Try This: Rubbish recycled into art

Find something inspiring at the seventh annual Recycled Arts Festival in Esther Short Park this weekend. Explore a variety of artwork that gives new life to old materials, with the pieces consisting of at least 75 percent recycled items. Artists from around the metro area will display sculptures, wall art, clothing, jewelry, handbags and furniture. The popular Tossed and Found Experience features reusable items rescued from garbage transfer stations. There will be live music, a new sculpture garden, hands-on activities for children and educational booths.

When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Esther Short Park, 301 W. Eighth St., Vancouver.

Admission: Free.

Web: http://recycledartsfestival.com.

The arts festival is one of many options for getting out and about this weekend. Others include a fun run and bluegrass benefit concert.

2. Car fans unite

Touchmark at Fairway Village hosts its fifth annual car show and barbecue featuring dozens of car clubs and individual car enthusiasts. More than 170 cars and their owners took part in the event in 2011,. This year’s event features music by the SlimJims and a complimentary barbecue from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Touchmark at Fairway Village, 2911 S.E. Village Loop, Vancouver.

Admission: Free, donations accepted for Loaves & Fishes.

Telephone: 360-254-2866.

Web: http://touchmark.com.

3. Run with Summer fun

Celebrate the start of summer with the Summer Solstice Run, which benefits the Clark County Family YMCA. There will be 3- and 6-mile courses passing through downtown Vancouver and along the Columbia River waterfront to Fort Vancouver. The event includes live music, a costume contest for kids and adults, food and beer tent, and awards ceremony. Space limited to the first 1,000 registered participants.

When: 6 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Northwest Personal Training, 1011 Broadway, Vancouver.

Admission: $55-$60, $25 for those younger than 18.

Telephone: 360-754-7292.

Web: http://nwpersonaltraining.com.

4. Benefits of bluegrass

The Kiggins Theatre will host “An Afternoon of Bluegrass” featuring local bands the Misty Mamas, known for their vocal harmonies and American bluegrass, gospel and folk stylings, and Fadin’ By 9, masters of fusing bluegrass with rock and folk sounds. The concert will benefit Friends of the Carpenter.

When: 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver.

Admission: $15-$20.

Telephone: 360-750-4752.

Web: http://friendsofthecarpenter.org.

5. Wonderfully ‘Brave’ adventure

Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald), daughter of King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson) is determined to carve her own path in life, despite her mother’s wishes. When Merida turns to a witch for help, her granted wish turns into a perilous curse for the kingdom. “Brave” is rated PG.Where: Battle Ground Cinema, 1700 S.W. Ninth Ave., Battle Ground; Cinetopia, 11700 S.E. Seventh St.; Cinetopia Vancouver Mall 23, 8700 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive; various Regal Cinemas locations.

Admission: Varies by theater.

Telephone: Battle Ground Cinema, 360-666-7200; Cinetopia, 360-213-2800; Cinetopia Vancouver Mall 23, 360-448-4100; Regal Cinemas, 800-326-3264.

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