The dance form known as belly dancing is derived from traditional women’s dances of the Middle East and North Africa. Local belly dancer Hanan Valiant provides insights into this centuries-old dance a ...more

The dance form known as belly dancing is derived from traditional women’s dances of the Middle East and North Africa. Local belly dancer Hanan Valiant provides insights into this centuries-old dance and performs in the gallery. <<less

Melodic, Urban, Rock with haunting vocals and beats. This music will move you. Rock meets folk. Perfect. Debora Page's music is a combination of melodic rock, funk, folk, beats, and haunting vocals. I ...more

Melodic, Urban, Rock with haunting vocals and beats. This music will move you. Rock meets folk. Perfect. Debora Page's music is a combination of melodic rock, funk, folk, beats, and haunting vocals. Influences such as Sarah Mclachlan, Tori Amos, Eddie Vedder, James and many more have had an impact on the sound that inspires this Tacoma artist. <<less

Three works for chamber ensemble, originally set for ballet, by French and American composers.
Le bal de Beatrice d'este by Hahn
La Creadtion du monde by Milhaud
Suite from Appalachian Sp ...more

Three works for chamber ensemble, originally set for ballet, by French and American composers.
Le bal de Beatrice d'este by Hahn
La Creadtion du monde by Milhaud
Suite from Appalachian Spring by Copland <<less

World-class trumpet virtuoso Allen Vizzutti has performed with many of the world’s leading artists and ensembles, from “Doc” Severinsen and the Tonight Show Orchestra to the Tokyo Philharmonic, and as ...more

World-class trumpet virtuoso Allen Vizzutti has performed with many of the world’s leading artists and ensembles, from “Doc” Severinsen and the Tonight Show Orchestra to the Tokyo Philharmonic, and as guest soloist with numerous symphony orchestras here and abroad. <<less

Falla Suite No. 1 from Three-Cornered Hat
Debussy Petite Suite
Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin
Ravel Piano Concerto in G - Joel Fan, piano

Friday, November 21, 2008 at 7:30pm more

The most daring rescue carried out by the British Navy at the end of World War II changed Nancy’s life forever. She was fleeing from Nazi occupation in Norway when she met her Scottish love, Archie. ...more

The most daring rescue carried out by the British Navy at the end of World War II changed Nancy’s life forever. She was fleeing from Nazi occupation in Norway when she met her Scottish love, Archie. Their love story highlights undeniable courage in the face of adversity and the determination of the human spirit to fight for freedom at all costs. Meet the star, and stay for Q&A. <<less

This is your chance to be a model.

12:00pm-2:00pm Model Workshop hosted by NFI Productions - Pick-up registration forms at the Customer Service Center.

Registration Begins at 2pm - ...more

This is your chance to be a model.

12:00pm-2:00pm Model Workshop hosted by NFI Productions - Pick-up registration forms at the Customer Service Center.

Registration Begins at 2pm - $10 fee. Bring a non-returnable photo.

1pm to 2:30pm Meet & Greet -Jason Thompson, aka Dr. Patrick Drake from General Hospital and GH Night Shift.

3pm to 4pm Model Search. <<less

Mickey Fay Presents Motorcycle & Quad Flattrack Racing at the Puyallup Fairgrounds.

Indoor Flat Track Racing is BACK at Mickey Fay's Puytallup Indoor at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in ...more

Mickey Fay Presents Motorcycle & Quad Flattrack Racing at the Puyallup Fairgrounds.

Indoor Flat Track Racing is BACK at Mickey Fay's Puytallup Indoor at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup, WA.

The Season Opener is Saturday, October 11th. Be sure to make it on out to see a variety of Racing at its BEST!

This season we will have all kinds of Racing! Boys and girls on itty bitty bikes and quads, Old guys on Vintage Bikes, Fearless young kids on both bikes and quads, Lawnmower Racing at its best, and of course the Pro's who were out there batteling for the money!

We look forward to seeing you down at the track! Check back often for new things to be added! Tell yoru friends, as they won't want to miss out! <<less

Native American storytelling, art demonstrations, performances, and a close-up examination of artifacts bring history to life in this program at the Washington State History Museum Nov. 22 from 1-3 p. ...more

Native American storytelling, art demonstrations, performances, and a close-up examination of artifacts bring history to life in this program at the Washington State History Museum Nov. 22 from 1-3 p.m. <<less

“The Right Stuff” really is -- at long last -- returning to your block. Thankfully, this time, it’s all happening in the right way too.

New Kids On The Block -- five now fully-grown men who f ...more

“The Right Stuff” really is -- at long last -- returning to your block. Thankfully, this time, it’s all happening in the right way too.

