Community Calendar

Echoes of the Floating World features a striking collection of 18th, 19th and early 20th-century Japanese woodblock prints from the Tacoma Art Museum and others, displayed alongside works by contemporary Northwest artists. This exhibition honors the rich legacy of ukiyo-e while exploring its cultural impact on today’s artistic expressions.

Hours-

Monday CLOSED
Tuesday CLOSED
Wednesday 10 am – 5 pm
Thursday 10 am – 8 pm
Friday 10 am – 5 pm
Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday 10 am – 5 pm

We are protesting project 2025. TacomaRama marching band will join us for the next 4 years. We will meet each month on the Saturday closest to the 18th each month. Always 10am, always Reconciliation park.
Feel loved and supported.

Mandela: The Official Exhibition explores the life of the world’s most famous freedom fighter and political leader. His epic journey is told in a series of experiential galleries, from his rural childhood home through years of turbulent struggle against the apartheid regime, to his eventual vindication and final years as South Africa’s first democratically elected president.

An immersive and interactive experience, the exhibition features previously unseen films, photos, and the display of historical artifacts and personal effects on loan from the Mandela family, museums, and archives worldwide. This unprecedented exhibition offers fresh insights into the people, places, and events that formed Nelson Mandela’s character and the challenges he faced.

MOHAI will also highlight Mandela’s 1999 visit to Seattle and present a look at Seattle’s role in the anti-apartheid movement, including the work of the Seattle Coalition Against Apartheid. Mandela recognized Seattle as one of the first U.S. cities to boycott South African goods.

The period from the 1870s to the 1900s, known as the Gilded Age, saw the rise of the railroad, textile industry, and production. It also saw a rise in migration to US cities, providing workers to fill low paying jobs producing many of the fashions of the era. This era marked a turning point in fashion as new technologies and changing cultural norms transformed the ways in which people dressed.

Explore this history and enjoy the rare chance to see clothing, notions, and artifacts of the period from the Washington State Historical Society collections.

Never Turn Back: Echoes of African American Music unveils the profound legacy of Gospel, Blues, Jazz, and Soul artists who shaped the soundscape of American culture and used their music as instruments of resistance, identity, and representation.

Gospel, Blues, Jazz, and Soul embody the profound influence of African American music on culture and history. From the spiritual foundations and transformative movements of Gospel hymns to the revolutionary improvisations of Jazz, the Blues’ Southern roots rising from the Mississippi Delta, and Soul’s powerful amplification of the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements, these genres have defined the unique sound and undying spirit of a nation that continues to echo through contemporary Black music today.

"Echoes, Memories and Curiosities" is an unconventional one-man show of art by Chuck Iffland, an outsider artist whose works spring from his inner visions. The son of painters, musicians and craftsmen — he uses his great-grandfather’s hand tools — Iffland turns his dreams and imaginings into sculptures and prints.
The show, divided into what he calls echoes, memories and curiosities, is open noon to 5 PM daily except Tuesdays. A free opening celebration is set for 5 p.m. Saturday, July 12, and Iffland will do a free Q & A at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 27.
This artist is a free spirit. His degree is in political science, while “I have no art degrees. And I never wanted any art degrees,” says Iffland, who lives and works in rural Chimacum. He infuses his fascinations with archeology, history, borders and the natural world into wood, stone, paper and copper, making what he calls “artifacts of the mind.” His travels, including hikes in the American Southwest and explorations of Belize, also inspire him.

Celebrate Black art, music, and culture at the 45th annual Festival Sundiata presents Black Arts Fest on August 23 – 24 at the Seattle Center Armory Food Event Hall and Mural Amphitheatre! This free, family-friendly festival serves as a citywide family reunion where guests of all backgrounds can come together to learn, celebrate, and share in the rich tapestry of African American culture.

The entertainment-packed festival features intergenerational activities. An annual highlight is the show-stopping national music acts, along with the best in local talent that perform on two stages! This year’s lineup includes national headliners The Bar-Kays, and Dazz Band; as well as Kalimba, Binky Womack, Andy Stokes, Toni Bailey and Friends, Michael Powers, Gustavo Clark “El General,” CT Thompson, Baldy, and Lady Mercedes, among others.

Family-oriented experiences can be found in the Armory, including the annual and historical Buffalo Soldiers exhibit, the Ultimate Art Experience visual gallery, and free admission to the Seattle Children’s Museum for children with an accompanying adult.There will be a delicious array of foods and treats at The Taste of Sundiata including Dowd's BBQ & Catering, Simply Soulful Cafe, Original Philly's, Swagg-n-Wagon Wings & Things, plus
more.

The festival will also showcase goods and services from a wide range of local businesses and community organizations like Afrocentric Essentials, Bling by Leslie Bailey, Dae2Dae Creations,= Kenya Direct Fashion & Decor, and Nefertiti Holistics.

Festival Sundiata is the longest running African American festival celebrated in the Pacific Northwest and Seattle, holding its first festival in 1980. The festival is named in honor of Sundiata Keita, the historic and legendary Mansa (King of Kings) of the Mali Empire in West Africa. King Sundiata rescued his people’s griot and created one of the most significant cultural and economic kingdoms in Africa.

Discover the joyous fun of the original swing dance, Lindy Hop! We start from the very beginning and make this class series accessible to everyone, regardless of experience. Get ready to have a whole lot of fun! Vaccination, Boosters, and Upgraded Masking Required.

Auburn Symphony’s summer concert returns to the beautiful grounds of Soos Creek Botanical Garden with a vibrant string quartet performance rooted in rhythm and movement. “Strings in the Garden” invites you to unwind with graceful and spirited music inspired by the world of dance—from the playful charm of Fritz Kreisler to the irresistible rhythms of Richard Strauss Jr. and the tango flair of Astor Piazzolla.

At the heart of this performance is the shared artistry of four musicians deeply connected to the Northwest musical community:

Emilie Choi, Concertmaster of Auburn Symphony and Assistant Concertmaster at Pacific Northwest Ballet, is a dynamic performer with a passion for chamber music and genre-crossing collaborations—from baroque to jazz.

Dawn Posey, Concertmaster of the Bellingham Symphony and Assistant Concertmaster with Northwest Sinfonietta and the Auburn Symphony, brings a global perspective to her playing, having performed everywhere from Boston to Caracas to Amman. She’s equally at home in baroque ensembles and onstage with artists like The Who and Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Betty Agent, Principal Viola of Auburn Symphony and Assistant Principal Viola at Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, brings a thoughtful presence to the ensemble, rooted in years of performing, teaching, and mentoring in the Puget Sound region.

Brian Wharton, Principal Cello of Auburn Symphony and long-time member of Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, is a dedicated teacher and passionate advocate for chamber music. He created the Auburn Symphony’s Chamber Series to bring more intimate musical experiences to the community.

This open-air concert offers a chance to slow down and enjoy live music in a peaceful garden setting. Whether you’re strolling the paths, relaxing in a lawn chair, or simply soaking up the sun, this is a concert designed to be savored.