Fun and offbeat event picks in Columbia, Feb. 25-March 2

THURSDAY

ARTISTIC EVENING OF INSPIRATION

Homeless Helping Homeless presents a benefit evening of spoken word and musical acts performed by homeless artists to give a glimpse of their lives on the streets and to show how we are all more alike than different. Original poetry, songs, rap and even stand-up comedy this year. Community artists contribute their talents.

GAMECOCK POLAR PLUNGE

Hopefully, the waters won’t be too cold for plungers at this third annual event, which raises money for Special Olympics South Carolina. The event, which will be at Maxcy Gregg Park pool, is presented by the University of South Carolina Police Department, in partnership with the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department as well as student organizations, Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and Columbia College Police Department.

FRIDAY

FINAL FREE FRIDAY

It’s the final Friday to enjoy free admission as part of this annual Riverbanks Zoo promotion. Come enjoy the exhibits, shows, gardens and more. Residents of Richland and Lexington counties receive free admission every Friday in January and February. Just bring a valid driver’s license, property tax statement or vehicle registration as proof of residency.

SACRED MUSIC IN THE SOUTH

Interested in Southern sacred music traditions and like to sing? Come out for performances, presentations, a film screening, and three vocal music workshops planned in conjunction with the exhibition “Heard at Every Turn: Traditional Music in South Carolina” at McKissick Museum. This is a two-day event that wraps up Saturday, Feb. 27.

CREATIVE COUPLES RECEPTION

Inspired by the relationship of Georgia O’Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz, this new exhibit at Columbia College features nine contemporary South Carolina couples – including a few from the Columbia area – who are professional artists working in a variety of mediums and disciplines. This reception will recognize the featured artists.

Saturday

FIGARO! FIGARO! FIGARO!

Based around the antics of the delightfully cunning barber called Figaro, Gioachino Rossini’s much-loved comic opera boasts some of the most entertaining and well-known arias in the opera repertoire. From trickery and disguises to serenading in the moonlight, “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” (The Barber of Seville) is filled with liveliness and comedy. This will be sung in Italian with English supertitles. Maestro Neil Casey conducts the Opera at USC Orchestra.

GAMECOCK HUMOR

Former University of South Carolina basketball player Steve Wannamaker, brings his standup act to The Comedy House. Wannamaker previously has appeared on “Magnum P.I.” and “Hawaii 5-0.” For ages 18 and older.

Sunday

RED CARPET AWARDS PARTY

That’s right! The awkward and expensive gowns, the “in memoriam,” the lifetime achievement awards, the people who were robbed of victory or never nominated! Come to the Red Carpet Awards Party at The Nickelodeon and watch with us, and see who goes home with the statues. Guests will enjoy hors d'oeuvres from 7:45-8:30 p.m., catered by Bourbon. A light snack will be available at 10 p.m. and a sweet treat will finish off the night.

HERE COMES THE BRIDE

The St. Andrews Woman’s Club Bridal Showcase, one of the area’s largest bridal fairs, will feature more than 100 booths and everything you need to get start your wedding planning. A fashion show is set for 3 p.m., among activities at the event.

Monday

CONTAINER GARDENING

Get ready for spring and learn the basics of herb gardening in containers. You’ll hear which herbs grow best using this method. The session is led by Jeanette Ford, a Lexington master gardener.

A LAUGH FOR LEAP DAY

New Brookland Tavern does Feb. 29 right, featuring Soda City Stand Up’s S.I.N.FUL Comedy Show. Columbia area comedians are featured, so come out, get one of the drink specials and toast Leap Day.

Tuesday

‘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.

Wednesday

61ST ANNUAL ART AUCTION

This event will include original artworks from a variety of mediums including sculpture, printmaking, photography, paintings and ceramics made by faculty, current students, and alumni of the University of South Carolina’s School of Visual Art and Design. A preview party kicks off the event, and refreshments will be served. The art will be on display beginning at 1 p.m. that day for public viewing.

HERE COMES THE SUN

Take a midday break for lunch in the Vista, then hop over to the S.C. State Museum to get a close-up look at the sun through a solar scope. Weather permitting.

This story was originally published March 1, 2016 at 7:57 AM with the headline "Fun and offbeat event picks in Columbia, Feb. 25-March 2."