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February: 16 + Tacoma Events

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A note about the cover image: Need to see a friendly face this February? Visit Mindy Barker’s temporary mural at 725 Broadway (just south of McMenamins!) This mural, where you can stare into the eyes of an otter, bear, and owl is funded by Downtown …

A note about the cover image: Need to see a friendly face this February? Visit Mindy Barker’s temporary mural at 725 Broadway (just south of McMenamins!) This mural, where you can stare into the eyes of an otter, bear, and owl is funded by Downtown Tacoma Partnership and Spaceworks,

The year isn’t quite so brand new anymore. And to some of us that’s a relief. But the problem is, it’s February. February when the gray skies hang low, when the rain chills, when the winter wears out its welcome. Or, you could look at it this way: February when have local film festivals. February when we celebrate lunar new year, when we focus on Black History, when we go outside despite the rain, to build character, to breath the air, to embrace our Pacific Northwest weather beneath layers of waterproofing and wool. February when we are one month closer to spring.

And there’s Valentine’s Day, but that makes a lot of people grumpy, so I won’t try to insert that as a way to console you about this month (but please note: my Valentine either comes late, or not at all, and I’m still doing okay as a human). Besides, that’s weeks away still. Too soon to gripe. Instead, let’s take a look at some of what the Tacoma community offers this February.

1. Black History Month Tuesday Film Series

Tuesdays in February
2/4, 2/11, & 2/18
Matinee & Early Evening
The Grand Cinema
606 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma

Images from The Grand Cinema

Images from The Grand Cinema

  • Matinee $8, General Admission $11 (members save $2.50)

  • For the month of February, the Grand Cinema’s Tuesday Film Series will feature films directed by Black filmmakers and films starring Black casts

  • Specific showtimes scheduled and published by 5pm Monday of the week prior

  • The Weird Elephant film series (weekly 11 pm showings) and Classic Film Series (3rd Wednesdays) will also showcase films by Black filmmakers this month

Image from Molly’s Tamales

Image from Molly’s Tamales

2. Molly’s Tamales - Vegetarian Chili & Cheese Tamale Class

Wednesday, February 5th
6 - 8:30 pm
STINK
628 St Helens Ave, Tacoma

  • $75 - purchase tickets here

  • Order drinks from the bar at Stink, then start with a delicious taste of tamales made by Molly to give you a preview of what you’re about to create

  • Make tamales start to finish from scratch with your chosen fillings while hearing stories of how Molly learned this recipe and her cooking philosophy on a family trip to a ranch in Mexico over 25 years ago

  • Go home with a batch of tamales to enjoy now or later (they refrigerate and freeze really well)

  • Bring a friend, bring a date, bring an apron and your favorite knife

  • Get ready for a hands-on experience

Image from Gather Juice Co.

Image from Gather Juice Co.

3. Practical Beginnings Health Education & Juice Sampling

Thursday, February 6th
5:15 - 6:15 pm
Gather Juice Co.
2612 6th Ave, Tacoma

  • $10 - purchase your ticket here

  • Gather Juice is teaming up with Breathing Willow RN for this juice sampling and health education event

  • Discuss and learn how to not only make healthy changes, but keep them up!

  • Practical and personalized steps to a healthy lifestyle

  • Only 20 spots available!

4. Tacoma is for Lover’s Valentine’s Craft Fair!

Saturday - Sunday
February 8th - 9th
11 am - 4 pm
King’s Books

  • Free entry

  • This annual event featuring over 20 local arts and handmade vendors is an opportunity to shop small and shop local

  • Nobody’s saying you need a Valentine to attend, either. Just go for the fun of it!

5. Lincoln District’s Annual Lunar New Year Celebration - 2020 Year of the Rat

Sunday, February 9th
10 am - 4 pm
Lincoln District Tacoma

  • Free

  • Firecrackers, food vendors, activities, Lion Dancers, and more

  • Support Lincoln District shops, markets, and restaurants while you’re there!

Image from The Grand Cinema

Image from The Grand Cinema

6. Film Awards Party 2020

Sunday, February 9th
4 - 8:30 pm
The Grand Cinema
606 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma

  • $35 general/$30 member OR $65 premium/$60 member - buy tickets here

  • Walk the red carpet and watch a live cast of the Academy Awards on the big screens at The Grand!

