Bicentennial Culture Fest
Murfreesboro’s bicentennial celebration of “Our People” continues this weekend with the Bicentennial Culture Fest from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the Patterson Park Community Center Gym.

The Bicentennial Culture Fest will display and present Chinese, Japanese, Russian, African, Indian, Laotian, African-American and Hispanic culture through song, readings, dance, fashion, and artistry. The even will also feature performances, interactive booths and free food sponsored by various local restaurant sponsors, including Cedar Bucket Soul Food, Slick Pig BBQ and Carmen’s Taqueria.

Multiple local dance troupes from high schools from through the county will be performing, as well as members of the MTSU Dance Theatre.

It will be a cultural showcase of the diverse ethnicity that comprises the city of Murfreesboro.

Rutherford Heart Ball
The American Heart Association’s 2012 Rutherford Heart Ball will take place Saturday at the Stones River Country Club.

Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with cocktail hour and a silent auction.

The Heart Ball program starts at 7:30 p.m., and it will include presentations, a live auction, dinner, live music by Skyline Drive Band and dancing.

The annual black-tie event, one of the highlights on the Rutherford County social calendar, raises funds to support the association’s mission of fighting cardiovascular disease, which is the No. 1 killer of men and women and a leading killer of children.

Late Party tickets are still available at heart.org.

Thursday
5-9 p.m. - Candidate Meet & Greet
Murfreesboro School Board candidate Jared Barrett is hosting a chili supper to meet with local residents.
Blackman Community Club, 4310 Manson Pike

6 p.m. - Uniquely You
Ravi Perty will speak as part of MTSU’s Black History Month celebration.
State Farm Room of the Business and Aerospace Building

7 p.m. - True Blue Thursday
Rutherford County Democratic Party will host a fun-filled event featuring quips of political discussion, as part of the group’s monthly meeting. Fanatics in the DoubleTree Hotel 1850 Old Fort Parkway

Friday
6 p.m. - Arts for Education
Featuring food, music, entertainment and art, this event will benefit the Business Education Partnership Foundation programming. Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce 3050 Medical Center Parkway Tickets: $75 per person; table of 8 for $600

6-8 p.m. - Whitworth-Buchanan Middle School Chili Cook-off
Eighth graders will host a fundraising event for the year-end Atlanta Historical Tour School Trip.
Whitworth-Buchanan Middle School

7:30 p.m. - “Cabaret”
Murfreesboro Center for the Arts, 110 W. College St. 615-904-2787 Tickets: $15 for adults; $13 for students, seniors and military; $11 for children

7:30 p.m. - Disney’s “Aladdin Jr.”
Arts Center of Cannon County, 1424 John Bragg Highway, Woodbury. 615-563-2787. Tickets: $15 for adults; $13 for students, seniors, and military; and $11 for children  

Saturday
9-11 a.m. - Vegetable Gardening Class
Lane Agri-Park, 315 John R. Rice Blvd. 615-898-7710

4:30 p.m. - Gospel Concert
The Needhams and Steve Warren will perform at 6 p.m., following a dinner and silent auction. Grace Assembly of God Church  Tickets: $8 for adults, $5 for children