Forsythia aflame - the view from my office each March.
Update: March 16, 2020
I don’t expect many will see, or need to hear this message, but we do want to point out that due to social distancing, these Tacoma events have been cancelled (or if they haven’t yet been called-off, the probably soon will be). We’re sorry to see so much planning, organizing, and opportunity put away for another day, but everyone is trying their best to take care of the health of their community. Stay safe and healthy, and take care of anyone you can!
—————————————————————————
Winter ends this month! I’ve been watching blossoms unfold all around Tacoma since February, but March is the window that opens to spring. March is when the forsythia and quince are in full bloom, when the crocuses continue, when the flowering currants open. In March the days keep on lengthening, and we’re no where near taking the light for granted. And as ever, it’s a month full of events. Tacoma has this way about it, this way of rolling out community gatherings, open houses, Ladies Nights, fundraisers, dance parties, exhibitions, learning opportunities, markets, and tours no matter which calendar page is open. Speaking of Ladies’ Nights, March is Women’s History Month, so make the extra effort to learn about ordinary inspiring women; they’re all around you.
Image from Tacoma Community House
1. Citizenship Class Information Sessions
Monday, March 2nd - 8:30 am
Wednesdays, March 4th & 11th - 3 pm
Tacoma Community House
1314 S L St, Tacoma
Free informational session
Ready to work toward US citizenship? Attend one of three sessions at Tacoma Community House this March to learn about their free Citizenship Classes
Classes will help prepare individuals for a citizenship interview and exam, but for now just come to a session to learn about eligibility and possibly to enroll in an upcoming free class
Bring your photo ID/Driver License and Green Card
Call Tacoma Community House with any questions! (253) 383-3951
Images from Anna Brones
2. Women’s Wisdom Project - Art Opening & Meet the Artist
Friday, March 6th
6 - 9 pm
Vashon Center for the Arts
19600 Vashon Hwy NW, Vashon
I’m breaking a “Tacoma Events” rule and sharing this event on Vashon Island because it’s Tacoma’s very near neighbor and because this artist is our good friend AND because this show is going to be fabulous
Take the ferry to Vashon to get face to face with 100 women across the ages (including the current age) and with the artist herself. Each woman is cut from a single piece of paper with an accompanying quote.
Why take the ferry to see 100 paper women? First of all, that’s an odd question. But if you want an answer, here’s what Anna says, ““Women have for so long been undervalued, often forgotten or dismissed. Yet we have powerful, inspiring voices and stories to tell. Hearing the voices of others empowers us to find our own and helps to shape a more equal society that benefits everyone, men and women.” So go. See women, hear voices, and be empowered.
Image from The Mule Tavern
3. Ladies Night to Support Planned Parenthood
Saturday, March 7th
8:30 pm - 1 am
The Mule Tavern
5227 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma
No cover - 21+
Ladies Night at The Mule is dedicated to a cause! 10% of all bar profits go to Planned Parenthood
Buy raffle ticket to win local prizes! 100% of raffle ticket donations go to Planned Parenthood ($1=1 ticket)
Don’t miss their house-made ginger beer!
Image from Yoga Wild
4. Skill in Action Workshop with Michelle C. Johnson
Saturday, March 14th
Part 1: 9 am - 12 pm
Part 2: 1 - 4 pm
Yoga Wild
1102 A St, Suite 103, Tacoma
Pay as you can fee scale:
All day (Part 1 & 2): $120, $100 or $80
Part 1 or 2: $60, $50 or $40
Get tickets at Yoga WildPart 1: Skill in Action: Yoga + Social Justice: explore power and privilege, oppression and identity, suffering and liberation and loving-kindness through yoga postures, breathing, meditation, and discussion - all skill levels welcome
Part 2: Skill in Action Yoga: Practice + Action: explore action and reaction as we seek to create social change - session includes dharma talk, breath work, meditation, and discussion - again, all levels are welcome
Michelle C. Johnson is an author, yoga teacher, social justice activist, licensed clinical social worker and Dismantling Racism trainer - come learn
5. South Sound Sustainability Expo - 2020
Saturday, March 14th
10 am - 3 pm
Greater Tacoma Convention Center
1500 Commerce St, Tacoma
Free admission
All ages
Over 100 local businesses and organizations dedicated to an environmentally healthy and sustainable South Sound
Bring clothing the needs fixing to the mending station and make sure to bring a tote bag, t-shirt or other cloth item to the screen-printing station!
Workshops, kids activities area, screen-printing station, and much more
See the full list of activities, vendors, and more information at southsoundsustainabilityexpo.org
Image from Creative Colloquy
6. Creative Colloquy Turns 6!
Monday, March 16th
6:45 pm
Honey at Alma Mater
1322 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma
Free
Join other reading and writing enthusiasts for a night of literary sharing and appreciation
And this month it’s a birthday party, so there’s gonna be cake, and songs, and a raffle with fabulous local prizes
Musical interlude by Stephanie Anne Johnson and Dan Tyack
If you’d like to share a poem, story, excerpt, or essay of your own, be sure to come early and sign-up for the open mic session following the planned readings - 5 minute time slots!
Coffee, tea, wine, and other beverages and treats available for purchase from Honey
Image: Stephanie Anne Johnson
7. A Show to benefit our Unsheltered Neighbors
Wednesday, March 18th
5:30 - 8 pm
Honey at Alma Mater
1322 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma
$10 suggested donation
All ages
All contributions go to benefit shelter services for at Bethlehem Baptist Church -sheltering up to 40 people per night during these very wet and cold months
Program features: Poet Marquis McCrary, Songwriter Kye Alfred Hillig, Storyteller Tad Monroe, Singer/Songwriter Stephanie Anne Johnson
Doors open at 5:30 pm, show starts at 6:30 pm (this could sell out, so come early!)
