Save the Date: Immerse self in season’s sights, sounds

It’s time for a visit of Christmas past, as visitors can explore the holiday traditions of the 1840s during Christmas at Fort Vancouver from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. Take part in wreath making, sip hot cider or take in some caroling as volunteers give peeks into the lives of residents of the Hudson’s Bay Company fort, 1001 E. Fifth St., Vancouver. Admission is $5, free for ages 15 and younger. 360-816-6232 or www.nps.gov/fova

And don’t forget to drop by the Marshall House, 1301 Officers Row, for an extra bit of seasonal fun from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. The historic building will be dressed for the holidays, serving hot cocoa and cider to visitors, along with an appearance by Santa Claus in the parlor. 360-992-1800 or www.fortvan.org

Catch another performance of “The Nutcracker,” featuring dancers of all ages from DanceWorks Performing Arts and Vancouver City Ballet. All proceeds from the performance will benefit the nonprofit Friends of DanceWorks, which provides scholarships for arts education. Performances begin at 2 and 7 p.m. today, 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday at Prairie High School, 11311 N.E. 119th St., Vancouver. Tickets are $16, $12 for seniors, $8 for ages 3 to 12, free for ages 2 and younger. 360-892-5664 or http://danceworksperformingarts.com/nutcracker

Touch of Class Chorale will present its winter concert program, “The Return of the Light,” featuring seasonal music from around the world. The Clark County-based community choir will give half of its concert proceeds to each concert venue’s chosen charity. Performances will take place at 2 p.m. today at Elim Lutheran Church, 15815 N.E. 182nd Ave., Brush Prairie; then at 2 p.m. Sunday at East Woods Presbyterian, 16210 N.E. 20th St., Vancouver. Finally the ensemble will perform at 2 p.m. Dec. 17 at Vancouver Church of Christ, 9019 N.E. 86th St., Vancouver. All tickets are $12 and $10 for ages 12 and younger. 210-570-7464 or http://touchofclasschorale.com

The 39th annual Ridgefield Singing Christmas Tree performance features 70 choir members sharing holiday songs on a 50-foot tree starting at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, and Dec. 13 and 16, plus 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Ridgefield Church of the Nazarene, 747 Pioneer St., Ridgefield. Admission is free, with offerings collected during the performance going toward Compassion Ridgefield. 360-887-3576 or www.ridgenaz.org

Magenta Theater will perform the play which inspired the film “You’ve Got Mail” and the Broadway hit “She Loves Me.” The comedic “Parfumerie” follows the tangled tale of parfumerie employee George Horvath, who constantly feuds with his co-worker Amalia Balash. But George finds solace and romance in writing letters to a secret pen pal, who’s agreed to meet for Christmas Eve. Performances begin at 2 and 7:30 p.m. tonight and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13-16, plus 2 p.m. Dec. 17 at Magenta Theater, 1108 Main St., Vancouver. Tickets are $18 to $20. 360-635-4358 or www.magentatheater.com

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will host an exclusive showing of “The Sound of Music,” featuring a sing-a-long, movie refreshments and an appearance by author Julia Hirsch, who was granted behind-the-scenes access to document the making of the musical film. It begins at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St. Vancouver. Tickets are $20. 360-735-7278 or www.vancouversymphony.org

Tickets are also now available for a special concert as the Oregon Symphony and world-renowned violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg will head across the river to join the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at 7 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Skyview Concert Hall, 1300 N.W. 139th St., Vancouver. Salerno-Sonnenberg will both perform and conduct the orchestra in a performance of Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” and Bizet’s “Carmen Suite.” Tickets are $40 to $70, and $10 for students. 503-228-1353 or www.orsymphony.org