Best Bets: Virtual pet parade and wiener dog races, a haunted date night, Marquise Knox and more

When 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Thursdays; through May 9 • Where Aronson Fine Arts Center, Laumeier Sculpture Park, 12580 Rott Road • How much Free • More info 314-615-5278; laumeiersculpturepark.org

Salvaged electronic parts, videos and birdsongs are just some of the elements in the new exhibition at Laumeier Sculpture Park’s Aronson center, which is now open part time after almost of year of being closed. “The Future Is Present,” with works by artists from around the globe, evokes current environmental crises and their repercussions. The park’s curator, Dana Turkovic, said in a news release that the artwork “is not only reflecting our world back to us, but doing so through the lens of technology, taking charge of our environment and reminding us that our future is the present.” Family events and talks related to the exhibit are also scheduled. By Jane Henderson

When 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Feb. 13, 7 p.m. Feb. 14 • Where Helium Comedy Club, St. Louis Galleria, 1151 St. Louis Galleria Street, Richmond Heights • How much $44-$132 • More info heliumcomedy.com

Comedian Rachel Feinstein is described by the Huffington Post as “the only comedian we’ve seen who can go from embodying her grandmother in one breath and a predatory guy on the street in the next and be equally convincing at both.” She’s spending Valentine’s Day weekend in St. Louis with three nights of shows. Feinstein is a veteran of several Comedy Central specials and much more. By Kevin C. Johnson

When 4:30-6:30 p.m. Feb. 12 • Where Historic Daniel Boone Home, 1868 Highway F, Defiance • How much $2, preregistration required, ages 18 and up • More info 636-949-7535; stccparks.org

Visit the Historic Daniel Boone Home and village in Defiance, bring a date and a picnic dinner, and enjoy the evening at a candlelit picnic table for two. The St. Charles County Parks Department will provide music, crafts, games, s’mores and a roaring campfire. After you eat, take a walk through the grounds to enjoy the sunset. The department will host another date night April 9 at Broemmelsiek Park. By Valerie Schremp Hahn

When 7-10 p.m. Feb. 13 • Where The Darkness, 1525 South Eighth Street • How much $25 • More info scarefest.fearticket.com

The Darkness, America’s scariest haunted house, will open for a blood-red date night event themed for Valentine’s Day. You and your date can share candy treats and photo ops while navigating a creepy corridor filled with boo-tiful brides, gruesome grooms and other ill-fated lovers. By Valerie Schremp Hahn

When Parade at 2 p.m. Feb. 13 • Where Starts at Drifters, 1505 West Main Street, Grafton • How much Free • More info graftonilchamber.com

Bring your pots, pans, beads and Mardi Gras gear for a noise parade in downtown Grafton. Stick around for gumbo, crawfish, drink specials and other New Orleans treats at downtown businesses, as well as live music by Steve Mellas and Jackie Adcock. By Valerie Schremp Hahn

When 7 p.m. Feb. 13 • Where facebook.com/thesheldon; facebook.com/hectv • How much Free • More info thesheldon.org

Blues artist Marquise Knox isn’t performing in public during the pandemic. But fans can catch up with him as part of the “Live From the Sheldon” concert series, produced by HEC Media and recorded at the Sheldon Concert Hall. Previous performers have included the 442s, the Arianna String Quartet and Joey DeFrancesco. The concert will also be simulcast by partner venues across the Midwest. “We want the whole country to know what St. Louis music fans already do — that the Sheldon is a gem, loved by artists and audiences alike,” Sheldon executive director Peter Palermo says. “This expansion of the ‘Live From the Sheldon’ series gives us the opportunity to spread that word.” By Kevin C. Johnson

When 2 p.m. Feb. 13 • Where facebook.com/stlmardigras • How much Free • More info stlmardigras.org

Tune in to Facebook to watch the virtual wiener dog races, which usually draw big crowds in Soulard. Spectators can’t gather this year, but you can still cheer on your favorite hot dog. Before the race, register for a chance to win a spot for your dog in the Canine 1 Racing’s Grand Prix Championship. Each dog picked will get their picture on one of 24 finalist derby cars, which will race for prizes. By Valerie Schremp Hahn

When Noon Feb. 16 • Where facebook.com/stlmardigras • How much Free • More info stlmardigras.org

The masses have already voted for their favorites, and now celebrity judges will determine which finned, feathered or furry friends will win this year’s Virtual Purina Pet Parade Costume Contest. For every vote cast, Purina donated $1 to Open Door Animal Sanctuary, up to $10,000. Awww at the finalists at stltoday.com/pardipaws. By Valerie Schremp Hahn

When 7 p.m. Feb. 18 • Where facebook.com/stlcolibrary • How much Free • More info slcl.org

Of 30 teenage girls from around the world featured in Masuma Ahuja’s new book, would you believe one is from St. Louis? See for yourself during a pre-recorded video event in which Sophie Chappell, now a journalism student at Mizzou, talks to Ahuja, editor of “Girlhood: Teens Around the World in Their Own Voices.” Some of the other teens Ahuja features in the book include an eagle hunter in Mongolia, a surfer in Vanuatu who wants to become a lawyer, and a Jane Austen reader in Australia. The girls share not only similar dreams around the world, but also some of their struggles with poverty and war. The book is especially geared to readers 12-18. By Jane Henderson