*   Silks aerialist Todd Rogers (5-8pm)
 *   Drag queen Indika Haze (6-7pm)

[cid:image018.png@01D3D332.113DE190]<http://www.tacomatheaterdistrict.com/> FOR INFORMATION: Dmitry Mikheyev Spaceworks Communications Coordinator 253.682.1725 DmitryM@tacomachamber.org<mailto:DmitryM@tacomachamber.org> www.tacomatheaterdistrict.com<http://www.tacomatheaterdistrict.com> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 12, 2018 [cid:image019.jpg@01D3D332.113DE190] Tacoma Community Invited to TRANSFORM Open House on Theater District Culture & Transportation Planning TACOMA, Wash. - Calling all Tacoma residents, riders of public transit, and people working in and around downtown Tacoma! We need your input. Join us on Thursday, April 19, 6-8pm, for an open house focused on the future TRANSFORMation of the Theater District. The event will be held at the Pantages Theater Lobby, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402. Light refreshments will be served. TRANSFORM is a project initiated in 2017 by Pierce Transit, City of Tacoma and Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, aimed at revitalizing Tacoma's Theater District. These three project partners are committed to working with the community to explore how we can improve the design, function, and programming of public spaces and streets in the Theater District, and develop a plan to redesign the transportation and cultural hub framed by 9th and 11th Streets between Broadway and Pacific Avenue into a vibrant area at the heart of downtown. "What we want to end up with is a plan that sparks change, and makes this district better for our transit riders, theater-goers, residents, workers - everyone who cares about this district. So, while we get entertained by some cool local artists, we'll also be checking in to see if our plan is headed in the right direction." Janine Robinson, Senior Planner, Pierce Transit Walker Macy, the planning, urban design, and landscape architecture firm hired to develop the plan, will be on hand to discuss the project and host an interactive "board game" activity that lets guests show us what they want to see in the Theater District. "This is an opportunity to share your ideas for how to make the district's streets, parks, and plazas better for the community. We want to know what you like and don't like and what positive change looks like to you-before we begin our own design studies. " Calder Gillin, Walker Macy This free community event, produced by Spaceworks Tacoma, will include a presentation of TRANSFORM plan progress; local performers will be around adding excitement to the event; opportunities to give feedback and help guide plan development; and light refreshments. This event will provide an open dialogue exploring the many angles of revitalization. Facebook RSVPs are encouraged, however no registration is required. To join the event on Facebook, visit >> https://www.facebook.com/events/175701156581023/ Activities are also planned Monday April 16 - Thursday April 19 in key areas of the Theater District to provide the public with glimpses of unique space use, including a public chalk wall on Commerce Street, live bands in the pocket park next to Park Plaza North, a Department of Artistic License in the former Pierce Transit ticket shop on Commerce, live performances in the tiny park in front of Pantages Theater, and a soccer field in Theater Square Park. Here is the schedule for those activities: 1. Public Chalk Wall on Commerce Street hosted by chalk artist Britton Sukys 2. Live bands in the pocket park that is located between Park Plaza North parking garage + the Chamber building (at 950 Pac Ave) and between Commerce + Pacific Ave * Ken Jacobsen of Destiny City Music Collective (Mon 12-1pm) * Champagne Sunday (Tues 4-5pm) * Happy Sinners (Wed 12-1pm) 3. Department of Artistic License in the former Pierce Transit ticket shop on Commerce (Sun & Mon 12-5pm) 4. Live performances in the tiny park in front of Pantages Theater (Thurs 5-8pm) * Silks aerialist Todd Rogers (5-8pm) * Drag queen Indika Haze (6-7pm) 1. A soccer field in Theater Square Park (Thurs 10am-2pm) 2. And maybe a few surprises in interesting places For more information about the TRANSFORM project visit: www.tacomatheaterdistrict.com<http://www.tacomatheaterdistrict.com> Photos of September 2017 Theater District activation by Spaceworks Tacoma<https://spaceworkstacoma.com/> can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Spaceworks-Tacoma-109572422414579/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1518195434885597 Hi-res photos available upon request. [cid:image020.png@01D3D332.113DE190][cid:image021.png@01D3D332.113DE190][cid:image022.png@01D3D332.113DE190] [Spaceworks_Tacoma_Logo_Black_72] [walker macy_mhead_logo] This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. NEA funding for this project was first announced in May 2016: http://www.thenewstribune.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article76762072.html To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov<http://www.arts.gov> [cid:image024.jpg@01D3D332.113DE190] ### Dmitry Mikheyev Spaceworks Communications Coordinator P. 253.682.1725 E. DmitryM@tacomachamber.org<mailto:DmitryM@tacomachamber.org> W. www.spaceworkstacoma.com<http://www.spaceworkstacoma.com/> [NEON 2018 Email Footer]<https://www.spaceworksneon.com/> Spaceworks is a program of and located at: Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber 950 Pacific Avenue, #300 PO Box 1933 Tacoma, WA 98401-1933 F. 253.597.7305 P: 253 627-2175