What’s happening this week around Thurston County

Sunday, Sept. 11

Artist talk with Harvest Moon and Dan McKinstry: Arbutus Folk School will host this talk with storyteller and basketweaver Harvest Moon and luthier Daniel McKinstry, who builds and repairs string instruments. Both have use western red cedar as a medium for their craft. The event runs 2-4 p.m. at the school, 610 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. This event is part of the Community Roots series. Register for one or all events in the series on the Window Seat Media website.

South Sound Dahlia Society: The 42nd Annual Dahlia Show will bring a “sea of flowers” to the Capital Mall, 625 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Olympia. The display will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free admission.

Sea Stroll: Puget Sound Estuarium staff will guide participants on a 1.5-mile loop around downtown Olympia from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11. Guides will point out historic changes to the city’s shoreline. Those interested in attending must register online. Adults pay $15 but children under 12 can attend for free. This is the last stroll of the 2022 season.

Monday, Sept. 12

The Olympia Peace Choir will begin its 2022-23 season with a rehearsal at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12. The choir is looking for singers of all ranges who want to share the joy of singing and harmonizing with our group. No auditions necessary. Go to the Olympia Peace Choir Facebook page or website for complete information on the registration process.

Wednesday, Sept. 14

“Nosferatu” with live score by Invincible Czars: The Olympia Film Society is celebrating the 100th anniversary of one of the most important horror films of the silent era and one of the first vampire movies with a screening at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Capitol Theater, 205 Fifth Ave. E., Olympia. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 general admission or $12 OFS members. Fans are encouraged to dress for the Halloween season. Attendees are encouraged to wear face masks.

Thursday, Sept. 15

Beginning square dance lessons: Good fun and exercise in a friendly atmosphere on Thursday evenings, sponsored by Olympia Area Square Dancers. First lesson: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15, at Lac-A-Do Hall, 1721 46th Ave. NE, Olympia. Couples, singles and families are welcome. No experience necessary. For more information, call Nancy at 360-438-1284.

Saturday, Sept. 17

StoryOly Grand Slam Competition: This live storytelling event will happen at 7 p.m. at the Eagles Grand Ballroom, 805 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Doors open at 6 p.m. For those 21 and older only. Admission is by a suggested donation of $15-$25 at the door, although no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Tenino Railroad Day: The city of Tenino is celebrating 150 years since the Northern Pacific Railroad drove in the final spike in the sleepy Scattercreek Valley in 1872 and named the depot Tenino. A free party will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Tenino Depot Museum, 399 W. Park Ave.

Chehalis Flying Saucer Party: To honor the 75-year anniversary of the first major UFO sighting in America, which happened over Mount Rainier, three venues in Chehalis — City Farm Chehalis, McFiler’s Chehalis Theater and the Lewis County Historical Museum — will host this event. The museum will be free to enter and will host multiple UFO-themed exhibits, including a new permanent exhibit on Kenneth Arnold, the man responsible for that first sighting. At 1 p.m., the museum will host a free Saucer Drop, when toy discs containing prizes will be tossed from the museum’s gazebo. At McFiler’s Theater, free flying saucer cartoons will be playing all day. For $5, attendees can view “The Day the Earth Stood Still” at 8 p.m. Renowned UFO experts will give presentations all day at City Farm, with a panel Q&A at 6:30 p.m. Each presentation costs $10 to attend, or $60 for a VIP pass to all, available at flyingsaucerparty.org through Friday. Proceeds will benefit the Lewis County Historical Museum.

Sunday, Sept. 18

Olympia Musical Theatre’s 1000 Beautiful Things fundraiser: The nonprofit theater is throwin this cabaret fundraiser directed by Troy Arnold Fisher at The Albee’s Garden Parties, 4127 20th Lane NW, Olympia. Food service begins at 4 p.m., and the program begins at 5 p.m. RSVP to olympiamusicaltheatre@gmail.com.

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This story was originally published September 11, 2022 at 5:00 AM.