Fun things to do in Thurston County this week | The Olympian

Northwest Folklife Festival kicks off the Puget Sound music festival season with four days of music, dance, education and culture. In its 47th year, this all-volunteer, nonprofit-run event offers free access to everyone (although they suggest a $10-per-person or $20-per-family donation). The public forum is a platform for diverse groups from the Pacific Northwest to present arts, culture and heritage in a colorful festival atmosphere. And a number of Olympia groups will take the stage, including Tsunami Pinata, Ke Liko A’e O Lei Lehua E Kapuaokalani, Palmer’s Gate, Samba OlyWa, The Bow Weevils, The REDS, and Flemming Oppenhagen Behrend. It’s all happening at the Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., Seattle. Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Monday. For a complete lineup of activities, go to nwfolklife.org

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Traditions Cafe will host a night of great jazz when Greta Matassa and John Stowell join Clipper Anderson for a show. Matassa is known for her vocals and versatility, having received acclaim from Earshot, Seattle jazz magazine and the “Jazz After Hours” radio program. Stowell brings his originality to the show on his guitar and Anderson on the bass. Come out for the 7:30 p.m. show Saturday at 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia. Tickets are $20, $15 for students and those with low income. Call 360-705-2819 for more information.

This Saturday is the last chance to see this month’s Olympia Film Society’s Kids Club movie, “Paddington 2.” The family-friendly sequel finds Paddington settled with the Brown family until the unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s show is stolen. The 11 a.m. screening at Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia, is free to kids 12 and younger. Go to olympiafilmsociety.org for more information.

The irreverent “Cinder Edna,” adapted from the book by Ellen Jackson, continues at the Olympia Family Theater through June 3. Cinderella’s neighbor takes a different path to the ball and her eventual “happily every after.” Showtimes are 7 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at the theater, 612 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Tickets are $19 for adults, $16 for seniors, students, and military, and $13 for those younger than 12. Go to olyft.org for more information.

This weekend is your last chance to take in Harlequin Productions’ “Three Days of Rain.” Richard Greenberg’s Pulitzer-nominated drama explores the mysteries and misunderstandings within families. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the State Theater, 202 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Tickets are $20-$35 at 360-786-0151 or harlequinproductions.org.

Songwriters Ashley E. Norton and Edward A. Williams came together to form Whitherward with a strong mission: have fun and tour often. The duo has gone on to bring four self-produced albums to life. They also tour full time and play more than 200 shows a year, including a stop at the Hotel RL by Red Lion, 2300 Evergreen Park Drive SW, Olympia, for a 6 p.m. show Wednesday. To learn more go to tinyurl.com/yaxakaxh

All Our Exes Live In Texas is a quartet that combines four-part indie-folk harmony with mandolin, ukulele, guitar and accordion. They received the ARIA Award this year in the best roots and blues album category for their debut record “When We Fall.” See them live when at a 9 p.m. Friday show at Rhythm & Rye, 311 Capitol Way N., Olympia. Rooster Crow will open. Go to tinyurl.com/y7ko2e3t for more information.