Join in the New Year's fun a little early with hands-on workshops and opportunities to join in the Tacoma-Pierce County area's truly community-focused, all-ages New Year's Eve event.
The Dec. 31 festivities will be fabulous, and give you plenty of opportunity to join in the singing, dancing, puppet play ... even a 1 mile fun run to kick off the night. For details: www.firstnighttacoma.org
But before then, there's now ... come on out for:
Workshop: Grand Procession Lanterns
7-10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16
Speakeasy Artists Coperative, 746 Broadway, Tacoma
FREE
Come join this hands-on workshop and make your own procession lantern with balloons and paper mache. This workshop is great for families. Kids 5 & up are welcome with an adult. All materials provided. Workshop instructor and artist Leslie Zenz has been leading lantern workshops for 15 years. She loves a parade!
Workshop: Mardi Gras Masks
1-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 (Session 1: 1-3; Session 2: 3-6)
Speakeasy Artists Cooperative, 746 Broadway, Tacoma
FREE
Make your own Mardi Gras mask! This participatory workshop is a hands-on experience in mask-making. Masks blanks provided as well as materials to decorate with. Jewels, feathers, sequins and paints all provide beautiful options for your own unique design. All families 5 & up are welcome with an adult. Workshop instructor and artist Oleana Perry has been leading artists workshops for 10 years and she loves to facilitate art for children and adults.
First Night Work Party
Noon-4 p.m. Saturday Dec. 19
LeRoy Jewelry store, 940 Broadway, Tacoma
Come out and help prepare for First Night by participating in a "work party" (a fun way to get things done). We will be meeting at LeRoy jeweler. Be dressed in work clothes and ready to build community!
Workshop: Puppet Wrangling
Noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27
Speakeasy Artists Cooperative, 746 Broadway, Tacoma
FREE
We will be teaching the operation of Giant Puppets for the First Night Grand Procession. Puppet Master Annett Mateo from Seattle Children's Theatre will be on hand to facilitate and help you learn the skills needed to operate a Giant Puppet. Puppets provided.
***And First Night is still looking for volunteers to help set up on both Dec. 30 & 31, tear down on Jan. 1, or help out the night of the event with button checking, checking in artists and volunteers, keeping the coffeepot full and even wrangling giant puppets. Sign up online: http://www.firstnighttacoma.
