☕ Good morning! It's Thursday, July 9
This weekend brings the acclaimed Front Row Card Show to the Greater Tacoma Convention Center alongside the vibrant Tacoma Pride Festival at Wright Park. Catch the unique Cirque Italia Water Circus, celebrity softball at Cheney Stadium, or live comedy with SNL’s Tim Meadows. Plus, discover dozens of local concerts, markets, wine tastings, and family activities across the region.
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🃏 Front Row Card Show
480 tables of sports cards, Pokémon, comics, and collectibles
The Front Row Card Show hits the Greater Tacoma Convention Center this weekend, July 11–12. Recently nominated by USA Today as one of the best collector events in the country, it’s a paradise for fans of sports memorabilia, comic books, trading card games, and toys.
Hours: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM both days (VIP entry at 10:00 AM).
Free Swag: The first 200 daily ticket holders get a free pack-filled swag bag.
Saturday Trade Night: Swap and deal with other collectors from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Free entry).
On-Site Services: Professional grading and autograph authentication from JSA, CGC, and MBA.
Kids 10 and under are free. General admission is $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
🎟 Tacoma Events
Thursday 9
Summer Community Film Screening: Lyle Quasim: Show Up, Suit Up, and Engage! | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Tacoma Art Museum (TAM), Tacoma
Price: Free
Description: A screening of Joanne Lisosky and Derek Nunn's documentary on Lyle Quasim — Tacoma activist, former Bates Technical College president, and first Black director of DSHS. Featuring interviews led by Kwabi Amoah-Forson.
Friday 10
Bedroom Farce | See Times Below
Location: Tacoma Little Theatre
Date Range: From July 10th to July 26th, 2026 (Thursdays–Saturdays at 7:30 pm | Sundays at 2:00 pm)
Price: $30 Adults | $28 Students, Seniors, Military | $23 Children (tickets)
Description: A sharp 1975 comedy unraveling four marriages over one chaotic Saturday night, all set across three bedrooms. Fast, funny, and surprisingly cutting. Ages 12+
South America Wine Tasting | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: STINK (909 A Street, Suite 110), Tacoma
Date: Friday, July 10th, 2026
Price: $25 (Includes 5 wine tastings; exotic appetizer pairings available for purchase)
Description: A guided tasting journey through South American wines hosted by Grape Expectations at STINK & El Tufo Wine Bar. Reservations are highly recommended.
Cirque Italia – Water Circus | See Times Below
Location: Tacoma Mall (4502 S Steele Street)
Date Range: July 10 – July 13 (Friday–Monday)
Price: $15.00 – $65.00 (tickets)
Description: A traveling production featuring a custom-built, 35,000-gallon water stage. The animal-free show combines acrobatics, aerial acts, hand-balancing, and comedy, accented by synchronized water curtains, fountains, and laser lights.
Showtimes:
Friday, July 10: 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 11: 1:30 pm, 4:30 pm, & 7:30 pm
Sunday, July 12: 1:30 pm & 4:30 pm
Monday, July 13: 7:30 pm
Latin Dance Social | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location: Dystopian State Brewery (611 S Baker St), Tacoma
Price: $15 entry fee
Description: A monthly Latin dance night with an intro salsa and bachata lesson at 7:00 pm, followed by open social dancing from 8:00–10:00 pm.
Saturday 11
Summer Community Film Screening: Bang the Drum: Taiko in Tacoma | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Location: Tacoma Art Museum
Price: Free
Description: A screening of Joanne Lisosky's documentary following Wendy Hamai's journey founding Tacoma's first Japanese Taiko drumming group and launching a community education program.
Tacoma Pride Festival | 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Wright Park
Price: Free
Description: This annual community festival honors the LGBTQIA2S+ community. The event features vibrant celebrations, local vendors, and accessible programming in the park where the festival originally began.
Tacoma Cabaret Presents: Nostalgia | 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Location: Spanish Ballroom at McMenamins Elks Temple, Tacoma
Price: Tickets start around $30–$35 for General Admission
Description: A bold, glittering 21+ cabaret and burlesque showcase riding through the soundtrack of past generations — aerial, pole, and burlesque acts with live vocals set to everything from Old Hollywood and Motown to 80s neon and early 2000s anthems.
