Nationally renowned musician Randal Bays, along with the Bays Family Band and pianist Suzanne Taylor, will present an evening of traditional Irish music, Saturday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. The concert, which according to Bays will feature "the grassroots, rural dance music that's nurtured and passed on in families and small communities throughout Ireland," will benefit the Arbutus Folk School located in Olympia.

Stacy Waterman-Hoey, the school's executive director, describes Bays as "a global figure in Irish music, recognized in Fiddler Magazine as among the best Irish fiddlers of his generation. Randal is volunteering his time for this concert as a way to support the Arbutus Folk School's mission to advance traditional music, craft and culture ... Arbutus is deeply honored by the Bays family's generous contribution to raise awareness of our activities."

Bays, who recently moved to Olympia from the Seattle area, became acquainted with the work of the Arbutus Folk School last summer.

"I was really impressed with the school and the community they're building here in the South Sound," he said, "and I wanted to help."

Waterman-Hoey describes the Arbutus Folk School as  "a new nonprofit located in downtown Olympia that offers classes in woodworking, ceramics, fiber arts, blacksmithing and music.  The mission is to enrich lives and build community through joyful, hands-on learning with master artisans.  Arbutus is actively building a strong craft culture in the South Sound area, elevating the local craft economy and drawing participants from across the country to engage with master craftspeople."

Recently, the school offered classes in such varied skills as embroidery, ceramics, woodworking, spinning, blacksmithing, clothing design - even singing. Class offerings vary by month, so visit the school's website to see what's available.  

On the first Sunday of every month, it also sponsors a "Monthly Craft Gathering" from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. featuring a seasonal craft designed to be completed during the two-hour class period.

Tickets for Saturday's concert are available exclusively online at www.arbutusfolkschool.org. All proceeds go to funding the work of the school, which depends entirely on donations of time and money from the community as well as sales from the Arbutus Gallery Store, which features handcrafted, one-of-a-kind items and recycled lumber.

To learn more about the classes at the Arbutus Folk School, the Arbutus Gallery Store, or the upcoming concert, visit www.arbutusfolkschool.org or call 360.867.8815.

RANDAL BAYS IRISH FIDDLE AND GUITAR WITH THE BAYS FAMILY BAND AND SUZANNE TAYLOR,  7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 30, tickets $20 for adults, $15 for students, Arbutus Folk School,  610 4th Ave. E., Olympia, 360.867.8815, arbutusfolkschool.org

ARBUTUS GALLERY STORE, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 610 4th Ave. E., Olympia,