Taiko drumming is part of the festivities at the Japanese Festival, which celebrates its fifth anniversary in 2010. It is put on by the Washougal High School Japanese Culture Department.Photo Gallery
Clark County gets a touch of Japanese culture this weekend when the Japanese Festival takes place in Washougal. The festival spotlights several aspects of Japanese culture, including Taiko drummers, traditional Kendo exhibitions, origami lessons, manga drawing activities, a goldfish-catching game, a bazaar and the “Dance Dance Revolution” video game.
When: 1-6 p.m. today. The headlining events, including the Kendo exhibitions, Taiko drummers and Japanese signing, will take place from 4-6 p.m. The other events take place from 1-4 p.m.
Where: Washougal High School, 1201 39th St., Washougal.
Admission: $3, $1.50 for children 5-11, free for seniors and children 4 and younger.
Telephone: 360-954-3100.
The festival is just one of several weekend entertainment options in Clark County and Portland. Others include a screening of a film shot mostly in Ridgefield, a theater production and early St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Portland.
1. Couple’s comfy life turned upside down
The Slocum House Theatre Company follows an upscale New York couple enjoying a life of success and privilege in “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.” Soon, an old friend arrives with a proposition that has the couple spinning out of control. The performance is recommended for mature audiences.
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When: 8 tonight, Thursday, Friday and March 20, as well as 2 p.m. Sunday and March 21.
Fans looking for a thrill can see a locally made film starring regional actors this weekend in Ridgefield. “Dark Horizon,” directed by Vancouver filmmaker Nick Hagen, follows a family outing. On the trip, the family — cut off from communication and isolated in the wilderness — notices strange people walking around the forest and explosions in a nearby city. Before long, the family is fighting for survival. The 83-minute film was shot mostly in Ridgefield, but other scenes were shot in downtown Vancouver.
When: 7 tonight and Tuesday, 2:30 p.m. today and Sunday, and 5 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Old Liberty Theater, 115 N. Main Ave., Ridgefield.
The biggest St. Patrick’s Day festival in Portland launches this weekend, nearly a week ahead of the day itself. The Kells St. Patrick’s Irish Festival includes live Irish music, dancing, food and family entertainment. Performers include Battle Ground folk musician Tom May, St. James’ Gate, Curtis Salgado and U277, a U2 cover band. Children can take part in arts and crafts activities today and Sunday. A full list of musicians, events and restaurant hours is online.
When: Through Wednesday; live music begins at noon today, 10 a.m. Sunday, 9 p.m. Monday, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Matt Damon, star of the “Bourne” movie series, returns the action genre this weekend in “Green Zone.” Damon stars as an officer in Iraq who thinks that he’s found a stockpile of weapons of mass destruction. Instead, he’s stumbled into an elaborate cover-up. The film also stars Greg Kinnear, Amy Ryan and Jason Isaacs. “Green Zone” is rated R.
When: Showtimes vary.
Where: Battle Ground Cinema, 1700 S.W. Ninth Ave., Battle Ground; Cinetopia, 11700 S.E. Seventh St., Vancouver; various Clark County Regal Cinemas locations.