Outdoor Movie Night: Grease | Preshow at 7:00 pm (Movie starts at dusk)
Location: Sprinker Recreation Center
Price: Free
Description: An outdoor screening of Grease with preshow activities and games starting at 7:00 pm. Kona Ice and Simply Kettle popcorn on-site, or bring your own picnic. Blankets and lawn chairs welcome.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show | 11:00 pm
Location: Blue Mouse Theatre
Price: $12 (tickets)
Description: A screening of the 1970s cult classic featuring a live shadowcast performance by Tacoma's own Blue Mousketeers, costumes, and audience participation. Doors open at 11:00 pm, pre-show games begin at 11:30 pm, and the movie starts at midnight. Rated R.
Sunday 12
Real Art Tacoma Artist Market Series | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Real Art Tacoma, Tacoma
Price: Free admission
Description: A community market hosted by Gothic Curios with local artists, makers, vintage clothing, jewelry, chainmail, and flash tattoos. Live music, DJs, karaoke, and food on site. 21+ bar inside the Beyond ThunderDome Café. All ages welcome.
🎟 Outisde Tacoma
Thursday 9
Pints, Myths and Maritime Spirits | 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Starts at Direction Apparel, ends at 7 Seas Brewing (Gig Harbor)
Price: Tickets - $30 (Includes two drinks; donations welcome)
Description: A half-mile historical walking tour through Gig Harbor's waterfront, with exclusive access to the Skansie Netshed, a stop at Harbor WildWatch, and visits to the Marina, Peninsula Hotel, and Maritime Pier. Kicks off with a pre-tour drink at 5:00 pm and wraps up at 7 Seas Brewing. Rain or shine.
Friday 10
Fridays in July: Open Late at Pacific Bonsai Museum | 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Location: Pacific Bonsai Museum, Federal Way
Price: Free
Description: Extended golden-hour evening hours at the museum, with a guided walking meditation with singing bowls led by Mary Clymer (5:30–6:30 pm) and Urban Sketchers Tacoma drawing on-site. Catch the special exhibition Bonsai United while you're there. No registration required.
Saturday 11
PNW Reptile & Exotic Animal Show | See Times Below
Location: The Washington State Fair, Puyallup
Date Range: Saturday 11 (10 am - 5 pm) & Sunday 12 (10 am - 4 pm)
Price: Admission is $7–$40 (tickets)
Description: The largest and longest-running reptile and exotic animal show in the Pacific Northwest. Features thousands of animals to view, interact with, and purchase, alongside specialized pet care products.
Second Saturday Free Day at the Museum | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Harbor History Museum, Gig Harbor
Price: Free admission
Description: Explore local history and maritime heritage with complimentary admission for all visitors. This community event recurs monthly on the second Saturday.
Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon Planetarium Show | 6:00 pm
Location: Pierce College Science Dome (Rainier Building, Room 263), Lakewood
Price: $15 (tickets)
Description: An immersive, 45-minute surround sound and visual experience celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Dark Side of the Moon. Approved by the band, the presentation features 2D-transcending space and solar system visuals designed by NSC Creative alongside long-time Pink Floyd collaborator Aubrey Powell.
Sunday 12
Morse Wildlife Preserve Open Day | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Morse Wildlife Preserve, Graham
Price: Free
Description: Explore over 90 acres of protected wildlife habitat containing five critical ecosystems: prairie, wetlands, oak savanna, and diverse forests.
🎸 Music
Events marked with ($) are paid events
Thursday 9
Take7 Little Big Band | Cockrell Cider Farm - Puyallup | 4:30 pm (free)
The Atomic Punks (A Van Halen Tribute) | Pioneer Park - Puyallup | 6:30 pm (free)
Joh Chase + Skip The Needle | McMenamins - Elk Temple - Tacoma | 7:00 pm ($)
Regency & Spaceship | Real Art Tacoma | 6:30 pm ($)
Diamond Rio | Steel Creek - Tacoma | 7:00 pm ($)
Max McNown | Dune Peninsula - Point Defiance Park | 5:00 pm ($)
Friday 10
Jeremy McComb’s Honky-Tonk Circus | McMenamins - Elk Temple - Tacoma | 7:00 pm ($)
NW Tool Tribute (A Tribute To Tool) with Sludge Factory (A Tribute to Alice In Chains) | Jazzbones - Tacoma | 8:00 pm ($)
It’s A 80’s Party | Airport Tavern - Tacoma | 9:00 pm ($)
Infight, Koba, Heavens Blaze, Anxious Arms, At Fault | Real Art Tacoma | 6:30 pm ($)
The Pine Box Boys | The Valley - Tacoma | 8:00 pm ($)
Twang Junkies | Bob’s Java Jive - Tacoma | 7:00 pm (free)
The Gigsters | Kimball Coffeehouse - Gig Harbor | 7:00 pm (free)
Brian James Was Here | Reuben A. Knoblauch Heritage Park - Sumner | 6:30 pm (free)
The Kareem Kandi World Orchestra | The Speakeasy - Tacoma | 6:00 pm ($)
Kim Archer | Prohibition Cellars - Tacoma | 6:00 pm ($)
Saturday 11
Sapphic Pride | Jazzbones - Tacoma | 9:00 pm ($)
Haus of Pride | Airport Tavern - Tacoma | 9:00 pm ($)
Veins Like Scriptures, Withered, Mein, Drop! The Gun, Mourn Me | Real Art Tacoma | 6:30 pm ($)
The Mistaken | Rock the Dock Pub and Grill - Tacoma | 8:00 pm (free)
Patio Party with Billy Stoops & The Dirt Angels | The Valley - Tacoma | 7:00 pm ($)
Slainte (Irish Rock) | The Spar Tavern - Tacoma | 7:00 pm (free)
Chicken Joe & The Fabulous Cocks | Zesty Steakhouse - Lakewood | 8:00 pm (free)
Absynthe Minded | The SandBAR - Tacoma | 8:00 pm (free)
Sunday 12
Stella Prince | McMenamins - Elk Temple - Tacoma | 5:00 pm ($)
Sunday Jazz with Rich Wetzel’s Grooving Higher Orchestra | Airport Tavern - Tacoma | 4:00 pm ($)
The Olson Bros Band | The Beer Vault - Gig Harbor | 3:00 pm ($)
⚽ Sports
Saturday 11
Seattle All-Star Classic: 5th Annual Celebrity Softball Game | 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Cheney Stadium, Tacoma
Price: Tickets start at $27
Description: The 5th annual celebrity softball game and home run derby, hosted by Seahawks players Rashid Shaheed and Uchenna Nwosu. Pro athletes, entertainers, and community leaders take the field, with Elijah Arroyo and Tyrice Knight on the roster.
😆 Comedy
Tim Meadows Live | 7:00 pm & 9:45 pm (Friday 10 & Saturday 11)
Location: Tacoma Comedy Club (Downtown)
Price: $30.29 (tickets)
Description: Actor, comedian, and Saturday Night Live alum Tim Meadows performs a live stand-up set focusing on sharp storytelling and signature character work in an intimate setting.
Andy Haynes Live | 7:30 pm (Friday 10)
Location: Tacoma Comedy Club (6th & Proctor),
Price: $24 - $29 (tickets)
Description: NYC-based comedian Andy Haynes brings his live set to town. A regular at the Comedy Cellar and The Comedy Store, with credits including Fallon, Conan, The Late Late Show, and a Don't Tell Comedy special with over a million views.
🛍 Local Markets
Frontier Park Night Market | Frontier Park, Graham | Thursday 9 - 4 pm - 9pm
Tacoma Farmers Market | 9th & Broadway, Thursdays 10 am - 2 pm
Waterfront Farmers Market | Skansie Brothers Park, Thursdays 1 - 6 pm
DuPont Farmers Market | Clocktower Park, Thursdays 3 - 7 pm
Tacoma Proctor Farmers' Market | Corner of N. 27th St. &, N Proctor St, Tacoma, Saturdays 9 am - 2 pm
The Village Farmers Market | Frontier Park, Sundays 10 am - 3 pm
Northwest Metaphysical Market | 916 Broadway, Tacoma, Saturday 11 - 11 am - 5 pm
Haunted Farmers Market | S 54th St & S Tacoma Way, Sunday 12 - 11 am - 4 pm
☀ Weather
🖖 Before we go
Point Defiance Zoo is hosting Arctic Sea Ice Weekend on July 11-12 (9 am-5 pm). Watch polar bear Laerke, walruses Balzak and Lakina, and Arctic foxes enjoy ice-themed enrichment while learning about climate action. Highlights include a polar bear enrichment chat at 1:30 pm, a walrus feed at noon, and hands-on exhibits with conservation staff. Included with regular zoo admission.
Thank you for reading, and I'll see you next Thursday.