Need fun? Head outdoors to take in Shakespeare, hear folk tunes or catch dance moves
Oh, ‘Henry’
Animal Fire Theatre, which produces Olympia’s take on Shakespeare in the Park, is tackling not one but two of the bard’s history plays this summer. The company is staging “Henry IV,” which combines abridged versions of “Henry IV, Part 1” and “Henry IV, Part 2.” There’s political intrigue aplenty in the play, which features two Henrys — the titular IV (played by Drew Doyle, recently seen in Harlequin Productions’ “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again]”) and his son Hal (F.K. Jenkins), who’ll later become Henry V — and the fictional Sir John Falstaff (Scott Douglas), a Dionysian fellow lusting for both lasses and liquor. The free show opens Friday, July 5, with performances are at 7 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through July 28 in Wonderwood Park, 5304 32nd Ave. SE, Lacey. (The performance space is near the tennis courts.) The company recommends bringing not only a chair but also bug repellent.
Winning moves
The Bridge Music Project, best known for mentoring young people through music, also hosts an annual dance battle. Skilled street dancers from around the region will be breakdancing, vogueing, krumping and more in the all-styles battle, co-presented by Sweet 16. The dancing begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 6, in Percival Landing Park, Olympia. Get there early if you want to compete; sign-ups start at 1 p.m.
Righteous tunes in Sylvester Park
Funny feminist folkies The Righteous Mothers are launching the Olympia Downtown Alliance’s 2024 Music in the Park concert series. The Mothers’ music is known for its frank, fiery lyrics and sweet harmonies. (Sample tracks for the uninitiated: “Old Fat Naked Women for Peace” and “Boring Meeting”.) The music will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, in Sylvester Park, 615 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Concertgoers are advised to bring a chair or blanket and encouraged to pick up takeout from a downtown restaurant. Picnics are welcome, too. The concert series, now branded LoveOly Music in the Park, continues every Wednesday in July. Admission is free.
Freelance writer Molly Gilmore is glad to be a freelance writer who is rarely required to attend boring meetings. She talks with DJ Kevin the Brit about what’s happening around town on KGY-FM’s “Oly in a Can,” airing at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Fridays.
