Weekend fun: See comedian, check out Olympia museum, go shopping here
Move over, Santa
Sam Miller is here to help you celebrate the season. The beloved local comedian is a large man — 360 pounds, according to his bio (https://olympiafilmsociety.org/sam-millers-annual-christmas-show/) — and very, very jolly, and he has made a tradition of doing a hometown Christmas show. The timing works nicely for Miller, who wants to be home with his family for the holidays, and for his hometown fans, who have limited opportunities to see his act since he is on the road so much as his comedy star rises. “There will be Christmas surprises,” he said in a Facebook video promoting the show, happening Saturday, Dec. 20. Also on the bill are Emma Jonas, Marc Moreno and Travis Sherer. There will be a surprise musical guest, too. The show will begin at 8 p.m. at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia, with doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20.25-$33.25.
Celebrate light on longest night
The Olympia Arts & Heritage Museum, aka the AHA Museum, is illuminating winter’s short days with “Light in the Dark,” an exhibition of art incorporating light. For Winter Solstice, Sunday, Dec. 21, the museum is staying open late and throwing a party to honor the artists: John Corzine, Natalie Coblenz, Nikki McClure and Jay T. Scott, Dave Sederberg, Ayda Rose and a trio who created lanterns for the Luminary Procession (https://www.procession.org/luminary-procession) that happens as part of spring Arts Walk. The exhibition (https://www.olyaha.org/light-in-the-dark), on view through April 14, also includes objects and information on the history of streetlights in Olympia. The party will happen from 4 to 7 p.m. at the museum, 203 Columbia St. NW, Olympia. The museum’s regular winter hours are noon-4 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday, and “Light in the Dark” can be seen through the museum’s windows, too.
Market hosts free holiday happenings
The Olympia Farmers Market is greeting the season with special hours and special events and activities, too. The market, at 700 Capitol Way N., Olympia, will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, through Wednesday, Dec. 24, providing plenty of shopping time for even the most persistent present procrastinators. What’s more, the market will be celebrating with free holiday activities (https://www.olympiafarmersmarket.com/post/mark-your-calendars-for-holiday-shoppers-delight), including food tastings, cookie decorating, garland making with upcycling maven Shari Trnka and a gnome parade at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Freelance writer Molly Gilmore might not appear at the gnome parade, but she does have the perfect hat for the occasion.