Arts & Entertainment Community
Harbor Happenings | Write in the Harbor back for its 12th year
The 12th annual Write in the Harbor writers conference takes place at the Gig Harbor campus of Tacoma Community College on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6 and 7. The conference includes workshops, tips on writing techniques and conversations with well-known authors, all focused on the art and craft of writing.
Keynote speaker Suzanne Morrison kicks off the event at a welcome reception at 7 p.m. Friday. Morrison will lead the main class at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, on “The Importance of Being Baffled” — how writing blocks can become guideposts for moving forward.
Suzanne Morrison. Photo by Tara Leigh
Other Saturday workshops include making sure secondary characters “earn their keep,” led by Bronwyn Scott; overcoming the “sophomore slump” to get started on your second novel, with Andy Becker; using archival stories to open the imagination, with HR Hegnauer; character development with Denise Frisino; how to sell your first novel to an agent or publisher, or self-publish it, with David Jepsen; final draft editing with Wendy Kendall and more.
Register for the conference here.
‘Betty’s Place’ opens
Harbor Senior Connection, AKA ‘Betty’s Place,’ will host a grand opening ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, on the grounds of Discovery Elementary School.
Harbor Senior Connection is a gathering place for Gig Harbor-area seniors. A program of the nonprofit Olympic Senior Services, the facility is located in a portable classroom on the grounds of the school at 4950 Rosedale St.
The Betty’s Place moniker honors Betty Lilienthal, an active volunteer and senior advocate.
Harbor Senior Connection will operate out of this portable classroom on the Discovery Elementary campus. Photo by Vince Dice
Harbor Senior Connection aims to “connect seniors to each other and local resources in a welcoming environment in which to socialize, stay mentally and physically active and ‘hang our coffee mugs,’ ” according to a news release announcing the opening.
Visit Harbor Senior Connection’s Facebook page or website for more information.
Cocktails and Fishtales
Sydney Zakahi from the Be Whale Wise Boater Ambassador Program will lead a Cocktails and Fishtales discussion about best practices and regulations for boating around marine wildlife at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Ocean5.
Zakahi will discuss what to do if a whale or other marine creature approaches your boat and other boating information. Harbor WildWatch sponsors the event and will livestream it on its Facebook page. Ocean5 is at 5268 Point Fosdick Dr.
Senior Center fundraiser
Local chefs will bring a world of flavors and cuisines to Canterwood Golf and Country Club at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, for the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation’s annual Indulge – Sip and Savor fundraiser. This year’s theme, “Journey Around the World” features Indian food from Butter Chicken; Greek mezedes from Canterwood’s executive chef; Tanzanian bits from Nelly’s African Kitchen; clam chowder from Kettle Fish; French-style oysters from Table 47; Honduran charcuterie from Gabriela’s Catering; Asian street food classics from Snuffins Catering; Mediterranean treats from Simply Sourdough and more.
The event also includes live music, raffles, games and an auction. Funds from the event support the Foundation’s Senior Center. Tickets start at $75; purchase them here.
Live theater
Peninsula High School’s Drama Department presents “Radium Girls,” a play that tells the story of young women who worked at the United States Radium Corporation in Orange, New Jersey, in the 1920s.
Their job was to paint luminous watch dials with radium-based paint. They were instructed to point their brushes with their lips, never suspecting that the glowing substance they worked with was slowly poisoning them. The story blends humor, heart, history and courage. It’s recommended for ages 12 and up.
Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6; Saturday, Nov. 7; Thursday, Nov. 12; Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 14; and at 2 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 7 and 14. The play is at the PHS auditorium, 14105 Purdy Drive. Tickets start at $15.42 here.
Book discussion
The Gig Harbor Literary Society meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, to discuss “The Return of Ellie Black” by Emiko Jean. Everyone is welcome at Literary Society get-togethers, whether or not you’ve read the book. The December book is “The Serviceberry” by Robin Wall Kimmerer, scheduled for discussion on Dec.1. The museum is located at 4121 Harborview Dr.
Pier into the Night
Harbor WildWatch hosts another Pier Into the Night at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Maritime Pier. Divers will livestream what they find onto a screen set up on the pier as biologists identify what’s being shown. Every pier peer is different, but usual sightings include tube worms, sculpin, several species of crabs, nudibranch and even giant Pacific octopus. It’s free, but donations are always welcome.
