🤘 Good morning, Tacoma. It's Thursday, April 30th.
It’s a big weekend for getting out and seeing something new.
The schedule is stacked with everything from a powerful retelling of MLK’s final night at Tacoma Little Theatre to a live blind-date-turned-improv-show at the Armory. You could spend Saturday afternoon with sloths and aardvarks at the zoo, then pivot to a black-tie speakeasy gala at the Art Museum by nightfall.
If you'd rather keep things low-key, there’s a free community market at Edison Square on Friday and a Porsche meetup over coffee at the LeMay on Sunday morning.
Here is the full rundown of what’s happening around town:
🎭 Events
Thu 30
The Carole King & James Taylor Story | 7:30 pm (tickets)
Location: Rialto Theater – 310 S 9th St
Description: A hit tribute production featuring Dan Clews and Phoebe Katis as they perform the iconic music of Carole King and James Taylor. The show captures the authenticity of classics like Fire and Rain, I Feel the Earth Move, and You've Got a Friend. Doors open at 6:30 pm for this journey through the careers of two legendary folk-pop songwriters.
Cribbage Night | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Chambers Bay Distillery – 3610 Bridgeport Way W
Description: A weekly gathering for enthusiasts of the classic card game. Boards and cards are provided, and players of all skill levels are welcome to join for a night of friendly competition in the University Place tasting room.
Fri 01
First Friday @ Edison Square | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location: Edison Square – 5415 S Tacoma Way
Description: A free, all-ages community event featuring a local vendor market and live performances. The evening’s musical lineup includes sets from Wendell and Haiku Mavericks. Perfect for an evening stroll through the market while enjoying live music in the heart of South Tacoma.
The Mountaintop | 7:30 pm
Location: Tacoma Little Theatre – 210 N I St
Description: A powerful reimagining of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s final night at the Lorraine Motel. The play humanizes the civil rights icon through a sharp, surreal conversation with a mysterious maid. Recommended for ages 14+.
Sat 02
The Pale Blue Dot: Life on Planet Earth | 7:30 pm (tickets)
Location: Pantages Theater – 901 Broadway
Description: The Tacoma Concert Band presents a musical journey inspired by Carl Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot. The performance explores the beauty and fragility of our planet through a program of sweeping melodies and cosmic textures. Tickets are free for patrons aged 18 and under (available in person at the box office).
Season’s Crescendo | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm (tickets)
Location: Rialto Theater – 310 S 9th St
Description: An uplifting afternoon concert celebrating the talent of young local musicians. The performance features various ensembles, including the Prelude Strings, String Symphony, Wind Philharmonic, and String Philharmonic, performing a selection of classical works.
Shrek The Musical | 5:30 pm (tickets)
Location: Theatre on the Square – 915 Broadway
Description: Follow the journey of Shrek and his wisecracking sidekick, Donkey, as they set out to rescue Princess Fiona and reclaim the swamp from Lord Farquaad.
Museum of Glass Big Read: Bewilderment | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: University Place Pierce County Library – 3609 Market Pl W
Description: A free public reading of Richard Powers’ novel (Section 4) performed by professional actors, followed by a moderated Q&A. Part of the NEA Big Read program; attendees can earn stamps toward free museum admission.
TAM Gala: Talk of the TAM | 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm (tickets)
Location: Tacoma Art Museum – 1701 Pacific Ave
Description: A speakeasy-themed fundraising gala featuring live jazz, cocktails, and curated art experiences. Proceeds support the museum's exhibitions and community programming. An afterparty follows from 9:00 pm to midnight.
Bandit Theater: First Date | 7:00 pm (tickets)
Location: Tacoma Armory – 1001 S Yakima Ave
Description: Two strangers go on a real blind date live on stage, followed by improvisers creating comedy based on their interactions. It’s a mix of unscripted romance and high-stakes social experiments.
Wild Wonders & Bugs Alive | 11:30 am and 2:30 pm (tickets)
Location: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium – 5400 N Pearl St
Description: The outdoor theater reopens with Wild Wonders (11:30 am & 2:30 pm), featuring animals like sloths and aardvarks. Additionally, Bugs Alive (1:15 pm) offers close-up encounters with tarantulas and scorpions. Both shows are included with zoo admission.
Sun 03
Shrek The Musical | 3:00 pm (tickets)
Location: Theatre on the Square – 915 Broadway
Porsche Club of America Cars & Coffee | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: LeMay – America’s Car Museum – 2702 6th Ave
Description: A casual meetup for Porsche enthusiasts. All models are welcome, from vintage air-cooled classics to modern water-cooled cars. Enjoy coffee and conversation with fellow owners at this monthly gathering.
Wild Wonders & Bugs Alive | 11:30 am and 2:30 pm (tickets)
Location: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium – 5400 N Pearl St
Star Wars Trivia Night | 7:00 pm
Location: Tacoma Comedy Club – 6th and Proctor (register)
Description: Test your knowledge of a galaxy far, far away. Whether you're a Jedi Master or a Padawan, join fellow fans for a competitive evening of trivia covering the original trilogy, prequels, and beyond.
🎸 Music
Events marked with ($) are paid events
McMenamis Elks Temple - Spanish Ballroom
Dain Norman and The Chrysalis Effect | Thursday 30 - 6:00 pm ($)
PNW Burlesque Festival | Friday 01 & Saturday 02 - 7:00 pm ($)
The Budos Band | Sunday 03 - 7:00 pm ($)
The Blue Mouse Theatre
The Tad Robinson Band | Thursday 30 - 7:00 pm ($)
Jazzbones
Erina McLaren & James Coates | Thursday 30 - 8:00 pm ($)
Club Classics [bratty bass party pop] | Friday 01 - 10:00 pm ($)
Amelia Day with Warren Dunes | Saturday 02 - 8:00 pm ($)
Airport Tavern
SubDocta | Friday 01 - 8:00 pm ($)
Real Art Tacoma
Team Nonexistent, Down Size, Worms in Dirt, The Rat Utopia Experiment | Thursday 30 - 6:00 pm ($)
Yellow Crane, Mood of a Sinner, BatNap, Flatline | Friday 01 - 6:30 pm ($)
Casino Youth, Universe, Hot Stepmom, Velvet | Sunday 03 - 6:30 pm ($)
⚾ Sports
Tacoma Rainers
Tacoma Rainers vs Las Vegas Aviators | Thursday 30 - 7:05 pm
Tacoma Rainers vs Las Vegas Aviators | Friday 01 - 7:05 pm
Tacoma Rainers vs Las Vegas Aviators | Saturday 02 - 6:05 pm
Tacoma Rainers vs Las Vegas Aviators | Sunday 03 - 1:35 pm
😆 Comedy
Tacoma Comedy Club
Learnmore Jonasi | Downtown | Thursday 30 - 7:00 pm
Jimmy Pardo | Proctor | Thursday 30 - 7:00 pm
Rached Feinstein | Downtown | Friday 01 - 7:00 pm & 9:45 pm
Rodger Lizaola | Proctor | Friday 01 - 7:30 pm
Zane Helberg | Downtown | Sunday 03 - 6:00 pm
The MEan Girls Roast Battle | Proctor | Sunday 03 - 7:00 pm
☀ Weather
🫡 Before we go
Wooden City officially opened the doors to its new, expanded home on Broadway this past Tuesday. The new 7,000-square-foot space was buzzing during its soft-opening weekend, and it’s now firing on all cylinders for its standard 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm daily service.
Where: 1102 Broadway
Hours: Daily, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Thank you for reading, and I'll see you on Thursday.