What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Sunday, Feb. 19
13th Olympia Old Time Festival wraps up: The Oly Old Time festival wraps up three days of traditional old-time music and dance with a cabaret, where all are invited to perform, from 1-3 p.m. at the South Bay Grange, 3918 Sleater Kinney Road SE. Admission is free.
Tuesday, Feb. 21
Kilmer Town Hall Meeting in Shelton: U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, who represents the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas and part of Tacoma, will hold a public town hall meeting in Shelton at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, in the Skookum Room at the Mason PUD 3, 2621 E. Johns Prairie Road, Shelton. Those who wish to attend are asked to RSVP on eventbrite to reserve a spot.
Wednesday, Feb. 22
Irreverent Roots/Americana music at New Traditions Cafe: Fiddler and singer Kat Bula is teaming up with singer-songwriter Olivia Brownlee for a show at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at New Traditions Cafe, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia. Desserts and Drinks will be available. Admission is $25, or $18 for those with low income.
Thursday, Feb. 23
Animal Fire Theater play readings: Animal Fire Theater players gather at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Thursday of every month at New Traditions Cafe, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia, to present a series of play readings of lesser-known works by the world’s best playwrights. This month, Drew Doyle will direct the one-act plays of Anton Chekhov. No admission fee, but donations accepted.
Friday, Feb. 24
All-ages dance to benefit Thurston County Food Bank: JustUs Productions will present an all-ages musical dance event and benefit for the Thurston County Food Bank starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at the South Bay Grange, 3918 Sleater-Kinney Road NE. Two bands will play, The Purple Shadows playing Western swing, and Groove Lab, playing funk. Snacks and refreshments will be available. Admission is on a sliding Scale of $10-30, with $12 suggested; kids 12 and under get in free. Attendees also are encouraged to bring a few items non-perishable food and participate in a silent auction to help raise money for the food bank. For more information, call or text 360-706-9823.
Saturday, Feb. 25
Tinkering Studio: Come build and “think with your hands” with drop-in activities that seek to inspire the next generation of inventors, engineers, and tinkerers. Visitors of all ages can participate in hands-on design challenges that encourage out-of-the-box creations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St NE, Olympia. Admission is free.
Danish music at New Traditions: Gangspil, made up of Danish fiddler Kristian Bugge and accordionist Sonnich Lydom, will take audience members on a lively journey through traditions of Danish folk music at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb 25 at New Traditions Cafe, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia. Admission is $26, or $18 for those with low income.
Sunday, Feb. 26
Discussion of Washington’s nuclear past, present and future: Steve Olson, a Seattle author who most recently wrote “The Apocalypse Factory: Plutonium and the Making of the Atomic Age,” will speak at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at the Harstine Island Community Hall, 3371 E Harstine Island Road N., Shelton. His topic will be “Atomic Washington: Our Nuclear past, present and future,” and the many ways in which our state has been a nuclear pioneer.
Would you like to have your event included in our weekly What’s Happening listing? Email the details to news@theolympian.com at least 10 days before the event.
This story was originally published February 19, 2023 at 5:00 AM.