Looking for some plans? This weekend in Olympia you’ll find wintry fun and a jazz great

Cabaret jazz

Jay Thomas is among the leading jazz soloists in the Northwest, appearing with his own group and as a member of groups far and wide. In 2020, Thomas was the winner of the Journalist Jazz Heroes award for being a mentor and inspiration for young jazz players. The multi-instrumentalist is a former Earshot Golden Ears winner (three times) and is also a member of the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame. His band will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, in the Black Box at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $39 for reserved seating, $32 for general admission.

Last chance for a twirl on the ice

The holidays may be over, but the city of Olympia’s love affair with wintry fun isn’t quite. Oly on Ice, the city’s seasonal ice skating rink, continues through Monday, Jan. 16. General admission is $15, however, those 3 and younger skate for $5 anytime. Daytime and evening hours vary. Visit olyonice.com for more information on hours, purchasing tickets and other details. Tickets may be reserved online in advance on a first come/first served basis so you can reserve your preferred time. The ice rink is set up at Isthmus Park at 529 Fourth Ave. W. in downtown Olympia.

Imagining a winter wonderland

Celebrate winter at Hands On Children’s Museum with three days of frozen fun at Ice Adventures Polar Palooza Friday through Sunday, Jan. 13-15. Meet costumed characters, use tools to shave ice, skate in your socks, explore Arctic engineering and ice cave habitats, and see exciting Dr. Science experiment with liquid nitrogen. You also can learn how to snowshoe with Olympia Mountaineers from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. General admission is $16.95; online timed reservations are recommended. The museum is at 414 Jefferson St. NE, Olympia.