Art exhibit

A two-person exhibit featuring the photographs of George Smyth and Ann von Lossber is on display through May 21 at Slayton House Gallery, 10400 Cross Fox Lane in Columbia. A free reception with refreshments and music will held 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 1. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Information: 410-730-3987 or 301-596-4883.

Fate and destiny

"Facing Fate, Finding a Destiny" a presentation by author, mythologist and storyteller Michael Meade will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 6, at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way. According to ancient myths, each soul makes two agreements upon entering the world. The first binds the individual to a distinct destiny that becomes his or her great project in life. The second agreement entangles each person in specific limitations of fate, in family issues and in the immediate dramas of culture. Whereas all second agreements can be renegotiated, the first agreement of one's soul is non-negotiable. At the same time, if a person doesn't face fate, they may never find their deepest resources and their natural gifts. Information: 800-233-6984 or go to mosaicvoices.org.

Wine festival

"Wine in the Woods" will be held from noon to 6 p.m. May 21-22 (rain or shine) at Symphony Woods in Columbia. There will be wine sipping, live music, arts and crafts, a wine seminar, and more. Admission is $25 in advance, $30 at the gate for wine tasters; $10 ($15 at the gate) for designated drivers; $10 for ages 4-20. ID required. For directions and more information, call 410-313-4700 or go to wineinthewoods.com.

Theater production

Red Branch Theatre Company presents "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing," running Friday, April 29, through May 7, at the Drama Learning Center, 9130-I Red Branch Road. Ticket prices vary. For more information, call 410-997-9352 or go to redbranchtheatre.com.

Poetry

In celebration of National Poetry Month, the Howard County Poetry and Literature Society presents "A Reading and Conversation with Martin Espada, A Poet of Justice," at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28, in Howard Community College's Monteabaro Recital Hall, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway. Admission is $15, $10 for seniors, and $5 for students with a valid ID. For tickets and more information, call 443-518-4568 or go to hocopolitso.org.

Cabaret night

Silhouette Stages hosts "Cabaret Night" at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at Slayton House, 10451 Twin Rivers Road in the village of Wilde Lake. Show features professional and amateur performers from the Baltimore-Washington area presenting songs, skits, and routines. Admission is $10, and includes food and drink at intermission. For tickets and more information, go to silhouettestages.com. For an application to perform, email Mo Dutterer at ssqq@comcast.net.

'Taste of Wilde Lake'

Annual event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 7, rain or shine. Family-oriented event features crafters, entertainment, children's activities, and includes free food and lemonade, balloon animals, a craft show, hula-hooping, a watermelon-eating contest, kids art contest, belly dance, ballet and modern dance demonstrations. Sponsored by the Wilde Lake Community Association and the Wilde Lake Merchants. Information: 410-730-3987.

'Talkin' Baseball'

Regular meeting will be held 9 a.m. Saturday, May 14, at Brighton Gardens Assisted Living, 7110 Minstrel Way, Columbia. Bill Gilbert will discuss his book, "Now Pitching, Bob Feller."  Free. 410-740-1145.

Musical celebration

The final UU Chalice Concert Series' concert of the season will be held at 8 p.m. May 15, at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way. For the celebration concert, popular artists from previous seasons, including members of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, will be invited. Among the featured artists are Jody Gatwood, David Lonkevich, William Jenken, Mary Bisson, Thomas Poole, Dariusz Skoraczewski, Alison Matuskey, Sylvie Beaudoin, and Michael Adcock. Works by Bach, Poulenc, Debussy, Chopin and Bozza will be highlighted.

Tickets are $20, $15 for students ages 15-23. Children younger than 15 admitted free with a paying adult. Information: 410-381-0097 or go to uucolumbia.net/concerts.

Printmaking class

The Columbia Art Center offers "Alternative Printmaking" from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays, May 12 through June 16, at the Columbia Art Center, 6100 Foreland Garth. Printmaking artists and instructors Janice Crum and Emily Michael will teach new methods of printmaking using nontoxic and recycled supplies. Class is designed for those 17 and older, no experience required. Tuition is $85 for residents; $95 for nonresidents. To register and for more information, call 410-730-0075, email art.staff@columbiaassociation.com or go to columbiaartcenter.org.

