One of my favorite signs of the changing season is the blooming of the fall crocus. Look closely, I’ve already spotted some in Tacoma.
September found us. It doesn’t matter that many of us were looking back, back toward July, back even to June, back to the deep distance a season’s lifetime ago where summer began. But there are those of us who have started to run headlong toward shorter days, drizzly mornings, spiced coffee, knitted pullovers, woolen hats, rubber boots. You know who you are. Recently, upon being asked if I’m ready for fall, I heard myself say, “I’ll be ready when it’s here,” which sounded very wise, we all decided. And yet. And yet, I’ve felt a hesitancy, a worry, a reluctance sneaking into my bones. It must be that old “back to school” anxiety come to visit. If you’re feeling it too, if you’re somewhere halfway between grasping for the last straws of summer, and opening a friendly door to fall, it may help to go out and engage with the community who weathers this life of changing seasons alongside you.
To that end, we’ve rustled up 25 events around Tacoma throughout September. If you’re feeling philosophical and serious and studious, don’t worry, these aren’t all for fun. There are gatherings to wake us up and guide us toward equity. There are events to call for change, for action, for inclusion, opportunities to learn and to serve, calls to deepen our understanding of diversity, to demand solutions for our beautiful Salish Sea, to come together with respect, to hear and acknowledge Native voices and experience, to celebrate our immigrant community, to know our history. And there are events that invite you to dance all night to ‘90s jams, to eat Norwegian pancakes until you can eat no more, to shop your favorite boutiques at the Warehouse Sale, to ride bikes, to practice yoga. They’re all mixed up together in this list, because that’s what life is like; the silly and the sacred are neighbors, and often they’re much closer than that, they’re under one roof, part of the same family. Help yourself to a little of both.
Images from Odd Otter Brewing Company
1. Blues Monday at Odd Otter Brewing Company
Mondays, September 2nd & 16th
6 - 8 pm
Odd Otter Brewing Co, 716 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
Free entry
Blues musicians from the Tacoma community are ready to help you recover from Monday!
Visit the tap for Odd Otter brews, and order food in from their friendly neighbor Wooden City
All ages welcome
Event occurs 1st & 3rd Mondays, so get it on your calendar!
2. Tacoma City Council Candidate Forum: Affordable Housing
Thursday, September 5th
6 - 8 pm
Salishan Family Investment Center, 1724 E 44th St, Tacoma
Free - register here
Come hear how our City Council Candidates plan to engage with affordable housing in our community
This is for all of us who care about the availability of affordable housing and want to vote to make a difference!
Light refreshments provided
Hosted by the Tacoma-Pierce County Affordable Housing Consortium
Image from Honey at Alma Mater
3. Writers’ Workshop at Honey
Thursday, September 5th
7 - 9 pm
Honey at Alma Mater, 1322 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma
Free
Bring your writing! If you don’t have any ready, then just be ready to listen and discuss the work or other writers. (Also nice to bring a laptop so you can share and receive work electronically.)
Hosted by Alex Napelenok (find Alex at Sasha & Sebald)
Writers meet every first Monday, so get it on your calendar for the year!
Image from Yoga Wild
4. Tacoma Nature Center Work Party with Yoga Wild
Friday, September 6th
9 am - 12 pm
Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S Tyler St, Tacoma
Free - please sign up ahead if possible (if you forget, you’re still welcome!)
If you love Tacoma, the outdoors, and giving your time, this is a great place to express all those things! Work includes trail maintenance, planting native species, non-native species removal, garden bed maintenance, picking up litter, and other miscellaneous tasks
Come for as long as you’re able and bring garden gloves if you can
All ages welcome
This opportunity comes around every 1st Friday of the month, so you can volunteer again and again!
Image from The Grand Cinema
5. Exhibition on Screen Encore Screenings at The Grand
Friday, September 6th - Thursday, September 26th
The Grand Cinema, 606 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma
Ticket prices vary
Calling all art and cinema lovers to a 3 week tour of art films exploring famous artists and collections
Get the full program here
View the calendar of screenings here
A new Exhibition series begins November 14th - make sure to follow @TheGrandTacoma so you won't miss it!
