Try This: ‘Chkalov’s Transpolar Flight’; ‘Bowls and Books’; First Friday Art Walk

Wings of history

Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, will launch its 2023 Speaker Series at 7 tonight with Columbia River High School student Luke Hildreth’s in-person presentation, “Chkalov’s Transpolar Flight: Exploring its Significance in the Soviet Union and America.” Doors open at 5 p.m. Admission is $5. Seniors and students are $4. Children younger than 18 are $3. The evening is free for museum members, veterans and active-duty military personnel. For details, contact the museum at 360-993-5679 or outreach@cchmuseum.org.

For the books

Ridgefield’s next First Saturday event is “Bowls and Books,” 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Ridgefield Community Library, 210 N. Main Ave. Activities include a book sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Go on an all-ages Book Bingo Scavenger Hunt from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Prizes will be awarded. Take a Little Free Libraries Walking Tour at 11 a.m.; meet in front of the library for a stroll around town to visit the many little free libraries where neighbors can exchange books. Get more details at ridgefieldwa.us/event/first-saturday-february/.

Off the wall

Art on the Boulevard, in the Vancouver Marketplace at 210 W. Evergreen Blvd., will open its “Seventeen Year Anniversary” group show tomorrow, on display through March 31. The show features artwork from 18 of the gallery artists in a wide range of styles and mediums. The artists will take questions at a free opening reception 5-8 p.m. Friday in conjunction with the Downtown Vancouver First Friday Art Walk. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Get details at 360-750-4499 or www.artontheboulevard.org.

Improvise

If winter has you feeling down, cheer up with Magenta Improv Theater’s first show of the year at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, when audience suggestions inspire the players’ scenes, skits and games. Family-friendly, all-ages shows are $13 in advance from www.magentatheater.com or $15 at the door of the theater, 1108 Main St., Vancouver. Doors open at 7 p.m. Concessions, soft drinks, beer, wine and hard cider are available to buy in theater’s lobby. Learn more at magentatheater.com/improv or call the box office at 360-949-3098.

Sweet memories

Lara Blair Photography presents “Nostalgic Sugar,” an exhibit of realistic sweet treats and detailed dioramas at The Loft gallery inside Lara Blair Photography, 411 N.E. Dallas St., Camas. The opening reception is 4-8 p.m. during Camas’ First Friday event, “A Chocolate Affair to Remember.” The works in this exhibit offer a retrospective look at the childhood things that made Blair happy: donuts, cupcakes, cookies and miniature people. Blair’s goal is to delight, amuse and inspire the viewer, pulling from a shared memory bank of nostalgic joy. Get details at facebook.com/larablairphotography.

… And more

For more details about these and other events — like the Student Art Show and Reception at Vancouver Art Space, the First Sunday Pancake Breakfast at Sons of Norway Columbia Lodge and the stand-up comedy show at UnderBar — visit events.columbian.com.