Community Calendar, Jan. 27, 2012

TODAY

FREE FRIDAYS AT THE ZOO: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays through Feb. 24, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, 500 Wildlife Parkway. Richland and Lexington County residents admitted free with valid driver’s license (as proof of residence). (803) 779-8717

S.C. AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE COMMISSION CONFERENCE: “Preserving More Than Places in History: Celebrating South Carolina’s African American Jazz Heritage,” 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday at the S.C. Archives and History Center, 8301 Parklane Road. Reception will follow at 5:30 p.m., jazz concert featuring the Skipp Pearson Jazz Ensemble at 7 p.m. Conference, $25 (members, $20); reception and concert, $20/$15; conference, reception and concert, $40/$30. Registration and information at (843) 917-3350 or www.scaaheritagefound.org

CAPITAL SENIOR CENTER DANCE: 7:30-10:30 p.m. Friday at 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). Live music with old favorites from the Dance Timers. $5; BYOB and snacks. (803) 779-1971; www.capitalseniorcenter.com

SATURDAY

RED NOSE RUN: 8 a.m. Saturday at Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St. 10K starts at 8 a.m., 5K at 8:15. Proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia. (803) 254-0118; register at www.strictlyrunning.com

RELIGION IN THE CIVIL WAR SYMPOSIUM: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the S.C. Archives and History Center, 8301 Parklane Road. Keynote speaker will be Dr. George Rable, author of “God’s Almost Chosen Peoples: A Religious History of the American Civil War.” Program will also feature lectures by W. Eric Emerson and Karen Stokes (“Faith, Valor and Devotion: The Civil War Letters of William Porcher DuBose”) and John Brinsfield (“Faith in the Fight”), guided tours of Columbia’s significant Civil War era churches, Elmwood Cemetery and the S.C. Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum exhibit “Through Fiery Trials: Religion in the Civil War.” Advance registration, $30; at the door, $35 (includes lunch). (803) 737-8094; www.crr.sc.gov

BIRDING BASICS: 9 a.m. Saturday at Sesquicentennial State Park, 9564 Two Notch Road. Dress for the weather and bring water, binoculars, field guides and a snack (limited supply of binoculars and field guides will be available). Designed for ages 8 and older; ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. $5; ages 15 and younger and seniors, $3. Space is limited; registration deadline is today. (803) 788-2706 or email sesqui@scprt.com

DOLL AND BEAR SHOW: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday in Rosewoods on the State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Drive. $6; ages 12 and younger, free; Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts in uniform, free. (803) 783-8049; www.knightshows.com

CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdayat the Columbia Museum of Art, Main and Hampton streets. Visual arts, young entrepreneurs showcase, Shoppes at Auntie Karen Place (local vendors and artisans), technology awareness center. Free, sponsored by the Auntie Karen Foundation, Columbia Museum of Art and Black Data Processing Associates. Admission will be charged to tour the museum. (803) 691-6909

REINVENT YOU: 2-4 p.m. Saturday at 701 Whaley St. Free women’s event will feature tips and tools to transform health, wellness, career path, financial future and course in life. Register at http://www.lifebydesigncoaching.org/reinvent-you-womens-event

“MEMORIES OF LEXINGTON’S OLD MILL”: 7-11 p.m. Saturday at the Lexington Municipal Complex, 111 Maiden Lane, Lexington. Gala fundraiser for the Lexington County Museum will feature The Great Society Band and recognition of mill workers and those who led restoration efforts. Tickets are $40; (803) 359-8369

TRIO CHIAROSCURO: USC faculty concert featuring Jennifer Parker-Harley, Michael Harley and Steven Aldredge, 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the recital hall at the USC School of Music, 813 Assembly St. Free.

