Try This: Strange Tones, hot tunes

Enjoy a fiery blend of blues, rockabilly, surf and vintage R&B with the Strange Tones on stage at the Old Liberty Theater. Nominated for the 2011 Portland Music Awards’ “Best Live Performance,” the band will be joined by the dance group the Volcano Vixens for an extra punch of fun.

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Old Liberty Theater, 115 N. Main Ave., Ridgefield.

Admission: $12-$15, for 21 and over.

Telephone: 360-887-7260.

Web: http://oldlibertytheater.com.

The concert is one of several options for getting out and about this weekend. Others include a chili contest and a writing celebration.

2. Symphony shines

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will offer a musical treat in its third concert series of the season. The concert will feature international rising star and violin soloist Francisco Garcia-Fullana, who will perform the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the symphony. Garcia-Fullana made his orchestral debut at 9. He is pursuing a master’s degree at the Juilliard School.

When: 3 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Skyview High School’s auditorium, 1300 N.W. 139th St., Vancouver.

Admission: $33-$48, $27 seniors, $10 students.

Telephone: 360-735-7278

Web: http://vancouversymphony.org.

3. Competition for taste buds

Taste what the 10 competitors have prepared for a Chili Cook-Off and Beer Tasting hosted by the Vancouver Food Co-op and By the Bottle. With no limit on what kind of chili, expect a variety of homemade styles along with a multitude of beers and ales. Proceeds from this 21-and-older event benefit the Vancouver Food Co-op.

When: 3-5 p.m. Sunday.

Where: By the Bottle, 104 W. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver.

Admission: $10, 21 and older.

Telephone: 360-696-0012.

Web: http://bottledbrews.com.

4. Writers unite in celebration

The Clark County Historical Museum and Washington State University Vancouver celebrate National Unpublished Writers’ Day on Sunday. The event highlights the Brautigan Library Collection at the museum and will feature workshops and stations on writing zines, poetry, comedy, editing, résumés and writing for mobile media. The collection was inspired by late Tacoma-born writer Richard Brautigan, who conceived the idea of a library where anyone could contribute an unpublished book.

When: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver.

Admission: Free.

Telephone: 360-993-5679.

Web: http://cchmuseum.org.

5. ‘One for the Money,’ two for a show

In this comedy, Stephanie Plum (Katherine Heigl) finds herself stuck between a divorce and a debt collector. Desperate for some fast cash, Stephanie finds work at her cousin’s bail-bond business as a recovery agent. Armed with only her attitude and pepper spray, Stephanie is determined to take down the biggest bail-jumper, the cop who broke her heart in high school and now stands accused of murder. “One For The Money” is rated PG-13.

Where: Battle Ground Cinema, 1700 S.W. Ninth Ave., Battle Ground; Cinetopia, 11700 S.E. Seventh St., Vancouver; various Regal Cinemas locations.

Admission: Varies by theater.

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

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