What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Sunday, June 2
“The Bigelow House in Style” at the Bigelow House Museum: Visitors to the Bigelow House Museum can enjoy “The Bigelow House in Style” exhibit through August. Vintage women’s clothing is being featured throughout the house, including an 1880s wedding gown; an 1890s brocade dress; an early 20th century tea dress; 1910s walking suit; and an 1890s day dress. The clothing is from the Bigelow House Museum collection and private collections. The house is open for guided tours at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. the first two Sundays of the month with an admission fee. Special tours can also be arranged by emailing olyhistory@gmail.com. The Bigelow House is at 918 Glass Ave. NE, Olympia. For more information, go to olympiahistory.org.
Meet U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist and soccer star Stephanie Cox: Olympic Gold Medalist, 14-year U.S. National Team player and former Reign FC player Stephanie Cox will sign autographs, take photos and meet with fans at the USL Women’s Friendly match Sunday where the Artesians face off against the Reign FC. The game is at 2 p.m. Sunday at South Sound Stadium at North Thurston High School, 4201 Sixth Ave. SE, Lacey. Tickets are $13, but those 13 and younger get in free.
Monday, June 3
Preview of Olympia’s new transportation chapter of its comprehensive plan: The city of Olympia is in the midst of updating its comprehensive plan. The city is updating the plan using a phased, chapter by chapter approach. Several chapters are currently in review, with the remaining chapters kicking off soon. On June 10, staff plan to post the first draft of the Transportation chapter on its webpage and will include a brief survey for people to share their feedback, which will be open until June 28. For a preview of the draft chapter, you can listen in to a briefing staff will give the Planning Commission on June 3. The meeting will be on Zoom, and you can register to attend. The meeting is recorded and can be viewed later as well.
Tuesday, June 4
Author talk on Columbia Basin book: Photographer David Moskowitz and writer Eileen Delehanty Pearkes, authors of the new book “Big River: Resilience and Renewal in the Columbia Basin,” are coming to Olympia to offer a multi-media presentation at Browsers Bookshop from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 4. This event will be held upstairs at the bookstore, 107 Capitol Way N., Olympia.
Wednesday, June 5
Welcome to Medicare Zoom Presentation: This presentation at 11 a.m. is an introduction to options for new Medicare beneficiaries. It covers Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage Plans, Part D Prescription Plans, Medicare Supplements, and srograms available to limited-income beneficiaries. To get a link, email ThurstonMasonShiba.volunteers@southsoundseniors.org or call and leave a message at Senior Services SHIBA program at 360-586-6181 ext. 134. A registration link will be sent to you.
Book a tour at the Governor’s Mansion before its summer hiatus: June is the last month to tour the Governor’s Mansion until October. Tour times available are at 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on June 5 and June 12. During the tour, guests visit the public first-floor rooms, including the great hall, drawing room, library, family room gallery, west and east corridors, state dining room, and ballroom. They also hear about the historical and cultural significance of the mansion’s furnishings, art, and library collections. Additionally, the tour includes a family photo display of the six Washington governors who served before the mansion’s completion and the 16 families who have lived there since its construction in 1909. The half-hour tours are free and open to the public. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Each tour is open to 30 guests. Adult tour guests must present photo identification and all visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. No umbrellas, strollers or food/drink are allowed on the tour. For more information, call 360-902-8880 or email tours@des.wa.gov and include “Gov. Mansion Tours” in the subject line.
Friday, June 7
SPSCC choirs perform “Carmina Burana”: The South Puget Sound Community College Choirs combine forces to perform Carl Orff’s iconic masterwork Carmina Burana with percussion ensemble and soloists at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 7 at the Minnaert Center for the Arts, 2011 Mottman Road SW. This concert will feature the SPSCC Chamber Singers, the SPSCC Percival Choir, and the Olympia Youth Chorus. Admission is a suggested $15 donation at the door. Entrance is free to SPSCC students, staff, and faculty. More information is available at spscc.edu/entertainment
Saturday, June 8
Tumwater Dog Days: Tumwater Parks and Recreation invites dog lovers to the 2nd Annual Dog Days from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at Pioneer Park, 5801 Henderson Blvd SE, Tumwater. Dog Days celebrates the companionship between humans and their furry friends. There will be food, contests, demonstrations, community booths, “RUFFle” prizes, a TwinStar Trails ‘N’ Tails Loop, and more. For a schedule of activities and dog safety guidelines, visit the city website.
A Celebration of Cephalopods: Which group of animals has intelligent brains and a name meaning “head foot”? Cephalopods, of course! Celebrate the outstanding octopus, cute cuttlefish, strange squid, and other lovable cephalopods with tenta-cool crafts and activities at the WET Science Center in downtown Olympia. (No cephalopods will be attending.) All ages are welcome between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday at the center, 500 Adams S. NE. Admission is free.
Author talk with K.A. Cobell: Browsers Bookshop is hosting K.A. Cobell at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 8, for a conversation with fellow writer Vanessa Torres about her YA debut novel, “Looking for Smoke.” The event will be held upstairs at the bookshop. Cobell, Staa’tssipisstaakii, is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Nation, and the book is set on the Blackfeet reservation in Montana. Torres is a Mexican American author, a 30-year veteran of the fire service and author of YA novel, “The Turning Pointe,” released in 2022.
SPSCC Music Department presents “Summer Samba”: On Saturday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m., the SPSCC Jazz Band and the SPSCC Symphony Orchestra team up for Summer Samba, featuring the world premiere performance of Gerry Amato’s Devil’s Samba for saxophone quartet and orchestra, along with works by Miles Davis, Antonin Dvorak, Louis Gottschalk, Charles Mingus, Tito Puente, and others. Admission is a suggested $15 donation at the door. Entrance is free to SPSCC students, staff, and faculty. More information is available at spscc.edu/entertainment.
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.