Image from McMenamins Elks Temple
6. Elks Temple 90’s Dance Flashback
Friday, September 6th
9 pm - 1:30 am
Spanish Ballroom, 565 Broadway, Tacoma
$10 cash at the door - 21+
Dance till you drop - it’s ‘90s night in the Spanish Ballroom at McMenamins
‘90s music videos all night long!
7. Downtown to Defiance & the Downtown Block Party!
Sunday, September 7th
9 am - 2 pm
Block Party at Fireman’s Park, 801 A St, Tacoma
Free
Downtown to Defiance: Walk, run, skate, roll, bike, move however you like without your car (or a motor, you get it)! There are several "official stops" at parks along the way with games, food, and fun all set up for you.
Tacoma Waterfront - nearly 7 miles from 21st Street Park to Point Defiance
The Downtown Block Party at Fireman’s Park is one of the official park stops along the Downtown to Defiance Route - find coffee, games, music, and information about upcoming and ongoing city projects
Highlight: at 10:30 am Major Woodards leads a bike ride along Schuster Parkway!
Hosted by the City of Tacoma, Downtown on the Go, and more. All are welcome!
Learn more at cityoftacoma.org/downtowntodefiance
Image from Pretty Gritty Tours
8. Historic Tour of North Slope
Saturday, September 7th
11 am - 1 pm
Parkway Tavern, 313 N I St, #1, Tacoma
Free
Pretty Gritty Tours along with Tacoma Historic Preservation, and the City of Tacoma host a walking tour of Tacoma’s North Slope
Get a glimpse into Tacoma’s past, explore the diverse architecture, and experience remnants of the old cobblestone streets
Meet at the Parkway and wear your comfy shoes
Images from Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
9. Harvest Home at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
Saturday, September 7th
11 am - 5 pm
Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, 5400 North Pearl Street # 11 Point Defiance Park. Tacoma
Ages 3 and under: Free, Youth (4-17): $8.50, Military/Senior (65+): $9.50, Adult (18-64): $10.50, Family (Up to 2 adults + 6 youth): $35.50
A harvest festival that takes you back to the Victorian era with live music, harvest traditions, games, dancing, and a cider press
Bring your best homemade jam for the Jam & Jelly Competition!
Image from Norden Lodge #2 - Sons of Norway
10. Norden's Famous Pannekaker Breakfast
Sunday, September 8th
9 am - 1 pm
Norden Lodge #2, 1106 S 15th St, Tacoma
Adults: $10.00, Ages 6-12: $5.00, 5 & under: Free (card-carrying lodge members save $2)
Famous all-you-can eat Norwegian style pancakes, plus scrambled eggs, bacon, juice, and coffee
All are welcome!
Image from the University of Puget Sound
11. Grit City Think&Drink - Race & Pedagogy
Tuesday, September 10th
6:30 - 8 pm
The Swiss Restaurant & Pub, 1904 Jefferson Ave, Tacoma
Free and open to all
Talk given by Dr. Dexter B. Gordon, Distinguished Professor at University of Puget Sound, founding director of the Race and Pedagogy Institute, director of the African American Studies Program, author of Black Identity: Rhetoric, Ideology, and Nineteenth-Century Black Nationalism (2003), and the City of Tacoma’s 2018 Martin Luther King Jr. Citizen of the Year
Pull up a chair, order dinner or a drink, bring the family, get ready to learn and to listen
Image from Tahoma Audubon
12. Nature Movie Night with Tahoma Audubon
Friday, September 13th
7 - 10 pm
James Center North, 1602 S Mildred St, Tacoma
Free - rsvp here
Outdoor movie night with games, informational booths, and the Chowtown food truck
Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole starts at 7:30 pm, so don’t be late!
