TODAY

CONGAREE NEW HORIZONS BAND: Spring recruitment night, 7 tonight in the USC Strings Project building, 851 Park St. No experience necessary. The New Horizons Band is a national organization to introduce or reintroduce seniors (age 50 and older) to playing a band instrument with a supportive group. http://www.congareeband.com

TUESDAY

STRIKE PERCUSSION DUO: Paul Vaillancourt, percussion; Jeffrey Meyer, piano, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the USC School of Music recital hall, 813 Assembly St. Free. (803) 777-4280

WEDNESDAY

PUBLIC EDUCATION FORUM: The city of Columbia and SCE&G will hold a public education session on tree trimming activities near utility distribution lines 6-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Capital Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). Topics will include Purpose and Guidelines for Utility Pruning, ANSI Standards, Grand Trees, Protection of Trees and Columbia’s Aging Tree Canopy. (803) 545-3860

FACULTY PIANO RECITAL: Scott Price, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the USC School of Music recital hall, 813 Assembly St. Free. (803) 777-4280

THURSDAY

PALMETTO SENIOR SHOW: 9 a.m.-3 pm. Thursday in the Cantey Building at the State Fairgrounds. Vendors of products and services for age 55 and older, the Dick Goodwin Orchestra, vocal entertainment, former USC pitcher Mike Roth, Miss South Carolina Ali Rogers, race driver Jordan Anderson, Amanda McNulty of ETV’s “Making it Grow,” golf cart giveaway. Free admission, $2 parking.

COLUMBIA CENTER FOR JEWISH LEARNING: Spring courses 6:30-7:30 p.m. and 7:45-8:45 p.m. Thursdays, “Archeology and the Bible” with Dr. Jonathan Leader of USC; “Kabbalah and Our Daily Lives” with Rabbi Jonathan Case. Sessions will meet Jan. 17, 24; Feb. 14, 21, March 7, 14, 21; April 4, 11 and 18 at Beth Shalom Synagogue, 5827 N. Trenholm Road. $100 for 10 one-hour classes, $150 for both. (803) 782-2500; http://www.bethshalomcolumbia.org

FACULTY RECITAL: Clifford Leaman, saxophone; Joseph Rackers, piano, 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the USC School of Music recital hall, 813 Assembly St. Free. (803) 777-4270

“THE FOX ON THE FAIRWAY”: 8 p.m. Thursday through Jan. 19 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

CONGAREE NATIONAL PARK: Nature Discovery program, 9:30 a.m. Saturday at 100 National Park Road, Hopkins. Explore the boardwalk with a park volunteer and listen for animals in the forest. Free. Meet at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. (803) 776-4396; http://www.nps.gov/cong

WINTER NATURE WALK: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday at Sesquicentennial State Park, 9564 Two Notch Road. Casual stroll along the Jackson Creek Nature Trail for age 6 and older. $5; seniors and age 15 and younger, $3. Adults must accompany children 15 and younger. Preregistration is required, deadline is Jan. 18. (803) 788-2706 or email sesqui@scprt.com

SCOUT SATURDAY: 1 p.m. Saturday at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, 500 Wildlife Parkway. Daisies, Brownies, Junior Scouts and Cub Scouts can earn credits toward badge requirements, achievements and electives. Live animal encounters, games, activities and age-specific materials for a self-guided adventure into the zoo. $10 plus admission. Register at http://www.riverbanks.org

TREE TREK: 2 p.m. Saturday at Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Road, Hopkins. Take a trek along the boardwalk with a ranger to see the park’s towering trees. Free, meet at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. (803) 776-4396; http://www.nps.gov/cong

CONTRA DANCE: 6:15-10:30 p.m. Saturday in the Arsenal Hill Park Building, 1800 Lincoln St. Live music by Cabin Fever, caller will be Kenny Greer. Beyond beginners workshop 6:15-7 p.m.; new dancers workshop, 6-7:30 p.m. No partner necessary, bring clean, soft-soled, non-marking shoes. $8; students with ID, $5. Sponsored by Columbia Traditional Music and Dance. (803) 760-5881; http://www.contracola.org

