What’s happening this week around Thurston County

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.

Oil Painting Sampler Class: Curious about oil painting but not sure if you would like it? Hesitating about going to the expense of buying materials? Join this two-hour Oil Painting Sampler Class with artist Nancy Romanovsky. Explore oil painting using professional studio art materials while learning techniques and receiving tips. All skill levels are welcome. Perfect for beginners or for experienced artists who work in other media but would like to try out oils. All supplies are provided. The class will run from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Boom Studios, 2120 State Ave. NE, Olympia. Cost is $55 (including all supplies) plus free parking available. Enroll on the Gallery Boom website.

Tuesday, March 25

35th District lawmakers to host telephone town hall: Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton, Rep. Dan Griffey, R-Allyn, and Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, invite constituents to join them for an hourlong telephone town hall at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, to give constituents an opportunity to get an update on the 2025 legislative session, ask questions, or share concerns. 35th District residents who would like to participate can call 360-355-3025.

Wednesday, March 26

Mock fire exercises in Capitol State Forest: In preparation for wildfire season, the Washington state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be conducting two mock fire exercises in the Capitol State Forest starting from 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, with a backup date of March 27. The second exercise will be April 16 with a backup date of April 17, also from 1 to 5 p.m. DNR firefighters will use firefighting aircraft along with other firefighting equipment. Additionally, there will be DNR crews on the ground. Using smoke cloud devices, colored smoke will come from non-flammable containers in open areas without overhead vegetation. Depending on wind conditions, the public may see smoke at times ranging from small smoke plumes to drift smoke and light smoke haze. The training is designed to enhance air crews’ ability to fight wildland fire more effectively and safely. Three helicopters will be on scene to drop water for this exercise, along with a Kodiak 100 airplane.

Skerryvore concert with pre-concert whiskey tasting: This high energy show features contemporary Scottish traditional music that blends traditional Scottish folk music and diverse rock elements. A $89 whiskey tasting with the band at 5:30 p.m. is currently sold out. The concert begins at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $69 to $25 plus service fees.

Friday, March 28

City of Olympia Land Use and Urban Design Chapter Update: The public is invited to provide guidance on the update of the Land Use and Urban Design Chapter of the Olympia Comprehensive Plan. An online questionnaire is available until noon Friday, March 28. Participate in the questionnaire and learn more about this chapter’s update on the Engage Olympia website. Input received from this initial questionnaire will help to focus amendments to this chapter on the subjects and issues that the community feels are important. Additional public participation opportunities will be held this spring and summer, and will include more ways to provide suggestions, comments and ideas. The Land Use and Urban Design chapter discusses patterns of development, neighborhoods, historic preservation, the built environment, Downtown, transitioning to a more urban community with destinations within walking distances of most residences and connections to nature, food production and transportation networks. To stay informed, sign up for Planning & Development E-Newsletter notices at www.olympiawa.gov/news.

Friday, March 28

Three concerts by the Capital City Chorus: The chorus will present “Brahms and Mozart” during three concerts over the weekend, all at the Capital High School Performing Arts Center, 2707 Conger Ave., Olympia. The selections include Brahms Four Songs Opus 17 and Mozart Vespers K. 339. Admission is free, and seating is un-ticketed. Concert times are 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 28, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 29-30. The Brahms Four Songs Opus 17 is Brahms’s only choral setting of Shakespeare. The Mozart Vespers K. 339 will feature the first “Capital City Chorus Festival Orchestra,” a 16-piece orchestra comprised of a number of Olympia’s finest players, as well as four soloists: Danielle Tobin (Soprano), Crystal Zimmerman (Alto), Ryne Olson (Tenor) and Philip Kraus (Baritone).

Saturday, March 29

Marvelous Mosses at the WET Science Center: You may see moss as just a green, wet carpet covering trees and brick walls, but there’s more than meets the eye. Mosses have been on Earth for over 400 million years, and there are around 12,000 species worldwide. Discover the diversity of these tiny beauties from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Admission is free, and the event is appropriate for all ages.

Procession of the Species Global Studio Dance Party: This dance party at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29, is a chance to tour the community art studio at the Olympia Armory Creative Campus, 515 Eastside St. SE, and experience firsthand the inspiration and magic that goes into the Procession. The event will feature live music, dance performances, guest speakers and more. This event is sponsored by Earthbound Productions, Inspire Olympia, and Raven’s Brew Coffee. Get more info about the event at www.procession.org/globalstudio. Tickets are $10.

Mercury Rising -- a tribute to Queen with comedian Sam Miller: After their sold-out show at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in 2023, this band of Olympia stage veterans is back for another concert in tribute to Queen. National touring comedian Sam Miller from Olympia is the featured guest. Join a family-friendly night of comedy and rock ‘n’ roll and celebrate the iconic music of one of the most beloved bands of all time. Tickets are $15 to $30 plus service fees.

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.

This story was originally published March 22, 2025 at 12:00 PM.