Arts & Entertainment Community

Harbor Happenings: Gorge on crab for a good cause

Posted on January 30th, 2024 By: Charlee Glock-Jackson

As the days get longer and warmer, the calendar is filling up with events and activities that educate, entertain, fill the belly, mind and spirit – and just bring people together.

The Greater Gig Harbor Foundation hosts its annual crab feed at the Eagles Club at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3.

Dinner includes all-you-can-eat fresh Dungeness crab, spaghetti, salad and dessert. The evening includes a raffle and a no-host bar. Funds support the foundation’s many activities.

The Eagles Club is located at 4425 Burnham Drive. Adult tickets cost $65 and must be ordered in advance here. Bring your own crab-crackers.

The Greater Gig Harbor Foundation’s annual Crab Feed is Saturday, Feb. 3.

Art walk

Galleries throughout the downtown waterfront neighborhood will showcase a plethora of artworks, in-person art-making demonstrations and special sales during February’s Art Walk, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3.

Highlights of this month’s Art Walk include:

Kathy Thurston will demonstrate her style of Chinese Gongbi (“meticulous detail”) painting with watercolors and ink at Ebbtide, 7809 Pioneer Way. Caasi Dickens shows off her resin-pouring technique at Local Whimsey, 3306 Harborview Drive; and encaustic artist Lisa Sweo Eul will discuss how she works with hot wax at Mavi Contemporary Art Gallery, 3126 Harborview Drive. Demonstrations take place from 1 to 3 p.m.
Woodstock Gift Gallery, 3120½ Harborview, next to Heritage Distillery, has 10 percent off on everything including fused and blown glass, greeting cards, photography, Spiritiles and more.
Waters Edge Framery and Gallery, 7808 Pioneer Way, is offering a 20 percent discount on all framing.

Kathy Thurston will demonstrate her style of Chinese Gongbi (“meticulous detail”) painting with watercolors and ink at Ebbtide, 7809 Pioneer Way.

Pier peer and Dock Walk

Harbor WildWatch begins a new series of Dock Walks at Jerisich Dock at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2. These short, 30-minute walks introduce participants to the myriad sea life that calls Gig Harbor home. Dock Walks will take place the first and fourth Fridays of each month through April.

Harbor WildWatch hosts Pier Into the Night at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Maritime Pier, next to the Tides Tavern. Divers use live video cameras to stream what they see below the surface, as biologists and trained volunteers identify the flora and fauna that appear on the big screen.

Commonly seen critters include feather duster tube worms; sculpin, gunnels and red Irish lorde; squid; several species of crab and even an occasional giant Pacific octopus. The event is free, though donations accepted. Bring a chair and dress for the weather.

Seed swap

Local gardeners get together several times a year to share seeds, plants, gardening tips and tools. From noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, gardeners whose thumbs are all shades of green can swap seeds, bulbs and hardwood cuttings at the Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Drive. Bring seed envelopes or baggies as members often bring seed in bulk to share. Any leftover seeds will go into a “seed lottery” after the swap.

Student talent show deadline approaches

The deadline for students in grades K-8 to apply for this year’s Gig Harbor Has Talent show, sponsored by Kiwanis, is Monday, Feb. 5.

The event isn’t a competition, it’s a showcase of local students and their special talents. Performers of all shapes, sizes and skills – singers, dancers, magicians, yoyo wizzes, musicians and more – will share their talents to a receptive audience on March 23 at Swift Water Elementary School.

Proceeds support Communities in Schools-Peninsula, The Red Barn, Food Backpacks 4Kids, F.I.S.H, Harbor Hope Center and Kiwanis Cares for Kids. Click here to apply.

Book group

The Gig Harbor Literary Society meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the Harbor History Museum to discuss “Weather Girl” by Rachel Lynn Solomon. It’s the romantic story of a TV meteorologist and a sports reporter who scheme to reunite their divorced bosses. All are welcome to join the discussion, whether or not you are a society member.

Live music

The Dusty Luck Country and Rock Band plays a free, all-ages show at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at Kimball Coffeehouse.
Ted Pickett’s Neil Diamond Tribute makes an appearance in the loft at the Olalla winery at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2. Pickett’s repertoire also includes Irish tunes, old cowboy standards and the occasional modern pop song, with a few originals thrown in for good measure. Reserve tickets here.

Ted Pickett plays at the Olalla winery at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2.

At the movies

The Flashback Cinema movie at the Galaxy Theatres Uptown on Wednesday, Jan. 31, is “Titanic,” playing at 11:15 a.m. and 6 p.m. On Sunday, Feb. 4, it’s “Escape from New York,” playing at 12:30 and 6 p.m. Flashback movies cost just $5.

Civic engagement

The Gig Harbor City Council will hold its annual retreat from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at the Civic Center on Grandview Street. Agenda items include a review of council guidelines, the city’s Strategic Plan, council and mayor roles and responsibilities, this session’s legislative agenda, downtown parking and the “Dignity Index.” The meeting is accessible via Zoom.
As part of the city’s Comprehensive Plan update, the Planning Department has posted an online survey to gauge citizen’s vision of what Gig Harbor should look like 20 years from now. Take the survey here.
Pierce County Council member Robyn Denson hosts a town hall meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, at the Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Dr. Denson will discuss the county’s 2024-25 budget and her priorities and will take comments and questions.