“ROCKETMAN”: Greg Bickley and Tokyo Joe perform a tribute to Sir Elton John, 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Koger Center, 1051 Greene St. Sponsored by the Woman’s Club of Cayce and Tokyo Joe Productions, proceeds will benefit the Nancy K. Perry Children’s Shelter. $26; students and military, $21; available at the Koger Center ticket office (Park Street entrance) or http://www.capitoltickets.com

SUNDAY

“THE FOX ON THE FAIRWAY”: 3 p.m. Sunday 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

UPCOMING EVENTS

ART SMART ACADEMY: LIPS (Love Inspires Passionate Service) event, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 21 at 7320 Broad River Road. Facials, massages, free Mary Kay goodie bags, refreshments and a “Hot Lips” magnet painting session. Free, but a $5 donation will provide Mary Kay lip balm to clients at The Women’s Shelter. (803) 667-9912; http://www.artsmartacademy.com

FACULTY PIANO RECITAL: Charles Fugo, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at the USC School of Music recital hall, 813 Assembly St. Free. (803) 777-4280

GUEST ARTIST MASTER CLASS: Pianist Dmitry Rachmanov, 4:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at the USC School of Music recital hall, 813 Assembly St. Free. (803) 777-4280

“THE FOX ON THE FAIRWAY”: 8 p.m. Jan. 23-26 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

GUEST ARTIST CLARINET RECITAL: Julia Heinen, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at the USC School of Music recital hall, 813 Assembly St. Free. (803) 777-4280

FRIDAY NIGHT DANCE: 7:30-10:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Capital Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). Cost is $5. Open to ages 21 and older. Bring your own beverages and snacks; soda and coffee provided. (803) 779-1971

TREE TREKS: 10 a.m. Jan. 26 and 2 p.m. Jan. 27 at Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Road, Hopkins. Take a trek along the boardwalk with a ranger to see the park’s towering trees. Free, meet at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. (803) 776-4396; http://www.nps.gov/cong

RED SHOE RUN: 5K walk/run and 10K race, 7:30 a.m. Jan. 26 at Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St. Sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, proceeds will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia. 5K, $25; race day, $30; 10K, $30; race day, $35. Preregistration at http://www.strictlyrunning.com; race day registration 6-7 a.m.

ETSY KNOW-HOW: 1-4 p.m. Jan. 26 at the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Art Center, 1928 Calhoun St. Learn about the on-line website for artisans and crafters; information on setting up and maintaining an Etsy shop, record keeping, Paypal payments and shipping, pricing and mdore. $30. Minimum eight participants; maximum 15. (803) 545-3093 or email sesqui@scprt.com

WESTON LAKE WILDERNESS HIKE: 1:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Road, Hopkins. Join a park ranger for a 4.5 mile hike into Congaree’s wilderness. Dress for the weather, bring snacks and water. Free, meet at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. (803) 776-4396; http://www.nps.gov/cong

FACULTY GUITAR RECITAL: 3 p.m. Jan. 27 at the USC School of Music recital hall, 813 Assembly St. Music by Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Albeniz and Castelnuovo-Tedesco. Free. (803) 777-4280

“LAKEVIEW, BOOKER AND JOHNSON: THE HALLOWED HALLS”: 3 p.m. Jan. 27 in Bostick Auditorium at the main branch of the Richland Library, 1431 Assembly St. The documentary highlights Midlands segregation-era institutions — Lakeview, Booker T. Washington and C.A. Johnson high schools and how they produced model citizens. Free. (803) 786-1051

MASTER CLASS WITH INTERNATIONAL OPERA STAR: Soprano Mary Dunleavy, 1:25 p.m. Jan. 28 at the USC School of Music recital hall, 813 Assembly St. Free. (803) 777-4280

ROSE WILKINS’ WORLD FAMOUS CHICKEN BOG: 5:30-8 p.m. Feb. 1 at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 403 Park Road, Lexington. $7 per plate; age 12 and younger, $3. Carry out available. Proceeds benefit the Altar Guild and Outreach ministries. (803) 359-2444 Tuesdays-Thursdays.