Community calendar

Please submit your event information online. Go to http://events.charlotteobserver.com and click on “add to our listings.” Email photos to stories@newsofsouthcharlotte.com. The submission deadline for print is two weeks in advance of the event date.

Feb. 10

Orchid Spectacular:

On display this winter are the best from the garden’s collection of more than 5,000 orchids. 9 a.m.$12 adults; $11 seniors 60 and older; $6 kids 4-12; free for members and children younger than 4. 704-825-4444. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. 704-825-4490. www.dsbg.org

We Love Animals:

Make a Valentine’s Day card for your favorite animal and take its picture home in a natural picture frame, offer it a special snack and learn to hold it. Course No. 40081. 1 p.m. Free. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road, Charlotte. 704-588-5224.

Aida:

Elton John and Tim Rice team to create a contemporary musical about the timeless bond between an enslaved Nubian princess and an Egyptian soldier. 2 p.m. $10-$17. 704-846-8343. www.carolinatix.org. Matthews Playhouse, 100 McDowell St., Matthews. 704-846-8343. www.matthewsplayhouse.com.

Animal Talks:

Can turtles trade shells? Why are toads bumpy? Discover the answers to these questions and more while you get close to your favorite resident MDNC animal. 2 p.m. Free. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road, Charlotte. 704-588-5224.

“Love in Action” card party:

Help us warm some hearts this Valentine’s Day by participating in the third annual Love in Action project. Children in the Charlotte community have been asked to design and create “I Love You” cards to be distributed to nursing home residents, Meals on Wheels recipients and homeless individuals in our city. 2 p.m. Free. www.facebook.com/#!/LuvINaction. Family Christian Store, 1848 Galleria Blvd. Charlotte.

Author signing: Jenny Milchman – “Cover of Snow”:

2 p.m. Park Road Books, 4139 Park Road, Charlotte. 704-525-9239. www.parkroadbooks.com.

Providence Chamber Music Recital:

This month’s concert highlights modern music, including the world premiere performance of Drew Dolan’s “Soyuzmultfilm,” played by the Hodges Taylor Ensemble. 7 p.m. Free. Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Road, Charlotte. 704-366-2823. 704-366-7442. www.providenceumc.org.

Feb. 11

We Love Nature:

After reading a poem that admires the virtues of mother nature, we will do an activity that uses some of the things provided and have some fun. Registration required. Course Nos. 41065 and 41066. 9:30 a.m. $3. 704-336-7600 McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road, Charlotte. 704-588-5224.

How Sweet the Sound: A tribute to George Beverly Shea:

Come celebrate George Beverly Shea’s 104th birthday during this special exhibit at the Billy Graham Library. 9:30 a.m. Free. Billy Graham Library, 4330 Westmont Drive, Charlotte. 704-401-3200. www.billygrahamlibrary.org.

Robert Motherwell: A survey of paintings, paper, prints:

Jerald Melberg Gallery presents a survey of paintings, works on paper and prints by Robert Motherwell, one of the founders of the Abstract Expressionist movement. 10 a.m. Free. Jerald Melberg Gallery, 625 S. Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte. 704-365-3000. www.jeraldmelberg.com.

GED class:

Weekly GED classes. 6 p.m. Free. Union United Methodist Church, New Town Road, Wesley Chapel. 704-843-1603. www.unionumc.net.

Feb. 12

How Sweet the Sound: A tribute to George Beverly Shea:

Come celebrate George Beverly Shea’s 104th birthday during this special exhibit at the Billy Graham Library. 9:30 a.m. Free. Billy Graham Library, 4330 Westmont Drive, Charlotte. 704-401-3200. www.billygrahamlibrary.org.

Senior chair yoga:

Weekly senior chair yoga. 9:30 a.m. Free. Union United Methodist Church, New Town Road, Wesley Chapel. 704-821-1603. www.unionumc.net.

Gardening for four seasons of interest:

Terri Long will review how to improve your landscape so that it provides you with pleasure all year. She’ll also show you plants with four seasons of interest as you prepare for spring planting. Registration required. 9:30 a.m. $20. Wing Haven, 248 Ridgewood Ave., Charlotte. 704-331-0664. www.winghavengardens.com.

Robert Motherwell: A survey of paintings, paper, prints:

Jerald Melberg Gallery presents a survey of paintings, works on paper and prints by Robert Motherwell, one of the founders of the Abstract Expressionist movement. 10 a.m. Free. Jerald Melberg Gallery, 625 S. Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte. 704-365-3000. www.jeraldmelberg.com.

