TODAY

PLAYS

Little Shop of Horrors: Rainier High School production of campy musical about a carnivorous plant, directed by Laurie Kash. 7:30 p.m. April 24-26, Rainier auditorium. $8 adults, $5 students and seniors.

FRIDAY

PLAYS

Little Shop of Horrors: Rainier High School production of campy musical about a carnivorous plant, directed by Laurie Kash. 7:30 p.m. April 24-26, Rainier auditorium. $8 adults, $5 students and seniors.

‘The Spitfire Grill’: Longview Stageworks production of musical about a feisty parolee who follows her dreams to a small town in Wisconsin. Directed by Jennifer Cheney. 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, through May 4, Pepper Studio Theatre. $17.50 evenings, $12.50 matinees. 501-6540, www.lvsw.org

LIVE MUSIC

Grumpy’s Tavern: Alias, Smith & Jones, classic rock, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover charge. 3051 Ocean Beach Highway. 636-4322.

Henri’s: Raeann’s Groove, Top 40 dance hits, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover charge. 4545 Ocean Beach Highway. 425-7970.

Lone Fir Bar and Grill: On the deck, Jim Mesi, blues, 6-10 p.m. $5 cover charge. Limited parking; car-pooling suggested. 3741 Pleasant Hill Road, Kelso. 423-5412.

Monticello Hotel: Linda Myers and The Blues Priority, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. in the lounge. No cover charge. 1405 17th Ave. 425-9900.

Regent Restaurant and Lounge: Gravity, classic rock, 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. No cover charge.

Roski’s Steakhouse: White Wolf, rock/country/blues, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover charge. 4220 Spirit Lake Memorial Highway. (Formerly the Silver Shores.) 274-0400.

Silver Star: Haywired, rock, country and blues, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover charge. 1032 Vandercook Way. 423-8007.

ETC.

Capitol Steps: A group of comics who skewer politicians of all stripes. 7:30 p.m., Columbia Theatre. $20- $40.

Autism Awareness Night: Lucky Purcell (formerly Mr. Big Pants) will play in a fundraiser for Autism awareness, 7 p.m., Monticello Hotel ballroom. Children welcome. Donations requested.

SATURDAY

CONCERTS

Northstar Saxophone Quartet: Seattle group will play classical, jazz and other styles of music at 7 p.m. at the Pioneer Church in Cathlamet. $12.50. Tickets at Trillium Books, 102 Main St., Cathlamet or call (360) 795-8428.

Punk/metal bands: Local bands Embrace the Silence, the Borstal Boys, Deadbeat Radio, Bullet Over Broadway and Upon Departure, 6 p.m., Clatskanie Middle School gym. $5 at the door. A benefit for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

PLAYS

Little Shop of Horrors: Rainier High School production of campy musical about a carnivorous plant, directed by Laurie Kash. 7:30 p.m. April 24-26, Rainier auditorium. $8 adults, $5 students and seniors.

‘The Spitfire Grill’: Longview Stageworks production of musical about a feisty parolee who follows her dreams to a small town in Wisconsin. Directed by Jennifer Cheney. 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, through May 4, Pepper Studio Theatre. $17.50 evenings, $12.50 matinees. 501-6540, www.lvsw.org

LIVE MUSIC

Chinese Garden: The Hickmans, Howie and the Hotknives from Portland and Dartgun from Portland, 9 p.m. $3 cover. 1071 15th Ave.

Grumpy’s Tavern: Alias, Smith & Jones, classic rock, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover charge. 3051 Ocean Beach Highway. 636-4322.

Henri’s: Raeann’s Groove, Top 40 dance hits, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover charge. 4545 Ocean Beach Highway. 425-7970.

Monticello Hotel: Linda Myers and The Blues Priority, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. in the lounge. No cover charge. 1405 17th Ave. 425-9900.

Porky’s Cafe and Lounge: Becca McGuire, 6-8 p.m. No cover charge. 561 Industrial Way, Longview. 636-1616.

Regent Restaurant and Lounge: Gravity, classic rock, 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. No cover charge.

Roski’s Steakhouse: White Wolf, rock, country and blues, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover charge. 4220 Spirit Lake Memorial Highway. (Formerly the Silver Shores.) 274-0400.

Silver Star: Haywired, rock/country/blues, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover charge. 1032 Vandercook Way. 423-8007.

