Go for Saturday, Feb. 14: Portland Mardi Gras Ball, Cover Your Hearts, Live Wire! Radio

Valentine’s Day recital with soprano Catherine van der Salm, 7 p.m. St. Luke’s – San Lucas Episcopal Church, 426 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver; free, donations encouraged. 360-696-0182 or www.stlukesvancouver.com

Valentine’s Day with Norman Sylvester, 3 to 8:30 p.m. A benefit for the Clark County Veterans Garden Project, featuring Art Miller, Eric John Kaiser, Amber Sweeney, Sarah Billings, and the Ricky Lee Jackson Band. Gaiser Student Center, Clark College, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver; $25 to $30. 360-907-2391 or www.clarkcountyvetscourtboard.org

Winds and Strings annual Celtic Benefit Concert, 3 p.m. Featuring piper Sophie Anna McDuffey, benefiting the Winter Hospitality Overflow Shelters. St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 5607 N.E. Gher Road, Vancouver; free, donations encouraged. 360-892-7160 or www.facebook.com/windsstrings

Nightlife

The Bobby Torres Ensemble, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Jimmy Mak’s, 221 N.W. 10th Ave., Portland; $10 to $12. 503-295-6542 or www.jimmymaks.com

Cadillacs for Everyone, 9 p.m. Billy Blues Bar and Grill, 7115 N.E. Hazel Dell Ave., Vancouver; no cover charge. 360-694-3114 or www.billybluesbarandgrill.com

Cover Your Hearts: a benefit for UseMusic, 9 p.m. Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside St., Portland; $17 to $25, 21 and older. 503-231-9663 or www.dougfirlounge.com

Full Zoo, 9 p.m. Byno’s Roadhouse, 4250 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver; no cover charge. 360-314-4833 or www.bynosroadhouse.com

Pretty Gritty, 9 p.m. Brickhouse Bar and Grill, 109 W. 15th St., Vancouver; no cover charge, 21 and older. 360-695-3686 or www.vancouverbrickhouse.com

“Carmen,” 7:30 p.m. The Portland Opera presents one of opera’s most celebrated role. Carmen, a gypsy, seduces Don José, a military corporal, who abandons duties and childhood sweetheart. But Escamillo, a bullfighter, immediately sets his sights on Carmen. Sung in French with English titles above the stage. Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St., Portland; $31.60 to $266. 503-241-1802 or www.portlandopera.org

“Cuff Me! The Fifty Shades of Grey Musical Parody,” 7:30 p.m. Winningstad Theater, 1111 S.W. Broadway, Portland; $49.50 to $53.50. 800-271-1530 or www.portland5.com

Live Wire! Radio, 7:30 p.m. The national variety show is recorded in front of a live Portland audience, hosted by Luke Burbank. Revolution Hall, 1300 S.E. Stark St., Portland; $20 to $35. 503-764-4131 or www.livewireradio.org

“Love Letters,” 7:30 p.m. Brunish Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway, Portland; $56 to $81. 800-273-1530 or www.stumptownstage.org. For more details, see the go: friday page

Monster Jam, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14, 2 p.m. Feb. 15. Monster trucks will be roaring and crunching cars as they compete in racing and freestyle competitions. The show will include Northern Nightmare, Grave Digger and El Toro Loco. Moda Center at the Rose Quarter, 1 Center Court, Portland; $20 to $45; $10 to $45 for children. $10 for parking. 877-789-7673 or www.rosequarter.com

Dance

BodyVox presents skinner/kirk Dance Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. BodyVox Dance Center, 1201 N.W. 17th Ave., Portland; $25 to $59. 503-229-0627 or www.bodyvox.com. For more details, see the go: friday page.

Theater

“Calendar Girls” presented by Magenta Theater Company. 7:30 p.m. Magenta Theater, 606 Main St., Vancouver; $15 to $18. 360-635-4358 or www.magentatheater.com. For more details, see the go: friday page.

“Dead Man’s Cell Phone” presented by Profile Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Artists Repertory Theatre, 1515 S.W. Morrison St., Portland; $15 to $32. 503-242-0080 www.profiletheatre.org. For more details, see the go: friday page.

“The Playboy of the Western World” and “Riders to the Sea” presented by Prairie High School Drama. 7 p.m. Prairie High School, 11311 N.E. 119th St., Vancouver; $8, $6 for students and seniors. 360-885-5000 or www.seatyourself.biz/prairiehighschool. For more details, see the go: friday page.

“The Seven Wonders of Ballyknock” presented by Lakewood Theatre Company. 7:30 p.m. Lakewood Center of the Arts, 368 S. State St., Lake Oswego, Ore.; $32, $30 for seniors, $20 for students. 503-635-3901 or www.lakewood-center.org. For more details, see the go: friday page.

“Skippyjon Jones” presented by Oregon Children’s Theatre. Skippyjon Jones is a Siamese cat with large ears who discovers his alter ego, “El Skippito,” a superhero Chihuahua, ready for adventure with his imagination. 2 and 5 p.m. Feb. 14, 2 p.m. Feb. 15. Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway, Portland; $18 to $30; $15 to $26 for children. 503-228-9571 or www.octc.org

“Threesome” presented by Portland Center Stage. 7:30 p.m. Saturdays through March 8. Ellyn Bye Studio at the Armory, 128 N.W. 11th Ave., Portland; $35 to $55; $25 for students. 503-445-3700 or www.pcs.org

“Tribes” presented by Artists Repertory Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Saturdays through March 1. Alder Stage, 1516 S.W. Alder St., Portland; $41 to $46; $25 for students. 503-241-1278 or www.artistsrep.org. For more details, see the go: friday page.

