Community Calendar for the Midlands, Feb 9

SUNDAY

BIRTHRIGHT OF COLUMBIA OPEN HOUSE: 1-4 p.m. Sunday at 1405 Gregg St. Birthright of Columbia, a pro-life emergency pregnancy service is celebrating its 34th anniversary. (803) 206-6974 or email birthrightofcolumbia@gmail.com

“PUSS IN BOOTS”: Columbia Children’s Theatre production, 3 p.m. Sunday at 3400 Forest Drive (second level, Richland Mall). Tickets are $10; seniors and active duty military, $8; age 3 and younger, free. (803) 691-4548;

“THE OLD SETTLER”: 3 p.m. Sunday at the Sumter Little Theatre, 14 Mood Ave., Sumter. Set in Harlem in 1943, it’s the story of sisters whose lives are changed by the arrival of a new man. Tickets are $15; students, seniors and military, $12. (803) 775-2150

“MOTHERHOOD OUT LOUD”: 3 p.m. Sunday at the Old Chapin Firehouse, 103 Lexington Ave., Chapin. Chapin Theatre Company production is a collection of short theatrical works by award-winning American playwrights, TV writers and novelists. Show is PG-13, not suitable for children. Tickets are $14; age 13 and older, 60 and older and active military, $12. (803) 240-8544; http://www.chapintheatre.org/motherhood.html

MONDAY

FAMILY SPACE NIGHT: 5-7 p.m. Monday at Chick-fil-A, 2600 Decker Blvd. Meet the Mission Commander from the NASA Challenger Learning Center. The center is Richland 1’s aeronautics and space-themed educational program that provides interactive learning by integrating science and math curricula with information and technology. Families can engage in hands-on learning and view robots, rockets, aerospace engineering and aircraft designs. Reservations at http://www.deckercfa.com.

TUESDAY

“HEART OF STYLE TOUR” BUS: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday at Burlington, 302 Bush River Road (Dutch Square). The event is an opportunity for women to learn more about the seriousness of heart disease. Experienced health professionals will be on board to provide complimentary health screenings including blood pressure and BMI tests; risk factor questionnaires on heart disease and bilingual educational materials will be provided by WomenHeart Champions, heart disease survivors and community educators.

FAMILY NIGHT AT EDVENTURE: 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at 211 Gervais St. Admission to the Children’s Museum is $1 the second Tuesday of every month. (803) 400-1166; http://www.edventure.org

EARLY COLUMBIA LECTURE SERIES: “The Capital City Rebuilds,” 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Seibels House and Garden, 1601 Richland St. The topic will be “Public Education”; $10. (803) 252-1770, ext. 23; www.historiccolumbia.org

USC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St. The group continues its salute to American musical theater composers in a program featuring Alan Jay Learner and Frederick Lowe (“Camelot,” “Paint Your Wagon,” “Gigi,” “Brigadoon” and “My Fair Lady”). Joining the orchestra will be the Sandlapper Singers and soloists from the USC School of Music. Tickets are $30; USC faculty, staff and seniors, $25; students, $8. (803) 251-2222; http://www.capitoltickets.com

WEDNESDAY

WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Greater Chapin Chamber of Commerce, 302 Columbia Ave. February is national Heart Health Month and Linda Shanabrook, RN, of Brook Health Care, will talk about how the symptoms women experience can be very different from their male counterparts and why so many women miss the warning signs of a heart attack. Free, open to men and women. Box lunches will be available for $8. Call (803) 345-1100 to reserve a spot.

BETTER CHOICES, BETTER HEALTH WORKSHOPS: 1:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 12-March 19 at Richland Library North Main, 5306 N. Main St. The workshops are designed by Stanford University for people living with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, depression, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or lung disease. Topics include developing and action plan to improve your health, exercising safely, healthy eating, talking to your doctor and dealing with difficult emotions. Space is limited, sign up by calling (803) 898-0760.

“BREAKING THE BARRIER”: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Feb. 15 in Drayton Hall Theatre, 1214 College St. USC Dance Company presentation of choreography from assistant professor Tonya Wideman-Davis, an original work by faculty member Stephanie Wilkins and guest choreographer Helen Simoneau. Tickets are $12-$18. (803) 777-2551

THURSDAY

EDWARD RICE — FORTRESS SERIES: On exhibit Thursday through March 8 at if ART Gallery, 1223 Lincoln St. An artist’s reception will be held 6-9 p.m. Thursday and a gallery talk is scheduled for 2 p.m. Feb. 23. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and by appointment. (803) 238-2351

MARGARET CURTIS — RECENT WORKS: Symposium and closing reception with the artist, 4-7 p.m. Thursday in the University of South Carolina’s McMaster Gallery, 1615 Senate St. The show closes Friday. (803) 777-4236

“SECOND SAMUEL”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday at On Stage Performance Center, 680 Cherokee Lane, West Columbia. Atlanta playwright Pamela Parker’s play about life and friendships set in the rural Georgia town of Second Samuel in the summer of 1949. $16, military, seniors and students, $14. (877) 238-5596; http://www.smarttix.com.

