Submitted by Washington Center for the Performing Arts
The Washington Center is beginning February with exceptional international guitarists and a Broadway tour!
February 2 at 7 p.m. International Guitar Night
International Guitar Night is back with 3 exciting new guitarists making their US debuts and an Olympia favorite! LULO REINHARDT (Germany) is well known to audiences. The grand-nephew of legendary Django Reinhardt, Lulo plays Latin Swing music, a combination of Gypsy Swing with Latin rhythms. ALEXANDRA WHITTINGHAM (Britain) is a dynamic classical guitarist with a repertoire ranging from the classics to contemporary composers. NIWEL TSUMBU (Democratic Republic of Congo) has created a unique and exhilarating Congolese percussive style drawing on influences as diverse as jazz, classical, rock, folk and rhumba. SOENKE MEINEN (Germany) is a leading Contemporary Fingerstyle guitarist, mixing the incredible dexterity of his high-speed compositions with sensitive ballads. His captivating performances make acoustic guitar music accessible to everyone.
February 5-6 at 7 p.m. ‘Dear Evan Hansen‘
Declared “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history” by The Washington Post, “Dear Evan Hansen” is the first musical to take a groundbreaking look — from the point of view of both the parents and young people — at our complex, interconnected, and social media-filled lives.
Evan Hansen is a high school student who always feels like he’s on the outside looking in. Evan finally gets what so many of us are searching for—the chance to finally fit in. What follows is a poignant, funny, and powerful musical about how even though it can be hard, we can find each other—and ourselves—along the way.
Including some of the most iconic musical theatre songs from the last decade, including “You Will Be Found,” “Waving Through A Window,” and “For Forever,” “Dear Evan Hansen” features an uplifting score by the Tony, Grammy, and Oscar-winning team behind “The Greatest Showman,” “La La Land,” and “Only Murders in the Building” Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a book by Tony Award-winner Steven Levenson. “Dear Evan Hansen” is recommended for ages 12 and up and contains adult themes, including discussions of suicide.
February 15 at 7:30 p.m. ‘Spamilton’
Created by Gerard Alessandrini, the comic mastermind behind the long-running hit Forbidden Broadway and performed by a versatile cast of eight, “Spamilton: An American Parody” is a side-splitting new musical parody. A crash course of everyone’s favorite Broadway blockbusters, including celebrity satires, pop culture zings accompanied with hip-hop on the piano! After tearing it up in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and London, Spamilton: An American Parody will stage a singing, dancing, comedy revolution in Olympia!
Feb 16 at 2 p.m. Silent Movie: Vintage Valentines
This Valentine’s weekend, fall in love with the magic of silent cinema and live organ music. Featuring Harold Lloyds’ “Girl Shy” and Laurel & Hardy’s “Double Whoopee.” We welcome film fans of all ages to step back in time to revel in the authentically recreated sounds and nostalgia from times gone by.
In “Girl Shy,” a shy young man who can’t talk to women ventures out to publish a book full of fictional conquests, but finds true love along the way. In “Double Whoopee,” Laurel & Hardy get jobs working as the new footman and doorman at a ritzy hotel and naturally chaos ensues.
February 21 at 7:30 p.m. An Evening with Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group
The Washington Center is thrilled to welcome Lyle Lovett back to Olympia! Get your tickets soon as this show is almost sold out!
A singer, composer and actor, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums. Coupled with his gift for storytelling, the Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues in a convention-defying manner that breaks down barriers.
Lovett’s live performances show not only the breadth of this Texas legend’s deep talents, but also the diversity of his influences, making him one of the most compelling and captivating musicians in popular music.
February 22 at 5:30 p.m. The Center Stage Awards and Gala
The Washington Center’s signature fundraising event will raise funds for the mission of the Washington Center including youth education and community outreach. During the gala, the Excellence in the Arts awards will recognize those whose work, support, and involvement help build a vibrant cultural community in the greater South Sound region. This year we are recognizing Olympia-based papercut artist, author and illustrator Nikki McClure for Achievement in the Arts and former Olympia mayor and champion for the arts Cheryl Selby for Commitment to the Arts.
February 22 at 8 p.m. Meow Meow
The beloved crowd-surfing queen of song and tragi-comedienne dazzles anew with her unique brand of kamikaze performance that has hypnotized, inspired and terrified audiences worldwide. Music. Politics. Mayhem. Magnificence. Meow Meow is a genre-defying performer known for her blend of music, comedy, and theatrical artistry. Renowned for her sharp wit and fearless audience interaction, her performances are filled with glamour, chaos, and poignancy, often incorporating elements of political satire and cultural commentary. This performance is part of the Center Stage Awards and Gala, a fundraiser for the Washington Center.
February 27 at 7:30 p.m. Comedy Underground featuring Brent Lowrey
Brent Lowrey won the 2023 Seattle International Comedy Competition, where he was described as “a powerhouse joke teller who doesn’t break a sweat.” He has opened for national headliners like Sam Tallent, Matt McCusker, Nick Mullen, and Kyle Kinane. His online content has been viewed by millions. Recommended for ages 18+.
To purchase tickets, visit the Washington Center for the Performing Arts website.
In the Gallery
Ceremony – The Ancestor Honoring Portrait Paintings of Lance Griffith
Showing: January 30 – March 30
Artist Reception: February 11 at 5 p.mm
“A local Native American artist, I specialize in large realistic oil paintings. I honor my heritage, journey and spirituality, through my paintings. My great grandparents walked the trail of tears, from Louisiana to Oklahoma. I try to celebrate my elders with each canvas. I am also a drug and alcohol counselor in Shelton. I try to help others find their way as I continue to find my own.”
Our three-floor gallery is open to the public for viewing by appointment (Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m.), or to ticketed patrons 1 hour prior to an event. To schedule an appointment, or to fill out a gallery application please contact us here.
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
- Box Office hours are Tuesday through Saturday 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- 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.