New Kids On The Block -- five now fully-grown men who forever defined what the modern boy band would look and sound like -- are back together for the very first time in nearly a decade and a half, and currently hard at work on their first new album since 1994. That still untitled album should be released sometime this summer, preceded by the New Kid’s first new single since the Nineties, and followed in the fall by an already hotly anticipated international concert tour. <<less

Falla: Suite No. 1 from The Three-Cornered Hat
Debussy: Petite Suite
Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin
Ravel: Piano Concerto in G - Joel Fan, piano

The French impressionist style ...more

Falla: Suite No. 1 from The Three-Cornered Hat
Debussy: Petite Suite
Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin
Ravel: Piano Concerto in G - Joel Fan, piano

The French impressionist style inspired a new generation of composers escaping the dominating German romanticism of Wagner and his worshippers. The result was an entirely new language in which subtle moods and abstract atmospheres replaced dramatic and emotional pathos. Debussy, de Falla and Ravel are master of the genre whose unique aesthetic keeps them as original as ever. Joel Fan, pianist for Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Project and an international soloist in great demand joins the Northwest Sinfonietta for Ravel's supreme Piano Concerto.

"A soaring talent - Fan's facility makes his playing a technical wonder." - Los Angeles Times <<less

I want to play and write creative music that can uplift the lives of everyday people," says guitarist-vocalist Ed Taylor. Throughout his career, Taylor has performed a wide variety of music that consi ...more

I want to play and write creative music that can uplift the lives of everyday people," says guitarist-vocalist Ed Taylor. Throughout his career, Taylor has performed a wide variety of music that consistently pleases both himself and his audience. His accessible guitar and vocals are distinctive and memorable. “We segue between jazz, R&B, smooth jazz, funk, rock and blues. If you don’t know the blues, you can’t play anything else. My band knows the blues!” The group is currently working on a DVD and a CD that is titled Songs From A Taylor which will be a collection of the band’s favorite songs including tributes to other artists. Ed Taylor is enthusiastic about the future. "It took me time to realize that audiences love to see me have fun playing songs that I really enjoy as opposed to me playing songs that I think they might want to hear. With The Smooth Operators I get to enjoy my music and have fun playing the music of my friends, too. What a fantastic world we live in!" <<less

The Smooth Operators: Ed Taylor, Greg Adams, and Paul Brown will perform at the Emerald Queen Casino. There will be a silent auction for TACID (Tacoma Area Coalition for Individuals with Disabilities) ...more

The Smooth Operators: Ed Taylor, Greg Adams, and Paul Brown will perform at the Emerald Queen Casino. There will be a silent auction for TACID (Tacoma Area Coalition for Individuals with Disabilities). <<less

Preston Singletary is recognized internationally for his work, which combines two of the Northwest’s most prominent artistic influences--traditional Native American designs and Studio Glass. During th ...more

Preston Singletary is recognized internationally for his work, which combines two of the Northwest’s most prominent artistic influences--traditional Native American designs and Studio Glass. During this two-day residency, Singletary will work on pieces for a future Museum of Glass exhibition.

The artists work continuously every day taking a lunch break from 1 - 2 pm. <<less

The thematic selection from Tacoma Art Museum’s permanent collection explores how artists capture the spirit and essence of narrative tales. Following closely the narrative structure of stories, theme ...more

The thematic selection from Tacoma Art Museum’s permanent collection explores how artists capture the spirit and essence of narrative tales. Following closely the narrative structure of stories, themes include character, setting, and plot development and resolution. The exhibition includes many favorites from the museum’s collection, surveying works made from the late 1890’s to the present in a vast array of media. Highlights include well-known paintings such as The Two Sisters by Pierre-Auguste Renior and Ballet in the Park by Everett Shinn. The art of the Northwest is showcased with works by Jacob Lawrence, Joseph Park, and others. <<less

The South was not the only place where Americans were denied equal rights. Right here in Washington, people could not get jobs or housing because of their color. The national civil rights movement of ...more

The South was not the only place where Americans were denied equal rights. Right here in Washington, people could not get jobs or housing because of their color. The national civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s helped, but local leaders fought for equal rights in their own way. Learn how in Tacoma’s Civil Rights Struggle: African Americans Leading the Way. The exhibit features a rich collection of artifacts, including photographs and newspaper articles, many not seen in half a century.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM, with extended hours and free admission every Thursday night, 5 – 8 PM; Sunday NOON – 5 PM. <<less

The South was not the only place where Americans were denied equal rights. Right here in Washington, people could not get jobs or housing because of their color. The national civil rights movement of ...more

The South was not the only place where Americans were denied equal rights. Right here in Washington, people could not get jobs or housing because of their color. The national civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s helped, but local leaders fought for equal rights in their own way. Learn how in Tacoma’s Civil Rights Struggle: African Americans Leading the Way. The exhibit will features a rich collection of artifacts, including photographs and newspaper articles, many not seen in half a century. Organized by the Washington State Historical Society and the Tacoma Civil Rights Project. <<less

Who are the Most Successful Women in World History?