First Day of Spring - Wednesday, March 20th
Winter is past. Spring is now. Whatever the weather, whether it snows and hails or shines from dawn til dusk and gives us rainbows, it’s spring snow, spring sleet, spring sun, spring rainbows. We made it. Go smell a flower, mow a lawn, prune an apple tree, dust something, wear sandals (too soon?), or take a rainy walk. It’s spring!
Image from 2nd Cycle
8. Open House at 2nd Cycle
Thursday, March 19th
6 - 8 pm
2nd Cycle Tacoma’s Community Cycle Center
1205 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Tacoma
Free
Already a fan of 2nd Cycle? Come say “hello” and enjoy some food and drinks
Been wondering what this whole community cycle center thing is about? Come meet the people who make it happen, take a tour of the shop, and find out what’s going on
It’s the first day of Spring, so you may want to get your bike in shape!
Image from Foss Waterway Seaport
9. 21+ Adult Night at the Museum: Dive into History
Friday, March 20th
7 - 10 pm
Foss Waterway Seaport
705 Dock St, Tacoma
Admission $20, Members $5 - get tickets here, at the museum, or at the door - ages 21+
Spend the evening at the Foss Waterway Seaport exploring the historic Balfour Dock building
Tickets include 2 drink tickets for wine and beer, snacks, and access to all the exhibits and special activities
Activities include: a “Live Dive” broadcast from divers under the docks, trying on diving gear and getting a photo in the selfie booth, piloting a submersible ROV (remotely), virtual reality headsets to take you on a tropical dive, making a Cartesian diver in a bottle, and hunting for hidden treasures - like small glass fishing floats - throughout the exhibits (finders keepers!)
Image from McMenamins Elks Temple
10. Elks Temple - Tacoma, WA! - 2000’s Dance Flashback
Friday, March 20th
9 pm - 1 am
Spanish Ballroom
565 Broadway, Tacoma
$10 cash at the door, ages 21+
Wear your most beautiful body glitter while you dance to the best music videos of the 2000s in the McMenamins Elks Temple Spanish Ballroom
Imagine your middle and high school dances, add alcohol and nostalgia
That’s it.
Image from Fieldhouse Flea Market
11. UPS Fieldhouse Flea Market 2020
*Cancelled due to public health concerns*
Saturday, March 21st
8:30 am - 4 pm
University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse
1500 N Warner St, Tacoma
Last year I came home with some vintage textiles, and small-batch apricot jam.
$15 early entry: 8:30 - 10 am, $5 general entry: 10 am - 4 pm (children 5 and under enter free during general entry)
100% of admission fees go to student scholarships
Hosted by the Puget Sound Women’s League with over 70 other vendors
Going strong since 1968 this is a big, fun, full flea market of vintage, handmade, and local goods, with treats, a raffle, plants, and so much treasure-hunting fun
Follow @fieldhouseflea on Instagram for vendor highlights and event updates
Image from Song of the Sea
12. Grit City Cinema Club: Song of the Sea
Saturday, March 21st
9:30 am
The Grand Cinema
606 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma
Free
First come, first seated so arrive when the doors open at 9:30 am for your best chance to secure a spot
Film starts at 10 am
Visit the world of selkies and fairy creatures on an adventure with Saoirse and her little brother - this film is a good story and a beautiful work of art
Hosted by the Grit City Cinema Club
13. Tacoma Night Market @ Alma Mater & @ Museum of Glass
Saturday, March 21st
Alma Mater
1322 S Fawcett Ave, Tacoma
5 - 10 pm
Images from Tacoma Night Market
Saturday, March 28th
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 - it tends to fall on the first Saturday of the month
Image from Tacoma Tool Library
14. Tacoma Tool Library 4th Anniversary Fundraiser
Sunday, March 22nd
3:30 - 5:30 pm
Dystopian State Brewing Co.
611 S Baker St, Tacoma
Free entry - all ages
Fundraising extravaganza! - Silent auction to raise money for the tool library featuring items donated by a wide variety of Tacoma businesses
Learn more about the Tacoma Tool Library, meet the members, take a look at some projects they’ve completed using the tool library resources, and enjoy light refreshments
Help the library reach their goals for 2020! Goals include: increasing senior citizen, student, and low-income discounted memberships, an enhanced maintenance plan for specialty tools, and expanding workshop offerings and educational programming to reach more Tacoma people
Image from City of Tacoma Government
15. T-Town City Services Expo 2020
Saturday, March 28th
10 am - 3 pm
Tacoma Dome
2727 E D St, Tacoma
Free - all ages
An interactive play, learn, and explore event
Play in city service vehicles, explore city services through demonstrations and displays, and learn about what the City of Tacoma provides to the community
Opportunities to share ideas and feedback about how the city uses resources
Quiet, low-sensory hour from 10 - 11 am
Image from Fashion is ART
16. Fashion is ART!
Saturday, March 28th
6:30 - 10:30 pm
Tacoma Art Museum
1701 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
$65 online , $70 at the door - Purchase your tickets here - ages 10+, attendees under 18 must be accompanied by an adult - tickets include 1 drink ticket
A live fashion art gallery with both fashion and designers on display
Think of this event as a non-traditional fashion show, and keep in mind that all the pieces created during Fashion is ART will be available through an online auction
Dress in evening, semi-formal, or cocktail attire
WE’LL BE BACK IN April WITH MORE TACOMA EVENTS. KEEP IN TOUCH ABOUT LIFE IN TACOMA:
