Arts & Entertainment Community

Harbor Happenings | Airport Day buzzes Gig Harbor on Saturday

Get an up-close view of the workings of the Tacoma Narrows Airport during the second annual Airport Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24.

The free, family-friendly event begins with a ceremony by Peninsula High School’s NROTC color guard. Activities  include STEM experiences for kids, hands-on displays, aircraft fly-bys, informational booths, food trucks and more.

About two dozen national and local organizations will be on hand including the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Washington State Patrol, Peninsula School District, the Vintage Aero Museum and various flight schools. Click here for more information.

Airport Days

Shakespeare at Sehmel Park

Saturday, Aug. 24, Ghostlight Performing Arts returns for an encore performance  of “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged) revised, (again).” It’s a madcap romp through all 37 of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies in a single zany two-hour play. Curtain goes up at 5:30 p.m. at Sehmel Homestead Park. It’s free. Bring a blanket or low-back chair and a picnic.

Rex Davison, Mykahla George and Lauren Foley perform part of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in Ghostlight Performing Arts’ production of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) revised, (again)” at Sehmel Park on Aug. 10. Photo by Marsha Hart

History Museum fundraiser

More than two dozen artistically embellished oars, paddles and other nautically themed original artworks are on display at Harbor History Museum through Aug. 24. They will be auctioned online and in person to raise money for the museum.

Local artists created the items, including Chuck Woodstock, Hillarie Issacson and many others. Each piece has a unique story. The online auction opens Aug. 20 and closes Aug. 23. The live event takes place Saturday, Aug. 24. All items will be on view in the museum lobby during regular hours – from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Click here for information.

Book sale

The Books for Barks book sale, organized by two local teens on behalf of CHEW Dog Rescue, is Aug. 23 through 25 at Wilco Farm Store at 3408 Hunt St. Gift baskets and used books will be for sale, and numerous other items will be available in a raffle. The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 23 and 24 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25.

Meet the author

Author Lawrence Ingrassia will discuss his book “Decade of Disunion – How Massachusetts and South Carolina Led the Way to Civil War – 1849-1861,” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, at a meet-the-author event at Invitation Bookshop, 5125 Olympic Drive No. 104. RSVP here.

Guided walks with Harbor WildWatch

Volunteers from Harbor WildWatch will lead  a nature walk on Jerisich Dock, talking about sea life in the Harbor and how to protect it, at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22. The walk coincides with the Waterfront Farmers Market. It is free and appropriate for all ages, although donations are always welcome.

Live music

Local Elvis impersonator Danny Vernon performs during Summer Sounds at Skansie Park at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug 20. Bring a blanket or low-back chair and a picnic.

The next-to-last Waterfront Farmers Market of 2024 is from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, at Skansie Park. The Gigsters will provide the music.

Octopus Ballet plays original acoustic rock, folksy, bluesy and jazzy tunes at Kimball Coffeehouse Friday, with Leanne Trevalyn on vocals, Sheryl Clark on sax and flute, Chad Russell on drums and percussion and Peter Pendras on guitar. Doors open at 6 p.m. Music starts at 7 p.m. Free and family friendly. Kimball is holding a granola bar drive through Sept. 21 to support Food Backpacks 4 Kids.

Octopus Ballet plays at Kimball Coffeehouse on Aug. 23.

At the movies

PenMet Park’s summer movie series wraps up Aug. 23 with a showing of “Migration,” at 9 p.m. in Sehmel Homestead Park. Pre-film activities start an hour before showtime. Free and family friendly. Bring a blanket or low-back chair. 

The Film Festival’s Monday Movie Night for August is “Ezra,” playing at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Galaxy Theatres in Uptown. It’s the story of tortured stand-up comedian Max Bernal (played by Bobby Cannavale), living with his father (Robert De Niro) while struggling to co-parent his autistic son Ezra (introducing William Fitzgerald). When Max and his ex-wife (Rose Byrne) are forced to confront difficult decisions about their son’s future, Max and Ezra embark on a cross-country road trip that will have a lasting effect on both of their lives. Reserve seats here.

“The Lego Batman Movie” is Galaxy’s SummerFest Movie through Aug. 22. Showtimes are 1:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. “The Angry Birds” takes over as the SummerFest Movie Aug. 23– 29. Showtimes are 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Aug. 23, 26, 27, 28 and 29; and 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Aug. 24 and 25.

The Flashback Cinema movie at the Galaxy on Wednesday, Aug. 21, is “Bring it On,” a spirited teen comedy that became a surprise hit and cult classic. Showtimes are noon and 6 p.m. The Flashback movie on Sunday, Aug. 24, is “Smokey and the Bandit,” the second highest grossing movie of 1977 (after “Star Wars”). Showtimes are 12:15 and 6 p.m. Flashback movies are just $5.

Civic engagement

The city of Gig Harbor is updating its Comprehensive Plan. Although the city council traditionally takes a break in August and won’t meet again until Sept. 9, the planning commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, to discuss the Economic Development and Community Design elements (chapters) of the plan. The meeting will be held at the Civic Center and can also be accessed via Zoom.