Gallery Exhibit: Sandy Siepert – The Color of Water:

During February, Charlotte Fine Art Gallery will highlight work from North Carolina watercolor artist Sandra Siepert. Gallery closed Sundays and Mondays. 10 a.m. Free. Charlotte Fine Art Gallery, 7510 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte. 704-541-0741. www.CharlotteFineArt.com.

Honoring veterans and how to best care for them:

Hear about specific veterans’ issues from WWII to the current conflict in Afghanistan and learn ways to provide compassionate care to vets nearing their last battle. Larry Dewalt, senior director of Spiritual and Grief Care Services for Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte, will present this important topic. 12 p.m. Complimentary admission; reservations required. Brookdale Place of South Charlotte, 5515 Rea Road, Charlotte. 704-544-2094. www.brookdaleliving.com/brookdale-place-south-charlotte.aspx.

Arthritis Tai Chi:

The course is appropriate for all levels of mobility. 1 p.m. Free. Tyvola Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Road, Charlotte. 704-522-6222. www.cmseniorcenters.org.

“Helping a caregiver” – a free program from The Ivey:

Learn ways to support the caregiver in your life in a free community program from The Ivey memory care day center. Josephine Hicks, author of “If There’s Anything I Can Do,” uses her experiences as a caregiver to be a real-world guide. Registration requested. Respite care available with advance notice. 6 p.m. Free. The Ivey Adult Day Services, 6030 Park S Drive, Charlotte. 704-909-2070. www.theivey.com.

Mind Body Wellness Workshop:

Learn how you can release stress, calm the mind and handle negative emotions through breathing techniques and meditation. 6:30 p.m. Free. Earthfare Supermarket, 12235 N. Community House Road, Charlotte. 980-216-8732. www.artofliving.org/us-en/charlotte.

Holistic Health Network meeting:

Join the Holistic Health Network group, sponsored by the Holistic Nurses of Charlotte, for a presentation by Janet Caffrey and Nancy Ring, licensed HeartMath coaches. 6:45 p.m. Free. 704-575-1153. St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte. 704-364-5431. www.ncholisticnetwork.com

Feb. 13

Robert Motherwell: A survey of paintings, paper, prints:

Jerald Melberg Gallery presents a survey of paintings, works on paper and prints by Robert Motherwell, one of the founders of the Abstract Expressionist movement. 10 a.m. Free. Jerald Melberg Gallery, 625 S. Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte. 704-365-3000. www.jeraldmelberg.com.

Gallery Exhibit: Sandy Siepert – The Color of Water:

During February, Charlotte Fine Art Gallery will highlight work from North Carolina watercolor artist Sandra Siepert. Gallery closed Sundays and Mondays. 10 a.m. Free. Charlotte Fine Art Gallery, 7510 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte. 704-541-0741. www.CharlotteFineArt.com.

Classes on handling raw emotions at Harrison UMC-Pineville:

Six-week class on how to handle raw emotions. Learn tools to help manage emotions. The class is based on Lysa TerKeurst’s book “Unglued.” To register, contact Anita King at anita.king@harrisonumc.org or call. 10 a.m. $15 for the book. Harrison United Methodist Church, 15008 Lancaster Highway, Pineville. 704-541-3463, ext. 213. www.harrisonumc.org.

Newcomers Club of York County:

Dr. Danne Kasperic, a Winthrop University professor and YMCA instructor, will provide the latest research related to health and fitness. Call Mary or e-mail her at long.marys@gmail.com . 11:30 a.m. $10 plus tax and gratuity. The Fish Market at Baxter Village, 990 Market St., Fort Mill. 803-746-5881. www.newcomersofyorkcounty.org.

Lupus Foundation Support Group:

February’s topic is “Lupus Foundation of America Update.” There is no charge to attend the meeting and drop-ins are welcome. Contact the LFAPC at patientservices@lupuslinks.org or at 877-849-8271, ext. 2. 1 p.m. Free. 704-716-5640. www.lupuslinks.org. Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 1073 Providence Road, Charlotte.

Elementary Sign & Play Classes:

Elementary Sign & Play classes focus on parent-child interactions. Parents learn how they can nurture their child’s language, cognitive and social-emotional development through three key areas of communication: talking, reading and signing. Email littlehandsinmotion@gmail.com to register. 3:30 p.m. $50 a month. 704-624-0473. www.littlehandsinmotion.com. Elon Park Rec Center (formerly 521 Rec Center), 11401 Ardrey Kell Road, Charlotte. 704-540-2426.