Critic’s Picks

ART ON THE AVE FESTIVAL

The annual festival on Tacoma’s Sixth Avenue unites local businesses, restaurants, residents and artists in a celebration that’s sometimes quirky, sometimes elevated and always different. There’s something for everyone, whether beer gardens, skate ramps or hula hooping. Come with an empty stomach. All day, Sunday. Free. Sixth Avenue from Cedar to Trafton streets, Tacoma. artontheave.net.

CINEMA GIG RETURNS

Outdoor movies are back in Gig Harbor this month with Cinema Gig. Look for retro date night movies on Fridays at Donkey Creek Park, with family movies on Saturdays at Skansie Brothers Park. The lineup: Friday “Spaceballs,” Saturday “E.T.,” July 24 “Back to the Future,” July 25 “Frozen,” Aug. 7 “Blackfish,” Aug. 8 “Happy Feet.” Movies starts at dusk, and are canceled during rain or high wind. Free. Bring chairs or blankets. Donkey Creek Park, 8714 N. Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor. Skansie Brothers Park, 3207 N. Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor. gigharborguide.com.

SECOND CITY AT LAKEWOLD GARDENS

Second City Chamber Music returns for its annual summer concerts at Lakewold Gardens, where you can sit in the historic Wagner House or on the terrace and eat a picnic as you listen to sweet music. This month, it’s Jeannie Yablonsky playing violin and Lisa Michele Lewis on piano performing sonatas by Suk, Schumann and Mozart. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. $25 general, $23 senior and military, and free for 18 and younger. Lakewold Gardens, 12317 Gravelly Lake Drive SW, Lakewood. 253-572-8863, scchamberseries.org.

SEATTLE OUTDOOR THEATER FESTIVAL

Sometimes it’s worth battling Interstate 5 traffic for Seattle’s arts scene, and this weekend is one of those times. The 15th annual Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival runs with 14 performances by eight companies over two days in Volunteer Park. It’s mostly Shakespeare (“As You Like It,” “Hamlet,” “The Tempest” to name a few), but there also is contemporary comedy and drama. Noon-9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Free. Volunteer Park, 1247 15th Ave. E., Seattle. For complete schedule, see greenstage.org/sotf.

This story was originally published July 8, 2015 at 6:33 PM with the headline "Critic’s Picks."