Volunteers needed

Recreation and Parks is currently accepting applications from individuals older than 21 who are interested in volunteering at the annual Wine in the Woods Festival being held May 21-22 at Symphony Woods in Columbia. Volunteers, in exchange for a four-hour shift, will receive an admission ticket redeemable either day to the festival. Shifts are 10:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. or 2:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Saturday or Sunday. Volunteer applications are available to download at wineinthewoods.com. Orientation for new volunteers will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 10. For more information, call Ann Combs at 410-313-4624 or email acombs@howardcountymd.gov.

Art exhibit

"Trees and Flowers," a display of oil paintings by Marian Gliese, will be on view through Friday, April 29, at Artists' Gallery, American City Building, 10227 Wincopin Circle in Columbia. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays, closed Sundays. Information: 410-740-8249 or go to artistgallery.com.

Art exhibition

The Columbia Art Center Galleries and Howard County Tourism & Promotion's Blossoms of Hope presents "Blossoms for Claudia," a juried theme exhibition through Sunday, May 1, at 6100 Foreland Garth. The exhibition features more than 65 artists whose works are inspired by, reflect, or incorporate the theme of blossoms. The show's goal is to raise awareness about the Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource Center. For gallery hours and information, call 410-730-0075 or go to columbiaartcenter.org.

Columbia tour

The Columbia Association hosts an orientation tour from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, April 28, to educate about Columbia landmarks and encourage community involvement. Advance registration is required and space is limited. 410-715-3171.

School news

Gifted and talented testing will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. May 7 at the Faulkner Ridge Center, 10598 Marble Faun Court. Testing is for nonpublic-school students, grades 5 to 7, who plan to enter Howard County middle schools in August. Registration materials can be obtained from middle school guidance offices or parents can call 410-313-6800. Registration deadline is April 29.

Looking for artists

Slayton House Gallery, 10400 Cross Fox Lane, is accepting applications to exhibit at the gallery for the 2012 season. Applications are available at Slayton House or by email to cjblack@columbiavillages.org. Information: 410-730-3987 or wlca@columbiavillages.org.

Singles social group

The Phoenix Cultural Singles Group, a Columbia social group for those 50 and older, meets from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Sundays at the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place in the Oakland Mills Village Center. Coffee, tea and a light snack are served. The group plans events and trips. Information: 410-997-0739.

Around town

English conversation The central branch of the Howard County Public Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Parkway, offers "Let's Get Together: English Conversation Club." It's a chance for those for whom English is a second language to practice speaking and understanding English in a group setting. The club meets at 9:30 a.m. Mondays and 7:30 p.m. Thursdays. Register with the library before your first meeting. Information: 410-313-7850.

Wii club Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks offers a Wii club for those 55 and older from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesdays at the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way. The first game is free. Information: 410-313-7213.

Single Again Changing Focus Single Again, a nonprofit program for adults who are separated, widowed or in the process of divorce, provides weekly presentations and small-group discussions in a confidential, comfortable atmosphere. The group meets at 7 p.m. Mondays at First Presbyterian Church, 9325 Presbyterian Circle. An orientation for new members is offered at 6:30 p.m. Information: changingfocus.org.

Chair yoga The East Columbia 50 Plus Center at the East Columbia branch of the Howard County Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, will offer chair yoga, an easy introduction to yoga that helps ease the pain of arthritis, reduce fatigue and improve circulation and breathing, at 10 a.m. Tuesdays. Cost is $25 per month. Reservations: 410-313-7680.

Also at the 50 Plus Center:

•A free "Survivors' Social" will be held to honor cancer survivors at 6 p.m. May 2. All cancer survivors are invited. Light refreshments will be served and those attending will be given an opportunity to share their experiences. Information: American Cancer Society, 410-781-4316.

•Line dancing with Mary McCormick will be held at 3:30 p.m. Mondays for advanced dancers; 4:30 p.m. for beginners. Cost is $43.

•Age Well Exercise with Joyce Diatoms will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost for 12-week session is $48.

•A class to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity levels of older adults will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays. Cost is $24.

•A belly dance class will be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays. Camilla Karma will teach hip movements, stretches, arm and hand techniques, and veil dancing. Cost is $25 per month.

•A yoga class with Smite Javari is offered from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays. The cost is $24 per month.

•Beginner tai chi classes take place 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays. The cost is $24 per month.

•Ryan Shimabukuro leads a hula class from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursdays that helps tone and strengthen the body. Cost for a six-week session is $28.

•A chess club for novice and veteran players meets at 1 p.m. Thursdays. Free.

•View newly released DVD movies on a large screen at 7 p.m. Thursdays. Free.