Tacoma Arts Live: energizing community through live performance

By Anne Howard

For more than four decades, Tacoma Arts Live has been the cornerstone for arts and culture programming in the South Sound. Founded in 1979 as Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, the organization has hosted numerous world-class artists over the years, ranging from David Sedaris and Pink Martini to Tony Bennett, Queen Latifah, Cyndi Lauper, and numerous others.

2018 brought a rebrand to Tacoma Arts Live, a better reflection of the passion and commitment to providing the community with the best of live entertainment. That year also saw the reopening of the historic Pantages Theater, after a $30 million renovation and restoration spearheaded by Tacoma Arts Live.

Tacoma Arts Live is led by CEO David Fischer, a leader in the field who has been at the helm of the organization since 2006. Under Fischer’s direction, Tacoma Arts Live has strengthened its service and dedication to the community through essential education programs, microenterprise development, professional theater production, and world-class entertainment and events.

The pandemic has certainly changed how audiences engage with cultural entities, and the perception of cultural organizations has fundamentally shifted. Tacoma Arts Live is embracing the post-pandemic landscape and is innovating and engaging through creative programming. Part of this transformative approach is exploring new ways to bring arts experiences all around the South Sound.

Venues for the upcoming season include Pantages Theater downtown, Federal Way Performing Arts & Events Center, Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia, Chambers Creek Regional Park in University Place, and Tacoma Armory.

In 2021 Tacoma Arts Live moved from offices at the downtown theaters to Tacoma Armory. The following year, they were gifted Tacoma Armory by the late Fred Roberson and his family. Tacoma Arts Live was chosen specifically for their unique ability to fulfill Roberson’s wish that this special building become a dynamic cultural venue for the community to enjoy. Its 20,000+ square foot open framework is immensely configurable and there is no space like it in the Pacific Northwest.

With this new space, Tacoma Arts Live has presented beautiful immersive experiences, large-scale community events, and launched Accelerating Creative Enterprise (ACE), a small business incubator for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color)-owned and women-owned enterprises. Since February, the ACE program has supported over 50 Partners in their small business and creative pursuits.

Tacoma Arts Live continues to focus on strong relationships and service to the thriving South Sound region. The organization is well-equipped to elevate Tacoma as an innovation hub for arts, culture, and community. To learn more, check out TacomaArtsLive.org and follow @tacomaartslive on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and tiktok!

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Don’t Eat that!

As of September 21, 2023, the Washington State Department of Health issued the first beach closure in Pierce County due to high levels of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP). PSP, a toxin produced by certain algae, can be harmful when consumed. Beach closures due to this toxin have been reported throughout the Puget Sound since mid-August, and this year's occurrence has been particularly severe. Communities for a Healthy Bay (CHB) has been diligently tracking the spread of PSP and urges the public to understand the associated risks and reasons behind these closures. For more information click HERE.

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What the heck was that whooshing noise?

On the night of the full moon, October 1st, almost all of Tacoma heard what sounded like a huge monster breathing in and out all night long. People speculated on social media about what it could be. Some said it was a car revving, some said it sounded like giant waves crashing on the shore and at least one person thought it might be a UFO. We followed up and confirmed that the sound was coming from Port of Tacoma’s recently closed WestRock Paper Mill. The sound was “venting.” Robby Johnson, Senior Manager, Corporate Communication at Westrock said, “It’s a normal part of the process and could happen again. It isn’t harmful.” Ironically the plant is closed so it wasn’t clear why the venting was necessary. Read more about the paper mill closing here. If you hear it again and you want to complain, here is how to make contact: T 770.448.2193 | M 205.391.7101 robby.b.johnson@westrock.com.

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Introducing the first of several shows Weekly Volcano is producing

Check out the first installation of our new hit show FRED FINDS on our Youtube channel. Be sure to like and subscribe while you’re there! Click here to watch now.

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COVID-19 refuses to die

American households can receive free covid tests by mail again starting Sept. 25 as cases surge once more. From Sept. 3 through 9, hospitalizations increased by 7.7%. Click here for more information.

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Public comment sought for Pierce Transit planning

Pierce Transit riders and the community at large are invited to voice their priorities for the future of local transit by attending an in-person or virtual open house or drop-in opportunity. Event details and Zoom links can be found here. You can make a difference!

