Arts & Entertainment Community

Harbor Happenings | Lots to learn this week

Posted on February 18th, 2025 By: Charlee Glock-Jackson

This week brings several learning opportunities — learning about African American legends, the strange things housed in Washington’s museums, and octopuses (yes, that’s the correct plural).

In honor of Black History Month, storyteller Eva Abram brings African American folktales and legends to life in a free, family-friendly performance at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Drive.

Harbor WildWatch hosts an evening of Cocktails and Fishtales at Ocean5 at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. WildWatch education director Rachael Easton will talk about octopuses and their ability to adapt to different conditions, their defense mechanisms and their remarkable intelligence. The two-hour presentation is free to HWW members, or a $20 suggested donation for non-members. No RSVP is required. Ocean5 is located at 5268 Point Fosdick Drive.

Learn about “Wonderful, Weird and Worrisome Objects in Washington State Museums” — like a 150-year old pickle at a museum in Lynden, and the Spokane institution that has Bing Crosby’s toupées — on Sunday, Feb. 25 in a Humanities Washington presentation at Herons Key. It’s free and starts at 1 p.m. Heron’s Key is located at 4340 Borgen Boulevard.

Poetry reading

Artist Sabreenha Essien will present a reading of her poetry at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20 at the Gig Harbor campus of Tacoma Community College. Essien’s “Living While Black” art exhibit is currently on display in the school’s gallery; her poems and her paintings complement each other. Free; no RSVP needed.

Pottery painting

Java and Clay hosts a Ladies Night Out painting party at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21. Paint pottery, enjoy munchies and a beverage. All ages are welcome but reservations are required. The cost is $30 per person; make reservations here.

Drag Bingo

Join Hannah MiaJoint Friday, Feb. 21 at Locust Cider for an evening of Drag Bingo— with free bingo and a free slice of pizza, 6 to 8 p.m. Location is 3207 57^th Street Court, next door to The Inn at Gig Harbor.

Live music

Thursdays are open mic nights at Kimball Coffeehouse, with signups starting at 5:30 p.m. and performances at 6 p.m. All are welcome to show off their talent, whatever it might be. On Friday, Feb. 21 the Soulful 88s bring their music to the Kimball stage at 7 p.m. Free and family friendly. Kimball is at 6659 Kimball Dr.

Joel Gibson plays originals and country-rock covers in the loft at Olalla Winery Friday at 6:30 p.m. Order tickets here.

At the movies

The Gig Harbor Film Festival’s Monday Movie at the Galaxy Theatres in Uptown is a one-night-only screening of the 2025 Oscar-nominated film shorts. The five short films vying for a coveted gold statuette are: “A Lien” (USA); “Anuja” (USA); “I’m Not a Robot” (Belgium, Netherlands); “The Last Ranger” (South Africa) and “The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent” (Croatia). Buy tickets here.

The Flashback Cinema movie at the Galaxy on Wednesday, Feb. 19, is “To Kill a Mockingbird,” with Gregory Peck in his Oscar-winning portrayal of Atticus Finch, a courageous lawyer defending a Black man (Brock Peters) in a small southern town in the 1930’s. Showtimes are 11:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday’s Flashback Cinema is “Goodfellas,” Martin Scorsese’s classic chronicle of life in the mob, based on the true story of gangster Henry Hill (played by Ray Liotta). Showtimes are 11:30 am and 6 p.m. Flashback movies are just $5.

Civic engagement

Gig Harbor City Councilwoman Jeni Woock hosts “Jeni Listens” at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at Cutter’s Point Coffee in Olympic Village. Woock’s guest will be Gig Harbor Police Chief Kelly Busey. Free; no reservations needed.

The Gig Harbor City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, in the civic center on Grandview Street. Tentative agenda items include a discussion of the proposed purchase of a new dump truck and snow plow, and an update of city fees.

Looking ahead

The Bremerton WestSound Symphony will present a chamber concert of music by Brahms, Mozart and Mendelssohn on Sunday, March 2 at the Gig Harbor Vintage Aero Museum. Purchase tickets here.

Granny-nominated mandolinist Tristan Scroggins and singer-songwriter Carolyn Kendrick (on fiddle and guitar) will play bluegrass and other music at the Gig Harbor BoatShop on Thursday March 13. Order tickets here.

Find more events in Gig Harbor Now’s Calendar.