On Friday, March 27, 2026, tales of world travel, exploration and conservation will be illuminated through the next Adventure Series show, “The Power of Creativity: A Journey through Storytelling, Exploration, and Hope” at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Kike Calvo, an author, photographer, journalist and educator, will lead the audience through his world travels, showcasing beauty and diversity across cultures and ecosystems. From photographing Arctic Norway, to the Amazon Rainforest, Calvo’s presentation, “The Power of Creativity,” seeks to cultivate curiosity, and demonstrate how creativity can transform the world.
Get your tickets now so you don’t miss out on this one-night journey, without having to leave Olympia!
At The Washington Center, Kike Calvo’s “The Power of Creativity” Presentation Will Inspire Creativity and Appreciation for Natural World
At the outset of his world travels, Calvo often traded work for passage. Calvo was particularly interested in nautical voyages that would allow him to photograph marine creatures, including humpback whales and minke whales.
“Those early journeys taught me that trust, curiosity, and storytelling often open more doors than credentials alone,” says Calvo.
As Calvo continued his travels, he began to take on photo assignments for The New York Times“36 Hours” series, capturing scenes across Cuba, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Calvo also melded his experience with travel and photography through work with Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic Expeditions, earning the title of National Geographic Photography Expert.
Over the course of two decades, Calvo has visited more than 130 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe and beyond. Calvo has captured a diverse set of landscapes, from the Silk Road in Central Asia, to Eastern European villages, to Antarctica.
A myriad of defining memories stand out from Calvo’s travels, including time spent with elders in rural villages collecting stories and wisdom that reflect their life’s journey. Over time, Calvo became more intentional about using photography to cultivate connection and understanding, sharing stories beyond a vivid snapshot.
“As I traveled more deeply, I realized that photographs alone weren’t enough; they needed narrative, history, and human voices,” says Calvo. “That realization marked the turning point where storytelling became central to my work.”
Calvo’s diverse skill set has culminated into his current focus in “visual anthropology,” with work that primarily sits at the junction of nature and culture. This includes capturing human stories that reflect cultural customs, and connection to the surrounding environment.
Kike Calvo Brings Tales of World Travel to Downtown Olympia on Washington Center’s Main Stage
It’s these incredible stories from his travels that Calvo will be sharing at The Washington Center on March 27. It’s sure to captivate and inspire. His upcoming presentation, “The Power of Creativity,” at the Washington Center was born from a desire to look back at his career, and share a lifetime of challenges, opportunities and wisdom.
Calvo will chronicle his career through photographs, anecdotes and life lessons that he has gleaned across the decades and the continents.
Calvo will also discuss the vital role that creative thinking plays in everyday life, and how cultivating creative habits can revive hope, curiosity and the human experience. At its essence, “The Power of Creativity” is an opportunity for audience members to find a brief respite, and according to Calvo, to explore the world from a theater seat.
“I hope people leave feeling inspired, but also grounded,” says Calvo. “Inspired to explore—whether that’s the world or their own neighborhood—and grounded in the idea that small actions matter. Above all, I hope they leave with renewed curiosity and a sense that their own stories are worth telling.”
“Whether I’m teaching in classrooms, leading workshops, or speaking in public forums, my goal is always the same: to help people slow down, observe more carefully, and reconnect with a sense of wonder,” he adds.
Experience Moments of Wonder and Awe Through Upcoming Shows at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts
As Calvo explores creativity and connection through “The Power of Creativity: A Journey through Storytelling, Exploration and Hope” on March 27, the Washington Center has a robust lineup throughout the upcoming spring season that fosters curiosity and community through live music, dance and theatrical performance.
On April 17, “The Wizard of Oz on Ice” follows Dorothy and friends as they skate and swirl through the Land of Oz. On April 25, the adventure continues in the Land of Oz through the “Wicked Sing-Along.” Audience members can don their favorite pink and green ensembles, and join in on their favorite tunes during the film, from “Defying Gravity,” to “Popular.”
On May 9, a medley of painters, poets, authors and musicians will gather at the Washington Center Black Box Theater for “The Center Salon,” which is slated to be a lively celebration across many artistic disciplines.
Tickets for Washington Center shows can be found on the Washington Center for the Performing Arts website, by phone at 360.753.8586 or in person at the Washington Center Box Office. The Box Office is open from noon to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, and two hours ahead of ticketed events.
To learn more about Kike Calvo ahead of “The Power of Creativity: A Journey through Storytelling, Exploration, and Hope” at the Washington Center, visit Calvo’s Linktree. To learn more about upcoming shows at the Washington Center, visit the Washington Center for the Performing Arts website.
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