Last night was the big reveal for the upcoming 2014/15 season for the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Olympia. Normally, Publisher Pappi Swarner attends such shindigs, but this year I pulled up my big girl panties and represented the Weekly Volcano.

And by representing, I mean drinking one too many IPAs on tap, dropping a meatball from Budd Bay Café catering and openly weeping at the beautiful cello performance by Lian Eytinge, recipient of the first annual Washington Center Scholarship for Arts. Sometimes PMS and fancy shindigs don't always go together. ...

Anyhoo, new Executive Director Jill Barnes was a great hostess; she interjected chuckles at just the right time, and roused the audience for the sneak peek at all the awesomeness for the upcoming Washington Center season.

Through my tear-stained notes, I quote her as saying, "We created a combo ensuring a variety of performances. There is truly something for everyone."

And that is indeed the truth.

There will be national touring musicals, such as Memphis, a story about a radio DJ who wants to change the world and a club singer ready for her big break, and Decades, celebrating the music and history of the '50s, '60s and '70s.

The upcoming Washington Center season will include holiday fun such as An Irish Christmas, which explores mythology and tradition through music, dance and storytelling, and the classic White Christmas sing-a-long.

And there is even The World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theater, featuring 15 cats and 10 dogs, all rescued from animal shelters!

Re-occurring performances such as the always-popular Capitol Steps, poking fun at current political affairs, and the Silent Movie, Jazz and Black Box comedy series are also in the queue.  

With so much fun in store, it is impossible to list all of the amazing performance this season, so please visit www.washingtonperformingarts.org for more information.

WASHINGTON CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, 512 Washington St., Olympia, 360.753.8585