By Thurston Chronicle staff
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts kicks off spring with a March lineup that includes “Tilt! A Circus Thrill Ride,” “Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience,” Pilobolus, Fran Lebowitz and more, a news release from the center for performing arts stated.
Upcoming events to be held at the Washington Center For Performing Arts include:
- The Center Stage Awards and Gala at 5 p.m. March 7: 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 awards will be presented to textile and installation artist Janice Arnold for Achievement in the Arts and production manager and lighting designer Roger McIntosh for Commitment to the Arts.
- “Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience” at 8 p.m. March 7: Created by brothers Billy, Matthew and Ryan McGuigan, the show lets the audience choose the entire setlist. Before each performance, audience members fill out request cards with their favorite Beatles song and the reason behind their choice. Minutes before showtime, these cards are collected, and a unique setlist is crafted based on the audience’s selections.
- “Tilt! A Circus Thrill Ride” at 7 p.m. March 14: “Tilt” follows a weary amusement park worker, worn down by the grind and long disconnected from the joy around him, according to the news release. “When he confiscates a guest’s boom box, a playful chase erupts — an exhilarating whirlwind of stunts, surprises, and laughter,” the news release reads. “By the end, the pursuit transforms into a touching moment of connection, proving that even in the unlikeliest of places, shared joy can bring us together.”
- “An Evening with Fran Lebowitz” at 7 p.m. March 15: Lebowitz' essays and interviews offer her views on current events and the media, as well as pet peeves including tourists, baggage-claim areas, after-shave lotion, adults who roller skate, children who speak French, or anyone who is unduly tan, according to the release. The New York Times Book Review calls Lebowitz an “important humorist in the classic tradition.”
- Ladies of Laughter at 7:30 p.m. March 20: The Ladies of Laughter tour includes winners and the best talent from its national competitions. This year welcomes Leighann Lord, a New York-based comedian, writer, and actress, Veronica Mosey, a Ladies of Laughter finalist, and the 2016 Ladies of Laughter winner, Kelly MacFarland. Recommended for ages 18+.
- Pilobolus’ “Other Worlds Collection” at 7:30 p.m. March 23: Celebrated for its groundbreaking physicality, innovation, and storytelling, Pilobolus presents its “Other Worlds Collection,” a captivating exploration of inhabited spaces, the release stated. Pilobolus tests the limits of human physicality to explore the beauty and power of connected bodies.
- “Adventure Series: The Power of Creativity: A Journey through Storytelling, Exploration, and Hope” at 7 p.m. March 27: Award-winning photographer, journalist, and author Kike Calvo is renowned for his extraordinary ability to bridge culture, environment, and visual storytelling, according to the release. A fellow of the Explorers Club, he has traveled to over 120 countries, and his work has been featured in National Geographic Magazine, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and more. In this presentation, Calvo explores how creativity can be a catalyst for connection, storytelling, and meaningful change.
- Artist reception for Ryker Black at 5 p.m. on March 25: Currently in the gallery is “Go Figure,” by artist Ryker Black. Go Figure is showing from March 5 to April 26. Artist Reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m. March 25, which is free to the public. “Go Figure” is a curated exhibition bringing together the work of thirteen artists whose artwork incorporates figurative elements to express a deeper connection to self and the world, the release stated. Representing a broad scope of medium, the show includes not just the human form in reference to the figure, but a variety of animals and even sporozoan.Artists include Aimee Schreiber, Asenath Lizárraga, Ashley Roy Simpson, Christine Echeverri, Danny Schreiber, Evangeline Poulos, Faith Hagenhofer, Gabrielle England, Jason Bennett, Lexi Wittenberg, Rayleen Lilley, RobRoy Chalmers, and S. Maiden.
For a full calendar of events and tickets, visit https://www.washingtoncenter.org/events/month/.