Volunteers wanted
The Basket Brigade needs volunteers to help pack and deliver food baskets to local families in need on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20 and 21. The Greater Gig Harbor Foundation drive also is accepting donations of food or money for this year’s baskets. Find more information here.
At the library
Teens can make cards using hand-carved bocks and watercolor at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Dr. A program from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, presents repujado, or Mexican tin embossing.
South Sound Fiber artists and Remakery will host an afternoon of pumpkin embroidery from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8. This program is geared to adults who want to learn to transform secondhand and unusual materials into a pumpkin-shaped embroidery sampler. Anyone who can hold a needle is invited to participate in the free event, but registration is required here.
The Friends of the Gig Harbor Library will hold their monthly meeting at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at the library. Anyone who wants to be involved in planning library events and activities is welcome.
Fun and games
The Beer Vault, 14004 Purdy Dr., hosts trivia at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. On Sunday, Nov. 9, the Vault hosts an evening of American mahjong for players who have some knowledge of the game. Games start at 6:30 p.m. with a $20 entry fee. Reserve your spot here.
The Float, 14511 Sherman Dr. NW in Purdy, has Tank’d Up Trivia at 7:15 pm. Wednesdays, with prizes to the top three finishers, and karaoke from 8 p.m. to midnight Fridays.
Ocean5 has family bingo at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Let’s Get Quizzical trivia at 6 p.m. Thursdays at 5268 Point Fosdick Dr. NW.
Harbor Hideout (formerly Locust Cider) has a pinball launch party on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Signups are at 6 p.m. and games start at 6:30 p.m. with a $5 entry fee. The Hideout is at 3207 57th St. Ct. (next to the Inn at Gig Harbor).
Hidden Harbor Wile Library, 8805 N. Harborview Dr. Suite 204, has bingo every Monday and canasta every Thursday, all starting at 4:30 p.m.
Live music
The Harbor Ukulele Group gets together at 11 a.m. Saturdays at the Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Dr., to share tunes. Newcomers are welcome.
The Gig Harbor High School jazz band will participate in the University of Puget Sound’s Jazz Festival in Tacoma on Saturday, Nov. 7. The band plays at 8:55 a.m. in Schneebeck Hall, 1500 N. Warner St.
Kimball Coffeehouse has an open mic every Thursday, with signups at 5:30 p.m. and performances at 6 p.m. Dusty Luck provides the music at Kimball at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. Kimball is collecting broth and bouillon cubes for Food 4 All through Nov.14.
Pearls and Elaine play at Olalla Winery at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. Tickets cost $20 here.
Finholm’s Market and Deli, 8812 N. Harborview Dr. has an open mic at 7:30 p.m. Fridays with instruments and equipment provided. The house band, Thunder Trout, plays back up, and all levels and talents are welcome.
Kae and the Blazemen play at the Float at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. The Float is at 14511 Sherman Dr. NW in Purdy.
Ocean5, 5268 Point Fosdick Dr. NW, hosts 90s Rewind at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. Covers from Everclear, Alais, Jimmy Eat World and Weezer. 21-and-older.
At the movies
The Flashback Cinema movie at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Galaxy Theatres in Uptown is “The Shawshank Redemption” with Tom Robbins and Morgan Freeman. On Sunday, Nov. 8, it’s “Back to the Future.” Showtimes on Sunday are 11:45 a.m. and 6:10 p.m. Flashback movies are $7.
This week’s Friday Night Fright film at the Galaxy is “The Descent,” about a caving expedition that goes horribly wrong as the explorers are trapped and pursued by a strange breed of predators. Showtime is 8:45 p.m. on Nov. 6. Fright Night flicks are $6.
The Galaxy Classic film on Monday, Nov. 9, is “Klute” (1971) starring Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland. Showtime is 10 a.m. Classic Movie tickets are $5.
Civic engagement
The Gig Harbor City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, in the Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St. The tentative agenda includes an update on the city’s Youth Council; a public hearing on the 2027-28 budget; and review of an ordinance amending the Parks and Docks section of the Municipal Code. Council meetings are also accessible via Zoom.