What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Wednesday, April 2
No Cuts, Raise Revenue — Don’t Balance the Budget on the Backs of the Most Vulnerable rally: The Health Care Is a Human Right WA coalition, representing 40 community and labor organizations, is rallying to demand that Washington state leaders reject budget cuts to essential services and instead pursue revenue solutions. They also are calling for lawmakers to revisit the tax code. The rally will run from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on the north Capitol steps of the Legislative Building in Olympia. Speakers will include Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer; Rachelle Martin, President of the Thurston Lewis Mason Central Labor Council; Vicki Lowe, Executive Director of the American Indian Health Commission; and Rep. Natasha Hill of Washington’s 3rd Legislative District.
Take a tour of the Governor’s Mansion: Think you know your local history? Take a tour of the historic Washington State Governor’s Mansion at the Capitol Campus and find out. The Mansion has been home to Washington State Governors since 1910. Guided tours will be offered six days now through June, on the first and second Wednesday of each month: April 2 & 9; May 7 & 14; June 4 & 11. Tours are at 10:30 am, 11 am, 11:30 am, and noon and are 30 minutes long. Reservations are required.
Thursday, April 3
High Season begins at the Olympia Farmers Market: Spring has arrived, and so have the high-season hours at the Olympia Farmers Market! Starting April 3, you can shop for fresh locally grown produce, handmade artisan goods, and delicious market treats from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. The market is at 700 Capitol Way N.
History talk on Yukon River expedition: Head to the Schmidt House each month for a free hour-long talk on social or natural history presented by a recognized expert. Talks begin at noon on the first Thursday of the month. This Thursday, local historian Dennis Larsen will speak about the 1883 Schwatka Expedition to the Yukon River. In 1881, the U.S. Army asked Congress to fund an exploration of the interior of Alaska. Congress refused, so an unsanctioned party of six soldiers and one civilian (a Washingtonian) disappeared into the Arctic wilderness in 1883. Larsen tells the harrowing story of their five-month adventure, based on the explorers’ journals. The Schmidt House is at 330 Schmidt Pl SW, Tumwater. Attendance is free. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. First come, first seated until room capacity is reached.
Saturday, April 5
Comedian Kyle Kinane returns to Olympia: Cozy Comedy is bringing back Kyle Kinane to the Capitol Theater for the third straight year. As a comedian, he has been seen on Conan, The Tonight Show, Netflix’s “The Standups,” and three of his own hour-length specials on Comedy Central. As an actor, he’s been in the Judd Apatow series “Love” and truTV’s “Those Who Can’t.” He was also on “Drunk History,” where he says unfortunately he wasn’t acting. Opening for Kinane will be Olympia’s Sam Miller and Monica Nevi. The show begins at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 for general admission, or $45 for seats in the first three rows of the main floor or the first row of the balcony.
Benefit for Feisty Felines Cat Rescue at South Bay Grange: Mas Uda Dancers are hosting this event, which will feature lots of vendors offering dance goods, crafts, baked goods and more, as well as dance workshops: “Ready to RRRRRUMBA!” from 10 a.m. to noon for $35; “Musicality and Expression” for $30 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.; Afternoon “hafla” (dance performance) from 3:30 to 6 p.m. by donation. For more information, contact Kashani via Facebook Message or 360-459-3694 (non textable). The Grange is at 3918 Sleater Kinney Road NE.
WET Science Center’s Trip to the Stars planetarium program: Ready, set, blast off with crafts and activities that are out of this world! Explore the stars with guest educators from the Museum of Flight during a one-hour Portable Planetarium program. Planetarium shows are at 10:15 am, 11:30 am, 1:15 pm, and 2:30 pm. Each show has limited space and involves sitting on the floor for 50 minutes. Activities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Admission is free.
Thurston County Furniture Bank is open: The nonprofit all-volunteer furniture bank is open the first and third Saturdays of every month from 9 a.m. to noon at 2121 Log Cabin Road SE, Olympia. The Furniture Bank building is at the back of the parking lot. Donations of gently used furniture are accepted. Pick up of donations can be arranged but usually takes 3-4 weeks. Those looking for furniture are welcomed. For further information go to Furniture Bank of Thurston County — Olympia CRC.
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 29, 2025 at 12:00 PM.