Tag: 6th-avenue

  • Thursday at Triple Knock: putting the zine mixer on the calendar

    Thursday at Triple Knock: putting the zine mixer on the calendar

    This one started as an email. Tacoma Loyal’s September dispatch landed, Odessa signed it XO, and the sentence that stuck was simple: they’re celebrating September cover artist Matthew Cheramy and the people who keep Underground Sound in print on Thursday, September 10, at The Triple Knock.

    I already wrote the practical version — where the zine lives, who prints it, how the ads work — over on the Underground Sound page. That piece can sit in the hub like a useful note. This one is the other half. This is the night we actually marked.

    Tacoma Loyal flyer for the Underground Sound zine mixer at The Triple Knock on 6th Avenue.
    Tacoma Loyal’s mixer flyer from the September dispatch.

    The mixer is 6:30 p.m. at The Triple Knock, 2713 6th Ave. Pinball hall, full bar, late hours, the kind of 6th Avenue room that exists so you have somewhere to go after the galleries close and before anyone starts talking about parking enforcement. They keep a couple dozen machines in rotation. They stay open until 2. They do not need a speech from me about pinball.

    What they needed, on our side of the house, was a calendar block that would survive the week. So the event is on Google and Outlook: 6:30 to 9, Stefani invited, and a line in the notes that is not optional — make sure Trapito has a babysitter. If the night happens, it happens because that line gets done first. The zine people can pour a drink. We still have a dog.

    I like this kind of Tacoma more than I like the official kind. Museum District is real and we write about it. UPS sits on the same avenue and we write about that too. But the city I actually live in is the one that still prints a monthly on paper, drops two thousand copies at two hundred counters, and then asks you to show up at a pinball bar on a Thursday because the cover artist sold work at Art on the Ave and Porchfest and somebody should say so out loud.

    Odessa and James are obsessed with getting the issue out. That sentence was in the email and it did not feel like marketing. Getting a print object across the South Sound every month is a stubborn, analog job. The mixer is how they close the loop — not a ticketed launch, not a panel, just the people who made the thing standing in the same room as the people who picked it up at Hob Nob or House of Records or The Brotherhood and forgot it in the car until now.

    I am not going to recap the 253 VIP card or the ad rates again. That is already on the other page. The only extra thing worth carrying here is the merch note: a Cheramy piece is going on a tee, maybe a tank, maybe a hoodie, and they already put Wrecking Ball Records and The Swiss on recent drops. If you want to leave with something besides a score on a machine, that is the stack.

    Thursday the 10th. 6:30. 2713 6th. Babysitter first. Then we go be in Tacoma on purpose.

    Not a paid placement. The flyer below is theirs.

    If you want the useful version

  • Underground Sound: Tacoma’s Monthly Zine and the 6th Ave Scene Around It

    Underground Sound: Tacoma’s Monthly Zine and the 6th Ave Scene Around It

    Most of Tacoma’s official culture story lives in the Museum District. That is real, and we cover it. What gets missed is the cheaper layer: a monthly print zine that still shows up in bars, record shops, tattoo shops, and coffee counters from 6th Ave out across the South Sound.

    That zine is Underground Sound, published by Tacoma Loyal. It is not a visitor brochure and it is not a press release. It is a paper object you can pick up for free, take home, and actually finish.

    A free zine and a pint glass on a worn wood ledge, looking out at a wet Tacoma street at night with arcade light in a corner bar.
    6th Ave after dark — the layer of Tacoma culture that still lives on paper. Editorial illustration, not a Tacoma Loyal asset.

    Tygart Media received Tacoma Loyal’s September dispatch by email. This is not a paid placement.

    What Underground Sound is

    Odessa and James put out a print-only monthly. Latest issues have grown by a page — more advertisers, more stories. Tacoma Loyal says they print 2,000-plus copies and drop them at 200-plus South Sound spots. That is a distribution footprint most neighborhood blogs never touch.

    The project also has a physical quirk worth knowing: Underground Sound Box No. 1 sits at The Hob Nob, a rescued newspaper box built as a tribute to Ace Frehley’s 1970s “Spaceman” look, crafted by Steve Haverly. The longer idea is to keep pulling dead boxes off the curb and turning them into one-off art objects. Details live on the Underground Sound page.

    Where to pick one up

    Copies turn up in music venues, bars, coffee shops, tattoo studios, and dining rooms. Named drops include Hob Nob, Mary Mart, House of Records, Free The Funk, The Method, Hippie House, Magoos, 1111, South Sound Scooters, Black Cat Barber, and The Brotherhood Lounge. If a stack is gone, the next month’s drop is the fix — this is analog on purpose.

    This month on the page

    September’s cover artist is Matthew Cheramy, a Tacoma painter you may have already walked past at Art on the Ave or Porchfest. Tacoma Loyal is putting a Cheramy piece on merch next — tee, tank, maybe a hoodie — through Market Loyale. Recent issues also carried Art on the Ave artist collabs plus two 6th Ave fixtures, Wrecking Ball Records and The Swiss. Merch profits are shared with the artists.

    The community mixer is Thursday, September 10, 6:30 p.m. at The Triple Knock, 2713 6th Ave — pinball, drinks, and the people who make the zine. No ticket required from the listing we saw. If you only do one thing with this article, go to that or grab the issue first.

    253 VIP and ads, without the pitch deck

    253 VIP is their local-perk card: $2.53 the first month, then $10 a month, plus 10 percent off Tacoma Loyal merch. The current partner list includes Ted Brown Music, Odd Otter, Dahlman Cellars, Salty Dog, Phill-Wright Wellness, Sober AF, Hippie House, Happy Belly Eatery, Noir Bloom, Grit City Canine, CND Ventures, The Barber Parlor, Tygerwolf Tattoo, and Waddington Esthetics. Confirm the live list on their site before you spend the money; partners rotate.

