|
Save the date - Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration! Join the Squaxin Island Tribe and the City of Olympia to celebrate local Indigenous culture, history, and communities from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. The event will be held at Squaxin Park, 2600 East Bay Drive NE. Indigenous Peoples' Day celebration attendees can look forward to cultural performances, speakers and educational activities. Families are welcome. For more information, visit the City's Cultural Events webpage. Parking at Squaxin Park is limited, so attendees who won't be walking from nearby neighborhoods are encouraged to carpool, bicycle or take a fare-free Intercity Transit bus. Use the Intercity Transit trip planner or Thurston County Bike Map to find your best route. The City of Olympia will also offer complimentary event shuttle service from the east side of the Olympia Farmer's Market District parking lot (700 Capitol Way N) every 30 minutes starting at 11 am. For more information, contact [email protected] or 360.753.8343. 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 Discover Voice Overs!, Oct 16 Ballroom Boot Camp: Swing, Waltz & Foxtrot for Beginners, Oct 17-Nov 21 Salsa, Cha-Cha, Rumba, and Tango, Oct 17-Nov 21 Americana Ukulele, Oct 25-Dec 6 Visual Arts, & Crafts Co-Creating Art with Nature, Oct 16 Alcohol Ink, Oct 18 Glass Art Halloween Portrait Masks-Halloween Celebration!, Oct 18 November Writing Challenge, Oct 25
|
|
|
Plankton Workshop
Join Pacific Shellfish Institute and Olympia Stream Team to explore the Discover Plankton lendable kits available at the Tumwater, Olympia and Lacey Libraries. Learn about local monitoring and stewardship, view plankton under microscopes, and create plankton greeting cards.
Free and all ages are welcome!
Website: https://timberland.bibliocommons.com/events/68dd48b6fe1db36a65438dcd
Friday, October 10, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm, at Lacey Timberland Library, 500 College Street SE, Lacey WA 98503
SPSCC Invites the Community to Fish War: Connecting History to Civic Life and Belonging
South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC), in collaboration with THE Coalition and Thurston County, invites the community to a special evening of film and conversation titled Fish War: Connecting History to Civic Life and Belonging. The event will take place on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts (Bldg. 21) on SPSCC's Olympia Campus. No tickets are required, and all are welcome to attend.
This free, public event features a screening of the documentary FISH WAR, which chronicles the historic struggle of Indigenous tribes in Washington State to uphold their treaty-reserved rights to fish for salmon in their usual and accustomed places. When the state made it illegal for tribes to fish in these areas, it sparked a movement that culminated in a landmark 1974 court case affirming tribal sovereignty and establishing tribes as co-managers of the region's salmon resources. While the case was a victory for tribal rights, the film also explores the ongoing challenges facing salmon populations and the broader implications for environmental stewardship and civic engagement.
Following the screening, attendees are invited to participate in a community dialogue focused on the intersections of history, civic life, and belonging. The conversation will provide space for reflection and connection, encouraging participants to consider how the legacy of this enduring struggle continues to shape our shared responsibilities and relationships today.
The Heartsparkle Players and the Thunders 2025-2026 Public Performance Season
Greetings Friends of the Heartsparkle Players and The Thunders!
• We are excited to tell you about our 2025-2026 Season.
• We will celebrate and honor important anniversaries.
• We will have special musical guests and hear from members of the International Playback Community.
As we navigate these times, please join us to hear stories of hope and connection.
Legacy - Celebrating 50 years of Playback Theatre
In collaboration with Window Seat Media, a community oral history organization that partners with communities to document and share their own histories and stories.
Friday, November 14th
6:30pm
Soul Cafe at Traditions - 300 5th avenue SW
Donation - $10-20 (no one turned away)
Stories That Shaped Us - Celebrating 35 years of the Heartsparkle Players Playback Ensemble
Friday, January 9th
6:30pm
Soul Cafe at Traditions - 300 5th avenue SW
Donation - $10-20 (no one turned away)
Celebrating 25 Years of the Heartsparkle Players and the Thunders
Friday, March 13th
6:30pm
Soul Cafe at Traditions - 300 5th avenue SW
Donation - $10-20 (no one turned away)
In collaboration with the Thurston Housing Land Trust whose mission is to create and preserve affordable home-ownership for low and moderate income residents.
Friday, May 8th
Soul Cafe at Traditions - 300 5th avenue SW
Donation - $10-20 (no one turned away)
Newsletter Roundup
-
The Capitol Fools (formerly The Capitol Steps), Mariachi Herencia de México and more coming to the Center!
-
God is a Scottish Drag Queen returns! An Interactive Beatles Experience, Dr. Bonn tells us about Serial Killers, and more coming to the Center!
-
Get Your Season Tickets! Audition for The Snow Queen
-
CORRECTION: ArtsWA News - September
-
Your Next Event at ASHHO Could Change a Life
-
Olympia Art League October Newsletter
-
HQP in October: All Aboard the ORIENT EXPRESS
-
4Culture Newsletter
-
October Emerald City Music Newsletter
-
Seattle Times Spotlights ECM!
-
Artists' Gallery Studio Sale
-
Artist Trust Newsletter | October 2025
-
News of the Week in Downtown Olympia!
-
Dine On Purpose: Guest Chef Night Returns Oct. 18
|
|
4Culture Public Art Calls for Artists + September 2025
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Contact
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager
Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation
360.709.2678
[email protected]
|
|
|
|