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FINALLY! Berlinger Beerhall has a Soft Opening October 13th

If you drive downtown at all you may have noticed their German beer hall sign that’s been gracing the corner of 24th and Pacific Avenue for years. That building needed a lot of work and it has a lot of history. We are so very glad to see that the project survived the pandemic and still plans to open! Sign up for their email list here. 

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Mixed results in Tacoma’s national image

Outside Magazine recognized Tacoma as one of the "happiest places to live" in the United States - fresh on the heels of another national story saying we have the 5th worst crime rate in the US. I guess it depends on who you ask.  

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Speaking of good PR

On the positive side Wall Street Journal's newest rankings for 2023 - 2024 listed UW Tacoma as 12th out of 400 institutions nationally for best value, social mobility, salary impact, and return on investment. Way to go Huskies!

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More of this action please!

T’wina Nobles, Washington State Senator from Tacoma set up a Young Professionals Scholarship.  Congratulations to Mia Chandler, the 1st high school recipient! The Senator wrote on her Linkedin page, “We launched this scholarship four years ago at only two local colleges and since then have provided 27 scholarships totaling over $67,000 to students at Tacoma Community College, Bates Technical College, Pierce College, and Clover Park Technical College. I am deeply committed to providing access to educational opportunities to local students.” Weekly Volcano commends her and we are 100% here for this type of energy in Tacoma!

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Glow Golf! 

Meadow Park Golf Course is bringing back a popular night time activity. This looks super fun - even for the less experienced player. Every Friday and Saturday evening from September 22 through December 30, Meadow Park transforms the Williams Nine Course into a multicolor canvas through the magic of LED-illuminated golf balls and flagsticks. Learn more about Golf in the dark here.

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A little late for 2023 fire season but still a good idea

Pierce Conservation District is doing free wildfire risk assessments on properties in Pierce County. Click here to get one for your home or business.  

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Get paid to make art happen in Tacoma

Applications are now available for Community Arts Projects funding! What community-focused arts programming - virtual or in-person - will your group produce in Tacoma in 2024? Apply for up to $6,000 in funding support. Open to all artistic disciplines. Applications are due Oct 30. Find out more at cityoftacoma.org/artsopps. Eligibility extends to private non-profit corporations with a 501(c) designation, organized groups of people working together towards a specific mission or purpose, for-profit businesses or educational institutions producing projects that are non-profit in nature, and tribes or Native non-profit organizations.

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Tacoma man Josh Ericksen was chosen to represent Washington State in the Homestyle category at 2023 World Championship Chili Cookoff in Myrtle Beach  

Yay Josh! Way to represent!  Learn more about this competition here.

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It may sound boring but it involves tourism which is usually a good time in Tacoma

Here is your chance to make a difference. Pierce County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee has 3 positions open. Learn more here.

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Octoberfest and the Greek Festival are happening this weekend

We just wanted to remind you that festival season isn’t totally over! For more about local events, check out our GORGEOUS event calendar here.

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What?? You didn’t get our October newspaper before everyone ran out?

Here are all the stories from the October 2023 Weekly Volcano Newspaper.

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Chi-Town Pizza supports local music but doesn’t have enough support from us

Local music booker Kevin Enlow from LuJack Promotions had this to say, “Chi Town Pizza and the Second City stage are on the brink of success and just need that last push. After 445 days of permitting delays and related challenges they opened to great enthusiasm bringing thin and Deep Dish Pizza, Italian Beefs and Chicago Dogs to their big, beautiful restaurant and full bar in Spanaway. Soon they were able to expand the menu and acquire the space next door and build the second city stage, which has brought excellent local and national musical and comedy talent to this underserved community in the south end. This all in addition to supporting local clubs like the Rotary and family friendly entertainment like princesses and superheroes, alongside more traditional sports and trivia. But the long delay in opening is coming back to bite them. That year plus with no revenue coming in ate up all their reserves and left no margin for error these past ten months. Now they are on the very brink of success or failure with a tentative closing date announced for next month. But all is not lost. With just a bit of a push Chi Town may yet weather this storm. So if you want to support local business, local bands, local comedy, and have quality food and entertainment south of the city limits come buy a meal or a drink, or catch a show. Tell your friends and bring your family. This is the kind of place worth saving.” Get out there and eat pizza for a good cause! Learn more here.

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