Go out: The fun and offbeat in Columbia, Feb. 18-24

THURSDAY, FEB. 18

ARTISTS NIGHT AT MAD PLATTER

Artists from the Midlands are invited for a night of creativity, with wine and cookies on the side. In addition to bisque items to paint, the Mad Platter offers fused glass (dishes, bowls, jewelry), tie-dyed T-shirts, paint chips, special glazes and more.

THIRD THURSDAY COMEDY

Soda City Standup is switching things up for Third Thursday Comedy at Tapp’s. Join Jen Snyder, John Gibson, Topher Riddle, and Patrick Fowler as they host a movie night with comedic commentary riffing on the film “Cool As Ice.”

‘MIRACLE IN MEMPHIS’

Jolene is a woman who is obsessed with Elvis and has finally made her way to Memphis. Much to her dismay, she and her husband, Earl, have been unable to have a child. At her mama’s urging, Jolene visits Graceland and prays at the King’s grave for a baby. Elvis grants her wish, but life gets complicated once Presley Ann is born.

FRIDAY, FEB. 19

‘THE HONKY TONK ANGELS’

On a Greyhound bus to Nashville, three ladies make plans to pursue their Music City dreams and leave their humdrum lives behind. Guests on opening weekend Friday, Feb. 19 and Saturday, Feb. 20 can enjoy a cornhole on the patio (weather permitting), with a free barbecue sandwich and beer before the show.

GET YOUR GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!

Time to stock up on Girl Scout cookies! All of our favorites are back – Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties and more. Booth sales kick off this week and run through March 13.

‘MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON’

It’s an election year, and primary season is in full swing. With that in mind, Point Of View Film Series stimulates the political animal in all of us with a screening of “Mr. Smith Goes To Washington.” Jimmy Stewart, Jean Arthur and Claude Rains star in Frank Capra’s award-winning 1939 classic about an idealistic, small-town American senator who heads to Washington, D.C. and suddenly finds himself single-handedly battling ruthless politicians out to destroy him. Part of the Point of View Film Series at Tapp’s Arts Center.

SATURDAY, FEB. 20

PALMETTO OPERA’S ‘RIGOLETTO’

An international cast and local performing artists will share the stage when the Palmetto Opera presents “Rigoletto,” Verdi’s masterpiece. It is performed in Italian with English subtitles projected on the screen. An angry, deformed court jester, a playboy duke who seduces and abandons pretty virgins, and Rigoletto’s beautiful, virgin daughter are the main ingredients. Rigoletto’s cast will include an orchestra composed entirely of SC Philharmonic musicians; opera students from USC’s School of Music will sing supporting roles; and appearances some members of the Palmetto Mastersingers and the USC Dance Company. Four Midlands residents will be extras.

A LITTLE MAGIC

It’s not often that we get to see a magician! John Tudor is known for his energetic mix of imaginative stories and state-of-the-art magic. Catch one of two scheduled shows and enjoy a “magical journey.”

‘THELMA AND LOUISE’

An outlaw film, a road movie, an overdue vision of what female empowerment would really look like, this over-referenced and under-seen classic rewrites the history of masculine violence and the buddy movie to follow the societal liberation of two women who secure their radical freedom on the roads of the American West. Part of Nickelodeon’s staff picks series.

SUNDAY, FEB. 21

‘MAD FOREST: A PLAY FROM ROMANIA’

The University of South Carolina Department of Theatre and Dance presents this work of award-winning playwright Caryl Churchill, affecting drama shines a light on the lives of two families living through the 1989 Romanian Revolution, an uprising that resulted in the toppling of the country’s oppressive Communist regime. It explores the reactions of ordinary people to the revolt’s confused events.

AN AFTERNOON AT THE MANN-SIMONS SITE

Join Historic Columbia and the Columbia Archaeology Project for a day at the museum. Visitors and families can explore the site that was home to generations of the same African-American family since the 1840s and view archeological artifacts not previously seen by the public. Enjoy hands-on activities and express your thoughts on how to best share the family’s story with generations to come.

MONDAY, FEB. 22

‘IDENTI-TEE: EVOLUTION OF THE T-SHIRT’

From undergarment to outwear, the simple white T-shirt has evolved into a casual wardrobe staple over the past 100 years. Its simple, iconic design has made it ubiquitous and timeless, a universal symbol within today’s popular culture. “Identi-Tee” recasts this timeless symbol, demonstrating how its function and meaning changed over time. This exhibit considers different cultures that wear T-shirts, the time periods that forged new cultural meanings for them, prominent people who donned them and the historical moments that made the T-shirt an important symbol of youth, activism and change.

EAT YOUR PLANTS

Eat your yard! We aren’t talking about tomatoes, squash and the usual annuals that we plant every year. Learn about perennial edible plants that can keep giving year after year. Presented by Lexington master gardener Gayle Gilson.

TUESDAY, FEB. 23

ALL BEETHOVEN, ALL THE TIME

The USC Symphony Orchestra presents an all-Beethoven concert, also featuring a pre-concert barbecue and brew event. Guest artist for the concert is Israeli violinist Vadim Gluzman, who appears regularly with major orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony, London Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic and London Symphony, among others.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 24

CABARET CELEBRITY IMPERSONATOR SHOW

You will see elaborate costumes, Vegas-style showgirls, song and dance from celebrity look-alikes. This is Columbia’s celebrity illusion show starring Dorae Saunders. For ages 16 and older.

‘REMIX: THEMES & VARIATIONS IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN ART’

A groundbreaking exhibition that includes a variety of work dating from the early 20th century to the present, “Remix” highlights the practice among many African-American artists of retelling or refashioning themes, ideas, and objects in new ways and from their own unique perspectives.