Out and About: A play about vaccines, ’80s comics strut their stuff, local films screened

‘Fully Vaxxed’

Olympia Family Theater’s first production since the pandemic began is not your ordinary children’s theater experience, as the title makes clear. (Did the word “vaxxed” even exist two years ago?) Though the “Vaxxed” plays’ subject matter includes wrestlers, dragons and sasquatches, they are intended not just to entertain but to educate and spark conversation about the importance of vaccination. The CDC Foundation, a nonprofit that supports the work of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, funded the project, a trio of bilingual plays created by Latinx youth from around the state in collaboration with Latinx playwrights, including local filmmaker/actor/musician Miguel Pineda. The plays will be performed March 18-20 and April 1-3 at the theater, 612 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Tickets are available on a sliding scale. “Fully Vaxxed” also will tour to communities around the state and will be available for streaming, too. Olympia Family Theater requires audience members to be masked and to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result. Both rapid tests and masks will be available free in the theater’s lobby before shows.

’80s funny faces

The comedians featured in HaHaPalooza, happening Friday, March 18, in Olympia, are bound to bring back memories for those who’ve been around a while. Michael Winslow, a self-proclaimed “voicestrumentalist” who was recently featured on “America’s Got Talent” and is best known for the “Police Academy” films, is headlining the show at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. And the host is Todd Bridges, who became a household name at the age of 15, when he played Willis, the “Diff’rent Strokes” character whose doubtful younger brother’s catchphrase was, “What you talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” Bridges holds the distinction of being the last surviving cast member from the sitcom that spawned “The Facts of Life.” Also performing Friday: Robert Moore, Mike Coletta and Olympia’s own Sam Miller. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $25-$99. Strange as it feels to write it, there are no COVID restrictions for this show, although wearing a mask is encouraged.

Locals only

The Olympia Film Society’s Locals Only Shorts Showcase, launched 20 years ago, is back after a pandemic pause. The showcase, happening Saturday, March 19, features documentaries about Nisqually tribal leader Billy Frank Jr., sculptor Aisha Harrison and filmmaker Jonah Barrett, and narrative shorts including “Paillette,” a musical about a teen fashionista, and “The Bench,” about three women who meet at a park bench and find unexpected connections, plus experimental offerings. The documentary program screens at 4 p.m. at the society’s Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia, with the narrative program following at 7 p.m. Tickets for each screening are $11, or $8 for film society members. Proof of vaccination and masks are 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.

This story was originally published March 17, 2022 at 5:00 AM.