Save the Date: Stage acts sure to make you laugh, learn and cry

A guest of President Barack Obama’s at the White House. Two tours in Afghanistan. Testifying before Congress.

Oscar Vasquez’s story is one you’ll want to hear when he tells it from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 22 in room 110 of the Dengerink Administration Building at Washington State University Vancouver, 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., Vancouver; free. Vasquez, who grew up in the United States as an undocumented immigrant, returned to Mexico after high school, re-entered the country legally, joined the U.S. Army, and served two tours in Afghanistan. He also was a guest of Obama’s at the 2016 State of the Union address, and testified for immigration reform in front of Congress, making this lecture a timely one. Vasquez has a degree in engineering from Arizona State University, and has a film, “Spare Parts: Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and the Battle for the American Dream,” partially based off his experiences. 360-546-9788 or events.vancouver.wsu.edu.

With winter beginning to wind down, and the sun starting to peek out, it’s time to gather garden supplies. There’s no better place to do that than at the Portland Home & Garden Show, which takes place Feb. 22 through Feb. 25 at the Portland Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Drive, Portland; $8 to $10, free for children 12 and younger. Learn about the latest home and garden products and services from more than 300 local companies. The show runs 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 22, 23 and 24; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 25. homeshowpdx.com.

Lower Columbia College students will tackle heavy subject matter in their production of “The Wrestling Season,” which will run Feb. 23 through March 2 at the Rose Center for the Arts, 1528 Maple St., Longview; $10, free for LCC students, staff and faculty. The play is an examination of what it means to be a teen today. Matt and Luke are close friends on a high school wrestling team, and rumors spread about the nature of their relationship. Matt concocts a plan to end those rumors that backfires, and Luke finds himself bullied while he struggles with his sexuality. Must be 13 or older to attend. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23, 24, March 1, 2 and 3; 2 p.m. Feb. 25. lowercolumbia.edu/theatre.

Do you love a good mystery book? How about a book about a true mystery? Portland author Anne Hendren will discuss her new novel, “Curious Tusks” from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at Vintage Books, 6613 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver; free. The novel explores the mystery behind the murder of George Atkinson, an American photojournalist, at his home in Kenya. Atkinson’s work uncovered corruption and exploitation, which meant Atkinson had many enemies and made the murder tough to solve. 360-694-9519 or vintage-books.com.

This magician’s signature trick is to eat fire. Check out The Magic of Scott Wolf from 5 to 6 p.m. Feb. 24 at Dave’s Killer Magic Shop, 1707 Main St., Vancouver; $10. Wolf, who has been performing magic since 1981, has been featured on several television programs such as “Inside Edition,” “Real TV” and “The Ananda Lewis Show.” His dangerous fire act garnered him a role in the 1993 movie “Posse,” and shows at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. 360-448-9022 or killermagicshop.com.

Weird Al Yankovic will visit Portland later this year, so go check out one of his former openers before Yankovic comes to Revolution Hall in May. You won’t even have to cross the bridge to check out Joe Vespasiani — that former Yankovic opening act — at Laughing on Last Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Old Liberty Theater, 115 N. Main Ave., Ridgefield; $20. Vespasiani, who has a conversational style, is a winner of the Seattle International Stand-up Comedy Competition. 360-887-7260 or oldlibertytheater.com.

After adapting the classic action movie “Die Hard” for the stage, Funhouse Lounge returns with another cult-classic adaptation, “Point Break Live.” As a twist to the production, the audience can select, from a group of audience volunteers, who plays Keanu Reeve’s character, Johnny Utah. The winner will read lines from cue cards to amp up improvisation. The audience is immersed in situations such as a fake robbery and getting doused with surfing waves. Fake money and ponchos available at the door. Performances run at 7 p.m. March 2, 3, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31 at Funhouse Lounge, 2432 S.E. 11th Ave., Portland; $18 to $25. 503-841-6734 or funhouselounge.com.