Sail away on BC’s ‘Titanic’ exhibit

You tell me.

It was one of the biggest movie “events” ever. It made something like $1.8 billion, which is a lot more than “Who’s that Girl?,” a silly, inconsequential movie I’ve sat through multiple times. (In my defense, Griffin Dunne is really funny.)

But I didn’t see “Titanic.” Didn’t even try. I don’t know why. Am I just contrary? (Don’t answer that.)

Now the Royal BC Museum of Victoria – bless their hearts – is offering me a prime opportunity to redeem myself in the eyes of the blockbuster-loving public.

On Saturday, they’re launching a six-month presentation of “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition.” The Royal BC is the first venue in Western Canada to land the traveling show’s more than 280 artifacts.

They’ve made the long journey from the Titanic’s underwater grave, 963 miles northeast of New York and 12,500 feet below the surface of the Atlantic. RMS Titanic, the only company in the world authorized to retrieve Titanic artifacts, collected the exhibit’s goodies.

You’ll take the somewhat creepy walk across the gangplank to explore re-creations of the outdoor cafe, boiler room, and first- and third-class corridors and cabins.

Dead men walking – or, rather, actors in period costume – will wander throughout, answering your questions and providing additional information. You’ll also encounter gallery animation stations, where trained personnel deploy props, reproductions and hands-on demonstrations to give you some Titanic tutelage.

Among the topics on the agenda: the late Edwardian era and the differences in shipboard life for different classes of travelers (I believe this material was also covered in the movie most likely seen by you and several million of your closest friends); the ship itself and the characteristics that made the people of its day think it was unsinkable; the mistakes and misfortunes that led to the tragedy that took more than 1,500 lives; how the ship’s artifacts are conserved; and more.

Professional storytellers have recorded stories from original transcripts, and these oral histories are intended to bring a range of perspectives to your experience.

The exhibit runs through Oct. 14. You can purchase tickets and find more information at the museum’s Web site, www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca. Or call (888) 447-7977.

Roux the day

You love a good street party, right? If you don’t, I don’t know what to make of you. You’re just weird. And no fun.

Portland’s Roux Restaurant, a French-Creole joint in an old drapery factory, has one on the docket for April 29. The Crawfish and Jazz Street Fair – complete with crawfish just in from Louisiana and local blues and zydeco musicians – sounds like a pretty good bet.

Roux was named one of the “Hottest Restaurants in the World” by Food & Wine Magazine in 2006, so presumably it can throw a party.

The merriment kicks off at 11 a.m. and continues until 5 p.m. Your $25 advance ticket ($30 if you wait) buys your eats and admission to performances by blues artists Mary Flower and Steve Cheseborough and zydeco headliner The New Iberians. Beer, wine and hurricane cocktails are available separately.

For reservations or more information, try www.rouxrestaurant.us or (503) 285-1200.

Just say pinot

Speaking of my aberrant movie behavior, I’ve told you before that “Sideways” didn’t do it for me.

It did, however, do it for the pinot noir producers of the world. And Oregon’s Willamette Valley, noted as one of the world’s premier pinot noir regions – at least so says the Willamette Valley Wineries Association, and why would they mislead us? – will host a celebration of itself and its wines over Memorial Day weekend.

The May 26-28 event flings wide the doors of more than 120 wineries, so you can sample new releases, limited-quantity offerings and some gourmet food, too. Several of the smaller participating wineries are often closed to the public, so you’ll be getting some truly special treatment.

And you might bump into local writer Christina Melander or photographer Janis Miglavs, who will be signing copies of their guide to the region’s wines, “Pacific Northwest: The Ultimate Winery Guide.”

There’s a list of the valley’s many, many wineries at www.willamettewines.com. You can call (503) 646-2985 if you need more information.

Regional events

“Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival 2007, through April 22, Portland. The eponymous flowers will be in evidence, of course, but there’s also a Dutch-themed gift shop full of delights for garden lovers. (www.woodenshoe.com/ 800-711-2006)

“Kyi-Yo Pow Wow, April 20-22, Missoula. The University of Montana hosts this event, intended to enhance cultural awareness and diversity in the community. (www.visitmt.com/ 406-243-5302)