Fundraisers

DANCE FOR SCHOLARSHIP. Saturday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m. to midnight, Italian Community Center, 302 Rantoul St., Beverly. Second annual dance to raise money for the Christopher Lopez Scholarship Fund. DJ, light refreshments, cash bar and raffles. $20/advance ticket, $25/at the door. Nominations accepted for BHS 2012 scholarship recipient. For advance registration or to make donations, contact Loralei Lauranzano, 978-921-8741; Gina Geary, 978-944-0496; or Christina Cuttle, 978-767-3025.

TRAILS & SAILS BENEFIT. Tuesday, Feb. 7, 5 to 9 p.m., The Landing Restaurant, 81 Front St., Marblehead. Enjoy a meal with the staff of Essex Heritage. Twenty percent of proceeds from attendees' meals will be donated to Essex Heritage to support its programs and initiatives. 978-740-0444.

Outdoor activities

FAMILY WINTER HIKE. Friday, Feb. 3, 5 to 7 p.m., Brooksby Farm, 38 Felton St., Peabody. Bring the family for an evening of winter adventure. Event includes snowshoeing (weather permitting), highlighting environmental changes at the farm in the winter, a campfire, hot cocoa and dessert. Dress for outdoors and bring a flashlight. For ages 5 and up; children must be accompanied by an adult. $5/person. www.peabody-ma.gov/parks_rec.html, click "Register Online," or 978-536-7130.

SWIM & SKATE. Saturday, Feb. 4, 5:30 to 8 p.m., JCC, 4 Community Road, Marblehead. Swim in the indoor pool and skate under the lights. Hot chocolate served. Free. Save a spot by calling 781-631-8330.

ICE HIKE. Sunday, Feb. 5, 1 to 4 p.m., unpaved section of North Liberty Street, Middleton. Middleton Stream Team winter discovery hike to remote frozen places in beaver country; learn and explore in and around several developing beaver meadows in adjoining forests of Middleton and Boxford. Meet at 12:50 p.m. Wear rugged, warm clothing, hat and nonslip footwear; bring camera and walking stick. StreamTeam@comcast.net, 978-777-4584 or www.middletonstreamteam.org.

Concerts

A CAPPELLA FOR THE ARTS. Saturday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m., Holten Richmond Middle School, 55 Conant St., Danvers. Concert features seven a cappella groups to benefit Danvers High School music and programs. $15/adults, $10/students and seniors; advance purchase recommended. 978-777-9165 or www.danversband.org.

NEW ENGLAND BRASS BAND. Saturday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m., Gordon College, A.J. Gordon Memorial Chapel, 255 Grapevine Road, Wenham. Concert of traditional English-style brass band music, directed by Stephen Bulla. Free/Gordon students, $10/adults, $7/seniors and children under 12; tickets available at the door. david.rox@gordon.edu.

SALEM PHILHARMONIC. Sunday, Feb. 5, 3:30 p.m., Salem High School, 77 Willson St., Salem. Winter concert features tenor Giovanni Formisano and the Paul Madore Chorale. Free. salemphilharmonic.org/.

FACULTY CLASSICAL RECITAL. Monday, Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m., Salem State University, Recital Hall, Central Campus, 352 Lafayette St., Salem. Salem State music faculty will perform annual concert. All proceeds benefit the John Finnegan scholarship for music majors. $10/general, $5/students and seniors, free with Salem State student ID. Tickets available at the door. salemstate.edu/arts.

Competitions

BATTLE OF THE BANDS. Friday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m., Ipswich Town Hall auditorium, 25 Green St. Ipswich Family YMCA hosts local teen bands performing a variety of styles and songs. Audience members will help select the winners. $5/cover charge at the door. www.northshoreymca.org.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY NIGHT. Friday, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m., Salem High School, M. Ruth Norton Auditorium, 77 Willson St., Salem. Salem High School Winter Colorguard and Percussion Ensemble will present a preview of their 2012 competition shows. Refreshments served. Free. Donations accepted at the door. 978-740-1136.

Valentine's Day

VALENTINE MAKING WORKSHOP. Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2 p.m., Swampscott Public Library, 61 Burrill St., Swampscott. Children can create their own unique valentines. Materials will be supplied. Free. 781-596-8867.