SUNDAY

PLAYS

‘The Spitfire Grill’: Longview Stageworks production of musical about a feisty parolee who follows her dreams to a small town in Wisconsin. Directed by Jennifer Cheney. 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, through May 4, Pepper Studio Theatre. $17.50 evenings, $12.50 matinees. 501-6540, www.lvsw.org

UPCOMING

CONCERTS

Columbia River Chamber Orchestra: Group of mostly professional musicians conducted by George Simonsen will perform "An American Celebration" of music by American composers. Soprano Charlotte Pistor featured soloist, 7:30 p.m. May 3, Columbia Theatre. $21 adults, $18 seniors, $12 students, $7 children.

St. Stephen’s Kaleidoscope Concert: Carol McRae and Marjorie Field in a piano duet; singers Alison Askeland and Dennis Boaglio; also parts of a Beethoven piano trio with Ann Long, Krista Anderson and Dick Uthmann and a Brahms trio with Don Kirkpatrick, Tim Janke and John Brecher. 3 p.m. May 4. Donations for Community House.

Southwest Washington Youth Symphony: Spring concert, 4 p.m. May 11, Kelso High School.

Southwest Washington Symphony: Program including high school choirs, 7:30 p.m. May 20, R.A. Long High School auditorium.

PLAYS

‘The Spitfire Grill’: Longview Stageworks production of musical about a feisty parolee who follows her dreams to a small town in Wisconsin. Directed by Jennifer Cheney. 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, through May 4, Pepper Studio Theatre. $17.50 evenings, $12.50 matinees. 501-6540, www.lvsw.org

‘You Can’t Take It With You’: Mainstage Theatre student production of classic 1930s family comedy, 7:30 p.m. May 9-10 and 16-17, R.A. High School auditorium. $5. 575-7133.

‘Rep’: LCC Center Stage production of a comedy about six college students who start a theater. 7:30 p.m. May 21-24 and 29-31 and June 5-7, Pepper Studio Theatre.

‘High School Musical’: Kelso High School production, 7 p.m. May 29-31 and June 2-4, school auditorium. 501-1800.

ETC.

Musical and Comedy Revue: Annual event at Wahkiakum High School, May 2-4. (360) 465-2514 or (360) 795-3007.

Living Columbia Theatre Tour: Public tour of backstage areas of Columbia Theatre with information on the upcoming $12.6 million renovation. Showings of vaudeville era films, new R.A. Long documentary, historical reenactments, local plays. 2-5 p.m. May 4. Free.

Woodland PTSA Art Fest: District-wide event with creative works by K-12 students, including paintings, photographs, sculpture and floral designs. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 14, 6-8 p.m. May 15, Woodland High School gym.

Rose Center Grand Opening: Grand opening of new Rose Center for the Performing Arts at Lower Columbia College, with performances, art gallery talks. 1-5 p.m. June 28. Free.

AMPHITHEATER AT CLARK COUNTY

Tim McGraw: With Jason Aldean and Halfway to Hazard, 8 p.m. June 25. $33 and $63.

Rush: 7:30 p.m. June 1. $30, $40, $57.50 and $87.50

Kenny Chesney: With LeAnne Rimes, 7:30 p.m. June 3. $39.75 and $80.

Earth, Wind & Fire: 8 p.m. June 27. $45, $55 and $65.

The Police: With Elvis Costello and The Imposters, 7:30 p.m. July 11. $46, $96 and $200.

James Taylor: 8 p.m. July 24. $20, $45 and $60.

Journey, Heart and Cheap Trick: 7 p.m. Sept. 21. $33.50, $45.50, $65.50, $91 and $131.

For tickets, see Ticketmaster.com or livenation.com or call (503) 224-4400. For information, www.amphitheateratclark county.com

LOWER COLUMBIA AREA EXHIBITS

Broadway Gallery: In May, paintings by Scott McRae and Carol Boudreau and jewelry by Michelle Cooper and Vicki Brigden featured. Reception for artists 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 1 with music by Brimstone Road. Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. 1418 Commerce Ave. 577-0544.

Castle Rock Exhibit Hall: Old-time logging displays and other north Cowlitz County memorabilia. Civil War items. Hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Donations welcome. 147 Front Ave. N.W., Castle Rock. Information: 274-6603.

