Rev. Ambrose (Curtis McNeil Jr.) counsels Jefferson (Wil Glover II), as Grant Wiggins (Maxwell Highsmith), the teacher looks on in A Lesson Before Dying. Art

Columbia College Art Department Chair Stephen Nevitt will exhibit a one–man show entitled The Silver Cord in the Goodall Gallery February 8–March 18. A reception will be held in the gallery February 10, 6:30–8 pm. The exhibit and the reception are free and open to the public. 786-3649

A life–size model of the Camarasaurus is on display at the Prehistoric Predators: Dinosaurs Unleashed exhibit at the SC State Museum.

Children

USC Music Play is offering free 30–minute introductory classes for ages birth–5–years–old on January 22, 9–11 am. Call 777-4065 to register.

Columbia College will hold spring swim classes for children on the following Saturdays in March and April: March 5, 12, and 19—April 2, 9, and 16. Cost is $40 for three classes. 786-3649

Church/Charity

The Africian American Fellowship Ministry International University will celebrate Black History Month throughWorship and Praise at 7435 Monticello Road, 7 pm, February 11. 754-4100 ext. 3071

The Junior’s Woman’s Club will host an Annual Fund Raiser for the Children’s Emergency Shelter March 12. It will be held at 7:30 pm, Seawell’s Restaurant. 600-7780

Harvest Hope Food Bank’s 3rd Annual Empty Bowls will be February 8, 6:30–9:30 pm at the Columbia Museum of Art. 254-4432 ext. 109

City Day, The City Year Annual Fundraiser and Day of Service, will be held at Martin Luther King Park, February 26. 254-3349

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training Program is interested in people joining to help fight against blood– related cancers by raising funds as they train to run/walk/cycle or complete a triathlon. 749-4299

Christian Comedians Furnishing Laughs for Couples will be held February 12. This all–comedy event features the award–winning humor of Jeff Allen and Christian funny man Mike Williams. Showtimes are 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm, at Columbia’s First Baptist Church. 1(800) 965-9324, 754-5400.

Family Events

The SC State Museum debuts Prehistoric Predators: Dinosaurs Unleashed with Giganotosarus January 28. 898-4921

Meetings/Lectures

USC TRIO Programs will offer a financial–aid workshop February 19 at the Richland County Public Library on Assembly Street. The workshop is free and open to the public. 777-5127

Irmo High School, Class of 1984 will have its 20 year class reunion April 9. 864-234-5566 or email: classevents@bellsouth.net.

Cardinal Newman School will hold its annual auction February 12 in the school’s gymnasium. The silent auction will begin at 6 pm followed by a live auction at 8:30 pm. 790-8051

Carolina College Prep is offering a SAT preparation course to all high school students beginning February 7. 957-0459

Music

USC’s Chorus will present a free concert at 4 pm, January 30, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

and a free concert at 7:30 pm,February 12, at Westminister Presbyterian Church.

The Lutheran Bach Choir holds rehearsals at Good Shepherd Church, 3909 Forest Drive, on the first and third Sundays at 2:30 pm. 781-5236 or 787-2200

Columbia College will present opera singer Ariana Wyatt February 8 at 7:30 pm in the concert hall of Spears Music/Art Center. The event and a reception afterwards are free and open to the public. 786-3649

The Creative Music and Film Society will hold a special concert at USC’s Gambrell Hall Auditorium room 153. On March 18 at 7:30 pm, Trevor Dunn (ex Mr. Bungle bassist) and Shelly Burgon (John Zorn– Harpist) will perform a duet of inprov/written avant music. The second set will have local avant musician Kevin Green join as a trio. Admission is $8. 777-5612

Theatre

Workshop Theatre presents A Lesson Before Dying January 28– February 12. Call 799-6551 or visit info@workshoptheatre.com.

USC will present The Merry Wives of Windsor February 4 and 6 at 7:30 pm Friday and 3 pm Sunday at Gambrell Hall, Room 153 March 18, 7:30 pm. 777- 5612