Arts & Entertainment Community

Harbor Happenings | Warm up with some Chowder on Feb. 15

Posted on February 11th, 2025 By: Charlee Glock-Jackson

Sample more than a dozen varieties of chowder and other treats Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation’s annual Chowder Social. In addition to chowders created by some of Gig Harbor’s top chefs, guests will also be treated to live music, desserts, a grazing table, a raffle and live and silent auctions. Former KING TV personality John Curley will serve as auctioneer and emcee.

The food line-up includes offerings from Greenhouse Restaurant, Kettle Fish, the Lobster Shop, The Fish Peddler, Restaurant Lola, Retore Catering, Subtle Approach Catering, Belle Bella Bakery, Cupcakes + Frills, Fat Zach’s Pizza, Olalla Vineyard and Winery, Tito’s vodka, Wet Coast Brewing and more.

The event is a fundraiser for the foundation’s Curious By Nature, a nature-based preschool that has served more than 2,500 area children since 2012.

Chowder Social takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at the Vintage Aero Museum, 1108 26^th Avenue NW. Click here for tickets.

John Curley will emcee the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation’s Chowder Social on Saturday, Feb. 15.

Valentine specials

The Olalla Winery offers an enjoy-at-home gourmet dinner with a three-course gourmet dinner-for-two meal from Le Garmache Catering. The feast includes two bottles of wine – one red, one white – that pair perfectly with each course. Order here, then pick up your dinner-for-two at the winery on Valentine’s Day.

Several downtown Gig Harbor venues have Valentine events planned, including a wine and chocolate pairing at Hidden Harbor winery; a cocktail and chocolate pairing at Heritage Distilling, Sips and Sweets at Curated Gig Harbor and specially-priced artworks at Woodstock Gift Gallery.

Kids and families

PenMet Parks hosts a Teen Murder Mystery event from 7 to 9 pm. Saturday, Feb. 15, at Sehmel Homestead Park. It’s a classic who-done-it mystery in which teens uncover clues and put the pieces together to determine who the culprit is. Tickets are $7 per participant. Sehmel Park is located at 10123 78^th Ave. NW. Sign up here.

Harbor WildWatch biologists will be on hand to identify some of the underwater creatures that live under the pier at 7Seas Brewing at Pier into the Night, starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12. Scuba divers with underwater cameras will project live videos onto the big screen set up on the pier as biologists describe the scene. There will also be sea creature touch tanks for hands-on experience. 7Seas is located at 2905 Harborview Drive. Free and family friendly. Dress for the weather.

This month’s Science Saturday is from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at Harbor WildWatch’s Marine Life Center. It’s a science-based experience led by a WildWatch naturalist. RSVP is not required, but space is limited and parents must stay on site with their children. Science Saturdays are free but donations are gratefully accepted.

Teen Tuesdays take place every week from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Point Fosdick library. On Feb. 11, activities include board games, free snacks and craft-making projects. The library is located at 4424 Point Fosdick Drive.

Wine tasting

Two Loons winery hosts a wine tasting from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, with samples of a 2023 alvarinho, 2020 Columbia Valley cabernet, 2018 Cabernet Franc, 2018 syrah and a Loon Labs wine maker’s choice. Two Loons is located at 9422 22nd Ave NW. Free; 21 and over.

Humanities Washington program

Carolyn Long, associate professor at Washington State University Vancouver’s School of Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs, will give a presentation titled “Have you No sense of Decency? Shame in American Politics” at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, at Herons Key. Long will discuss the rise of shamelessness in American politics and the use of shame against those with whom we disagree. The free lecture is presented in partnership with The Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service. Herons Key is located at 4340 Borgen Blvd.

Live music

Billy Stapleton’s Powerhouse Band plays rock and blues at Kimball Coffeehouse at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14. Free and family friendly.

Aaron Crawford brings his “Cascade Country” music to Ocean5 for a special Valentine’s Day show. Doors open at 6 p.m. and music starts at 7 on Friday, Feb. 14. Buy tickets here.

At the movies

The Flashback Cinema movie Wednesday at the Galaxy Theatres in Uptown is “Casablanca,” starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Claude Rains, showing at 12:30 and 6 p.m. Sunday’s Flashback movie is “To Kill a Mockingbird,” with Gregory Peck in his Oscar-winning portrayal of Atticus Finch. “Mockingbird” plays at 11:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Flashback movies are just $5.

Civic engagement

TacomaProBono attorneys provide free advice on issues such as landlord-tenant relationships, divorce and more on from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Civic Center on Grandview Street.

The Gig Harbor City Council meets for a study session at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Civic Center. Tentative discussion items are a review of public boat storage fees at Ancich Park and proposed updates to the comprehensive plan’s Transport and Capital Facilities elements. Council meetings can also be accessed via Zoom.

The Gig Harbor Parks Commission is soliciting ideas for a name for Phase 1B of the sports complex, which is scheduled to open this year. Submission deadline is Feb. 24. Click here to make your suggestion.