Events, Wednesday, Oct. 22: Matthew Inman, 100 Years of Women in the Legislature

Poliça, 9 p.m. Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside St., Portland; $17 to $19, 21 and older, through Ticketfly, 877- 435-9849 or www.ticketfly.com. 503-231-9663 or www.dougfirlounge.com

On Stage

Autumn Art Talks, 7 p.m. Sally Fisher, program manager for the Recycled Arts Fair, will speak about creativity changing consciousness. North Bank Artists Gallery, 1005 Main St., Vancouver; free. 360-281-5236 or www.northbankartistsgallery.com

The Fear PDX, 7 to 10 p.m. 7701 N.E. Vancouver Plaza Drive, Vancouver; $20, $35 for VIP pass. www.fearpdx.com. For more details, see the go: friday page.

Theater

“Dreamgirls” presented by Portland Center Stage. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Nov. 2. Main Stage at the Armory, 128 N.W. 11th Ave., Portland; $41 to $74, $30 for youth and students. 503-445-3700 or www.pcs.org/dreamgirls. For more details, see the go: friday page.

“Exiles” presented by Artists Repertory Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 26. Morrison Stage, 1515 S.W. Morrison St., Portland; $41 to $46; $25 for students. 503-241-1278 or www.artistsrep.org. For more details, see the go: friday page.

“The Piano Lesson” presented by Portland Playhouse. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Nov. 2. The Church, 602 N.E. Prescott St., Portland; $40 to $48; $25 for ages 35 and younger, $20 for partial view seats. 503-488-5822 or www.portlandplayhouse.org. For more details, see the go: friday page.

“The Typographer’s Dream” presented by Portland Center Stage. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Nov. 16. Ellyn Bye Studio at the Armory, 128 N.W. 11th Ave., Portland; $40 to $55, $25 for youth and students. 503-445-3700 or www.pcs.org/typographer. For more details, see the go: friday page.

Words

Matthew Inman (The Oatmeal), “The Terrible and Wonderful Reason Why I Run Long Distances,” 7:30 p.m. Powell’s Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland; 800-878-7323 or www.powells.com

Pumpkin patches

Portland Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Pumpkin Patch, 16511 N.W. Gillihan Road, Portland; $7, $5 for seniors and children 6 to 12, free for ages 5 and younger. 503-621-7110 or www.portlandmaize.com

Vancouver Pumpkin Patch, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Velvet Acres Gardens, 18905 N.E. 83rd St., Vancouver. 360-892-0434 or www.vancouverpumpkinpatch.com

Walton Farms Pumpkin Patch, 2 to 6 p.m. through October. Walton Farms, 1617 N.E. 267th Ave., Camas; $8 includes pumpkin, train ride, maze and petting zoo. 360-834-2810 or www.waltonsfarms.com

Museums

100 Years of Women in the Legislature, 7 p.m. Marking the first woman to serve in the Oregon State Legislature, former and current women state legislators will share stories of their challenges, experiences and accomplishments. Oregon Historical Society and Oregon History Museum, 1200 S.W. Park Ave., Portland; free.

Dancing

East Coast Swing Lessons, 7 p.m. Wednesdays, through Nov. 5, Lacamas Lake Lodge, 227 N.E. Lake Road, Camas. Ballroom dancing taught by Joseph and Julieann Platt, offered through the city of Camas. $12 for drop-in, $60 for entire session. 360-834-5307 and register.cityofcamas.us or www.ballroomdancewithus.com

Public dancing with music by Steel & Velvet, 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays, Fraternal Order of Eagles, 107 E. Seventh St., Vancouver; $5. 360-693-8119.