Get ready to rumble this weekend while smashing cars to fight cancer with the Smashing Cancer Demo Derby that’s sure to appeal to the inner fighter. Don’t let that fool you, there’s also plenty of love to go around this weekend with several Valentine’s Day meals, music and love birds.

1. Valentine’s Meal

12-1 p.m. Friday, Mower County Senior Center

Bring a sweetheart or friend and enjoy music, a portrait opportunity, and a delicious meal with a choice of parsley crusted cod with lemon or chicken Kiev with hollandaise sauce, baked potato or rice, vegetable, and Valentine’s dessert. The cost is $8.50 for the cod or $9.50 for the chicken kiev. To sign up or for more information, call 507-433-2370 or stop by the front desk of the senior center.

2. 76 voice chorale

7:15 p.m. Friday, First United Methodist Church

The 76 voice chorale from Maranatha Bible School from Lansing will present an a cappella program at the First United Methodist Church at 204 First Ave. NW on Feb. 12 at 7:15 p.m. This Bible School operates from January through March every winter and consists of students from many parts of the United States and Canada. There is no admission charge. A freewill offering will be received and everyone is welcome to attend.

3. Introduction to Backyard Birding

10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

This free event is a great chance to learn about the feathered friends living in Austin or just visiting for the winter. This program will focus on bird identification, binocular use, different types of feeders and seed, and how to design a bird-friendly yard. We will conclude with a short walk through the Nature Center to identify birds “in the field” and at the feeders. Please RSVP to 507-567-2570 or pkmattson@kmwb.net if interested.

4. Valentine’s Day Dinner and Dance

5-9 p.m. Saturday, Austin Veterans of Foreign Wars

Dinner will take place at 5 p.m. with a band to follow. Denny and the DC Drifters will provide music. Please call ahead for reservations and choice of meal as there is limited seating. For more information or to make reservations, call 507-433-6039.

5. Smashing Cancer Demo Derby

2 p.m. Sunday, Mower County Fair

The second annual winter demo derby to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research is here. The derby will be officiated by Masters of Disaster. Call 507-383-0094 for classes and rules. Cost is $10 for gate admission, ages 5 to 10 are $5, and ages under 5 are free. the proceeds will benefit Paint The Town Pink.

6. Paramount Jazz

2-3 p.m., 6-7 p.m. Sunday, Historic Paramount Theatre

This special Valentine’s Day edition of the fourth annual Paramount Jazz will be presented by the Austin Public Schools Music Department. After last year’s show nearly sold out, this year will feature two performances on Sunday. Both shows will feature a faculty combination and guest artist, trombone soloist Scott Agster from McNally Smith College of Music, as well as all three of the AHS jazz ensembles: Jazz One, Packer Jazz, and this year’s newest jazz ensemble, Scarlet Jazz. There will also be special ensembles this year from Ellis Middle School Jazz Band and the AHS Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Adult tickets are $7 in advance and $9 at the door; student tickets are $5. Grab them online at austinareaarts.org or at the Austin ArtWorks Center. The show is open to all ages. For more information, visit: austinareaarts.org/events.