1. Common ground for curiosity
The Historic Trust is wrapping up COMMONGround: The Vancouver Chautauqua, a “gathering for curious people” at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Providence Academy featuring walking tours, read-alouds, art-making workshops, historical and artistic exhibitions, and musical performances. The festival — the first of its kind in Vancouver — is inspired by “chautauquas” in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, in which orators, teachers, musicians, storytellers, dancers and artisans were brought together to educate and entertain the community. There are still many COMMONGround events worth exploring on Aug. 10 and 11, and all of them are free; see The Historic Trust’s website for details about times and locations. 360-992-1800 or TheHistoricTrust.org
2. Summer concert swan song
Saturdays in the Park is La Center’s free summer concert series, held in the outdoor amphitheater at Sternwheeler Park, 100 W. Fourth St. in La Center. Your last chance to enjoy a sultry summer evening in La Center in this way is Aug. 11; the concert series will be brought to a lively conclusion with a performance by Fortunate Son, a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band. Bring your own picnic dinner, chairs and blankets. The free concert begins at 6 p.m. and all ages are welcome. 360-831-4316 or ProMoPromotions.com
3. Smokey Bear’s birthday
Before Yogi, there was Smokey Bear–the Forest Service’s fire prevention mascot, developed in 1944. (Point of trivia: there was a real Smokey, a cub rescued by firefighters in 1950 and relocated to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., where he received so much fan mail that he earned his own ZIP code.) Smokey Bear the mascot turns a spry 74 this year, and he’s coming to the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center for a birthday party, where guests can watch video clips, learn about wildfire prevention and meet the Bear of the Hour. The free party runs from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 11 at 1501 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver, with cupcakes and lemonade from 10 to 11 a.m. 360-816-6230 or www.nps.gov/fova/learn/news/smokeybirthday2018.htm
4. Ladies’ night out
The Magenta Theater’s next Black Chair Project — a series of one-night-only staged readings — is “Ladies First,” a timely comedy that explores the imagined relationship between Jackie Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt and other first ladies as they exchange lively barbs about their public and private lives. Politics aside, the show — 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11 — supports a good cause: all profits from ticket sales go toward the theater’s fundraising campaign for lighting upgrades. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door of the theater, 1108 Main St. in downtown Vancouver. 360-635-4358 or MagentaTheater.com
