Try This: ‘Iron man 3’ a charm

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is back to his old routine, upgrading his Iron Man suit in his Malibu mansion while Pepper Pots (Gwyneth Paltrow) runs Stark Industries. When an elusive terrorist known at the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) sets off a series of world bombings, Tony makes himself a target. Meanwhile, a scientist (Guy Pearce) from Tony’s past requests his involvement in a new project called Extremis. “Iron Man 3” is rated PG-13.

Where: Battle Ground Cinema, 1700 S.W. Ninth Ave., Battle Ground; Cinetopia Mill Plain, 11700 S.E. Seventh St.; Cinetopia Vancouver Mall 23, 8700 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive; various Regal Cinema locations.

Cost: Varies by cinema.

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://battlegroundcinema.com, http://cinetopia.com, http://regmovies.com

The movie blockbuster is one of many options for getting out and about this weekend.

2. Heroes, villains and magic

Set in 1908, a new magician buys the tricks and show of a famous magician, only to run into trouble in “A Magical Melodrama — Or — Is A Dead Magician Considered An Abra-Cadaver?” The Golden Garter Theatre revives the stage genre of the melodrama, which encourages audience participation, from booing villains to cheering on heroes.

When: 7:30 tonight and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Love Street Playhouse, 126 Love Ave., Woodland.

Admission: $12 to $15.

Telephone: 360-687-7891.

Web: http://goldengarter.com

3. Introduction to arias

The Portland Opera will be offering a sneak peek at “Falstaff,” with a free 50-minute preview, featuring opera highlights and context from the artists. Verdi’s comedy follows the vain, fat knight Sir John Falstaff, whose philosophy revolves around women, food and drink. When he writes the same love letter to two married women in hopes of loosening their purse strings, it sets off a comedic backlash.

When: 2 p.m. today.

Where: Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver.

Admission: Free.

Telephone: 360-906-5106.

Web: http://portlandopera.org or http://fvrl.org

4. A four-legged celebration

The 22nd annual Walk Run for the Animals features a 5K fun run, 1.5- and 3-mile walks, with the proceeds benefiting the Humane Society for Southwest Washington. Participants can register as an individual or a “pack.” If you miss the walk, families can head to the vendor village in Esther Short Park where there will be live music, pet agility courses, the Fly DiscDogs of Oregon and contests, along with 40 booths offering pet products and services.

When: 7:30 a.m. registration, 8:45 a.m. start, today.

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

Admission: $25 registration.

Telephone: 360-693-4746.

Web: http://southwesthumane.org

5. Start May Hawaiian-style

May Day is Lei Day with the Ke Kukui Foundation during the annual celebration of spring. The event features a Hawaiian-style May Day Pageant, where the May Day Queen and her Royal Court perform, accompanied by 8-foot royal standards called “kahili,” a traditional symbol of royalty made from feathers. There will also be hula and musical performances, traditional games of skill and a flower lei-making contest, along with Hawaiian food .

When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today.

Where: Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 3000 N.W. 119th St., Vancouver.

Admission: $5, $4 with lei contest entry, free for children 10 and younger.

Telephone: 360-718-2100.

Web: http://kekukuifoundation.org