Arts & Entertainment Community

Harbor Happenings: Post-Halloween edition

Posted on October 31st, 2023 By: Charlee Glock-Jackson

Bundle up and learn about the critters that live in Gig Harbor bay on Saturday, Nov. 4, during this month’s Pier into the Night.

Starting at 6 p.m. at the Maritime Pier next to the Tides Tavern, divers will transmit underwater images onto a big screen on the pier while Harbor WildWatch biologists discuss what’s being shown. Previous events have captured footage of feather-duster tube worms; red Irish lorde, sculpin, and gunnels; red rock, kelp, and graceful crabs; stubby squid; and giant Pacific octopus.

The event is free and suitable for all ages. Dress for the weather.

Touch tanks at a Harbor WildWatch Pier Into the Night event. Harbor WildWatch

Write in the Harbor

Aspiring and seasoned writers will find inspiration at the annual Write in the Harbor regional writers conference at Tacoma Community College’s Gig Harbor campus this weekend.

The conference kicks off Friday, Nov. 3, with an address by author/journalist Putsata Reang, whose work has appeared in the New York Times, The Guardian, Ms. and more. Reang will host a master class and workshops with other conference speakers are also scheduled. Registration is $179, with discounts available for Washington state college students. Click here to register.

Art Walk

Downtown art galleries will have live art-making demonstrations, discussions with artists and special prices during art walk on Saturday, Nov. 4.

Seven galleries, featuring work by more than 50 artists, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Chris Cook will do a painting demo at Ebbtide, Paulette Hoflin will demonstrate her beadwork techniques at Gallery Row and Ann Stockdale will talk about her vividly colored abstract paintings at Mavi gallery. Woodstock Gallery has special sale prices on Houston Lew’s “spiritiles” – inspirational messages on enameled copper canvases.

Most demonstrations take place from 1 to 3 p.m. All Art Walk activities are free.

Sumi art exhibit

Artwork by Puget Souond Sumi artists is on display at TCC through Dec. 6.

Works by Puget Sound Sumi Artists are on display in “Fragrance in Ink” at the Tacoma Community College Gig Harbor campus through Dec. 6. The exhibit showcases the many and varied techniques of sumi, including sumi-e paintings in monochrome ink and brush, contemporary mark-making with color, Shodo calligraphy, haiga (haiku poetry paintings), gongbi (meticulous style) and freehand style.

The public is invited to an artist reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9.

Music

Tuesday, Nov. 7, is “South Side Jazz Night” at Gig Harbor High School with jazz ensembles from GHHS, Kopachuck Middle School and Goodman Middle School performing in the school auditorium. Doors open at 6 p.m. Music starts at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. GHHS is located at 5101 Rosedale St NW.
Award-winning jazz vocalist Greta Matassa makes a rare Gig Harbor appearance at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at Kimball Coffeehouse. Doors open at 6 p.m.; music starts at 7. Kimball is located at 6659 Kimball Drive.
Leanne Trevalyan and Peer Pendras play blues, ballads, gypsy surf music and more at the Olalla Winery starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3. Reserve tickets here. The Winery is located at 13176 Olalla Valley Road S.E.

At the movies

The Flashback Cinema movie at the Galaxy Theater on Wednesday, Nov. 1, is “The Shining,” Stanley Kubrick’s film that many consider the scariest movie ever. Jack Nicholson stars as a writer who takes a job as a caretaker of an off-season hotel with a really bad past. Showtimes for The Shining are 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The Flashback Cinema movie on Sunday, Nov. 5, is “A Christmas Story,” about 9-year old Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) and his “Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle.” “A Christmas Story” plays at 12:45 and 6 p.m. Flashback Cinema movies are just $5.

Civic engagement

The Gig Harbor City Council hosts a business listening session from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the Civic Center, 3510 Grandview Street, to hear concerns from local business owners about parking, city services and other issues.
City of Gig Harbor Public Works staff will answer questions about planned rate increases for water, sewer and stormwater services during an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Civic Center. Consultants and city staff recommend adjustmeents. See the city’s Utility Rate Adjustments webpage for more information.

Looking ahead

The Greater Gig Harbor Foundation needs volunteers and donations for this year’s Thanksgiving Basket Brigade. Since 1994, the Basket Brigade has provided all the fixings for Thanksgiving meals for local families in need. This year, about 750 baskets will be put together and delivered and volunteers are needed to help procure food donations, assemble baskets and deliver baskets. Click here for information.

Volunteers sort Thanksgiving food while preparing meals for the Basket Brigade on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. Vince Dice