VALENTINE’S EVENTS

The Cupid Pre-Valentine’s Red & Black Affair

9 p.m. Friday, River View Event Center, 426 Walnut St. A night of romance and elegance. Live music by Word of Mouth, free hors d’oeuvres. $15.

Victorian Valentine Tea

1 p.m. Saturday, Hay House, 934 Georgia Ave. Children ages 5-12 with adult companions are invited to enjoy a seated, three-course high tea. Includes an explanation of table etiquette, a tour of three levels of the house, a take-home favor and a discount in the museum store. $20 per person. Reservations required. 742-8155.

Valentine’s Tea

Saturday, Cannonball House, 856 Mulberry St. Two seatings of 12 people will be offered, with the first seating at 2:30 p.m. and the second seating at 5 p.m. Includes entertainment. To make reservations, call 745-5982. $25 per seat.

25th Anniversary Valentine Dance

8 p.m. Saturday, Macon Motorboat Club, Central City Park. Ballard-Hudson Alumni 1949-1970 are invited to attend; open to the public. James Wright, 405-0371, or Gwen Strong, 746-0867. $15.

Valentine’s Day Extravaganza

5 p.m. Sunday, Armory Ballroom, 484 First St. Red carpet event followed by live jazz music by Soul Intention and hors d’oeuvres. The evening will continue with a four-course meal and cash bar, with entertainment through poetry, song, dance and interactive drama. Semi-formal. 747-8668. $40 single, $75 couple, $280 table for eight.

Singing Valentines

Tuesday, Macon, Warner Robins, Milledgeville and Eatonton areas. Delivered by a quartet from Sweet Georgia Sound Chorus. To order, call 335-3010 or e-mail baritone@cox.net. In person: $25 for a song and a card; outside Middle Georgia, by phone: $10.

FESTIVALS

Cherry Blossom Festival

March 16-25, downtown Macon. Concerts, arts and crafts, parade, bed race, fashion show, street party, food, fireworks and more. www.cherryblossom.com.

Dogwood Festival

10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 14, noon-5 p.m. April 15, downtown Perry. Arts and crafts, food, music, kids activities and more. www.perrydogwoodfestival.com.

Hawkinsville Harness Festival

6:30 p.m. April 20: Live entertainment and fireworks at dark. Free. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. April 21: Children’s activities, fair-style food, arts and crafts, parade and entertainment. 12:30 p.m. April 21: Opening ceremonies. Races begin at 1 p.m. More information: www.hawkinsvilleharnessfestival.com.

MARKETS

Mulberry Street Market

4:30-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Mulberry Street. Wacky Wednesday, held the third Wednesday of every month, is a monthly event that features free fun and educational activities for children.

State Farmers Market

8 a.m.-dark daily, 2055 Eisenhower Parkway (across from Books-A-Million). Farmers selling fresh produce, as well as dealers year-round. New Year’s Day.

GOSPEL/CHRISTIAN

Advocate Arts Dance Troupe

7 p.m. Saturday, The Rain Church, 257 Gunn Road, Warner Robins. Join us in bringing an end to human trafficking and child abuse through the arts. 953-7246. www.therainchurch.com.

Down East Boys Concert

6 p.m. Saturday, Bethany Baptist Church, 365 Pea Ridge Road, Bolingbroke. (478) 974-0002.

The Cleghorns

6 p.m. Sunday, Bloomfield United Methodist Church, 5511 Bloomfield Road, fellowship hall. Karen Rogers, 397-6568.

Jen Hatmaker

8:30 p.m. Thursday, Religious Life Center, Mercer University, 1643 College St. The author of “Ms. Understood, A Modern Girl’s Bible Study” and many other books will be speaking at the Baptist Collegiate Ministries weekly meeting. http://jenhatmaker.com. Free.

An Evening With Dino Kartsonakis

6:30-9 p.m. Feb. 18, West Highland Baptist Church, 4505 Mercer University Drive. Love offering. 10:30 a.m. Feb. 19, Bethany Baptist Church, 365 Pea Ridge Road, Bolingbroke. Love offering. Sponsored by Old Friends Promotions, West Highland Baptist, Bracewell Music and Bethany Baptist. Jonathan Fisher, 918-7800, or Mike East, 361-7929.

The Inspirations, The Travelers Quartet

6 p.m. Feb. 25, First Baptist Church Family Life Center, Bellevue Avenue, Dublin. Norman Bond, (478) 689-4496. $10 at the door.

