Out and About: Listen at Traditions, see the slopes and choose from classical offerings
Uncle Bonsai returns to Olympia
Concerts are back at New Traditions Café & Fair Trade, a longtime favorite venue for folk and other acoustic tunes. The café’s first concert since the before times is a pair of 40th anniversary shows by Seattle’s Uncle Bonsai, happening at 5:30 and 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, at the café, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia. The pop-folk trio’s bio describes its oeuvre as “what might happen if Tim Burton hijacked the Andrews Sisters en route to a Stephen Sondheim festival with The Beatles and Tom Lehrer in the sidecar,” and the anniversary show, featuring old songs, new songs and songs the band members never thought they’d perform again, is opening in Olympia before moving on to Seattle’s Triple Door Nov. 12 and 13. New Traditions is limiting each show’s seating to half capacity to allow space for social distancing; proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test is required for entry; and masks must be worn at all times except when seated and eating. Call 360-705-2819 to reserve tickets and secure a table for dinner.
Welcome ‘Winter’
“Winter Starts Now,” Warren Miller Entertainment’s 2021 spectacle of snow-packed action, is screening Friday, Nov. 5, in Olympia. “Winter,” the company’s 72nd annual showcase of skiing and snowboarding, travels from Alaska’s Prince William Sound all the way to Maine. The screening begins at 7:30 p.m. at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $17. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID test is required.
Hooked on classics
Fans of classical tunes played by local musicians have a choice of concerts on Sunday, Nov. 7, when both Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia (SOGO) and the Olympia Chamber Orchestra resume live performances. SOGO’s fall concert, including pieces by Schubert, Dvořák and Bach, is set for 4 p.m. at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $11-$17 with discounts available for seniors, students and military. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID test is required. Schubert is also on the program of the chamber orchestra’s “Transitions,” along with works by Mozart and Joseph Bologne. The chamber group will perform at 2:30 p.m. at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1601 North St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $5-$25. Proof of vaccination is required.
No matter the weather, freelance writer Molly Gilmore is unwilling to start winter until Dec. 21. She talks about what’s happening in Olympia and beyond with 95.3 KGY-FM’s Michael Stein from 3 to 4 p.m. Fridays.
This story was originally published November 4, 2021 at 5:00 AM.