It's Rave Reviews for the Arts in Cowlitz County.
The performing arts are becoming an increasingly improtant part of life here.The Columbia Theatre is an ornate hub for the arts in Cowlitz County. It opened as a Vaudeville venue and movie house in 1925, declined during the mid 20th century and escaped what would have been a tragic ending in 1980 when excavation and demolition equipment heading toward the theater was diverted to help with the cleanup following the eruption of Mount St. Helens. Subsequently a group of people with vision got together and saved the building. Over the years the Columbia theatre has welcomed many wonderful performers. Today events at the 1000 seat theatre certainly add to the overall vitality of the Longview Kelso area. With an adjacent mini theatre that is known as the Pepper Studio that holds performances by Longview Stage works.
LCC's new Rose Center for the Arts, which will house LCC's music and drama programs, is beginning to take shape. The new building will include a 125-seat "thrust" theatre/lecture hall, 500-seat auditorium, a new Art Gallery, and rehearsal space for music, dressing rooms, classrooms and faculty offices.
Cowlitz County has many wonderful festivals to attend. These are just a few of the many exciting festivals to check out. For more information on these events, check on CowlitzToday.com local community calendar.
- Earth Day (April)
- Cowlitz County Expo Center events
- Babe Ruth World Series
- Highlander Festival in Kelso (September)
- International Festival (May)
- Cowlitz County Fair & Rodeo (August)
- Motorcycle Races at Castle Rock Fair Grounds (June through September)
- Egg Festival (Winlock)
- Planters Day Festival (Woodland)
- Woodland Tulip Festival (Woodland)
- Cowlitz County Fair Kid’s Day Parade (August)
- Terry-Taylor Garage Sale (first Saturday in August)
- Home & Garden Show (May)
- Mountain Mania Festival in Castle Rock (July)
- Castle Rock Fair (July)
- Garlic Festival in Woodland (July)
