May 01 Friday
In Hawaiʻi, Lā Mei (May Day) is a special annual occasion where schools and communities come together to celebrate Hawaiian culture through music, hula, and storytelling. At Whitman College’s Second Annual Lā Mei, we invite the campus community to gather in celebration of Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) culture as well as the broader cultures of Hawaiʻi.
Hui o Moananuiākea (Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Student Organization) will proudly showcase a hōʻike hula (dance performance) from their weekly Papa Mele a me Hula (Hawaiian song and dance class). We will also be joined by our special guests, Ka ʻAha o ʻOlekona, who are our visiting community partners from Beaverton, OR. Attendees can also enjoy a variety of Hawaiian and Hawaiʻi-local foods and desserts, alongside games, cultural activities, and opportunities for community connection.
This year’s theme is drawn from the ʻŌlelo Noʻeau (Hawaiian proverb): He ʻaʻaliʻi kū makani mai au; ʻaʻohe makani nāna e kūlaʻi (I am a wind-resistant ʻaʻaliʻi plant; no gale can push me over). This proverb reflects the strength and resilience of Kanaka Maoli communities, honoring the ways in which Hawaiian culture, identity, and the lāhui (nation) continue to endure and thrive across generations, especially when faced with the ongoing illegal occupation of Hawaiʻi and the series of environmental and social upheavals in the wake of the storms and flooding.
Lā Mei also marks the beginning of Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. As we enter this month, this gathering invites the Whitman community to celebrate, listen to, learn from, and uplift the histories, contributions, and living cultures of AANHPI communities.
All are welcome to join in this space of celebration, learning, and connection.
Meet artist, Helen Boland as she live sketches. Featuring local landscapes and downtown and rodeo sketches.Snacks are served. Live music by Jon White follows at 7pm. Art will be on display through mid July.
Gesa Power House Theatre proudly presents stand-up comedy by Ladies of Laughter on Friday, May 1 at 7PM. This show is sponsored in part by ArtsWA. Gesa Power House Theatre is proud to partner with Ladies of Laughter in promoting new and professional comediennes from all walks of life, to share their humor with audiences and help jumpstart their careers, as they bring the funny to Walla Walla.
Since its inaugural year, the Ladies of Laughter contest’s past participants include Amy Schumer and “Big Bang Theory” star Melissa Rauch. This year’s comedians include:
Poppy Champlin, comedically trained from Chicago’s Second City Training Center and the 2024 National Winner. Poppy was recently inducted into the Rhode Island Comedy Hall of Fame and has opened for such comics as Ray Romano, Denis Leary, Bill Maher, Bill Hicks, and Rosie O’Donnell.
Stephanie Blum, a former physiologist from Brooklyn and winner of the Pro Division of the Ladies of Laughter Competition award at Madison Square Garden! Stephanie won New York’s Funniest Teacher Contest, CBS’s Star Search, and the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival’s “Breakout Performer.
Valley Theater Company presents its Rising Stars Production of: Tuck Everlasting, April 24 - May 2
This spring, Valley Theatre Company is bringing magic to the stage with "Tuck Everlasting!" Follow Winnie Foster, a curious young girl who discovers a family with a secret that could change life itself a magical spring that grants eternal life.
As Winnie learns the truth about the Tuck family, she is faced with a powerful question: is living forever a blessing or a curse? The stakes rise when an outsider attempts to exploit the spring for selfish gain, forcing Winnie and the Tucks to protect their secret. Through courage, compassion, and thoughtful choices, they learn what truly matters in life, and audiences are invited to reflect on the natural cycles of growing up, aging, and the beauty of life’s fleeting moments.
This production promises a rich theatrical experience filled with heart, adventure, and unforgettable characters. With captivating performances, dynamic staging, and the timeless themes of family, choice, and self-discovery, Tuck Everlasting is a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.
Featuring more than 40 young artists, this production highlights students from 3rd grade through high school. Participants in 3rd–8th grade perform and contribute behind the scenes, while high school students lead in design and production roles. Together, they bring creativity and collaboration to life on stage.
Credits:The Valley Theatre Company Rising Star Production of Tuck EverlastingBy Mark Frattaroli and Natalie BabbittTuck Everlasting is produced by special arrangement with Stage Partners. (www.yourstagepartners.com)
Acknowledgments:This show is funded in part with 2026 grants from the Ellensburg Arts Commission and the Kittitas County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.
