From yaks and yetis to monks and meditation, come to Dog River Coffee on Thursday, March 20, at 6 p.m. to hear about the “(mis)Adventures of Leah and Loy in Nepal and Tibet.” Leah Bomesberger and Loy Maierhauser are two girls who left their comfort zone and explored the mystic and unfamiliar land of the Himalayas. They will be selling photographs to benefit the Sewa Kendra Leprosy Relief Clinic in Nepal. Dog River Coffee, 411 Oak St., Hood River; 386-4502.

Come celebrate the first day of Spring in the Gorge with Tilly Jam at the Cebu Lounge on Friday, March 21. Music starts at 9 p.m. and there is no cover charge. For more on this band check out www.tillyjam.com. Best Western Hood River Inn, 1108 E. Marina Way, 386-2200.

The Columbia Gorge Earth Center launches its 2008 Film & Lecture Series on Wednesday, March 19, at Solstice Cafe, in Bingen, starting at 6:30 p.m. The series will have lectures and films based on sustainability. This month’s film will be “Saved by the Sun,” hosted by Tod LeFevre of Common Energy. Admission is $5. All proceeds go to the non-profit group Columbia Gorge Earth Center. Solstice Wood Fire Cafe, 415 W. Steuben, Bingen, Wash.; (509) 493-4006.

The Pines Tasting Room hosts local music on Thursdays with guitar and mandolin from Kerry Williams. Music is from 5-7 p.m. and there is no cover charge. The Pines Tasting Room, 202 State St., Hood River.

Phelps Creek and French winemaker Alexandrine Roy invite you to a special wine dinner at Celilo Restaurant on Thursday, March 20, at 6:30 p.m. The menu will pair Burgundian and local versions of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with a beautifully crafted menu. If you’ve heard of the wines of Burgundy but always wanted to know what all the fuss is about – this is your chance to taste and talk your way though a delicious selection. $65 per person reserve in advance. Celilo Restaurant, 16 Oak Street, Hood River; www.celilorestaurant.com.

Auditions for the CAST summer production of three original one act musicals will be held Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the music room of the Hood River Valley High School. A large number of singing and non-singing roles are available for ages eight through adult. The three musicals, “My Butterfly,” and “Zen Boyfriend” and “Junk” are varied in mood, subject matter and style, from absurdist farce through serious contemporary relationship drama. Cast needed: 9 males (ages 20-60); 1 male (balladeer) to sing and play guitar; 3 female leads (age 20-50); 4-6 children (ages 8-11); 3 female backup singers.

The Columbia Center for the Arts continues with the Free Foreign Film Series by presenting “All About My Mother,” on Wednesday, March 26, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Manuela, a single mother, loses her son in a tragic accident. Shattered, she flees to Barcelona to discover both her lost past and a newfound bond with a group of remarkable women- including a high strung stage star, a brassy transsexual and a saintly, pregnant nun. This Spanish film is directed by Pedro Almodovar and originally released in 1999. Columbia Center for the Arts, 215 Cascade Avenue, Hood River; 387-8877.

The 2008 Columbia Gorge Fiddle Contest has been scheduled for May 2-4, at the Hood River Middle School auditorium. This event will showcase local and regional contestants and prizes will be awarded for various age groups /divisions. Visit www.columbiagorge fiddlecontest.com for more details.

Alasdair Fraser, a major force behind the resurgence of traditional Scottish fiddling, and cellist Natalie Haas play a concert at the Columbia Center for the Arts on Wednesday, March 19. The concert starts at 7 p.m. and advance tickets are available at the Oak Street Hotel. The duo is promoting their new CD, “In the Moment.” Each performer will conduct a workshop the day of the show, contact the Oak Street Hotel at 386-3845.

The Dalles-Wahtonka High School presents a production of “Peter Pan” at the school’s auditorium March 20-22. Performances are at 7 p.m. with matinees on March 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 and advance tickets may be purchased at Klindt’s Booksellers and Waucoma Bookstore. Children who attend are encouraged to dress as Pan, Tinker Bell, the Darlings, the Lost Boys, Indians or Pirates.

The Trout Lake Arts Council invites artists to jury for the 13th Annual Festival of the Arts held July 19-20. Forty-five artists in all mediums of two- and three-dimensional art will be accepted; art will be judged on its quality and creativity. There will be live music all weekend, a hands-on children’s program and local food and drink. Interested artists can get more information and an application by contacting Laurie Sherburne at (509) 395-2294 or sherb@gorge.net or by visiting the Web site at www.troutlake.org/arts. The deadline for entries is March 31.