“THE OLD SETTLER”: 8 p.m. Thursday through Feb. 15 and 3 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Sumter Little Theatre, 14 Mood Ave., Sumter. Set in Harlem in 1943, it’s the story of sisters whose lives are changed by the arrival of a new man. Tickets are $15; students, seniors and military, $12. (803) 775-2150

FRIDAY

S.C. BOTTLE CLUB SHOW AND SALE: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 15 at Meadowlake Park Center, 600 Beckman Road. Small antiques and collectibles will be sold, also. Admission is a donation to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands. Sponsored by the S.C. Bottle Club and the Cayce-West Columbia Sertoma Club. (803) 629-8553 or email martyvollmer@aol.com

DINNER AND A MOVIE: 6 p.m. Friday at Grace United Methodist Church, 410 Harbison Blvd. Hot dogs with chili and desserts will be served prior to the 7 p.m. screening of “Me Again,” with popcorn, of course. Free. (803) 732-1899

VALENTINE’S DANCE: 7-10:30 p.m. Friday at the Lourie Center, 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). R&B band Heart ’n Soul will be playing shag, swing, rock and the classic hits of the’50s and ’60s. Age 18 and older, doors open at 6:30 p.m. BYOB and snacks, soft drinks will be available for purchase. Advance tickets, $15; $20 at the door. Reserved tables available with a single purchase of six tickets or more. Proceeds will support programming at the Lourie Center. (803) 779-1971

“PUSS IN BOOTS”: Columbia Children’s Theatre production, 7 p.m. Feb. 14 at 3400 Forest Drive (second level, Richland Mall). Tickets are $10; seniors and active duty military, $8; age 3 and younger, free. All tickets for the 7 p.m. Feb. 15 performance will be $5. (803) 691-4548; http://www.columbiachildrenstheatre.com

PALMETTO ARTIST SERIES: The Three Baritones and The Hudson Sisters, 7:30 p.m. Friday at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 6952 St. Andrews Road. Valentine’s Day concert will feature popular classics, Broadway hits, American standards and ballads. Tickets are $12. (803) 732-2273, ext. 210; http://www.sapc.net/pas

KEVIN BURKE AND JOHN CARTY: Irish music legends in concert, 8 p.m. Friday at Conundrum Music Hall, 626 Meeting St., West Columbia. Advance tickets, $15; $18 at the door. http://cornerhousemusic.com/RedbirdConcert2.html

“MOTHERHOOD OUT LOUD”: 8 p.m. Friday at the Old Chapin Firehouse, 103 Lexington Ave., Chapin. Chapin Theatre Company production is a collection of short theatrical works by award-winning American playwrights, TV writers and novelists. Show is PG-13, not suitable for children. Tickets are $14; age 13 and older, 60 and older and active military, $12. (803) 240-8544; http://www.chapintheatre.org/motherhood.html

SATURDAY

GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT: 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday at Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Road, Hopkins. Open to age 5 and older, children younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center at 8:15 a.m., wear closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather. Water and snacks recommended. Bring binoculars if you have them. Register in advance by calling (803) 776-4396

E-WASTE RECYCLING: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday at CrossRoads Middle School, 6949 St. Andrews Road, Columbia. Items accepted include computers (laptops, monitors, CPUs, keyboards, printers, scanners), TVs, VCR and DVD players, fax machines, telephone systems, cell phones, stereos, radios, PDAs and electronic game systems. Open to Lexington and Richland County residents only. Sponsored by Keep the Midlands Beautiful and the town of Irmo. (803) 733-1139; http://www.keepthemidlandsbeautiful.org

WOODROW WILSON FAMILY HOME REOPENING: Saturday through Feb. 17 at 1705 Hampton St. Opening day festival, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Tours, food trucks, live music, crafts and shopping. Festival tickets are free; tour tickets are $8; youth, $5; Historic Columbia members, free. Home and garden tours, 1-5 p.m. Feb. 16. Free admission to the grounds (crafts for the kids and shopping); tour tickets are $8; youth, $5, HC members, free. President’s Day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 17. Free admission to the grounds, crafts for the kids and shopping. Home and garden tours, $8; youth, $5; HC members, free. (803) 252-1770, ext. 23; http://www.historiccolumbia.org

