Marissa M. Conner 
A great opportunity to dress up and dance hard.
This Valentine’s Day, avoid the chaos of last-minute bookings and opt for an affordable and memorable experience: live shows. The stunning and timeless Spanish McMenamins Ballroom and the chic new ALMA venue each have lounges, bars and restaurants that will make your evening a unique and highly photographic experience. Experience the best of Tacoma’s live music scene with these four alternative, folk, rock and pop bands that will have you and your valentine dancing the night away.
Deep sea diver:
With danceable hits like “Impossible Weight (Feat. Sharon Van Etten)” and “Lights Out,” the Seattle pop-rock band will fill the ALMA Venue with melodic, delayed guitar riffs and echoing vocals. Playing two nights in Tacoma as part of their West Coast tour, the band recently received a lot of recognition as their performance in the KEXP studio reached 70,000 views and their latest album, “Impossible Weight”, was voted best. KEXP Listener album. 2020. Guaranteed to put on an incredible and ethereal show, Deep Sea Diver is a band not to be missed.
February 10 and 11 at the ALMA site, all ages
The Dodos with Buoy and Colonies:
ALMA Venue is hosting a top-notch indie party, bringing San Francisco-based band The Dodos to Tacoma. With great acoustic guitar sounds and a powerful beat, The Dodos are known for their quality songs that transport you to a Wes Anderson-esque dreamscape, like their song “Walking.” Colonies, a Tacoma-based band, feature booming synth sounds in their older works, while their new song “Turn My Heart to Fire” is a modern, danceable indie pop song that will stay stuck in your head for a while. week. It will undoubtedly be a show filled with heavenly sounds and catchy hooks.
February 12 at the ALMA site, all ages
Kunika with Erin Rae & The Heartbeets:
Kunika is an eclectic mix of folk rock and danceable pop-rock that will include everything from electronic drums to mandolin or harmonica. The Seattle-based band is known for their incredible four-part harmonies and wide range of genres. Paired well with Americana-pop band, Erin Rae and The Heartbeets, this night is dubbed “V Day Celebration.” These groups will bring a cheerful and fun energy to the Spanish Ballroom at the McMenamins Elks Temple.
February 12 at Spanish Ballroom, 21+
Enumclaw:
If your Valentine wants something a little more daring, head to the New Frontier Lounge for a show presented by ALMA of up-and-coming Tacoma band Enumclaw. Considered “the best band since Oasis”, Enumclaw has just finished their American tour and the release of their EP, “Jimbo Demo”. Bringing distorted tones and intense boredom, the band’s sound is reminiscent of shoegaze and alternative rock bands like Swervedriver and Sonic Youth. Listen to some of their hits, the sparkling “Fast N All” and the energetic “Free Drop Billy”, to prepare you for their Tacoma show.
February 10 at New Frontier Lounge, 21+
Beyond these places, the row of antiques next to McMenamins is stunning at night, as well as the iconic Spanish Steps. A short walk away is The Mix, an LGBTQ+ bar with Saturday night drag shows and daily karaoke to keep the night going. The ALMA patio also offers a number of attractions, including art installations made by local artisans and a heated outdoor dining area. Enjoy the best of Tacoma’s live music scene this Valentine’s Day with a show you’ll never forget.
[Visit https://almatacoma.com/alma-venue and https://www.mcmenamins.com/elks-temple/spanish-ballroom#calendar for more upcoming shows and further information]