J. Gregg Bunn

7 p.m. March 16, Forsyth United Methodist Church, 68 West Johnston St.

King-Brown Memorial Gospel Concert

6 p.m. April 7, Greater Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 2656 Napier Ave. Concert in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the Rev. Richard Gammage and the late state Sen. Robert Brown.

The Refuge

6-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. A Christian youth/young adult center. 4917-A Mercer University Drive. 390-4013. $3 admission, concession and games extra.

Gospel and Jam Session

8-10:30 p.m. every first and third Friday, Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 809 S. Davis Drive, Warner Robins. (478) 997-1734. Free.

JAZZ

Jazz Appreciation Class

6:30 p.m. first Thursday of each month, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 390 Pierce Ave. Taught by George Saunders. 742-4281. Free.

VARIETY

Carnegie Cabaret

8 p.m. Saturday, Little Carnegie of the South, 1954 Forsyth St. Parking at 1910 Forsyth Street office park. Music by the High Strung String Bluegrass Band. Art in the gallery by Meg Campbell. $35 adults; $25 students; $30 seniors. Tickets available at the door. (478) 256-3388.

“Sing Brother! Sing Sister!”

3 p.m. Sunday, Douglass Theatre, 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Annual recital of Negro spirituals. 742-2000.

Tops in Blue

7 p.m. Tuesday, Civic Center, 700 Watson Blvd., Warner Robins. A variety show performed by active-duty members of the Air Force featuring music, singing, dancing and comedy. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Free.

Monster Jam

7:30 p.m. Feb. 17, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18, Macon Coliseum, 200 Coliseum Drive. Family-friendly entertainment featuring monster trucks. $10-$40. 751-9232.

Miranda Lambert

7:30 p.m. Feb. 23, Macon Coliseum, 200 Coliseum Drive. $29-$53. 751-9232.

Dash Rip Rock

8:30 p.m. Feb. 23, The Hummingbird Stage and Taproom, 430 Cherry St.

The Official Blues Brother Revue

7:30 p.m. Feb. 24, Grand Opera House, 651 Mulberry St. Live concert paying homage to the Blues Brothers. $38. 301-5470.

Middle Georgia Talent Search

6 p.m. March 3 and 10, Hawkinsville Opera House, Hawkinsville. Two divisions: ages 8-14 (limit eight); ages 15-adults (limit 30). Call (478) 783-1884 for more information. www.hawkinsvilleoperahouse.com.

SmackDown: Road to Wrestlemania

5 p.m. March 4, Macon Coliseum, 200 Coliseum Drive. WWE wresting. $15-$60. 751-9232.

DANCES

Dance

8-10:30 p.m. Friday, Warner Robins Rec Center, 800 Watson Blvd. Swing dancing and more, with a DJ. Hosted by USA Dance No. 6100 of Houston County. Kim, (478) 918-7922. $10 members, $15 non-members.

The Big Dance

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Macon Coliseum. Featuring The Swingin’ Medallions and The Grapevine. Bring your own food and beverage. Benefits the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. For tickets, call 752-1585, extension 120, or visit www.gshf.com. $200 tables for eight; $25 individual.

Valentine’s Dance

7:30 complimentary lesson by Derrek Walters, 8-10 p.m. dance, Saturday, Howard Community Center, 5645 Forsyth Road. Sponsored by the Greater Macon Chapter of USA Dance No. 6059. Dressy casual, light refreshments. www.usad6059.org or 986-5091. $7 members, $10 nonmembers.

MUSIC HALLS

Hollonville Opry House

6:30 p.m. Saturdays, Ga. 362, Hollonville. This week: Dixieland Dulcimers, 2 for 1, Country Dreamers and Kirkland and Friends. (770) 228-4832 or hollonvilleopry.com. Free; operated on donations.

Juliette Opry House

5:30 p.m. front porch local bluegrass jam; 7 p.m. open mic stage show; 8 p.m. headliner stage show; every first Saturday; Ga. 87, Juliette. Call 335-3895 for tickets or buy online at www.acousticproductions.com. $17.

Ole Clinton Opry

6:30-10 p.m. Fridays, 215 Old Ga. 18, Gray. This week: 7 p.m. Gospel Gazette, 8:45 p.m. Larry Pittman. (478) 461-3544 or oleclintonopry.com. Free; donations accepted.