  • Photo booth, costume contest, auction packages, local treats AND a chance to win the Golden Ticket: free admission to The Grand for a year!!!

  • Premium tickets include seats in the Premium theater, $20 food and beverage voucher, coat check, and parking

7. Valentine’s Day Macaron Popup

Thursday, February 13th
4 - 6 pm
Paper Luxe
2053 Mildred St W, Fircrest

  • Free entry

  • Macarons $2.25 each, 6 for $13, 12 for $24 - tax included

  • Stop by beautiful Paper Luxe for scratch-made, colorful, whimsical, gluten-free, delicious, gift-worthy macarons by local Girl Loves Cake Desserts (you will not be sorry)

  • Pre-orders are encouraged to ensure you get just exactly the flavors you wanted to give (or, let’s face it, eat) most

  • While you’re here, browse the wide array of stationary, gifts, pens, and local goods

  • Whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day or not, you can always celebrate cookies!

8. The People’s Parlor Tasting Series: Black Door Wine

Thursday, February 13th
4 - 7 pm
Black Door Wine
1215 Earnest S Brazill St, Tacoma

  • $25 - find your ticket here

  • Ages 21+

  • This hosted event includes 5 pours of wine, appetizers, and the chance to meet new people and support a local wine shop

  • If you haven’t heard of The People’s Parlor, you should get introduced - this is part of their tasting series bringing together Tacoma people, small business, and love of (or curiousity about) wine

  • Go ahead, celebrate Galentine’s Day!

IMG_4278.jpeg

Friday, February 14th is Valentine’s Day

I’m going to repeat my annual statement about Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day is here. So what? I hear you. “So what?” is a sound response. Do whatever you do on Fridays. (Or skip ahead to the Black History Month celebrations below.) If you do want to acknowledge the day, maybe a little, just a bit, how about this?:

  • Make a Valentine for yourself or a loved one (this has nothing to do with Hallmark or commercialism if you make it yourself - and creative time is healthy!).

  • Say “I love you” to yourself or a loved one.

  • Eat a sweet - maybe you bought a macaron at Paper Luxe, or you could visit the historic Johnson Candy Co. on Martin Luther King Jr Way, or you could stop in at Tease Chocolates in Stadium, or visit an Anthem Coffee location for some baked goods from The Vintage Baker (our cousin!), or you could bake cookies, or maybe pickles are your thing, so open up that jar and enjoy.

  • Then move on. It’s not such a big deal, right?

9. Tacoma Night Market @ Alma Mater & @ Museum of Glass

Saturday, February 15th
Alma Mater
1322 S Fawcett Ave, Tacoma
5 - 10 pm

Saturday, February 22nd
Museum of Glass
1801 Dock St, Tacoma
5 - 10 pm

  • Free

  • Community, live art, hands-on activities, local vendors, artists and craftspeople, food and drinks, and music!

  • Eat and drink! Find food and beverages from the special food trucks and vendors as well as from Honey and Matriarch on site at Alma Mater

  • 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 - This month it takes place on February 1st, so keep an eye out for March

10. Scholarly Selections: "You are a man of science now, Wash."

Thursday, February 20th
6:30 - 8 pm
Washington State History Museum
1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma

  • Free

  • Scholarly Selections is a partnership between the UWT’s School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences and the Washington State History museum

  • Senior Lecturer in History, Libi Sundermann, PhD, will lead a talk reflecting on the contributions enslaved peoples made to knowledge and advancements in the 18th and 19th centuries

  • The talk draws from the experience and story of the protagonist in Esi Edugyan’s novel Washington Black

  • While you’re at the museum, be sure to visit the Men of Change: Power. Triumph, Truth. exhibit, on display through March 15th!

Image from People’s Community Center

Image from People’s Community Center

11. Black History Celebration: Healing the Community

Friday, February 21st
6 - 8 pm
People’s Community Center
1602 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Tacoma

  • Celebrate African-American culture and achievements

  • Event includes speakers, dancing, art, crafts, dinner, and more!

