Go, Ideas for your weekend: Games, cupcakes and youthful talent

1 Ready, Player 1

From quarters to consoles, video games have expanded in technology and creativity. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry will open its newest exhibit, “Game Masters,” on Feb. 13. Visitors can take a hands on trip through the evolution of game design from the works of more than 30 designers, with more than 125 playable video games. The exhibit explores arcade classics, giant gaming companies such as Nintendo and Blizzard Entertainment and small independent designers. There also will be original artwork and designer interviews. The exhibit runs through May 8, and will be open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays and Presidents Day, at OMSI, 1945 S.E. Water Ave., Portland. Museum admission plus the exhibit is $16.50 and $12.50 for seniors and ages 3-13. 800-955-6674 or www.omsi.edu

2 Flood of cupcakes

Celebrate 20 years of the Water Resources Education Center during its Second Saturday Birthday Celebration. Children and their families can take part in hands-on activities about water science, rivers and floods from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 13 at the center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver. There also will be birthday cupcakes and activities with Eartha the Ecological Clown. Admission is free. 360-487-7111 or www.cityofvancouver.us/watercenter

3 Young talent

The Battle Ground High School Drama Club brings Shakespeare’s comedy “The Taming of the Shrew” to the modern era. The production is set in Italy during the 1920s with period costumes and scenes, and follows the courtship between Petruchio and headstrong Katherina. Performances begin at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 and 13 and Feb. 18 and 20 at The Lair, Battle Ground High School, 300 W. Main St., Battle Ground. Tickets are $7, and $5 for students. 360-885-6550 or www.battlegroundps.org/blog

See talented young musicians perform classical music at the Cadenza concert. The concert features the Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra and Youth Wind Ensemble from the Portland Youth Philharmonic. The event includes Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 2,” also known as the “Little Russian,” Debussy’s “The Girl with the Flaxen Hair” and a performance by co-concertmaster Fumika Mizuno, a runner-up for the philharmonic’s concerto competition. The concert begins at 4 p.m. Feb. 14 at Skyview High School Concert Hall, 1300 N.W. 139th St., Vancouver. Tickets are $15, and $12 for students and seniors. 503-223-5939 or portlandyouthphil.org

4 Explore landscapes

Start thinking about spring at the annual Portland Yard, Garden and Patio Show. The Oregon Association of Nurseries will host the three-day event focused on gardening, with plant sales, seminars from experts and demonstrations. The show features the latest in plants, landscaping ideas and outdoor accessories from more than 300 exhibitors and organizations. The show is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 12 and 13 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland. Admission is $12, $9 for youth and seniors, and free for ages 10 and younger. www.ygpshow.com

5 Fish hatchery

Columbia Springs will offer the first of its new series of guided hikes. Participants will take a tour with a theme through the urban nature center every third Wednesday through November. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 17, visitors will get a behind-the-scenes look at the fish hatchery, where trout, steelhead and salmon are raised, at Columbia Springs, 12208 S.E. Evergreen Highway, Vancouver. Admission is free; tours open to all ages. 360-882-0936, ext. 230, or www.columbiasprings.org/events