LAKE MURRAY POLAR PLUNGE: Fundraiser for Special Olympics South Carolina, 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Lake Murray Recreation Area on the Lexington side of the dam (entrance is at the intersection of S.C. 6 and Corley Mill Road). Registration begins at 10 a.m., there will be a costume contest at 11 a.m. and the plunge is at noon. Participants are asked to raise a minimum of $50 in donations which will include an event T-shirt and refreshments. Co-sponsor is the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. http://www.firstgiving.com/so-sc/lake-murray-plunge

E-WASTE RECYCLING: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Forts Pond Elementary School, 7350 Fish Hatchery Road, Pelion. Lexington County Solid Waste Management will be accepting computers (laptops, monitors, CPUs, keyboards, printers, scanners), TVs, copiers, VCR and DVD players, fax machines, telephone systems, cell phones, stereos, radios, PDAs and electronic game systems. Open to Lexington County residents only; no commercial waste will be accepted. (803) 785-3340; http://www.lex-co.sc.gov/recycling “PUSS IN BOOTS”: Columbia Children’s Theatre production, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday at 3400 Forest Drive (second level, Richland Mall). Tickets are $10; seniors and active duty military, $8; age 3 and younger, free. All tickets for the 7 p.m. Feb. 15 performance will be $5. (803) 691-4548; http://www.columbiachildrenstheatre.com

“MOTHERHOOD OUT LOUD”: 8 p.m. Saturday at the Old Chapin Firehouse, 103 Lexington Ave., Chapin. Chapin Theatre Company production is a collection of short theatrical works by award-winning American playwrights, TV writers and novelists. Show is PG-13, not suitable for children. Tickets are $14; age 13 and older, 60 and older and active military, $12. (803) 240-8544; http://www.chapintheatre.org/motherhood.html

FIRING ON COLUMBIA COMMEMORATION: Noon Feb. 15 on the West Columbia side of the Gervais Street bridge. The annual event depicts the Gen. William T. Sherman’s 1865 fusillade on the capitol city. Confederate sharpshooters will be on the Columbia side of the bridge. Billy Williams, a World War II veteran and Silver Star recipient will participate in the first firing. Sponsored by the General Wade Hampton Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. (803) 237-4409

HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE EDUCATION AND ENROLLMENT: 1-6 p.m. Saturday at the Richland Library, 1431 Assembly St. No appointment necessary; to enroll, bring your Social Security number, as well as your family members’ SSN (or document numbers if you are legal immigrants); family members’ birthdates; your last four pay stubs, W-2 forms or “Wage and Tax Statements; policy numbers for any existing health insurance plans; and information about any employer-provided health insurance for which you and your family would qualify. (803) 231-6383; http://www.richlandlibrary.com/cca

NEFERTITI’S GOLDEN SPA: 2:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday at the State Museum, 301 Gervais St. In celebration of the exhibition, “Tutankhamen: Return of the King,” it’s an afternoon of pampering for women of all ages. Guests will learn ancient Egyptian beauty secrets as well as a few modern day ones. A series of stations with attendants will show participants how to use and make some of the concoctions; upon entering, women will receive a goodie bag to collect their handmade beauty treatments as they proceed through the stations. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets are $12; $10 for museum members (includes general admission and admission to the King Tut exhibit). Space is limited, call (803) 898-4999 or go to scmuseum.org for reservations.

BIG WESTERN DANCE: 7 p.m. Saturday at Shandon Presbyterian Church, 607 Woodrow St. Intergenerational event will feature fun and instruction in line dancing and square dancing. Sponsored by Arts at Shandon; tickets are $5 (age 5 and older); maximum of $20 per family. (803) 771-4408, ext. 127; http://www.shandonpres.org

LITTLE BLACK DRESS WINE & CHEESE AFFAIR: 7-10 p.m. Saturday at the Batesburg-Leesville Leisure Center, 227 Highland Ave., Batesburg-Leesville. Sponsored by the Woman’s Society of Batesburg-Leesville, the event will feature wine, beer, heavy hors d’oeuvres, music, dancing and a silent auction. Proceeds will help fund scholarships for local students. Tickets are $25 and a limited number are available. (803) 413-2437 or email loisblack@sc.rr.com

CONTRA DANCE: 7:30-10:30 pm. Saturday at the Arsenal Hill Park Building, 1800 Lincoln St. (Lincoln and Laurel streets). Live music by Contraforce; caller will be Gretchen Caldwell. New dancers workshop, 7-7:30 p.m. $8; students with ID, $5. Bring clean, soft-soled, non-marking shoes. Sponsored by Columbia Traditional Music & Dance. (803) 760-5881; http://www.contracola.org

PALMETTO CONCERT BAND: 8:45 p.m. Saturday at the Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St. The winter concert, held in conjunction with the University of South Carolina Band Clinic, will feature soloist Doug Graham on jazz clarinet and saxophone. Free and open to the public.

