What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Sunday, Nov. 9
Mushrooms for Planetary Consciousness -- An Evening with Paul Stamets & Dr. Michael Beug: Join renowned mycologists Paul Stamets and Dr. Michael Beug for a rare live, in-person event exploring the profound intersections between mushrooms and human consciousness. Together, they will examine how these “organisms from the underground” contribute to human, planetary, and community wellness. The discussion will trace the psilocybin mushroom movement from its historical roots to today’s scientific frontier, including data and emerging research. A short Q&A session and book signing will follow. Doors open at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia; the presentation begins at 7 p.m. Admission is $23.25 general admission and $18.25 for Olympia Film Society members.
Olympia/Thurston Lacrosse Club invites local youth to free ‘Try Lacrosse’ clinics: Families in Thurston County will have the chance to see why lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. The Olympia/Thurston Lacrosse Club (OTLC) is hosting two free “try lacrosse” clinics for new players on Sunday, Nov. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Olympia High School Auxiliary Field. The clinics are designed for boys in grades 2–12 and girls in grades 2–6 who are new to the game. Participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of lacrosse through fun activities. All equipment will be provided. OTLC fields teams for boys and girls ranging from kindergarten through high school. The club schedules its season in the spring, allowing young athletes to stay involved in other sports like fall football or winter basketball. It offers a gear loan program that provides season-long access to sticks, pads, and helmets for $50. A scholarship fund is available as well. For more information, visit www.ThurstonLacrosse.org.
Tuesday, Nov. 11
Veterans Day & 250th Marine Corps Anniversary Celebration: The Thurston County Veterans Council will host this event at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Capitol Rotunda in the Legislative Building on the Capitol Campus in Olympia. The event will be livestreamed on TVW.
Local DAR Chapter honors Vietnam Veterans: The Sacajawea Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, pay tribute to Washington state Vietnam Veterans on the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. A commemorative pinning ceremony will be at 12:30 p.m. at the Vietnam War Memorial on the Capitol Campus in Olympia, honoring living U.S. veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time or place from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975. The veterans will receive a lapel pin as a memento of the nation’s thanks. The DAR members will then read the names of veterans who are listed as killed in action (KIA) or missing in action (MIA).
Friday, Nov. 14
SPSCC Theatre Collective presents “A Bright Room Called Day”: The South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) Theatre Collective presents this Tony Kushner play at the Minnaert Center for the Arts main stage from Nov. 14 to 23. The play follows a group of artists ringing in New Year’s Eve in Berlin in 1932 and the subsequent rise of Hitler. Admission is a suggested $12 donation at the door. SPSCC students, staff, and faculty get in free. More information, including performance dates and times, is available on the college’s Arts & Entertainment calendar.
Saturday, Nov. 15
Olympia Peace Choir concert: The Olympia Peace Choir will perform at 2:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1601 North St. SE, Olympia, across from the Olympia High School football field. The concert is free and family friendly, and include sing-alongs.
Monster Lab at the WET Science Center: Make your way to the secret laboratory to build your own monster! Will it be spooky, adorable or totally alien? The WET Science Center will have a mishmash of monster parts to experiment with and assemble into something new. Activities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free to the center at 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia.
Thurston County Furniture Bank open: The nonprofit all-volunteer Furniture Bank is open the first and third Saturdays of every month (as well as the following Wednesdays) 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 within a limited geographical area can be arranged but usually takes 3-4 weeks. Those looking for furniture are welcomed. For more information, go to bit.ly/furniturebankdonations.
Folk/pop concert featuring Bobby Jo Valentine: Immanuel Lutheran Church in Centralia invites the community to an evening of soulful music and storytelling with Bobby Jo Valentine, a nationally recognized folk/pop artist. The free concert will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at the church at 1209 Scheuber Road N, Centralia. While admission is free, seating is limited. Please contact the church at 360-736-9270 or admin@ilccentralia.orgto to add your name and number of seats requested.
Top Tastes of Washington State competition in Ocean Shores: The first in a series of four Top Tastes of Washington State cooking competitions is launching Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15 and 16 at Ocean Shores Convention Center, 120 W Chance a La Mer NW, in Grays Harbor County. Admission is free to this event that runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. This is first-ever Washington State qualifier for the World Food Championships. This event will feature food competitions in bacon, seafood and sandwich. Overall winner at the WFC won $150,000 this spring.
Sunday, Nov. 16
Harvest hygge potluck: Join this fall harvest potluck being hosted by Slow Food Greater Olympia and Our Community Kitchen from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at Our Community Kitchen, 4419 Harrison Ave, Suite 104, Olympia. The potluck is designed to strengthen connections to the people who love to prepare, grow, and appreciate food from our local community and region — from home cooks and gardeners to appreciative eaters. Bring a seasonal dish that celebrates the fall season and that you turn to for comfort or make to offer comfort to others. Admission is free, but RSVP on eventbrite so organizers know how many people to expect.
Rachel Corrie Foundation encourages participation in solidarity fast: During the week of Nov. 16-22, Bisan, the Palestinian Youth Movement, parents, caregivers, and friends will launch a solidarity fast to bring attention to the genocidal starvation of the people of Gaza by Israel. The demands of the people fasting and their supporters are an immediate flow of aid into Gaza, an immediate arms embargo on Israel and the end to genocide. The Parents Fast is ongoing, and is happening in different cities on different dates. There will be a kickoff event in west Olympia from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at West Central Park, 1919 Harrison Ave NW. The foundation asks that participants bring donations for Thurston County Food Bank, including diapers and feminine hygiene products.
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 November 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM.