☕ Good morning! It's Thursday June 11th

We’ve got a packed weekend ahead in the South Sound. From celebrating global heritage at the Chinese Reconciliation Park to your ultimate guide for local World Cup festivities, there's plenty happening. We've also lined up a stacked roster of live music, unique weekend events from Gig Harbor to Lakewood, and five essential local pizzerias you need to try.

Let’s dive in.

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🎵 Music

Music at the Chinese Reconciliation Park

Music at the Park returns to the Chinese Reconciliation Park this Saturday, June 13 (2:00-6:00 pm). This free annual festival celebrates local heritage and immigrant communities with youth performances, traditional dance, and contemporary global music.

The afternoon opens with the Karisma Dance Group at 2:00 pm, followed by a K-Pop showcase from the Victorious Dance Company and America K-Pop Organization at 2:30 pm. The Freestyle Band (The Five Stars) headlines from 4:00-6:00 pm, performing in Cambodian, Laotian, and Thai alongside the Cambodian Classical Folk Dance of the Northwest. Local food vendors and artisan booths round out the afternoon.

📰 Community

Iconic Proctor Diner "Knapp’s" Closes After 90 Years

After 90 years, Knapp's Restaurant and Lounge (2707 N. Proctor St.) has closed. The Proctor District staple since 1938 posted a sign thanking the community before shutting down Monday. One last goodbye: this Saturday from 7:00 to 10:00 am, the doors open one final time for coffee, conversation, and a proper sendoff.

🎭 Tacoma Events

Thu 11

  • Story Hour at the Conservatory | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

    • Location: W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory – 316 S G St

    • Description: A family-friendly hour where kids can learn about nature, plants, and the environment through interactive stories, hands-on crafts, and simple science projects.

  • Rainier: A Beer Odyssey | 7:00 pm (tickets)

    • Location: Blue Mouse Theatre – 2611 N Proctor, Tacoma

    • Description: A screening of an independent documentary celebrating the iconic Rainier Beer TV commercials from 1974 to 1987, held at Washington State's oldest continually operating movie theater.

Fri 12

  • Juneteenth Kickoff Market | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

    • Location: Tacoma Armory (Parade Floor) – 1001 S Yakima Ave

    • Description: A special Juneteenth edition of the Black Night Market, held on the armory's parade floor. Expect local and Black-owned businesses, fashion, art, live music, poetry, and food vendors. All ages welcome.

Sat 13

  • McMenamins 43rd Anniversary | All-Day

    • Location: McMenamins Elks Temple - 565 Broadway

    • Description: A company-wide celebration marking 43 years since the original Barley Mill pub opened, with all-day happy hour pricing on Cajun tots and pints of 1983 Lager, plus a special passport stamp.

  • Summer Showdown: Country Swing & Line Dance | 4:00 pm (register)

    • Location: Steel Creek – 1114 Broadway

    • Description: A beginner-friendly dance competition with Country Swing and Line Dance divisions, judged for custom belt buckles and prizes. Doors and registration open at 4:00 pm, registration closes at 5:30 pm, competition starts at 6:30 pm.

  • A Bailar: Cumbia Dance Workshops | 11:00 am – 12:30 pm (register)

    • Location: Mi Centro – 1208 S 10th St

    • Description: A community dance workshop series exploring the history and styles of cumbia, led by Seattle-based artist and Mexico City native Adri "La Pollito." All ages welcome; youth must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Sun 14

  • Haunted Farmers Market | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

    • Location: S 54th St & S Tacoma Way

    • Description: A multi-award-winning marketplace for the strange and supernatural, with 150+ vendors selling crystals, tarot readings, flash tattoos, taxidermy, macabre fashion, horror collectibles, and artisan goods.

  • Tiptoe Through the Tidepools | 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

    • Location: Titlow Beach – 8425 6th Ave

    • Description: A naturalist-guided beach exploration during one of the lowest tides of the year. Discover tide pool life up close. Sturdy shoes, water, and sunscreen recommended.

⏭ Outside Tacoma

  • Pints, Myths, and Maritime Spirits | Thursday 11 - 5:30 pm (tickets)

    • Location: Starts at Heritage Distilling (3118 Harborview Dr, Gig Harbor) and features stops along the waterfront.

    • Description: An interactive walking tour through Gig Harbor's maritime history, hitting spots like the Skansie Netshed, Harbor WildWatch, and the Maritime Pier. The half-mile route includes local craft beverages with your ticket. Check-in opens at 5:00 pm.

  • Carrie the Musical | Weekend Performances (tickets)

    • Location: Lakewood Playhouse – 5729 Lakewood Towne Ctr Blvd

    • Description: A musical adaptation of Stephen King's classic, following Carrie White, a bullied teenager discovering her telekinetic powers while navigating high school cruelty and a fanatical mother at home. Music by Michael Gore, lyrics by Dean Pitchford.