“Zen Shorts” presented by Tears of Joy Theatre. Based on the picture book by Jon J. Muth, Michael and Addy have a new neighbor, a giant Zen master panda named Stillwater. Stillwater shares ancient tales to help pass along a bit of wisdom, with the production using more than 30 puppets. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Feb. 14; 1 and 3 p.m. Feb. 15. Imago Theatre, 17 S.E. Eighth Ave., Portland; $22, $18 for students and seniors; $15 for ages 13 and younger. 503-248-0557 or www.tojt.org

Words

Poetry workshop, noon to 3 p.m. Join Christopher Luna to share and discuss poetry, and write new ones. Niche Wine and Art Bar, 1013 Main St., Vancouver; $20 suggested donation. www.facebook.com/christopher.luna.7503

Out & about

Clark County Wine Valentine’s Weekend Tour, noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 14-15. The local wineries will be pairing wine and chocolate for visitors. Map and participating wineries available online. Various wineries; Tasting fees and activities vary by location. www.clarkcountywine.com

Fairs & festivals

Portland International Film Festival, through Feb. 21. Various venues, Portland; $12, $11 for students and seniors, $9 for children. 503-276-4310 or http://festivals.nwfilm.org/piff38. For more details, see the go: friday page

Vietnamese Tet Lunar New Year Festival, 1 p.m. The Vietnamese Community of Clark County will celebrate the biggest cultural event of the year with live music, performances, children’s activities, Vietnamese food and traditions. Roosevelt Elementary School, 2921 Falk Road, Vancouver; Free. 360-882-7411 or www.vnccc.org

Museums

Meet a Scientist, 1 to 4 p.m. Meet local scientists as they share their research and knowledge with hands-on activities and conversation. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, 1945 S.E. Water Ave., Portland; $13; $9.50 for seniors and ages 3-13. 800-955-6674 or www.omsi.edu

OMSI After Dark, 7 to 11 p.m. “Science of Sex” is the theme of a special Valentine’s Day edition, featuring trivia games, romance writers, acrobatics and the chemistry of condoms. Oregon Museum of Science & Industry, 1945 S.E. Water Ave., Portland; $13 for those 21 and older. 800-955-6674 or www.omsi.edu/afterdark

Oregon Statehood Day, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Celebrate Oregon’s 156th birthday with programs highlighting black history in “A Community on the Move,” storyteller Chetter Galloway and birthday cake at noon. Oregon Historical Society, 1200 S.W. Park Ave., Portland; Free. 503-222-1741 or www.ohs.org

Second Saturday at the Water Center, 1 to 3 p.m. This month’s theme is “Love Your Trees” featuring ways to create things using different parts of the tree. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Water Resources Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver; Free. 360-487-7111 or www.cityofvancouver.us/watercenter

Attractions

Lantern Tour, 6:30 p.m. Peek into the past with a lighted lantern as costumed interpreters perform historical vignettes during a nighttime walk through Fort Vancouver’s buildings. Reservations required. Fort Vancouver, 1001 E. Fifth St., Vancouver; $10, $7 for ages 10 to 15. 360-816-6232 or www.nps.gov/fova

Portland Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, through Feb. 28. The community market fills the Portland State University campus with hundreds of vendors selling produce, baked goods, meats, cheese and seafood. Southwest Park Avenue, between Hall and Montgomery streets, Portland. 503-241-0032 or portlandfarmersmarket.org

Comedy

“BAM!” 9:30 p.m. Blindfolded improvisers are placed into sets and characters. Brody Theater, 16 N.W. Broadway, Portland; $8 503-224-2227 or www.brodytheater.com

ComedySportz improv show, 8 p.m. The family-friendly performance features two teams of improv players. ComedySportz, 1963 N.W. Kearney St., Portland; $15, reservations recommended. 503-236-8888 or www.portlandcomedy.com

Lachlan Patterson, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Helium Comedy Club, 1510 S.E. Ninth Ave., Portland; $22 to $36, for those 21 and older. 888-643-8669 or www.heliumcomedy.com/portland

“Lovestruck,” 7:30 p.m. An improvised tribute to love, romance and trouble that comes with it. Brody Theater, 16 N.W. Broadway, Portland; $12; $9 for students and seniors. 503-224-2227 or www.brodytheater.com

Dancing

Hangar Dance, 7 to 10 p.m. Recreating the era of World War II USO dances, the Pearson Air Museum’s hangar will come alive with music of the 1940’s from the 20-piece Beacock Swing Band. Attendees can learn the dance steps, enjoy light refreshments and a silent auction, benefiting the education programs at the national historic site. Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E. Fifth St., Vancouver; $15. 360-816-6230 or www.nps.gov/fova/parknews/hangar-dance.htm

Silver Stars Square Dance Club, 7 to 10 p.m. Hazel Dell Grange No. 1124, 7509 N.E. Hazel Dell Ave., Vancouver; $6. Plus dancing at 7 p.m. and mainstream dances from 8 to 10 p.m. 360-600-1804 or www.silverstarssquaredance.org

Sweetheart’s Dance, 7 to 10 p.m. Romantic couples 18 years and older can enjoy a night of dancing with music, photo station, refreshments and door prizes. Venersborg School House, 24309 N.E. 209th St., Battle Ground; free, suggested donation of $3, $5 for couple. 360-666-4829 or www.venersborg.blogspot.com