Clark County Historical Museum: "Sustaining Change on the American Farm: An Artist/Farmer Exchange," through April 30. Beaux Arts style museum was built in 1909 as a Carnegie Library. 1511 Main St., Vancouver. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, open first Thursdays until 8 p.m. $4 adults, $3 students and seniors. (360) 993-9679. www.cchmuseum.org

Columbia River Maritime Museum: Exhibits include retired Coast Guard motor lifeboat, old fishing vessels. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission $8 general, $7 seniors, $4 ages 6-17, younger than 6 free. 1792 Marine Drive, Astoria. (503) 325-2323; www.crmm.org

Cowlitz County Health and Human Services: Watercolors and oils by Sharon Kelley exhibited in April. Hours: 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1:30 -4 p.m. weekdays except until 6 p.m. Tuesdays, 1952 Ninth Ave. (near Washington Way), Longview.

Cowlitz County Historical Museum: Permanent exhibits include authentic pioneer cabin, replicas of general store and logging bunkhouse, waterfowl decoys. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; 1-5 p.m. Sundays. Closed Mondays. Donations. 405 Allen St., Kelso. 577-3119. www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/museum

Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum: (Formerly called the Ilwaco Heritage Museum.) Permanent exhibits on Lewis and Clark and the Columbia River, an 890 railroad car and a model of the old train that ran up the Long Beach peninsula. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays. $3 adults, $2.50 seniors older than 55, $2 youths 12-17, $1 children 6-11. 115 S.E. Lake, Ilwaco.

Lelooska Cultural Center: More than 600 native artifacts from North America including dolls, moccasins and an entire fur trade store furnished to the period. Open by appointment. Free. 161 Merwin Village Road, off Lewis River Road. 225-9522. www.lelooska.org

The Long-Bell Reading Room: Information on Longview history located in the Merk Building, 1337 Commerce Ave. Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. (360) 636-0993. Also an exhibit in outside window.

Museo at the Merk: Work of members of The Columbian Artists Association displayed in the window of the Merk building, on the side visible from Broadway. During April, works by Gene Inez Staples on display.

River Life Interpretive Center: Hand-carved wooden kitchen utensils by Sharon and Ginger Schmitz and family through April 27. Works by glass blowers Kyle Gribskov and Treasure Collupy of Skamokawa exhibited in April. Museum hours: Noon-4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Redmen Hall, 1394 W. SR 4. Skamokawa. 795-3007.

Veterans Memorial Museum: Exhibits on veterans of wars, focusing on World War II and more recent conflicts. 100 S.W. Veterans Way, Chehalis, at Exit 77 of I-5. October through May, museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays only. $5 adults, $3 students. (360) 740-8875, www.veteransmuseum.org

Wahkiakum County Historical Society Museum: Extensive logging, fishing and cultural displays. 1923 locomotive outside. Hours: 1-4 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays. 65 River Street, Cathlamet. (360) 795-3954.

Portland area exhibits

Oregon History Center: Permanent exhibits include "Oregon, My Oregon" with interactive displays and recreations of a Hudson’s Bay Co. ship hull, a 19th century explorer’s tent and a 1940s store in Hood River. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Sundays. $10 adults, $8 students and seniors, $5 youths 6-18. 1200 S.W. Park Ave. (503) 222-1741. Web site: www.ohs.org

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry: "Dinosaurs: China’s Ancient Giants" with 20 complete dinosaur skeletons from China. OMNIMAX theater showing the films "Coral Reef Adventure," "Dolphins" and "The Living Sea." Museum admission $9 adults, $7 youths 3-11 and seniors; additional cost for OMNIMAX movie, submarine tour, planetarium shows. 1945 S.E. Water Ave. (503) 797-4000. www.omsi.edu

Portland Art Museum: Special exhibit "The Dancer: Degas, Forain and Toulouse-Lautrec" through May 11. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays/ Wednesdays/Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays/Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Regular admission: $10 adults, $6 children 5-18. 1219 S.W. Park Ave. (503) 226-2811. www.portlandart museum.org

CTPA tickets

Tickets for events at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts are available at the box office at 1538 Commerce Ave., which is open 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and two hours before show times. A $1.50 surcharge per ticket, which goes toward theater restoration, is incorporated into some listed ticket prices. 575-8499 or (888) 575-8499. http://columbiatheatre.com

The deadline for Spotlight is 5 p.m. Monday the week of publication. Forms are available in The Daily News’ newsroom. Mail items to Entertainment, Spotlight, The Daily News, P.O. Box 189, Longview, WA 98632, or deliver in person. FAX: 577-2538. e-mail: tpaulu@tdn.com Information will not be taken over the phone.