By Jennifer Crain
If sitting in a darkened recital hall with choral harmonies filling your ears sounds like an antidote for stockpiling gift cards and perusing “buche de Noel” Pinterest boards (ahem), look no further. Thurston County is full of free and fairly low-cost holiday concerts this season.
Art is participatory but thank heavens it is often so in the most relaxing way: by virtue of sitting and listening. Choral groups and orchestras, guitarists and drummers have been preparing for months to create such experiences for local music appreciators. From intimate, noontime recitals to full-blown orchestral concerts, there are plenty of excuses to walk away from holiday planning for an hour or so and just listen.
Olympia Downtown Association – Downtown for the Holidays
Sunday, December 1
The popular yearly gathering includes horse-drawn wagon rides and a tree lighting ceremony but there are also three free concerts to attend:
First Christian Church Chime Choir
1:00 – 2:45 p.m.
Lobby of Urban Onion, second floor
Olympia Highlanders Pipes and Drums
4:00 p.m.
Corner of Legion Way and Washington Street
Timberline High School Chamber Choir
4:15 p.m.
Corner of Legion Way and Washington Street
Seattle Jewish Chorale and Kol N’Shamah Choir
Sunday, December 1 at 4:00 p.m.
$5 kids, $12 adults
South Puget Sound Community College Concert Choir
“Ring in the Season”
Wednesday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m.
Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts Main Stage
Free
Fridays at the First
The A Cappella Belles
Friday, December 6 at Noon
Free (donations for musicians accepted)
“Sounds of the Season”
Friday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m.
Washington Center for the Performing Arts
Free
“Ringing in the Season”
Monday, December 9 at 6:00 p.m.
Free
Donations collected for Homeless Backpacks, providing “food for the weekend to homeless teens in Thurston, Mason and Grays Harbor Counties.”
Fridays at the First
John Croarkin and Neil Slifka
Friday, December 13 at Noon
Free (donations for musicians accepted)
Olympia Choral Society and Olympia Youth Chorus
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas”
Friday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 14 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 15 at 2:30 pm
Koval Center for the Performing Arts
Free
Donations accepted for SideWalk, housing the homeless through coordinating resources, rapid re-housing, and advocacy for housing stability.
Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia
Saturday, December 14 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
$5 Students, $10 Adults/Seniors, $25 Family
Fridays at the First
Susan Tuzzolino and Stephen Luceno
Photo credit: Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia
“Solo Amici”
Friday, December 20 at Noon
Free (donations for musicians accepted)
Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia
Monday, December 23 at 7:00 p.m.
Washington Center for the Performing Arts
Free
Thrifty Thurston highlights inexpensive family fun in Thurston County. The weekly series focuses on family-friendly activities throughout our community. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@thurstontalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Olympia and the surrounding area, click here.
