🧠 Educational activities

🎨 All about the arts

🌳 Great outdoors

• SUSTO | Friday, Feb. 3 | 8 p.m. | The Senate, 1022B Senate St., Columbia | $17 | Charleston-based indie rock band SUSTO’s most recent album, “Time in the Sun,” landed on several lists as one of the best Southern albums of 2021.
• Vintage Market Days presents “Freshly Picked” | Friday, Feb. 3-Sunday, Feb. 5 | Times vary | SC State Fair Grounds, 1200 Rosewood Dr., Columbia | $10 | Vintage Market Days is an upscale vintage and vintage-inspired indoor/outdoor market, featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home décor, outdoor furnishings, and seasonal plantings.
• More Than Rhythm: A Black Music Series Featuring The Mahoganëë Xperience | Friday, Feb. 3 | 6 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | Free with admission | Mahoganëë is a South Carolina Lowcountry soul musician whose unique style, deemed “Funky Organik Soul,” is a blend of Southern soul, funk, jazz, blues, and hip-hop with African and Caribbean influences created by her husband, music producer André Amigér.

• A Talk and Tasting at Historic Columbia | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 2-4 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens, 1615 Blanding St., Columbia | $35 | Join authors Chef Kevin Mitchell and Professor David Shields for a lively discussion of their award-winning book, “Taste the State: South Carolina’s Signature Foods, Recipes, and Their Stories.”
• Ward Davis | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 7-11 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St. West, Columbia | $20 | Country artist Ward Davis surpassed one million streams on Spotify with his latest single, “Nothing’s News” accompanied by Clint Black and Cody Jinks.
• Forest Wellness Yoga at Congaree National Park | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Rd., Hopkins | Free | Join a certified Yoga instructor for a two-mile (round trip) guided walk and 30-minute Yoga class amidst some of the tallest loblolly pines in South Carolina.

• Balloon Art and Breakfast | Sunday, Feb. 5 | 8-9 a.m. | The Flying Biscuit Cafe, 936 Harden St., Columbia | Free | Eat breakfast + enjoy balloon art.
• First Sunday — SC State Museum $1 Admission | Sunday, Feb. 5 | 12-5 p.m. | SC State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | General admission is only $1 for guests on the first Sunday of every month.

• 53º | Scattered showers | 50% chance of rain

• Popshelf has a new location near Lowe’s in the Red Bank area of Lexington County. The popular low-cost retail store plans to expand and open 1,000 more stores by 2025. (The State)

• A new boutique hotel planned for Five Points may exclude additional public parking that was initially planned in the proposal. Mayor Rickenmann told The Post and Courier that the lack of parking comes from the lack of parking funds. He suggests several other parking options around the popular district here. 🅿️ (The Post and Courier)

• The Columbia Fireflies are looking for talent to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” before home games for the 2023 season. Fans are invited to audition live on Saturday, Feb. 11, Wednesday, Feb. 16, and Thursday, Feb. 17. Auditions must be scheduled in advance. Email here if interested. 🎤

• Southeastern Freight Lines’ will prepare 50,000 meals to donate to Harvest Hope Food Bank as part of its “The Southeastern Serves program.” Over 266 volunteers will gather in Lexington County today from 9-11 a.m. to package nutrient-rich meals. 🥣

• Hendrix is hosting Oysters, Beer, and Bubbles on Feb. 19th. The Low Country-style oyster and beer paring event will be a collaboration with Craft & Draft and will take place from 2-6 p.m. at Hendrix (1649 Main St.). Grab your tickets here. 🦪

• National Wear Red Day. This initiative to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease is more than wearing a color. Don’t forget, The City of Columbia is hosting a free Go Red Columbia community event today at 12 p.m. or you can find volunteer options to make a difference in the lives of women across the country. 🫀

• The COLA Valentine’s pick up line winner is Julie J. The winning line reads, “Baby, you know you check all 5 points on my list!” Fall in love with the entire pick up line collection. 💌
• ICYMI, Amore Under the Stars is returning to the South Carolina State Museum on Tuesday, Feb. 14. The Valentine’s Day-inspired event (perfect for lovers and friends) features an evening champagne bar, stargazing, romantic gallery tours + more. Register.*

• 150. The number of malls predicted to remain in the US 10 years from now — that’s down from 2,500 in the 1980s and 700 today. What should cities do with the abandoned spaces? See how healthcare providers like MUSC Health are cleverly repurposing empty retail spaces into “medical mall” healthcare facilities.*

• If cash back is king, this card is royalty. With a big sign-up bonus, up to 5% cash back, no annual fee, 0% APR until 2024 + more, it’s basically a no-brainer. 👀 *

• Have you heard? Amazon now offers subscription boxes. Best of all — there’s a huge selection. Love trying out top rated beauty products? Subscribe to the Allure Beauty Box. Music aficionado? Join the Vinyl of the Month Club. Pet parent? Your cat will love the KitNipBox. 📦 *