Submitted by Washington Center for the Performing Arts
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts is kicking off 2024 with some exciting shows! January brings Olympia favorite Pink Martini, Potted Potter – The Unauthorized Harry Experience and Johnny Cash – The Official Concert Experience. February continues the excitement with International Guitar Night and the return of the talented and witty Sarah Hagen!
January 11 at 7:30 p.m. Comedy Underground! Our monthly Black Box Comedy Series returns featuring Mike Merill! International headliner, Mike Merrill has performed on Comedy Central Stand Up Revolution, CBS Comics Unleashed, Hulu Loco Comedy Jam as well as NBC stand-up and is a writer on the nationally televised show Funny You Should Ask. He’s headlined clubs internationally in Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and performed in Dubai, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Guam, Africa and beyond. He’s shot three, 1-hour comedy specials and he is dope. Joining Mike this month will be Natalie Holt and James Roberts. Comedy Underground is recommended for ages 18+.
January 12 at 8 p.m. Black Box Jazz! Our monthly Black Box Jazz Series returns featuring Alexey Nikolaev Quartet! Alexey Nikolaev has performed at jazz festivals all over the world. He has made Seattle his home since 2000 and regularly performs and records with other Seattle jazz artists. “The first time I heard Alexey Nikolaev perform I was knocked out by his big tenor sound and his willingness to take chances with the music” – All About Jazz Magazine
January 21 at 7:30 p.m. Pink Martini featuring China Forbes! We are thrilled to bring Pink Martini back to Olympia! Drawing inspiration from music from all over the world – crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop – Thomas Lauderdale founded Pink Martini in 1994 to provide more beautiful and inclusive musical soundtracks for political fundraisers for causes such as civil rights, affordable housing, the environment, libraries, public broadcasting, education and parks. Over twenty years later, Pink Martini still tours the world, singing in 22 languages at opera houses, concert halls, film festivals, museums and fashion shows. In 2014, Pink Martini was inducted into both the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame and the Oregon Music Hall of Fame.
January 26 at 7:30 p.m. Potted Potter – The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff! “Gloriously irreverent.”– Time Out London, Critics’ Choice Playing to sold out houses all over the world, the Olivier Award nominated Potted Potter – The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books into seventy hilarious minutes. Even if you don’t know the difference between a horcrux and a Hufflepuff, Potted Potter will make you roar with laughter. Created by two-time Olivier Award-nominated actors Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, Potted Potter is perfect for ages six to Dumbledore (who is very old indeed).
January 28 at 7 p.m. Johnny Cash – the Official Concert Experience! Johnny Cash – The Official Concert Experience brings songs and stories from the “Man in Black” to the stage in a way that audiences haven’t seen or heard before. With video of Johnny from episodes of The Johnny Cash TV Show projected on a screen above the stage, a live band and singers will accompany him in perfect sync. This concert experience will showcase iconic performances from the TV show and highlight the spirit of the legend by revisiting some of his memorable words and anecdotes. Cash will perform some of his biggest hits, including “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Ring of Fire,” and “I Walk the Line,” and share stories of people he met along the way whose causes he championed – the working man from all walks of life. Plus, onstage male and female singers will split vocal duties performing their own takes on Cash hits. The music never stops in this concert event!
February 1 at 7:30 p.m. International Guitar Night! International Guitar Night brings you the world’s best guitar musicians on one stage together! This year, the lineup includes three International Guitar Night favorites and an exciting newcomer. Italian acoustic rock sensation Luca Stricagnoli, returns to our stage along with progressive fingerstyle guitarist, Thu Le from Vietnam and Marco Pereira, the award-winning master composer and performer from Brazil. This year we welcome Australian Minnie Marks, the irrepressible blues slide guitarist and singer on her North American debut. The sound of four exceptionally gifted guitarists on one stage will leave audiences feeling lifted and inspired. An experience of sound!
February 3 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sarah Hagen – Wonder Women! A Celebration of Female Composers! Our patrons loved Sarah Hagen when she was here performing Perk Up! Pianist! We are exciting for her new show! In “Wonder Women!”, pianist and humorist Sarah Hagen delves into the remarkable stories and piano music of forgotten female composers from the classical repertoire. This recital will highlight piano works by 18th and 19th century composers, including Clara Schumann, Cécile Chaminade, Delphine von Schauroth, and others. Included will be stunningly gorgeous music by Marianna Martines, who lived in the same circles as Haydn and Mozart, and often joined Mozart in piano duets at the musical soirées she and her sister held in their Viennese home.
In the Gallery
It’s A Colorful World by Sarah Ghanooni
Now Through January 7
From an early age the artist would look through art books, and be captivated by the colors and movement within the pictures. Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso were artists who inspired them and influenced their impressionistic style. Within this exhibition they want to highlight the colorful and vibrant scenes of everyday life and shine a light on the beauty that they possess.
Art in Isolation by Gary Rubin
January 10-March 3
While in isolation for two years, the artist’s connection with the outside world was primarily through the art they created. They selected subjects that inspired them – that evoked an emotion or tapped into one of the many feelings had, fueled by the challenges of the COVID and racial injustice pandemics. The subjects all lived within the frame of my television. And, from these subjects, they created compositions with a sketchbook, set of pencils, and an eraser that all reside on a TV tray. The artist never knows what the finished product will look like until they stop drawing. And when they stop, it’s because it feels complete and incomplete at the same time. It is not only what is drawn but also what isn’t, allowing the negative space to complement and oppose the graphite. The artist has created over 1200 works over the past 36 months.
To purchase tickets, visit the Washington Center for the Performing Arts website.
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts is a not-for-profit performance venue with a mission to inspire audiences and artists of all ages through live performances, enriching the vibrancy of our community.
Box Office Information
Normal Box Office hours are Tuesday through Saturday 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Holiday Box Office hours – Our Box Office will be closed Dec 25-27 and Jan 1-8.
For ticketing questions or more information about upcoming events please visit the Washington Center for the Performing Arts website or call the Box Office at 360.753.8586.
