What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Tuesday, April 22
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez town hall meeting: Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) will hold a town halls in Centralia at 5 p.m. Tuesday, at Centralia College’s TransAlta Commons, 600 Centralia College Blvd. The congresswoman will discuss her priorities and take questions from residents of Washington’s 3rd District, which covers most of Southwest Washington, including southern Thurston County. Bags and backpacks will not be permitted within the town hall. Those with medically necessary items may check in with staff upon entering. Those not able to make it, but who want to share their priorities with the congresswoman can reach out online, by phone at 360-695-6292, or in person at her Vancouver or Kelso offices.
Tumwater Special Election: The city of Tumwater is holding a special election on Proposition No. 1, which would renew the city’s Transportation Benefit District sales and use tax. The proposition would authorize renewal and continued imposition of a two-tenths of 1 percent (0.2%) sales and use tax to be collected for 10 years. Revenues would fund a repair, maintenance and improvement program for existing city streets and associated infrastructure, including rebuilding, repaving, sealing, patching and other methods to improve and extend the life of pavement, bridges, drainage facilities, and pedestrian improvements including repair, replacement, infill, or extension of sidewalks and curb ramps. Ballots must be postmarked April 22, or deposited in official dropboxes by 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Thursday, April 24
Juanita & Juan concert: Juanita & Juan is a dynamic musical duo formed by Alice Bag and Kid Congo Powers, two influential figures in the punk and alternative music scenes who first crossed paths in 1977 during the early days of the Hollywood punk movement. Their friendship has led to a new creative partnership that defies labels, although the two refer to their sound as “Loud Lounge.” Their Graveyard of the Pacific show will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia; doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $23.25 general admission or $18.25 for Olympia Film Society members.
Olympia Garden Club: Visitors are welcome at the Thursday, April 24, garden club meeting at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1925 Boulevard Road SE, Olympia. Gathering begins around 9 a.m. with a social time and sales of plants or garden-related items before the business meeting 10 a.m. Members bring their own lunch. The club provides coffee and tea, but members are encouraged to bring their own cups. The April program will feature a design challenge for floral designs. For further details about April’s meeting and club projects, visit www.olympiagardenclub.org.
Friday, April 25
Arts Walk and Procession of the Species: Join the city of Olympia on Friday and Saturday, April 25-26, for its twice-yearly Arts Walk, when downtown businesses transform into art galleries and people attend to celebrate creativity. Hours are 5-10 p.m. Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. The Luminary Procession, a parade of lantern creatures and plants, takes place at 8:30 p.m. Friday, winding its way from Fourth Avenue and Washington Street to Sylvester Park. The iconic Procession of the Species, brought to life by Earthbound Productions, happens at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, making its way from Jefferson Street and Legion Way to Heritage Park fountain.
Harlequin presents Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet: Harlequin Productions opens a fresh adaptation about the star-crossed lovers, which runs from Friday, April 25, to Sunday, May 18. Directed by Artistic Director Aaron Lamb, this modern take on Romeo & Juliet explores love, division, and fate in today’s world. This production asks: Can love survive in a divided society? General admission tickets are $48, with discounts for seniors, military, students and youth.
Olympia Peace Choir concert: The Olympia Peace Choir presents its arts walk concert, Earth’s Been Good to Me, at 7 p.m. Friday, April 25, at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, in downtown Olympia. Admission is free; donations are gratefully accepted.
Saturday, April 26
Doktor Kaboom! morning performance: Doktor Kaboom! performs original interactive Science Comedy shows for audiences of all ages. Kaboom! will take the audience on a journey of increasingly spectacular (and often successful) science experiments designed to educate and entertain. The show is at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for youth.
“Encanto” Sing Along: Head to the Washington Center for the Performing Arts at 7 p.m. Saturday to belt out “We don’t talk about Bruno” and “Surface Pressure” with your favorite “Encanto” characters during a special screening of Disney’s 2021 animated musical. Local host Lauren O’Neill will be back to warm up the audience for the songs written my Lin-Manuel Miranda. Admission is $18 for adults and $14 for youth. The center is at 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia.
Procession of the Microbes: Did you know the tiniest creatures on Earth might just be the most important? Without microbes, most other forms of life wouldn’t survive! Uncover the heroic work of microbes and design a luminary lantern to shine light on these tiny but mighty species that should be celebrated. Activities run between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Admission is free.
Sunday, April 27
End of the legislative session: Provided both houses of the state Legislature have been able to approve one multi-billion dollar budget package to send to the governor, this day will be “sine die,” the final day of the 2025 session. At the end of the day, both chambers will swing down the gavel a final time and go home until next year.
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This story was originally published April 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM.