The Columbia Gorge’s newest “old” theater, The Golden Garter, announces a Hood River County Resident Appreciation Weekend. All Hood River County residents can enjoy a family-friendly comedy show for $5 per person this weekend — Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7. Both performances begin at 8 p.m. Hood River residents must present proof of residency. “A Magical Melodrama” is a live, wild-west comedy show that combines amazing magical illusions with the popular comedy entertainment of 100 years ago. Show schedule and ticket information can be obtained at www.GoldenGarter.com.

Stephen Ashbrook, currently on tour promoting his new CD, “White Balloons,” makes a stop in Hood River at the CEBU Lounge on Thursday, June 12, from 8-11 p.m. This highly anticipated album was produced by Northwest musician Pete Droge. Best Western Hood River Inn, 1108 E. Marina Way, 386-2200.

The Apple Valley Country Store announces that its summer jam season will kick off on the first and third Sundays, from 3-6 p.m. All styles of folk, country, blues, or bluegrass musicians are welcome to bring instruments and songs to share. Apple Valley Country Store, 2363 Tucker Road, Hood River; 386-1971.

Encore Performing Arts and Columbia River Bank present “Free Plays in the Park,” with audience participation versions of “Rumpelstiltskin” and “The Little Mermaid.” Performances are June 14 and July 12 at The Dalles City Park and June 28 at Jackson Park in Hood River. The plays begin at 11 a.m. and lunch will be available between shows. For more information visit www.encoreperformingarts.us.

Speedqueen Underground will be playing a pop punk show at Double Mountain Brewery on Saturday, June 7, at 7:30 p.m. “Be prepared for a high-energy night of rockin' and dancin’ to your favorite originals and eclectic covers.” Admission is free. Check the band out at www.speedqueen underground.com. Double Mountain Brewery, 8 Fourth St., Hood River; 387-0042.

Six Rivers Community Mediation Services will hold its annual Vision Awards Banquet on Saturday, June 7, at 11 a.m. The event will be held in the Gorge Room at the Hood River Inn and will feature a champagne brunch and music by Richard Tillinghast. Tickets are $25 at the door and proceeds go to this nonprofit group.

Music returns to the Trillium Cafe in June with the Wasco Brothers on Saturday, June 7. Music starts at 8 p.m. and there is no cover charge. Trillium Cafe, 207 Oak St., Hood River, 386-1996.

Spectrum, the Hood River Valley High School music department’s rock and pop ensemble, will present its final concerts of the school year on Saturday, June 7. The concerts will be in the Bowe Theater and begin at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Donations are accepted at the door. The concerts explore two popular times and genres of rock music — the 1960s, and country, folk, and bluegrass music. Spectrum will cover country tunes from Dolly Parton, Rilo Kiley and Alison Krauss. Spectrum 2 will cover 1960s songs from The Rolling Stones, The Doors, the Beach Boys and Bob Dylan.

Springhouse Cellar Winery opens its “big new door” for the first time Friday. Free wine tasting and tours of the winery go from noon to 8 p.m. Springhouse is located next to Mt. Hood Railroad at 13 Railroad Ave., just off First and Cascade.

The Fruit Foundation Historical Society is hosting a fund-raising event, “Art in the Orchards” Gala on Saturday, June 7, from 6-10:30 p.m. at The Fruit Company in Pine Grove. The “Remembering Our Roots” exhibit will be open, and rides on The Fruit Company Express will be available. An open house at the Gorge White House will be held from 6-7 p.m. The event will feature an art auction, a no-host bar, and music by Victor Johnson, Moe Dixon and Kerry Williams. Tickets are $35 and are available at Waucoma Bookstore, The History Museum, Kindt’s Booksellers and The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information visit www.tffhs.org or call 806-0750. The Fruit Company, 2900 Van Horn Drive, Pine Grove.

The season is getting into full swing at the Hood River Saturday Market. Fresh flowers are now available, as well as farm-fresh eggs. This week, local musician Bob Connolly will play live music from 12-2 p.m. Free parking available. Hood River Saturday Market, Fifth and Columbia streets, Hood River.

Author and musician Willy Vlautin will visit Hood River on Friday, June 6, at 5 p.m., for a book signing at Waucoma Bookstore for his new book “Northline.” A limited edition of the book contains a CD soundtrack scored by Vlautin and Paul Brainard. Vlautin is the lead singer of Portland band Richmond Fontaine. Vlautin will be performing at Nora’s Fish House at 8:15 p.m. In 2007, Vlautin's debut novel “The Motel Life” was voted one of the Top Ten Books of the Northwest by the Oregonian.

This summer Maryhill Winery hosts weekend concerts on the arbor from 1-5 p.m. Concerts are free and feature Northwest regional bands. June 8, Johanna and Rob Richter (singer/ songwriter); June 14, Carlyle (folk, classic rock); June 15, Jill Trenholm (singer/songwriter); June 21, Mitch Lies Duo (pop, rock); June 22, Strawberry Roan (alt-country); June 28, Beth Willis (acoustic); June 29, Acoustic Minds (blues, rock). Maryhill Winery, 9774 Hwy. 14, Goldendale, Wash. Call (877) 627-9445 for more information.

“Crazy Sexy Cancer,” an irreverent and uplifting documentary about Kris Carr, a young woman looking for a cure and finding her life, will be shown at the Skylight Theatre in Hood River on Wednesday, June 11, at 6:30 p.m. This screening is a fund-raiser for the Columbia Gorge Relay For Life. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

The Columbia Gorge Hotel hosts live music on Thursday nights with Inoke Baravilala in the Valentino Lounge. Check out the half-price menu from 5-7 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Columbia Gorge Hotel, 4000 Westcliff Dr., Hood River, 386-5566.

Music continues in June at the Ratskeller in Government Camp. On June 6, it’s the Quick ‘n Easy Boys with blues, funk and more. On June 13, it’s house D.J. Matty Mo. On June 20, it’s local hip-hop band The Salmon River Project celebrating the summer solstice. On June 21, it’s singer songwriter Tom Franklin (a.k.a. Fingers T). Finally on June 28, it’s “Portland’s finest D.J. party” with William Hawkins. All shows start at 9:30 p.m. The Ratskeller, 88335 E. Government Camp Loop Road, Government Camp, (503) 272-3635.