The Olympian’s picks for fun and culture this week

March 6

Ladies aim to make you LOL

Ladies of Laughter — a name undoubtedly chosen for the abbreviation — returns to Olympia on Friday, bringing a new crop of winners from the national competition. Wondering whether to go? Here’s a look at the comics on the current tour:

• Karen Rontowski, who gives tarot readings and investigates paranormal phenomena when she’s not telling jokes, remembers when ghosts used to make their presence known by turning TVs on and off. “But now,” she jokes, “they just stand around the three remotes going, ‘I don’t know which one it is.’ ”
• Julia Scotti made it to the quarterfinals of “America’s Got Talent” in 2011 with lots of loud, self-deprecating jokes about her weight, her face, her fitness and especially her age. “My primary care doctor is a paleontologist,” she riffs.
• Jocelyn Chia, who was once named New York’s funniest lawyer, has won two Moth story slams and has a low-key style. Speaking about her experience as an immigrant, she says, “Y’all cannot tell Asians apart. … I learned this back in college because when I go to the bars with my Asian posse, we could all get in with just one ID.” She pauses. “We used my dad’s ID.”

Want more? The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $25-$45. Find out more at washingtoncenter.org, or call 360-753-8586.

March 7

The Dead are alive

Well, some of them are, at least. Original Grateful Dead pianist Tom Constanten is part of the tribute act Live Dead ’69, playing Saturday in Olympia. Also in the band are Slick Aguilara, former lead guitarist in Jefferson Starship; Mark Karan, lead guitarist with Bob Weir’s Rat Dog; Robin Sylvester, Rat Dog’s bassist; and drummer Joe Chirco. This Dead will perform — and elaborate on — the original band’s Woodstock set. The jamming begins at 8 p.m. at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia, with doors opening at 7. Tickets are $20-$25. Get tickets and details at olympiafilmsociety.org/live-dead-69/, or call 360-754-6670.

March 7

Horror plus Hotpants

With “Horror Show,” Vanessa the Witch (aka Vanessa Postil) aims to put a spell on audiences who enjoy horror’s chills as well as burlesque’s thrills. Postil promises an immersive multi-sensory event that mixes burlesque and drag with film and music. Hattie Hotpants will host the show, set to start at 9 p.m. at Cryptatropa Bar, 421 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Tickets are $15 at the door, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. There’ll be a post-show dance party, too, with music by DJ La Llarona. For details, call 360-754-3867.

March 7

Dancers work to make a difference

Studio West Dance Theatre’s 12th annual Dance to Make a Difference unites dancers from seven local schools and companies in an effort to help local people without homes. The fundraiser, happening Saturday, is part gala and part dance showcase, and proceeds this year go to Homeless Backpacks and Homes First. The performance begins at 8 p.m. at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. The gala, at 6, offers wine, dinner, live music and a silent auction. Tickets are $45 for the full event and $15 for the performance only. Find out more dancetomakeadifference.org/, and get tickets at washingtoncenter.org, or call 360-753-8586.

March 8

Join the cello-bration

Improv cellist Helen Gillet, playing Sunday in Olympia, describes her work as taking the cello on a joy ride. The Belgium-born musician, who combines live looping and vocals with cello, has developed her eclectic musical style — a blend of avant-garde jazz, French art song and alternative rock — in New Orleans. She’ll perform from 7 to 10 p.m. at Octapas Café, 414 Fourth Ave. E, Olympia. Tickets are $15-$20. Get details at octapascafe.com, or call 360-878-9333.

March 12

Queen for a day

Mercury Rising, playing Thursday, is a Queen tribute band — but not a regular tribute band. It’s a one-night-only tribute featuring some of Olympia’s favorite musical-theater talent, including Bruce Haasl, Amy Shephard and Jerod Nace, who came up with the idea to do a tribute to celebrate his 40th birthday. Broadway Olympia’s Kyle Murphy liked the idea so much that he decided to produce the show, happening at 8 p.m. at The Minnaert Center for the Arts at South Puget Sound Community College, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia. Tickets are $19, and it’s a fundraiser for Broadway Olympia’s new theater in Capital Mall. Find out more at broadwayolympia.com, or call 360-753-8586.

This story was originally published March 6, 2020 at 5:45 AM.