Lawn mower racers compete during Amboy Territorial Days in 2006. (STEVEN LANE/The Columbian files)
Carrie Cunningham and the Six-Shooters will perform on Sunday at McKenzie Stadium in Vancouver.
Enation performs Sunday at the Hawthorne Theatre in Portland.
In this film publicity image released by 20th Century Fox, actors from left, Paul Rust, Lauren Storm, Hayden Panettiere, Jack T. Carpenter and Lauren London are shown in a scene from, "I Love You, Beth Cooper." (AP Photo/20th Century Fox, Joe Lederer) ** NO SALES **
(Marsha Matta/The Columbian)
When the Original Practice Shakespeare Festival performs "A Midsommer Nights Dreame" in Clark County parks this weekend and next, it will be an experience unlike seeing Shakespeare in a theater, says artistic director Brian Allard.
For starters, the performances will be more intimate. "All that we have between us and the audience is an imaginary line," Allard said.
The group’s approach also adds an element of spontaneity, since only the songs, fights and dances have been rehearsed ahead of time, which was how the plays were performed in Shakespearean times. (The spelling of the play’s title also reflects how it was written back then).
But the festival is ready for mistakes. When an actor forgets a line or misses a cue, an on-stage referee blows a whistle to stop the show and guide the action back on course.
Audiences are invited to get in on the act. Allard says that, in Shakespeare’s days, audiences were known for being rowdy, talking back to the actors, booing and cheering. "We’re set up in order to play back with that. We encourage audiences to boo and cheer," Allard said.
And if a plane flies overhead — almost guaranteed to happen at next weekend’s performance in Esther Short Park — the referee will blow its whistle and stop the show until it’s quiet again. "These things happen frequently in outdoor theater," Allard said. "You never know what’s going to happen."
When: 2 p.m. Sunday and July 19.
Where: Sunday’s performance is at Pacific Community Park, along Northeast 18th Street, between Northeast 164th and 172nd avenues, Vancouver.
The July 19 performance is at Esther Short Park, West Eighth and Columbia streets, Vancouver.
Admission: Free.
Telephone: 503-890-6944.
On the Web: opsfest.org.
Other activities
Are you looking for ways to make the most of your free time? In addition to the Original Practice Shakespeare Festival, here is our list of entertainment highlights for this weekend:
1. Event celebrates Amboy with family fun
Amboy Territorial Days celebrates Amboy’s heritage with a logging show, lawn mower races, live entertainment, arts booths, food and children’s games.
Events: The park opens at 8 a.m. today and Sunday.
The carnival opens at 11 a.m. today and Sunday.
Live entertainment, 6 p.m. today and noon Sunday.
Lawn mower races, noon Sunday.
Logging show, 1 p.m. today.
Parade, 10 a.m. today. The parade, featuring cars, floats, children walking dogs, wagons and tractors, forms at Amboy Middle School, 22115 N.E. Chelatchie Road, Amboy.
When: Today and Sunday.
Where: Amboy Territorial Park, 21400 N.E. 399th St., Amboy.
Admission: Most events are free; there are additional fees for the carnival.
On the Web: amboyterritorialpark.com.
2. Benefit concert goes to the dogs
Several local bands and artists will take the stage on Sunday as part of a benefit for the Humane Society for Southwest Washington.
Performers include Allred, Carrie Cunningham and the Six-Shooters, The ByrdBrains, Yung Jordan and Holding On.
When: 1-6:30 p.m. today.
Where: McKenzie Stadium, 2218 N.E. 138th Ave., Vancouver.
Admission: $12.50.
Telephone: 360-326-8118.
On the Web: myspace.com/moneyformutts.
3. Battle Ground band performs in Portland
Battle Ground band Enation will perform a rare local show this weekend in Portland
The band is led by brothers Richard Lee and Jonathan Jackson, both with successful television and movie careers. Jonathan, the band’s lead singer, starred in the movies "Insomnia" and "Tuck Everlasting."
