It was a long and winding road that led songwriter, actor and pianist Steve Schalchlin from New York City to Olympia to perform a song cycle about a search for peace in a violent world.

Schalchlin will perform the song cycle, New World Waking! (along with selections from his musicals) this weekend, joined by students at South Puget Sound Community College and Olympia musical theater luminaries Josh Anderson, Christina Collins and Lauren O'Neill. It's a benefit for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).

To read Molly Gilmore's full story, click here.

[Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts, July 29-30, at 8 p.m., $20, $10 for SPSCC students, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia, 360.753.8586 or olytix.org]