Arts & Entertainment Community

Harbor Happenings: Film Festival features more than 60 independent films

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the date of the ChuSeok Festival at Skansie Park. The correct date is Sept. 30, 2023.

The Gig Harbor Film Festival, happening this week at the Galaxy Uptown Theatres, features nearly 65 independent films.

The festival starts Thursday, Sept. 21, and runs through early afternoon Sunday, Sept. 24. Actor Tom Skerritt will be on hand Thursday for a screening of his film “East of the Mountains,” based on the David Guterson novel of the same name.

Another highlight: “The Lost Angle,” a short documentary showing previously unreleased footage of the 1940 Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse.

Crowds line up tfor a previous year of the Gig Harbor Film Festival.

Each film is screened twice. In many cases, filmmakers and their crews – including the actors, cinematographers, writers and producers – discuss their work during Q&A sessions following screenings.

The Gig Harbor event is one of the most highly rated in the country, according to Pam Holt, the festival’s executive director.

General admission passes cost $50 and can be purchased in person at the Galaxy. Seating in all films is first-come, first-served. View the full program here.

Something fishy

Cocktails & Fishtales, a monthly program of Harbor WildWatch, takes place Wednesday, Sept. 20, at Ocean5.

Patrick Hutchins of SR³ — Sealife Response Rehabilitation and Research — will discuss what to do if you find a seal or other marine critter on the beach, how to tell if it’s injured and who to contact if it needs help. The free event starts at 5:30 p.m. and is open to anyone interested in learning about our local ecology. Ocean5 is at 5268 Point Fosdick Dr.

Cider Swig

This year’s Cider Swig has moved across the Narrows Bridge to the LeMay Classic Car Museum near the Tacoma Dome.

The Swig, a fundraiser for the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation, takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23. It features more than 130 ciders, plus wine, mead, beer and spirits from more than 30 makers. There are also food trucks, games and contests and an all-day line up of live music. Click here for tickets.

Flashback movies

The Flashback Cinema movie at Galaxy Theatres on Wednesday, Sept. 20, is “Fellowship of the Ring,” the first chapter in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels. Showtimes are at 1 and 6 p.m. The Flashback movie at 12:30 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, is “Legally Blond.” Flashback movies are just $5.

Music

Singer-songwriter Josh Brulotte brings his guitar and harmonica to the Olalla Winery at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22 for an evening of genre-bending original tunes and covers. Reserve your tickets here.

Civic engagement

• The city council meets for a study session at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, to discuss urban forestry management and climate action plans and to review an agreement with the Harbor History Museum for management of the Masonic Lodge. The next regular city council meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25, at the civic center. It can also be accessed via Zoom.
• The local watchdog group Engage Gig Harbor and the League of Women Voters will host a Meet the Candidates forum for city council candidates at 6 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Club at the Boatyard. Candidates Ed Nadler, Ben Coronado and Mary Barber will discuss their positions on various issues and answer questions. The Boatyard is located upstairs at 3117 Harborview Drive.