Arts planner

The USC Dance program will premiere three new works Wednesday through Saturday at Drayton Hall Theatre. Helen Pickett, a guest artist, will show “February 14, 2012,” though the title might not suggest the emotion of the piece which is set to music composed by Philip Glass for the film “Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters.” (The film is based on the life and books of Japanese writer Yukio Mishima.) Fifteen dancers in various groups will perform the piece choreographed by Pickett, who danced in Ballet Frankfurt and has choreographed for Boston Ballet and Atlanta Ballet, among others. Thaddeus Davis and Tanya Wideman-Davis have created, at press time, untitled works for the concert. Wideman-Davis’ piece, danced to music by Oasis, was inspired by the once-vibrant Occupy Wall Street protests. Davis, so adept at weaving tension into his choreography, will work with a tugging theme. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. each evening. The theater is at 1214 College St. $10 to $16; (803) 777-5112 or (803) 251-2222

“Gem of the Ocean,” a NiA Company production of an August Wilson drama, opens at Trustus Theater on Friday. “Gem” is the first of Wilson’s decade-by-decade account and archiving of the black experience during the 20th century. It is set in 1904 in Pittsburgh, with the house of Aunt Ester, a 285-year-old former slave, as the backdrop. Many people — and stories — pass through there. The community is roiled when a black man is accused of stealing from a local mill. Instead of confessing, he drowns himself in a river. His co-workers revolt, forcing Caesar, performed by Darion McCloud, NiA’s artistic director, to make decisive moves as the constable. The resulting milieu forces one character down a path of revelation and reconciliation. The production runs through March 3. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Trustus is at 520 Lady St. $17.50 to $22.50; (803) 254-9732 or www.trustus.org

The South Carolina Philharmonic will perform the fifth Masterworks concert of the season, titled “Love Stories,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Koger Center. The concert will feature works by Wagner, R. Strauss and Rimsky-Korsakov. Classical Conversations, the pre-concert talk, will be held at 6:30 p.m. The Koger Center is at 1051 Greene St. $23 to $53; (803) 251-2222 or www.capitoltickets.com

Tyler Perry’s “The Haves and The Have Nots” will be performed at the Township Auditorium Thursday through Saturday. The comedy follows a wealthy family who think they have everything they want in life but soon realize they are mistaken when their poverty stricken maid comes to them for help. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday. The Township is at 1703 Taylor St. $32.50 to $42.50; (803) 576-2350

Abbey Simon, an internationally celebrated pianist who turned 90 last month, will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at Newberry Opera House. The opera house is at 1201 McKibben St., Newberry. $25; (803) 276-6264

The Mitch Butler Trio is the featured band at the weekly Think Jazz Orchestra event at Senate’s End. Butler, a trombonist, will be joined by organist Jenna McSwain and percussionist Mark Widenhofer for the performance that starts at 2 today. Senate’s End is at 300 Senate St. $4

Artist call

Craft.Bar.Happy.Hour, an event featuring local crafters and artisans typically held on select Tuesdays at the Columbia Museum of Art, is hosting the inaugural Craft.Bar.Happy.Weekend, a public market, June 1 and 2. Artist entries will be taken through March 23. Categories include 2-D and 3-D fine arts, fiber art, wearable items, paper and toys. Entry costs $20. For the form and more information, visit www.columbia museum.org.