A note about the cover image: Need to see a friendly face this February? Visit Mindy Barker’s temporary mural at 725 Broadway (just south of McMenamins!) This mural, where you can stare into the eyes of an otter, bear, and owl is funded by Downtown Tacoma Partnership and Spaceworks,
The year isn’t quite so brand new anymore. And to some of us that’s a relief. But the problem is, it’s February. February when the gray skies hang low, when the rain chills, when the winter wears out its welcome. Or, you could look at it this way: February when have local film festivals. February when we celebrate lunar new year, when we focus on Black History, when we go outside despite the rain, to build character, to breath the air, to embrace our Pacific Northwest weather beneath layers of waterproofing and wool. February when we are one month closer to spring.
And there’s Valentine’s Day, but that makes a lot of people grumpy, so I won’t try to insert that as a way to console you about this month (but please note: my Valentine either comes late, or not at all, and I’m still doing okay as a human). Besides, that’s weeks away still. Too soon to gripe. Instead, let’s take a look at some of what the Tacoma community offers this February.
1. Black History Month Tuesday Film Series
Tuesdays in February
2/4, 2/11, & 2/18
Matinee & Early Evening
The Grand Cinema
606 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma
Images from The Grand Cinema
Matinee $8, General Admission $11 (members save $2.50)
For the month of February, the Grand Cinema’s Tuesday Film Series will feature films directed by Black filmmakers and films starring Black casts
Specific showtimes scheduled and published by 5pm Monday of the week prior
The Weird Elephant film series (weekly 11 pm showings) and Classic Film Series (3rd Wednesdays) will also showcase films by Black filmmakers this month
Image from Molly’s Tamales
2. Molly’s Tamales - Vegetarian Chili & Cheese Tamale Class
Wednesday, February 5th
6 - 8:30 pm
STINK
628 St Helens Ave, Tacoma
$75 - purchase tickets here
Order drinks from the bar at Stink, then start with a delicious taste of tamales made by Molly to give you a preview of what you’re about to create
Make tamales start to finish from scratch with your chosen fillings while hearing stories of how Molly learned this recipe and her cooking philosophy on a family trip to a ranch in Mexico over 25 years ago
Go home with a batch of tamales to enjoy now or later (they refrigerate and freeze really well)
Bring a friend, bring a date, bring an apron and your favorite knife
Get ready for a hands-on experience
Image from Gather Juice Co.
3. Practical Beginnings Health Education & Juice Sampling
Thursday, February 6th
5:15 - 6:15 pm
Gather Juice Co.
2612 6th Ave, Tacoma
$10 - purchase your ticket here
Gather Juice is teaming up with Breathing Willow RN for this juice sampling and health education event
Discuss and learn how to not only make healthy changes, but keep them up!
Practical and personalized steps to a healthy lifestyle
Only 20 spots available!
Image from Tacoma Is For Lovers
4. Tacoma is for Lover’s Valentine’s Craft Fair!
Saturday - Sunday
February 8th - 9th
11 am - 4 pm
King’s Books
Free entry
This annual event featuring over 20 local arts and handmade vendors is an opportunity to shop small and shop local
Nobody’s saying you need a Valentine to attend, either. Just go for the fun of it!
Image from Lincoln District Tacoma
5. Lincoln District’s Annual Lunar New Year Celebration - 2020 Year of the Rat
Sunday, February 9th
10 am - 4 pm
Lincoln District Tacoma
Free
Firecrackers, food vendors, activities, Lion Dancers, and more
Support Lincoln District shops, markets, and restaurants while you’re there!
Image from The Grand Cinema
6. Film Awards Party 2020
Sunday, February 9th
4 - 8:30 pm
The Grand Cinema
606 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma
$35 general/$30 member OR $65 premium/$60 member - buy tickets here
Walk the red carpet and watch a live cast of the Academy Awards on the big screens at The Grand!
Photo booth, costume contest, auction packages, local treats AND a chance to win the Golden Ticket: free admission to The Grand for a year!!!
Premium tickets include seats in the Premium theater, $20 food and beverage voucher, coat check, and parking
Image from Girl Loves Cake Desserts
7. Valentine’s Day Macaron Popup
Thursday, February 13th
4 - 6 pm
Paper Luxe
2053 Mildred St W, Fircrest
Free entry
Macarons $2.25 each, 6 for $13, 12 for $24 - tax included
Stop by beautiful Paper Luxe for scratch-made, colorful, whimsical, gluten-free, delicious, gift-worthy macarons by local Girl Loves Cake Desserts (you will not be sorry)
Pre-orders are encouraged to ensure you get just exactly the flavors you wanted to give (or, let’s face it, eat) most
While you’re here, browse the wide array of stationary, gifts, pens, and local goods
Whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day or not, you can always celebrate cookies!
Image from The People’s Parlor
8. The People’s Parlor Tasting Series: Black Door Wine
Thursday, February 13th
4 - 7 pm
Black Door Wine
1215 Earnest S Brazill St, Tacoma
$25 - find your ticket here
Ages 21+
This hosted event includes 5 pours of wine, appetizers, and the chance to meet new people and support a local wine shop
If you haven’t heard of The People’s Parlor, you should get introduced - this is part of their tasting series bringing together Tacoma people, small business, and love of (or curiousity about) wine
Go ahead, celebrate Galentine’s Day!
Friday, February 14th is Valentine’s Day
I’m going to repeat my annual statement about Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day is here. So what? I hear you. “So what?” is a sound response. Do whatever you do on Fridays. (Or skip ahead to the Black History Month celebrations below.) If you do want to acknowledge the day, maybe a little, just a bit, how about this?:
Make a Valentine for yourself or a loved one (this has nothing to do with Hallmark or commercialism if you make it yourself - and creative time is healthy!).
