Join us at Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation for some great classes!
To register or for more information, please click the link after each class, call 360-753-8380 or stop by to see us at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia.
Performing Arts & Dance
Yes, You Can Play the Ukulele Part 2, Feb 11 - Mar 11
Swing: Dance Through the Decades, Feb 20 - Mar 20
Basic American Ballroom Waltz - Part 1, Feb 20 - Mar 20
Guitar II, Feb 26 - Mar 12
RakasaFit Core Fitness Belly Dance, Mar 9-Apr 27
Intermediate/Advanced Belly Dance, Mar 9-Apr 27
Hawaiian Dance, Mar 11-Apr 22
Advanced Hawaiian Dance, Mar 11-Apr 22
Discover Voice Overs! Mar 18
All About Guitar Chords, Mar 19
Visual Arts, & Crafts
Traveling Altar, Feb 14
Recycled Art (Collage), Feb 17-Mar 10
Palette Knife Painting with Acrylics, Feb 21
Zen Ink, Feb 28
Painting People and Faces 2, Feb 28-Apr 4
Glass Botanical Tray Workshop, Feb 28
Date change for Samba workshop
Samba Olywa is pleased to be presenting a second workshop for dancers on Sunday, February 15, 5 -7pm. (Please note this change of date). Our guest instructor will be Donna Pongetti, who has choreographed for us many times in the past. Donna will teach an original samba fusion routine. All are welcome at this workshop, and no pre-registration is necessary. Dancers should wear good supportive shoes, and be ready to sweat!
The workshop will be held at Eagles Grand Ballroom, located at 4th and Plum Streets, downtown Olympia. Tuition for the workshop is $10 - $20, on a sliding scale. Teaching begins promptly at 5pm, and we ask that all participants arrive early to check in. Live music will be provided by Samba Olywa drummers.
This new dance will be used in Samba Olywa's routine for Procession of the Species, April, 2026.
Samba Olywa is supported in part by a grant from Inspire Olympia; as well as by our participating drummers and dancers.
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Sunday, February 15, 5 - 7pm
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Eagles Grand Ballroom, 4th & Plum Streets, downtown Olympia
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Preparation for Procession of the Species
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Upcoming Concert! Zoë Aqua and her Transylvanian String Band: Crossing a Sea of Stars Tour
Fiddler Zoë Aqua studied folk music for two years as a Fulbright grantee in Transylvania, a region in north-west Romania with a strongly multi-ethnic history, as evinced by the Hungarian and Romani flavors in its music. While living there, Aqua started playing regularly with three stars of the local folk music scene: Kálmán Szopos, Károly Dénes and Gergely Réman. Steeped in traditional folk music and dance since childhood, they play instruments not often seen in American venues: the brácsa (chordal viola) and the full-size Hungarian cimbalom, along with the upright bass.
Zoë's compositions are an outgrowth of her background in klezmer and Yiddish music. Arranged in collaboration with her bandmates, the resulting sound features the raw power and deep rhythmic groove of Transylvanian string band music. It's safe to say there's nothing quite like this band in the world music scene today.
This concert will appeal to fans of string band music, whether bluegrass, old-time, or Irish fiddle music, as well as those who love klezmer and Yiddish music. Don't miss it!
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Sunday Feb. 22nd 4:30-6:30 at Temple Beth Hatfiloh
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Advance ticket link HERE
Paper Crafts & Book Arts with Belinda Hill at the Lacey Library
Pop-Up Paper Fun!
Cut, fold, and glue your way into the wonderful world of pop-up art! Families and creators of all ages are invited to learn simple pop-up techniques while making a festive Valentine's card. Feeling inspired? Stick around to turn four cards into a delightful carousel-style pop-up book you can take home and treasure.
No experience needed. All ages welcome. All materials provided.
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Saturday, February 14, 2026 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
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Lacey Timberland Library, 500 College Street SE, Lacey WA 98503
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Learn more
Vince Brown Performances in February
February is shaping up to be a busy month with lots of great shows in the offing!
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Every Sunday Jazz Brunch at Nineveh Assyrian Restaurant, 113 Capital Way North in Olympia, from 11:30 till 1:30.
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Wednesdays, solo jazz guitar at Swing Wine Bar, 825 Columbia Street SW in Olympia, from 6 till 8 PM.
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Friday, February 6th, La Gitana of Olympia, 518 Capital Way South, from 6 till 8 PM with vocalist Anjali Silva.
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Thursday, February 12th will be a bit of a departure in the Vince Brown+1 series at The Eastside Club, 410 4th Avenue East in Olympia as it will be Vince Brown+ a whole bunch of great players from Hood River, including steel guitarist Ben Bonham, bassist Ronnie Ontiveros, mandolin picker Kerry Williams and more. The show starts at 6:30 and there's no cover. 21+.
