Arts & Entertainment Community
Harbor Happenings | Remembering 9/11, History Rocks, Sip and Stroll and more
Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One’s annual Day of Remembrance gathering takes place at 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at the district’s headquarters, 10222 Bujacich Road.
Arts & Entertainment Sponsor
Arts & Entertainment stories are made possible in part by the Gig Harbor Film Festival, a proud sponsor of Gig Harbor Now.
The event, dubbed May We Never Forget, honors the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, the courage of the first responders and the resilience of our nation. All are welcome at the free event that includes moments of silence, speeches and live music.
A relic from the World Trade Center is the centerpiece of the 9/11 memorial garden at GHFMO headquarters. Charlee Glock-Jackson / Gig Harbor Now
History rocks fundraiser
The Vintage Aero Museum will be transformed into a Roaring Twenties scene on Saturday, Sept. 13, for Harbor History Museum’s History Rocks fundraiser.
It’s billed as a celebration of the Jazz Age in Gig Harbor’s “boom town” days, with live and silent auctions, catered food, prizes for best costumes and a dessert dash. Festivities start at 6 p.m. The Aero Museum is located at 1108 26th Ave. NW. Tickets are $125 per person here.
End of Summer Blast
Gig Harbor Now’s End of Summer Blast fundraiser is from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at Sehmel Homstead Park. As of Tuesday, Sept. 9, 8 tickets remain available.
The event features live music by The Profits, dancing, games, food and a raffle. Tickets cost $90. Click here for more information and tickets.
Sip and Stroll
Sample sips of locally crafted beer, wine, cider and spirits at more than 25 stops along the downtown waterfront from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, as part of the Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance’s Sip and Stroll event. A free shuttle will whisk participants from one spot to another. Admission also includes live music and small-bite snacks. Tickets are $65. Purchase them here.
Pouring wine at Ebb Tide Gallery on Pioneer Way in Gig Harbor during the 2020 Winter Sip & Stroll. Downtown Gig Harbor Waterfront Alliance
Guided walk
Learn about Gig Harbor’s maritime history, myths and lore on a half-mile walk along the downtown waterfront at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11. The walk includes stops at historic locations like Skansie Netshed and glimpses of today’s working waterfront at Harbor WildWatch, Gig Harbor Marina and Boatyard and the Maritime Pier. The Downtown Waterfront Alliance coordinates these walks. Tickets are $30 for adults, $10 for children under 12, and include two local craft beverages. Make reservations here.
Plant swap
The last plant swap of 2025 takes place from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, in Uptown. Bring plants, bulbs, seeds or gardening tools to trade with fellow gardeners.
Poetry gathering
Invitation Bookshop, 3119 Judson St., hosts local poet Josie Emmons Turner reading from her new collection “More Blue,” followed by an open mic. Free and family friendly.
Wine tasting
Two Loons Winery will be sampling their 2023 Alvarinho, 2020 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 Syrah, 2019 Loon Labs Cabernet Franc and 2017 Loon Labs Petit Verdot from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14. The winery is located at 9422 22nd Ave. NW. Two Loons staff will also be pouring samples at Directions Apparel during the Sept. 13 Sip and Stroll.
Live music
Kimball Coffeehouse welcomes the Billy Shew Band at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12. The coffeehouse also hosts an open mic from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays with signups starting at 5:30 p.m.
Melanie Vail and Friends, with Eugene Bien on piano; Anand Landon on guitar; Brady McCowan on sax and drums and Melanie Vail on vocals, play smooth jazz, pop, country and blues Friday, Sept. 12 at Olalla Winery. Tickets are $20. Make reservations here.
The Beer Vault, 14004 Purdy Drive, hosts an Aloha to Summer Party at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. Wear your favorite Hawaiian shirt or other summer threads. Free shuttle from the Purdy Park-and-ride.
Locust Cider, 3207 57th Street Court (next to the Inn at Gig Harbor), hosts an open mic night from 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays.
At the movies
“Storks,” the last Summer Fest movie of the year, shows at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9; 10:15 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10; and 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11. Summer Fest movies at the Galaxy Uptown Theatre are just $2.
Sunday’s Flashback movie at the Galaxy is “Inception,” with Leonardo DiCaprio as a thief whose brand of corporate espionage involves infiltrating people’s dreams to learn their secrets. Showtimes are 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14. Flashback movies are just $5.
Civic engagement
Attorneys from Tacoma Probono will offer free guidance on issues such as eviction, family law, tenant-landlord concerns and more from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, and at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 15, at the Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St.
Engage Gig Harbor will host a Meet and Mingle with candidates for mayor and city council at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, at Evergreen State Brewing Company, 3115 Harborview Drive.
The city of Gig Harbor Lodging Tax Advisory Committee meets at noon Thursday, Sept. 11, to review applications for funding.
The Gig Harbor City Council meets for a study session at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, to discuss a property management plan for Phase 4 of txʷaalqəł Conservation Area, updates to the city’s development code, and the Parks Commission’s recommendations for the Masonic Lodge at Crescent Creek Park.
The city Arts Commission meets at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16. City meetings are held at the Civic Center and are open to the public. They’re also accessible via Zoom.