Go Columbia: Our event picks, week of Jan. 4 and beyond

AUTHOR VISITS COOPER LIBRARY: 7 p.m. Monday at Richland Library’s Cooper branch. Nationally acclaimed author Julia Elliott will be on hand to discuss her debut novel, “The New and Improved Romie Futch,” which has been described by Publishers Weekly as “a disturbing yet hilarious romp through a surreal New South.” Free. 5317 North Trenholm Road.

“REMEMBERING COLUMBIA:” 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Robert Mills Carriage House. Building on the success of his book, “Remembering Columbia,” Historic Columbia director of cultural resources John Sherrer revises his four-part speaking series to guide us through a visual road map of Columbia’s past to present. Drawn from a rich collection of private and institutional archives, the images examined trace more than 150 years of Columbia’s history. 1616 Blanding St. (803) 252-1770, www.historiccolumbia.org

FIRST THURSDAYS ON MAIN: 5-11 p.m. Thursday throughout Main Street. On the first Thursday of each month, businesses in downtown Columbia participate in First Thursday on Main by keeping their doors open late, offering a mix of specials, events, entertainment, and more. City Center Partnership’s Yellow Shirts offer complimentary shuttle services along Main Street and to and from the Vista. Call (803) 309-7758 for a free shuttle until 11 p.m. http://firstthursdayonmain.com

FINAL WEEKEND: SNOWVILLE: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at EdVenture Children’s Museum. It hasn’t snowed so far here in the Midlands, but kids can have some fun with it in this final weekend of this annual exhibit. Learn the science of snow while climbing Mount EdVerest, exploring an ice cave, and tubing down Sled Hill, a 25-foot slippery slope. 211 Gervais St. Children and adults, $11.50; seniors 62 and older, military and educators with ID, $10.50; children ages 2 and under, free. www.edventure.org

“SHREK JR. THE MUSICAL:” 7:30 p.m. Friday at Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College. In a faraway kingdom, the green ogre Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits, runaways who’ve been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wise-cracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he’s handed a task – if he rescues feisty Princess Fiona from the Dragon-guarded tower, his swamp will be returned to him. But, a fairy tale wouldn’t be complete without unexpected twists and turns along the way. $6. 7300 College St. Irmo. (803) 407-5011, www.harbisontheatre.org/tickets-productions/shrek-jr-musical

2015 WALK FOR LIFE/RACE FOR LIFE: 7 a.m.-noon Saturday at Finlay Park. One morning, one mission – beating breast cancer in the Midlands. Palmetto Health Foundation is celebrating 25 years of a movement in the Midlands to take steps against breast cancer. The walk is 3.1 miles; and there are 5K and 10K races. All proceeds stay in the community at Palmetto Health Breast Center, to help patients here. Online walk registration closes Friday; see www.palmettohealthfoundation.org for event and registration details.

FINAL WEEKEND: “GEORGIA O’KEEFFE: HER CAROLINA STORY:” 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Columbia Museum of Art. The exhibition is in its final weekend, showing 14 works of American painter Georgia O’Keeffe’s intimate artistic epiphany experienced in South Carolina. “Her Carolina Story,” the first exhibition to explore her time in Columbia, celebrates the 100th anniversary of O’Keeffe’s time teaching at Columbia College and the untold story of her development as modernist. Final day of exhibit is Sunday. 1515 Main St. $12. (803) 799-2810, www.columbiamuseum.org

EDGAR MEYER: “ALL ABOUT THE BASS”: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Koger Center for the Arts. The South Carolina Philharmonic welcomes Edgar Meyer, the world’s preeminent double bassist. A performer, composer and master collaborator, Meyer is also a five-time Grammy Award winner and has worked with the biggest names in classical and instrumental music. Tickets are $53, $45, $35, $27 and $23. Student and military discounts available. Self-parking, $5; valet parking, $10. 1051 Greene St. (803) 251-2222, www.KogerCenterForTheArts.com

THE CAROLINA JAZZ SOCIETY CONCERT: 2:30-5 p.m. Sunday at the Lourie Center. Enjoy jazz, ragtime and swing with Dick Goodwin, trumpet; Doug Graham, clarinet; Bruce Clark, trombone; Reggie Sullivan, bass; Jim Hall, drums; Aletha Jacobs, piano. $10 adults, free to students 18 and younger. 1650 Park Circle, Maxcy Gregg Park, Columbia (just off Pickens near Blossom). Red Smith (803) 432-1504, www.carolinajazzsociety.com