9 Things to Do in South Sound this weekend, Oct. 3-5
Friday & Saturday
Art everywhere
Yes, it’s fall Arts Walk weekend, which offers a lively mix of visual and performing arts at 96 downtown businesses and on the streets of Olympia — all for free, unless you delight an artist and make a purchase. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday throughout downtown Olympia. For more information, call 360-753-8380 or go to olympiawa.gov/artswalk — and make sure you read Molly Gilmore’s interview with cover artist Kristen Etmund and check out her Arts Walk highlights elsewhere at www.theolympian.com/entertainment. Official Arts Walk maps/programs also are available at participating businesses and at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, and Olympia City Hall, 601 Fourth Ave.
Friday through Sunday
Race and real estate
Harlequin Productions opens “Clybourne Park,” a Pulitzer- and Tony-winning play that examines issues of race and gentrification in two acts, one set in 1959 and the other 50 years later. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the State Theater, 202 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Tickets are $31 general admission, $28 for seniors and military, $20 for students and those younger than 25. Discounted rush tickets are available a half-hour prior to curtain. For more information, call 360-786-0151 or go to harlequinproductions.org — and be sure to read Molly Gilmore’s preview of the play elsewhere at www.theolympian.com/entertainment.
Saturday
Add some foliage
Check out the annual Fall Native Plant Sale sponsored by the Washington Native Place Society South Sound Chapter. The fall is a great time to add native plants to your landscape and all proceeds benefit the society’s education and conservation efforts. The sale runs 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the State Capital Museum Coach House, 211 21st Ave. SW, Olympia.
Saturday
It’s all about the kids
Lacey’s annual Children’s Day is going to the Wild West. Bring the kids out dressed up as cowboys and cowgirls and join in the fun of pony rides, a petting zoo, horse-drawn carriage rides, face painting and more acitivities from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Leapin‘ Louis will perform on the main stage at 11 a.m. as part of the event sponsored by Lacey Parks & Recreation and the Lacey Timberland Regional Library. It’s all free and takes place at Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey. Call 360-491-0857 for more information.
Saturday
Foot-stomping twang
Listen to the bluegrass harmonies and instrumentals of the Downtown Mountain Boys when they play at 8 p.m. Saturday at Traditions Café and World Folk Art, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia. Tickets are $15 general admission and $10 for students and those with low income. Call 360-705-2819 for more information.
Saturday and Sunday
Aw shucks
OysterFest, hosted by the Shelton Skookum Rotary Club Foundation, brings together oysters, wines, microbrews, live music and more for a weekend of fun. The event is home to the West Coast Oyster Shucking Championships and features cook-offs, exhibits and a food pavilion with nearly 100 items on the menu. The festival supports about 100 local nonprofit service clubs and organizations. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5 at the gate at Mason County Fairgrounds. Go to oysterfest.org for directions and more information.
Sunday
Press on
Head out to the Tumwater Historical Association’s New Market Homestead Cider Sunday. With the theme of Thurston County through the Decades: 1850-1875, it will be a day of old-fashioned cider pressing and family fun. Bring your apples and containers and watch as the homesteaders make cider for you. The free event runs 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at Tumwater Falls Park. For more information, go to tumwaterhistoricalassociation.org/specialevents.html.
Sunday
Jazzy drumming
Put a little rhythm into your Sunday afternoon by heading to St. John’s Episcopal Church to hear the Ear Shot Jazz award-winning Seattle band The Steve Korn Group. The concert begins at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. John’s, 114 20th Ave SE, Olympia. Admission is by donation; free child care is available. An artists reception will follow the performance.
Sunday
New season of classics
The Olympia Symphony Orchestra launches its 2014-15 season with “Musical Stories,” a program that includes works by Dvorák, Dukas, Bruch and Victor Davies, and includes solos by cellist Holly Reeves and tuba player J.C. Sherman. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $22.50 to $55. For more information, call 360-753-8586 or go to washingtoncenter.org or olympiasymphony.com — and be sure to read Rosemary Ponnekanti’s interview with conductor Huw Edwards elsewhere at www.theolympian.com/entertainment.
This story was originally published October 2, 2014 at 3:36 PM with the headline "9 Things to Do in South Sound this weekend, Oct. 3-5."