Spring has almost sprung and we are excited to escape our wintery cave and get out and about. Check out a few places you may find us this month!
March 8th
There’s a new team in town and their ready to make history! Tacoma Defiance will be taking over Cheney Stadium, turning the Tacoma Rainier’s beloved baseball field into a soccer pitch. Put on that eternal blue forever green gear and get ready to cheer as Tacoma Defiance takes on Rio Grande FC in their first ever match. Kick-off is at 7pm, so dress warm and get your tickets now!
March 9th
This sounds a little crazy, probably because it is. Every year a crowd of warm-blooded individuals gather at Owens beach and take a giant leap into the frozen waters of the Puget Sound. All for a great cause of course! Registration fees and donations received by participants help to support over 18,000 Washington Special Olympics athletes. Too chicken to take the plunge? Don’t worry! There is a “Too Chicken” sign-up where no icy dip is required but you can still fund raise for the cause! Do you have what it takes to take the plunge?
March 10th
Help support the ever growing non-profit T.U.P.A.C. by enjoying brunch and a show with Tacoma’s very own Vicci Martinez. T.U.P.A.C.’s mission is to, “provide our most deserving youth world class opportunities to achieve Artistic Excellence in the Performing Arts.” They do this by offering professional ballet, hip-hop, West African, contemporary, and Pacific Islander dance classes at their studio on Opera Alley in Tacoma. Being non-profit, they do this for a fraction of the cost of regular schools to ensure that our under-served youth have the same opportunities. Vicci Martinez, whom you may recognize from Orange is the New Black, is partnering with T.U.P.A.C. by providing entertainment and a special ask to support our Tacoma dancers.
March 13th
Looking for the purr-fect way to spend the evening? Or perhaps just an im-paw-sibly fun time? The Grand Cinema will be hosting a 90-minute compilation film of that internet sensation, cat videos. Check out the best and the brightest of our feline friends and enjoy some treats in the lobby as well. Please leave your furry friends at home though, as this is an event for human attendees only.
March 15th – 17th
Of course, I couldn’t let this March blog pass without mention of St. Patrick’s Day! Doyle’s Public House will be setting up their big top tent and hosting a weekend of libations and local music. After a small indoor show on Friday, the Big Top Tent Stage will kick-off on Saturday night with the bluegrass styling of The Rusty Cleavers and close out on Sunday night as the lovely Champaign Sunday graces the stage. In between, several local artists and bands will be playing their little green hearts out. Weekend passes are currently available online and individual day passes will be available at the door. Want to skip the line? Purchase a Paddy Party t-shirt for $25 at the bar (while supplies last) to gain free entrance with ID, then hop to the front of the line (At the door, not the bar. Slow down, Paddy.).
March 16th
This year marks Second Use’s second year in their Tacoma location! Second Use is a community business that collects architectural salvage and reclaimed building materials to sell in their shops. All materials come from local sources and the store itself is locally owned and employed. You can find things like cabinets, light fixtures, doors, miscellaneous wood and all sorts of odds and ends! John and I recently purchased a beam from them for our own remodel.
For the Tacoma location’s anniversary, they are offering 20% off all items from 9am – 6pm. From 11am- 3pm there will be free hot dogs (veggie dogs too!) and if you bring a blank t-shirt the staff will help you screen print it for free as well! Blank shirts will also be available for $5 at the event. If you’ve never been, this event will be the perfect time to check it out!
March 23rd
Puget Sound Women’s League will be setting up shop in the University of Puget Sound Memorial Fieldhouse. The Women’s League will be hosting a number of booths, offering jewelry, clothing, books, and furniture, all in a flea market fashion. They have also rented out over 70 booths to local vendors, ranging anywhere from ice cream, to gardening supplies, to lotion and ceramics. Check out the Vendor list here.
100% of admission tickets and any sales made at a Women’s League booth will go towards UPS scholarships. Being their biggest fundraiser of the year (and their 51st year of doing so!) this event will not disappoint!
March 30th
Did you know Tacoma has a rich history in the department of confections and treats? Due to our mild PNW climate, Tacoma is a sweet spot (pun intended) for the manufacturing of chocolate and other delights. Classics like Almond Roca, Mountain Bars, Johnson’s Candy Co. all call our fair city home. Join Pretty Gritty tours as they guide you through the rich and delicious history of Tacoma. This is a walking tour with a few trips on the free downtown light rail, so be sure to wear comfy shoes and bring an appetite!
March 30th
Spring has almost sprung and it’s time to get some plants in the ground! If you think you have a green thumb or are just testing the waters, head over to the giant garden sale put on by The Tacoma Rose Society. Point Defiance park will be bursting with everything from roses, to garden art, to rhodies. The event is free but supplies will be limited. Hang out and chat with the vendors and gardeners to learn about the best tips and tricks for growing a thriving garden this season.