Celebrate the holiday season with outings to see choirs, crafts and a beloved ‘Rabbit’
Winter songs
As the holidays approach, South Sound comes alive with the sound of music. (Apologies to Rodgers and Hammerstein.) The Capital City Chorus’ popular “Christmas With the Chorus” is happening Friday through Sunday, Dec. 8-10. The concert includes unexpected tunes as well as classics, and there’ll be sing-alongs, too. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1515 Harrison Ave. NW, Olympia, and 2:30 p.m. at Capital High School Performing Arts Center, 2707 Conger Ave. NW, Olympia. Performances are free, with donations welcome. Also on Friday, the Olympia Peace Choir presents its solstice concert, “A Winter’s Night.” The 7 p.m. concert celebrates the return of the light amid the holiday lights of Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey. The concert is outdoors, so dress warmly, and bring chairs if you wish. It’s free, with donations welcome.
‘The Velveteen Rabbit’
Olympia Family Theater is celebrating the holiday season with “The Velveteen Rabbit,” based on Margery Williams’ classic tale of a stuffed rabbit who’s loved with such devotion that it becomes real. “Rabbit,” opening Friday, Dec. 8, runs just 55 minutes, with no intermission. And the length of the show, directed by Victor Velazquez, isn’t the only thing likely to appeal to younger theatergoers: Those who bring a stuffed animal to any performance will receive a snack, a photo op and more. It’s recommended for ages 5 and older. Performances are at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 31 at the theater, 612 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Masks are required for Sunday shows. Tickets are available on a sliding scale.
Duck the Malls
For the uninitiated, Duck the Malls is the Olympia Film Society’s cleverly named and rather unconventional holiday arts and crafts fair. Vendors are positioned throughout the theater for the sale — in the aisles, between the seats and on the stage. Among the goodies and giftables for sale will be handmade board games, toys, ironwork and musical instruments. There’s also a bake sale in the lobby. It all happens from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia.
Freelance writer Molly Gilmore is a frequent mall visitor thanks to OlyTheater inside the Capital Mall. She talks about what’s happening in Olympia and beyond with 95.3 KGY-FM’s Michael Stein from 3 to 4 p.m. Fridays.