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Valentines Day, two shows: Stottle Winery, 2641 Willamette Drive SE in Lacey for a special wine and chocolate pairing with jazz from 2 till 4; and from 6 till 8 back at Swing Wine Bar playing solo jazz guitar for dinner.
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Saturday, February 20th, accompanying The Olympia Jazz Choir for a show at New Traditions Fair Trade, 300 5th Avenue in Olympia. I'll be opening the show with a few tunes with vocalist and choir director Jessica Blinn. Call Traditions at 360 705 2819 for tickets.
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Tuesday, February 24th, Tuesday Night Swing Dance put on by OlyDance at The Olympia Eagles Ballroom, 805 4th Avenue East, with everybody's favorite swingster Casey MacGill! Swing dance lesson at 6:30, Show starts at 7:30.
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Thursday the 26th, Vince Brown+1 at The Eastside Club in Olympia features bassist Cam Arneson. The show starts at 6:30.
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On Friday, the 27th, back at La Gitana of Olympia with vocalist Jessica Blinn. 6 till 8 PM. All ages and no cover.
Olympia Family Theater Presents:
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (The Musical)
Whatever you do, don't let the Pigeon star in his own musical production! With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling, Caldecott Honor award-winning "Pigeon" picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma (Elephant & Piggie's We Are in a Play!), Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party! Directed by Nathan Groome, Musically Directed by Ara Morgenstern, with handmade puppets and collaborative artistry at the forefront!
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March 5 - 29, 2026
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Olympia Family Theater | 612 4th Avenue East, Downtown Olympia 98501
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Online tickets available, with a recommended price of $20 - No one turned away for lack of funds! Thurday's are PWYC night, and Friday night shows have $10 rush tickets!
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Learn more and get tickets at www.OlyFT.org
Washington Center Announces 2025 Excellence in the Arts Award Winners: Janice Arnold and Roger McIntosh
The CENTER Stage Awards & Gala will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026. The event is a fundraiser for the Washington Center and an opportunity to celebrate local artists and supporters of the arts. "This year's gala will be a progressive evening of celebration, philanthropy, and music," says Jill Barnes, Executive Director.
During the gala, the Excellence in the Arts awards will be given to those whose work, support, and creativity help build a vibrant cultural community. According to Barnes, "Our committee found it incredibly difficult to choose this year's awardees, which just speaks to the incredible talent in our region."
This year's Achievement in the Arts awards will be awarded to Janice Arnold, a textile and installation artist who blurs the boundaries among science, fine art, craft, cultural history, and public engagement. Her practice is rooted in and informed by her time studying and working with Indigenous Nomads of Central Asia and Mongolia. Equally an artist, inventor, and presenter, she uses innovative approaches and techniques to create a wide range of art and installations that honor the origins of Felt as our "First Fabric."
This year's Commitment to the Arts award will be awarded to Roger McIntosh, who worked as the Production Manager at the Washington Center for 40 years. After graduating from The Evergreen State College with a degree in technical theater, McIntosh worked in photography, marketing, and lighting design for bands in both Seattle and his hometown, Walla Walla. He returned to Olympia and was hired at the Washington Center right before it opened to the public in September 1985.
The entire evening will raise funds for the Washington Center. A special fund-a-need will focus on education and outreach to help bring students to the theater.
An Update from Karen Hanan, ArtsWA Executive Director
After 12 years of impactful public service, Karen Hanan, Executive Director of the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA), has announced her retirement from state service effective June 30, 2026. Hanan was appointed as director of the Agency in 2014 by Governor Jay Inslee and has served as a cabinet-level leader dedicated to the cultural and economic vitality of Washington State.
Under Hanan's stewardship, ArtsWA experienced an era of growth and modernization. Since beginning her tenure in 2014, she successfully advocated for increased state investment in the arts, resulting in an expansion of the agency's programming, services, and staff.
Newsletter Roundup
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Public Art Calls for Artists + February 2026
Each month we send out artist calls managed by 4Culture, as well as a selection of calls submitted to us by organizations around the world. Visit our website to see all open calls, grants, jobs, and other opportunities.
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Olympia Family Theater
Front of House Volunteers needed. No experience necessary!
Shifts available for ushering, selling concessions, and selling raffle tickets during performances.
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March 5-29, 2026 and/or May 14-June 7, 2026
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Time commitment is usually under 4 hours.
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Thursday/Friday at 6pm, Saturday/Sunday at 2pm
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Must pass a background check.
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Please contact Tracy at [email protected].
Olympia Historical Society
If you have an interest in local history, please consider becoming a volunteer with the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum. We have a variety of roles to fill, including tour guides for the museum's Sunday afternoon open hours (1:00pm-4:00pm), groundskeeping at monthly Saturday morning work parties, and committee work for our Education, Bigelow House Operations, and Events (annual historic homes tour and spring fundraiser) committees.
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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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