Want to see humorist Fran Lebowitz in Olympia on Sunday? Some tickets remain
Pesky ‘Pigeon’ stars in show for kids
The avian at the center of Olympia Family Theater’s “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” is a pesky sort indeed, incessantly begging to do things he’s been told not to. But part of the fun is in the opportunity to say “No.” The musical “Pigeon,” based on the popular picture books by Mo Willems, incorporates handmade puppets. It’s on stage through Sunday, March 29, at the theater, 612 Fourth Ave. E, Olympia. Performances are at 7 p.m. March 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27 and at 3 p.m. March 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29. Tickets (https://olyft.org/pigeon-drive-the-bus/) are $20-$25, with 10 pay-what-you-choose tickets available one hour before showtimes. For the Thursday, March 12, performance, pay what you choose.
The legendary Lebowitz
For a town of its size, Olympia attracts its fair share of big-name performers. This weekend’s example: legendary humorist Fran Lebowitz, who’ll speak Sunday, March 15, at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Lebowitz is known for her opinions, which The Guardian’s Fiona Sturges summarized (https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/dec/10/fran-lebowitz-new-york-writer-essayist-interview) as “acerbic, unfiltered (and) nearly always right.”
A sampling of her pet peeves (https://franlebowitz.com/bio): tourists, adults who roller skate and children who speak French. Her live appearances typically include lengthy Q&A sessions. “Answering questions from the audience is, for me, my favorite recreational activity,” she told the Guardian. There are still some tickets remaining for Sunday’s performance, at 7 p.m. at the center, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $36-$90.
Fiddle vs. violin
Yes, a fiddle and a violin are essentially the same thing, though played in different contexts. Whatever word you use, the stringed instruments played with a bow are in the spotlight this weekend:
- Violinist Kristin Lee, who has a devoted following in Olympia thanks to her many performances with the Emerald City Music chamber series, will play with the Olympia Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, March 15. Lee will be the soloist for Max Richter’s “Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi — The Four Seasons,” a contemporary reimagining of Antonio Vivaldi’s set of violin concertos.
- Also on the program for the concert, conducted by Rei Hotoda: “Metamorphosen,” by Richard Strauss. The concert (https://www.olympiasymphony.org/march-15-transform) happens at 3 p.m. at the Capital High School Performing Arts Center, 2707 Conger Ave. NW,, Olympia. Tickets ($14-$66) are selling so well that the orchestra has opened the dress rehearsal, at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 14, to the public. Tickets for the rehearsal are $10-$18.
- Seattle bluegrass band Dysfunction Junction, known for outstanding musicianship, will be inviting the audience to sing along during its Sunday, March 15, performance at St. John | San Juan Episcopal Church, 114 20th Ave. SE, Olympia. The 3 p.m. concert is part of the church’s long-standing concert series (https://stjohnsoly.org/music/concerts/). Admission is by donation, with $20 suggested.