  • Call (253) 404 - 3915 for more information about this event and other People’s Community Center offerings in the Hilltop Neighborhood of Tacoma

Image from Tsuru for Solidarity

Image from Tsuru for Solidarity

12. Day of Remembrance, Day of Action

Sunday, February 23rd
12:30 - 2:30 pm
Northwest Detention Center
1623 E J St, Tacoma

  • Free

  • Join Tsuru for Solidarity, La Resistencia, Densho, and Seattle JACL to commemorate the Executive Order that incarcerated 126,000 citizens and immigrants of Japanese descent during WWII

  • This is a day of commemoration, and also a day of protest as thousands of immigrants and refugees are confined in detention centers today

  • Here in Tacoma we have one of the largest detention centers in the country

  • Tsuru for Solidarity, La Resistencia, Densho, and Seattle JACL want to communicate the message, “Stop Repeating History!” with voices, with taiko drums, and with thousands of origami cranes symbolizing peace, compassion, hope, and healing

13. Slow Down to Catch Up: A Workshop on Cultivating Stillness + Purpose

Sunday, February 23rd
6 - 8 pm
Yoga Wild
1102 A St, Suite 103, Tacoma

  • $25 - register here

  • 18+ or 14+ with an adult

  • A workshop for business owners, entrepreneurs, moms, and all self-identifying women

  • Casey from Yoga Wild offers - guided meditation and gentle yoga

  • Allison from Allison Bishins Consulting offers - a priority setting exercise and a discussion on aligning our efforts and priorities

  • Drinks and light snacks included

14. 7th Annual Destiny City Film Festival

Friday, February 28th - Sunday, March 1st
Full weekend festival!
Blue Mouse Theatre
2611 N Proctor St, Tacoma

  • Prices vary from VIP weekend passes, to individual film tickets, to free! See more about tickets here

  • Opening Night Reception and screening of SELL BY at 6 pm on Friday

  • FREE Family Shorts at 11 am on Saturday

  • Women in Film panel at 2:15 pm on Saturday!

  • Closing Night Party, Sunday, 6 pm at Peaks & Pints

  • See the full schedule of films and events here

15. February Fix-it Fair - Bay Terrace

Saturday, February 29th
1 - 4 pm
Bay Terrace
2550 S G St, Tacoma

  • Free

  • Volunteers are ready to do their best to fix your item - Fix-it Fairs loves to know what you’re bringing ahead of time so volunteers can be prepared with the proper tools and supplies

  • Fix-it Fairs Tacoma are monthly events that change location each month to keep the fair accessible

  • What kind of items can be fixed? Jewelry, crockery, small appliances, clothing, toys, furniture - bring them in!

  • Items that we can not offer to fix: gas powered, cellphones, glass or anything leaking fluid - sorry!

16. 90-Second Newberry Film Festival

Saturday, February 29th
12 - 3 pm
Rialto Theater
310 S 9th St, Tacoma

  • Free admission, but do reserve ahead - reserve your spot here

  • Annual film contest for kid filmmakers - come out to support Tacoma’s young film artists!

  • These films tell the story of Newberry Award-winning books in 90 seconds

  • See movies by Tacoma kids and movies by some of the best in the US with live introductions, a red carpet experience, and fancy dress (if you want)

  • Hosted by Tacoma Public Library

  • Learn more about the contest, the festival, and how you can enter next year here!

WE’LL BE BACK IN MARCH WITH MORE TACOMA EVENTS AND COMMUNITY GATHERINGS. KEEP IN TOUCH ABOUT LIFE IN TACOMA:

Not every listing comes ready made and fully expressed. Funds (we’re talking dollars here) are always vital when purchasing a property, but sometimes a vision and a plan are just as important as the cash 🔮 What could this place become? 🏡💈?
May is Bike Month 🚴🏽‍♀️ May is Historic Preservation Month ⏳ May holds Affordable Housing Week 🏠 May is the month for a lightsaber battle, for live music and crafts in Old Town Park, for night markets, plant sales at your local high school🪴 f
Happy May Day from the columbine and apple blossoms, the forget-me-nots, bluebells, lilac and huckleberry, from the rhododendron, weigela, and rosemary. They’re singing with color and scent and humming with bees. Each year I bring in a sample o
Today is closing day for our Community Central listing and that means it’s time for flowers! 💐☀🎉 Listed 3/28/24, Under Contract 4/1/24, Closed 4/30/24 just as the oak tree out front is showing fresh new leaves. Let the rest of this post be an
My Grandpa Harry was born and raised in Bremerton and this is his childhood home just up the street from downtown and the ship yards where his dad worked. I never needed to write down the address from his stories—1234 5th Street. Our Lady Star
🏰 In 1906—when the population of Tacoma was about 55,000—the first class of students enrolled at Tacoma High. We now all know this school with its outstanding architecture as Stadium High, and though a certain film placed it in Seattle (
Featured
What's Happening, Tacoma? 21 May Events
What's Happening, Tacoma? 21 May Events

