If you haven’t looked over the season line-up at The Washington Center, it is time! The doors have opened, the champagne uncorked and the season has been ushered in. This month alone offers such an array of talent, and the entire season brings something for everyone.
The Season Kicks-off
This season offers more than most – because The Washington Center is really hosting about ten more shows than last year. This year they are hosting Broadway musicals and the sing-a-long to the “Sound of Music”, bringing us performing stunt dogs, educating us with classical opera and introducing us to Tibetan Monks. Could you dream up a more diverse season?
The Center is starting the season out strong, with the month of October offering huge performances:
The Mystical Arts of Tibet runs from October 2nd through 7th. The Washington Center will host the monks from Tibet’s Drepung Loseling Monastery, who will create a beautifully intricate sand Mandala. At the end of the Sacred Music Sacred Dance for World Healing performance on Sunday, the monks will destroy the sand Mandala and lead a public procession down to Percival Landing to give the sand to the sea and spread the message of peace and healing. You are invited to The Washington Center during the week, even if you are not a ticket holder to the performance, to watch the sand Mandala being created.
National Geographic Live Series presents the first speaker in the series, Joel Sartore, on October 12th. An adamant conservationist and award winning photographer, this is the chance to hear his perspective and his stories about being in the wild.
The National Tour of STOMP! will be in our town on October 17th and 18th. They have visited Olympia before and sold out the show. Eight members of a wildly innovative percussion group will create noise using everything but conventional instruments. It promises to be an explosive, unique and provocative show, appropriate for the whole family. For complete information about STOMP, click here.
Natalie MacMaster is coming back to Olympia for her eighth show. She is the record holder for the most loved performance at The Washington Center. A Cape Breton fiddler, she is a versatile and exciting musician who plays Folk and Celtic music. She will be in town for one foot-tapping, fiddling fireworks performance on October 21st.
Del McCoury will be in town October 26th to perform his Tribute to Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass music. This is a tribute to a great by another great, and will be a wonderful evening for the whole family.
The Washington Center is a driving force in our art community, and although they bring us talent from around the globe, their priorities are focused more locally.
Highlighting Local Talent
While sipping coffee with Anne Larsen, the interim Marketing Director, she reiterates the important role that The Washington Center fills for our local arts community.
The Washington Center grants the Artistic Partners- local artists, symphonies and dancers- first dibs on the stage before they even start to fill in their season. They partner with our local talent, and offer them a first class stage and venue that most cities cannot compete with.
Larsen explains, “the non-profit board and staff that run The Washington Center give the artistic partners the first opportunity to fill the calendar – they sit down together in one big room and pick their dates first.” Only after the local talent is booked, does the staff secure national and international talent to bring to our city.
“There is more community involvement with The Washington Center through these artistic partners, than there is with the professional shows. This is the premier facility for these local partner groups. We pride ourselves on providing educational opportunities to enhance student learning and theatrical experiences.” explains Larsen.
Local children have grown up performing dance recitals, concerts and working with youth programs on this stage. Much of the success of The Washington Center has to do with this successful relationship between public and private partners, all striving to offer our community a world-class venue for performing arts.
Grab Your Seat
There are single seats, student seats, half priced kid seats, military discounts, season passes… there is a seat available with your name on it. Call the box office and pick a show, enjoy a night out and celebrate the arts offered in our community.
Whether you are escaping for the night, enjoying a date night, or reveling in the talent of the artists…come celebrate what Olympia offers. I’ll see you in the balcony.
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts
512 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501
360.753.8585
Box Office Hours
Tue-Fri 12:00-5:30PM
Sat 2:00-5:30PM
