1. This magic moment
Share a dance with that special someone: your daughter. At the annual Father Daughter Valentine’s Ball from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 2 and 3, you can get some one-on-one time with your daughter in a memorable, musical atmosphere in the Pearson Airfield Historic Hangar, 1115 E. Fifth St., Vancouver; $12 to $14. Entertainment includes a local DJ, professional photographer, balloon artist, temporary tattoo station and ballroom and hip-hop dance instruction. 360-487-7100 or www.cityofvancouver.us/parksrec
2. Celebrate black history
Stop by this exhibit opening and receive some education on Clark County’s African-American history. An opening reception of the Vancouver NAACP chapter’s African-American history exhibit is from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St. Vancouver; free. The exhibit, which is free and open to the public to view during library hours this month, tells the history of African-Americans in Vancouver and the Northwest, focusing on the art and history of Northwest African-Americans. The goal is to enhance the community’s knowledge of the local black experience, and how that experience has evolved over time. 360-213-8510
3. ‘Fighting for survival’
You’ve probably heard Bob Marley’s song “Buffalo Soldier,” and now you can learn about the history of local Buffalo Soldiers at “They Saw Their Duty And They Did It:” Buffalo Soldiers In Vancouver And Portland. From 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 3 at Visitor Center at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, 1501 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver. Greg Shine, Fort Vancouver’s chief historian, will shares stories of the Buffalo Soldiers who served in the Vancouver Barracks in the late 19th century. Shine has done two decades of research on race and the military in the American West. The event is free. 360-816-6216 or friendsfortvancouver.org
4. Get your laugh on
Who doesn’t love a funny play? Even better, “The Curious Savage” is thrown by Vancouver’s FM Players, of Vancouver First United Methodist Church, a local troupe. This three-act comedy follows Mrs. Savage, who has just inherited $10 million from her late husband. She plans to give the money away to random people pursuing their outlandish dreams, but her greedy stepchildren disagree with that idea, and have her placed in a sanatorium, so they can get the money. In the sanatorium, Savage meets five social misfits, who become her new family and try to help her stop the stepchildren from getting the money. Productions run at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3, 9 and 10; 2:30 p.m. Feb. 4 and 11 at Vancouver First United Methodist Church, 401 E. 33rd St., Vancouver; $5. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3225597 or 360-693-5881
