By Miette Deschenes
Winter quarter can be a difficult time. The sky is always dark, the air is cold and finger-numbing, and nobody wants to leave their dorms. And who can blame them? It seems like there’s no reason! Thankfully, there is actually a lot going on in the Olympia area this February. Here is a handy list of just some of the options for beating those winter blues, getting out, and having some fun!
Theater Performances
- Evergreen theater group Riot to Follow will be performing their production of Stop Kiss Jan. 23-25 at 7:30 p.m. in Com 107. Tickets are free!
- Evergreen’s other theater group Perennial Players will perform Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play Feb. 6-8 in Sem II D4107 at 7 p.m. Tickets are free for this show as well!
- Tush! Burlesque’s A Day Late and a Dollar Short on Feb. 15 at Olympia Film Society. The show is 18+ and tickets are $20 online or $25 in-person, day of show.
- Comedy in the Box is a monthly comedy show at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. This month’s show is Feb. 13 and tickets are $28.
- Looking for Tiger Lily, an original performance that explores themes of race and identity, will be performed at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts on Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$30.
- Olympia Dance Festival at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts features performances from over 200 local dancers. This year will include appearances from members of Cirque du Soleil. The show is Feb. 29 at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $15.
Concerts
- Kitchen Dwellers, a bluegrass band, performs at Rhythm & Rye on Feb. 5 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be found on the Rhythm & Rye’s Facebook page.
- Left at London, a Seattle-based indie pop musician and poet will perform at Octapas on Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. The show is 21+. Tickets are $10-$15 and the link to purchase them can be found on the Octapas’ Facebook page.
- Reverend Horton Heat, a rockabilly band, performs at Olympia Film Society on Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. The Buttertones, The Dusty 45s, and Bloodshot Bill will also perform. Tickets are $25.
- Ghost-Note, a percussion-based funk band, will perform at Olympia Film Society on Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. Ron Artis II and The Truth will open. Tickets are $25.
Film
- In addition to their usual daily movie screenings, Olympia Film Society has several special events happening this month:
- LUNAFEST 2020 is the first all-female traveling film festival and will be at OFS on Jan. 25. The screening is at 4 p.m. and is followed by a Q&A. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online or at the box office on the day of show.
- Dosed is a new documentary from Tyler Chandler about a woman struggling with mental illness who begins to use psychedelic mushrooms as medication. After the film there will be a panel and Q&A. The screening is Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. and tickets are $15.
- Films from the Evergreen Archives will be screened in Purce Hall 4 at 5 p.m. on Feb. 21. Films will include old promotions from the 1970s and other retro videos.
Miscellaneous
- Karaoke at Le Voyeur! Evergreen student Maxwell Schilling hosts karaoke parties every Monday at Le Voyeur at 10 p.m. Events are 21+ and go until closing.
- Evergreen’s biweekly Art Lecture series will continue this quarter. Guest speakers include McKenzie Funk (Jan. 29), Natasha Marin (Feb. 12), and Ann Warde (Feb. 26). Lectures begin at 11:30 a.m. in the COM Recital Hall.
- Student Swim Wednesdays are still going on this quarter! Support student access to the swimming pool by dropping by and swimming any Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
These are just a few of the many great options for getting out and having fun this winter. There are also always events listed on Facebook for any local venues, and students are always posting on the bulletin boards around campus. Stay warm and have some fun this quarter!
