Boozy lemonade, a free BBQ bash, death metal from Omaha, art history in the making, and more.
June 24, 2025
Happy Tuesday, 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 week ahead:
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Downtown block party 🥳
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Boozy lemonade stand 🍋
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Raffle fundraiser 🎟️
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Things to do 📆
Let’s get to it.
📰 In the news
Tacoma tackles animal overpopulation: The Tacoma City Council adopted code updates on June 10 banning for-profit breeding, raising licensing fees, and enforcing spay/neuter and TNR programs to ease shelter overcrowding — read the full story.
Moshi Ramen Bar closes: The popular casual eatery that doubled as a welcoming home for Tacoma’s queer community has shut its doors — read the full story.
Downtown Tacoma Block Party: Colvos Construction’s annual block party returns to downtown Tacoma on June 26 with a beer garden, games, a local food truck, and more. It’s free and open to invited guests and community partners — find out more here.
College funding: With fall semester approaching, it’s a good time to explore student loan options. Co-signed loans often come with better rates and higher approval odds, and many lenders provide pathways to release co-signers after establishing good payment records — CollegeAve makes the entire process a breeze.
Highlights this week
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Bee collapse threatens WA agriculture
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AG Brown sues large apartment property manager
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Annual Rooftop Soirée celebrates community support
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Networking at this happy hour Business Expo
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Port of Tacoma offers free bus tours
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Got debt? National can help you cut ties
🫶 We got your back
Farm-to-fork thrills ahead: Craving bold, beef-free flavors? Look no further than Quickie Too for humble veggies turned rock stars. Expect inventive plant-based dishes, dairy-free twists, and desserts that’ll make you rethink vegan eats.
Shuck it to me: Nothing says coastal charm like briny, ocean-fresh oysters piled high—and Lobster Shop isn’t shy about bringing the tide straight to your table.
Two-wheel TLC: Whether you’re dodging potholes or conquering gravel trails, 2nd Cycle keeps your ride rolling smoother than your favorite playlist.
Punchline paradise: From clever one-liners to off-the-wall improv, Tacoma Comedy Club delivers belly laughs and beer-fuelled cheers—no two nights are ever the same.
One enthusiastic zoomie sesh could cost you $6,000+. Between the emergency visit, X-rays, surgery, pain meds, and months of physical therapy, it adds up quicker than Spot chasing a tennis ball. The good news? This pet insurance plan offers up to 90% cash back on the bill.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
This week
🎸 Inkognita, Verota & Insanity @ Real Art Tacoma | Wednesday (6/25) at 7 pm – Omaha’s death/thrash heroes land in Tacoma for a night of neck-snapping riffs and a $10 all-ages welcome. Bring earplugs—and your air guitar.
🚌 Free Port of Tacoma Bus Tour @ Fabulich Center | Thursday (6/26) at 1 pm – All aboard for a two-hour peek into Tacoma’s maritime might. Reservations required, so snag your seat before they all sail away.
🔧 Fix-it Nights @ Tacoma Public Library | Thursday (6/26) at 5:30 pm – Bring that wobbly lamp or leaky vacuum, and watch skilled fixers work their magic—gratis. Warning: repairs may induce a dangerous level of DIY confidence.
🍋 Incline Lemonade Stand @ Incline Cider House | Friday (6/27) at 2 pm – Kick off summer vibes with Incline’s epic lemonade cider lineup. Dive into $10 shandy cider flights, sip the limited-edition Strawberry Lemonade brew, or slurp frozen lemonade slushies. It’s a refreshingly boozy way to beat the heat. Raise your glass—you’ve earned it.
🎉 Grand Opening Party @ The Tobin Gallery | Friday (6/27) at 6 pm – Toast Tacoma’s newest art hub with pastel masterpieces spanning 40 years. Rub elbows with Ric Hall and Ron Schmitt as you wander the freshly minted gallery. Glasses will clink, stories will flow, and you’ll be front-row to art history in the making. Consider this your VIP invite.
This weekend
🍖 Community BBQ @ Waller Road Grange | Saturday (6/28) at 1 pm – Fire up your appetite with this all-ages, no-cost barbecue blowout. Dive into smoky eats, face painting, a bouncy house, yard games, and raffle prizes galore. Mingle with neighbors, enjoy lawn-game showdowns, and celebrate community spirit under the summer sky.
🎨 Poetry After Dark @ Tacoma Armory | Saturday (6/28) at 7 pm – Watch multidisciplinary artist Kay Burnett channel Black brilliance on canvas as poets and musicians perform onstage. From sacred brushstrokes to bold storytelling, her live painting will unfold in real time, transforming blank space into vibrant narrative. Grab your $20 ticket, then stick around for open mic magic and an immersive fusion of art and words.
🎶 Groove Colony @ The Spar Tavern | Saturday (6/28) at 7 pm – Tacoma’s funk, R&B, and rock mavens return to Old Town for a night of unstoppable grooves. Expect powerhouse riffs, nostalgic hooks, and high-voltage energy that’ll keep you dancing till last call. Whether you came for the soulful beats or the good-vibe crowd, this homecoming show won’t disappoint.
🎟️ Raffle & Auction Fundraiser @ 350 Tacoma | Sunday (6/29) at 1 pm – Go big or go home… with free food and a chance to win epic raffle and auction prizes that double your impact thanks to a generous matching donor. Browse handmade art, gift certificates, and unique treasures while fueling environmental justice in our community. No admission fee means more donations stay in Tacoma, so bring your friends and your wallet (for good causes).
🎶 Live music & entertainment
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6/25 Inkognita and more @ Real Art Tacoma – 7 pm
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6/26 Mike Roy & Frank Rose @ Twisted Fork Saloon – 7 pm
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6/27 Meghanne Storey @ Water from Wine – 7 pm
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6/27 Baptationn and more @ Real Art Tacoma – 7:30 pm
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6/27 Lynn & Sherman @ Tacoma Armory Roosevelt – 8 pm
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6/28 Mantle Collapse and more @ 2nd Cycle – 6 pm
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6/28 Groove Colony @ The Spar Tavern – 7 pm
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6/29 Dungeons and Drag Queens Tacoma @ Tacoma Comedy Club – 1 pm
🏠️ This house is wild
*This️ 👇️ could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Erik Molzen (Berkshire Hathaway HS NW) – 7 bedrooms | 6 bathrooms | Built in 1908 | 5264 sqft
The Gray Mansion lords it over Commencement Bay with the kind of swagger only a 1906 icon can pull off—think sweeping water views, a living room big enough for a dance-off, and a dining room that demands dramatic dinner parties. The kitchen is a culinary flex: granite, Subzero, and a La Cornue range framed by 18th-century stained glass, because why not cook breakfast in a work of art?
Upstairs, bedrooms and baths are stacked like a layer cake, topped with a third-floor suite boasting 360º views for the ultimate game of “spot the landmark.” Down below, a rentable ADU brings in the cash, while the basement workshop is ready for mad-scientist projects. Geothermal HVAC and tankless hot water keep things chill and toasty, depending on the mood.
Window shopping is free — take a peek inside →
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