Arts & Entertainment Community
Harbor Happenings | Sunshine, music and lavender are on the docket for this week
Summer music season kicks off this week, with concerts in Skansie Park on Tuesday, at Sehmel Park on Wednesday and Uptown on Thursday. All performances are free.
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The Mixed Tape plays classic rock, country, pop and R&B for the opener of Summer Sounds at Skansie on Tuesday, July 8. Next Tuesday, July 15, Gimme Shelter play covers of the Rolling Stones. Bring a picnic or purchase food at a local eatery and enjoy a musical summer evening on the downtown waterfront.
Summer Sounds music starts at 6 p.m. every Tuesday through August. Click here for a full schedule.
Joel Astley and his band play at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, in the amphitheater at Sehmel Homestead Park. The performance is part of PenMet Parks’ Summer Concerts in the Park series.
Wasted on the Way, a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young tribute band, play at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 10, as part of the Uptown Summer Concert Series at the Uptown Pavilion.
Olalla Lavender Festival
Summer is in full bloom in the lavender fields, so it’s time for the Olalla Lavender Festival. On July 12 and 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors can wander through lavender fields, shop for handmade items, sample lavender-based treats, attend workshops and enjoy live music at these locations:
- Olalla Grange, 7554 SE Fragaria Road, Olalla
- Crescent Valley Lavender Farm, 11501 Crescent Valley Drive NW, Gig Harbor (timed entry)
- Astrid’s Lavender Farm, 13617 Thomas Road NW, Gig Harbor
- Oh La La Lavender Farm, 13245 Banner Road S.E., Olalla
- Spin Cider, 8323 S.E. Millihanna Road, Olalla
- Farmhouse Woodworking, 8316 Orchard Ave. S.E., Port Orchard
- Red Roof Ranch, 2766 Mountain View Road E., Port Orchard
- Olalla Vineyard and Winery, 13176 Olalla Valley Road S.E., Olalla
- Olalla Food Center, 12668 Olalla Valley Road S.
- Olalla Bay Market, 13965 Crescent Valley Rd. S.E., Olalla
The Lavender Festival is free but tickets are required to access some locations. Get details here.
Field of lavender planted at Crescent Valley Lavender Farm in Gig Harbor on July 3. The usage of lavender has been traced back to the ancient Egyptians and Romans, from perfumes to antimicrobial agents. Photo by Ronan Lynch
Summer Sips
The Greater Gig Harbor Foundation’s annual Summer Sips fundraiser take place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 12, in Uptown. Sample ciders, meads, wines and other libations from more than a dozen local providers and enjoy music by Lakin and Budapest West. Funds support the foundation’s education, recreation, arts and environmental programs. Ticket prices range from $20 to $60. Buy tickets here.
PenLight anniversary
Peninsula Light Company celebrates its 100th anniversary with a day of community fun and history from noon to 6 p.m. Monday, July 14 at Harbor History Museum. The event includes STEM activities, demonstrations, refreshments and more. Free and family friendly.
Explore beaches and other waterfront wonders
Join Harbor WildWatch to explore the shorelines at several nearby beaches during this week’s low tides.
- 11 a.m. Friday, July 11: Sunrise Beach Park, 10015 Sunrise Beach Drive NW
- 11 a.m. Friday, July 11: Fox Island fishing pier, 1453 Ozette Drive
- 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, July 12: Manchester State Park, 7767 Hilldale Road, Port Orchard (Discover Pass required)
- 1 p.m. Sunday, July 13: DeMolay Sandspit on Fox Island, 53 Bella Bella Drive
Easton carefully digs a striped nudibranch out of the sand. A 2019 Washington Department of Ecology post about striped nudibranches notes that they are “ferocious” and “[strike] fear into the hearts of tiny invertebrates everywhere!” Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick.
More live music
Tim Cox and the Secret Weapons play heartfelt ballads, toe-tapping blues and rock in the vineyard at Olalla Winery Friday, July 11, at 6 p.m. Buy tickets here.
The Mark Riley Trio debuts at Kimball Coffeehouse Friday, July 11. Doors open at 6 p.m. Music starts at 7. Free and family friendly.
Angelina Adams provides the music at this week’s Waterfront Farmers Market Thursday at 1 p.m.
Saturday, July 12 at 4 p.m., Stevenson Brooks plays at Hidden Harbor Wine Library, 8805 N. Harborview, Suite 204.
The Beer Vault, 14004 Purdy Drive hosts an open mic led by Northwest Chill at 6 p.m. Friday, July 11.
At the movies
This week’s Summer Fest Movie at the Galaxy Theatres in Uptown is “Despicable Me 4.” Showtimes are 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Friday, July 11; 10 a.m. Saturday July 12 and Sunday, July 13; 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday, July 14 and Tuesday, July 15. Summer Fest movies are just $2.
The Flashback Cinema movie at the Galaxy on Wednesday, July 9, is “Dirty Dancing,” showing at 6 p.m. On Sunday, July 13, it’s “The Muppet Movie,” showing at 12:30 p.m.. Flashback movies are just $4.
Civic engagement
The Gig Harbor City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 14, at the Civic Center on Grandview Street. Agenda items include a public hearing on the city’s Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP); a public hearing on Transportation Impact Fees and the first reading of a proposed ordinance establishing a Cultural Access Program. Council meetings can also be accessed via Zoom.