What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Sunday, Sept. 8
Mapathé Diop workshop on traditional drumming of Senegal: Join guest artist Mapathé Diop for a free workshop to learn about and enjoy traditional drumming of Senegal at Tolmie State Park. The workshop will run from 10 to 11:30 am Sunday, Sept. 8, in the Lower Kitchen Shelter of the state park at 7730 61st Ave NE, on the water in northeast Thurston County. It is open to all ages. No registration is required; seating is available for up to 45 people. Those who have their own drum to bring along are welcome to do so. An annual or one-day Discover Pass is required for vehicle access. Discover Passes are available online and at the park entrance. The program is presented by Washington State Parks Folk & Traditional Arts Program and Arbutus Folk School.
Monday, Sept. 9
Friendly Flower Garden Club: The club will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, Sept. 9 at the Mountain Greens Mobile Home Clubhouse, 5280 55th Lane SE, Lacey. Social time is 9:30 a.m. with meeting, brown bag lunch and program to follow. Speakers are Penny and Paul Longwell, creators of the Pollinator Garden at the Thurston County Fairground. Check out their video on Facebook. Visitors are welcome.
Olympia Youth Chorus launches season: The first rehearsal of the 2024-2025 season is Monday, Sept. 9, at Washington Middle School in Olympia. New singers are welcome to attend. Additionally, auditions will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at Washington Middle School. Walk-ins are welcome. Returning this season is FORZA, a tenor/bass choir for unchanged, changing and changed voices in grades 6-12 under the direction of John Guarente. For more information about the Youth chorus’ programs and schedule, visit the website at olympiayouthchorus.org.
Tuesday, Sept. 10
YMCA Breakfast for Belonging: The South Sound YMCA is hosting this 90-minute morning program, “Building Community through Dialogue & Belonging,” featuring Rotary Peace Fellow and international community builder Linda Low. The breakfast will run from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the Saint Martin’s University campus, 5300 Pacific Ave. SE, with the program beginning at 7:30 a.m. Tickets are $30 and available on eventbrite.
Energize Olympia Workshop: The City of Olympia is hosting a program on its Energize Olympia program. To qualify for Energize Olympia’s program-exclusive discount and incentive, participants must attend one of the educational workshops. There will be two in-person workshops and an on-demand option. The city relaunched the Energize Olympia program in August to connect Olympia residents to discounted ductless heat pump installations through program-exclusive discounts and other financial incentives. Building on last year’s pilot program, Energize Olympia 2024 offers a limited number of no-cost heat pump installations for income-qualified households. Residents above the income limit can receive a group purchase discount of up to $1,200, and the first 50 self-funded participants can receive an additional $800 Energize Olympia rebate. The two in-person workshops are at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, at Capital High School, 2707 Conger Ave NW and at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at Olympia Timberland Library, 313 Eighth Ave. SE. Visit the Energize Olympia webpage to learn more about the program and register for in-person workshops.
Christian Women’s Connection: This group is having their Tuesday, Sept. 10, “Making New Memories” luncheon at noon in The Gallery next to Seventeen51 Restaurant & Bistro at Panorama, 1751 Circle Lane SE, Lacey. Enjoy a lunch of sausage lasagna, caesar salad, and tiramisu. Cost is $20 including lunch. Becky Kulich of Creative Memories will talk about photo preservation and making photo albums. Mickie and Mike Harden will sing. Georgia Golling, from Eagle, Idaho, who lost her mother at an early age, will talk about “Who Am I (Really)?” Call Sylvia for reservation: 360-791-4698 or 360-943-0627. All women are invited.
Tenants Rights Workshop: The Olympia Timberland Library is hosting a free special presentation about tenants’ rights in Olympia and Washington state. Learn how to protect your rights from legal experts at the Northwest Justice Project. There will be time for questions and answers during and after the presentation. The program will run from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesday at the library, 313 Eighth Ave. SE.
