Arts & Entertainment Community
Harbor Happenings | An artistic start to the New Year
Books, art and music fill this week’s calendar.
Book discussion
The Gig Harbor Literary Society’s book group meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, to discuss “Sharks in the time of Saviors” by Kawai Strong Washburn. Set in Hawaii, the novel follows the Flores family as they navigate loss, myth and supernatural gifts, all while grappling with heritage, family bonds and modern challenges. The discussion takes place at Harbor History Museum, 4121 Harborview Drive. All are welcome, whether or not you’ve read the book.
Artist reception
Paintings by Seattle-based artist TyResha Jones-Smith are on display at Tacoma Community College’s Gig Harbor branch.
The show, called “Urban Purrge – Resurrection” includes work that expresses what Jones-Smith calls “the butterfly effect.” Unique, hidden features come in multiple paintings that “can give viewers the control to explore, arrange and rearrange paintings to elevate their interior wall space.”
The artist will discuss her work at a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at the college, 3993 Hunt St. The show continues through March 20.
Artist TyResha Jones-Smith.
At the library
Teens ages 13 to 18 will make vision boards to explore their dreams and personal styles during Teen Tuesdays Creative Space from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Dr. On Jan. 13, they’ll create their own batches of slime.
Elementary and middle school-age kids play chess at 5:45 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at the library. Library programs are free.
Live music
Meghanne Storey will provide the music at the Olalla Winery at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9. Tickets are $20 here.
Kimball Coffeeshop hosts HD Fusion at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9. Kimball also has an open mic most Thursdays at 6 p.m. with sign-ups at 5:30 p.m. Kimball is at 6659 Kimball Dr.
Fun and games
The Beer Vault at 14004 Purdy Dr. has music bingo at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7. Thursday, Jan. 8 is Trivia Night at the Beer Vault.
Two Loons Winery will be sample some of its current favorites from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at the winery at 9422 22nd Ave. NW. Two Loons will offer free tastings of its 2023 Alvarinho, 2019 Syrah, 2020 Columbia Valley Cab, 2019 Loon Labs Cabernet Franc and 2017 Loon Labs Petit Verdot.
At the movies
The Flashback Cinema movie at the Galaxy Theatres in Uptown on Wednesday, Jan. 7, is “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” showing at 6 p.m. On Sunday, Jan. 11 it’s “The Outsiders (The Complete Novel),” Francis Ford Coppola’s adaption of the classic coming-of-age story set in Oklahoma in the early 1960s. The cast includes future stars C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Diane Lane and Tom Cruise. The film will be shown in 4K restoration with additional footage of the beginning and ending that’s truer to the book. Showtimes are noon Sunday, Jan. 11; and 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14. Flashback movies are just $5.
The classic movie on Monday, Jan. 12 is “The Philadelphia Story” starring Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn and James Stewart in a tale about a rich woman, soon to be re-married, whose ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter suddenly turn up. Showtime is 10 a.m. Classic movies are just $5.
For opera lovers, the Galaxy will show “Puritani” at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10.
Civic engagement
Meet 26th District legislators during the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce’s legislative sendoff from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Tacoma Community College’s Gig Harbor campus, 3993 Hunt St. Reps. Michelle Valdez (formerly Caldier) and Adison Richards and Sen. Deb Krishnadasan will answer questions and talk about their plans. Register here.
From left, panel moderator Miriam Battson, Rep. Michelle Caldier, Rep. Adison Richards and Sen. Deb Krishnadasan during the 2025 legislative send-off.
The city of Gig Harbor’s Parks Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St. Agenda items include a discussion of possible names for the Ancich Park boat storage building; review of the commission’s 2026 work plan; and planning for Parks Appreciation Day.
The Gig Harbor City Council’s annual retreat starts at 9 a.m. place Friday, Jan. 9, at the Harbor History Museum, 4121 Harborview Drive.
The council’s first regular meeting of 2026 starts at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, at the Civic Center. Tentative agenda items include swearing-in of returning Mayor Mary Barber, a new judge, incoming council members Loreto Tessicini, Patrick MacLeod Ammann, Julie Martin, and returnees Reid Ekberg and Emily Stone. The Peninsula School District will present information about its upcoming levy request and the council will consider a utility extension agreement for Trailside Apartments. City meetings can be viewed via Zoom.
Attorneys from TacomaProBono will offer free advice on issues such as eviction, landlord-tenant issues, family and consumer issues and civil law concerns at a legal aid popup Tuesday, Jan. 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Civic Center.