The Kulshan Chorus presents “We Tell Each Other Stories” on Friday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 2 at 3:00 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2401 Cornwall Ave. in Bellingham, Washington. Directed by Dustin Willetts, this unique and inspiring concert features the professional storytelling of Eva Abram (Rainwater Storytelling) and Harvest Moon (Quinault Basket Maker & Storyteller), interwoven with the music of the Kulshan Chorus.
“Storytelling has been at the center of human society since we first learned to communicate,” says Willetts. “It is a fundamental tool for not only sharing information but for creating connections and fostering empathy. It is a true honor to bring our stories and songs to you this evening and to share with you the gifts of Eva Abram and Harvest Moon. These two talented word-weavers will inspire you with their tales, while Kulshan Chorus offers a soundtrack that prepares your heart to receive something wonderful and new. Come and sit by the fire and hear a story. Put aside the noise of the outside world and let us once again fan the flames of wonder.”
General admission tickets are available for $25 at https://www.ticketstripe.com/we-tell-stories. An ASL interpreter will be present at the May 2 performance. For more information, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.kulshanchorus.org.
Hailing from Tri-Cities, Washington, Sodalite is a genre-blurring, boundary-pushing quartet that thrives in the moment. Known for their fearless improvisational style, the group draws from a deep well of musical traditions—fusing jazz, world music, rock, and everything in between—into something wholly their own. No two performances are alike, and that’s exactly the point. With Sodalite, you never know what you're going to get… and that’s the magic.
Joined by the Dirk Quinn Band, utilizing over a decade of steady performing, they've developed a unique and sincere style - one that appeals to a wide variety of music listeners with fans ranging from the beard stroking jazz aficionados to the jam band hippies. The band’s infectious energy and musical interplay routinely attracts all kinds of listeners. With great melodic sensibilities, rhythmic experimentation and an accessible modern edge, this is jazz/funk improvisation at its most engaging!
$10 Cover9PM-CLOSEAll ages until 11PM.
May 02 Saturday
Working people across the country and in Thurston, Lewis, and Mason Counties are facing escalating attacks on their livelihoods and their dignity. In response to this assault, the Thurston Lewis Mason Central Labor Council is partnering with the Washington Labor Education and Research Center (WA LERC) to present The South Sound Labor School education program at Evergreen State College on January 31, 2026.
The South Sound Labor School will offer “union curious” workers, rank-and-file union members, union leadership and staff, and members of community organizations the education they need to make our communities stronger and more effective.
Find out more about the South Sound Labor School and how to register at https://www.tlmlabor.org/.
Celebrate 50 years of growers, makers, and performers at the Moscow Farmers Market! Join us every Saturday, May through October—rain or shine—on Main Street and in Friendship Square in downtown Moscow.
Now in its 50th year, the Market continues its mission to provide the community with the opportunity to buy and sell local and regional agricultural products, distinctive handmade goods, artisan pieces, and original-recipe cuisine.
Know Before You Go• The Market is Americans with Disabilities Act friendly; only ADA Service Dogs are allowed on Main, Fifth, and Fourth Streets. All other animals are welcome on the sidewalks during Market.• The Market is a nicotine free event, including vaping, chewing tobacco, and smoking.• SNAP/EBT, WA State WIC, and SFMNP benefits are accepted.
For details on planning your visit, go to: https://www.ci.moscow.id.us/725/Plan-Your-Visit.
Join Whatcom Land Trust and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association for a day of stewardship at Maple Creek Reach. This stunning protected land has undergone incredible restoration efforts over the past 20 years, and now it needs your help! With breathtaking views along the North Fork of the Nooksack River and frequent eagle sightings, this site is a volunteer favorite. Come make a lasting impact by helping us remove invasive Scotch broom that is taking over previous years’ plantings. We will have tea, coffee, and snacks, and all tools are provided. Find out more and register at https://whatcomlandtrust.org/event/invasive-removal-work-party-at-maple-creek-reach/
The powwow brings our local and Tribal communities together in celebration of Native American culture and heritage and provides an excellent cultural educational opportunity for all community members, including our college community. The event is free and open to the public and will happen annually on the first Saturday of May in the Sherwood Center Varsity Gymnasium.
