Out and About: Laugh at comics, hear a guitar icon, or get caught up in real stories
LOL
In this case, that means “lots of laughs,” which is what The Washington Center for the Performing Arts has on tap this week. On Saturday, Feb. 12, “The Daily Show” writers Matt Koff, Joe Opio, Randall Otis and Kat Radley will bring comedy both personal and political to the center. (Sample joke, from Emmy winner Koff: “A friend of mine asked me, ‘Matt, why are Jewish guys always so socially awkward?’ I can only speak from my own experience, but the first party I ever went to, a strange man who I’d never seen before cut the tip of my penis off. I’m kind of weird around new people.”) Olympia standup comic Sam Miller, who made it to the finals of last year’s Seattle International Comedy Competition, is hosting. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $25-$57. Then at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, the center’s Comedy Underground features Auggie Smith, Josh Firestine and Geoff Brousseau. Tickets are $28. The center, at 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia, requires proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test for those patrons 12 and older.
Musical legend
Richard Thompson’s musical career began more than 50 years ago when he co-founded the Fairport Convention, sometimes described as “the British Jefferson Airplane.” Since then, the British singer-songwriter-guitarist — who’s on Rolling Stone’s list of the top 100 guitarists of all time — has been wowing critics and inspiring legions of other musicians. Robert Plant, David Byrne, REM and Olympia-born Sleater-Kinney (“I Want To See the Bright Lights Tonight”) are just a few of the many major artists who’ve covered Thompson’s songs. He takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $34-$69. The center requires proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test for those ticketholders 12 and older.
Story time
StoryOly, Olympia’s monthly story slam, celebrates the power of true stories told by professional performers and ordinary folks alike. (Each evening’s tellers are chosen at random from among all those interested.) The slam, founded by local entertainment wizards Elizabeth Lord and Amy Shephard, is also celebrating the power of community, donating half of each month’s proceeds to a business damaged in the Dec. 15 fire on Capitol Way North. This month’s slam — with the theme “Fraud” — happens at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, at Cryptatropa Bar, 421 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Admission is on a sliding scale ($5-$15 suggested), with half of proceeds benefiting Sa Voix Salon. Proof of vaccination is required.
Freelance writer Molly Gilmore talks about what’s happening in Olympia and beyond with 95.3 KGY-FM’s Michael Stein from 3 to 4 p.m. Fridays.