What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Sunday, March 16
Olympia Symphony’s Open Doors concert: This concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts is a celebration of young talent and will feature youth violinists Lin Tokura and Ava Pakiam. They will participate in a Q&A with music director and conductor Alexandra Arrieche after the program. Tickets are $17.50 to $91. The center is at 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia.
Thursday, March 20
Olympia World Affairs Council speaker series: This month the topic is “Global Framework On Chemicals” presented by Susan Wilburn, consultant to WHO and leader in the global environmental health community. She will speak at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the South Puget Sound Community College’s Lacey Campus, 4220 Sixth Ave. SE. For more information, visit the OWAC website.
Friday, March 21
Ocean Shores Razor Clam & Seafood Festival: The 17th annual festival will run March 21-23 at the Ocean Shores Convention Center. Visitors can savor fresh whole Dungeness crab dinners caught locally by Quinault Pride Seafood, a variety of seafoods and other treats from the food court, 100 vendors. live music and more. Admission is free. In addition to the crab dinners, highlights are the Clam Chowder Tasting Contest, Sunday Crab Benedict Brunch, giant European slide, and Clam Gun Decorating Contest. Whole crab dinner tickets are $40 ($35 for active military and dependents) and half-crab dinners are $25. Dinners are recommended to be purchased in advance online to guarantee availability. The Crab Benedict Brunch runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, and includes a Bloody Mary or Mimosa. Hours are 11 am-7 pm Friday, 10 am-7 pm Saturday, and 10 am-3 pm Sunday.
Level Up Your Library Card with Ebooks and Audiobooks: In this workshop series, discover hidden gems from Timberland Regional Library staff and find out how to get the most out of your TRL Library card. This session will focus on using Libby/Overdrive to access ebooks and audiobooks. Meet in the Olympia library’s meeting room for a short presentation at 1 p.m. Friday, followed by a Q&A and time for hands-on practice. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own device for personalized assistance. You can learn how to browse and borrow e-books and e-audiobooks in the TRL collection; access your titles from your computer, Kindle, phone, tablet, or other device; navigate the Libby app using tags, deep search, and multiple Library cards; submit purchase requests for downloadable titles. The workshop is free.
Saturday, March 22
Olympia School District’s 2025 Countdown to Kindergarten: Students and families from the Class of 2038 — parents/guardians who have children entering kindergarten for the 2025-26 school year, both in-district and out-of-district — are encouraged to attend this event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 22, at Olympia High School, 1302 North St. SE. (Doors will open at 9:40 a.m.) Families will have an opportunity to learn about the transition to kindergarten and the enrollment process; interact in a mock kindergarten classroom; participate in activities at the P.E. and arts/music booths; talk with transportation and child nutrition staff; receive a free book from the South Sound Reading Foundation; find out about before- and after-school programs from Y-Care; learn about transferring to the OSD for out-of-district families; speak with Student Support if your child requires special needs accommodations. Online kindergarten enrollment opened March 1. Students must be 5 years old by Aug. 31, 2025, to enter kindergarten in the 2025-26 school year. Families can request an early entrance kindergarten assessment if the student turns 5 between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31, 2025. For more information, contact the OSD Elementary Education Department at (360) 596-6113.
Author talk with canine herbalist: Clinical canine herbalist and podcast host Rita Hogan, author of “The Herbal Dog: Holistic Canine Herbalism Applications and Practice,” will speak and sign books at Browsers Bookshop at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22. Hogan, who lives and practices in Olympia, will talk about how to look at a dog’s unique personality, physiology, and needs to select effective and personalized herbal remedies to support their constitutions and provide relief from ailments.
Wastewater Games at the WET Science Center: Try your hand at a collection of different games and learn about water while you do it. Toss trash where it belongs, place cards to treat wastewater, race to save water, and more. Admission is free to this all-ages event at the WET Science Center at 500 Adams St. NE. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, March 23
St. John’s Concert Series: The Olympia church’s series will feature Lute Legends Collective at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Episcopal church at 20th and Capitol Way. The ensemble performs music of ancient plucked string instruments, and is part of the Seattle Early Music Festival this season. Admission by donation. The church is on Intercity Transit bus route 13, with accessible entry off the parking lot at 19th Avenue.
Would you like to have your event included in our weekly What’s Happening calendar? Email the details to news@theolympian.com at least 10 days before the event. Please put What’s Happening in the subject line.