•ART

Contemporaries, a Columbia Museum of Art membership affiliate group, is hosting a call for entries for its ninth annual Contemporaries’ Artist of the Year (CAY) Soirée and Silent Auction, designed to increase awareness of and support for emerging artists in South Carolina and to promote the Contemporaries’ membership. Three-dimensional work must weigh less than 50 pounds and twodimensional work must measure no more than 60 inches in either direction, including the frame. Artists can submit up to two entries. Registration deadline is Wednesday, February 29, at 5 p.m. www.columbiacontemporaries.com/CAY.

•B ANQUE T

The Columbia Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated will celebrate its annual Founder’s Day and Awards Banquet Saturday, February 18, Brookland Banquet & Conference Center, 1066 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia. 758- 2882 or 446-8939.

•CAMP

Wildlife Gardener Camp, a three-day camp for kids, ages 6 to 10, fosters an understanding and appreciation of wildlife in a garden habitat, will be held February 21-23, at Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden. www.riverbanks.org or asegura@riverbanks.org.

•CHURCH/ CHARITY

First Presbyterian Church Wednesday lunch and speaker series is held 11:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m., Jackson Hall, 1324 Marion Street. Free parking. 799-9062.

The Souper Bowl of Caring is underway for the 7th annual campaign at SCBT. Bank branches statewide will collect funds through February 29. www.SCBTonline.com.

Annual Cinderella Project, sponsored by the S.C. Bar Young Lawyers Division which provides gently worn formal, bridesmaid and prom dresses for young women who lack the financial resources to buy a gown for their high school prom. Donations are being accepted through February 24 and can be dropped off at any of the following Columbia-area locations – Junior League of Columbia Headquarters, 2926 Devine Street; M Boutique, 2820 Devine Street; Richardson Plowden, 1900 Barnwell Street; Lexington Town Hall, 111 Maiden Lane, Lexington; Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce, 1248 Lake Murray Blvd., Irmo; Chapin Chamber of Commerce, 302 Columbia Avenue, Chapin; W. Metro Chamber of Commerce, 1006 12th Street, Cayce. A boutique will be held Saturday, March 3, 9 a.m.-noon, USC School of Law, 701 Main Street to give girls an opportunity to “shop” for dresses at no cost. Girls from all area schools are invited to attend and must bring their school ID. www.scbar.org/cinderella or 576-3736.

•CONFER E NCE

Palmetto State Parents of Multiples (PSPM) is accepting registrations for its annual convention, The Great Escape, to be held March 2-3, Clarion Hotel, Gervais Street hosted by the Greater Columbia Area Mothers of Twins Club (GCAMOTC). scpspm.com or kshealymot@gmail.com.

2012 Palmetto Affordable Housing Forum, sponsored by the S.C. State Housing Finance and Development Authority will be held April 18-19, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. 896-9182 or www.RegOnline.com/SCHousingForum.com.

Ashland UMC Women’s Retreat, What’s In Your Purse? will be held Saturday, March 3, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Ashland UMC, 2600 Ashland Road. 798-5350, ext 14 or www.ashlandumc.com.

•DANCE

Greater Columbia Chapter of the U.S. Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association (USADance) will hold its annual Valentines Dance Saturday, February 11, Hugh Dimmery Memorial Center ( The Barn), 680 Cherokee Lane, West Columbia, 7:15- 10:30 p.m. www.USADance.us.

Relax, It’s OK 2B Single Valentine’s Gala will be held Saturday, February 11, 7 p.m.-midnight, Brookland Baptist Banquet and Conference Center, 1066 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. 386-7114.

Friday Night Dances are scheduled for winter/spring 2012, 7:30-10:30 p.m., February 17, 24, March 9, 23, April 13, and 27, Capital Senior Center, Maxcy Gregg Park, 1650 Park Circle. 779-1971 or www.capitalseniorcenter.com.

Heart ’n Soul Valentine’s Party Dance at the Capital Senior Center will be held Friday February 10, 7:30-11 p.m., 779- 1971 or www.capitalseniorcenter.com.

Weekly Beginner Waltz Dance Lessons will be held at Yellow Rock Hall Sunday afternoons starting February 12, 3:30-5 p.m., 2211 Platt Springs Road, West Columbia. Beginner Shag dance lessons will be Sunday afternoons beginning February 12, 5-6 p.m. 791-9767.

USC Dance Company will host Breaking Ground, a concert featuring original contemporary dance February 8-11, 7:30 p.m. 777-5112.

•FES TI VAL

Columbia Music Festival Association (CMFA) will hold the 30th annual Lize Wessels Pub Night February 4, 7:30 p.m., CMFA ArtsSpace, 914 Pulaski Street. 771-6303 or cmfa5678Online.com.

