The award-winning author Amy Tan is perhaps best known for her many bestselling books. These include “The Joy Luck Club,” “The Kitchen God’s Wife,” “The Hundred Secret Senses,” “The Bonesetter’s Daughter” and “Saving Fish from Drowning.” Over the years, her work has become beloved audiobooks, movies, television series and even an opera. On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, she’ll bring her latest passion to the Washington Center for the Performing Arts mainstage: bird watching. Tan’s decade-long exploration of the world around her became “The Backyard Bird Chronicles” in 2024 and she remains endlessly fascinated by our world’s tiny, feathery neighbors.
Don’t Miss a Visit from Amy Tan: Author, Traveler and Backyard Bird Whisperer
Tan calls her life one of “unexpected development.” The path dictated from childhood was simple: doctor and concert pianist. Instead, she found herself influenced by choices and serendipity. These took her in a very different direction but made her what she is today.
“I’ll talk about hope and the unexpected,” Tan says about her upcoming show at the Washington Center. “Being a writer, making a movie, having an opera written, being in a rock band; I never dreamed these would happen.”
Even more surprising is that she followed it up with an entire book about birdwatching from her small, 10-by-15-foot, deck. Most surprising of all? Tan gorgeously illustrated the work herself in journal-style sketches and drawings.
As a girl, Tan was often the only Asian in her classes. Born and raised in Oakland, California, she attended Linfield University in central Oregon where she met her husband. She recalls this time “in the region of rainy weather” as special and plans to go birding around Olympia when she visits this October.
“Watching birds is a metaphor for a lot of things we don’t notice,” explains Tan. “Suddenly you find unexpected beauty all around you that didn’t know was there.”
Looking Back at a Life of Luck, Choices and Serendipity with Amy Tan
“An Evening With Amy Tan” takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7. “I don’t take myself seriously so it should be entertaining,” laughs Tan. She’ll weave birdwatching with stories, her artwork, vintage family photos and more.
Before and after the program, guests are invited to browse a curated selection of Amy Tan’s books in the lobby, courtesy of Browsers Book Shop. Signed copies of “The Backyard Bird Chronicles” will be available for purchase, along with several of Tan’s other titles. It’s a rare chance to take home a piece of the evening — and to support a local independent bookseller in the process.
Tickets to “An Evening With Amy Tan” are available now either online, at the Washington Center Box Office or by calling 360.753.8586. The Box Office is open from noon until 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, from noon until 4 p.m. on Saturday or two hours before any ticketed event. Email questions to BoxOffice@WashingtonCenter.org.
October is Jam Packed at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts
Also in October, the Washington Center welcomes the rocking Scottish sounds of Skerryvore – with the chance to enjoy a Scotch whiskey flight and wee bites and nibbles beforehand – on October 9.
On October 15, the equally magical, mythical and musical “Randy Rainbow: National Freakin’ Treasure” takes the stage. Politics meets showtunes meets the hottest pink glasses you’ve ever seen.
October has something for everyone at the Washington Center. And an autographed copy of Amy Tan’s latest book would make a fabulous holiday gift.
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