Presented with Tacoma Housing Authority
Image from Satori
13. Warehouse Sale at Alma Mater
Saturday, September 14th
10 am - 3 pm
Alma Mater, 1322 S Fawcett Ave, Tacoma
Free entry
It’s an end of season pop-up market full to the brim with favorite local vendors
Up to 70% off of apparel, decor, paper goods, and more
Drinks, music, and special deals
Brought to you by Satori in partnership with other wonderful local retailers like Cocobolo, Lapis, Little Sister, Compass Rose, Paper Luxe, UXC, Bleach, Fernseed, and so many more
Image from Peace Community Center
14. Black Parent Alliance - First Meeting
Sunday, September 15th
3:30 - 5 pm
Peace Community Center, 2106 S Cushman Ave, Tacoma
Free
Connect with other parents
Get updated local data about our youth
Discussing strategies to expand opportunities and clear pathways for success
Open to parents of Black youth at any Greater Tacoma area school
Image from Tacoma Rainbow Center
15. Home, Heart & Me: Navigating Latinx and LGBTQ Identities
Wednesday, September 18th
5:30 - 7 pm
Tacoma Rainbow Center, 2215 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
Free - rsvp on the event page
Film screening followed by panel discussion lifting up queer, Latinx voices about immigration and coming out
This event is part of Welcoming Week, an annual series of events around the US with a goal to “bring together immigrants and those born within their countries in a spirit of unity to build strong connections across their communities and affirm the benefits of welcoming everyone.”
Image from Warrior Women
16. Tacoma Reads Film Series: Warrior Women
Wednesday, September 18th
5:30 - 8 pm
Tacoma Public Library Wheelock Branch, 3277 N 26th St, Tacoma
Free
Warrior Women tells the story of a Madonna Thunder Hawk and her daughter, Marcy, fighting for Native rights and alternative education, and fighting against environmental devastation
Join for the film and a post-film discussion hosted by Danica Sterud Miller, Puyallup Tribe of Indians member and Assistant Professor of American Indian Studies at UW Tacoma
Images from Tacoma Community House
17. Flavor - Stand Up For Immigrants, Sit Down For a Meal
Thursday, September 19th
11 am - 10 pm
Tacoma & Gig Harbor
You can spot us in the upper right corner enjoying 2018 Flavor night at En Rama - mark your calendar!
Dine-out fundraiser for people who’d like to support immigrants and refugees through the work of the Tacoma Community House and its core programs of Education, Employment, Immigration, and Advocacy
Participating restaurants donate 25% of sales to Tacoma Community House (some commit to a higher percentage), all you have to do is go out and eat!
Visit THC’s site for list of participating restaurants, their hours, percentage donated, and learn which are immigrant-owned
This is event is part of Welcoming Week and is the 7th Annual Flavor event in Tacoma
Image from Washington State History Museum
18. Japanese American Community Scanning Day
Thursday, September 19th
3 - 7 pm
Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
Free - sign-up ahead here
Washington State History Museum is working toward a new exhibition about the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII. If this is part of your family history, the museum invites you to bring up to 5 relevant photographs, letters, documents, drawings or pamphlets to scan and share for their archive
The museum will return your originals and give you the scanned, digital version they create, as well as archival materials for storing your documents
Questions regarding documents/materials? Contact Gwen Whiting at gwen.whiting@wshs.wa.gov or 253-798-5927
Image from Protectors of the Salish Sea
19. Walk to Protect & Restore the Salish Sea 2019 Climate Emergency
Friday - Monday, September 20th - 23rd
Tacoma LNG 3302 E 11th St, Tacoma - Olympia State Capital
4 day March from Tacoma to Olympia starting at 6 am on Monday the 20th
Environmental advocacy walk - walk and rally to petition Washington State representatives to declare a Climate Emergency and draft emergency legislation terminating all fossil fuel expansion projects in the State of Washington - walk to honor Tribal Treaty Rights - walk to stand in solidarity with Salish Sea tribes
If you plan to walk, be sure to be prepared. The event page includes a list of what you’ll need to pack, what is provided, and how to take care of yourself and others during the walk.
