Arts & Entertainment Community

Harbor Happenings | Civic Orchestra celebrates 20 years

Posted on March 12th, 2024 By: Charlee Glock-Jackson

There’s music in the air this week – from Celtic tunes in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, to all-American jazz, to a local orchestra’s 20th anniversary celebration of compositions by great classical composers.

The Gig Harbor Peninsula Civic Orchestra’s plays its 20th anniversary program at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at the Peninsula High School Auditorium, 14105 Purdy Dr.

The “20 Years and Still Having Fun” program includes Hayden’s Symphony No. 45 in F-sharp Minor; selections from Smetana’s “Bartered Bride”; the Finale from Symphony No. 5 by Dmitri Shostakovich; Vaughn Williams’ “English Folk Songs”; “Asturias” transcribed and arranged by Victor Lopez; and more.

Also on Saturday, Magical Strings bring their mix of traditional and original Celtic tunes to the Olalla Community Hall starting at 7 p.m. Irish step dancers from Seattle’s Tara Academy and a fiddler will join Pam and Phillip Boulding – the heart and soul of Magical Strings – for this Saint Paddy’s Eve concert. Admission is $20 at the door. The hall is located at 12932 Olalla Valley Road.

Local jazz diva Greta Matassa and her band play a gig at Kimball Coffeehouse starting at 7 p.m. Friday, March 15. All ages are welcome and there is no cover charge. Kimball is at 6659 Kimball Dr.

Saxophonist/flutist Mark Lewis plays jazz in the loft at Olalla Winery at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 15. Keyboardist Randy Halberstadt will join him for the show, which carries a $15 cover charge. Reserve tickets here.

Kids learn boat-building skills at the BoatShop

Kids ages 6-12 can learn traditional boatwright skills at the Gig Harbor BoatShop’s Young Hands, New Skills class on Friday, March 15.

The class includes instruction on skills such as using a spokeshave, hammering, sawing and ship caulking. One-on-one instruction stations will be set up around the shop. Cost is $15 per child for BoatShop members, $18 for non-members. Instruction starts at 9 a.m., with time slots available through 2 p.m. Register here.

The Young Hands, New Skills workshop is Friday, March 15, at the Gig Harbor BoatShop.

Shamrock run

Runners, walkers and joggers can get a jump on Saint Paddy’s Day at the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation’s annual Shamrockin’ the Harbor event on Saturday, March 16.

Don your favorite Irish get-up and choose either the 5k or 12 k course, both of which follow the Cushman Trail. Those who choose the longer run will be treated to amazing views from the Narrows Bridge.

The first 50 sign-ups receive a custom fleece blanket and all who enter gets a swag bag and an invitation to the finish line party.

The 12K run starts at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K at 9 a.m. All ages and abilities are welcome and proceeds support the Gig Harbor Senior Center. Click here for information.

At the movies

The Flashback Cinema movie at the Galaxy Theatres Uptown on Wednesday, March 13, is “The Quiet Man” starring Maureen O’Hara and John Wayne. Showtimes are 11:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday’s flashback movie is the original “Jurassic Park,” with showtimes are 11:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Flashback cost just $5.

Civic engagement

The Gig Harbor Public Works Department hosts a public meeting to discuss an update of the city’s 2018 Comprehensive Water System Plan at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, at the Civic Center on Grandview Street. The meeting will focus on the city’s goal of decreasing residential water consumption by 0.25 percent each year for the next six years by adopting water efficiency measures that exceed all local, state and federal regulations. There will also be a review of the city’s water leakage and reclaimed water policies.