  • Meeker Days Festival | Friday 12 – Sunday 14

    • Location: Downtown Puyallup

    • Description: The 87th annual community festival features over 200 local artisans, food trucks, small businesses, and nonprofit booths filling the streets of downtown Puyallup.

  • Lakewold Gardens FairyFest | Saturday 13 - Sunday 14 - 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (tickets)

    • Location: Lakewold Gardens – 12317 Gravelly Lake Dr SW, Lakewood

    • Description: An annual fairy festival with a woodland scavenger hunt, wand and wing crafting, face painting, a wishing tree, and a fairy house competition. Shop the Fae Market, bring a picnic, and dress the part. Timed tickets required online in advance.

🎸 Music

Events marked with ($) are paid events

Thu 11

  • Aaron Golay & The Original Sin | McMenamins Elk Temple - Tacoma - 7:00 pm ($)

  • Wrekonize of MAYDAY with TRUANCY, Allibyy | Jazzbones - Tacoma - 7:00 pm ($)

  • Octopus Ballet | Cockrell Cider Farm - Puyallup - 5:00 pm

Fri 12

  • Champagne Bubblebath + Mega Cat | McMenamins Elk Temple - Tacoma - 7:00 pm ($)

  • Soul Stripper - A Tribute To AC/DC | Jazzbones - Tacoma - 7:00 pm ($)

  • Innocents Torn | Airport Tavern - Tacoma - 7:00 pm ($)

  • Hísemtuks Hími-n, Vaulderie, Culmination, Seduktor | Real Art Tacoma - 7:00 pm ($)

  • Mark Hurwitz & Gin Creek | Kimball Coffeehouse - Gig Harbor - 7:00 pm

  • Blackberry Smoke | Emerald Queen Casino - 7:30 pm ($)

Sat 13

  • Wheel in the Sky (Journey Tribute) + Girls N’ Roses (Guns N’ Roses Tribute) | McMenamins Elk Temple - Tacoma - 7:00 pm ($)

  • 80s Video Dance Party US Tour | Jazzbones - Tacoma - 8:00 pm ($)

  • Brother Ali | Airport Tavern - Tacoma - 8:00 pm ($)

  • South Sound Punk & Oii Fest Vol. 3 (DAY 1) | Real Art Tacoma - 3:30 pm ($)

  • Matthew The Animal, Summercoat, Pretty Bayou | The New Frontier Lounge - Tacoma - 7:00 pm ($)

Sun 14

  • XLR8 | McMenamins Elk Temple - Tacoma - 4:00 pm ($)

  • HR Of Bad Brains and The Human Rights Movement | Jazzbones - Tacoma - 7:00 pm ($)

  • Mihali | Airport Tavern - Tacoma - 7:00 pm ($)

  • South Sound Punk & Oii Fest Vol. 3 (DAY 2) | Real Art Tacoma - 3:30 pm ($)

⚽ Sports

World Cup Events

The 253 is getting its own World Cup celebration, and if you're looking for a home base to watch every match, head to Doyle's Public House in Tacoma. Here's the full lineup of local events too:

  • Kick-off Parade & Fireworks (Friday, June 12): Parade steps off at 7:00 pm from First Creek Middle School down Portland Avenue to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians' Headquarters, followed by a Tribal Welcoming Ceremony at 8:30 pm and fireworks at 10:00 pm.

  • Match Viewing Parties (June 15 & June 19, 11 am - 3 pm): Watch the games at the Puyallup Tribe Fan Zone (all ages) or at 21+ spots including EQC Tacoma, WOVEN Seafood & Chophouse, and Commencement Bay Cannabis.

  • Coastal Protocol (Thursday, June 18, 12:30 - 9:00 pm): Cultural gatherings and traditions at the Puyallup Tribal Administration Building.

  • Soccer Scavenger Hunt (June 20 - July 3): A family-friendly hunt across all Tacoma Public Library branches to keep the soccer spirit alive through summer.

Tacoma Rainiers

  • Thu 11: Albuquerque Isotopes at Tacoma Rainiers 7:05 pm (Thirsty Thursday)

  • Fri 12: Albuquerque Isotopes at Tacoma Rainiers 7:05 pm (Friday Night Fireworks)

  • Sat 13: Albuquerque Isotopes at Tacoma Rainiers 6:05 pm (Cerveza Saturday)

  • Sun 14: Albuquerque Isotopes at Tacoma Rainiers 1:35 pm (Rosé All Day)

☀ Weather

🍕 Before we go

Bar Rosa

You don't have to drive to Seattle for a world-class slice. South Sound pizza is booming right now, and these five spots are proof:

Thank you for reading, and I'll see you next Thursday.

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