Kent-area community calendar | May 31

Events

Kent International Festival: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. June 3, ShoWare Center, 625 W James St., Kent. Entertainment, cultural dances, swordsmanship performances, poetry readings, music and food. Free admission; cultural food available for purchase. For more information, visit kentinternationalfestival.com.

Summer Recycling Collection Event and Composter Sale: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 3, Kent Phoenix Academy parking lot, 11000 SE 264th St., Kent. Besides bringing items not easily recycled at the curb, residents can purchase composters for $25, while supplies last. Appliances, refrigerators and freezers, toilets sinks and mattresses will be accepted along with concrete, rocks, asphalt and brick. These items should be placed on a tarp, plastic sheet or in buckets to speed up unloading. Confidential Data Destruction will provide free shredding of up to three file-sized boxes of documents per vehicle.

Kent Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, June 3-Sept. 23, Town Square Plaza, 2nd Avenue and Smith Street, Kent. Fresh produce, food, entertainment. Kent Lions community service project. For more information, visit kentfarmersmarket.com.

Hydros & Hot Rods: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 4, Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum, 5917 S. 196th St., Kent. Annual show for the family. Listen to live music, explore the wide variety of vintage hydroplanes, and take part in the fun and games. Free admission. For more information, visit thunderboats.org.

Kent Valley Coin Show: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 10, Kent Commons Community Center, 525 Fourth Ave. N.

Juneteenth Celebration and Festival: 10 a.m.-dusk, June 13, Morrill Meadows Park, 10600 SE 248th St., Kent. Kent Black Action Commission (KBAC) presents family-friendly, community-wide, cultural celebration commemorates African-American freedom. Free to the public. Lineup of speakers, lunch provided by KBAC, games for children, a community dance and vendors showcasing their services and products. Nationally known Seattle jazz guitarist Michael Powers returns to anchor the concert in the park. For those who would like to support KBAC in its ongoing efforts, donations can be made to the organization’s GoFundMe account. gofundme.com/sum6bs. To learn more, visit kentblackactioncommission.org or Facebook.

Benefits

The Kent Downtown Partnership Dinner Auction: 5-9 p.m. June 9, ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St. Theme: Under the Stars – A Night at the Movies. Public invited to dress up, attend and help raise funds for KDP. Join the “night at the movies” atmosphere, receive a free VIP pass with personalized photo. The Great Gatsby ladies will sell tickets for a chance to win an overnight stay, including meals. Live auction items include a week’s stay at a Whistler, B.C., condo, Mariner club tickets with a parking pass and other prizes. For more information, contact Barbara Smith, KDP executive director, at 253-813-6976 or email BarbaraS@kentdowntown.org, or purchase tickets online at downtownkentwa.com.

Horizon PTA’s Carnival and Silent Auction: 5-8 p.m. June 16, 27641 144th Ave. SE, Kent. Rides, train, pirate ship and obstacle course. Proceeds benefit Horizon Elementary PTA. No entry cost. Two tickets for rides/games are $1. horizonhawkspta.org.

Ladies Night Out: 5-8 p.m. June 22, Kent Station, courtyard by Christopher & Banks, 438 Ramsay Way, No. 105. Proceeds support Kent Youth and Family Services. Evening includes a women’s fashion show from Chico’s, Christopher & Banks and J.Jill, fine wines, light bites and prizes. Tickets: $30, $40 VIP and available at kentstation.com/ladies-night-out. For more information, email cboyd@kentstation.com or call 253-856-2301.

Always Bet on GEM Casino Night: 7-11 p.m. June 23, IBEW Local 46, 19802 62nd Ave. S., Kent. The Evening includes wine tasting, prizes, wag bags, a silent auction, entertainment, games and food. Donations will help Glover Empower Mentoring expand the reach of its Summer Leadership Academy, which will be free to all participants, and build other mentorship programming. GEM, a community-based nonprofit organization, offers mentoring to young adults throughout Kent and South King County. Tickets: $20 advance, $30 at the door and available at brownpapertickets.com. For more details or for information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact GEM at 601-454-6004 or 206-805-9990, or gempowermentoring@gmail.com.

Health

TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly): 6:45 p.m., Thursdays, Swanson Court Clubhouse, 12200 SE 207th St., Kent, near Kentridge High School. Nonprofit weight loss support group. Cost: $32 to join and $8 monthly. For more information, call 253-709-5098 or visit www.tops.org or www.whywelovetops.com.

Alzheimer’s Association: Meetings on the second Wednesday of the month, from 2:30-4 p.m., at Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St. Caring for someone with memory loss? Do you need information and support? Family caregiver support groups provide a consistent and caring place for people to learn, share and gain emotional support from others who are also on a unique journey of providing care to a person with memory loss. For information Susan Dailey at 206-471-2351, or www.alzwa.org.

Clubs

Soroptimist International of Kent-Covington: Program meetings from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., on the fourth Monday of each month, September-May, Covington Library, 164th and Kent-Kangley Road. Lunch provided, suggested donation $10. No reservation needed. RSVP at sikentcovington@soroptimist.net. For more information, contact President Jo Ladd Clark at 253-854-1895.

