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The Washington Center for the Performing Arts has a longstanding and time-honored history in our area. Since 1985, The Washington Center has hosted performances from across the country and our own backyard. On Thursday, June 16, The Washington Center welcomes the musical whirlwind that is Storm Large for one night only, with tickets selling fast.

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Join musical whirlwind Storm Large as she puts her unique and talented spin on classics from the American Songbook. Photo courtesy: Storm Large.

Storm Large, yes that’s her real name, is a Northwest performer with national renown and a huge cult following. Nearly 15 years ago she settled in Portland and has gone on to perform at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall, tour with local favorites Pink Martini, and write both an autobiography and one-woman show based on her tumultuous life. She has accomplished all this while releasing numerous albums, touring internationally, and occasionally coming home to raise money for the fight against childhood cancer.

With a musical style that encompasses torch songs, rock and roll, opera, and original works, Storm delivers a big (six feet tall without the heels), brash (occasionally explicit), colorful (this week’s hair color: pink), multi-talented show.

Her stop in Olympia will feature her name-sharing band and most recent album. “In the fall of 2014, Storm and Le Bonheur released a record designed to capture their sublime and subversive interpretations of the American Songbook. Entitled simply, ‘Le Bonheur’ and released on Pink Martini’s, Heinz Records, the recording is a collection of tortured and titillating love songs; beautiful, familiar, yet twisted…much like the lady herself.”

Michael Cordier, Marketing Director at The Washington Center, is a fan. “Isn’t it terrific when local talent also happens to be international talent? We are absolutely thrilled to have Storm Large in our space over the summer—she will not only bring in world class entertainment, but she also has an energy and vivacity that we think will vibe with the Olympia crowd.”

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Storm Large performed at The Washington Center in September 2015 with the hugely popular Pink Martini. Photo courtesy: Pink Martini.

And Friends of the Washington Center can receive discounted tickets to the upcoming show. A membership package offers ticketing benefits but, says Cordier, “the real impact of Friends membership is in supporting live performance and art in our community. Memberships help support our Youth and Student Rush discounts, put our community on stage by subsidizing our educational and not-for-profit rental rates, provide for our Young Arts Ambassador program, and help keep ticket prices affordable across the board.”

Storm novices and super fans alike can warm up their vocal cords before the show by singing along to her past and present work streamed online or recently filmed at Seattle’s Triple Door venue. Need a good place to start from someone who’s attended more shows than I care to admit? Beautiful, from her Ladylike album, and Call Me Crazy from the autobiographical show ‘Crazy Enough’ are my personal favorites. But yes, I might be a little biased.

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Since 1985, The Washington Center for the Performing Arts has hosted performers from across the nation and our own backyard. Photo courtesy: Washington Center.

Can’t make this one-night show? Follow Storm’s performance calendar or other Washington Center events from near and far. Also frequently check The Center’s Facebook page for updated lists of activities, art installations, artist profiles, and downtown Olympia news.

Tickets to ‘Taken by Storm’ at 7:30 p.m. on June 16 are on sale now, with prices ranging from $27-42. Friends’ members are encouraged to call the office at 360-753-8586 to receive the discounted rate. Find available seats on The Washington Center’s website, by calling the box office, or stopping by between noon and 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

William Alger once claimed that “after every storm the sun will smile.” Join me on June 16 and I guarantee you will too.

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