Try this: Fort history, locked and loaded

Fort Vancouver’s annual Brigade Encampment returns, as costumed re-enactors portray the lives of 1840s fur trappers with activities throughout the day. Check out the historic weapons that helped define the West with a demonstration of black-powder weapons Saturday on the parade grounds and Sunday inside the fort. Along with the encampment, the Public Archaeology Field School continues through July 22. Archaeologists will demonstrate field techniques and excavations in Fort Vancouver Village.

When: Brigade Encampment, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weapons demonstration, 2 p.m. today and Sunday.

Where: Fort Vancouver, 1001 E. Fifth St., Vancouver

Admission: $3; $5 per family; free for children 15 and younger.

Telephone: 360-816-6230.

On the Web: http://fortvan.org.

The brigade encampment is one of several events taking place this weekend. Others include an art house film and a bike tour.

2. Manchester performs with Vancouver singers

Grammy-winning pop and jazz artist Melissa Manchester joins Bravo! Vancouver Chorale and student singers from Vancouver’s Seton Catholic High School in a performance at Newmark Theater. Manchester is best known for the hits “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” “Looking Through the Eyes of Love” and “Whenever I Call You Friend.”

When: 7:30 p.m. June 18.

Where: Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway, Portland.

Admission: $40-$116 through TicketsWest; 800-992-8499 or ticketswest.com.

Telephone: 503-245-4885.

On the Web: http://pcpa.com.

3. Seek the code of the samurai

The Liberty Theatre offers a slice of art house cinema with “13 Assassins,” opening this weekend. Cult director Takashi Miike delivers a period action film set at the end of Japan’s feudal era, in which a group of unemployed samurai try to bring down a sadistic lord before he ascends the throne. “13 Assassins” is rated R. In Japanese, with English subtitles.

When: 7:40 p.m. tonight and Sunday.

Where: Liberty Theatre, 315 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas.

Admission: $6.

Telephone: 360-859-9555.

On the Web: http://www.camasliberty.com/LibertyTheatreofCamas-Washougal-Home.htm.

4. Celebrate cycling

Dust off that bicycle and join Pedalpalooza, a two-week celebration of all things bicycle in Portland and Vancouver. This weekend starts of with the Vancouver Velo Vino Tour, a cycling tour of Vancouver’s west-side wine bars, starting and ending at Niche Wine Bar. On Sunday, there’s the light-hearted Pretty Panty Ride. Tour Vancouver’s public art while displaying your “prettiest panties.” Panties can be worn or attached to a bicycle. The ride starts at Esther Short Park by the clock tower. The rides may stop for food and drink, so bringing money is advised. Helmets are required.

When: 4 p.m. today; 11 a.m. Sunday.

Where: Niche Wine Bar, 1013 Main St.; Esther Short Park, 610 Esther St., Vancouver.

Admission: Free.

On the Web: http://shift2bikes.org/pedalpalooza.

5. Take the oath in ‘Green Lantern’

A small but powerful force, the Green Lantern Corps is sworn to keep intergalactic order, with members wearing a ring that grants superpowers. When an enemy called Parallax threatens to destroy the balance of power in the universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit: Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds). “Green Lantern” is rated PG-13.

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.

Admission: Varies by theater.

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

On the Web: http://www.battlegroundcinema.com, http://cinetopia.com or http://www.fandango.com.