Autism Social Skills Group: 6-8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, Kent Commons, 525 Fourth Ave. N. FEAT (Families for Effective Autism Treatment) of Washington, a nonprofit organization, brings social group opportunities for teens with autism to Kent. Looking for teens with autism as well as peer mentor volunteers. To volunteer, register or to learn more, visit www.featwa.org.

Rotary Club of Kent: Join the local Rotary Club of Kent every Tuesday for its weekly meeting and luncheon at various locations. For more information go to: www.kentrotary.com

Kent Evening Toastmasters: 7 p.m., Wednesdays, Kent Commons, Interurban Room, 525 Fourth Ave N. Are you interested in practicing and improving your public speaking skills? Boosting your self-confidence? Making yourself heard in that weekly meeting at work? Come practice your oratory skills with a friendly and informative group of people. With members ranging from beginners to experts, Kent Evening Toastmasters welcomes people of all skill levels. For more information, visit www.kenteveningtoastmasters.net.

Autism Support Group: 6:30-8:30 p.m., second Wednesday of the month, Kent Covenant Church, main conference room, 12010 SE 240th St. Share resources and encouragement. Childcare available with 72-hour advance reservations by calling Fabiana Steele at 253-631-0222, ext. 325. For more information, visit www.kentcov.org.

NAMI Support Groups: 6:30-8 p.m., every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, 515 W. Harrison St., Kent. Friends and family support group for family members and friends who are affected by mental illness. Free. For more information, call 253-854-6264 (NAMI) or email namiskc@qwestoffice.net, or visit www.nami.org.

Network

The Kent Chapter of Business Network, Int’l (BNI): 7 a.m., every Wednesday, Golden Steer Steak n’ Rib House, 23826 104th Ave. SE, Kent. Chapter is growing. Do you want excellent, personal, word of mouth referrals for your business? Then come join us. For information about BNI Northwest or how to join a chapter call 425-391-6830, or 800-286-0508, or visit bninw.com.

Kent Chamber of Commerce Luncheons: 11:30 a.m., first Wednesday of the month, Golden Steer Steak n’ Rib House, 23826 104th Ave. SE, Kent. Open networking. Bring your business cards for the card exchange and prizes. Cost: $20 chamber members pre-paid; $25 members day of the event; $30 non-members. For registration and more information, visit kentchamber.com.

Entertainment

SHOWARE CENTER

625 W. James St., Kent. 253-856-6777. Order at www.tickets.showarecenter.com. Events include:

Maxwell: 8 p.m. June 20. R&B singer performs with special guests Common and Ledisi. Tickets: $56, $66, $76 and $96.

ELSEWHERE

Live music, Tuesday night dances: 7:30 p.m., Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St. Open to all ages. Cover charge: $4 listeners and dancers, cash at the door, open to all ages. Program schedule: • Kings of Swing Big Band, first Tuesdays, 7:45-9:30 p.m. Refreshments by Farrington Court served during break at 8:30 p.m. • Randy Litch Ballroom, second and fourth Tuesdays, 7:30-9:15 p.m. Refreshments provided by The Weatherly Inn and Farrington Court, served while supplies last until 8:45 p.m. • Andy Burnett Rock ‘n Roll, third and fifth Tuesdays, 7:30-9:15 p.m. Refreshments provided by Stafford Suites and Judson Park, served while supplies last until 8:45 p.m. For more information, call 253-856-5164 or visit kentwa.gov/SeniorActivityCenter/

No Experience Necessary Square Dance: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Kent Meridian Grange, 15422 SE 272, Kent. Featuring Wayne Easton, caller. Learn basic square dance moves from experienced dancers. Watch experienced square dancers perform mainstream moves. Drop in or call. Casual attire. No charge. 206 935-0856, wagonwheelsquaredanceclub@facebook.com.

Music

Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra: Taylor Creek Church, 21110 244th Ave. SE, Maple Valley. MVYSO boasts a playing group for every level, from beginning strings to string ensemble. For more information, call 425-358-1640 or visit www.mvyso.org.

Rainier Youth Choirs: RYC has four leveled groups based on age and ability (grades 2 through 14). Call 253-315-3125 to schedule an audition. For more information, visit www.rainieryouthchoirs.org.

Galleries, studios

Centennial Center Gallery: 400 W. Gowe St., Kent. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Closed weekends and holidays. For more information, call 253-856-5050 or visit artscommission@kentwa.gov.

Third Thursday Art Walk: 4-7 p.m., Rusty Raven Studio, 212 First Ave. S., Kent. Designed around the idea of creating a rich and diverse artistic experience in downtown Kent. Free kids art activity every month. Have your map initialed by the artist at each stop and be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate from a participating businesses. One entry per person and must go to every stop to qualify. For more information, contact Lyra Penoyer at 253-813-6976 or kdpadminassistant@kentdowntown.org, or visit www.facebook.com/events/1530632470566958/

Museums

Greater Kent Historical Society: 855 E. Smith St., historic Bereiter House, Kent. Hours: noon-4 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday, and by appointment. Admission: suggested $2 donation; no tickets are required for entrance. Parking is available behind the house off East Temperance Street. GKHS is a nonprofit organization that promotes the discovery, preservation and dissemination of knowledge about the history of the greater Kent area. For more information,visit gkhs.org.