As January ends and February begins, there's plenty to do in Tacoma over the weekend. While many eyes will be on the big NFL matchup between Kansas City and San Francisco in Super Bowl LIV, there's more to keep you busy, especially if grown men in body armor chasing a ball isn't your cup of tea. In that case, everyone else might want to check out comedian Jubal Fresh at the Pantages Theater, the Puyallup Antique & Collectible Show, or jam to some EDM at Excision: The Thunderdome, which is fittingly at the Tacoma Dome. We've rounded up all those and more of the biggest and best events for the weekend below. Plus, find even more events this weekend on our complete Tacoma events calendar.
FRIDAY
SPORTS & RECREATION
Tacoma Stars vs. Harrisburg Heat
Though the Super Bowl is the big game this weekend, Major Arena Soccer League (aka indoor soccer) fans can see a game live and in-person (and they won't have to go to Miami to see it), as the Tacoma Stars take on the Harrisburg Heat of Harrisburg, PA.
ShoWare Center
FRIDAY–SUNDAY
PERFORMANCE
Beehive The '60s Musical
Celebrate female empowerment '60s style and listen to classic tunes like "My Boyfriend's Back," "Be My Baby," and "Son of a Preacher Man." The show is a nostalgic story of six young women coming of age in a remarkable decade.
Tacoma Musical Playhouse
Noises Off
The New York Post called it "The funniest farce ever written," and you can see for yourself at the play about a troubled production of a play. Filled with backstage shenanigans and actorly backstabbing, this production finds the humor in those struggling to ensure "the show must go on," even when it's readily apparent it really shouldn't.
State Theater
SATURDAY
COMEDY
Jim Stewart Allen & Friends!
Some comics approach their craft from unusual angles, like, say, playing The Oregon Trail educational computer game. When he's not playing the game live, the history buff (Allen got a degree in history from Western Washington University) and his friends Isaac Campbell-Smith, Diante Neagle, Claire Jones, and Sam Ellefson are entertaining crowds with their unique comedic stylings.
Bob's Java Jive
Jubal Fresh Comedy Tour
The Marconi Award-winning (they're given to the top radio stations and on-air personalities in the United States) radio broadcaster, television personality, comedian, and podcaster delivers more of the observational humor that made him a standout on the nationally syndicated Brooke & Jubal in the Morning show.
Pantages Theater
COMMUNITY
City of Lakewood Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration 2020
Lakewood expands its recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a public event coinciding with Black History Month. Keynote speaker Shalom Aburu will be joined by Congressman Denny Heck and Clover Park School District Superintendent Ron Banner.
Harrison Preparatory School
Fern Hill Library 70th Anniversary Celebration
Libraries are an essential part of a thriving community and Tacoma Public Library's Fern Hill location is celebrating a whopping seven decades serving the members of the Gritty City. Come join the festivities, which include a presentation by the Tacoma Historical Society and reception afterward that will have plenty of cake, coffee, and tea. Just be sure to wipe your hands before you check out a book.
Tacoma Public Library (Fern Hill branch)
FILM
Invisible Intelligent: The Interactive VR Art Experience
In addition to kicking off Black History Month with a special screening of Jordan Peele's Us, The Grand Cinema will screen a trailer of its "Harriet Tubman immersive virtual reality art experience," Invisible Intelligence. Come be among the first to experience what could be a groundbreaking project.
The Grand Cinema
FOOD & DRINK
A Nicht W' Rabbie Burns
Join Tacoma's Scots for a traditional Burns Dinner that includes haggis, roast beef, and salmon. There'll also be a pipe band performance, Scottish dancing, and a silent auction.
Slavonian American Benevolent Society
Peaks & Pints Tartuary
Sour beer is definitely a thing and like all things in this increasingly niche-ified world, the tart and funky beverage is developing a devoted fan base. Come sample a new lineup of sour beers or try one for the first time at this event devoted to all things sour.
Peaks and Pints
Tacoma: Pints for Preservation
It's the weekend and you're going to kick back with a brew or two, so you might as well drink with a purpose. Raise a glass to another year of preservation in Washington State as 7 Seas Brewery hosts the Goldfinch Standard honorees and make a donation to the Washington Trust with each pint of Pilsner, Cutt’s Amber, Rude Parrot IPA, or Cascadian Dark Ale purchased in the taproom.
7 Seas Brewing
Taste of Asia Featuring Vietnam
The worst thing about eating a delicious banh mi is that eventually, you will no longer have a Banh Mi to eat. You can remedy this unfortunate situation by learning to cook (and assemble) a traditional banh mi with pork or beef, and all the appropriate accouterments, thanks to the Vietnamese cultural team led by Samuel Danh. You'll never have to be banh mi-less again.
Asia Pacific Cultural Center
Tin Hat Cider Grand Opening
Celebrate the opening of this small-batch cidery and sample an assortment of their orchard-born libations. Attendees will be the first to join the Coaster Club, which not only earns you a personalized coaster, but also offers discounts on pints, growlers, flights, and other Tin Hat merchandise.
LUNAR NEW YEAR
Celebrate Lunar New Year
Tacoma's cathedral to commerce will celebrate the Lunar New Year in Macy's Court (that's the area in front of the department store). There'll be a traditional Lion Dance from Mak Fai Dance, as well as calligraphy and origami demonstrations from members of the Asian Pacific Cultural Center.
Tacoma Mall
MUSIC
The Aquarius Party
Dance to the sounds of Gifted Gab, Jac 'n' Jill, and O.T.D. at this event that marks the 10th annual I.N.K. Productions Aquarius Party. Host Jig the Pres will oversee a head-to-head battle featuring DJ K-phi and DJ Kure.
Jazzbones
BowieVision
David Bowie may have left us, but his music lives on in this epic live show that delivers song after song from every stage of the musician's career. Hear "Rebel Rebel," "All the Young Dudes," "Suffragette City," "Life on Mars?," "Space Oddity," "The Man Who Sold the World," and more. The show features world-class vocals, deft musicianship, and Bowie-inspired costumes.
Alma Mater
"Come As You Are" - 90s Dance Flashback
Learn that it's possible to get up and dance to the hits of the '90s—Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Beastie Boys, TLC, and Snoop Dog, to name a few. Just hit the dance floor and let nostalgia guide you.
Spanish Ballroom
Two Story Zori/Stay Grounded
If jamming out to reggae's feel-good vibes and celebrating one of the Pacific Northwest's premier bands in the genre is your idea of a good time, then this double-billed show is calling to you. An eclectic mix of island reggae, ska, and rock, TSZ has played around the world with the likes of The Original Wailers, Ernest Ranglin, 2016 Grammy winner Morgan Heritage, 2017 Grammy nominee J Boog, 2018 Grammy nominee Common Kings, Inner Circle, Kymani Marley, Fiji, Katchafire, and The Green. If you judge a band by the company they keep, you could do a lot worse than TSZ.
Jazzbones
PERFORMANCE
Tacoma Opera at Tree
Tacoma Opera will perform a final run-through rehearsal of Tosca at this stylish boutique. Amidst the home furnishings and designs on sale, guests can enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres along with the live show.
Tree
SPORTS & RECREATION
Jorgensen Tournament Series - North Shore
Puetz Golf sponsors this Washington State golf tournament that's conveniently held on the same day as the Super Bowl. Still, whether you're a PGA champ in the making or you fan the tee like you're trying to put out a fire, this tournament has something to offer everyone who wants to play. Compete for payouts for Long Drives, Low Putts, Closest to the Pin, and more.
North Shore Golf Course
SATURDAY–SUNDAY
GEEK
Escape Fort Nisqually!
There's nothing like spending part of your weekend doing some team-building in a suspenseful race against the clock to unravel a mystery. Metro Parks brings you this unique amalgamation of the classic escape room scenario with an entertaining history lesson, where your smarts and puzzle-solving skills (and maybe even your friendships) will be put to the test.
Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
SHOPPING
Puyallup Antique & Collectible Show
One person's garage-dust-gathering detritus is another's collectible antique. Figure out which is which among the 400 booths filled with vintage clothing, estate jewelry, furniture, pottery, clocks, watches, kitchenware, and toys from throughout the 1900s. Rare book hunters are encouraged to attend to find that ancient tome to add to their collection.
Puyallup Fairgrounds
VISUAL ART
The Naturalist and The Trickster: Audubon/RYAN!
In anticipation of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, artists John James Audubon (1785-1851) and RYAN! Feddersen (very much alive) show work inspired by animals and the natural world.
Tacoma Art Museum
SUNDAY
SUPER BOWL LIV PARTIES
The Super Bowl is basically Sports Prom, but with a lot less drinking and a slightly bigger media profile. So as potential Sports Prom Kings Patrick Mahomes and Jimmy Garoppolo do battle with their teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, respectively, why not enjoy the pageantry of it all at one of Tacoma's fine eating establishments. There are plenty of pigskin parties in and around the Gritty City this Sunday, from McMenamins's Spanish Ballroom to Central Co-op.
Various locations