We all love free stuff, right? Maybe it’s the economy, maybe we’re just thrifty Northwesterners, but when I spent January blogging about visiting one free arts show every day, the feedback was overwhelming. People loved being told where to find cool free things to do and see – and the beauty of it is that there are so many options in South Sound.
So we’ve decided to run a regular column in our weekly Go entertainment guide. Every week, I’ll point out a free place or event that looks special, and all the others will be listed as well in case you want more choices. The best part is free things are for everyone: arts events and venues, yes, but also guided beach walks, family festivals, lectures, workshops and more.
One cool thing this week is the Jazz Live at Marine View series. Held every month at Marine View Presbyterian Church in northeast Tacoma, the series culls jazz performers from all over the West Coast. This month features Seattle flautist/saxophonist/vocalist Bernie Jacobs with his quartet. The specifics: 5 p.m. Sunday at Marine View Presbyterian Church, 8469 Eastside Drive N.E., Tacoma. Call 253-229-9206 or go to www.marineviewpc.org.
Another monthly event, Tacoma’s third Thursday Artwalk, is next Thursday. It’s a chance to visit all of the museums for free between 5-8 p.m. June 16. See Dale Chihuly art at Tacoma Art Museum (1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-272-4258, www.tacoma artmuseum.org), the breathtaking landscape “Glimmering Gone” at the Museum of Glass (1801 Dock St., Tacoma; 866-468-7386, www.museumofglass.org) and the mummy exhibit and free documentary “Two Spirits” at Washington State History Museum (1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 888-238-4373, www.washingtonhistory.org).
Need help kickstarting your organic garden? A series of Saturday gardening workshops from the city of Tacoma can help. The first is on composting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Others cover rain gardens and worm bins. All are at the Envirohouse, another free place to check out good ideas for green living, plus recycled-material art at 3510 S. Mullen St., Tacoma (in front of the landfill). Call 253-591-5543 or go to www.cityoftacoma.org.
Arts
Tacoma ArtWalk Museums and art galleries open late, 5-8 p.m. June 16, downtown Tacoma.
Books & Poetry
Distinguished Writer Series with Sharon Cumberland 7 p.m. June 10, King’s Books, 218 St Helens Ave., Tacoma. 253-272-8801.
Author Uyen Nicole Duong “Daughters of the River Huong,” 7 p.m. June 10, Olympia Timberland Library, 313 Eighth Ave. S.E., Olympia.
Author/Poet Rachel Dilworth 3 p.m. June 11, University Place Pierce County Library, 3609 Market Place W., University Place. www.piercecountylibrary.org. Author Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan “A Tiger in the Kitchen,” 6 p.m. June 13, Orca Books, 509 4th Ave E, Olympia. 360-352-0123. author Bill Kelly and Boys and Girls Clubs’ Jennie Hanson Book launch for “Kindness Is In Me,” 7 p.m. June 16, King’s Books, 218 St Helens Ave., Tacoma. 253-272-8801.
Author John Colver “Fit By Nature” booksigning, 4-6 p.m. June 16, Metropolitan Market, 2420 N. Proctor St., Tacoma. 253-761-3663.
Author Dr. Sam Milham “Dirty Electricity: Electrification and the Diseases of Civilization,” 6 p.m. June 16, Orca Books, 509 4th Ave. E., Olympia. 360-352-0123, www.orcabooks.com.
Author Deena Fritz Book signing for “Love Your Enemy?” 1-3 p.m. June 18, Endicott Coffee Bar, 13507 Meridian E., Puyallup. www.deenafritz.com.
Dance
Free Line Dance Lessons with Maryann 8 p.m. Mondays June 13-27, Little Red Hen, 7115 Woodlawn Ave. N.E., Seattle. 206-522-1168, www.littleredhen.com/pages/cal.htm.
Fairs & Festivals
2011 Jingle Bells Extravaganza Llama (and a few alpacas) Show 3-8 p.m. June 10, 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. June 11-12, Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Road S.E., Lacey. Attendance is free, classes require a fee. 509-332-3884, www.palouse.net/llamas.
Salty Dock Days 10 a.m. June 11, Foss Harbor Marina, 821 Dock St., Tacoma. 253-272-4404, www.fossharbormarina.com.
Kent International Festival 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 18, Town Square Plaza, Seconnd and Smith streets, Kent. Free. 253-856-4968, www.kentinternationalfestival.com.
Puyallup Meeker Days Festival noon-9 p.m. June 17-19, Downtown Puyallup and Pioneer Park, 107 N. Meridian, Puyallup. www.puyallup mainstreet.com/meekerdays.html.
Prairie Days and Parade 10 a.m. June 23-25, Yelm A Venue, Yelm ave, Yelm.
Film
Community Cinema Tacoma – Two Spirits 6 p.m. June 16, Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma. 888-238-4373.