This shouldn’t be too difficult to answer as very few were able to both "be successful" and "be able to overcome the discrimination against ...more

Who are the Most Successful Women in World History?

This shouldn’t be too difficult to answer as very few were able to both "be successful" and "be able to overcome the discrimination against women" that existed until recently. Those who did, found little competition. If fact if they dared force their way into an all-male field, and had some success, they may have the advantage of being famous because they were a woman (which was regarded as a novelty). For example, many people associate radioactivity with Marie Curie. Few people know that A. H. Becquerel was the actual discoverer of radioactivity, Federick Soddy was the discoverer of isotopes and of radioactive decay (1903), and Friedrich Ernst Dorn is said to be the discoverer of radon in 1900 … all just as important, if not more so, than Curie’s work.

Science was one of those all-male fields where one finds few women prior to the early 20th century. Of course, women usually did not have access to universities nor had access to laboratories. It is hard to realize that one may have a choice when one’s family, friends, and acquaintances all have been brainwashed into thinking that the woman’s place was in the home.

Nobility was one exception. A ruling family of a kingdom, which didn’t have a male heir, was quick to find a way to educate their female children and to assure that the female became the next regent. Of course, a male, if one existed, would be selected first. Of the females that did become regent, a disproportionate number became ‘great’ rulers. Indeed, once a field is open to females, one finds some of the greatest minds in history. In particular, one would be hard pressed to find a greater ruler than the Empress Maria Theresa whose social and political reforms rivaled that of the founding fathers of America. Our exhibit will include many such royal females, not for becoming the regent, but instead because of what they did once they were in that position.

Our exhibit will not include authors, nor women in medicine (A special exhibit is scheduled for year 2010), nor aviation and space. It will include many regents, a two or three of modern rulers, and a few in the women’s rights movement and the abolition movement. We will also mention a couple of super achievers; one, a saint and one, a ‘would be’ saint; Joan d’Arc and Evita. Finally, we will introduce a name that is not famous (an egregious oversight that surely will be rectified within the next couple of generations); Lise Meitner, the Austrian physicist who discovered nuclear fission. (The Father … ah … I mean Mother of the Atomic Bomb!)

If your favorite female success story is not included in this exhibit, please let us know. <<less

Oasis: Western Dreams of the Ottoman Empire from the Dahesh Museum of Art features artwork that captures Western artists’ responses to the diverse cultures of the former Ottoman Empire. These works ar ...more

Oasis: Western Dreams of the Ottoman Empire from the Dahesh Museum of Art features artwork that captures Western artists’ responses to the diverse cultures of the former Ottoman Empire. These works are full of rich detail and lush colors based on fact but often romanticized or recombined to suit the artist’s fancy. Oasis provides important historic and cultural perspectives on the ways in which Western artists depicted, and sometimes distorted, these cultures. It also highlights the power these images had, and continue to have, on the Western imagination. <<less

Sneak a peak into the inner workings of a museum curator's mind with Curators' Choice. Six of our staff members share their personal favorites from the collection of the Washington State Historical So ...more

Sneak a peak into the inner workings of a museum curator's mind with Curators' Choice. Six of our staff members share their personal favorites from the collection of the Washington State Historical Society—whether they are historically significant, personally interesting or simply pretty! Thirty artifacts will be on display, including a contemporary basket made of dried orange peels, created by a well-known Puget Sound basketmaker; a first American edition volume of the Koran, read by fur traders posted at the Columbia River; and a lamp shaped like the Space Needle, a souvenir from the 1960 Seattle World’s Fair.

Organized by the Washington State Historical Society. <<less

What Is a Trade? presents sixteen large-scale paintings that explore trade and globalization in India. Fels and his collaborators created the enamel on aluminum paintings in the style of hand-painted ...more

What Is a Trade? presents sixteen large-scale paintings that explore trade and globalization in India. Fels and his collaborators created the enamel on aluminum paintings in the style of hand-painted billboards (signboards) and Bollywood advertising. Most of the painters had formerly worked as sign painters. Until recently, all billboards in India were hand-painted, but digital technology has rapidly replaced this trade. The bright color palette and strong graphic narratives make visually arresting statements, capturing the Indian painters’ responses to the effects of trade and globalization. <<less

Take a fresh look at what the iron road created in The West the Railroads Made. Learn about how this one form of transportation reshaped the West and helped create a truly continental nation. Beyond i ...more

Take a fresh look at what the iron road created in The West the Railroads Made. Learn about how this one form of transportation reshaped the West and helped create a truly continental nation. Beyond iron tracks and coal-fired engines, the story of railroads is a story of transformation.  

