Arts & Entertainment Community

Harbor Happenings | Americana Music Festival in Olalla

Posted on August 13th, 2024 By: Charlee Glock-Jackson

There’s music to fit ’most every mood on this week’s dance card.

The Olalla Americana Music Festival brings traditional American music — incorporating elements of country, rock, folk, blues and bluegrass — to South Kitsap County from 11 a.m. to dusk on Saturday, Aug. 17. The festival is at the South Kitsap Southern Little League field at the corner of Olalla Valley and SE Hovgaard roads. The field is at 5795 SE Hovgaard Road.

Along with music, the event includes food trucks, arts and crafts, craft demonstrations, a beer garden, kids; activities and the annual Berry Pie Baking Contest.

The music lineup includes Studebaker Clark Snyder at 11 a.m.; Runaway Train at noon; Hot Damn Scandal at 1:10 p.m.; Brian James Was Here at 2:25 p.m.; Reid Jamieson & CVM at 4:05 p.m.; Johnny Franco and His Real Brother Dom at 5:20 p.m.; Sister Speak at 6:40 p.m.; and CD Woodbury at 8:05 p.m.

Admission costs $35 at the gate for adults. Kids ages 16 and younger are free. Click here to buy tickets in advance.

More music

The Summer Sounds at Skansie band on Tuesday, Aug. 13, brings a taste of Margaritaville to Gig Harbor. The band bills itself as providing a mix of “tropical rock, yacht rock and ’80s classic rock.” In keeping with the Cheeseburger in Paradise theme, the Gig Harbor Kiwanis Club will sell hot-off-the-grill cheeseburgers. The music starts at 6 p.m. at Skansie Brothers Park.
My Guilty Pleasure brings a classic rock-and-roll-party vibe to the Uptown Pavilion with songs from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, sprinkled with a pinch of funk from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15.
Sarah Tweet and Crew and Angelina Adams provide the music at the Waterfront Farmers Market from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15. Free; all ages are welcome.
The Mark Dufresne Band, featuring Billy Stapleton, plays at Kimball Coffeehouse on Friday, Aug. 16. It’s a full-tilt Chicago blues vibe, with Grammy nominated DuFresne at the helm and veteran Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement award-winner Billy Stapleton adding licks on guitar. Kelly Leifer is on bass and Steve Peterson (best known as drummer for the Kingsmen) on drums. Doors open at 6 p.m. Music starts at 7 p.m. Free and family friendly.
Two Macs and Friends bring Latin Jazz to the Loft, starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16. Go here for tickets.
Cleared for Takeoff plays at Locus Cider at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. The cidery is located at 3207 57^th Street Court. Ages 21 and over.
Danny Vernon and the Devilles pay homage to Elvis at Skansie Park at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, for next week’s Summer Sounds concert.

Two Macs & Friends

Beach walks and waterfront strolls

Harbor WildWatch volunteers will lead low-tide beach walks to discuss the sea life that call the Salish Sea home:

Saturday, Aug. 17, 10 a.m. at the Purdy Sand Spit. Meet at the boat ramp.
Sunday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m. at DeMolay Sand Spit and Nature Preserve. Meet at the Fox Island Boat Ramp or the Fox Island fishing pier.
Tuesday, Aug. 20, 11:30 a.m. at Maple Hollow Park on the Key Peninsula
Tuesday, Aug. 20, 11:45 a.m. at Penrose Point State Park (State Parks pass required)

Learn about the cultural and natural history of Gig Harbor on a Saturday morning walk along the waterfront. The two-hour walk starts at Donkey Creek Park at 10 a.m. and ends at the Maritime Pier. It’s a collaboration between the Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance, Harbor History Museum and Harbor WildWatch. Make arrangements for return transportation.

Wine tastings, dinner, dancing

Two Loons winery hosts a tasting of four locally-produced wines from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. Wines available include a 2023 Alvarinho, a 2018 Cabernet Franc, a 2019 Moo-Zhur-In Malbec and a 2019 Sheryl’s Syrah. Two Loons is located at 9422 22^nd Avenue NW.

Enjoy a three-course alfresco dinner and live jazz at the Olalla Vineyard and Winery from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug 17. Each course will be pared with a wine from the vineyard. Music will be provided by Francesco Crosara and Tim Lerch. Make reservations here.

Sunday, Aug. 18 the Olalla Winery hosts Boots, Brews and Bubbly with couples dancing in the loft from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18. Reservations required.

At the movies

PenMet hosts two movies at Sehmel Park on Friday: Shrek will play at 5 p.m., followed by “Barbie” at 7 p.m. Both movies are free.

“Paw Patrol” is the SummerFest movie at the Galaxy Theatres in Uptown Aug. 12 through 15. Showtimes are 10:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Aug. 12 and 13; 10:15 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Aug. 14; and 10:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Aug. 15. Starting Aug 16, the SummerFest movie will be “The Lego Batman Movie.” Showtimes are 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Aug. 16; 10 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Aug. 17 and 18; and 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Aug. 19, 20 and 21. SummerFest movies are just $2.

The Flashback Cinema movie on Wednesday, Aug. 14, is “The Iron Giant,” presented in its signature edition with footage not included in the original theatrical release. Showtimes are 12:45 and 6 p.m. Sunday’s Flashback movie is “Bring it On,” a film about the cutthroat world of competitive cheerleading. Showtimes are noon and 6 p.m.

For opera lovers, The Met Summer Encore movie on Wednesday, Aug. 14, is “Porgy and Bess.” Billed as one of American’s greatest operas, the Met performance features soprano Angel Blue and bass-baritone Eric Owens with an all-star supporting cast. David Robertson conducts. Porgy and Bess plays at noon and 6:30 p.m.

Civic engagement

The Gig Harbor City Council meets for a study session at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Civic Center on Grandview Street. Tentative discussion items include an update to the city’s fee schedule, Transportation Benefit District funding, implications of a recent California decision on impact fees, and possibilities for naming a bridge on North Harborview Drive. Council meetings can also be viewed via Zoom.

Mayor Tracie Markley hosts Coffee with the Mayor from 7:30–9:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19 at Cutters Point Coffee in Uptown (4735 Point Fosdick Drive).

The city and TacomaProBono Community Lawyers host a legal aid pop-up from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Aug. 19 at the civic center. Lawyers will be on hand to give free advice on issues such as rent and landlord/tenant relationships, divorce, custody and child support and other family law questions.