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Get Your Olympia Poetry Anthology! 100 copies of "Still the Water: An Anthology of Olympia Poetry" are available for pickup at The Olympia Center, from Tuesday, August 12 until gone. The anthology is a collection of 53 poems by Olympia area poets on the topic of place, curated by Olympia Poet Laureate Kathleen Byrd. The books are free, one per person. Olympia Center hours are Monday-Friday, 8am-9pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday closed. Lodging Tax Funding: Applications Due August 29! The City of Olympia has released the application guidelines for Lodging Tax funding for events and activities aimed at creating tourism (visitors from 50+ miles away) and overnight hotel stays to boost the hospitality industry in Olympia. The application period for this new round of funding from Olympia's Lodging Tax for 2026 tourism‐related services is open: The 2026 Lodging Tax Fund Application deadline is Friday, August 29th, at 11:59 pm. Late applications will not be accepted. Olympia receives an amount equal to a 4 percent tax on overnight hotel/motel/bed & breakfast lodging in the City of Olympia. By state law, the city's Lodging Tax Fund is used for: Marketing and operating expenses of festivals and events designed to attract tourists. Capital and/or operating costs of tourism‐related facilities owned by the City, and Operating expenses of tourism‐related facilities operated by 501c3 and 501c6 non‐profit organizations. Non‐profit, businesses, and government agencies that provide tourism services- events and activities or operate tourism facilities are eligible to apply. Applications will be reviewed by Olympia's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, who will recommend 2026 funding to the City Council. All agencies awarded funding will sign a reimbursement-based contract with the City to provide specific tourism services during 2026. Details about the funding are outlined in the application guidelines on the City's website: https://www.olympiawa.gov/lodgingtax
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SPSCC Percival Choir Presents Earth Song The South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) Percival Choir will be performing a concert titled Earth Song on Aug. 29, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts Main Stage. This concert explores the waiting and yearning that lead to new growth, whether in body, soul, or mindset, and will include works by Flynn, Lauridsen, and Brahms. It will also feature the title piece, "An Earth Song" by Marques L. A. Garrett, with text by Langston Hughes. Admission for each concert is a suggested $15 donation at the door. Entrance is free to SPSCC students, staff, and faculty. More information is available on the college's Arts & Entertainment webpage. Upcoming Classes at Olyphant Art Supply Olyphant Art Supply, 601 Capitol Way S, 360-481-7643 Self-Led Nude Figure Drawing (18+) Aug 15 Figure Drawing 101: How to Draw People with Bloom Evermore Aug 14 Illustration 101: Create Compelling Visual Stories with Bloom Evermore Aug 16-17 Creative Writing Jam: Short Story Tips, Prompts, and Feedback with Bloom Evermore Aug 21 Acrylic 101: Learning the Basics with Kody Donaldson Aug 23 Self-Led Clothed Figure Drawing (12+) Aug 29 Color Mixing 101: Color Harmony with Acryla Gouache with Kody Donaldson Aug 30 Singing Workshop with The Olympia Peace Choir The Olympia Peace Choir would like to send another invitation to the public now that our registration issues have been resolved. SINGING WORKSHOPS AUGUST 30, REGISTRATION OPEN! Do you like to sing or want to learn to sing? Are you interested in singing in a choir or in improving your vocal technique? You are invited to attend one of our free workshops on August 30, 2025, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1925 Boulevard Rd. SE, Olympia, 98501. No obligation. REGISTER TODAY. Bring a friend. For tenor and baritone voices: 9-12 am. For soprano, alto and contralto voices: 1-3 pm More information at https://www.theolympiapeacechoir.org and our Facebook page. FRĒQUENSEERS Art Collective Presents "Mind Machine" at Octapas Restaurant for Fall Arts Walk The FRĒQUENSEERS art collective is excited to announce their upcoming exhibition, "Mind Machine," hosted by Octapas Restaurant at 610 Water St. SW during the Fall Arts Walk on October 3rd and 4th. "Mind Machine" invites visitors to explore the psychological and healing properties of light and sound through a diverse array of media, including