Nobody knows when or where badminton originated. People have been swatting at bits of wood festooned with feathers in Vietnam, France, and Zuñi country for centuries. Today, On the Boards turns its big stage into a badminton palace for the annual Badminton Royale tournament/party, where arts organizations large and small battle for the championship title. Historically, larger organizations (such as Seattle Art Museum) tend to lose, while smaller ones (such as Pottery Northwest) tend to win, adding a dash of populist piquancy to the games. Badminton Royale is fun with claws. (On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, ontheboards.org, 2 pm, free)