VALENTINE'S PARTY. Wednesday, Feb. 8, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield. Walk in the woods and take a closer look at the natural world, then return to the Nature Center to make valentines to take home. For families with children ages 2 to 6. Advance registration required at 978-887-9264.

HEARTS AND FLOWERS CABARET. Wednesday, Feb. 8, 6:30 p.m., Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, 775 Bay Road, Hamilton. 18th annual cabaret features a three-course meal, musical acts by choirs and a cappella groups, and individual student performances. Seating starts at 6 p.m. $25/adults, $15/children age 12 and under. Snow date Feb. 15. Make a reservation at heartsandflowers2012@gmail.com or 978-473-3898.

Theater

"ALL THE PRESIDENTS' WOMEN.SDRq Friday, Feb. 3, 10:15 a.m. to noon, Hamilton-Wenham Public Library, 14 Union St., South Hamilton. The Delvena Theatre Company presents lively entertainment with fascinating stories that aren't publicized; dialogue between cast and audience after performance. Free. 978-468-5577 or www.hwlibrary.org.

Books, literature and poetry

DAYTIME BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP. Thursday, Feb. 2, 1 p.m., Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex St., Beverly. Group will discuss "Room" by Emma Donoghue. New members welcome. Copies of the book are available at the circulation desk. Handicapped-accessible. 978-921-6062.

BABIES AND BOOKS. Thursday, Feb. 2, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Hamilton-Wenham Public Library, 14 Union St., Hamilton. Sharon Grimes, Mr. Bear and Baby Bear will celebrate their 25th anniversary of programs with a reunion. Free. 978-356-2597, sharoncgrimes@gmail.com or www.babiesandbooks.org.

POETRY READING. Thursday, Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m., Waring School, 35 Standley St., Beverly. Richard Howard, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and French language translator, will read his poetry in English, including translations of Baudelaire; students will begin event with recitations of French language poetry in Howard's honor. A reception will follow. communications@waringschool.org.

WINTER BOOK SALE. Saturday, Feb. 4, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 5, 1 to 4 p.m., Ipswich Public Library, Collins Room, 25 N. Main St. Friends of the Ipswich Library's sale features a variety of books, CDs and DVDs for children and adults, priced at 50 cents to $1. Proceeds support library programs and materials, museum passes, and scholarships. 978-356-6648.

DENTAL HEALTH STORY PROGRAM. Saturday, Feb. 4, 10:30 to 11 a.m., Hamilton-Wenham Public Library, 14 Union St., Hamilton. Celebrate Children's Dental Month with Dr. Robert Spingler and stories and songs featuring teeth, gums and dentists. Also, kids can practice brushing on Skyler the Horse. All ages welcome. Free. www.hwlibrary.org.

Photography

PHOTOGRAPHERS' EXHIBIT. On view Saturday, Feb. 4, through Thursday, March 1, Gallery at Grosvenor Park, Grosvenor Park Nursing Center, Vinnin Square, 7 Loring Hills Ave., Salem. Opening reception, Sunday, Feb. 5, 3 to 5 p.m. Exhibit by members of the Greater Lynn Photographic Association. Public welcome; free. Gallery hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and weekends, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 978 741-5700.

PEOPLE & PLACE. Open Sundays, Feb. 5 to March 25, 2 to 4 p.m., Ipswich Museum, 54 S. Main St. Lucy Myers and Terri Unger's book and exhibit, "People & Place: Oral Histories and Portraits of Ipswich Seniors." Exhibit includes guest photographer and senior each week, 3 p.m., and storytelling, treasure hunt and more. "A Few of my Favorite Things," a collection of special objects from the lives of seniors in the exhibit, will also be displayed. Free/members and children, and to Ipswich residents first Sunday of the month, $7/nonmembers, $5/seniors. 978-356-2811 or www.ipswichmuseum.org.

ASTRO-PHOTOGRAPHER LECTURE. Tuesday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m., Gaga Gallery, 459 Humphrey St., Swampscott. Marc Maccini will discuss his experience of a total solar eclipse, and how Venus is moving closer to Earth this spring. Celebrate the full moon and view the gallery's images of the universe. 781-596-7596 or www.gallerygaga.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT. On view through Tuesday, Feb. 28, Beverly Public Library, Sohier Room, 32 Essex St., Beverly. Exhibit of photographs by Linda Furey, a Beverly resident and Guild of Beverly Artists member. Furey's photos feature flowers, birds and other wildlife. 978-921-6062.