St. Andrews Woman’s Club will host its 31st Annual Bridal Showcase Sunday, February 26, 12-5 p.m., Cantey Building, South Carolina State Fairgrounds. www.SAWC-SC.org.

Orchids on the Riverbanks Festival will be held February 10-12, presented by The South Carolina Orchid Society, Ikebana International Chapter 182, and Riverbanks Botanical Garden, Friday from 1-5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 779-8717 or www.riverbanks.org.

•FOOD

Animal Protection League and the Lower Richland Ruritans will host a joint BBQ pork or chicken fundraiser dinner Saturday, February 11, 4-7:30 p.m., Lower Richland Ruritan Hut on Rabbit Run behind Lower Richland High School. 767-3715 or 369-9538.

The Palladium Society’s annual Chili Cook-Off will be held February 25, 5-8 p.m., SC State Fairgrounds, Ellison Building, 1200 Rosewood Drive. www.historiccolumbia.org.

•FUNDR AIS ER S

22nd Annual Midlands Heart Ball will be held February 18, 2012, 6-11 p.m., Township Auditorium. www.heart.org/midlandsscheartball or 806-3091.

•GI VEAWAY

12th wedding give away is being hosted by University of South Carolina HRTM 362 and the Inn at USC. In order to enter the contest, all couples must be currently engaged and one or both must be affiliated in some way with USC. Couples must submit their love story and explain why they feel as though they are most deserving of them all, to WeddingAtUSC @gmail.com as soon as possible (at least 500 words with a picture of couple included or a three minute video). Winners must turn over complete control of the wedding to the class and Inn at USC, but in return will be rewarded with a wedding at no expense to them.

•HEALTH

Palmetto Health Heart Hospital will host Second World Record Zumbathon as part of 29HeartDays Heart Month Celebration 8:30-11:30 a.m., Saturday, February 4, Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center, 1000 Blossom Street. 29HeartDays.com or 296-CARE (2273).

South Carolina 4th Annual African American Men’s Health Forum, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, will be held Saturday, February 4, Brookland Banquet and Conference Center in West Columbia, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Registration is free for the first 500 men who pre-register by calling 877-227-9398 or cancerhealthforums.org.

•LIBRARY

Richland County Public Library will celebrate African-American history and culture at a variety of free events during February and March. 231-6329 or www.myrcpl.com/main/home.

•MEE TI NGS

Palmetto Painters, a SC Chapter of the Society of Decorative Painters, will meet Saturday, February 11, 10 a.m., Green Hill Baptist Church, 1734 Augusta Road, West Columbia. 781-2340 or www.PalmettoPainters.com.

Midlands Coin Club Meeting will be held Thursday, February 9, 6:30 p.m., Richland County Public Library, St. Andrews Regional Branch, 2916 Broad River Road. www.midlandscoinclub.com

•MUS IC

Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra & the USC Dance Company will present The Joy of Dance performance art program Sunday, February 19, 3:30 p.m., Harbison Theater at Midlands Technical College. LMSO.org.

The Carolina Jazz Society will host a Dixieland Jazz Concert 2:30-5 p.m., Sunday, February 5, Capital Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle, Maxcy Gregg Park. 432-1504.

SC Federation of Music Clubs (SCFMC) will award $4,000 in music scholarships Saturday, March 10 (postmark deadline: February 24), Columbia College. Music students grades six–college juniors enrolled in any school (public, home, college) in Richland or Lexington counties and who have studied music privately for two or more years may audition. Piano Solo–grades 6-8; 9-11; and 12 $200 each; college freshmen-juniors $400. Piano Concerto–grades 6-8;9-11 $200 each. 419-2990.

City of Columbia is accepting submissions for the 22nd Annual Summer Concert Series in Finlay Park, held every Saturday night during the months of June, July, and August, 7-10 p.m. Bands interested are asked to submit a media kit including a recent photograph, live recording, and bio of band. Deadline for submission is 5 p.m., Friday, March 16. Mail entries to City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Administration Office, Attn: Kim Mitchell, 1932 Calhoun Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or email to kcmitchell@colulmbiasc.net. 545-3117.

The Arts at Shandon will present Angela Blalock & Friend in concert 7:30 p.m., Friday, February 17, Shandon Presbyterian Church, 607 Woodrow Street. 771-4408.

•OPEN HOUSE

Birthright of Columbia will host an open house to celebrate its 32th anniversary Sunday, February 12, 1-4 p.m., 1405 Gregg Street. 765-0165 or agillhorton.birthrightcolumbia@gmail.com.

