Arts & Entertainment Community

Harbor Happenings | Summer starts this week. Here are some ways to celebrate

Posted on June 18th, 2024 By: Charlee Glock-Jackson

Summer officially arrives this week with an abundance of options for celebration.

Ring in (or sing in) the new season at the fourth annual Make Music Day on Friday, June 21, at Uptown Gig Harbor. Hosted by Gig Harbor-based United by Music North America, Make Music Day is billed locally as a “Fest4All” – an all-inclusive, everyone-welcome, family-friendly event with join-in parades and music-making activities and professional musicians performing on five stages set up around the mall.

The music starts at noon with a “pizza box drums” parade led by the Harbor Ukulele Group, and continues until 9 p.m.

Nearly two dozen local bands will play, including Billy Stoops and the Dirt Angels, My Guilty Pleasure, Sweet Mary Farr, Sun Rust, the United by Music band and Two Macs and Friends.

Spectators joined in the parade between stages, some using pizza boxes as drums, at Tuesday's Make Music Day at Uptown Gig Harbor.

Spectators joined in the parade between stages, some using pizza boxes as drums, at the 2022 Make Music Day at Uptown Gig Harbor. Vince Dice

Throughout the day the bands will be joined by a special guest – internationally known singer-songwriter Dan Navarro, moving from stage to stage in a kind of “Where’s Waldo?” way.

All events are free. Click here to see a full schedule.

Pride in the Park

The second annual Pride in the Park is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 22, at Skansie Brothers Park.

The circus-themed event — organizers Pride Gig Harbor are calling it “Cirque Du So-Gay” — features vendor booths, drag performances, music and more. Entertainment will be provided by Ovary Act, Ajenda, Satonya D. Nix, Ethereal Arts Northwest and more.

Co-sponsored by the city of Gig Harbor, Pride in the Park is billed as a “safe space” for the entire community filled with joy, magic and love.

Earlier on Saturday, Gig Harbor Pride stages its third annual parade, called Narrow the Divide. Participants will meet at 8 a.m. on the Gig Harbor side of the Narrows Bridge. The marchers will proceed across the bridge and back, starting at 8:30. Meet at 2601 Jahn Ave. NW No. A6 in Gig Harbor.

Juneteenth

Curious to learn more about the origins of our newest federal holiday? The Gig Harbor Senior Center hosts a discussion of the history of Juneteenth at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, at 6509 38th Ave.

June 19, 1865, was the day that enslaved people in Texas learned the Civic War had ended. The federal government made Juneteenth an official government holiday in 2021.

The original Juneteenth observances included prayer meetings and songs. Within a few years, African Americans in other states also began celebrating Juneteenth. These days, Juneteenth is often marked with prayer and religious services, speeches, educational events, family gatherings and most often – at picnics and festivals with music, food and dancing.

Ongoing

Tales at the BoatShop: The Tales at the BoatShop theme for Thursday, June 20, is Boats Float! The event includes a story or two, songs and an exploration of what will – or won’t – float. “Tales” is geared to kids age 2-5, but older kids (and their adults) are also welcome. It’s all free, starting at 10 a.m. The BoatShop is located at 3805 Harborview Drive.

At the library: Kids age 9-12 can create a faux stained glass bookmark from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 23, at the Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Dr. The class is free and all materials will be provided.

Waterfront walks: Every Saturday through August, starting at 10 a.m., Harbor WildWatch guides lead an informational walk along Harborview Drive. Dubbed “Wonders of the Waterfront,” the walks start at Donkey Creek Park and end at the Maritime Pier. They’re sponsored by the Gig Harbor Waterfront Alliance in partnership with Visit Gig Harbor. Free and family friendly.

Beach monitoring

Take advantage of the summer’s first low tides and join volunteers from Harbor WildWatch to learn more about our marine environment. This week’s beach monitoring activities take place:

June 20, 10:15 a.m. at Penrose Point State Park (meet in the parking area near the restrooms RSVP & Details.
June 21, 9:30 a.m. at Maple Hollow. Meet in the parking area. RSVP & Details.
June 22, 9:30 a.m. at Tacoma Narrows Beach Park meet in the parking area. RSVP & details.
June 23, 10:30 a.m. at Purdy Sand Spit. Park along the highway and meet mid-spity. RSVP & details.
June 24, 10:30 a.m. Sunrise Beach Park meet in the parking area.

Live music

Michele D’Amour and the Love Dealers celebrate the solstice with blues classics and funky originals at 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 21, in the vineyards at the Olalla Winery. Tickets cost $15. Reserve tickets here.

The Gigsters play at Kimball Coffeehouse Friday night. Doors open at 6:30; music starts at 7:30. Free, all ages welcome.

Clifford O, Tim Jones and Stephanie Anderson provide the music at this week’s Waterfront Farmers Market, from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 20, at Skansie Park.

At the movies

This week’s first SumFest movie at the Galaxy Theatres in Uptown is “Despicable Me3” playing at 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, June 18-20. The SumFest movie starting Friday, June 21, is “The Secret Life of Pets.’’ Showtimes: June 21 –10:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.; June 22 and 23 – 10 am. and 12:30 p.m.; June 24, 25, 26 and 27 – 10:30 a.m. and 4:30p.m. SumFest movies are just $2.

Wednesday’s Flashback Cinema movie at the Galaxy is “Raiders of the Lost Arc” showing at noon and 6 p.m. Sunday’s Flashback movie is “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Flashback movies are just $5.

Civic engagement

The Gig Harbor Planning Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20, at the Civic Center to continue a mandatory update of the city’s Comprehensive Plan. Thursday’s discussion includes review of the land use element. This meeting can also be accessed through Zoom.