novice to pro — and the opportunity to purchase pieces from artists whose work you might not otherwise be able to afford. You can check out 190 works on the theme of “Power Tools” — from drills to the written word — at this year’s exhibition, opening Thursday at The Gallery at the Minnaert Center for the Arts at SPSCC, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia. There’s an opening reception from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Jan. 10 and a closing reception from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 7. Gallery hours are noon-6 p m. Mondays through Fridays, except holidays, and admission is free. Get details at spscc.edu/gallery, or call 360-596-5527.

Jan. 6

Eclectic jazz quartet bends genres

The Tiptons Sax Quartet and Drums, founded by internationally known singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Amy Denio of Seattle, plays such a broad spectrum of sounds that the band has defined its own genres, including “micro-big band,” “whimsical jazz” and “nocturnal funk.” Hear all that and more when the four singing sax players and their drummer play Monday in Olympia. The show, presented by Olympia Jazz Central, is from 8 to 11 p.m. Monday at Rhythm and Rye, 311 Capitol Way N., Olympia. A $5-$25 donation is suggested for the concert. To find out more, call 360-705-0760.

Jan. 8

These artists dare to take to the air

The action will be over your head — literally, anyway — at “The Brotherhood Takes Flight,” Olympia’s monthly aerial showcase. Among the performers dangling from the rafters this month will be special guest Tanya Brno, a former ballerina and longtime mainstay of Seattle’s circus scene. The soaring spectacle, normally held the first Wednesday of each month from fall to spring, was pushed back a week due to last week’s holiday. There’s no cover charge, but tipping is encouraged. Get details at 360-352-4153.