Exit133

February 17, 2015 · Exit133

BBC Pop Up: Behind the scenes in Tacoma

The BBC is in town, and they want to know all of Tacoma's hidden secrets. The BBC Pop Up van is an experimental concept by the BBC. They've been travelling the US, finding cities that don't normally get a whole lot of international media attention, and spending a month there trying to really get to know them. And Tacoma is the last of six cities on the tour.

The BBC Pop Up crew looks for local stories to share with their global audience - preferably things that are unique and off the beaten track.

Their first stories are starting to appear now. What else should they share about Tacoma?

Read original on BBC →

Filed under: Tacoma, Elsewhere, Awards & Recognition

17 comments

  • Beth Torbet February 17, 2015

    The City of Ruston, WA. is what they need to discover ~ can't get much better then that!! If they are tripping around Tacoma ~ the City of Ruston is more unique and a true hidden gem totally surrounded by Tacoma! Come find us if you can!

  • Andrea February 17, 2015

    Alchemy Skateboarding (Alchemyindoor.org) is Tacoma born and bred and is working to provide youth opportunities to learn and grow through skateboarding. They even recently, along with Grit City Grindhouse (also from Tacoma), created a Skateboarding Citizenship Class. One of the first in the nation to offer full elective credit to high school students for the practice and studying of Skateboarding. They paired with two schools in the Tacoma School District and hope to go district wide next year. They are awesome!

    • David February 18, 2015

      I don't understand how or what they can, or are learning through skateboarding. Andrea can you enlighten me?

      • Steve McElrath February 18, 2015

        Skateboarding is the gateway to lifelong friendships, real physical activity, and adventure! Here's some photos of Tacoma's skate scene taken nearly 40 years ago — Most of us are still in contact with each other and a majority still skate. http://www.electricgutter.com/axles-and-air/

  • Yuri Button February 17, 2015

    I think one of the most charming Tacoma traditions is Monkeyshines.

  • Jim Bowman February 18, 2015

    Because the local economy lagged so far behind Seattle for decades, developers never knocked down the neighborhoods. The beautiful old homes of Tacoma echo what only the very rich in Seattle can afford. Also, be sure to research the Andy Warhol flower.

  • Nick K February 18, 2015

    The musical tradition.

  • John Munn February 18, 2015

    Its Live Theatres! Tacoma Little Theatre, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Dukesbay Theatre, Broadway Center, Tacoma Youth Theater and the Lakewood Playhouse! All long-standing organizations providing a rich cultural history to our City!

  • Steve McElrath February 18, 2015

    They should visit the sites of all the historical buildings that were left to rot — and are no longer with us.

  • FJ Carter February 18, 2015

    *Definitely* Monkeyshines!

  • tobin February 18, 2015

    drop in to Mad Hat for a cuppa...plenty of out of work locals, artists and students here to ask about what makes tacoma...well...tacoma

  • Laura February 18, 2015

    The arts are all around. People default to Seattle for the Arts, but Tacoma has fantastic musuems that are easy to get to via car or public transportation. Because of the economy, up and coming artsist and craftspeople who have been priced out of Seattle are locating here. There are a lot of fantastic hidden shops right along the main street downtown, up in the theater district and in the North End. And don't forget Tinkertopia - a hands on creative reuse opportunity for kids.

  • Dana February 18, 2015

    The Hilltop glass artists at Jason Lee middle school is worth checking out. They have some great stories there, no doubt. Also, it would be cool if they visited Point Defiance zoo and aquarium to talk with them about how much they are doing to fend off the extinction of red wolves. The Carr cabin, Stadium, and Annie Wright schools are good for some history.

  • Jesse February 18, 2015

    How about the fact that Abraham Lincoln indirectly founded Tacoma by creating the Northern Pacific Railroad during his presidency. It's terminus ended up in Tacoma and the rail line is being rediscovered as the Prairie Line Trail. You can still see the headquarters of the NP Railroad, tracks, and evidence of this boom period today.

  • EphraimJF February 18, 2015

    - Our handicap friendly parks, including spray parks and a wave pool (Titlow, Wright, Kandle, etc.) - Those houses on the water near Point Defiance - The Barber Shop on Pacific Ave (and 9th or 7th) - Point Defiance trails, zoo, Aquarium (of course) - Stadium High - Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (which no longer has grass courts) - The Wearhouse (the music venue/production team) - Views of the Narrows Bridge from the deck of the Boathouase 19 restaurant - The industrial freeway knot that is South Tacoma Way and Center Street - University of Puget Sound campus - brick and ivy smack dab in the middle of the north end - The place on Ruston Way where people go scuba diving - Chambers Bay golf course (UP, not Tacoma) but same thing to many of us residents - That cool mansion on N I Street - Pantages Theater and other cool buildings downtown - Opera Alley - The variety of village centers- MLK Street in Hilltop, Sixth ave between Cedar and Sprague, S Tacoma Way near S 56th street, Proctor and N 26th, Old Town, and probably others. It's as if there are a dozen itty bitty town centers, all different and mostly strange.

  • Susan R February 18, 2015

    The BBC crew should come run with the Tacoma Runners. Great way to discover the city!!

  • Russ February 18, 2015

    I think they should take a golf lesson from MSG Leroy Petry at American Lake. Now that would be unique. http://archive.armytimes.com/article/20140723/NEWS/307230060/MoH-recipient-Petry-retires-master-sgt-