What’s happening this week around Thurston County

Sunday, Dec. 15

Livingston Taylor & Loudon Wainwright III in concert: Livingston Taylor, James Taylor’s brother, has had a more than 50-year career encompassing performance, songwriting, and teaching. Loudon Wainwright III came to fame when “Dead Skunk” became a Top 20 hit in 1972, and has gone on to record 27 albums, including his 2009 Grammy Award-winning High Wide & Handsome. The two will join together for a concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $55 general admission, $50 for Olympia Film Society members, and $65 for VIP seats in the first three rows.

Wednesday, Dec. 18

Santa Stop at Tumwater Fire Department: Santa Claus will be making a Santa Stop at Tumwater Fire Department Headquarters Station at 311 Israel Road SW from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. This indoor location will include cookies, hot cocoa, and an ornament decorating station. Santa and his elves will be taking photos and accepting donations for the Thurston County Food Bank. For more information, go to the Santa Stops webpage.

Sugar cookie decorating event: Wild Child, the all ages tap room, restaurant and event venue in downtown Olympia, is hosting an all ages sugar cookie decorating night. Participants pay $5 for four sugar cookies and endless toppings. RSVP on the Wild Child Facebook event page to make sure there are enough cookies. Wild Child is at 414 Fourth Ave E.

Thursday, Dec. 19

Olympia Holiday Light Parade: The city of Olympia is again brightening the dark nights with city vehicles decorated with a variety of holiday lights! The parades have been visiting various sections of the city, and will wrap up Thursday, Dec. 19, in northeast Olympia and South Capitol neighborhood. Visit the event website for route maps & a live tracker map. To keep everyone safe, do not approach or cut in front of the parade vehicles. Only city-owned vehicles can drive in the actual parade for insurance reasons.

Friday, Dec. 20

Olympia Film Collective presents The Big Shorts Festival: Show your support for locally produced film by attending this screening at 7 p.m. Friday at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. Doors open at 6 pm. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 day of show; those 12 and younger get in free at the door.

Tailgaters were out in force and enjoying the sunshine before the TCU game on Saturday, Nov. 12. During the pregame event three Rainier beers were spotted running around the parking lot and having a good when they stopped to see that one Bronco fan was indeed drinking a Rainier.
Tailgaters were out in force and enjoying the sunshine before the TCU game on Saturday, Nov. 12. During the pregame event three Rainier beers were spotted running around the parking lot and having a good when they stopped to see that one Bronco fan was indeed drinking a Rainier.

Saturday, Dec. 21

“Rainier -- A Beer Odyssey” documentary screening: A small, ragtag boutique ad agency in Seattle was responsible for reinvigorating a beloved beer brand and producing some of the most memorable and wacky beers ads for Rainier, changing advertising as we knew it forever. Catch a screening of the story at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. There will be a post-film Q&A with director Isaac Olsen. Tickets are $13 general admission or $10 for Olympia Film Society member.

Ugly Sweater Bingo: Get ready to jingle, mingle and BINGO like you’ve never bingoed before! Head to the Virgil Clarkson Lacey Senior Center for its Ugly Sweater Bingo. Doors open at 6 pm and games start at 7 pm. Must be 21+ to enter. Admission is $25 cash at the door to join the fun; it includes 10 bingo sheets for the standard games with $60 payouts each. Dress to impress (or not) for a chance to win a prize in the Costume Contest. Plus, enjoy a snack bar and full-service bar, a 50/50 raffle, and Daubers available for purchase. The senior center is at 6757 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey.

A man and woman wear ugly Christmas sweaters.
A man and woman wear ugly Christmas sweaters.

Holiday Factory at WET Science Center: Have a long holiday to-do list? Invent a Rube Goldberg machine to help with your tasks! The WET Science Center will have all the supplies necessary to build complex chain reactions that could assist with baking, decorating, or wrapping gifts. All ages are welcome to join the fun at the center at 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.

Furniture bank open for customers and donors: The nonprofit all-volunteer Thurston County Furniture Bank is open the first and third Saturdays of every month from 9 a.m. to noon at 2121 Log Cabin Road SE, Olympia. The Furniture Bank building is at the back of the parking lot. Donations of gently used furniture are accepted. Pick up of donations can be arranged but usually takes 3-4 weeks. Those looking for furniture are welcomed. For more information, go to the Furniture Bank webpage.

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.