THURSDAY, JULY 30

CONCERTS

Summer Concerts at the Lake: Midnight Serenaders, ‘20s, ‘30s jazz and swing, 6 to 8 p.m., Martin Dock, Lake Sacajawea. Free. www.midnightserenaders.com

13 Nights on the River: Sweet Baby James, 6 to 9 p.m. Columbia View Park, St. Helens, Ore. Free. www.13nightsontheriver.com

LIVE MUSIC

Cross Keys Pub: Mike Gilbert, acoustic performer, 7 p.m. No cover charge. 360 Oregon Way, Longview. 423-9210.

River Casino: Bob McGraw, classic rock, 7-10 p.m. 902 Ash St., Kelso. 423-6630.

ETC.

Cowlitz County Fair: Performances begin at noon, Expo Plaza Stage. Free. Noon-4 p.m. acts to be announced. 4 p.m., Raeann Phillips. 5:30 p.m., 50/50 Line Dancers; 7 p.m. karaoke finals.

Crash and Bash Demolition Derby: 7 p.m., Cowlitz County Expo Center. Gates open 5:30 p.m. Tickets $15 at fairgrounds.

FRIDAY, JULY 31

CONCERTS

Hot Summer Nights: contemporary music by Stifler, 7 to 9 p.m., Hoffman Plaza, downtown Woodland. Free.

LIVE MUSIC

Carousel: In the Beachway Club, Funk Factory, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. July 31, 4545 Ocean Beach Highway. (Formerly Henri’s.) 425-7970.

Cross Keys Pub: Wet T-shirt contest, $300 first prize, 9 p.m. $3 cover. 360 Oregon Way, Longview. 423-9210.

Intermission Coffee House: open mike featuring music, poetry and more, starting around 7:30 p.m. 3187 Ocean Beach Highway. All ages. Alcohol-free. Sign up anytime Friday, (360) 353-3073.

Longview American Legion: Moonshine, country and rock, 7:30-11:30 p.m. No cover charge. Members and guests welcome. 1250 12th Ave. 425-3670.

Monticello Hotel: In the lounge, 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Island Rio with Neal Grandstaff, Joe Milward and Willis Moss. No cover charge. 1405 17th, Longview. 425-9900.

ETC.

Cowlitz County Fair: Performances begin at noon, Expo Plaza Stage. Free. Noon, Beautiful Flute. 2 p.m., Raeann Phillips. 3:30 p.m., Beautiful Flute. 5:30 p.m., Cowlitz Ukelele. 7 p.m., Fabulous Farelanes.

Cowlitz Valley Old-Time Music Association: Open-mike fiddling, country and other old-time musical entertainment. 7 p.m. at Catlin Grange, 205 Shawnee in North Kelso. Acoustic instruments only, donations at door.

Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo: 7 p.m., Cowlitz County Expo Center. $10 general, $14 reserved.

SATURDAY, AUG. 1

CONCERTS

Playing for Pinks: Keeping Secrets of Seattle, Screaming in Stereo of Longview, Upon Departure of Longview, Queen Ann’s Revenge of Kalama and Ryan Bisson of Vancouver, 6 p.m. Aug. 1, LCC Student Center. $8 general public, $5 LCC students. $1 off if wearing something politely pink. Benefits Relay for Life.

‘Fight Back’ fundraiser show: Performance by rock band Without Further Ado (Seth McNally, Colin Weiss and Mike Rader); along with improv comedy and a short play, “Hard Candy,” 9 p.m. Aug. 1, Kelso Theatre Pub, 214 S. Pacific, Kelso. Tickets $10 advance, $15 at door, call 430-9063 to reserve. Proceeds benefit the Relay for Life (cancer research).

LIVE MUSIC

Carousel: In the Beachway Club, Funk Factory, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Aug. 1, 4545 Ocean Beach Highway. (Formerly Henri’s.) 425-7970.

Cross Keys Pub: The Hickmans, The Drooges, Potty Mouth Society and Mind Candy, all local rock bands, 9 p.m. $3 cover. 360 Oregon Way, Longview. 423-9210.

