EVERYONE NEEDS A HERO. And heroes can be found in abundance at this year’s Funtasia carnival at the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, better known as the “J.” The carnival is geared toward children up to age 10 and their parents, and features bounce houses outside and dozens of art projects and games inside, plus the customary carnival fare – hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy. Each of the booths and activities will be related to a Jewish hero, says Laura Seymour, the J’s early childhood director. Expect to see baseball Hall-of-Famer Sandy Koufax, blue jeans inventor Levi Strauss, gymnast Kerry Strug, comedians the Marx Brothers and a host of others. (Cameras are welcome, Seymour says.) Conveniently for parents, the J, cost $8 for children ages 1 and up and includes everything but food. Adults are free, “unless they really want to go in the bounce house, then we may charge them,” Seymour jokes. For information call 214-739-2737 or send an e-mail to Iseymour@jccdallas.org.

arts & entertainment

Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse Friday’s Feb. 3, Denice Franke; Feb. 17, Kate McDonnell; Feb. 24, Terri Hendrix ($15/$18). All shows $12 unless otherwise noted. A smoke-free, alcohol-free venue for live music. All shows start at 8 p.m. Northpark Presbyterian Church, 9555 N. Central. 214-363-0044 or unclecalvins.org.

Intimate Evening Concerts Thursday, Feb. 2, Bob Schneider; Friday, Feb. 10, Johnny Goudie and Taylor Davis; Saturday, Feb. 11, Alejandro Escovedo Acoustic Quintet; Friday, Feb. 17, Abra Moore and Will Sexton; Saturday, Feb. 18, Rhett Butler; Saturday, Feb. 25, Cary Pierce. All shows start at 8 p.m. Discounts available for advance purchase. $12-$40. Bend Studio, 5014 McKinney. 214-841-8642 or bendstudio.com.

SMU Art Exhibit Through Thursday, Feb. 3, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. “Colonial Encounters: Europeans and Native Americans.” Free. DeGolyer Library, 6404 Hilltop Lane, 214-768-2012.

Prelude to Spanish Modernism: Fortuny to Picasso Through Sunday, Feb. 26, Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Exhibit traces Spanish painting from the 1860s to the onset of World War I. $8; free Thursdays after 5 p.m. Meadows Museum, 5900 Bishop. 214-768-2516 or meadowsmuseumdallas.org.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Wednesday, Feb. 8 and Friday, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m. Presented by Franklin Middle School students. $2 advance general admission; $4 general admission at the door; $5 reserved seating. 6920 Meadow. For tickets: 214-750-6998.

Wisdom and Whimsy Sunday, Feb. 12 through Friday, March 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. An exhibit featuring art for children by Rebecca Shore. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven, 214-739-2737.

community

Shalom of Dallas Preschool Open House Wednesday through Friday. Feb. 8-10, 9 a.m.-noon. Camp and school enrollment for prospective families. Temple Shalom, 6930 Alpha Road. For appointments: 972-661-5025 or brubinstein@templeshalomdallas.org.

Women of Vision Thursday, Feb. 23, 7-9 a.m. Monthly meeting for Christian women who invest their time, intellect, compassion, creativity and finances to meet the needs of impoverished and oppressed women and children throughout the world. Visitors welcome. Cooper Aerobics Center, Carler Room, 12230 Preston, dallaswomenofvision.org.

Dallas Shambhala Meditation Center Tuesdays, 7 p.m. Instruction in meditative practices of Shambhala, a secular tradition based on the wisdom of the Buddhist teachings, to increase awareness and compassion. Free. First Unitarian Church, 4015 Normandy, 214-528-2376 or shambhala.org/centers/dallas.

Hand in Hand Wednesdays, 9:30-11 a.m. Celebrate Texas, Valentine’s Day, dinosaurs and presidents with your preschoolers. Snacks provided. $5 per family; free for members. Dallas Children’s Museum, Valley View Center, Preston and LBJ. 972-368-6555 or dallaschildrens.org.

Storytime Saturday Saturdays, 11 a.m. Parents and children are invited to participate as storyteller Jill Peters leads interactive storytelling, improvisational comedy routines and sing-a-longs. Children’s Play Place, Level 3 (near Saks Fifth Avenue), Dallas Galleria, 13350 Dallas Parkway, 972-702-7100 or galleriadallas.com.

health & fitness

Jazzercize Mondays, 10-11 a.m. Dance and get fit at the same time. $10 per session for JCC members; $15 for non-members. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven, jcohn@jccdallas.com.

Leukemia Society Every fourth Wednesday. Patients, family members and friends affected by leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s and myeloma are invited to attend these support group programs. Free. Texas Oncology at Medical City Dallas, 7777 Forest, Ste. 400, 972-354-8303.

library

Library Live! Saturday, Feb. 11, 2:30 p.m. Boitumelo will introduce insects and animals of Africa through Zulu folk songs. Walnut Hill Library, 9495 Marsh, 214-670-7128.

Library Live! Tuesday, Feb. 14, 10:30 a.m., Leo Hassan shares ancient folktales, songs and dances. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal, 214-670-6376

AARP Income Tax Help Mondays (except Feb. 20), noon-4 p.m. Bring your W-2, Form 1099, a copy of your previous year’s tax information and any other current tax information. AARP will help anyone if there are no persons age 55 and older waiting for help. Walnut Hill Library, 9495 Marsh. 214-670-6376.

Computer Classes Mondays and Thursdays, 5 p.m. (No class Feb. 20.) Walnut Hill Library, 9495 Marsh. 214-670-6376.

seniors

Shepherd’s Center of North Dallas Thursdays through Feb. 23, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Morning activities include Pilates, armchair exercises, tai chi and intermediate line dancing followed by a panel discussion. Programs feature speakers, book reviews and travelogues. Bring a brown bag lunch; coffee is provided. Shepherd’s Center of North Dallas is a group of interfaith, 55+ senior citizens eager to remain mentally and physically active. Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, 9200 Inwood, 214-350-0465.

Exercise for Older Adults Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9-10 a.m. A stretching and low-impact group exercise class for seniors, led by instructor Dorothy Glass. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven, aangorina@jccdallas.org.