FRIDAY, FEB. 28

Split Rail (concert)

Bill’s Music Shop & Pickin’ Parlor (710 Meeting St.) welcomes Split Rail to the Parlor’s Friday night concert slot. The band plays a mix of classic traditional bluegrass, gospel and “newgrass” tunes from the 1970s and ‘80s. Showtime is 8 p.m. and the band is on until 9 p.m. Admission is a $15 donation. Visit billsmusicshop.com for more information.

Friday Dinner Cruise

The Spirit of Lake Murray (docked at 216 Shadowood Dr.) hosts a Friday night dinner cruise around Lake Murray. The boat will open at 5:30 p.m. and the cruise will depart promptly at 6:30 p.m. and return at 8:30 p.m. Enjoy open seating and full bar and both indoor and outdoor seating (seating is first come first served). Cruise tickets cost $35 for adults and $30 for children 10 and under. Visit spiritoflakemurray.com for more information.

Free Fridays

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden (500 Wildlife Pkwy.) invites you and the family to Free Fridays. Every Friday in January and February, residents of Richland and Lexington counties can receive free daily admission to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden with proof of residency (valid driver’s license, property tax statement or vehicle registration). Bring the kids and see exotic wildlife and the beautiful garden. Riverbanks is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays. Visit riverbanks.org for more information.

SATURDAY, FEB. 1

Mother’s Finest (concert)

Get ready for a funky good time at Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College (7300 College Blvd.) when Mother’s Finest takes the stage. The band, often called “Too Funk for Rock, Too Rock for Funk,” has maintained their fanbase since the 1970s due to their incendiary live show, which includes hits like “Mickey’s Monkey,” “Thank You for the Love” and “Black Radio Won’t Play This Record.” Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and tickets cost between $35 and $60. Visit harbisontheatre.org for more information.

Charles Page & Company (concert)

Chayz Lounge (607 Meeting St.) and Charles Page & Company present “A Night of Jazzy Grooves.” Expect to hear hits and classics by Blackstreet, Santana, Chaka Khan, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Bruno Mars, Guy, Stevie Wonder and many more. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., showtime is 8 p.m., and tickets are $30. Dressy attire is required. Visit chayzlounge.com for more information.

Mardi Gras Celebration

Steel Hands Brewing (2350 Foreman St.) hosts a Mardi Gras celebration for the Midlands. Enjoy live music all day, taste the brewery’s King Cake Golden Ale release, dig into a crawfish boil with jumbo shrimp, smoked sausage, corn cobs, potatoes, red bell peppers, onion, celery, garlic, lemons and Steel Hands’ secret Cajun-bay hybrid seasoning. This event is free to attend and runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visit facebook.com/@steelhandsbrewing for more information.

Game On!

The Lexington Main Library (5440 Augusta Rd.) invites you to enter the world of role-playing games with their tabletop role-playing games night. Create a character and plan your moves, guided by an experienced staff member. This event runs from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit lexcolibrary.com for more information.

SUNDAY, MARCH 2

11th Annual Lexington County Chili Cookoff

The Icehouse Amphitheater (107 W. Main St.) spices things up with the 11th Annual Lexington County Chili Cookoff, presented by Old Mill Brewpub and the Lexington County Blowfish. Sample different chili recipes from more than 25 cook teams from all across the community, pick up some cold drinks and enjoy live music throughout the cookoff. This event is rain or shine and runs from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets cost between $5 and $15 and proceeds from the cookoff go to the Town of Lexington Police Foundation and other local charities. Visit icehouseamphitheater.com for more information.

MONDAY, MARCH 3

5th Annual RM Golf Classic

Reconciliation Ministries brings the RM Golf Classic back to the Country Club of Lexington (1066 Barr Rd.). The tournament is held in memory of late Country Club member Tracy Haley, who was dedicated to serving his community. Proceeds from this event help to fund Reconciliation Ministries’ work within the lives of current and future RM students. Registration is required and begins at 11 a.m. Visit reconciliation-min.org/rm-golf-classic/ for more information.

Family Palooza: Monday Madness

The Chapin Branch Library (129 Columbia Ave.) invites you and the kids to Family Palooza: Monday Madness. Discover crafts, games, movies and more to explore. Ask at the desk for more information or come in and be surprised. This event runs from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit lexcolibrary.com for more information.

TUESDAY, MARCH 4

Book Club: Detectives & Desserts

The Cayce-West Columbia Branch Library (1500 Augusta Rd.) hosts their weekly Book Club night. This week’s theme is “Detectives & Desserts.” Read a variety of books in a comfy environment, discuss them and share a delectable dessert. This event runs from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit lexcolibrary.com for more information.

Across the county line

A fascinating new show comes to the Koger Center for the Arts (1051 Greene St.) on Friday, Feb. 28. SIX, the Tony-winning Broadway musical, is coming to town. “From Tudor queens to pop icons, the six wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix 500 years of historical heartbreak into a euphoric celebration of 21st century girl power. This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!” Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and tickets cost between $32 and $136. Visit kogercenterforthearts.com for more information.

Corey Smith brings some Americana rock and country twang to the Newberry Opera House (1201 McKibben St.) on Friday, Feb. 28. Smith has amassed a loyal following with his genre-bending honky-tonk rock sound and his hard-touring schedule has yielded over 1 million concert tickets sold, 1.5 million digital singles and over 220,000 albums. Showtime is 8 p.m. and tickets cost between $55 and $65. Visit newberryoperahouse.com for more information.

City Roots Farm (1005 Airport Blvd.) invites you to the Mardi Gras Columbia Festival on Saturday, March 1. Celebrate Mardi Gras with food, drinks and live music, all presented by the benevolent society of the Krewe de Columbi-Ya-Ya and sponsored by Abita Brewing Company. This is an all-day event that kicks off at 11 a.m. and runs until 7 p.m. Admission is $10. Visit barrelandvineproductions.com for more information.

The Township Auditorium (1703 Taylor St.) welcomes Killer Queen on Saturday, March 1. The group is a top-notch Queen tribute band, recreating hits like “We Will Rock You,” “Fat Bottomed Girls,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “Another One Bites the Dust” and key deep cuts as well, with Patrick Meyers shining as Freddie Mercury. Showtime is 8 p.m. and tickets cost between $48 and $88. Visit thetownship.org for more information.