Kent-area community calendar | Feb. 13

EVENTS

City of Kent’s Equity and Inclusion Speaker Series: 7 p.m. Feb. 13, Kent Memorial Park Building, 850 Central Ave. N. Featuring Vishavjit Singh “Stereotypes In Our Lives.” Vishavjit, an artist and cartoonist perhaps better known as Sikh Captain America, is on a mission. His mission is to get us to confront our prejudices by asking, did I act on my prejudices today? His presentation will create space to honestly reflect on the stereotypes in our lives. The ones directed at us and those we direct at others. Free and open to the public.

KBAC Charles A. Rolland African-American Legislative Day: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 17, State Capital, Olympia. In observance of Black History Month, the Kent Black Action Commission (KBAC) joins event organizers Washington Coalition of Christian Leaders, and A. Phillip Randolph of Seattle for a day at the capital. Opportunity to role model civic engagement and educate youth on how the state government functions. KBAC will provide a charter bus for transportation to and from Olympia. Unaccompanied minors will not be allowed to board without parent permission slips. Please RSVP to secure your seat on the bus. Bus pickup will be 7 a.m. at Kent-Meridian High School, 10020 SE 256th St. The bus will depart at 7:30 a.m., arriving in Olympia around 8:30 a.m. General assembly, tour and workshops are from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Lunch is 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a group focus session from 1 to 1:30 p.m. and a rally in the rotunda at 2. The bus will depart for Kent at 3 p.m. Anyone interested in attending or supporting the effort, please contact Gwen Allen-Carston 253-486-9029 gallencarston@gmail.com or Richard Johnson 253-631-7944 ajrj01@msn.com

Debbie Dimitre, Eleanor Roosevelt: 12:30-2:30 p.m. March 3, The Chateau, 4450 Davis Ave S., Renton. Renton/South King Retired School Employees Association welcomes Debbie Dimitre as one of, if not the, most influential First Ladies in history, Eleanor Roosevelt (First Lady 1933-1945). Storytelling comes in all forms and since 1987 Debbie Dimitre has taken storytelling to new heights and has made it a successful profession. She weaves together historical tales, such as the life of Eleanor Roosevelt, clad in historically relevant attire to unveil a story that doubles as a performance for audiences. Dimitre makes the stories of women in American history three dimensional for listeners. Due to construction, carpooling is advised.

Kent Kids’ Arts Day: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 14, Kent Commons, 525 Fourth Ave. N. Full day of hands-on art projects, musical performances, crafts. Looking for artist to lead projects and looking for more than a100 volunteers to assist project leaders with the projects. Tickets: $10 admission for kids, all projects included. Adults and children 2 years old and younger do not have to pay an entry fee, but you must have an admission ticket to participate in the hands-on art projects. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Lunch, snacks and beverages available for purchase. Kent Kids’ Arts Day is a project of the Kent Arts Commission and City of Kent Parks, Recreation and Community Services. For more information, visit kentwa.gov.

BENEFITS

43rd Green River Glass Show and Sale: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Feb. 29, Kent Commons, 525 Fourth Ave. N. A lineup of 30 exhibitors will display and sell from 200 tables featuring glass, jewelry and collectibles from early to mid-20th century, including depression, elegant and ’50s, ’60s and ’70s glassware, pottery, china and kitchenware. The Green River Depression Era Glass Club, Fenton Finders of Puget Sound and Northwest Heisey Collectors Club will present various glassware displays. Door prizes. Admission is $3, with the door proceeds benefiting local chapters of the American Cancer Society, Lupus Foundation and Navos Mental Health Solutions. For more information, contact Show Chair Terry Martin at 206-937-4104, or Kay Larsson at 253-852-5250.

South Sound Charity 5K Run and Youth Dash: 8:30 a.m. March 7, Riverbend Golf Complex, 2019 W. Meeker St. Proceeds benefit the Officer Diego Moreno Washington State University Scholarship Award. Moreno died in the line of duty in July 2018. Run will start at Half Lion Public House at the Riverbend Golf Complex. The Kent Police Foundation and Half Lion are partners in the event. Goal: raise $25,000 to endow the scholarship and provide financial backing to award the scholarship for many years to come. The scholarship is awarded to a WSU student majoring in criminal justice. Organizers are looking for more sponsors. Contact Kent Police Cmdr. Todd Durham at tdurham@kentwa.gov for more information. To register for the run, go to brownpapertickets.com/event/4502664. The fees are $5 for youth and $35 for adults.

VOLUNTEERS

AARP Foundation Tax Aide: In conjunction with the IRS, the service provides free tax-filing help to low- and moderate- income taxpayers. Volunteers needed to work during the 2020 tax season in Auburn, Kent, Covington, Enumclaw and Renton. Program provides training and support to help volunteers develop the skills necessary to be a tax counselor or client facilitator. Apply at aarpfoundation.org/taxaide or call 1-888-AARP-NOW (1-888-227-7669).

PROGRAMS

South King County Genealogical Society: 9:30 a.m. regular meetings, third Saturday of the month except for July, August and December, Wesley Lea Hill, second-floor Assembly Room, 32049 109th Place SE, Auburn. Social time prior to the program at 10 a.m. Free. For more information, visit skcgs.org.

HEALTH

Bloodworks Northwest drives: Appointments can be made by calling 1-800-398-7888, or visit bloodworksnw.org.

ENTERTAINMENT

ACCESSO SHOWARE CENTER

625 W. James St., Kent. 253-856-6777. Order at accessoshoware center.com. Events include:

Jo Koy – Just Kidding World Tour: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17. Note: Feb. 16 show sold out. One of today’s premiere stand-up comedians. Infectious and explosive energy on-stage. He pulls inspiration from his family, specifically his son, with material that has universal appeal. Tickets: $49.50-$189.50.

TobyMac Hits Deep Tour 2020: 7 p.m. Feb. 28. Joining TobyMac on the tour are rising stars Tauren Wells, Jordan Feliz, We Are Messengers, Ryan Stevenson, Aaron Cole, and Cochren & Co. Nationwide arena tour is a partnership with K-LOVE, Air1, Awakening Events, Altura Healthshare, and Food for the Hungry. Tickets: $21.75-$91.75.

SPOTLIGHT SERIES

Kent Arts Commission series schedule. Tickets available at kentarts.com or by calling 253-856-5051.

Carlene Carter: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28, Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center, 10020 SE 256th St., Kent. The daughter of June Carter Cash and country star Carl Smith, and the stepdaughter of Johnny Cash, performs a collection of family songs and originals. Tickets: $28 general, $25 senior, $15 youth.

We Shall Overcome – A Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.: 7:30 p.m. March 13, Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center. Group showcases repertoire of African-American musical traditions that electrified generations of civil rights activists. Production ties together a living lineage of music and culture that includes traditional gospel, modern gospel, classical, jazz, Broadway and spirituals, and also includes spoken word from Dr. King’s recorded speeches. Tickets: $28 general, $25 senior, $15 youth.

Catapult “Dancing Shadows”: 7:30 p.m. March 19, Kentwood Performing Arts Center. Shadow dance company rose to fame on “America’s Got Talent.” The show is full of humor, emotion and engaging stories told through music, shadows and poetry. Tickets: $30 general, $28 senior, $15 youth.

Elsewhere

KENT SENIOR CENTER

600 E. Smith St., Kent. Hours: Monday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday. 253-856-5150. kentwa.gov.