Just folk. Get a glimpse of Washington’s thriving folk-art scene at the Washington State History Museum this month: Twenty master artists will be on hand to demonstrate their craft, from a Vietnamese zither maker to a Yakama beadwork artist and basket maker. Beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, gather in the Grand Lobby to watch performances of folk music and dance. With Our Hands: World Folk Arts Festival runs Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, April 19, noon–5 p.m. It’s free with admission (families $25, adults $8, ages 6–17 $6, ages 5 and younger free). 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma. 253-272-3500.
Walka-walka. Downtown Olympia’s free Spring Arts Walk has a little something for everyone: families, fans of the arts and devotees of Olympia’s joyous, free-form Procession of the Species, which will take place this year during the walk. Head downtown on Friday, April 24, 5–10 p.m. and Saturday, April 25, noon–7 p.m. for hands-on projects for the kids, street performances, demonstrations and displays by hundreds of local artists. The procession takes place on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. — grab some free chalk to draw on the sidewalks and streets while you wait for the nature-themed pageant to begin. Venue and artist maps are available two weeks before the event at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. N.W., Olympia.
Book babies. Give a shout out to kids — and literacy — at the Puyallup Public Library’s annual (and prodigiously long-named) El día de los niños/El día de los libros/Day of the Children/Day of the Books celebration. Mariachi band Indomables performs at 2 p.m., and kids can get in on face painting, crafts and refreshments. Every child who attends will take home a free book, courtesy of the Friends of the Library. Saturday, April 25, 1:30–4 p.m. Free. 324 S. Meridian, Puyallup. 253-841-5454.
—Kris Collingridge
