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Here’s your chance to see ‘Single Black Female.’ It opens Friday at SPSCC

By Molly Gilmore Contributing writer
Raessa Patterson (left) directs ShaVanety Jones (center) and Teresita Brimms in “Single Black Female,” opening Friday, Feb. 20, at South Puget Sound Community College.
Raessa Patterson (left) directs ShaVanety Jones (center) and Teresita Brimms in “Single Black Female,” opening Friday, Feb. 20, at South Puget Sound Community College. SPSCC Courtesy

‘Single’ and satisfied?

Considering recent headlines, you couldn’t be blamed for wondering whether women aren’t — at least sometimes — better off without men. Yet successful single women still face pressure to head for the altar. South Puget Sound Community College Theatre Collective’s “Single Black Female,” opening Friday, Feb. 20, explores that sad situation while poking fun at stereotypes. Raessa Patterson of Lacey makes her directorial debut with Lisa B. Thompson’s bold comedy about a pair of smart and accomplished friends (ShaVanety Jones and Teresita Brimms) finding their way through it all.

Raessa Patterson (left) directs ShaVanety Jones (center) and Teresita Brimms in “Single Black Female,” opening Friday, Feb. 20, at South Puget Sound Community College.
Raessa Patterson (left) directs ShaVanety Jones (center) and Teresita Brimms in “Single Black Female,” opening Friday, Feb. 20, at South Puget Sound Community College. SPSCC Courtesy

Performances (https://spscc.edu/about/news-awards/spscc-theatre-collective-presents-single-black-female) are at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20, 21, 27 and 28 and 2 p.m. Feb. 23 and March 1 at the Black Box at The Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts, South Puget Sound Community College, 2011 Mottman Rd. SW, Olympia. Admission is by donation, with $12 suggested and students, faculty and staff admitted free.

‘Cinderella’ in toe shoes

The World Ballet Company is bringing its version of “Cinderella” to Olympia on Sunday, Feb. 22. The Los Angeles-based company, with 40 dancers from ten countries, is known for its hand-sewn costumes and hand-crafted sets. The ballet will be performed at 2 (https://www.washingtoncenter.org/event/world-ballet-company-presents-cinderella-2026-02-22-2pm/) and 6 p.m. (https://www.washingtoncenter.org/event/world-ballet-company-presents-cinderella-2026-02-22/) at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $38-$88.

One of the stepsisters struggles to put on Cinderella’s shoe in a comic scene from the World Ballet Company’s “Cinderella,” on stage Sunday, Feb. 22, in Olympia.
One of the stepsisters struggles to put on Cinderella’s shoe in a comic scene from the World Ballet Company’s “Cinderella,” on stage Sunday, Feb. 22, in Olympia. World Ballet Company Courtesy

Rockin’ bingo

Senior Services for South Sound’s Rock Star Bingo, happening Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Olympia Senior Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, Olympia, turns up the volume on the simple game of chance. Even if you’re not a serious player — or maybe especially if you’re not a serious player — there’s plenty of reason to check out this big-energy bingo, including a rock-star costume contest, cocktails and snacks for purchase, and the jokes and stories of caller Elizabeth Lord. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the games begin at 7. Admission is $25 (cash only) at the door, which includes 10 bingo sheets. Bingo (https://www.southsoundseniors.org/bingo) is open only to people 21 and older — sometimes much, much older. It is the senior center, after all.

When she heard that SPSCC was staging “Single Black Female,” freelance writer Molly Gilmore was envisioning an on-stage version of the Lifetime movie, but she knows better now.

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