    If you run a Tacoma shop and want print, they sell affordable pages because the zine is the product. Posted rates: full page $700, half $300, quarter $200, eighth $100. Ad requests and payment are due by the 25th of each month so the issue can go to Minuteman Press. Start at the ad sheet or email Ads@TacomaLoyal.com.

    How this sits next to the rest of Tacoma

    Use this page as the street-level companion to our Museum District guide and the institutional write-up on the Museum of Glass and Tacoma Arts Live. Sixth Avenue already has an academic anchor in our piece on the University of Puget Sound. Underground Sound is what you find between those buildings, on the bar, after the galleries close.

    For the wider city stack, start at the Tacoma hub or the Tacoma archive.

    Useful links

  • The University of Puget Sound: A Cornerstone of Tacoma’s 6th Avenue District and Beyond

    The University of Puget Sound: A Cornerstone of Tacoma’s 6th Avenue District and Beyond

    # The University of Puget Sound: A Cornerstone of Tacoma’s 6th Avenue District and Beyond

    Nestled on a verdant 97-acre residential campus, the University of Puget Sound stands as a pivotal institution within Tacoma, particularly influencing the vibrant 6th Avenue district. Far more than just an academic enclave, UPS is a dynamic force, shaping the intellectual landscape, contributing to the local economy, and fostering a deep connection with the community it calls home. As Tacoma’s independent business strip and nightlife hub, 6th Avenue thrives on the energy and talent emanating from institutions like Puget Sound, making the university’s activities and achievements directly relevant to the pulse of our city.

    The university, home to 1,582 undergraduate students and 237 graduate students, is consistently innovating its academic offerings to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving world. A significant development on this front is the upcoming launch of a new interdisciplinary emphasis in Artificial Intelligence and Human Values, set to commence in Fall 2026. This forward-thinking program is designed to provide students with a structured pathway to understand AI not merely as a technological advancement, but through the critical lens of its broader societal and ethical implications. Such initiatives underscore Puget Sound’s commitment to producing graduates who are not only technically proficient but also thoughtful, ethical contributors to their fields and communities.

    Beyond new programs, the faculty at Puget Sound are actively engaged in groundbreaking research that enriches the academic environment and potentially offers broader scientific contributions. Assistant Professor of Biology Elisa Frankel, for instance, has embarked on a new research program focused on synapses – the vital connections between brain cells – following a successful grant proposal. This kind of faculty-led inquiry provides invaluable experiential learning opportunities for students and elevates the university’s standing as a center for intellectual discovery. The institution prides itself on a low 10-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring that students receive personalized attention and build strong connections with their professors, fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment.

    The University of Puget Sound’s commitment to Tacoma is perhaps best exemplified by the tangible impact its graduates have on the local workforce. The institution reports that a significant percentage of its Class of 2025 is either employed or continuing their education, a testament to the rigorous curriculum and comprehensive support systems in place. The median annual salary for Puget Sound graduates who received federal student aid is often reported to be competitive, indicating strong career prospects and a valuable return on investment for its alumni.

    A compelling narrative of this local commitment is found in the story of Rocio Guevara Perez ’23, MAT’26. After graduating from Lincoln High School in Tacoma, she pursued her undergraduate degree at Puget Sound and is now returning to Lincoln as a Master of Arts in Teaching graduate. This “full circle moment” highlights the university’s role in cultivating local talent and feeding it directly back into the Tacoma community, strengthening its educational infrastructure from within. Such stories are not isolated incidents but rather reflect a broader institutional philosophy of engagement and contribution to the city’s well-being.

    The university’s liberal arts foundation ensures that students, regardless of their chosen major, are encouraged to explore diverse subjects and ideas. This flexible and supportive education model is designed to produce well-rounded individuals capable of critical thinking and adaptability. Students like Meghan Mooney ’23, who studied Biology and Environmental Policy & Decision Making, attest to the strong community fostered by professors, stating, “This is a school where, if you get to know your professors, they become your community, cheering you on. It made me feel like I could do everything I set out to achieve.” Similarly, Angela Ronces-Cortez ’24, majoring in Latina/o Studies and Music, found her “love of learning really flourished here,” underscoring the enriching experience a liberal arts education at Puget Sound provides.

    Experiential learning is a cornerstone of the Puget Sound experience, extending education beyond the traditional classroom setting. Opportunities range from study abroad programs to internships and summer research, providing students with hands-on experience that prepares them for their post-graduation endeavors. These experiences often connect students with various local entities, further integrating the university into the fabric of Tacoma.

    The university’s location is a significant draw, offering students access to the best of the Pacific Northwest. “From our beautiful Tacoma campus, you’re close to the best the Pacific Northwest has to offer, from diverse culinary experiences to backpacking in Olympic National Park.” This proximity to diverse experiences, including a variety of dining options often found in districts like 6th Avenue, means that the student body contributes significantly to the local economy and cultural scene. The presence of nearly 1,800 students, many of whom reside on the residential campus, ensures a steady flow of patrons and participants for the businesses and entertainment venues that define the 6th Avenue corridor.

    In essence, the University of Puget Sound is more than just an academic institution; it is an integral part of Tacoma’s identity and a vital contributor to the dynamism of the 6th Avenue district. Through its innovative programs, dedicated faculty, successful graduates, and deep community ties, UPS continues to enrich the city, providing a steady stream of educated talent and fostering a vibrant intellectual and social environment that benefits all of Tacoma. Its ongoing commitment to the city ensures that its impact will continue to resonate throughout the community for years to come.