April arrives in South Sound with mermaids, comedy and expanded market hours
Kyle Kinane is back
Standup star Kyle Kinane, who’s appeared on “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” and “The Tonight Show,” is back in Olympia. Kinane’s self-deprecating humor and ironic worldview have won him lots of fans, including Olympia’s own comic standout Sam Miller, who says, “Kyle has been hilarious for a really long time.” Bonus points: Miller is hosting the show, set for Saturday, April 5. Also performing: Seattle’s Monica Nevi. The comedy kicks off at 8 p.m. at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia; doors open at 7. Tickets are $30-$45.
Month of mermaids
There’ll be more time than ever to dive into the Mermaid Festival in Aberdeen. The International Mermaid Museum’s 2025 festival will host pods of the mythical human-fish hybrids every weekend in April. Getting top billing are underwater performances by self-proclaimed “professional mermaid” Una, the founder of the Portlandia Mermaid Parade. Also on hand: musicians, aerial performers, a fire dancer and — wait for it — unicorns. (Yes, those are mythical, too, but surely horses with horns seem downright likely compared to creatures that are half-human and half-fish.) Festivalgoers can also shop for arts and crafts, stock up on snacks, get their faces painted, buy balloon animals and participate in a daily treasure hunt. The free festival happens from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in April at the Westport Winery Garden Resort, 1 South Arbor Road, Aberdeen. The museum, on the grounds of the resort, also aims to teach ocean ecology. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and offers free admission during the festival.
Market ramps up
Though it’s open year round, the Olympia Farmers Market really revs up when spring arrives. This weekend, the market is back to its growing season hours — from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Well known for its edibles and crafts, all made or grown in Washington, the market is also beloved for its live music. Kicking things off are singer-songwriters James Coates (April 3) and Judd Wasserman (April 6) and jazz combos the Susan Tuzzolino Quartet (April 4) and Vendredi’s Bag (April 5). The market is at 700 Capitol Way N., Olympia.
Freelance writer Molly Gilmore notes that unicorns and mermaids don’t seem that much more unlikely than the rest of the news. She talks with DJ Kevin the Brit about what’s happening around town on KGY-FM’s “Oly in a Can,” airing at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Fridays.