Entertainment

Out and About: Party at Arts Walk, see Sam Miller make an album, catch play on pilots

By Molly Gilmore Contributing writer

Artsy street party

Olympia Arts Walk shifted during the pandemic from a weekend community gathering into a more spread-out month of arts events, but the twice-yearly celebration of community and creativity this spring includes a downtown street party reminiscent of Arts Walks past. The party — centered at Fifth Avenue and Washington Street, where the streets will be closed to traffic — is on from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 22, and from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 23. Highlights include hip-hop by Studio West Dance Academy’s EDGE (7:30 p.m. Friday) and a Procession of the Species-themed drum and dance performance by Samba Olywa (4 p.m. Saturday). Also in the party plan: giant chess, a pop-up skate park, buskers and kids’ activities presented by the Hands On Children’s Museum.

Also on offer for Arts Walk:

  • Celebrated papercut artist Nikki McClure will sign copies of her latest, “You Are Not Too Late,” from 4 to 5 p.m. Friday outside Browsers Bookshop, 107 Capitol Way N.
  • The young artists of The Bridge Music Project — including Amanda Ransom — will share their music at an Arts Walk Flowcase at 7 p.m. Friday at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE. Admission is free with donations welcome. Proof of vaccination and masks are required.
  • Ceramicist Joe Batt, known for his irresistible rabbit sculptures, has turned his attention to wolves, on display at Capitol Florist, 515 Capitol Way S.
Olympia comedian Sam Miller, who has a three-album contract with Stand Up Records, will record his first album at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at Olympia’s Capitol Theater.
Olympia comedian Sam Miller, who has a three-album contract with Stand Up Records, will record his first album at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at Olympia’s Capitol Theater. Gabriel Michael Courtesy photo

Stand-up guy

Olympia comedian Sam Miller, who made a splash in last year’s Seattle International Comedy Competition, has reached another milestone: He has a three-album contract with respected comedy label Stand Up Records. Miller will record his first album at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at Olympia’s Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE. (Doors open at 7 p.m.) Also on the bill are Portland funnyman Jake Silberman and Alex Zerbe, who bills himself as “The Zaniac.” Tickets are $12-$15. Proof of vaccination and masks are required.

“The Originals,” a locally written play in its opening weekend at Olympia Little Theatre, tells the little-remembered story of the first women to fly for the U.S. military.
“The Originals,” a locally written play in its opening weekend at Olympia Little Theatre, tells the little-remembered story of the first women to fly for the U.S. military. Courtesy of Olympia Little Theatre

Pioneering pilots

“The Originals,” by Olympia playwrights Tamara Keeton and Katherine Kelly, relates the adventures of the heroic pilots who flew in the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron during World War II. The play, which debuted in 2019 at the Olympic Flight Museum in Seattle, opens Friday, April 22, at Olympia Little Theatre. The cast includes Andrea Gordon, Hillary Lucero and Keith Eisner. Performances are at 7:25 p.m. April 22, 23, 29 and 30 and May 5-7 and at 1:55 p.m. April 24 and May 1 and 8 at the theater, 1925 Miller Ave. NE, Olympia. Tickets are $9-$15. Proof of vaccination or a negative test result 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 April 21, 2022 at 5:00 AM.

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