Midlands Technical College will host a Spring Open House Saturday, February 18, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the college’s Airport Campus. 822-6714 or www.midlandstech.edu/openhouse.

•SCHOOLS

Airport High School is accepting nominations for its Alumni Wall of Honor. Nominations are to be submitted to Joni Coleman at Airport High School no later than February 10. Jcoleman@lex2.org.

•S PORTS / FITNES S

Midlands Heart Walk will be held March 24, 2012, 9 a.m.-noon, Colonial Life Arena. 806-3092 or www.Midlandsheartwalk.com

Cupid’s Chase 5k Run, sponsored by Community Options will be held February 11, Finlay Park, 8 a.m. cupidschase@comop.org or 750-8998.

Third annual “Race for the Place” 5K run/walk will be held Saturday, February 11, 8 a.m. The race route is in the Shandon area; the start line is at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. www.stlawrenceplace.org or www.strictlyrunning.com.

The 13th Annual CAPS (child and parent) Soccer Clinic will be held Saturday, February 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., USC Outdoor Soccer Complex, Stone Stadium, 1300 Whaley Street. 254-5996 or www.childrenschance.org.

Junior Tennis League ( JTL) is holding registration for Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, and Newberry counties for summer tennis program for children sixth to 12th grades. Registration dates are February 4-May 4. www.juniortennisleague.org or 951-1888.

Senior Resources will participate in the national 2012 March For Meals campaign beginning with the 9th annual 5K Run & Walk at Riverbanks Zoo March 3, 7:30 a.m. www.seniorresourcesinc.org.

Red Bank 5K – Lexington will be held Saturday, May 19, 8 a.m. to benefit Lexington YMCA’s Partners with Youth Campaign. www.runredbank.com or 348-1984.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society has opened registration for this year’s walk in Columbia. Walk MS: Columbia will be held Saturday, May 5, State Museum, 301 Gervais Street. To register, visit WalkingForMS.org, or call 1-800-FIGHT-MS.

•S UPPORT GROUP

Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group meets the third Sunday of every month (except June) 3-4 p.m., Lexington Medical Center Hospital, Lexington Medical Park Auditorium, 2720 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia. 604-0061 or www.columbiaparkinsonsupportgroup.org.

•THEATR E

Present Laughter, presented by USC Theatre and Dance, will be held February 17-25, Longstreet Theatre, 1300 Greene Street, Wednesday-Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 7 p.m.; first Sunday, 3 p.m., 11 p.m.; half-price performance February 25. 777-2551.

Original Works: The History of Queen Elizabeth I, by student Jeffrey Earl, presented by USC Theatre and Dance, will be held February 15-19, Benson Theatre, corner of Pickens and Whaley Streets, 8 p.m. 777-9353.

•VOLUNTE ER S

Birthright of Columbia a pro-life emergency pregnancy service staffed by volunteers, will begin training for office volunteers beginning Tuesday, February 21, 6:30 p.m. and will run two successive Tuesdays, 1405 Gregg Street. 765-0165 or agillhorton.birthrightcolumbia@gmail.com.

•WORKSHOP S/ LECTUR ES

“Lunch and Learn” is being held at the Capital Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle, second Thursday, 11:30 a.m. 779-1971.

Iota Omicron Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. will host its 8th Annual Youth Symposium Saturday, March 10, John H. Adams Gymnatorium on the campus of Allen University. 331-6761.

City of Columbia Art Center, 1932 Calhoun Street, will host a workshop on the essentials of Japanese pottery Saturday, March 24, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. 545-3093 or bloliver@columbiasc.net.

February Birding Programs at Congaree National Park include Birding Basics Workshop Saturday, February 11, 8:30- 11:30 a.m.; and Great Backyard Bird Count Program Saturday, February 18, 8:30-11:30 a.m. 776-4396, ext. 0, www.birdsource.org/gbbc/, or www.nps.gov/cong.

Better Choices, Better Health - Living Well South Carolina is offering workshops for people with chronic health conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and asthma. Capital Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle, February 9-March 15, Thursdays, 1-3:30 p.m. and March 29-May 3, Thursdays, 1- 3:30 p.m.; Charles R. Drew Wellness Center, 2101 Walker Solomon Way, March 6-April 10, Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and May 2-June 6, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. 898-0760.

•ZOO

Free Fridays in January and February for residents of Richland and Lexington counties at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Bring a valid driver’s license or property tax statement for proof of residency. 779-8717 or www.riverbanks.org.

Love on the Wild Side, a moonlit animal courtship tour with your sweetheart, wildly romantic, adults-only dinner and tour will be held at Riverbanks Zoo February 11. Reservations are required by Monday, February 6. www.riverbanks.org.