Monticello Hotel: In the lounge, 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Island Rio with Neal Grandstaff, Joe Milward and Willis Moss. No cover charge. 1405 17th, Longview. 425-9900.

ETC.

Cowlitz County Fair: Performances begin at noon, Expo Plaza Stage. Free. Noon, Performing Arts Academy. 1 p.m., 50/50 Line Dancers. 2 p.m., Cowlitz Ukelele. 3:15 p.m., Raeann Phillips. 5 p.m., hypnotist Jerry Harris. 7 p.m., Colgate Country Showdown.

Downtown Live: Entertainment and shopping on Commerce Avenue, 4 to 9 p.m.

Rainier Marina Market: Indoor market with 50 vendors selling fresh produce and meat, fruits, ice cream, artists. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Music with Guy Live and Miz Mary until 2 p.m. . Greeting card class with Judy Cox of Ivy Station Aug. 1. 115 E. A Street, next to Bank of America.

Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo: 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., Cowlitz County Expo Center. $10 general, $14 reserved.

SUNDAY, AUG. 2

ETC.

Kelso Bridge Market: Gifts, produce, flowers, crafts and specialty foods. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Under the east end of the Allen Street Bridge. Information, (360) 957-2515.

Jazz Jam: Left Coast Jazz Quartet will host a wine tasting and jazz jam session, 4-6:30 p.m. at Nikki’s Bar & Grill, 404 W. Main St., Kelso. Instrumentalists and vocalists of all ability levels welcome. Drums, bass and guitar amps, and microphone provided. Bring own instruments. 425-0065.

UPCOMING

CONCERTS

Mount St. Helens Bluegrass Festival: With the Chapmans, Sawmill Road, Great Northern Planes and other bands, Aug. 7-9, Toledo High School. www.washingtonbluegrassassociation.org.

Foreigner: Group known for hits “Cold as Ice” and “Hot Blooded,” 8:30 p.m. Aug. 21, Southwest Washington Fair grandstand, Chehalis. $35 in advance grandstand, including fair admission. $25 in bleachers. www.southwestwashingtonfair.net.

LIVE MUSIC

Battle of the Bands: 7-10 p.m. Aug. 22, Regent Restaurant and Lounge, 3353 Washington Way. 423-8680. Winner to appear in Jimi Hendrix Memorial concert Sept. 18.

ETC.

FIRST THURSDAY

Art galleries open late Aug. 6, downtown Longview. Free.

Broadway Gallery: reception 5:30-7:30 p.m. , featuring Margaret Elliott, wall quilts; Jan Nontell, pottery; and new gallery members from February and June. 1418 Commerce Ave., Longview.

LCC Gallery at the Rose Center: reception 4:30-7 p.m., featuring Eric Olson, paintings and mixed media. 15th Avenue and Washington Way, Longview.

Museo at the Merk: reception 5-7 p.m., featuring Alan Brunk, Marisa Mercure and Nancy Knowles. Brunk will demonstrate pen and ink drawing. Live music by John Henry. 1339 Commerce Ave., Longview.

Teague’s Interiors Mezzanine Gallery: reception 5:30-7 p.m., featuring the stunning colors of summer with guest artists. 1267 Commerce Ave., Longview.

SUMMER CONCERTS AT THE LAKE

Concerts run from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays at Martin Dock. People may bring blankets, low-backed chairs and picnic dinners; food service also available.

Aug 6: Steller Fellers, folk songs from the 60’s. www.myspace.com/thestellarfellars

Aug 13: Hit Machine, hits from all eras. www.hitmachineband.com

Aug 20: Deadwood Revival, hillbilly bluegrass. www.deadwoodrevival.com

13 NIGHTS ON THE RIVER

Music goes from 6 to 9 p.m. at Columbia View Park, St. Helens. www.13nightsontheriver.com

Aug. 6: Patrick Lamb, jazz/pop sax.

Aug. 13: The New Iberians with Terry Robb.

Aug. 20: Ramblin Rose.