Say “I love you” to yourself or a loved one.
Eat a sweet - maybe you bought a macaron at Paper Luxe, or you could visit the historic Johnson Candy Co. on Martin Luther King Jr Way, or you could stop in at Tease Chocolates in Stadium, or visit an Anthem Coffee location for some baked goods from The Vintage Baker (our cousin!), or you could bake cookies, or maybe pickles are your thing, so open up that jar and enjoy.
Then move on. It’s not such a big deal, right?
9. Tacoma Night Market @ Alma Mater & @ Museum of Glass
Saturday, February 15th
Alma Mater
1322 S Fawcett Ave, Tacoma
5 - 10 pm
Images from Tacoma Night Market
Saturday, February 22nd
Museum of Glass
1801 Dock St, Tacoma
5 - 10 pm
Free
Community, live art, hands-on activities, local vendors, artists and craftspeople, food and drinks, and music!
Eat and drink! Find food and beverages from the special food trucks and vendors as well as from Honey and Matriarch on site at Alma Mater
If you love the Tacoma Night Market, make sure you’re following the Gig Harbor Night Market too, hosted by 7 Seas Brewing across the bridge - This month it takes place on February 1st, so keep an eye out for March
Image from Penguin Random House
10. Scholarly Selections: "You are a man of science now, Wash."
Thursday, February 20th
6:30 - 8 pm
Washington State History Museum
1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
Free
Scholarly Selections is a partnership between the UWT’s School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences and the Washington State History museum
Senior Lecturer in History, Libi Sundermann, PhD, will lead a talk reflecting on the contributions enslaved peoples made to knowledge and advancements in the 18th and 19th centuries
The talk draws from the experience and story of the protagonist in Esi Edugyan’s novel Washington Black
While you’re at the museum, be sure to visit the Men of Change: Power. Triumph, Truth. exhibit, on display through March 15th!
Image from People’s Community Center
11. Black History Celebration: Healing the Community
Friday, February 21st
6 - 8 pm
People’s Community Center
1602 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Tacoma
Celebrate African-American culture and achievements
Event includes speakers, dancing, art, crafts, dinner, and more!
Call (253) 404 - 3915 for more information about this event and other People’s Community Center offerings in the Hilltop Neighborhood of Tacoma
Image from Tsuru for Solidarity
12. Day of Remembrance, Day of Action
Sunday, February 23rd
12:30 - 2:30 pm
Northwest Detention Center
1623 E J St, Tacoma
Free
Join Tsuru for Solidarity, La Resistencia, Densho, and Seattle JACL to commemorate the Executive Order that incarcerated 126,000 citizens and immigrants of Japanese descent during WWII
This is a day of commemoration, and also a day of protest as thousands of immigrants and refugees are confined in detention centers today
Here in Tacoma we have one of the largest detention centers in the country
Tsuru for Solidarity, La Resistencia, Densho, and Seattle JACL want to communicate the message, “Stop Repeating History!” with voices, with taiko drums, and with thousands of origami cranes symbolizing peace, compassion, hope, and healing
Image from Allison Bishins Consulting
13. Slow Down to Catch Up: A Workshop on Cultivating Stillness + Purpose
Sunday, February 23rd
6 - 8 pm
Yoga Wild
1102 A St, Suite 103, Tacoma
$25 - register here
18+ or 14+ with an adult
A workshop for business owners, entrepreneurs, moms, and all self-identifying women
Casey from Yoga Wild offers - guided meditation and gentle yoga
Allison from Allison Bishins Consulting offers - a priority setting exercise and a discussion on aligning our efforts and priorities
Drinks and light snacks included
Image from Destiny City Film Festival
14. 7th Annual Destiny City Film Festival
Friday, February 28th - Sunday, March 1st
Full weekend festival!
Blue Mouse Theatre
2611 N Proctor St, Tacoma
Prices vary from VIP weekend passes, to individual film tickets, to free! See more about tickets here
Opening Night Reception and screening of SELL BY at 6 pm on Friday
FREE Family Shorts at 11 am on Saturday
Women in Film panel at 2:15 pm on Saturday!
Closing Night Party, Sunday, 6 pm at Peaks & Pints
See the full schedule of films and events here
Image from Fix-it Fairs - Tacoma
15. February Fix-it Fair - Bay Terrace
Saturday, February 29th
1 - 4 pm
Bay Terrace
2550 S G St, Tacoma
Free
Volunteers are ready to do their best to fix your item - Fix-it Fairs loves to know what you’re bringing ahead of time so volunteers can be prepared with the proper tools and supplies
Fix-it Fairs Tacoma are monthly events that change location each month to keep the fair accessible
What kind of items can be fixed? Jewelry, crockery, small appliances, clothing, toys, furniture - bring them in!
Items that we can not offer to fix: gas powered, cellphones, glass or anything leaking fluid - sorry!
Image from Tacoma Public Library
16. 90-Second Newberry Film Festival
Saturday, February 29th
12 - 3 pm
Rialto Theater
310 S 9th St, Tacoma
Free admission, but do reserve ahead - reserve your spot here
Annual film contest for kid filmmakers - come out to support Tacoma’s young film artists!
These films tell the story of Newberry Award-winning books in 90 seconds
See movies by Tacoma kids and movies by some of the best in the US with live introductions, a red carpet experience, and fancy dress (if you want)
Hosted by Tacoma Public Library
Learn more about the contest, the festival, and how you can enter next year here!
WE’LL BE BACK IN MARCH WITH MORE TACOMA EVENTS AND COMMUNITY GATHERINGS. KEEP IN TOUCH ABOUT LIFE IN TACOMA:
