History ball, family paint party, family beach fun day, and more. 
Happy Friday, Tacoma. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Tacoma Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: Tacoma apartment projects stall amid rising costs, a 24 hour burrito spot revamps a burger joint, and a Microsoft alum fights huge mentor waitlist — catch up here.
State-level stories: Washington drivers must halt for buses on two lane roads, a farmers almanac predicts a snowy winter, and aging ferries with PCBs need scrapping — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: South Korea’s court dismissed a Baby Shark copyright claim, a judge blocked fishing around Pacific atolls, and retirees eye a bigger Social Security increase — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Celebrate back-to-school fun at South Hill Mall
- Enjoy monthly free family craft sessions
- Cook Palestinian fatoosh salad to support Palestine
- Prototype cards and signage with cutting machine
- Connect with dementia caregivers and experts
- Unlock dozens of travel deals with AARP
🫶 We got your back
Wellness: Explore Tacoma yoga studios where you can trade stress for a stretchy savasana and maybe even a sweaty grin. Studios span high-tech heat dens to cozy community hubs.
Wildlife: Ditch the remote and head outdoors where WA’s rainforests and Salish waters deliver elk, whales, and more in real life. Your go-to viewing spots are where the magic happens.
Finance: Skip the teenage eye rolls and make credit cards less mysterious. Try these easy credit lessons to turn confusing plastic power into real-world know-how.
Gamehouse: Whether you’re plotting world domination in Risk, forging trading empires in Catan, or barely surviving a crew of delightfully ruthless space invaders, The 15% Board Game Cafe is your go-to for caffeine-fueled dice rolls and snack-powered strategy sessions.
Money: The average driver pays $175 a month on car insurance, but most of us are paying way too much. If it’s been a while since you shopped around, you’re likely part of that “most of us.” This comparison tool can save you hundreds.
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📆 Around town this weekend
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🎭 Hadestown: Teen Edition @ Tacoma Little Theatre | Friday (8/15) at 7:00pm – Whether you’re craving a folk-opera thrill or just curious about Tacoma teens tackling a Tony-winning show, it drags you into the underworld and back. It’s brimming with New Orleans-style jazz, soaring duets, and more teenage fire than a mid-summer bonfire.
🕰️ History Ball @ Spanish Ballroom | Friday (8/15) at 8:00pm – Clear your Friday night for a time-traveling soirée in the Spanish Ballroom, where corsets meet craft beer, The Tricky Brits and History Ball String Trio revive 19th-century tunes, and sword duels eclipse neighborhood drama. Learn to waltz, fill a dance card, then sip a pint.
This weekend
🐙 Purple Octopus August Bazaar @ AmVets Post 1 | Saturday (8/16) at 10:00am – Forget another trip to the mall. The Purple Octopus August Bazaar packs over 50 vendors selling everything from hand-knitted scarves and 3D art to ceramic bowl buddies you never knew you needed. Plus, a bake sale and gourmet popcorn keep you fueled through the spree.
🎨 Family Paint Party @ Soulberry Coffee house | Saturday (8/16) at 5:00pm – Our routine of soccer practices and grocery runs is getting a colorful detour with a family-friendly paint night. Grab the kids, BYO snacks, and your favorite fizzy drink, then unleash your inner Picassos with zero judgment, a bit of chaos, and plenty of laughs.
💃 I Want it that Way: 90s/2000s Dance Party @ McMenamins Elks Temple | Saturday (8/16) at 8:00pm – Think you still have the moves? Head to the Spanish Ballroom for a 90s/2000s dance party with All4Doras paying tribute to NSYNC and Backstreet Boys, Baewatch honoring your favorite girl groups, and DJ Dance Dance spinning all the guilty-pleasure hits. Pure nostalgia, zero judgment.
🏖️ Family Beach Fun Day @ Puyallup City Council | Sunday (8/17) at 11:00am – Grab your kayak, your best ambush salad, and head to the beach for a day of cannonballs, sandcastle smudging, and potluck dishes that double as conversation starters. Zero cell service, good company, dog-eared frisbees, and the one dish everyone’s afraid to show up with.
🍲 Palestinian Cooking Class @ Common Good | Sunday (8/17) at 1:00pm – Chopping fresh mint, tangy sumac, and pita scraps in a laid-back Palestinian cooking class that’s more about community than culinary heroics, with local chefs teaching you how to toss the perfect fatoush. It’s a tasty way to learn, connect, and celebrate Palestinian heritage—flavor first, politics optional.
🎲 Vibe Bingo: Cook Out Edition @ Jazzy’s Cafe | Sunday (8/17) at 4:00pm – If you’ve been craving a Tacoma-style backyard BBQ with an edge, picture burgers flipping, feel-good tunes, and bingo cards instead of napkins. Local flavor meets nostalgia, prizes to win, and you’ll finally get to yell Bingo with a mouthful of coleslaw.
Next week
🐶 Dog Days of Summer Scavenger Hunt | Monday (8/18) at 9:00am – Apparently our four-legged neighbors have commandeered Cross Park and Naches Trail Preserve for an end-of-summer scavenger hunt. Grab a sheet at the community center, spot snoozing pooches and wildlife signs, then trade your answers for a well-earned prize.
🍸 Crafts & Cocktails | Tuesday (8/19) at 7:00pm – If you’ve been looking for a clever way to celebrate back-to-school season, we’ve got you covered. Spend an evening assembling mini bookshelves with tiny accessories, sip KemperSports cocktails, and pretend you’re back in art class, minus the glue stick fiascos.
🎸 Gipsy Kings Featuring Nicolas Reyes @ Pantages Theater | Tuesday (8/19) at 7:30pm – Grab your dancing shoes for Nicolas Reyes and his Gipsy Kings, the flamenco dynamos who’ve been stealing hearts since cassette mixtapes ruled your car stereo. Expect blistering guitar runs, soulful vocals, and a free EP download so you can relive the magic on your drive.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/15 Tony Rock @ Nate Jacksons Comedy Club – 7 pm
- 8/15 The Selassie Ites and more @ Jazzbones – 8 pm
- 8/15 McMenamins Tacoma History Ball @ Spanish Ballroom – 8 pm
- 8/16 Kaitie Wade @ Off Camber – 5 pm
- 8/16 Dinner & Music @ Whispering Firs – 5 pm
- 8/16 The Gigsters @ The Spar – 7 pm
- 8/17 Godfrey @ Tacoma Comedy Club – 7 pm
- 8/18 Outta Pocket and more @ Real Art Tacoma – 7 pm
🏠️ Price is right – Tacoma edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
Bordering Dash Point State Park with a trail straight from the backyard to the beach, this home is all about secret pathways and sunshine. The private pool and hot tub are ready for cannonballs or quiet stargazing, while floor-to-ceiling windows keep the vibe bright year-round. Upstairs, a bonus room and game room mean there’s space for everything from epic movie nights to spontaneous dance parties.
The lower level comes with its own kitchen and bedroom, perfect for guests who never want to leave. Each bedroom has its own en-suite, so there’s no fighting over sinks. Four-car garage, breezy indoor-outdoor flow, and just minutes to saltwater views.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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