The walk culminates in the Climate Emergency Gathering at Olympia State Capital on Tuesday, September 24th
20. Tacoma Youth Climate Strike!
Friday, September 20th
12 - 6 pm
People’s Park, 1100 S 9th St, Tacoma
Free gathering
12 pm Youth Lead Rally in People’s Park - stories, art, songs for climate change
4 pm March to City Hall with Walk to Protect and Restore the Salish Sea
Many more details on the event page - if you’re interested, absolutely read about it before showing up at People’s Park
Image from Tacoma Moon Festival
21. 7th Annual Tacoma Moon Festival
Saturday, September 21st
1 - 7 pm
Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Park, 1741 Schuster Parkway, Tacoma
Free entry
Festival to celebrate the diverse cultures of the Puget Sound and the 25th anniversary of TAcoma’s Sister City relationship with the Chinese city of Fuzhou
Food trucks, traditional treats, moon cake sampling, vendors, informational booths, beer and wine garden, dance performances
Activities for all ages - tea ceremonies, calligraphy, and more
Festival closes at 7 pm with a parade of lanterns led by the Moon Princess
Presented by the Chinese Reconciliation Project Foundation
Image from Tacoma Night Market
22. Tacoma Night Market
Saturday, September 21st
5 - 10 pm
Alma Mater, 1322 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma
Free and open to all ages
Art, vendors, community, live music, and DJ
The rooftop is open for lounging above the fray
Food and drink available from special vendors as well as from Honey and Matriarch on site
If you love the Tacoma Night Market, make sure you’re following the Gig Harbor Night Market too, hosted by 7 Seas Brewing across the bridge!
Image from Yoga Wild
23. Blue Mind Workshop with Yoga Wild
Monday, September 23rd
5 - 7 pm
Dune Peninsula, 5361 Yacht Club Rd, Tacoma
$20 - find tickets here
Explore our relationship with water (emotionally, environmentally) through reading, journaling, discussion, and yoga
90 minutes of discussion and journaling, 30 minutes of yoga
Co-led by Casey Hubbell of Yoga Wild and Krystina Jarvis of A Drop in the Ocean
Workshop is based on Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do, by Wallace J. Nichols
Be sure to take note of what to bring
Image from RUMBLE
24. Tacoma Reads Film Series: Rumble - The Indians Who Rocked the World
Wednesday, September 25th
5:30 - 8 pm
Tacoma Public Library Moore Branch, 215 S 56th St, Tacoma
Free
RUMBLE is a documentary film illuminating the powerful contribution and influence of Native musicians on popular music in North America
Join for the film and a post-film discussion with a moderator to be announced
Image from 2nd Cycle Tacoma’s Community Cycle Center
25. Slo + Social Shop Ride
Friday, September 27th
6 - 8 pm
2nd Cycle Tacoma's Community Cycle Center, 1205 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Tacoma
Free
Meet at 2nd Cycle for a leisurely bike ride on a fairly flat route
All ages and abilities welcome
Bring your helmet and bike light (and brink a lock so you can go in a shop and buy an ice cream cone!!!)
Slo + Social rides are the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month, so get them on your calendar!
One of my best girls said this is my new author photo, so I’m following directions.
Who’s writing these posts? That’s me. I’m the Gretchen half of Duggan Homes. The other half is Michael (also known throughout much of his life and by most of his friends as Duggan). Michael is the one with the license who knows the forms and carries the keys and negotiates and advocates and hustles and makes sure our clients find and sell the homes they need to find and sell in the most professional and ethical way he can. In our partnership I focus on content, community engagement, client care, and that infamous “other duties as assigned” category that all small-business people know all too well. Thank goodness Windermere Abode is our other other-half, and they help us out immensely!
Want to keep in touch about community events and life in Tacoma?
