✨ Tacoma Brief #1 | Feb 2 - 9

Good morning, Tacoma. Settle in, sip whatever gets you going, and let The Tacoma Brief serve up everything you need to know for the week ahead ☕️

In today’s edition:

• Big news for Beer Week 📢

• And fans of handmade glass 🫙

• 20+ things to do this week 📆

Let’s get to it.

This week’s highlights

🍻 Beer Week’s arriving early

Goodbye August, hello March! Tacoma Beer Week has officially moved to spring, running from March 1–9, with more than 30 events celebrating our craft beer scene. Expect everything from exclusive local collabs to cheese pairings, trivia, and a derby race—where the cars are… beer cans →

🔍 Let the scavenger hunt begin

Over the next couple of weeks, thousands of handmade glass treasures will be hidden all over Tacoma in honor of Lunar New Year. No one knows exactly where or when they’ll show up. 

But if you find one, consider yourself lucky →

🎲 Roll the dice on your next night out

Tacoma’s newest board game cafe, 15% Board Game Cafe, is already buzzing just three months in. 

Located on Sixth Ave, it’s packed with people ditching their screens for old-school fun, including hundreds of games, dice-rolled coffee orders, and a warm, welcoming vibe. Whether you're into 10-second party games or epic strategy showdowns, there’s something for everyone →

🌱 Last call for the Home & Garden Show

Whether you’re planning a backyard transformation or just dropping in for the free samples, you can expect lush garden displays, expert advice, and enough home improvement inspo to make your Pinterest board jealous →

Here’s your weekly Tacoma brief, featuring more than 25 things worth checking out over the next seven days 👇

Today - February 2nd

🍼 New parent? There’s a lounge for that

Not sure if it’s normal to be this exhausted? Wondering how to find other parents who get it? The LGBTQIA2S+ Tacoma Baby Lounge (at Thresholds Collective) is the place to be. Chat with a health professional, connect with other parents, and—most importantly—know you’re not alone.

The best part? It’s free. Parenting is already expensive enough →

🎨 Paint, sip, and (hopefully) not spill on your date

Redd Dog Tacoma is hosting a Pint & Sip today at 1. If you’re looking for a date night that doesn’t involve sitting in front of a screen, this is definitely it. 

Uncorked Canvas provides the paint supplies, Redd Dog provides the drinks—you provide the questionable artistic talent. Only two spots left →

🎸 Reverb vintage vibes

Surfer Joe (yes, from Italy) is rolling into The Valley today at 7, joined by Twang Junkies and some special guests. Expect surf rock riffs, vintage sounds, and zero complaints from your ears →

🧶 Two hours to learn crochet? Challenge accepted

Craftopia just opened yesterday. Their Crochet Crash Course this afternoon is fast, fun, and packed with all the basics. You’ll leave with a new skill, some fresh terminology, and hopefully, a scarf that doesn’t look like spaghetti. 

Only five spots left (as of writing this) →

Tomorrow - February 3rd

🥣 Stock backpacks (with the good stuff)

February is all about stocking up on kid-approved foods for the St. Leo Food Connection Backpack Program. It supports over 1,600 students every week with oatmeal packets, fresh fruit, and instant soups—things that make weekends a little easier for kids facing food insecurity.

You can drop off donations at Saint Patrick Catholic School between 8 AM – 3:30 PM →

🎨 Craft & chat LGBTQIA+ style

A Gift of Serenity is hosting a weekly LGBTQIA+ Crafting Circle on Mondays at noon at Freighthouse Square. Bring your own project or use the supplies provided—either way, it’s a solid excuse to connect with your community. Attending four events in a month gets you $20 in store credit →

Tuesday - February 4th

💧 Have thoughts on groundwater?

The Tacoma City Council is holding a public hearing on Feb 4 at 5 PM to discuss extending the moratorium on certain high-impact businesses in the South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District. 

You can attend in person or virtually, but public comments are due tomorrow by 5 PM →

🎶 Local laid-back folky goodness

Norman Baker, Pigeon Town Hoochers, and Dennis Porter are taking over The Valley for a night of folk and laid–back tunes. If you’re into well-crafted lyrics, local talent, and a crowd that actually listens, this is your spot. Don’t forget cash for the tip jar →

📢 Advocacy, lawmaker meetings, and a Capitol rally

The WSA Winter Meeting & Advocacy Day is happening Feb 4-6, mixing professional development, policy talks, and a rally at the Capitol (in Olympia). Expect big speakers, training sessions, and plenty of opportunities to make noise for early learning and childcare programs. 

Wear red and bring your best talking points →

Wednesday - February 5th

🔧 Future engineers, assemble!