“HENDERSON BROS. BURLESQUE”: You’d better hurry, all shows have sold out with the exception of the 10 p.m. Saturday performance at Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady St. Billed as a variety show that’s a professionally thrown party, the bawdy performance will feature a full band and a large cast including Terrance Henderson and Hunter Boyle. Standing tickets, $20; seated tickets, $30. (803) 254-9732; http://www.trustus.org

UPCOMING EVENTS

LAKE MURRAY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Valentines from France, 3:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College, 7300 College St., Irmo. . Free.Selections by Berlios, Bizet and Faure https://lmso.org/season/.sunday-concert-series-2

BETTER CHOICES, BETTER HEALTH WORKSHOPS: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Feb. 18-March 25 at Drew Wellness Center, 2101 Walker Solomon Way. The workshops are designed by Stanford University for people living with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, depression, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or lung disease. Topics include developing and action plan to improve your health, exercising safely, healthy eating, talking to your doctor and dealing with difficult emotions. Space is limited, sign up by calling (803) 898-0760.

FORT JACKSON COMMUNITY TOUR: 8:30 a.m. Feb. 20. The seven-hour “Come See Your Army” tour will give citizens an opportunity to see how soldiers train and provide insight in the day-to-day operations. Visitors will attend a Basic Combat Training graduation, to shoot the M16A2 simulator, eat lunch in an Army dining facility and get answers about BCT, Fort Jackson and the Army. Lunch is $4.60. Advance reservations are required by Tuesday, call (803) 751-1471.

SPEAKER @ THE CENTER: Noon-1 p.m. Feb. 20 at the State Library’s Center for the Book,1500 Senate St. Book talk and signing by Charleston author Mark R. Jones (“Doin’ the Charleston: Black Roots of Black American Music & the Jenkins Orphanage Legacy”) Free and open to the public; bring your lunch and learn more about the Palmetto State. http://www.readsc.org/events

TWO-MILE HIKE AT SESQUI: 10 a.m. Feb. 22 at Sesquicentennial State Park, 9564 Two Notch Road. Guided hike will focus on fitness, so participants must be able to walk two miles at a moderate pace.Free with park admission of $2; $1.25 for S.C. residents age 65 and older or disabled and members of the S.C. National Guard; children age 15 and younger are admitted free — an adult must accompany children 15 and younger. Preregistration is required, the deadline is Feb. 19. (803) 788-2706 or email sesqui@scprt.com

EDWARD RICE — FORTRESS SERIES: Gallery talk, 2 p.m. Feb. 23 at if ART Gallery, 1223 Lincoln St. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and by appointment. (803) 238-2351

SHUCKIN’ ON THE SHOALS: 4-7 p.m. Feb. 23 in the Environmental Education Center at Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Road. Saluda Shoals Foundation fundraiser will feature oysters (don’t forget your oyster knife and gloves), smoked chicken and rice gumbo, beer, wine and a benefit auction. (803) 213-2036; http://www.saludashoalsfoundation.org

PRISON PAALS MEET AND GREET: 6 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Kershaw Correctional Institute, 4848 Goldmine Ave., Kershaw. Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services and KerCI will give attendees a look behind the scene at the Prison PAALS program, where inmates work with a PAALS trainer to train service dogs to provide assistance to those with disabilities. Inmates who complete the certified apprenticeship program will earn work credentials to apply for related work when they re-enter society. The event includes dinner, a tour of where dogs live and are trained and a training demonstration. Reservations are required and attendees must be at least 18 years old and approved by KerCI security before the event. To request a reservation, call PAALS at (803) 788-7063 by Thursday.

THROWING FOR BEGINNERS AND INTERMEDIATES: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, March 5-April 9, at the Columbia Parks and Recreation Art Center, 1928 Calhoun St. Class provides opportunities for the students who want to learn about throwing pottery and those who want to brush up on their skills; maximum of nine students age 16 and older. $80; registration deadline is Feb. 20. (803) 545-3093 or email bloliver@columbiasc.net

INTERMEDIATE HAND BUILDING: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays, March 6-April 10 at the Columbia Parks and Recreation Art Center, 1928 Calhoun St. Class will focus on more advanced hand building techniques such as working with different clays, using advanced decorative techniques and multiple shape projects. Participants are required to have a pottery tool kit; open to students age 16 and older. $80; includes all other materials. Registration deadline is Feb. 20. (803) 545-3093 or email bloliver@columbiasc.net

THROWING FOR BEGINNERS: 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays, March 11-April 15, at the Columbia Parks and Recreation Art Center, 1928 Calhoun St. Class provides opportunities for the students who want to learn about throwing pottery; maximum of nine students age 16 and older. $80; registration deadline is Feb. 20. (803) 545-3093 or email bloliver@columbiasc.net