Art

"RANDOM ACCESS: DATA AS ART." On view Friday, Feb. 3, through Saturday, March 31, Montserrat College of Art, Montserrat Gallery, 23 Essex St., Beverly. Reception, Thursday, Feb. 2, 5 to 8 p.m. Exhibit features Joelle Dietrick, Reese Inman, George Legrady, Nathalie Miebach and Casey Reas. Free. www.montserrat.edu/galleries/montserrat/.

"FLATLAND." Talk, Thursday, Feb. 2, 11:30 a.m. and reception, 5 to 8 p.m., Carol Schlosberg Alumni Gallery, Montserrat College of Art, 23 Essex St., Beverly. Natalie Lanese's exhibit of paintings and murals are built as narratives, addressing the realities of American culture. www.montserrat.edu/galleries/public-programs/.

"BOUND AND WRITTEN." Opening reception, Thursday, Feb. 2, 6 to 8 p.m., Gallery at Porter Mill, 95 Rantoul St., Beverly. Exhibit in collaboration with Montserrat College of Art's student-run Bear Gallery features book arts and letterpress work from college's book arts and printmaking program. On view through Sunday, Feb. 26. studiosatportermill.blogspot.com.

"I HEART CHAIRS" RECEPTION. Friday, Feb. 3, 6 to 8 p.m., ArcWorks Community Art Center, 22 Foster St., Peabody. Northeast Arc's juried artist exhibit represents art about chairs and celebrates all things chair-related. Exhibit and reception are free; refreshments served and ArcWorks gallery shop will be open. On view through March 9. 978-531-7146 or mkirkpatrick@ne-arc.org.

CURSE OR CALLING? On view through Thursday, Feb. 16, Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Barrington Center for the Arts Gallery, Gordon College, 255 Grapevine Road, Wenham. Traveling exhibition sponsored by Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA) that brings together 31 artists, exploring the meaning and purpose of work. www.gordon.edu/gallery.

Lectures & discussions

AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY: MYTHS AND REALITIES. Thursday, Feb. 2, 4:30 p.m., Ken Olsen Science Center and Friday, Feb. 3, 10:25 a.m., A.J. Memorial Chapel at Gordon College, 255 Grapevine Road, Wenham. Sociologist Brad Wright will discuss American Christianity, popular myths, the status of marriage, morality, church growth and public perception. Free. ccsgordon.edu or 978-867-4365.

"GIVING WISELY TO CHARITIES." Monday, Feb. 6, 9:30 a.m., Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex St. "Monday Mornings" lecture series features Amy Schram of the Boston Better Business Bureau. Schram will provide information on how to properly donate to charities and organizations, and how to stay protected from frauds or scams. Light refreshments served at 9 a.m. Free. Handicapped-accessible. 978-921-6062 or email flynn@noblenet.org.

CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION. Monday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m. to noon, Explorers Lifelong Learning Institute Center, 10 Federal St., Salem. Donald Harlow-Powell will moderate a lively discussion group examining local, national and international issues. Participants are encouraged to bring articles or subjects of interest for discussion. Open to nonmembers. 978-744-0804 or www.explorerslli.org.

BROWN BAG LUNCH. Monday, Feb. 6, noon, Ipswich Museum, 54 S. Main St. Monthly brown bag lunch features an illustrated presentation by the museum's weekend manager, Bob Purzycki, titled "Inside These Walls: 16 Elm Street at the Smithsonian." Bring lunch; coffee and tea provided. Free/museum members and Ipswich seniors, $5/nonmembers. 978-356-2811 or www.ipswichmuseum.org.

BLACK SYMPOSIUM. Monday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m., Veterans Hall, Ellison Campus Center, Salem State University, Lafayette Street, Salem. Award-winning author, poet and filmmaker M.K. Asante will be the featured speaker at the 17th annual symposium. Free. 978-542-7505 or margo.steiner@salemstate.edu.