The Tacoma Middle School Engineering Club is back, meeting twice a month on Wednesdays to explore 3D printing, CNC routing, laser cutting, and other things that sound like they belong in a sci-fi movie. If your kiddo is in 6th-9th grade and a Tacoma resident, this is a free, hands-on way to get them building and solving problems →

🧱 Same, but for the young ones

Bricks 4 Kidz is turning LEGO® into a learning experience. If you’ve got a K-5 kiddo, this is where they’ll want to be on Wednesdays until February 19th. Certified instructors lead hands-on activities designed to sneak in science, technology, engineering, and math while they’re too busy building to notice →

🛸 EDM + aliens = your new Wednesday plans

Elevation is here to abduct your Wednesday nights (in a good way). Hosted by Wooblez Family & Kaotic Events, this biweekly EDM event at Night Owl is bringing bass-heavy beats from DJs across the Northwest. 

Expect Hard Dance, Drum & Bass, House, Techno, and probably some new subgenres you didn’t know existed →

Thursday - February 6th

💰 Need funding? Here’s your chance

The Community Reinvestment Project (CRP) is hosting its last info session to break down grant and loan opportunities for businesses tackling economic inequities. Translation: if your business aligns with CRP’s goals, this is something you won’t want to miss.

Both sessions include food, networking, and on-site experts to help with the application process →

🎤 Don’t threaten us with a good time

The Peterson Brothers and Ava King are bringing karaoke to The Valley every Thursday in February and March. It runs from 8-11 PM, but often lasts longer because we know how to party. Whether you’re belting out classics or just watching the chaos unfold, it’s a guaranteed hootinany →

Friday - February 7th

🎤 Andy Woodhull is here to roast your life choices

If you’ve ever laughed at your own misfortunes, Andy Woodhull is your guy. He’s bringing his signature brand of “I feel personally attacked” humor to 6th & Proctor - AKA the Tacoma Comedy Club. He’s relatable, hilarious, and the perfect excuse to avoid your responsibilities for an evening →

🌀 Step into the surreal

Calling all David Lynch fans—Edison Square is hosting In Dreams, a night of Twin Peaks-inspired cocktails, eerie art, and music that feels like it came straight from the Red Room. Expect fog, strobes, and vibes that are equal parts bizarre and beautiful.

Dress code? Mysterious, glamorous, or just plain weird →

🃏 Magic: The Gathering fans, assemble

The Aetherdrift Prerelease is going down at Terracrux Games starting at 7. If cracking packs, building decks, and flexing your strategy skills sounds like a good time, you’ll feel right at home →

Can’t make it? They’re also throwing down on the 8th and 9th. 

Saturday - February 8th

🎤 Scream your (emo) heart out

If you’ve ever wanted to belt out I Write Sins Not Tragedies with full stage production, this is your shot. Sign-ups for Emo Karaoke at Airport Tavern are first come, first served starting at 7 PM.

Eyeliner is optional but encouraged →

🎁 Fellas, get your Valentine’s gift game together

R’n’Bling Men’s Edition is not your typical shopping trip—it’s an event designed to help you craft a meaningful, custom gift while also investing in yourself. Expect some real talk, a creative project, and… Men-Mosas, of course →

🎶 An album release with a crafty twist

Hear an early listen of Allison Preisinger’s new album Standing Steady and learn how to sew a chapbook designed to be read alongside the music. 

$10 gets you in the door at the Tacoma Armory and covers all the material you need →

Sneak peek at next Sunday

🎨 Brews, brushes, and U-Pour

Artvana is taking over The Redd Dog Tacoma for a Valentine’s-themed Brews & Brushes night. Whether you’re flying solo, bringing a date, or just in it for the U-Pour drink flights, you’ll leave with a self-made masterpiece →

🌸 Community yoga

Stephanie of Raven Wisdom is leading Community Yoga at Crescent Moon Gifts. This beginner-friendly session includes breath work, restorative meditation, and a whole lot of grounding energy →

PNW retreats

🏡 Fireplace goals in North Tacoma

This fully remodeled rambler has all the charm of a classic home with a fresh, modern twist. With custom two-tone cabinetry, gold hardware, and a dreamy walkthrough closet in the private suite, it’s entirely move-in ready. 

Outside, you’ve got a covered patio, lush lawn, and a big storage shed—perfect for hosting, lounging, or just enjoying the (rare, but sometimes) sunshine. 

It’s got a brand new roof and sewer line, making the $649,997 price tag sting a little less →

Tacoma fun & games

As always, this week’s wordle features a 6-letter word hidden inside this edition. Let us know how many guesses it takes you!

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Trivia question of the week

❓Question: Tacoma’s Stadium High School looks like it belongs in a fairytale. What was it before it became a school? Bonus points if you know the year construction began. 

🤔 Hint: The Panic of 1893 turned it into something else before it became a school. 

Reply and shoot us your best guess (no cheating!) - Same time, same place next week → we’ll share the answer and a fresh question to ponder.

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See ya next week!

P.S. Know of an event or business we should share, interested in certain types of events & stories, or want to ask a question? Feel free to reply (or email us) any time.