TODAY

WOODROW WILSON FAMILY HOME HARD HAT TOUR: 11 a.m. today at 1705 Hampton St.; $6. (803) 252-1770, ext. 24 or email reservations@historiccolumbia.org

EARLY COLUMBIA LECTURE SERIES: “The 20th Century: Columbia Celebrates 200 Years,” 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Oct. 9 at the Seibels House, 1601 Richland St. Tonight’s class topic will be “Schools, Hospitals and Public Services.” $10, (space will be limited). (803) 252-1770; http://www.historiccolumbia.org

FINANCIAL STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL RETIREMENT: 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Oct. 23 at Midlands Technical College Harbison Campus, 7300 College St., Irmo; $79. (803) 732-0432; http://www.mtctraining.com

BEGINNER SQUARE DANCE LESSONS: 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Yellow Rock Hall, 2211 Platt Springs Road, West Columbia. $5 per lesson; free to active duty military and guests. (803) 791-9767

WEDNESDAY

POETRY WORKSHOP FOR SENIORS: 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 31 at the Capital Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). Bring a notebook and pencil. Classes are free for CSC members; $25 per year. (803) 779-1971; http://www.capitalseniorcenter.com

ART CLASSES FOR BEGINNERS: 5-7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Adult Activities Center, 7494 Parklane Road. Age 21 and older. $30; includes all supplies needed for a completed painting. (803) 462-9995; http://www.firstclassart.webs.com

FINANCIAL STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL RETIREMENT: 5-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 24 at Midlands Technical College, Northeast Campus, 151 Powell Road. $79. (803) 732-0432; http://www.mtctraining.com

“ONCE IN AFGHANISTAN”: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Spears Center for the Arts, Columbia College, 1301 Columbia College Drive. Documentary featuring the stories of women Peace Corps volunteers who worked to vaccinate against smallpox prior to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. A discussion will follow.

FESTIVAL OF SPIRITUALS: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at USC’s Drayton Hall Theater, 1214 College St. Free concert will feature the USC Gospel Choir, Men of Praise, Ollie Watts Davis and Tina Stallard. http://www.music.sc.edu/events

“THE MUSIC MAN”: 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday at Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St. $20; age 65 and older, active duty military and full-time college students, $17; age 17 and younger, $12. (803) 799-2510; http://www.towntheatre.com

THURSDAY

MEET ME @ THE PLAZA ON MAIN: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. the first Thursday monthly through Nov. 1, Main and Hampton streets. Outdoor dining and jazz (weather permitting) at the Columbia Museum of Art’s Boyd Plaza. Presented by City Center Partnership.

CAROLINA DOWNHOME BLUES FESTIVAL: Thursday through Saturday at 19 venues in and around Camden. Opening night party, 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday in the Jim & Pat Watts Performing Arts Wing of the Fine Arts Center of Kershw County, 810 Lyttleton St; $10. Weekend passes, $35; Friday or Saturday, $15. http://www.fineartscenter.org

PHOTOGRAPHY AT RIVERBANKS ZOO: 6-8 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 18 at Midlands Technical College Harbison Campus, 7300 College St., Irmo; $99. (803) 732-0432; http://www.mtctraining.com

CITIZEN SAFETY AWARENESS PROGRAM: 6-10 p.m. Thursday at the Lexington County Law Enforcement Complex, 521 Gibson Road, Lexington. $25; includes chemical pepper aerosol spray. Limited to 40 participants age 16 and older, Lexington County residents will be given preference in enrolling in the program. (803) 785-2400.

SONGBIRD CAFE: 7 p.m. Thursday at Leaside, 100 E. Exchange Place. Food, drink and entertainment by Jesse Lee, Tyler Mechem and Radney Foster. $100; proceeds will benefit Sistercare. (803) 926-0505; http://www.sistercare.com

A FINE AFFAIR — COLORED WITH CARE: Fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia, 7 p.m. Thursday at the Columbia Marriott, 1200 Hampton St. $75; couples, $125; includes entertainment, food and silent auction. (803) 254-0118

DIANA AMOS RECITAL: 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Spears Center for the Arts, 1301 Columbia College Drive. Amos, a soprano, is an assistant professor of voice and musical theater at Columbia College. Free. http://www.columbiasc.edu

“THE MUSIC MAN”: 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St. $20; age 65 and older, active duty military and full-time college students, $17; age 17 and younger, $12. (803) 799-2510; http://www.towntheatre.com

FRIDAY

HAPPY HOUR HISTORY TOURS OF THE VISTA: 5:30 p.m. Fridays in October, meet next to Gervais & Vine, 620 Gervais St. Guided walking tours include cocktail and appetizer stops along the way. $25; Historic Columbia Foundation members, $20. Reservations encouraged. (803) 252-1770, ext. 24 or email reservations@historiccolumbia.org

