The Olympian’s picks for fun and culture this week

Jan. 24

Master of magic

Olympia magician Jeff Evans, performing downtown on Friday, is a longtime favorite around the Northwest. Evans has been honing his mix of interactive magic, clean comedy and silly stunts for 28 years, performing more than 250 shows each year, and he’s won more than a dozen awards along the way. Friday’s “Amazing Magic Show,” sponsored by the Timberland Regional Library’s Friends of the Library and the City of Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation department, begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW. Get details at events.trl.org/node/19384, or call 360-352-0595.

Jan. 24

A different kind of improv

Strip at the Crypt bills itself as Oly’s first improv burlesque show. The show, happening Friday at Cryptatropa Bar, gives audience members the chance to pick who strips and features such well-known burlesque performers as Hattie Hotpants, Vanessa the Witch, Nani Poonani and Rainie Dae. “Bring your dollar bills, because the bar runs out,” advises the Facebook event page. Check out the action at 9 p.m. at Cryptotropa, 421 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. The cover charge is $13 at the door. To find out more, call 360-754-3867.

Jan. 25

Clothes call

The library is no longer just for books, of course: It’s for music and computers and concerts and scavenger hunts and dances and more. And this weekend, it’s a place to go for clothes. The Lacey Timberland Library is hosting a Fat Positive Clothing Swap from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday. The swap, focusing on items size 12 and larger, invites people of any gender to bring unwanted clothing to the library and go home with new-to-you pieces someone else is ready to give away. There’ll be refreshments, and you can donate leftovers, if you like. The library is at 500 College St. SE, Lacey, and the swap is free. Get details at events.trl.org/events/fat-positive-clothing-swap, or call 360-491-3860.

Jan. 25

Come monkey around

The Grammy-nominated kid-rock trio Recess Monkey sings about such subjects as the dread of “Braces” and the joys of “Hot Chocolate.” The band of teacher-musicians is playing a free show Saturday in Lacey, where they’ll introduce kids to such characters as “Ukulalien” and “Knocktopus.” The concert, hosted by Family Education and Support Services, happens from 10 to 11 a.m. at South Puget Sound Community College’s Lacey campus, 4220 Sixth Ave. SE. After the concert, there’ll be free kids’ activities until noon. For more information, call 360-754-7629.

Jan. 25

Women’s day

Though female filmmakers have more opportunities and get more recognition than they once did, they’re still underrepresented. A study by the University of Southern California found that of the top 100 films of last year, just 10.6 percent were directed by women, and that was the highest percentage in more than a decade. Lunafest, sponsored by the makers of Luna Bars, is aiming to increase opportunities for women in film. The 21st annual traveling fest, featuring seven short films, screens Saturday in Olympia. Selections include “Purl,” a story about a ball of yarn (pink, of course) coping with a bunch of annoying male co-workers. The fest, presented by the Olympia Soroptimists and the Olympia Film Society, happens at 4 p.m. at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $7-$10. Get tickets, find out more and check out the festival trailer at https://olympiafilmsociety.org/lunafest-2020/, or call 360-754-6670.

Jan. 25

Homegrown Zen folk

Olympia singer-songwriter Bradley Andrews is celebrating the release of his third album, “Sweet Company” with a Saturday concert/party. His music has been classified as Zen folk, and he’s also been compared to Willie Nelson. “You will have to come find out for yourself,” Andrews writes in a press release for the show, happening from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Cooper Point Public House, 3002 Harrison Ave. NW, Olympia. The party will include not only music from the new album but also stories, a trivia contest and more. Andrews is also open to jamming with other musicians, drummers and singers — and the show is free. Find out more about Andrews at https://bradleygandrews.com/, and check out the title track of the album at http://youtube.com/watch?v=VgBpEhcc6I4.

Jan. 25

Midwest minimalist folk

Michigan-based duo Red Tail Ring, known for their minimal arrangements of folk music both traditional and new, are playing Saturday in Olympia. Michael Beauchamp and Laurel Premo — praised as “a peerless duo” by American Roots UK — have played all over the United States and much of Europe. The name pays tribute to Michigan’s red-tailed hawk and red fox, Beauchamp said. “We wanted to imbue our band name with something that reminded us of home, so when we’re far flung and on the road, we never forget the wilderness that we love in our home state,” he told The Olympian. The ring part, he added, is open to interpretation. The concert is set for 7:30 p.m. in New Traditions Café, 300 Fifth Ave. SW. Tickets are $10-$16.50. Get details at http://newtraditionsfairtrade.com, or call 360-705-2819 for more information or to buy tickets in advance.