Aug. 27: Honestly — rhythm and blues/gospel

Sept. 3: Michael Allen Harrison, piano.

HOT SUMMER NIGHTS

Free music 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays at Hoffman Plaza in downtown Woodland.

Aug. 7: Bad Daddies, blues and classic rock

Aug. 14: The Sundowners, ‘50s classic rock

CALL TO PLAYWRIGHTS

Astor Street Opry Company Original Script Competition: one-act plays (25-45 minutes) and five-minute monologues. Comedy, drama suitable for family audiences. Winners to be produced in winter 2010. Submissions accepted through Sept. 30 (postmarked). Entry fee $15 per script, $5 per monologue, four monologues for $15. Mail to: ASOC Original Script Competition, c/o Anne MacGregor, 101 Madison Avenue #2D, Astoria, OR 97103. Information: 503-338-3826. http://www.shanghaiedinastoria.com/playwriting.html

Loves Street Playhouse Scriptwriting Competition: Full length, one-act, radio plays, 15 to 90 minutes. Open to all ages. Entry fee $10 per script. Deadline Aug. 22 (postmarked). Winners to be presented in reader’s theater Nov. 21. Mail to: Loves Street Playhouse, c/o Melinda Leuthold, P.O. Box 1847, Woodland, WA 98674. Information, (360) 263-6670. Download guidelines and forms: http://www.lovestreetplayhouse.com/Future_Events.html

LOWER COLUMBIA AREA EXHIBITS

Broadway Gallery: In August, featured artists are Margaret Elliott, wall quilts, Jan Nontell, pottery, and new members from February and June. Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. 1418 Commerce Ave. 577-0544.

Castle Rock Exhibit Hall: Old-time logging displays and other north Cowlitz County memorabilia. Civil War items. Donations welcome. Summer hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. 47 Front Ave. N.W., Castle Rock. Information: 274-6603.

Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum: “Images and Inspirations,” in which photographers Anna Keefer, Bruce Peterson, Dirk Sweringen and Mark Tyler use vintage photos to inspire new works, through Aug. 25. Permanent exhibits on Lewis and Clark and the Columbia River, an 1890 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.

Cowlitz County Historical Museum: “Rivers on the Rampage: The Great Flood of 1933” through summer. Permanent exhibits include authentic pioneer cabin, replicas of general store and logging bunkhouse, waterfowl decoys. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; closed Sundays-Mondays. Open until 9 p.m. first Thursday of month. Donations. 405 Allen St., Kelso. 577-3119. www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/museum

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 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays through Labor Day. Free. 161 Merwin Village Road, off Lewis River Road. 225-9522. www.lelooska.org

Long-Bell Reading Room: Information on Longview history 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.

Lower Columbia College Art Gallery: Paintings and mixed media by Eric Olson Aug. 6-28. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays. Free. Rose Center, 15th and Washington Way. (360) 442-2510.

Museo at the Merk: Work of members of Columbian Artists Association in window of Merk building, on side visible from Broadway. Works by Alan Brunk, Marisa Mercure and Nancy Knowles displayed in August. Commerce and Broadway.

Redmen Hall: “World of Weaving” fiber works exhibit honoring Sisko Kallio, Clatsop Weavers and Spinners Guild. Noon-4 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays Aug. 8-Sept. 27. Reception for artists, 1-3 p.m. Aug. 8. Sponsored by Friends of Skamokawa Foundation. 1394 W. SR 4, Skamokawa. Cheryl Silverblatt, Clatsop Weavers and Spinners Guild, (503) 325-1177. Kathleen Morgain, Redmen Hall manager, 795-3007. Redmen Hall, 1394 W. SR 4. Skamokawa.

Teague’s Interiors: “The Stunning Colors of Summer,” with guest artists, through August. 1267 Commerce Ave., Longview.

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.

World Kite Museum: Permanent exhibit of kites from around the world. Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through September. $5 adults, $4 seniors and $3 children. 303 Sid Snyder Drive, Long Beach. (360) 642-4020. www.worldkitemuseum.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.