Arts & Entertainment Community

Harbor Happenings | One last day for Shakespeare at Sehmel

Posted on August 19th, 2025 By: Charlee Glock-Jackson

Saturday, Aug. 23, is last day to see Ghostlight Performing Arts’ production of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged, Revised, Again.”

The curtain rises at 6:30 p.m.on the free performance that features snippets from all 37 of The Bard’s plays, strung together in approximately 97 minutes.

Ghostlight Performing Arts presents “The Complete Works of Shakespeare, Abridged, Revised, Again” on Saturday, Aug. 23, at Sehmel Homestead Park.

The play was first performed at Scotland’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1987, according to Ghostlight’s website. It was an instant hit and subsequently became London’s longest-running production.

The original version was followed in 2010 by the “Revised” version that was later “Revised Again” to reflect changes that “encourage greater diversity and inclusivity.” It’s full of action, laughs and good fun even for non-lovers of Shakespearean theater.

Nature walks

Guides from the KGI Watershed Council and naturalist Chris Rurik will lead a walk along Little Minter Creek at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, to explore the beaver-created wetland. Meet at at the picnic pavilion at Gateway Park, 10405 Highway 302.

Dress for walking and weather and bring your water bottle. Following the walk, there will also be a visit to a perched culvert that might be blocking salmon from entering the park.

Harbor WildWatch guides will lead three low-tide walks this week:

Wednesday, Aug. 20, at Tacoma Narrows Park, 1502 Lucile Parkway NW, Gig Harbor. Meet at 9 a.m. at the top of the path to the beach. Note that the path and beach are uneven and sloping.
Thursday, Aug. 21, at DeMolay Sandspit, 53 Bella Bella Drive, Fox Island. Meet at 10 a.m. on the lawn, just inside the lower gate. Note that there is a steep path down to the beach, plus some uneven concrete slabs.
Friday, Aug. 22, at Penrose Point State Park, 321 158th Ave. SW, Lakebay. Meet at 11 a.m. in the main parking area, near the restroom. Discover Pass is required.

Learn how the natural history of our coastline has changed over time and the remarkable creatures that live in the Salish Sea during a “Wonders of the Waterfront” walk from Donkey Creek Park to the Old Ferry Landing starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23.

Stories at the museum

Author Brad Holden will talk about “Rumrunning in Puget Sound” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21. Holden specializes in telling stories about our region’s steamy past, including the Prohibition era. Presented by Humanities Washington.

Tickets cost $5 for museum members or $10 for non-members. Email [email protected] for reservations.

Student art contest

Pierce Transit is sponsoring an “Art for Every Ride” contest for K-12 students in Pierce County.

Drawings, paintings, digital art and other visual media, as well as written works are eligible. The winning entry will be featured on a Pierce Transit bus and at Tacoma Art Museum. In addition, art by one winner from each age group will be displayed at a bus shelter, and all winning entries will be included on a poster exhibited in Pierce County libraries in October. The deadline to enter is Aug. 31. Get details here.

Communities in Schools fundraiser

Communities in Schools-Peninsula celebrates 25 years of supporting local students at a fundraiser from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22 , at the Gig Harbor Marina and Boatyard, 3117 Harborview Drive. CISP makes sure students have what they need to realize their potential to stay and school and graduate. RSVP for the event at 253-509-9305 or email [email protected].

At the library

CHEW Dog Rescue and the Peninsula Emergency Preparedness Coalition host a workshop on Emergency and Evacuation Preparedness for People and Pets at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, at the Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Drive.

The Kids Art Club meets from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, for hands-on art projects like sculpture, painting, fashion design and other creative activities. Geared to ages 5-12.

Teens are invited to get together from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, for board games, snacks and other activities. Geared to ages 13-18.

Book signing

Best-selling author Gregg Olsen will sign copies of his newest true-crime novel, “Out of the Woods,” at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23,at Olalla Bay Market, 13965 Crescent Valley Drive in Olalla.

Live music

90s Rewind plays hits from the 1990s at the penultimate Summer Sounds at Skansie concert at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, in Skansie Park. Next Tuesday, Aug. 26, this year’s Summer Sounds at Skansie series wraps up with Journey cover band The Infinity Project.

Anderson-Raye (1 p.m.) and Sweet Mary (3:30 p.m.) provide the music at this week’s Waterfront Farmers Market on Thursday, Aug. 21.

Stone Pony shares their tribute to Linda Ronstadt, at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, in the loft at the Olalla Winery. Reserve tickets here.

Also on Friday, Cheaper Than Therapy takes the stage at Kimball Coffeehouse at 6 p.m. Kimball also hosts an open mic every Thursday at 6 p.m. Signups begin at 5:30 p.m.

Cheaper than Therapy

Dan and Sheri play at The Beer Vault, 14004 Purdy Drive, from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23.

Locust Cider hosts an open mic every Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. Signups start at 5 p.m. The cidery is located at 3207 57^th St. Ct. next to The Inn at Gig Harbor.

At the movies

PenMet’s Summer Movies in the Park series ends with “Wicked” at 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at Sehmel Homestead Park.

The Gig Harbor Film Festival’s monthly movie for August is “Sorry, Baby,” playing at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, at the Galaxy Theatres in Uptown. When a dear friend on the brink of a major milestone visits Agnes, Agnes begins to realize how stuck she has become as life goes on for everyone else. Written, directed and starring Eva Victor, critics are calling “Sorry, Baby” one of the best films of the 2020s.

The Flashback Cinema movie at the Galaxy on Wednesday, Aug. 20, is “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.” The Flashback movie on Sunday, Aug. 24 is “Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” the finale of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Showtime is Sunday, Aug. 24 at 11 a.m. with footage not seen in the original version. Flashback movies are just $4.

This week’s Summer Fest Movie is “Spider Man: Into the Spider-Verse” playing at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 19, 20 and 21. Starting Friday, Aug. 22 the summer Fest Movie is “The Wild Robot.” Showtimes are 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Friday, Aug 22; Monday, Aug. 25; and Tuesday, Aug. 25. Summer Fest movies are just $2.

Civic engagement

The Gig Harbor Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to review updates to the city’s zoning map, land use map and updated development code at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21. The meeting takes place in the council chambers at the Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St. It can also be accessed online here.