Ready for some fun? 5 things to do this weekend and beyond in Olympia and Lacey
Light up the park
West Central Park will host its third Luminary Celebration, bringing together the gorgeous, whimsical luminaries from Procession of the Species with the Artesian Rumble Archestra in an end-of-summer celebration of light and community. Participants will start gathering at 8 p.m. and festivities will kick off at dusk with a short procession around the park block, returning to the event area for dancing and luminary-gazing. Bring your own safe wearable or carry-able lighted creations. West Central Park is at 1919 Harrison Ave. NW, Olympia.
Free concert from The Bridge
Youth artists from The Bridge Music Project will perform their original music from The Bridge’s new compilation album Kaleidoscope starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Percival Landing Park, 217 Thurston Ave NW, Olympia. This Album Release Show is a free event open to the whole community.
OLT tells a Cheryl Strayed tale
Olympia Little Theater opens “Tiny Beautiful Things” this weekend, a play based on Cheryl Strayed’s work as an advice columnist, “Dear Sugar.” (She’s also the author of the book “Wild,” which was adapted into a Reese Witherspoon film.) The play includes coarse language and discussion of tough issues. Performances run through Sept. 25 at 7:25 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 1:55 p.m. Sundays, plus 7:25 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22. Tickets are $9-$15, depending on the performance; get them at olympialittletheatre.org. All patrons must wear a mask. The theater is at 1925 Miller Ave. NE, Olympia.
See a vintage film
Shirley MacLaine gives one of her greatest performances in the 1969 musical “Sweet Charity,” and director Bob Fosse broke new cinematic ground with the freewheeling story of a lovelorn New York dance hall hostess who dreams of old-fashioned romance but gives her heart to one undeserving man after another. The all-star cast includes Chita Rivera, Sammy Davis Jr., Ricardo Montalban and Stubby Kaye, and the songs include “Big Spender” and “If My Friends Could See Me Now.” The Olympia Film Society will present the roadshow version of restored film, which includes an overture, intermission, entr’acte and exit music, at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9 at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $11 general admission or $8 for OFS members. OFS asks that guests wear a mask over their nose and mouth except when eating or drinking.
Have an enchanted evening
Need a bit of midweek fairy dust? The Love Local events folks are hosting The Enchanted Fae Festival from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15 at Huntamer Park in Lacey’s Midtown. The evening will include a live performance by Slainte at 7 p.m., plus a scavenger hunt, aerialists, and wizards. Guest are invited to dress up as their favorite enchanted character. Food trucks and vendors will be on site. Admission is free.