Need a plan for the weekend? See a prize-winning musical and sing along to ABBA songs

Harlequin’s ‘Rent’ debuts

“Rent,” the Tony- and Pulitzer-winning musical about a group of young artists struggling to survive during the AIDS crisis, opens Friday, June 20, at Harlequin Productions’ State Theater — and you could be part of the spectacle. As it did last year for “Cabaret,” Harlequin is offering stage-side tables where patrons will enjoy dinner and the show, directed and musically directed by Artistic Director Aaron Lamb. (Lamb is also the show’s pianist.) This time around, though, attendees can also choose to be on the stage. This option, dubbed “immersive,” requires standing on stage throughout the performance. Performances of Jonathan Larson’s 1996 phenomenon — starring Denim Protege, who impressed audiences in Harlequin’s 2023 “Hundred Days” — are at 7:30 p.m. June 20, 21 and 26-28 and July 3-5, 10-12 and 17-19 and 2 p.m. June 22 and 29 and July 6, 13, 16 and 20 at the State Theater, 202 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Regular tickets are $43-58; for performances July 3, 12, 16 and 18, pay what you choose. Tickets for the VIP tables, a fundraiser for the company, are $120, and immersive tickets are $15.

Fest marks summer’s start

The warmest season officially begins Friday, June 20, and Olympia is greeting it with LoveOly Summer Fest, a three-day street party (https://loveolydowntown.com/events/loveoly-summerfest/) put together by the Olympia Downtown Alliance. Among the attractions are a long list of bands in a variety of genres, with Fleetwood Mac tribute act Little Lies headlining Friday, Portland indie rockers Glitterfox playing Saturday, June 21, and an outdoor Diva Drag Brunch plus a concert by Olympia surf/punk outfit The Proffits on Sunday, June 22. Also on tap for the festival are a maker’s market, children’s activities, pop-up food booths, games and a chalk art competition from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. The free festival, happening from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, is centered around the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Washington Street.

More al fresco happenings

With summer’s arrival comes a plethora of outdoor happenings. Among this week’s options:

▪ Olympia’s Juneteenth Celebration, 1-5 p.m. Saturday, June 21, at Rebecca Howard Park, 911 Adams St. SE, Olympia. The annual celebration (https://www.thewomenofcolorinleadershipmovement.com/eventscommunityengagement), put together by the Women of Color in Leadership Movement, features live entertainment, food, vendors and community resources.

▪ The ABBAgraphs in concert, 7 p.m. Friday, June 20, at the Port of Olympia’s NorthPoint, 1210 Marine Drive NE, Olympia. A concert by the Seattle-based ABBA tribute kicks off Summer Nights at the Port (https://portolympia.com/community/summer-events-at-the-port/), which also feature a beer garden and food trucks.

▪ Pan Wizards Steel Orchestra in concert, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, at Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey. The City of Lacey is getting a jump on its summer entertainment events (https://laceyparks.org/lit/) with a performance by this regionally touring Seattle steel-drum ensemble made up of high-school musicians.

Freelance writer Molly Gilmore talks with DJ Kevin the Brit about what’s happening around town on KGY-FM’s “Oly in a Can,” airing at 2 p.m. Fridays.

This story was originally published June 19, 2025 at 5:00 AM.