City Life
Curtis Salago at Jazzbones
B4
TACOMAWEEKLY.com
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2013
SECTION B, PAGE 1
Cultura infuses art, culture into community
South Tacoma’s newest venue will also host internationally known musicians, artists, dancers and more
PHOTO BY KATE BURROWS
CELEBRATE. Marvin Gaviria, left, and partners Globo Azul Events were
joined by City Councilmember Marty Campbell for a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the opening of South Tacoma’s newest venue. By Kate Burrows kburrows@tacomaweekly.com
Only a few days after celebrating its grand opening, Cultura Event Center has already booked internationally known performers for a number of events. The event space and reception hall is already booked for much of the summer, when it will hold weddings, receptions, corporate functions and more. Although the facility is geared toward serving the local Hispanic community, Executive Director Marvin Gaviria hopes the event center becomes a place where anyone can infuse their own culture in the community however they see fit. “I wanted to create a facility that encompasses everything – culture, live music, community,” Gaviria said. “I hope this space becomes a canvas to express your culture, whether that is through a corporate event or a private event.” He and business partners, a group called Globo Azul Events, hope the new addition to the neighborhood enhances Tacoma’s beauty while infusing art and culture into the community. The 11,000-square-foot facility offers full stateof-the-art audio and lighting systems, beautiful exposed brick walls, a long bar on the main floor and a smaller, private bar upstairs. The two areas can be rented separately, and private changing rooms are available for bridal parties, as well. “People can use this facility for whatever type
of event they want,” Gaviria said. “Our rates vary quite a bit depending on what they need.” Cultura also offers a shared commercial kitchen available for use by farmers’ market vendors, caterers, food truck operators and more. Multiple walk-in freezers and refrigerators allow for ample food storage, as well. “I want people to know that we’re a part of the community, and want to hold this place to a higher standard to have a positive impact on the area,” Gaviria said. During a ribbon cutting celebration March 1, Tacoma City Councilmember Marty Campbell praised PHOTO BY KATE BURROWS Cultura for offering a shared commercial kitchen to potentially open FLAIR. Cultura Event Center offers ample space for private events, doors for food truck operators and meetings, artists’ showcases, musical performances and more. other small-business people. “We art, but Cultura’s performance art and other activities need more community kitchens open to the public will be huge for the area,” he added. in Tacoma,” he said. “As we work to become a true Coming up on March 22, Cultura is holding a international city, it is places like this that put us on night of live music by salsa superstar Luisito Carrion the map.” – one of the originators of salsa. For more informaCampbell also believes the cultural performances tion about Cultura Event Center, e-mail info@cultuand events will only help build up the local business raevents.com. community and neighborhood itself. “You can tell Cultura Event Center is located at 5602 S. Washthat the South Tacoma Business District embraces ington St.
THE THINGS WE LIKE ONE NW FAMILY EXPO
Market St. The comedian – best known for co-creating “Chappelle’s Show” and co-writing cult comedy “Half Baked” with Dave Chappelle – will headline at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. March 8 and 9. The 8 p.m. shows are open to 18 and older, but you have to be 21 or older for the later shows. Tickets are $10 to $15; (253) 282-7203 or see www.tacomacomedyclub.com for more info.
THREE The first annual Northwest Family Expo happens March 16 at the Tacoma Dome Expo Hall. Starting at 9 a.m. you can experience live family entertainment and hear tips from the experts on raising your family in the Northwest, plus many booths offering great deals for the entire family. Be one of the first 100 in line and receive a free ticket to Wild Waves theme park. All ticket proceeds benefit MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, available at Ticketmaster or at the box office on the day of the event. Parking is free.
TWO NEAL BRENNAN Neal Brennan is the main attraction this weekend at Tacoma Comedy Club, 933
‘PROOF’ Pierce College Theatre is staging the award-winning play “Proof” on March 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. Winner of the 2001 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play, “Proof” tells the story of Catherine, a troubled young woman who cares for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician. After he dies, Catherine is confronted with the most challenging problem of all: how much of her
father’s madness – or genius – will she inherit? Studio 320, Cascade Building, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, 9401 Farwest Dr. S.W., Lakewood. Tickets: $3 for general admission, $2 for Pierce students. Available at the Student Programs Office – Fort Steilacoom, at the door or by phone (253) 964-6710.
FOUR
‘FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY’ C el e b ra t e d actress and lifelong redhead Julianne Moore was ni c k n a m e d “Freckleface Strawberry” as a young girl. She turned that childhood teasing and nickname into the title of her bestselling children’s book series, “Freckleface Strawberry,” and now the beloved story has made the transition to the stage in an entertaining new musical
full of dancing, music and laughter with an endearing message of self-acceptance. It runs for six performances, Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. from March 9-17. Tacoma Musical Playhouse, 7116 6th Ave. Advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended: www. tmp.org or call the TMP box office at (253) 565-6867.
FIVE CHARLIE CHAPLIN MUSIC
Northwest Sinfonietta will present the 1925 Charlie Chaplin masterpiece “The Gold Rush” while performing the original orchestral score, March 16 at Temple Theater, 7:30 p.m. Get tickets at www. northwestsinfonietta.org.