Richard Lee has appeared as a guest star on the sitcoms "Boy Meets World" and "Ally McBeal."
Enation, which performs only a handful of concerts in the Vancouver-Portland area each year, is rounded out by Luke and Michael Galeotti, and Dan Sweatt.
The band’s latest album is "World in Flight." The group’s brand of rock music blends U2, Coldplay, Radiohead and Bob Dylan.
When: 7 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Hawthorne Theatre, 1507 S.E. 39th Ave., Portland.
Admission: $9-$10 through TicketsWest, 800-992-8499 or ticketswest.com.
Telephone: 503-233-7100.
On the Web: hawthornetheatre.com.
4. Will movie fans love ‘Beth Cooper?’
A nerdy teenager (Paul Rust) proclaims his love for the most popular girl in high school (Hayden Panettiere) during a graduation speech in "I Love You, Beth Cooper." Instead of being repulsed, she shows up at his graduation party that evening.
The film is based on Larry Doyle’s novel of the same name.
When: Showtimes vary.
Where: Battle Ground Cinema, 1700 S.W. Ninth Ave., Battle Ground; various Clark County Regal Cinemas locations.
Admission: Varies by theater.
Telephone: Battle Ground Cinema, 360-666-7200; Regal Cinemas, 800-326-3264.
On the Web: battlegroundcinema.com, or fandango.com.
The week ahead
Now that you’ve got your weekend planned, here’s a look at the week ahead.
1. Family fun on tap at film festival
The Regal Entertainment Group’s Free Family Film Festival continues through mid-August. The nine-week festival features free, family-friendly films that are rated G or PG. It continues through Aug. 19.
"Horton Hears a Who" and "Inkheart" will play July 14-15 at Regal Cascade 16 Cinemas, 1101 S.E. 160th Ave., Vancouver.
"The Tale of Despereaux" and "Kung Fu Panda" will play July 14-15 at Cinema 99 Stadium 11.
When: 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, through Aug. 19.
Where: Regal Cascade 16 Cinemas, 1101 S.E. 160th Ave., Vancouver, and Cinema 99 Stadium 11, 9010 N.E. Highway 99, Vancouver.
Admission: Free.
Telephone: 360-882-5458 for Cascade 16 Cinemas and 360-571-0984 for Cinema 99 Stadium 11.
On the Web: regmovies.com/nowshowing/freefamilyfilm.aspx.
2. Film festival explores local food systems
An upcoming free film festival explores local food systems.
A preview of "Ingredients" will be shown at 6 p.m. July 17, followed by "Good Food." "Ingredients" is about how restaurants work to put good food on their tables while supporting local farmers. "Good Food" follows Pacific Northwest farmers who discuss how they grow food more sustainably, as well as how consumers and business are helping sustain a healthy local food system.
"Growing Awareness" kicks off the second day of the festival at 2 p.m. July 18. The film follows farmers who share their views on the reality of small-scale farming and its impact on farmers, consumers and communities.
"Good Food" will follow at 3:45 p.m., and a preview of "Ingredients" will screen at 5 p.m.
Where: July 17: Washington State University Vancouver’s Administration building, room 110, 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., Vancouver.
July 18: Sixth floor of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver.
Admission: Free.
Telephone: 360-397-8000, ext. 7291.
3. Variety of works unveiled at White Sturgeon Art Gallery
A variety of works are on display as part of the upcoming exhibit at the White Sturgeon Art Gallery. Paintings by Shelley Hershberger, as well as carvings and sculptures of Terry Woodall, are on display July 11-Aug. 31.
Hershberger’s oil paintings and mixed media works portray man-made intrusions into the Pacific Northwest waterways. Woodall’s work examines the blend of various forms of wildlife in nature.
Event: Reception, 2-5 p.m. July 11.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Where: Water Resources Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver.
Telephone: 360-487-7111.
On the Web: cityofvancouver.us/watercenter.
