What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Sunday, Nov. 3
SOGO Fall Concert: This concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Washington Center of the Performing Arts kicks off SOGO’s 25th anniversary season, featuring its Conservatory, Philharmonic, and Academy orchestras as well as the Brass Choir. Experience Johannes Hanssen’s Valdres March, Mozart’s Symphony No. 25, conducted by Conservatory student Adeline Rice, and Florence Price’s Dances in the Canebrakes, featuring dancers from Ballet Northwest. Plus, hear Mark Thome’s inventive variations on America the Beautiful. The program of classical and contemporary compositions celebrates the talents of over 160 young musicians from across the South Sound region. Tickets are $8-24.
Monday, Nov. 4
Prayers for free, fair and safe elections: Looking for a place for quiet contemplation and prayers as we roll toward Election Day? Several area faith communities are offering space to all who wish for space to reflect on and/or offer prayers for free, fair and safe elections and for peace and unity in our nation. On Election Eve, Nov. 4, The United Churches, 110 11th Ave. S.E., Olympia, plans a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m. Then on Election Day, St. John | San Juan Episcopal Church, 19th and Capitol Way, Olympia, will have informal and interactive services, with music, prayers, scripture, opportunities to light prayer candles, etc. Morning Prayer from 8-8:30 a.m.; Noon Prayer from noon to 12:30 p.m.; Evening Prayer from 5:30-6 p.m.; Compline, a service of chant from 8-8:30 p.m. Folks can come as they are, when they can, and stay in the sanctuary between services. Services also will be live-streamed at stjohnsoly.org and through the St. John | San Juan Episcopal Church Facebook page. Also on Election Day, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1925 Boulevard Road SE, will have an open sanctuary for prayer between noon and 2 p.m.
Olympia Symphony Orchestra welcome meeting for volunteers: At the welcome meeting at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at the symphony’s administrative offices at 3400 Capitol Blvd., volunteers will meet executive director Jennifer Hermann and general manager Anna Barbee to learn about the meaningful ways to contribute to the symphony, from helping at concerts, supporting programs, or contributing behind the scenes. Volunteers enjoy exclusive perks: an OSO T-shirt, free concert tickets, behind-the-scenes access, and an opportunity to get to know the musicians and fellow volunteers. If you have questions or can’t make the meeting, call 360-753-0074.
Leonor R. Fuller Gallery presenta the 16th Annual Native Arts Exhibition: The gallery at South Puget Sound Community College’s Olympia campus hosts this annual show curated by local artist and writer Mikaela Shafer, which poses the question: “How can we lovingly honor our ancestors, heal generational traumas, and preserve culture in the modern world?” The exhibition will run from Nov. 4 to Dec. 13, and there will be an opening reception from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at the SPSCC gallery at 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia. The exhibit coincides with Native Heritage Month.
Wednesday, Nov. 6
“Salute to Statehood” is the theme of Governor’s Mansion November tours: History buffs can now reserve their spots for the “Salute to Statehood” tours at the Washington State Governor’s Mansion presented by the Governor Mansion Foundation docents. Commemorating Washington’s entry into the union in November 1889, the themed tours will showcase the mansion’s collections related to state symbols and history. In partnership with the Washington State Archives, the tours will also feature rare, original documents chronicling Washington’s path to statehood. The tours will also include the public rooms on the main floor of the mansion. Tours will take place Nov. 6 and 13, with four tours offered, starting at 10:30 a.m. and ending at noon. Each tour lasts 30 minutes. Each tour is limited to 30 guests. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance. Check-in with Washington State Patrol at the bottom of the driveway at least 10 minutes before the tour start time. Photo ID is required for all guests 18 and older. Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Backpacks, strollers, umbrellas, gum, food, and drinks are not allowed on the tour. All weapons are prohibited on the mansion grounds.
Strengthening Families series on Anxiety and Depression: Family Education and Support Services is launching a free 3-part series discussing the challenges of raising school-aged children with a session on anxiety and depression from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the Capital Region ESD 113, 6005 Tyee Drive SW, Tumwater. This is an effort to reinvent the nonprofit’s Strengthening Families annual conference. The session is designed to provide best practices and tools for parents, kinship and foster caregivers, and early childhood, home visiting, family support and other human service professionals. The event is free because of sponsorship by Seattle Children’s and The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound. Advance registration is necessary.
Thursday, Nov. 7
Exclusive showing of “Rainier: A Beer Odyssey”: O Bee Credit Union is hosting this free, special event celebrating the rich history of Rainier Beer in the Pacific Northwest. The film dives into the legacy of a local icon. The screening will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 at Regal Martin Village, 5400 Martin Way E, Lacey. Tickets are limited.