CMC STEEL RHYTHM ON THE RIVER CONCERT SERIES: The Reggie Sullivan Band and Mike Willis, 6-9 p.m. Friday at the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater. Erin Thomas will open. Free. http://www.rhythmontheriversc.com

EVENING OF BARBECUE, BLUES AND JAZZ: 7 p.m. Friday at the historic Harriet Barber House, 116 Barberville Loop and Lower Richland Boulevard, Hopkins. Advance tickets, $15; $20 day of the event. Part of the Congaree SwampFest celebration, proceeds will benefit the Southeast Rural Community Outreach (SERCO) educational component.

“PRIDE AND PREJUDICE”: S.C. Shakespeare Company production, 7:30 p.m. Friday through Oct. 7 at Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Road. $10; age 12 and younger, $5. http://www.icrc.net

CAYCE-WEST COLUMBIA JAYCEES HALL OF HORRORS: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at 1153 Walter Price St., Cayce. Opening weekend prices are $10 for Friday and Oct. 6, $7 on Oct. 7. Proceeds benefit local and state charities. http://www.hallofhorrors.com

“FORBIDDEN BROADWAY”: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Village Square Theatre, 105 Caughman Road, Lexington. $15-$19. (803) 359-1436; http://www.villagesquaretheatre.com

“THE MUSIC MAN”: 8 p.m. Friday at Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St. $20; age 65 and older, active duty military and full-time college students, $17; age 17 and younger, $12. (803) 799-2510; http://www.towntheatre.com

SATURDAY

HAMMER THE HILLS RUN/WALK: 8 a.m. Saturday at Providence Presbyterian Church, 1112 Hummingbird Drive, West Columbia. 5-, 10- and 15K races, 5K walk and youth walk-skip-hop 5K. Fundraiser for Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity will also feature a Build a Doghouse! activity for ages 5-13. Registration $20-$35 through Wednesday, $25-$40 after; youth 5K and doghouse build, $5 each. http://www.providencepresbyterian.net

COUNTRY STORE: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. SaturdayOct. 6 at Fair Lawn UMC, 9203 Wilson Blvd. Arts and crafts, baked and canned goods, frozen casseroles, silent auction, flea market, children’s fingerprinting, K-9 unit and more. Flea market table rentals, $25. (803) 754-2070

WALK FOR LIFE/RACE FOR LIFE: 8:30 a.m. SaturdayOct. 6 at Finlay Park, 930 Laurel St. 5 and 10K races with proceeds benefiting the Palmetto Health Breast Center. (803) 434-7275 or email anna.saunders@palmettohealth.org

5K RUN/WALK CHALLENGE SERIES: 9 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium, 1000 S. Holly St.; registration at 8 a.m. Sponsored by the Frye Foundation, proceeds will support local diabetes and mental health organizations, purchase medical equipment and provide scholarships to Midlands Technical College and Sandhills Community College. Advance registration, $15; race day, $20. http://thefryefoundation.org; http://www.strictlyrunning.com

BANK OF AMERICA’S "MUSEUMS ON US" WEEKEND: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Oct. 7 at EdVenture Children’s Museum, 211 Gervais St. Bank of America cardholders enjoy free admission the first full weekend monthly. (803) 779-3100; http:///www.edventure.org

LEXINGTON BENEFIT RUN: 10 a.m. Saturday at Wings ’n Ale, 154 Ellis Ave., Lexington; five stops with food and entertainment at the end of the run, Anthony’s, 1121 Calks Ferry Road. $20 per hand; $500 for first place; $200 for second place. Proceeds benefit the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation, which provides assistance to families of patients being treated at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta. (803) 356-3348

FALL ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at Our Hands Together Artisan Market, 101-A Ballentine Park Road, Irmo. Free event will feature entertainment, local artisans and children’s activities. (803) 749-0011; http://www.ourhandstogether.com

SELF-DEFENSE CLASS: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday at Polo Road Recreation Center, 730 Polo Road. Lt. Heidi Scott of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department will lead the class for women age 19 and older. Wear loose-fitting clothing and sneakers. Class size limited to 40 participants. Register by calling (803) 446-8605

CONGAREE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL: 11 a.m.-6 pm. Saturday at Granby Gardens Park, 1800 12th St. Extension, Cayce. Performances by IIIrd Tyme Out, the Blue Iguanas, the Carolina Rebels and Easy Pickin’s; food and craft vendors, children’s play area, exhibits and free tours of the Cayce Historical Museum. Lawn chairs welcome, no coolers or pets, please. (803) 550-9557