SUNDAY

“AMERICAN VISIONS”: 1 p.m. Sunday at the Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. Film series on American art written and narrated by Time magazine art critic Robert Hughes. Free. (803) 799-2810; www.columbiamuseum.org

THINK JAZZ COLUMBIA CONCERT: 2-5 p.m. Sunday at Senate’s End, 316 Senate St. $4 cover. Think Jazz Orchestra and Jenna McSwain. www.thinkjazzcolumbia.com

HISTORIC CAMDEN LYCEUM SERIES: “Looking for Utopia: The Life and Times of John C. West,” with author Philip G. Groce, 3-5 p.m. Sunday at the Kershaw-Cornwallis House, 607 S. Broad St., Camden. Autographed copies of the book will be available. (803) 432-0941; www.historic-camden.net

MONDAY

TAI CHI FOR BEGINNERS: 6:30-8 p.m. Mondays at McGregor Presbyterian Church, 6505 St. Andrews Road. Requested donations vary depending on category — adult, senior, student, family. (803) 647-9283; www.taoist.org

TUESDAY

SOUTHERN WRITERS SERIES: Discussion and book signing by Silas House (“Same Sun Here”), 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Richland County Public Library, 1431 Assembly St. Sponsored by the Friends of the RCPL and the USC Institute for Southern Studies. (803) 988-0885

FREE LEGAL CLINIC: 6:30-8 p.m.Tuesday at the Main Branch of the Lexington County Library, 5440 Augusta Road. Real estate issues and foreclosures, featuring attorney Richard L. Bolen; sponsored by the S.C. Bar Pro Bono Program. (803) 799-6653, ext. 158

TAI CHI FOR BEGINNERS: 7:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 2701 Heyward St. Requested donations vary depending on category — adult, senior, student, family. (803) 647-9283; www.taoist.org

WEDNESDAY

RON RASH AT THE RCPL: Presentation and book signing, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Richland County Public Library, 1431 Assembly St. Rash’s “Saints at the River” is the current selection of the One Book, One Columbia reading initiative. www.myrcpl.com/onebook

THURSDAY

EXPLORE THE ARTS — CLAY: 6-8 p.m. Thursdays through Feb. 23, at Hyatt Park, 950 Jackson Ave. $10 registration plus $35 instruction fee. Class size limited to 10 students. (803) 545-3093; email bloliver@columbiasc.net

“BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR.”: 7 p.m. Thursday and Feb. 3; 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Feb. 4; 3 p.m. Feb. 5 at Columbia Children’s Theatre, 2nd level, Richland Mall, 3400 Forest Drive. Ages 3 and older, $8. (803) 691-4548; www.columbiachildrenstheatre.com

TNA IMPACT WRESTLING: 7:30 p.m. Thursday at The Township. Event will feature Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, James Storm, Bobby Roode and the TNA Knockouts. Bring a donation of three or more canned food items for Harvest Hope Food Bank between 5-8 p.m. and you’ll be eligible to win a TNA mechandise Grab Bag worth $150. Donations must be received by 7 p.m. to qualify for the TNA Grab Bag grand prize valued at $200. Tickets start at $20; and are available at ticketmaster.com, the Township box office and at (800) 745-3000.

“FAIRY TALE COURTROOM”: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays through Feb. 11, at The Watershed, 711 E. Main St., Suite S, Lexington. The Big Bad Wolf and the Wicked Witch go back to court and the audience is the jury. $16; seniors, students with ID and military, $12; youth $10. Tickets at www.smarttix.com (type in fairy tale courtroom) or (877) 238-5596.

UPCOMING EVENTS

VILLAGE ARTISTS WINE & CHEESE RECEPTION: 6-9 p.m. Feb. 3, Village at Sandhill. Introduction to new art work by Renee Ittner-McManus, Lucinda Howe and Dawn Faber. (803) 699-8886

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF COLUMBIA CLEAN SWEEP SALE: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Feb. 4 in the Cantey Building at the State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Drive. Admission, $2; parking $2. Parking opens at 6 a.m. Bag sale, 1-2 p.m., everything you can fit into a provided bag, $5. Proceeds benefit mission and community projects. (803) 422-6937; email info@jlcolumbia.org

