Tacoma Symphony Chorus sings “Messiah”

Hear the arias and choruses of Handel’s famous oratorio, sung by the Tacoma Symphony Chorus with Tacoma Symphony accompanying, and with soloists Denise Lees, Melissa Plagemann, James Brown and Benjamin Harris. 7:30 p.m. tonight. $25. St. Charles Borromeo Church, 7112 S. 12^th St., Tacoma. 253-272-7264, www.tacomasymphony.org

Flamenco at New Frontier

The 3 Glorias: Flamenco en Vivo performs at the New Frontier tonight, featuring sultry Seattle dancer Savannah Fuentes, singer Jesus Montoya and Pedro Cortez on guitar. 9 p.m. tonight. 21 and over. $20. New Frontier Lounge, …

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Gig Harbor studio tour

Gig Harbor’s annual self-guided Open Studio Tour is on again this weekend, with 28 artists in 25 studios in a variety of media. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept 17-18. Free. Various locations; get map online. 253-549-7551
www.gigharboropenstudiotour.org

Temporary street art on Park(ing) Day

Walk around downtown today and check out the temporary art literally on the street for Park(ing) Day, a one-day global event when artists, activist and regular citizens transform city parking spots into temporary public parks. Last year saw parking spots become tropical zones, picnic areas, art installations and even a tiny farm. …

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Click Flick: “Horton Hears a Who”

This month’s free Click Family Flick at the Grand Cinema is the animated, Dr. Seuss-based “Horton Hears a Who.” Doors open 9:30 a.m., screening 10 a.m. Aug. 20. Free to first 100 people. The Grand Cinema, 606 S. Fawcett Ave., Tacoma. 253-593-4474, www.grandcinema.com

Quilt Invitational at American Art Company

The American Art Company’s 11^th Northwest Contemporary Art Quilt Invitational is always a chance to see the latest trends in quilt art – new fibers, new techniques, new views. Open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. third Thursdays …

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“Stick Soup” debuts at Pierce College

Pierce College Pierce College’s spring theater production features “Stick Soup, A Steilacoom Indian Story.” Written by Danny K. Marshall and his daughter Lacie. B. Deck, both leaders in the Steilacoom Indian tribe, “Stick Soup” tells the story of a girl struggling to find her place in the local community. 7 p.m. May 20, 21, 27, and 28; 2 p.m. May 22 and 29. $3/ $2 students. Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, 9401 Farwest Drive SW, Lakewood. 253-964-6710, www.pierce.ctc.edu

Click Flick: “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”

This month’s free Click Family Flick …

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If you want free, you gotta plan. Today my idea was to catch the monthly Click Family Flick at the Grand Cinema – but about 100 people had the same idea as I did, and sooner. The Flick is a free kid-friendly film every third Saturday, usually something adults like as well, but it’s pretty popular, and it’s worth planning out the morning. Today’s screening was the 1988 classic “Big,” about a boy who wishes he was bigger – and has it granted, by about six years in one night.

Doors open at 10 a.m. for the 10:30 a.m. screening, …

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Click Flick: “Annie”

This Saturday’s Click Family Flick is that childhood classic “Annie,” about the little girl with the big heart and the super-cute dog. Doors open 10 a.m., screening 10:30 a.m. Sept. 18. Free, first 100 people only. The Grand Cinema, 608 S. Fawcett Ave., Tacoma. 253-572-6062, www.grandcinema.com

Welcome Figure blessing ceremony

A 20-foot-high traditional carved Coast Salish figure by Shaun Peterson (Qwalsius) will finally, after many years in the making, be installed by Tacoma Art Museum, City of Tacoma and the Puyallup Tribe in Tollefson Plaza this Saturday. 10 a.m.-noon Sept. 18. Free. Tollefson Plaza, South 17^th Street …

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Click Flick: “Ice Age”

This month’s Click Family Flick at the Grand is “Ice Age,” the animated feature set 20,000 years ago about a mammoth, a sloth and a human baby. Doors open 10 a.m., screening 10:30 a.m. July 17. Free, first 100 people only. The Grand Cinema, 608 S. Fawcett Ave., Tacoma. 253-572-6062, www.grandcinema.com

Gig Harbor Art Fest

The Peninsula Art League’s 26^th Annual Gig Harbor Summer Art Festival this weekend features local artists, live music including the Kim Archer Band, roving fiddlers, kids’ activities and sidewalk chalk art. Free shuttle from Pierce Transit Park and Ride lot and …

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Click Flick: “Free Willy”

The Click Family Flick at the Grand this month is the heart-wrenching orca tale, “Free Willy.” June 19, doors open 10 a.m., screening 10:30 a.m. Free, first 100 people only. The Grand Cinema, 608 S. Fawcett Ave., Tacoma. 253-572-6062, www.grandcinema.com

Persian poetry on the summer solstice

Celebrate the longest day of the year (if not the warmest) with an evening of Persian poetry, food, wine and music. A fundraiser for United for Peace Pierce County, the evening is set in a North-end rose garden, and features Rick Steves’ cinematographer Abdi Sami. 6-9 p.m. June 21. $30. …

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