Powersville Opry

5-9:30 p.m. Saturdays; south onto Powersville Road off Ga. 247 Connector between Warner Robins and Ga. 49. This week: 4:30 p.m. House Band, 6:15 p.m. Klassic Kountry with Doug Welch, 7:45 p.m. Powersville Crossing. Also open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. (478) 328-0678 or powersvilleopry.com. Free.

Wagon House Opry

6:30-10 p.m. Saturdays, 699 Altman Road, Haddock. This week: 6:30 p.m. the Star Dusters, 7:30 p.m. Ray Knight and Wanell Collins and the Phoenix Band. Contact Randy, (478) 363-1274. Free; donations accepted.

Williamson Music Barn

Saturdays, 2232 Ga. 362 West Williamson. This week: 6 p.m. Open Stage, 7 p.m. Lonesome Road Bluegrass, 8 p.m. Ron McNeill, 9 p.m. Donna Howell. Call John Williams, (770) 380-1935 or (770) 595-6947. For bookings, call (770) 375-8490. Free; donations accepted.

FILMS

Macon Film Festival

Thursday-Feb. 19. Celebrity guests, more than 100 films and after parties. Screenings are at Cox Capitol Theatre, Douglass Theatre and the 567 Center for Renewal. Festival headquarters will be at the Opening Act, 567 Cherry St. For tickets or more information, visit www.maconfilmfestival.com.

Reel Macon Film Festival

Begins at noon Feb. 17-18, noon-7 p.m. Feb. 19. The Ant Hill, 571 Cherry St., and Roasted Cafe and Lounge, 442 Second St. Featuring Thomas Gilleland’s and Will Grammer’s television series “Solid Ground” and a rarely seen taped version of MLT’s “The Cherry Orchard” (circa 1984) featuring Carrie Preston. Food and drink provided. Contact Mista, (706) 975-0281 or actormista@gmail.com. Free.

Macon Film Guild

Douglass Theatre, 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Other films show at 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Sunday: “The Hedgehog.” March 11: “Martha Marcy May Marlene.” April 8: “Carnage.” 742-2000. Maconfilmguild.org. $5.

FUNDRAISERS

Death by Chocolate

6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Macon City Auditorium. Guests will enjoy entertainment from Erica Little, a former Miss Black Georgia, Pilar Wilder and Hayiya Dance Theatre and a dance performances by KHICKS. An array of items from chocolates to jewelry and fine art will be up for bids during both silent and live auctions. Dinner is also on the menu. Proceeds from Death by Chocolate benefit the Tubman Museum and its education programs. Purchase tickets at the Tubman Museum, 340 Walnut St., or online at www.tubmanmuseum.com. 743-8544. $25.

Fairy Tale Ball

5-8 p.m. Feb. 18, Blacksmith Shop, 665 Poplar St. Children are invited to dress in their favorite storybook costumes and become part of the festivities. The family-friendly celebration will feature characters for children to meet and greet, activities, entertainment, a silent auction, food from restaurants and more. Proceeds benefit Rooms from the Heart. Tickets sold at Giggle Moon, Bodega and Warno-Cam. For tickets and information, call Ann Moseley at Rooms from the Heart, 747-5299, or visit www.roomsfromtheheart.org. $25 per person.

LITERARY/LECTURES

Ed Grisamore

Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Creter’s Gifts, 2374 Ingleside Ave. Telegraph columnist Ed Grisamore will sign copies of “There is More than One Way to Spell Wiener: The Story of Nu-Way.” 745-6709.

High Priest Kwatamani

4 p.m. Sunday, Homeland Village Bookstore and Culture Shop, 2910 Napier Ave. Raw foods specialist and author High Priest Kwatamani visits Macon. 256-1166. Free.

Controlling Garden Pests Without Harmful Poisons

3:30 p.m. Thursday, Beall’s Hill Community Gardens, next to Centenary Church, 1290 College St. Workshop to explore alternative methods of controlling garden pests without the use of harmful pesticides. The first part of the workshop will be a tour through the community garden, and the second part will be led by plant pathologist Elizabeth Little of the University of Georgia. To register, e-mail diggingrootsfarm@gmail.com or call 836-4564. Free.

Panel Discussion: Wesleyan College’s First Five African American Students

11:15 a.m. Thursday, Peyton Anderson Amphitheater, Taylor Hall, Wesleyan College, 4760 Forsyth Road. 757-3799.