MANHATTAN IN MARBLEHEAD. Monday, Feb. 6, 8 p.m., JCC, 4 Community Road, Marblehead. Entertainer Mandy Patinkin. Patinkin, star of "Homeland," will talk about his career in theater, film, television and recordings. Light refreshments served at 7:15 p.m. $10/members, $12/nonmembers. Register at jccns.org or 781-631-8330.

POLITICAL MEMORABILIA. Wednesday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m., Tapley Memorial Hall, 13 Page St., Danvers. Danvers Historical Society presents "Political Memorabilia Fromthe Lincoln Years On" by Alan Hartnett, a longtime collector of memorabilia. Light refreshments served. Snow date, Wednesday, Feb. 15. Reserve a spot at 978-777-1666 or dhs@danvershistory.org.

CAMINO DE SANTIAGO. Wednesday, Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m., Ipswich Public Library, 25 N. Main St. Ipswich resident Elizabeth Kilcoyne will share her experience of walking 400 miles on Spain's ancient path known as The Way of Saint James, which pilgrims have been walking for 1,000 years. Free. 978-356-6648.

Film

FILM SCREENING. Talk, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 11:30 a.m. and screening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Sohier Room, Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex St. Filmmaker and humanitarian Roberto Monticello will discuss and screen his film "Carnaval de Cuba." Free. www.montserrat.edu/galleries/public-programs/.

SALEM PEACE COMMITTEE FILM. Tuesday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m., St. James conference room, corner of Bridge and Flint streets, Salem. View and discuss "A Force More Powerful." Free. 978-740-9917.

Workshops

PEACE PAPER WORKSHOP. Friday, Feb. 3, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Rose Performance Hall, Center for the Arts, Endicott College, 376 Hale St., Beverly. The Peace Paper organization presents "The Intersection of Public Art With Art Therapy" by Drew Matott and Margaret Mahan, on the recent history of paper and book art and their contemporary uses as interactive media. Also, Saturday, Feb. 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., papermaking workshop. Free. 978-232-2655 or kmoore@endicott.edu.

DECORATING BAKED GOODS. Wednesday, Feb. 8, 6 p.m., Swampscott Public Library, 61 Burrill St. Austin Sagan will teach teens how to decorate all kinds of baked goods. Treats supplied; bring creativity and appetite. Open to fifth- and 12th-graders. Free. 781-596-8867.

Clubs

CAPONES. Feb. 4, 9 p.m., Motown Funk Soul and Disco Dance Party with The SoulMate Band, a six-piece show band. $5 cover. 147 Summit St., Peabody. 978-977-0520 or www.caponesdining.com.

FINZ SEAFOOD & GRILL. Feb. 2, 8 to 11 p.m., Baze Band. 76 Wharf St., Pickering Wharf, Salem. 978-744-8485, salem-contact@hipfinz.com.

GULU-GULU. Feb. 2, 28 degrees taurus; Feb. 3, As the Sparrow; Feb. 4, Bern & The Brights; Feb. 7, Hitchcock Movie Month. 247 Essex St., Salem. 978-740-8882.

HARDCOVER RESTAURANT. Sandy Casey, Feb. 3. 15A Newbury St. (Route 1 north), Danvers. 978-774-1223.

HOWLING WOLF TAQUERIA. Feb. 2, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., System Soul; Feb. 3, 9 p.m. to midnight, Jen Kearney; Feb. 4, 9 p.m. to midnight, The Merj. 76 Lafayette St., Salem; www.feedyourwolf.com.

IN A PIG'S EYE. Dave Bailin and the Bailouts, Feb. 2; Blues Jam, 4 to 7 p.m., Feb. 3; Elle and Chris, Feb. 4; Henley Douglas Jr., 7 to 10 p.m., Feb. 5; Open mike with Julie Dougherty, Feb. 6; Clay Ventre and the Bond Girls, Feb. 8. All times are 9 to 11:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 148 Derby St., Salem. 978-741-4436.

ME&THEE COFFEEHOUSE. Feb. 3, 8 p.m., Nora Jane Struthers and the Bootleggers. $18/advance, $21/at the door. Unitarian Universalist Church, 28 Mugford St., Marblehead. 781-631-8987 or www.meandthee.org.