sculpture, painting, cardboard, glass, and video. The exhibition features works by artists Harro Scharbau, Phillip Raves, Dana Brewer, Christina Calle, Eric Johnson, Austin Davis, Jason Goldsbary, Samhain, Fred Montez and Dustin Zemel. Join us at Octapas Restaurant for an immersive artistic experience that delves into the intersection of sensory perception and creative expression. "Mind Machine" - FRĒQUENSEERS Art Collective Exhibition Octapas Restaurant, 610 Water St. SW, Olympia, WA Friday, October 4 (5-10 p.m.) and Saturday, October 5 (Noon-5 p.m.) as part of Fall Arts Walk Circus Arts Classes for Beginners starting August 24 A new 8-week session of introductory circus arts classes is beginning at Sparrow Studios Olympia on August 24! Adults (13+) can sign up for Intro to Aerial, Intro to Tumbling, Intro to Handstands... or maybe all 3! Do you have kiddos under 13? We have classes for them, too, starting Sept 2! Plus, there's Juggle Jam, where you can pick up a cool, casual party trick, or Clown Class where you can meet the inner clown you never knew was there. Located right across the street from the transit station, we are centrally located downtown with affordable tuition rates. Ask us about our BIPOC scholarships! find out more and register at https://www.sparrowstudiosolympia.com contact us at [email protected] Equality Day at the Bigelow House Museum Visit the Bigelow House at 918 Glass Avenue NE in Olympia for a special event commemorating women's voting rights. The 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was certified in August 1920 which empowered most women nationally to vote. 2025 marks the 115th Anniversary of permanent women's voting rights in Washington in 1910. The Bigelow House is on the National Votes for Women Trail-recognized for its role in women's suffrage history. Join us for special tours with costumed docents, a musical presentation, refreshments and crafts. Sunday, August 24, 1 to 4 pm. Admission is by donation. Contact [email protected] for more information. "Tugboat Sand Man" Author Talk with Lisa Nickel Lisa Nickel, author, with maritime historian Chuck Fowler, of the new local history book Tugboat Sand Man, will host a presentation with the Olympia Historical Society & Bigelow House Museum at the downtown library on August 19th at 6:30 pm. Nickel will present photos and stories about Olympia's beloved tugboat, Sand Man. Books will also be for sale. August 19th, 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Olympia Timberland Library The 10th Annual StoryOly Grand Slam This is the culminating event of the Olympia community storytelling slam, StoryOly. Each month people gather to tell personal stories from their life at the monthly StoryOly Storytelling Slam. A winner is selected. Now those monthly winners will compete for the StoryOly Grand Slam title, and a cash prize. Hosted by storyteller Elizabeth Lord. Three local judges will choose the Grand Slam Champion. Live music opens and closes the night with Vendredi's Bag (A local six-piece jazz combo). The best of the Olympia best will tell stories that night. Saturday, September 20, 2025, Door at 6pm, Show at 7pm Capitol Theater, 206 5th Ave. SE Olympia WA Tickets: $20 in advance at olympiafilmsociety.com or OFS box office. Pay What You Can at the door night of. Door proceeds benefit the local non-profit: Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties Cash Only bar provided by Olympia Film Society More info: Contact Elizabeth Lord, 360-250-2721, https://www.storyoly.com Harlequin Productions Unveils 2026 "Home/Land" Season Harlequin Productions' 2026 Season was revealed on Saturday, August 9, at Harlequin's Annual Gala and 2026 Season Announcement at the State Theater in downtown Olympia. As an explanation for the "Home/Land" theme, an excerpt from Producing Artistic Director Aaron Lamb's statement reads, in part: The question I'm asking of all of us for 2026: how do we transform this land into a home big enough for everyone? How do we listen to voices that challenge our assumptions and find that our capacity to hold complexity - to sit with disagreement - is actually our greatest strength? How can we find pride in where we live? How can we be proud of who we are? Of note: Two productions will be performed in repertory. Our Town will open October 2, 2026. Our Town and Sanctuary City will rotate performances from October 9 to October 25, 2026. Our Town will then continue to run until November 1. The Bold Voices performance series, introduced last year, will continue in 2026: two Staged Readings of new work and Harlequin Miscast! The show titles, descriptions, and dates are listed with the full season below. All three events may be purchased together at a 20% discount as a Bold Voices Subscription. 