ANTIQUE TOY, COMIC AND COLLECTIBLES SHOW: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 4 at Jamil Temple 2-6 Jamil Road. $3; ages 10 and younger, free; free parking. (803) 422-3082; www.colacollectorscom.webs.com

BASKET WEAVING: Noon-4 p.m. Feb. 4 at the City of Columbia Arts Center, 1932 Calhoun St. $10 registration plus $45 instruction fee. Class size limited to 10 students. (803) 545-3093; email bloliver@columbiasc.net

FUN NIGHT : 7-10 p.m. Feb 4 at the Jeep Rogers Family YMCA, Lake Carolina. Drop off your fourth- and fifth-graders for an evening of basketball, Xbox, games, indoor playground and more. $8; members, $5. Food and drink will be available for sale. (803) 451-8439

LIZE WESSELS PUB NIGHT: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Columbia Music Festival Association ArtsSpace, 914 Pulaski St. CMFA fundraiser will feature professional darts tournament, door prizes and traditional English pub food and beverages. Advance tickets, $25; at the door, $30. (803) 771-6303

CAROLINA JAZZ SOCIETY CONCERT: 2:30-5 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Capital Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). Guest performer will be stride pianist John Royen. $10; ages 18 and younger, free. (803) 432-1504

HANDCRAFTED DOLLHOUSES EXHIBIT: Feb. 7-14 at Our Hands Together Artisan Market, 101-A Ballentine Park Road, Irmo. Kit and scratch-made dollhouses by the Palmetto Miniature Club. The shop is open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. (803) 749-0011; www.ourhandstogether.com

EXPLORE THE ARTS — DRAWING: 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 7-19 at Woodland Park, 6500 Old Knight Parkway. $10 registration plus $35 instruction fee. Class size limited to 10 students. (803) 545-3093; email bloliver@columbiasc.net

“COME SEE YOUR ARMY” TOUR: 8:45 a.m. Feb. 16 at Fort Jackson. Six-hour tour will include Basic Combat Training graduation, troops training observation, opportunity to shoot the M16A2 simulator, lunch in an Army dining facilty (bring $4.55) and Q&A session. Advance reservations required by Feb. 8; call (803) 751-1474

HISTORIC COLUMBIA FOUNDATION VIP TOURS: 50th anniversary behind-the-scenes tours include Woodrow Wilson Family Home and the Lorick House, 1705 and 1727 Hampton St., 7-9:30 p.m. Feb. 8. $20; HCF members, $15; includes tour and cocktails. (803) 252-7742, ext. 12 or email wspratt@historiccolumbia.org

EXPLORING WATERCOLOR TEXTURES AND TECHNIQUES WORKSHOP: 1-4 p.m. Feb. 9 and 10 at Edisto Discovery Park, 1914 Wiley St. $15 registration plus $60 instruction fee. Limited to 10 participants. (803) 545-3093; email bloliver@columbiasc.net

“PINKALICIOUS THE MUSICAL”: 7 p.m. Feb. 10, 11, 17, 18; matinees at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Feb. 11, 18; 3 p.m. Feb. 12, 19 at Columbia Children’s Theatre, 2nd level, Richland Mall, 3400 Forest Drive. Ages 3 and older, $8. (803) 691-4548; www.columbiachildrenstheatre.com

THE ART OF MARRIAGE CONFERENCE: 7-9 p.m. Feb. 10 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 11 at Columbia International University, 7435 Monticello Road. $49 per couple, includes six video sessions, manual, materials, snacks and buffet lunch on Feb. 11). Registration deadline is Feb. 8. Tickets at www.wmhk.com/artofmarriage-2012.htm or (800) 965-9324

PARENTS NIGHT OUT: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Feb. 17 monthly at the Jeep Rogers Family YMCA, Lake Carolina. Youngsters ages 14 and younger will enjoy swimming, crafts, group games and more. $25; members, $15 (includes dinner). Preregister at the front desk. (803) 451-8439