Hiking & Walking
Capitol Volkssport Club June 16: Eatonville Walk. Meet at 9 am at Martin Way Park ’n Ride to carpool or 10 am at Arrow Lumber & Hardware, 388 Center St. E., Eatonville. June 23: Winlock Walk, meet at 9 a.m. at Fred Meyer, 555 Trosper Road S.W., Tumwater. Free. www.capitolvolkssportclub.org.
Home & Garden
Master Gardener Clinic 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturdays June 11-July 30, Windmill Gardens, 5816 162nd Ave. E, Sumner. 253-863-5843, www.windmillgarden.com.
Master Gardener Clinic 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturdays June 11-Aug. 27, Lowe’s of Federal Way, 35425 Enchanted Pkwy. S., Federal Way. http://county.wsu.edu/pierce.
Master Gardener Summer Garden Talk “All about Apples” 10 a.m. June 11, Master Gardener Demonstration Garden, 2607 W. Pioneer, Puyallup. http://county.wsu.edu/pierce.
Master Gardener Summer Garden Talk “Incredible Edible Landscapes” 10 a.m. June 18, Master Gardener Demonstration Garden, 2607 W. Pioneer, Puyallup. http://county.wsu.edu/pierce.
Kids
Peter Rabbit’s Garden sponsored by Pierce County Master Gardeners, children will hear the story of Peter Rabbit, plant a traditional vegetable garden and more, 1 p.m. June 18, Pierce County Master Gardeners’ Jack and the Beanstalk Garden, 2607 Pioneer, Puyallup. 253-798-7170, http://county.wsu.edu/pierce.
Captain Jack Presents “Bugs of the World” Aee his miniature marvels from around the globe, get startlingly close to giant centipedes, tarantulas, mantises and more, 11 a.m. June 18, Swasey Public Library, 7001 Sixth Ave., Tacoma. www.tacomapubliclibrary.org.
Music
From the Cross Roads to the Church : The Music of Robert Leroy Johnson 5 p.m. June 12, Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 901 N. J St., Tacoma. www.ipctacoma.org.
Community Drum Circle 7 p.m. June 12, Bethany Presbyterian Church, 4420 N. 41st St., Tacoma. www.bethanytacoma.org.
TCC Jazz Band and Choirs 7:30 p.m. June 10, Tacoma Community College Bldg. No. 3., 6501 S. 19th St., Tacoma. 253-460-4374, www.tacomacc.edu/music.
Jazz Live at Marine View featuring The Bernie Jacobs Quartet 5-6:45 p.m. June 12, Marine View Presbyterian Church, 8469 Eastside Drive N.E., Tacoma. 253-229-9206, www.marineviewpc.org. Listen Live at Lunch Concert Series Various musicians, noon- 1 p.m. Thursdays June 16-Aug. 18, First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 524 S. I St., Tacoma.
Workshops & Classes
Scams, Fraud & ID Theft No one is immune from being a victim, 7 p.m. June 13, Pierce County Annex, 2401 S. 35th St., Tacoma; 7 p.m. June 13, Soundview Building Conference Room, 3611 S. D St., Tacoma; 12:10-12:50 p.m. June 14, County City Building seventh floor Raininer Conference Room, 930 Tacoma Avenue, Tacoma; 6:30-7:30 p.m. June 14, Harbor Place at Cottesmore, 1016 29th Street, N.W., Gig Harbor. 253-798-4600, www.pierceadrc.org.
Living With Dementia: Now What? 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. June 18, Cascade Park Active Day, 232 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma. 253-798-4600, www.pierceadrc.org.
Nature
Free Weekend Walk Based on the whims and interests of knowledgeable and engaging garden guides, 1-2:30 p.m. June 19, Washington Park Arboretum, 2300 Arboretum Drive E., Seattle. Contact the Washington Park Arboretum for more details. 206-543-8800.
Ongoing
Browns Point Lighthouse Cottage Museum Restored 1903 classic keepers’ cottage, furnished with antiques; history museum with displays, boathouse maritime exhibit with Coast Guard surf boat, antique tools, original fog bell; gardens and lawns for picnics and beachcombing. Hours: 1-4 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 27, Browns Point Lighthouse Park, 201 Tulalip St. N.E., Tacoma. 253-927-2536, www.pointsnortheast.org.
FOOTHILLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM Seven buildings with displays of logging, mining, forestry, sandstone and farming, Foothills Historical Society Museum, 175 Cottage St., Buckley. Hours: 1-4 p.m. Sundays, noon-4 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays. 360-829-1291.
HISTORIC FORT STEILACOOM Visit the remaining four buildings from the first American military presence on Puget Sound, 9601 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W., Lakewood. Hours: 1-4 p.m. first Sundays. 253-756-3928. Steilacoom Historical Museum Visit the museum including the 1857 Nathaniel Orr Pioneer Home Site with original furnis hings, wagon shop with original tools, historic orchard and museum. Hours: noon- 4 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Oct. 30, Steilacoom Historical Museum, 1801 Rainier St., Steilacoom. 253-584-4133, www.steilacoom.org/museum.
Rosemary Ponnekanti: 253-597-8568, rosemary.ponnekanti@thenewstribune.com
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