K. Carl Smith

Douglass Theatre, 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 6-8 p.m. Wednesday: K. Carl Smith will present “The Life of Frederick Douglass.” 474-5041. Admission and parking are free. 7:30-8:30 a.m. Thursday: Smith will present his book “Frederick Douglass Republicans.” RSVP to Diane Vann, janddvann@msn.com or 474-5041. Admission, breakfast and parking are free. 6-8 p.m. Thursday: Smith will present his book at China Buffet, 608 Russell Parkway, Warner Robins. $15 includes buffet. RSVP to griffandlinda@windstream.net. 474-5041.

Black History Month at Macon State College

“A History of the Buffalo Soldiers”: 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Arts Complex Theater, Macon State College. Presented by members of the Atlanta Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers. Roger Bonair-Agard poetry reading and lecture: 11 a.m. Feb. 22, Arts Complex Theater, Macon campus and 5:45 p.m. Walker Auditorium, Academic Services Building, Warner Robins campus. For more information, contact Mary Mears at mary.mears@maconstate.edu. Free.

Oral History Forum VI

7 p.m. Feb. 23, Old Opera House, 42 N. Lumpkin St., Hawkinsville. Robert L. Scott will speak on “The Evolution of Education for African Americans in Pulaski County.” Hawkinsville Better Hometown, (478) 783-9294. www.hawkinsvillega.net.

Spring Garden Symposium

8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Feb. 25, Professional Sciences and Conference Center, Macon State College. Sponsored by the Waddell Barnes Botanical Gardens. Registration fee includes lunch and a variety of sessions. For more information and to register, visit www.maconstate.edu/botanical. E-mail questions to Derrick Catlett, derrick.catlett@maconstate.edu. $35.

ET CETERA

Middle Georgia Kennel Club Dog Show

Friday-Sunday, Heritage Hall, Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, Perry. Hosted by Middle Georgia Kennel Club. All breed dog show and weight pull. Hours: 3-8 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday. Free. (478) 335-1616.

Dedication of Cancer Serenity Garden

10:30 a.m. Saturday, Post Office, 904 Russell Parkway, Warner Robins. (478) 953-1377.

Pet Adoption

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, PetSmart, Watson Boulevard, Warner Robins. Georgia Canine Rescue and Rehab and other local rescue groups are teaming up to give homeless pets a chance. Sponsored by PetSmart Charities, there will be more than 80 animals available for adoption. Bouncy Castle for kids. For more information, call (478) 271-4277.

Model Search

Sunday, Virginia College. Model and actress LaLa Dickinson of the LeBreeze Agency and New York/Atlanta urban fashion designer and photographer Cuemadi White will be in Macon searching for models. Must be age 18 and up to attend, open to both men and women. No experience necessary. For more information and pre-registration details, call (478) 284-6756.

Georgia Day Observance

2 p.m. Sunday, Fort Hawkins, Emery Highway. Visitors will gather around the stone memorial and hear directly from one of Oglethorpe’s ranger’s diary about the 1739 trip into the wilderness including their encounters with buffalo. Seeing the Mark Catesby 1735 Georgia Wood Bison will be a highlight of the observance. 742-3003 or www.forthawkins.com. Free.

MUSEUM EVENTS

Polar Bear Den

10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. first Tuesday of every month through April, Museum of Arts and Sciences. Toddlers ages 2 to 5 and their adult buddies will be engaged in a little art, a little science and some great stories. This event is $5 per child (adults free). 477-3251.

Father and Daughter Dance

7-9 p.m. Friday, Museum of Arts and Sciences. Hosted by the Museum Guild. Girls of all ages, from tots to 20-somethings-plus, will experience a memorable evening with their fathers, dancing, enjoying snacks or posing for a cherished photograph. Advance registration and payment are required. 477-3251.

Build a Buddy Day

11 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Georgia Children’s Museum, 370 Cherry St. Bring your children out to Build a Buddy Day at the museum to make a new cuddly friend. There is a wide variety of animals to choose from including bears, dogs, ducks, frogs, horses and more. Special prices for the event: Bear and bag for $12.50. 755-9539.

Mammal Mayhem

10:00 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 18, Museum of Arts and Sciences. Mammals of all ages are invited to meet the newest members of their mammal family, quiz our experts, play games, create art, taste some interesting dishes at our Road Side Café, and experience a day of furry fun. Free with museum admission. 477-3251.