Mark your calendars. 🗓

January flew by – can you believe it’s February? There’s a lot going on around Columbia this month – especially for American Heart Month and Black History Month (like this series of must-do events at Richland Library)... oh, and Valentine’s Day (have you entered our blind date matchup?). Also, Columbia is suspiciously starting to look a little like New Orleans, with Cola Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras Columbia… is this COLA or NOLA? 🤔 (I’m not complaining.)

1️⃣ Off The Wall and Onto The Stage | Friday, Feb. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Township Auditorium | $26 | This ballet – set to gospel, Motown + jazz music – brings to life the paintings of Jonathan Green, depicting Gullah + Geechee communities of the Lowcountry. The New York Times called it “...an ingenious idea...striking…,” so you’re probably gonna want to go.

2️⃣ Open Mic: Voices of our People Edition | Tuesday, Feb. 6 | 6-8 p.m. | Richland Library St. Andrews | 2916 Broad River Rd. | Celebrate African American history with an open-mic of song, spoken-word poetry + more – express your own talents or just sit back, watch, and be inspired.

3️⃣ Benedict College Harambee Festival | Friday, Feb. 23-Sunday Feb. 25 | 1600 Harden St. | free admission | One of the proclaimed largest college-organized fests in the country, the 29th annual festival celebrates African American history + culture with music performances, food vendors, art exhibits, empowerment workshops, a children’s village, health screenings + more.

4️⃣ Women at Heart | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center | 1101 Lincoln St. | free | In honor of American Heart Month, listen to keynote speakers Bertice Berry, PhD and Anil Yallapragada, MD; get a free heart screening; participate in fitness activities, break-out sessions + Q+As with medical professionals – and maybe even win some door prizes. This women’s health event is in its 10th year, so you know it’s legit.

Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center | Photo by @columbametrocc

5️⃣ ColaJazz Fest | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 6:30 p.m. | Music Farm | 1022 Senate St. | $25-70 | The first annual ColaJazz Fest is organized by trumpeter Mark Rapp, has a stellar lineup (including Soda City Brass Band, The Reggie Sullivan Band, Wess ‘Warmdaddy’ Anderson, Chris Potter, + Cola City All Stars), an open bar, and food by Bourbon — how could you even consider *not* going? #protip: Use discount code COLAtoday when buying tickets online for 10% off.

ColaJazz organizer Mark Rapp | Photo by @markrappmusic

6️⃣ Mardi Gras in Columbia | Saturday, Feb. 10 | the 5K: 7 a.m. | the parade: 10 a.m. | the festival: 12:00 | free admission | This is one of our favorite truly grassroots events in Columbia. It’s hosted by the Krewe de ColumbiYaYa (a bunch of folks who have connections to Louisiana and/or love to party), and includes a 5K race, parade (with floats and bead-throwing), and the main event, a free festival out at City Roots. Some of our team will be slingin’ Abita beers at the festival – bring cash for drinks + food, and come say hey. (P.S. the Krewe warns not to bring a cooler – or else they’ll confiscate it and drink all of the contents. It is Mardi Gras, after all.)

7️⃣ Palladium Society’s Chili Cook Off | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Music Farm | 1022 Senate St. | $35-40 | Taste chilis from 30+ chili cook off entrants (all-you-can-eat), plus wine + beer (all you can drink) and live music. Our editor Chloe is a judge, so give her a fist-bump if you see her there. #protip: Save $15 on your ticket by becoming a Palladium Society member (the yo-pro group of Historic Columbia). They host other cool events throughout the year, so you won’t regret it.

8️⃣ Amore Under the Stars | Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 6-9 p.m. | S.C. State Museum | 301 Gervais St. | $28-35 | A non-cheesy, yet romantic, Valentine’s Day date idea. Star-gaze in the museum’s observatory; mix your own champagne cocktail (in a souvenir glass); eat all the desserts. You’ll also save yourself a trip to CVS for a last-minute card – they’ll have a Valentine Card Creation Station.

SC State Museum Boeing Observatory | Photo by @rea_mass

Palmetto Health Baptist | Photo by @scdew_info

🔟 Coloring the Conservation Conversation | Thursday, Feb. 15 | 7-7:45 p.m. | Richland Library Main | 1431 Assembly St. | free to register | Water pollution in our rivers has been top-of-mind recently, and this talk by Dr. J. Drew Lanham, hosted by Gills Creek Watershed Association, will discuss the nature of water, water conservation + how diversity needs to be included in preservation.

Walk along Columbia's trails to enjoy river + skyline views. | Photo by @realadampowell

Anybody who knows me knows how much I hate Valentine’s Day. 🙄 But with so many other things happening this month, it’s gonna be easy to have a good time regardless of The Worst Holiday Ever Created. I can’t wait for the Mardi Gras festival, and “Off The Wall and Onto the Stage” sounds absolutely fabulous.

Are there any other events going on this month that you’re super stoked for? Let us know. We’ll see you out there – and don’t forget to use #COLAtoday on your photos to show us what you’re up to.

–Nicole

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