Railroads brought the modern world to the West and the West to the modern world. The West the Railroads Made recounts how the idea of a Pacific railroad grew through the 1840s and 1850s, how it came to life in the second half of the 19th century, and how it reconceived itself to survive new challenges by the late 20th century. The exhibit will focus on the battleground between the river cities St. Louis and Portland, and the railroad cities Chicago and Seattle/Tacoma.  

The West the Railroads Made will feature more than 80 artifacts, including rare railroad ephemera, photographs, paintings and other three-dimensional pieces. Organized by the Washington State Historical Society and the Barriger Railroad Library of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. <<less

Long before Tacoma developed a reputation as a community of glass artistry, the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory impressed visitors with its gorgeous Victorian-style glass architecture and rare bot ...more

Long before Tacoma developed a reputation as a community of glass artistry, the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory impressed visitors with its gorgeous Victorian-style glass architecture and rare botanical collection.

November 16 will mark the opening of a grand finale to the conservatory’s year-long centennial celebration, as Tacoma’s native son and world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly presents a special three month exhibition. Chihuly’s works have wowed visitors at conservatories from New York to the United Kingdom. As a gift to the conservatory that he visited with his mom as young boy, Chihuly will loan a collection of his work to complement its impressive architecture and the vivid colors within its collection of more than 250 plant species.


The W. W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory, opened November 14, 1908, is located at 316 South G Street in Tacoma’s Wright Park and is listed on the City of Tacoma, Washington State and National historic registers. The building features a distinctive twelve-sided central dome and is made up of approximately 3,000 panes of glass. <<less

Celebrate Fridays at the Museum of Glass! Enjoy a box lunch from Gallucci’s Catering while watching our featured Summer Series artist at work in the Hot Shop. Please call 253.284.4737 to order your lu ...more

Celebrate Fridays at the Museum of Glass! Enjoy a box lunch from Gallucci’s Catering while watching our featured Summer Series artist at work in the Hot Shop. Please call 253.284.4737 to order your lunch at least 24 hours in advance. For more information, visit www.museumofglass.org. <<less

This selection of recent acquisitions to the museum’s collection explores the influence of surrealism in modern and contemporary art. Surrealism was a cultural and philosophical movement that originat ...more

This selection of recent acquisitions to the museum’s collection explores the influence of surrealism in modern and contemporary art. Surrealism was a cultural and philosophical movement that originated in 1920s Europe. The Surrealist Impulse emphasizes the diversity of works and artists new to the museum’s collection, including Gloria Bornstein, Salvador Dali, Morris Graves, Anya Kivarkis, Mary Ann Peters, and Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen. The broad range of media in the exhibition—glass, video, jewelry, ceramics, prints, and painting—reflects the museum’s collecting goals its strong interest in the accomplishments of Northwest artists. <<less

White Light: Glass Compositions by Daniel Clayman comprises seven large-scale, dense, opaque sculptures that challenge viewers’ perceptions of glass art and defies the stereotype of contemporary glass ...more

White Light: Glass Compositions by Daniel Clayman comprises seven large-scale, dense, opaque sculptures that challenge viewers’ perceptions of glass art and defies the stereotype of contemporary glass. <<less

Laguna Murano Chandelier (1996-97) is a magnificent Neo Baroque chandelier installation created by Dale Chihuly in collaboration with Italian glass masters Lino Tagliapietra and Pino Signoretto, showc ...more

Laguna Murano Chandelier (1996-97) is a magnificent Neo Baroque chandelier installation created by Dale Chihuly in collaboration with Italian glass masters Lino Tagliapietra and Pino Signoretto, showcases a 1,500-square-foot chandelier modeling a lagoon crawling with sea creatures and plant life. During museum hours. <<less

Joseph Rossano’s Mirrored Murrelets highlights the environmental impact of a changing environment on the Marbled Murrelet, a small sea bird that nests primarily in the old-growth forests of the Pacifi ...more

Joseph Rossano’s Mirrored Murrelets highlights the environmental impact of a changing environment on the Marbled Murrelet, a small sea bird that nests primarily in the old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest. The installation comprises 275 mirrored glass birds, created in the Museum of Glass Hot Shop in January, 2008, that “float” just above the surface of the Museum’s mid-level reflecting pool. <<less

Joseph Rossano’s Mirrored Murrelets highlights the impact on the Marbled Murrelet, a small sea bird that nests primarily in the old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest. The installation comprises ...more

Joseph Rossano’s Mirrored Murrelets highlights the impact on the Marbled Murrelet, a small sea bird that nests primarily in the old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest. The installation comprises two hundred mirrored glass birds, created in the Museum of Glass Hot Shop in January, 2008, that will “float” just above the surface of the Museum’s mid-level reflecting pool. The mirrored surfaces of the birds will reflect the viewer’s image, symbolically suggesting the impact of humans on the natural world. As visitors experience the installation, Rossano hopes they will “reflect on the plight of the bird as well as the beauty of its existence.” <<less