Monthly History Talks at the Schmidt House: Head to the Schmidt House in Tumwater at noon on the first Thursday of each month for an hour-long history talk on social history or natural history, each presented by a recognized expert. Attendance is free. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. First come, first seated until room capacity is reached. The Schmidt House is at 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater. This month’s speaker is Dick Moody of the Sons of the American Revolution. Dick will present a program on “Women in the Revolutionary War,” focusing on the stories of women and teenagers who were supporters, spies, and saboteurs, and those who bore arms and even received a pension. Moody is genealogist of the George Rogers Clark Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, which serves Thurston, Mason, and Lewis counties. Moody has a doctorate in education from Seattle University, master’s degree from Gonzaga University, and bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University.
Discovery Speaker Series on saving salmon: Join Puget Sound Estuarium at the Olympia Timberland Library at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, for a talk by Joseph Bogaard on “Save our Wild Salmon.” Bogaard is executive director of the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition. He will talk about what’s working and what isn’t as the region strives to rebuild healthy salmon populations. The talk is free. The library is at 313 Eighth Ave. SE.
Community Colleges present “The Book of Will”: The South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) Theatre Collective and Centralia College are co-producing “The Book of Will” written by Lauren Gunderson and directed by Olympia theater icon Brian Tyrrell. The play will run from Nov. 7-10 at SPSCC’s Minnaert Center for the Arts and Nov. 21-24 at Centralia College’s Corbet Theatre. “The Book of Will” tells the little-known, true story of how William Shakespeare’s friends, Henry Condell and John Hemings, rescued half of his plays from being lost forever. After the Bard’s death, these two actors embark on a quest to compile the First Folio, preserving the words that shaped their lives and changed the course of literature. At the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts, admission is a suggested $12 donation and is free for SPSCC students, staff, and faculty. To purchase tickets for the Corbet Theatre performances, visit Centralia College’s Drama page. More information, including performance times, is available on SPSCC’s Arts & Entertainment Calendar.
Friday, Nov. 8
Aimee Mann concert: Singer-songwriter Aimee Mann’s successful solo career has spanned decades with several Grammy nominations, two Grammy awards and the release of nine critically acclaimed solo albums, including the profoundly popular soundtrack for the film “Magnolia,” which garnered an Academy Award and Golden Globe nomination for Best Song in 2000. NPR voted her one of the “Top 10 Best Living Songwriters” along with Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen. Her latest release is called “Mental Illness” which won her a Grammy for Best Folk Album. The show is at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, and tickets are still available in the balcony for $79 and $45.
Slow Food enthusiasts Terra Madre Salone del Gusto: Join Slow Food Greater Olympia for this community potluck and sharing about this year’s Terra Madre Salone del Gusto in Turin, Italy. The event is presented in partnership with the Community Farm Land Trust to gather and hear reports of the Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, the Slow Food movement’s flagship international festival. Hosted every other year in Turin, Italy, this event is a conference combining an international food marketplace with workshops, networking,and music, all in celebration of good, clean, fair food around the globe. Several people in the Greater Olympia area recently attended and will share stories, experiences, and knowledge. The event runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at Our Community Kitchen, 4419 Harrison Ave, Olympia.
Saturday, Nov. 9
Wastewater chemistry lessons at WET Science Center: Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a wastewater scientist? Now is your chance to find out. Build molecules, use microscopes, and test water samples to learn the science of wastewater from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. There will be a presentation at 2 p.m. about the chemistry involved in wastewater treatment at LOTT. All ages are welcome; admission is free.
Salmon Experience at Bayshore Preserve: Join Capitol Land Trust and Puget Sound Estuarium to witness one of nature’s most extraordinary displays of migration and resilience. Every fall, thousands of chum salmon return from the Pacific Ocean to Johns Creek at the Land Trust’s Bayshore Preserve where their lives began to spawn and mark the transition of one generation of salmon to the next. Salmon docents and underwater cameras will be at Bayshore Preserve from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 9-11 at Bayshore Preserve: 3800 WA-3, Shelton. A variety of activities are planned, from kids activities and author talks to guided strolls and wildlife spotting. Spanish language interpretation is available.
Emerald City Music celebrates Pauline Oliveros: Emerald City Music (ECM), led by founding Artistic Director Kristin Lee, continues its Season 9 on a theme of Global Resonance with a performance celebrating the life and music of pioneer of “deep listening” and “sonic awareness,” Pauline Oliveros. The performance, curated and hosted by cellist Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir, takes place on at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 at the Capital High School Performing Arts Center, 2707 Conger Ave NW, Olympia. Tickets are $10 to $49.
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. Please put What’s Happening in the subject line.
This story was originally published November 2, 2024 at 12:00 PM.