Revisiting History
Originally published on The JOLT News on October 2, 2025
There was something in the air these last couple of weeks in Olympia that felt nostalgic, yet modern. Traditional, yet innovative. Entirely exhilarating. The arts significantly contributed to creating that tone.
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts kicked off its general 2025-26 season on a nostalgic note with the “Electric Elton — A Tribute to Elton John” and the Silent Film Series showing of Charlie Chaplin’s “The Gold Rush.” On the other side of town, the City of Olympia has begun renovations on the Olympia Armory, a soon to be creative campus.
'Electric Elton — A Tribute to Elton John'
I owe my dad a huge thank you for purchasing tickets and taking me to this show at the Washington Center. Attending the Electric Elton concert with him was an experience that fully encompassed the idea of revisiting history, my own history to be specific.
Elton John’s music is written into my DNA, and has been a fundamental part of my life for as long as I can remember. My family endured (actually loved) my playing Elton John on repeat for years. I believe he was the one who taught me how to sing and how to love music.
When I was 4 years old, I asked Santa Claus for the “Elton John Dream Ticket” DVD collection. At that time, Elton John was putting free concert tickets into select cases. I literally prayed to God each night that I would get the DVD set and ticket.
Christmas morning came, I got the DVD set, but no dream ticket. I happy cried (actually happy-sobbed) my guts out because I got the one thing I wanted the most. I will never part with it for as long as I live.
Sean Trombley gave a powerful performance as Elton John, and aced every aspect of Elton John from the voice to facial expressions to body movements. The entire group was insanely talented, and very kind (as I learned after the show). The audience could feel the love and passion every second.
I will never forget this performance. Thank you for making my dream come true.
Silent Films Series: 'The Gold Rush'
What makes this Washington Center series special is that audiences get to experience a silent film in the same way audiences did a century ago — in a historic theater with a 100-year-old Andy Crow Wurlitzer Organ making music alongside the film. Each performance feels like stepping back in time and offers a simple pleasure that helps declutter our overstimulated modern souls.
Regulars to the Silent Film Series have become well acquainted with house organist Dennis James and always anticipate what little surprise he has up his sleeves each performance. The audience always leaves wiser and with a smile on their face, knowing the little tidbits of trivia they received will also become bragging rights at their next family dinners. James brings all the personality, nostalgic pizazz and historical context to the stage. Sunday’s performance of “The Gold Rush” was no exception.
James’ performance was enchanting and glorious as usual, and “The Gold Rush” was a quintessential silent film. Including the photobooth for this event was a nice touch, I hope it becomes a regular feature to the series.
Olympia Armory
What an honor it was to be a part of the construction celebration for the new Olympia Armory creative campus, which will become home to eight artistic organizations and a place where anyone can come perform and create. Being on the National Historic Registry, this building will be receiving a makeover that will dance on the line between innovation and historic preservation.
Speaking with Olympia Armory Building Manager, Valerie Roberts, I found out that she is constantly thinking about clever ways the city can make the building appear more inviting to all. Many of Roberts’ ideas line up with what I hear set designers, lighting artists and other theatre artists consider in their projects. This observation showed me that Roberts will not only approach this project with professional prowess, but with an artist’s eye — that will be the key to its success.
I asked Roberts what her “artist’s signature” will look like. She responded, “I think my purpose in life is creating spaces that people can feel welcome in order to have transformative experiences. Ideally, my signature will go unnoticed other than the fact that people feel at ease enough to be themselves. I hope the community feels intuitively comfortable and at home in this space.”
May this space and others in our community thrive and allow us to revisit and make history.
https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/revisiting-history,26624?