Wednesday, Sept. 11
Spotlight on Key Races at Thurston Chamber’s September Forum: The Thurston County Chamber will host a Candidates Reception & Meet the Candidates Forum on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Saint Martin’s Norman Worthington Center. The event will feature candidates for Legislative District 2 State Representative Position 2 (Matt Marshall and John Snaza); for Legislative District 22 State Representative Position 2 (Lisa Parshley and Syd Locke); and Legislative District 22 State Senator (Jessica Bateman and Bob Iyall). Doug Mah, director of the Thurston Chamber’s Public Policy team, will moderte the discussion with candidates from the high-profile races. In addition to the featured races, a large number of new candidates and incumbents running for public office in Thurston County will be present at the Forum and Candidates Reception. The event will run from 11:15 am to 1 p.m. Saint Martin’s is at 5300 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey. For tickets and more information, visit ThurstonChamber.com.
Thursday, Sept. 12
Pier Peer at Boston Harbor Marina: The Puget Sound Estuarium will host this exploration of all the animals that live on local docks and those that live deep below with our underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Sign up for the event that will run from 7-9 p.m.
History Talks on Puget Sound: The city of Lacey is hosting a talk by David B. Williams on “Puget Sound: A Maritime Highway” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Lacey City Hall, or via Zoom. Williams is an author, naturalist, and tour guide who works as a Curatorial Associate at the Burke Museum in Seattle. He will discuss how Puget Sound was used from the time of canoes to the mosquito fleet to the modern day ferry system. The presentation is free. Register to attend online via Zoom.
David Cross standup comedy at Capitol Theater: Emmy Award winner and two-time Grammy Award nominee David Cross will perform his standup comedy show, “The End of the Beginning of the End,” at 8 p.m. Thursday at Olympia Film Society’s Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $52 general admission and $47 for OFS members.
Friday, Sept. 13
Estuarium’s Jellyfish Jam at West Central Park: This benefit concert for the Puget Sound Estuarium will open its door at 5:30 p.m. and music will begin at 6 p.m. at the park at 1919 Harrison Ave NW, Olympia. Featured bands will be Heat Shimmer, Grrrizzly, and Manic Pixie Dream Boat. Tickets are tiered priced at $20-$45, available in advance online and at the door.
Books by the Bay: Join this annual seaside celebration and literary-themed gala to benefit the South Sound Reading Foundation. The gala features award-winning authors Laurie Frankel and Elise Hooper as well as tasty food and drink (this year’s signature cocktail is The Tipsy Mermaid), live music from Vendredi’s Bag, a silent auction, Blind Date with a Book, the PUNCH wall, a Panowicz raffle, and more. This year, it will take place at the Olympia Yacht Club, 201 Simmons St NW, Olympia, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $75.
2024 Chehalis Flying Saucer Party: Downtown Chehalis will again host this festival Friday night and Saturday, Sept. 13-14. The Northwest Flying Saucer Film Fest will start at 5:30 p.m. Friday at McFiler’s Chehalis Theater, 558 N. Market. Then Saturday attendees can catch speakers at McFilers’s from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Catch the Alien Invasion Costume Parade at 1 p.m. on NW Front St. or The Saucer Drop at 1:30 p.m. at the Museum. The event also includes vendors and live music. Go to the festival website for full schedule and tickets.
Saturday, Sept. 14
StoryOly Grand Slam 2024: StoryOly is Olympia’s premiere Story Slam event. From November to August, community members come together at monthly story slams to share, compete, and tell true stories based on a theme. The Grand Slam is the culmination of a full season of storytelling where the winners of the monthly story slams compete for the title of Grand Slam Champion. The event begins at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Capitol Theater, 205 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia; doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 presale general admission and for OFS members; pay what you can with a suggested $20 donation the night of. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to Community Youth Services. This adult-centered event is for those 14 and older due to language and content.
Laugh Out Loud with Amy Barnes: This family-friendly comedy night in Centralia will feature nationally acclaimed comedian Amy Barnes. The show is at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1209 Scheuber Rd N, Centralia. Barnes, an engineer turned comedienne, has become a powerhouse in the world of clean comedy. With over 60 tour dates a year, Barnes regularly performs to capacity crowds at theaters, churches, and conference events across the nation. Tickets are $19 in advance online or at the church office. Tickets will be $25 at the door the night of the performance.
Would you like to have your event included in our weekly What’s Happening listing? Email the details to news@theolympian.com at least 10 days before the event. Please put What’s Happening in the subject line.
