10 things to do in South Sound this weekend, March 20-22
Friday (March 20)
The perfect pairing
South Puget Sound Community College’s Jazz Series pairs Scott Cossu with chefs Treacy Kreger and Christine Ciancetta at “An Evening of Fine Jazz and Northwest Cuisine” at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Minnaert Center for the Arts at SPSCC, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia. Cossu, a composer, pianist and Windham Hill recording artist, will play at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 for general admission, $30 for seniors, students, staff and military. Call 360-753-8586 for tickets.
Friday (March 20)
Multiple personalities
The Young Audiences New York Literature to Life Program presents a one-woman show based on Jeannette Walls’ acclaimed 2005 memoir “The Glass Castle” at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. The performance lasts an hour, with facilitated discussions before and after the show. Tickets are $25 general admission; $7 for students, seniors, youth and military. The production starring Sarah Franek about a dysfunctional family includes intense themes and is suggested for ages 13 and older. For more information, call 360-753-8586 or go to washingtoncenter.org. And read more about the show here.
Friday-Saturday
Two-night stand
One of the most highly regarded Hot Club-style groups working today, Pearl Django will be perform their gypsy jazz at 8 p.m. both Friday and Saturday evening at Traditions Café, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia. Tickets are $18 general admission and $12 for students and those with low income. Call 360-705-2819 for the details.
Friday-Sunday
Pioneer portrait
Olympia Family Theater is opening “Our Only May Amelia,” a story of southwest Washington pioneer history and an adaptation of Jennifer Holm’s novel. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the theater, 612 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Tickets are $19 general admission; $16 for students, seniors and military; $13 for youth (12 and younger) — and are available at olyft.org or at the box office. The show is recommended for ages 8 and older. For more information, call 360-570-1638 or go to olyft.org. And be sure to read Molly Gilmore’s story about star Kate Hayes and her ties to the character here.
Friday-Sunday
Get the giggles
Harlequin Productions’ semi-autobiographical comedy about Neil Simon’s days as a television writer in the 1950s, “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” continues at the State Theater, 202 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, through March 28. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $20-$32 and available online at harlequinproductions.org.
Friday-May 1
The feminine experience
Take in the new exhibit “Her Story (Art Exhibition)” on display at the Minaert Center for the Arts gallery at South Puget Sound Community College, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia. The group exhibition about the creative feminine experience features six artists: Yukiyo Kawano, Jeana Eve Klein, George LeMasurier, Pat McLain, Erika Navarette and Joyce Polance. The exhibit will be on display through May 1. To find out more, call 360-754-7711 or go to spscc.ctc.edu.
Saturday
Filling bellies, warming hearts
Share a meal at Olympia’s Artesian Commons with someone living on the streets as part of Dinner at the Well. Proceeds will go to Partners in Prevention Education’s programs at Artesian Commons. The first seating for the dinner is at noon Saturday; second seating will be at 3 p.m. Tickets are $50, which pays for one meal for the ticket buyer and one for a person living on the streets; they are available at dinneratthewell.brownpapertickets.com. Artesian Commons is at Fourth Avenue and Jefferson Street downtown. For more information, contact renata.rollins@gmail.com or go to facebook.com/events/429256237249907/. Also, if you’d like to donate to PiPE’s programs at the commons but can’t attend on Saturday, visit youthchangeagents.org/Donate.html, call 360-357-4472 or email renata.rollins@gmail.com. And read more about the event here.
Saturday
Poetic license
Washington Poet Laureate Elizabeth Austen will visit Orca Books, 509 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, for a reading from her book “Every Dress A Decision” at 7 p.m. Saturday. She will be joined by Olympia poet Tim Kelly, whose poems reflect his work as a physical therapist, and who has been published in Field, Image, The Northwest Review and The Seattle Review. For more information on the free event, call 360-352-0123.
Saturday
Funds for the fair
The Thurston County Fair Foundation will raise funds for improvements to the fairgrounds at an auction and dinner at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey. The event will include silent and live auctions, a barbecue dinner and a dessert auction. Tickets are $35, or $50 for couples. Call 360-786-5453 for more information.
Sunday
They’ve got the beat
Using ladders, power tools, trash cans and other items, Recycled Percussion will bring an energy-packed drumming performance to The Washington Center for the Performing Arts stage. The group first gained recognition in the 2009 season of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” and it’s gone on to play more than 4,000 shows in more than 15 countries since. See them at 5 p.m. Sunday at the center, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $12.50-$35, plus a $3 service fee, and are available at 360-753-8585 or washingtoncenter.org.
This story was originally published March 19, 2015 at 3:32 PM with the headline "10 things to do in South Sound this weekend, March 20-22."