2026 Subscriptions may be purchased online at https://harlequinproductions.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/subscriptions by mail via the Subscription Form in the 2026 Season Brochure, or by calling the Harlequin Box Office, Tues - Sat 12-5:30 pm, at 360-786-0151. Single tickets for the 2026 Season will be available for purchase on November 28, 2025. The 2026 "Home/Land" Season January 23 - February 8, 2026: Wait Until Dark March 6 - 29, 2026: The Foreigner April 18 - 19, 2026: Bold Voices - The Children May 1 - 17, 2026: Where the Summit Meets the Stars June 19 - July 19, 2026: Million Dollar Quartet August 8 - 9, 2026: Bold Voices - Sweat August 21 - September 6, 2026: Barefoot in the Park October 2 - November 1, 2026: Our Town October 9 - 25, 2026: Sanctuary City November 14-15, 2026: Bold Voices - Harlequin Miscast! November 27 - December 24, 2026: Holiday 2026 Newsletter Roundup News of the Week in Downtown Olympia Eat Soul Food & Discover Sacred Saturdays at ASHHO Artist Trust Newsletter | August 2025 Emerald City Music August Newsletter Be the Spark that Ignites 15 New Careers! ASHHO Lacey Museum News - August 2025 Washington Trust for Historic Preservation - Snapshot August 2025
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AUDITON FOR A VARIETY SHOW - The Lord Franzannian Royal Olympian Spectacular Vaudeville Show!
Wanna be in a great show? Or maybe you know someone who wants to be in a great show....Consider the Vaudeville show! Even if your act isn't fully developed, come on down and tell us about it! Spread the word!
It's time to get your act together! Olympia's most popular annual variety show wants you or your group to share your talent and be part of The Lord Franzannian Royal Olympian Spectacular Vaudeville Show!
Vaudeville Show Definition: n. A series of unrelated acts performed in rapid succession. Very Popular in the United States in the early part of the 20th century.
BigShowCity Performing Arts Organization is seeking short (2-6 min) live performance acts that are often: funny, or skillful, or daring, or weird, or simply audience worthy. (Not so much serious drama, not so much rock bands.) They can be solo acts, or group numbers. Acrobats, Dancers, Jugglers, Puppeteers, Storytellers, Singers, Actors, Magicians, Comedy, _________ fill in the blank. All talents encouraged from the traditional to the modern bizarre.
All performers selected to be part of the show will receive a stipend.
Actual Vaudeville show runs: October 10-12 and 17-19, 2025
This is a fun show to participate in and it is very well liked in our community - every performance sells out! At the audition, show us your act, or even just tell us all about your idea for an act. Remember, even if your act isn't fully formed and rehearsed, we still will have another month to get it up to speed. Go for it! Take a chance.
Get creative, anything goes. What can you do?
Audition Information
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Sunday September 14, 2025, 2:00 pm
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Wild Child - 414 4th Ave E. Olympia, WA 98501
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Produced by Elizabeth Lord and the non-profit BigShowCity Performing Arts Organization
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Questions? Elizabeth Lord 360-250-2721, [email protected], https://www.professionaltalker.com (click on Vaudeville show tab)
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The ARCH Digest is a summary of Arts, Culture and History happenings in the greater Olympia area, submitted by the community. Please turn in ArCH Digest listings to [email protected]. Deadline Monday morning, 8 a.m. If you know of anyone who would like to receive the City of Olympia Arts & Culture news, which includes a weekly ArCH Digest, direct them here and have them mark the Arts & Culture box. Disclaimer: Information in the Arts Digest is not vetted through the City, nor is it endorsed by the City. The reader is solely responsible for checking background on any opportunity listed above.
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Contact
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager
Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation
360.709.2678
[email protected]
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