Tacoma’s Main Library will become a citywide arts gathering place on Saturday, October 3, when Kaleidoscope opens the 25th Tacoma Arts Month. The free event runs from noon to 4 p.m. at 1102 Tacoma Avenue South, with performances, exhibitions and activities spread throughout the building. Visitors can drop in and explore at their own pace.

The performances move from room to room. The lineup includes music from Hello, Mr. Joe and the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association, a set from DJ Kenya Shakoor, Butoh dance, and A.G Joints’ Grit City Rotating Cypher. Mi Centro will close the afternoon’s Community Hub programming by inviting visitors to learn cumbia.

Making art is part of the plan, too. Visitors can try a crochet bar and community quilt with Remakery, experiment with music and circuits through FabLab Education, or help paint a community mural with Spaceworks. Greentrike will offer creative activities for younger children, while 1443 Films will invite guests into the process of building miniature models and characters.

In the Handforth Gallery, The 253 will bring together work from 28 Tacoma artists and artist collaborations. The exhibition asks them to reflect on the city in their own ways, from familiar places to personal memories. It opens during Kaleidoscope and is scheduled to remain on view through late December.

The gallery will also feature Cennady Coleman’s The Hair Story Project. Two years in the making, it pairs photographs with stories from the people pictured and work by other artists. After the main event, Artist Trust will host a social hour in the gallery from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Kaleidoscope is free and open to all ages. Food and coffee will be available for purchase, and the library has accessible entrances, elevators and restrooms. You can browse the full lineup and visitor details here.

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