May is Bike Month. May is Historic Preservation Month. May holds Affordable Housing Week. May is the month for a lightsaber battle, for live music and crafts in Old Town Park, for night markets, plant sales at your local high school, hands-on printmaking and paper arts, and locally made short films. It’s the month to learn about the history of Tacoma, and even contribute your own story at events like the Eastside Story Fest. It’s the month to pick-up litter with a bunch of nice people, the month to set out nutritious foods for your mail carrier to share with the food bank, the month to take time to learn more about affordable housing. It’s the month to tune up your bike and join a group ride.

Out on the Town 2024: Tacoma Tuesdays
Out on the Town 2024: Tacoma Tuesdays

Tacoma, Tuesdays, Trivia, Tacos, Talent. It’s the truth, there’s stuff to do. We have 19 of those things listed right here (twenty would have sounded so good) and not all of them start with “t.” There’s ballet and book club, wine and film, story time and bingo. So dust off your dancing shoes, clean your spectacles, strap the baby in a stroller, study up on random facts, warm up your vocal chords, and work up an appetite; it’s Tuesday in Tacoma!

Tacoma Love: 5 Good Things—Vol. 4
Tacoma Love: 5 Good Things—Vol. 4

This is not an ultimate, all time, best of the best, win or go home, top 5 list. No, we aren’t really bringing that kind of energy to life. This is the 4th edition of 5 things we like in Tacoma from a list of way more things we like in Tacoma. Sound good? An annual rogue art treasure hunt, a tiny slip of sandy beach, an old place to watch new and cult classic films, a weekly opportunity for repairing your stuff, and a spot where the noodles and broth fill you up in a good way. Some of it’s free. All of it’s good. We’re not making any other claims (who needs all that best-stress anyway?).

The Sunset Side: Tacoma's Other Waterfront
The Sunset Side: Tacoma's Other Waterfront

This month we're here to give a shout out to the other waterfront, the home of Titlow Beach, Seashore Drive, the iconic Narrows Bridges, and the Tacoma sunset. We’ll share where we eat and what we order, the trails we like to take, and what makes this side of the city feel like home. All you need is one evening for a waterfront getaway.

Tacoma High 5 - August 2023
Tacoma High 5 - August 2023

Tacoma High 5 is our way to nudge you toward what we love about Tacoma. It’s a short list with a commitment to the local—it embraces the season, invites a bit of variety into life, encourages a spirit of exploration and some generosity as well. This month’s list includes a benefit concert with karaoke, a music festival staged on porches across Central Tacoma, block parties and outdoor markets, free berries, a favorite local publication, a neighborhood clean-up, and the chance to support the YWCA while eating hot dogs and nacho cheese. Maybe we’ll see you out there!

  1. Community Event

  2. Sweet Treat

  3. Exploration & Adventure

  4. Local Love

  5. Volunteering & Sharing

Tacoma Outdoor Dining Guide
Tacoma Outdoor Dining Guide

Want to go out and really be out—out in the open air, beneath a colorful umbrella, on a shaded patio, beside a bustling sidewalk, seated on a deck overlooking the water, pulled up to a bar counter by the street? We’ve gathered Tacoma’s outdoor dining spots by neighborhood to get you started. Take a look at our list of restaurants, cafes, and bars with outdoor seating, then get yourself away from the screen, out the door, and into the life of Tacoma’s summer. See you out there!

Hi, I'm Michael Duggan, a licensed broker with Windermere Abode. I would love to help you through the home buying or selling process. Please contact me to set up a meeting and get things started.