Email This   Larger Font      Print This   Smaller Font Advertisement   Heath Ledger stars as the Joker with Christian Bale as Batman in “The Dark Knight.”

Saturday, July 19, 2008
By Mike Bailey

1. No joking matter

Batman sets out to zap-boom-bap organized crime in Gotham in “The Dark Knight,” but criminal mastermind the Joker has a few cards of his sleeve to thwart the Batman’s plans. There’s already Oscar buzz for Heath Ledger who portrays the Joker in the movie. Ledger, 28, died in January from an accidental prescription-drug overdose. Actor Christian Bale steps in the role of the masked wonder.

When: Various showtimes daily.

Where: Cinetopia, 11700 S.E. Seventh St., Vancouver; Battle Ground Cinema, 1700 S.W. Ninth Ave., Battle Ground; Liberty Theater, 315 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas; various Clark County Regal Cinemas locations.

Admission: Varies by theater.

Telephone: Cinetopia, 360-213-2800; Battle Ground Cinema, 360-666-7200; Liberty Theater, 360-834-2131; Regal Cinemas, 800-326-3264.

On the Web: cinetopiatheaters.com for Cinetopia; battlegroundcinema.com for Battle Ground Cinema, libertytheater.com for Liberty Theater, fandango.com for Regal Cinemas.

2. Movie under the stars

After New York City is attacked by giant flying robots, a reporter teams up with a pilot in search of their origin in “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow,” the first in a series of movies shown outdoors in the Uptown Village area of Vancouver. Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law star. The movies begin at dusk with live music, concessions and raffles beginning at 7:30 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Movies are family friendly and continue Saturdays through Aug. 9.

When: 7:30 tonight.

Where: In the parking of West 23rd and Main streets, Vancouver. The movie will be shown on the side of the LSW Architects building.

Admission: Free.

On the Web: uptownmovies.com.


3. Combining the natural world and the arts

The Yale Valley Arts Festival begins Sunday with a concert by the ensemble Third Angle playing who will be performing two world premieres by the composer Tomas Svoboda, “String Quartet No. 10” and “Piano Sonata No. 3.” The program will also feature Chen Yi’s “Sprout”, “Burning” and “Tibetan Tunes.” Paintings from Carola Penn’s Yale Valley Forest Series and watercolors by Stephan Soihl will be on exhibit. The reservations deadline for the concert, which includes dinner was Friday, but the festival continues through July 26 and includes a visual arts workshop, a family arts day and quilt show.

When: Concert beings 4:30 p.m. Sunday, the festival continues through July 26

Where: Concert is at Anderson Lodge Hilltop House, 23 miles east of Interstate 5 on Highway 503 in Ariel.

Admission: $38 for dinner and concert, some festival events are free.

Telephone: 360-263-4707.

On the Web: yalevalleyartsfestival.org.

4. Harvest Days celebration

A parade through downtown Battle Ground, a carnival, classic car cruise-in, and a beer and wine garden are among the highlights of the Harvest Days celebration which continues through Sunday. The wine and beer garden features Clark County wines, local microbrews and live music 2-6 p.m. Sunday. A pancake breakfast will be served from 7 a.m. to noon Sunday.

When: The parade: 10 a.m. today. The carnival: noon to midnight tonight and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. The classic car cruise-in: noon to 3 p.m. The wine and beer garden: noon to 8 p.m. today and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Where: The parade goes east on Main Street from Southeast Fifth Avenue in downtown Battle Ground, turns right onto Southeast Grace Avenue, left onto Southeast Rasmussen Boulevard and ends at Battle Ground Village, Southeast Grace Avenue and Rasmussen Boulevard, where most of the other events are staged.

Admission: Free, additional fees apply for some events at beer and wine garden and carnival.

Telephone: 360-687-1510.

On the Web: www.bgwa.com/harvest.htm.

5. Never too old to party

A gathering of up to 200 motorcycles and their owners takes place in downtown Vancouver at the first Baby Booker Bikers Rally. The event includes vendors, a scenic ride and access to the beer and wine garden at Hot July Nights in Esther Short Park.

When: Events begin at 9 a.m. today and continue through 11 p.m. .

Where: 400 West 4th St., and the surrounding blocks south of Esther Short Park, downtown Vancouver.

Admission: Free; registration to show a motorcycle is $35 at the gate.

Telephone: 360-260-0275 or 360-699-7234.

On the Web: usa-babyboomerbikers.com.