CONGAREE SWAMPFEST: 11 a.m. Saturday at Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Road and Old Mount Moriah Church, 1000 Old Bluff Road. Tours, hayrides, entertainment, children’s activities, rides, food vendors and more, sponsored by the Southeast Rural Community Outreach and the Richland County Hospitality Tax Fund. Free admission and free shuttle buses from the festival site to the park. Schedule at http://www.congareeswampfest.com

CULTURE CONNECTION — A BLACK AMERICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL HONORING THE AFRICAN & ISLAND WISDOM: Noon-5 p.m. Saturday at the Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site, 222 Broad St., Camden. Mini-exhibits, arts and crafts, food ways presentations, storytelling, demonstrations, children’s activities, live music, tours and more. Free admission, free parking. Lawn chairs and blankets welcome, no pets. Vendor spaces available. (803) 432-9841; http://www.historic-camden.net

BEGINNER YANG STYLE TAI CHI: 3-4 p.m. Saturdays through Dec.8 in the lobby of USC’s Gambrell Hall. $100; age 50 and older, $80. (803) 252-9086; http://www.chineseculturecenter.org

GOSPEL CONCERT: 5 p.m. Saturday at Jehovah Baptist Church, 1540 Frye Road. Featuring Women with a Vision, the Gospel Legends, the Rev. Matthew Mickens and the new Highway Travelers, Resurrection, Harmonettes & Co., Little Sonny & Peacemakerz; God’s Chosen Ones, Flossie Boyd Johnson & Favor. Doors open at 4 p.m. $12; ages 6-10, $6. (803) 240-9004

ART CLASSES FOR BEGINNERS: 5-7:30 p.m. Saturday at Friarsgate Park, 1712 Chadford Road, Irmo. Age 10 and older. $30; includes all supplies needed for a completed painting. (803) 732-3220; http://www.firstclassart.webs.com

“FORBIDDEN BROADWAY”: 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Village Square Theatre, 105 Caughman Road, Lexington. $15-$19. (803) 359-1436; http://www.villagesquaretheatre.com

CAYCE-WEST COLUMBIA JAYCEES HALL OF HORRORS: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at 1153 Walter Price St., Cayce; $10. Proceeds benefit local and state charities. http://www.hallofhorrors.com

SUNDAY

BANK OF AMERICA’S "MUSEUMS ON US": Noon-5 p.m. Sunday at EdVenture Children’s Museum, 211 Gervais St. Free admission for Bank of America cardholders. (803) 779-3100; http:///www.edventure.org

UNEARTH, A CELEBRATION OF NATURALLY INSPIRED ART: 1-5 p.m. Sunday at Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Road. Art exhibit and demonstrations, poetry workshop, live music and more. Free; parking fee, $5. http://www.icrc.net

CAROLINA JAZZ SOCIETY: Dixieland jazz concert, 2:30-5 p.m. Sunday at the Capital Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). $10; students 18 and younger, free. (803) 432-1504

“FORBIDDEN BROADWAY”: 3 p.m. Sunday at Village Square Theatre, 105 Caughman Road, Lexington. $15-$19. (803) 359-1436; http://www.villagesquaretheatre.com

CAYCE-WEST COLUMBIA JAYCEES HALL OF HORRORS: 6:30 p.m. Sunday at 1153 Walter Price St., Cayce; $7. Proceeds benefit local and state charities. http://www.hallofhorrors.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

NOTARY PUBLIC SEMINAR: 6 p.m. Oct. 9 at Midlands Technical College Airport Campus, 1260 Lexington Drive, West Columbia. Free, sponsored by the S.C. Secretary of State’s office. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. Advance registration at (803) 734-0629.

SCIENCE CAFE: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at Speakeasy, 711 Saluda Ave., Five Points. Dr. Zoran Filipi will discuss current research in alternative energy for transportation; free. http://www.engenuitysc.com/sciencecafe

EARLY COLUMBIA LECTURE SERIES: “The 20th Century: Columbia Celebrates 200 Years,” 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Seibels House, 1601 Richland St. Final session topic will be “Mayors, Leaders and Vision.” $10, (space will be limited). (803) 252-1770; http://www.historiccolumbia.org

INFANT CPR CLASS: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at Palmetto Health Richland, 9 Medical Park Drive, Suite 130; $25. (803) 296-2273

LUNCH AND LEARN: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Capital Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). Sandy Knowles, from the Talking Book Services at the South Carolina State Library, will speak on resources for seniors and those with disabilities such as visual difficulties. Free; RSVP at info@capitalseniorcenter.com.

