The Student Showcase, part of Missouri State University’s celebration of Black History Month, is Friday night (2/15) from 5:30 to 7 in the Plaster Student Union Ballroom. Missouri State University students will present a night of art, music and entertainment. Admission is free.
A Pre-K Open Studio, for kids three to five-years-old, will be held Friday morning (2/15) from 10:30 to noon at the Springfield Art Museum. Admission is free, but registration is required.
The Missouri State University Ice Bears will host the University of Arkansas Friday night (2/15) and Saturday (2/16) at 7 p.m. at Jordan Valley Ice Park. Learn more here.
Valentine’s Romance in the Garden continues Friday (2/15) from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at Nathanael Greene-Close Memorial Park for ages 17 and up. The garden is decorated in festive lights, and romantic music will be playing. Admission is $10/person or $15/couple.
The Missouri State University women’s basketball team will host Illinois State Friday night (2/15) at 7:05 at JQH Arena. Learn more here.
The Missouri State University women’s tennis team will host Southeast Missouri State University Friday night (2/15) from 7 to 10 at Cooper Tennis Complex. Learn more here.
The Little Acorns program, Wild Valentines, for kids three to six-years-old, will be held Friday morning (2/15) at 10 and 11:15 and Saturday morning (2/16) at 11:15 at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. Learn how some animals find a mate and how some work together to raise their young. Registration is required.
Moxie Flix, which focuses on films kids should see before they turn 13, will feature the film, “Superman: The Movie,” from 1978, Friday (2/15) at 4:30 p.m. and Saturday (2/16) at 10 a.m. at the Moxie, 305 S. Campbell in Springfield.
Springfield Little Theatre will present “The Awesome 80s Prom” through February 23 at The Old Glass Place, 521 E. St. Louis. Sit back with your Pop Rocks and wine coolers and watch the ’80s drama unfold, or get on out on the dance floor,
The Ozark Arts Council presents the southern rock band, Black Stone Cherry, Friday night (2/15) at 7 at the Lyric Theater in Harrison, Arkansas.
Springfield Contemporary Theatre will present “Skeleton Crew” through March 3 at 302 E. Pershing in Springfield. “Skeleton Crew” follows co-workers: Faye, Dez, Reggie and Shanita at a Detroit auto stamping plant in early 2008. Each of the workers has to make tough choices on how to move forward if their plant goes under.
Teen Friday Nights is Friday night (2/15) from 6 to 8 at the Library Station for kids in grades six through 12. Tonight’s event is an “Undertale” Valentine’s Party.
The exhibit, “Decades: 90 Years of Collecting” continues through Sunday (2/17) at the Springfield Art Museum, 1111 E. Brookside Dr.
The exhibit,“Mining Memories and Motive Engines: Artwork of Jim Bray,” is at the Joplin Historical & Mineral Museum, at 7th and Schifferdecker Ave. in Joplin, through February 28.
The Lake Life Expo is Friday (2/15) 1 to 8 p.m., Saturday (2/16) 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday (2/17) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Springfield Expo Center. Tickets are $10, and anyone 17 and younger gets in free.
The Hey Gurl Hey and RuPaul Finale will start Friday night (2/15) at 7 at Mix Ultralounge, 1221 E. St. Louis in Springfield. Watch the RuPaul season finale and then enjoy the “Hey Gurl Hey!” show.
Christian County Master Gardeners will present a free public seminar, “Five Best Gardening Practices from Master Gardeners,” Saturday (2/16) from 1 to 4 at the Nixa Community Center. Topics will include mulching, composting, watering, pest control, pruning, tree care and planting purchased plants. Registration is required at (417) 581-3558.
Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar will host the 40th annual Polar Bear Run 5K and 10K Saturday (2/16).
Ozarks Public Television will host the eighth annual Seuss Science Day Saturday (2/16) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Discovery Center of Springfield. Hear Dr. Seuss Stories, take part in science demonstrations and meet the Cat in the Hat. Admission is $7. OPT Kids Club members and children two and younger get in free.
The Missouri Society of Professional Engineers presents Discover Engineering Day Saturday (2/16) from noon to 3 p.m. at the Plaster Free Enterprise Center, 405 N. Jefferson in Springfield. There will be activities and demonstrations showing different aspects of engineering. Admission is free.
The Springfield Conservation Nature Center will host a four-mile naturalist guided hike at Little Sac Woods Saturday (2/16) for anyone 18 and older. Registration is required.
