1. Hello gourd-geous
You’ll be seeing orange at the Bi-Zi Farms Pumpkin Patch, 9504 N.E. 119th St., Vancouver, open 2 to 5:30 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 27. Admission — $12 for adults and kids or $10 for seniors 62 or older — includes one pumpkin, any size (kids 2 and under are free, but pumpkins only come with paid entry). The entry fee also includes access to the 6-acre corn maze, hay-bale pyramid and hay-bale maze, petting zoo, calf-roping station, pumpkin launchers and tractor rides. On weekends, enjoy live music, a concession stand and face painting. The farm store (open daily) offers produce, bread, eggs, raw honey, cider and autumn decorations. The corn maze is also open from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 26 for $7. 360-574-9119 or bizifarms.com
2. A stitch in time
Clark County Quilters, a nonprofit group that’s been patching things up since 1974, is hosting its annual Featured Artist Quilt Show to showcase the artful quilts of one of its members. This year, the featured fiber artist is Sandra Q. Miller, who has taught quilting for two decades. After years of oil painting and crafting, Miller started quilting in the early 1990s with traditional patchwork. She expanded to watercolor quilts, then picture quilts such as florals, landscapes, seascapes and portraits. The public is invited to see her quilts at the HH Hall Building, 10000 N.E. Seventh Ave., Vancouver. The show opens at 3 p.m. Oct. 18 with a reception at 5 p.m., and continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 19 and 20. There is no admission fee, but donations are appreciated. www.clarkcountyquilters.com
3. A study in ‘Contrasts’
The Southwest Washington Wind Symphony, a 55-member concert band based in Vancouver, opens its 15th season with a concert entitled “Contrasts.” Under the baton of Patrick Murphy from the University of Portland, the symphony will present selections from contemporary American composers portraying darkness and light, major and minor keys, and contrasting moods. The program includes “Angels in the Architecture” by Frank Ticheli, “Equipoise” by Alan Baylock, “Lincolnshire Posy” by Percy Grainger and “In Two Places” by Haley Woodrow. The free performance is from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Union High School’s Performing Arts Center, 6201 N.W. Friberg-Strunk St., Camas. www.swwindsymphony.org
4. Lift your spirits
The Soaring Spirits Gala, 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 19 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 2206 N.W. 99th St., Vancouver, will feature inspiring music with Celtic harps, flutes, guitars, violins and the Finnish stringed instrument known as a kantele. The audience will be soothed by gentle tunes performed by Valerie K. Blessley and Jennifer Pratt-Walter of Celtic Muse and Heather Keller of Beauty of the Harp. Hear ancient melodies of epic poetry and the Jewish Kabbalah, as well as traditional tunes and original compositions. The concert starts at 7 p.m., or come at 6 p.m. to bid in a silent auction and browse the wares of artisan vendors, also open during intermission. Tickets are $20 each and proceeds benefit All Saints’ outreach programs to babies, elementary students and hospice patients. www.allsaints-vancouver.org