HISTORIC HAUNTINGS: 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at Elmwood Cemetery. Historic Columbia Foundation guides will offer 30-minute tours, children’s crafts, snacks and Halloween-related activities. $10; children, $5; HCF members, $5/$3. http://cemeterytours.eventbrite.com

MAYOR’S CAMPAIGN AGAINST BREAST CANCER ISABEL LAW BREAKFAST: 6-9 a.m. Oct. 12 in the Columbia City Hall parking lot, 1737 Main St. On the menu: bacon, eggs, sausage, liver pudding, hash browns, grits, pancakes, biscuits, coffee and juice. $7; advance tickets available at City Hall; Public Works, 2910 Colonial Drive; Washington Square, 1136 Washington St. Pre-orders deadline is noon Oct. 11; call (803) 545-3800 or email lrmcvean@columbiasc.net. Proceeds will benefit Bosom Buddies, an organization that assists women in need of mastectomy camisoles or other post-surgical needs.

INCARNATION LUTHERAN CHURCH OKTOBERFEST: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 12, Oct. 13 and noon-7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Incarnation Lutheran Church, 3005 Devine St. German food, beer, dancers, music, children’s activities and more. Proceeds will benefit Harvest Hope Food Bank, Midlands Council for Foster Children and the Incarnation Lutheran Church Foundation. (803) 256-2381

CAYCE-WEST COLUMBIA JAYCEES HALL OF HORRORS: Fridays-Sundays, Oct. 12-28, and Wednesday, Oct. 31, at 1153 Walter Price St., Cayce. Hours are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 6:30 p.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Oct. 31. $13; RIP (skip the line), $20; Sundays, $10-$15. Proceeds benefit local and state charities. http://www.hallofhorrors.com

NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING CONFERENCE: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Columbia Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St. Sponsored by Richland County Planning and Development, the free event will feature seminars on community gardening, emergency preparedness, community health assessment and discussions on internal controls for neighborhood organizations; breakfast and lunch will be provided. Register at (803) 929-6000; http://www.rcgov.us

BATESBURG BUSINESS ASSOCIATION FALL FESTIVAL: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 13, downtown Batesburg. Chili cook-off, scarecrow, antique tractor display, children’s activities, live music, vendors and more. (803) 730-5478

WALK AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: 9 a.m. Oct. 13 at Finlay Park, 930 Laurel St. Free; information fair will be held before and after the walk. Pre-registration deadline is Oct. 10; late registration at 8 a.m. http://www.columbiasc.net

BOOTS ON THE GROUND FOR A CURE: Breast cancer awareness 5K run/walk, 9 a.m. Oct. 13 at the Hilton Field softball complex, Fort Jackson. Registration 7:30-8:30 a.m.; sponsored by Moncrief Army Public Health Nursing. T-shirts available, $10; call (803) 751-5200 or (803) 751-5251.

FALL HERITAGE FESTIVAL AND PICKIN’ PARTY: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 13 at the State Museum, 301 Gervais St. Barbecue (chicken and three styles of pork), music, entertainment, antique tractor parade and craft demonstrations. Chicken plates, $10; pork sampler plates, $10; plate with one style of ’cue, $7; sandwiches and chips, $5. (803) 898-4952; http://www.southcarolinastatemuseum.org

STILL STANDING SURVIVORS LUNCHEON: 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Brookland Baptist Banquet and Conference Center, 1066 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia. Guest speaker will be Deadra Malloy, project coordinator for P.O.S.I.T.I.V.E. Voices. Sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Upsilon Omega Omega Chapter, the event is in support of HIV/AIDS, cancer and domestic violence survivors. $40; a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the SC HIV/AIDS Council. http://www.akairmo.org/stillstanding.html

LAKE CAROLINA WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL: 2-5 p.m. Oct. 13 at Lake Carolina’s Village Green. Proceeds will benefit Children’s Charities of the Midlands. Advance tickets, $30; age 12 and younger, $15; at the door, $35/$20. (803) 561-0915; http://www.lakecarolinawineandfood.com

MOONSHINE AND MUSCADINES TASTING EVENT: 6-9 p.m. Oct. 13 at the State Museum, 301 Gervais St. Samplings from the Dark Corner Distillery, Hyman Vineyards and Palmetto Pickup Wines; live music and food. $25; museum members, $20. (803) 898-4952; http://www.southcarolinastatemuseum.org

ST. ALBAN’S OKTOBERFEST: 6 p.m. Oct. 13 at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 403 Park Road, Lexington. Brats, German potato salad, red cabbage, desserts, wine and beer. $15 (dine-in with German beer); $12 (dine-in with domestic beer); $10 (to go, no beer or wine). Free nursery. Proceeds benefit LICS and the Education=Hope Scholarship Fund. Reservations: (803) 359-2444.