Missouri State University is celebrating the Chinese New Year with a variety of activities. Saturday (2/16), three events will be held: A Traditional Chinese Dance Demonstration will start at 1:30 p.m.; a Traditional Chinese Instrument Demonstration will start at 2 p.m.; and Chinese paper cutting will begin at 2:30 p.m. in Siceluff Hall, Room 124, on the Missouri State University Campus. Admission is free. Learn more here.
Bennett Spring State Park in Lebanon will host a Bird Count Saturday (2/16) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The visitor center will offer information about birds and then go on a hike to count birds and report your sightings afterwards. Take a camera and enter your bird photos in an online contest.
The program, Firearms Basic Care and Cleaning, will be held Saturday morning (2/16) from 8:30 to 11:30 at the Andy Dalton Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center. Registration is required.
The 16th annual Chocolate Lovers’ Festival and Emporium is Saturday (2/16) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Eureka Springs Community Center. Admission is $12.50 and can be purchased at the door.
The program, Birds: Backyard Bird Bonanza, will be held Saturday (2/16) from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Walter Woods Conservation Area in Joplin. Learn how to attract birds to your yard and how to identify them in preparation for the Great Backyard Bird Count. A drawing will be held for a bird feeder.
The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Resource Fair will be held Saturday (2/16) from 1 to 4 for adults at the Library Station. Visit with representatives from area organizations and gather information on area resources. Registration is required.
Kids in grades six through 12 can make no-bake Valentine’s treats and watch “Gnomeo and Juliet” Saturday (2/16) at 2 p.m. at the Willard Branch Library. Learn more here.
The Mystery Hour will tape Saturday night (2/16) at 7:30 at the Gillioz Theatre, 325 Park Central East in Springfield. Guests will be Leslie David Baker, who played Stanley on The Office; Carmalita Jeter, MSU track coach and known as the fastest woman alive; and Spencer Harris and Caleb Stokes, creators of the board game, Party Fowl.
Springfield Little Theatre will present “Love Lifts Us Up Where We Improv!” Saturday night (2/16) at 7 at 237 S. Florence. Tickets are $3 at the door.
The Totally Rad 80s Prom Gone Bad Mystery Dinner will be held Saturday night (2/16) at 5:30 at First Baptist Church, 2581 State Highway 37 in Monett.
The Krewe Du Kork Red Dress Ball will be held Saturday (2/16) from 5 to 8 p.m. at Grotto, 39 Spring St. in Eureka Springs, Arkanasas. It will feature a four-course dinner. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Eureka Christian Health Outreach.
Carver Laboratory Demonstrations will be held Saturday and Sunday (2/16-2/17) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at George Washington Carver National Monument. The demonstrations will take place in the replica of Carver’s lab.
Adults will learn how to make vegan comfort food Saturday (2/16) at 1 p.m. at the Christian County Library Ozark Branch, 1005 N. 4th Ave. in Ozark. Registration is required. Learn more here.
The Missouri State University women’s tennis team will host the University of Nebraska-Omaha Sunday (2/17) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cooper Tennis Complex. Learn more here.
The Missouri State University women’s basketball team will host Bradley Sunday (2/17) at 2 p.m. at JQH Arena. Find out more here.
The Essential Series at the Moxie, 305 S. Campbell in Springfield, focuses on essential films everyone should see on the big screen. “Wendy and Lucy” will be shown Sunday (2/17).
Sunday Make ‘n Play: Family Edition is Sunday (2/17) from 2 to 4 for kids three-years-old to grade four at the Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library.
Springfield Contemporary Theatre presents “SCT Sings: Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty”Sunday night (2/17) at 7:30 at 302 E. Pershing in Springfield.
Joplin Little Theatre will present their biennial Valentine Show, “With a Song in My Heart,” Sunday afternoon (2/17) at 3:30 at 3009 W. First St. in Joplin. Twelve area singers will present music of Rodgers and Hart.
First United Methodist Church, 1600 N. Central in Monett, will host a Chili Cookoff Sunday (2/17) from 12:15 to 1:15. Admission is free, but you can purchase tickets for $1 to vote for your favorite chili.
The Ozark Festival Orchestra Masterpieces and Young Artist Concert will be held Sunday (2/17) at 3 p.m. at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center, 1 David Sippy Dr. in Monett.
