It always seems that once Valentine’s Day approaches, the calendars get full around these parts. Starting tonight and going into the weekend, your dance card is full, if you choose to step out and make it a weekend around the Albemarle.

Black History Month is in full swing at Elizabeth City State University. Today at 3:30 p.m. you can catch a free screening of “The Great Debaters” starring Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker. It’s the story of the Wiley College debate team and their rise to fame as they take on Harvard University in the 1935 national debate championship.

For an evening of entertainment, Phil Watson will be playing his guitar and singing his songs at Logan Rayes today, 9:30 p.m.

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On Friday, the weekend really kicks off with a combination of history and entertainment, and a healthy mix of both.

At Mariners’ Wharf Park, 5 p.m., the folks from Christ Episcopal Church will remember the historic event that took place 150 years ago on the heels of the Battle of Elizabeth City. The Rev. E.M. Forbes is remembered for peacefully surrendering Elizabeth City to the Union troops, in hopes of keeping them from burning and destroying the town as they landed for occupation during the Civil War.

The remembrance of Forbes’ historic act will be followed by a reception at the church.

And there will be more live music.

If you missed Phil Watson at Logan Rayes, you can catch him Friday, 7 p.m., at Courtney’s at Quality Inn on Hughes Boulevard.

Then over at Logan Rayes you can hear Kevin Kelley perform at 9:30 p.m.

And the Circle Restaurant on Hughes Boulevard has also joined the Friday night music fray. They’re hosting Next Weeks Blues at 7 p.m.

Saturday you can get your

day started with a bit of history. Actually, you could spend your entire day enjoying the history of the region as Museum of the Albemarle presents “Under Both Flags: The Civil War in the Albemarle.”

The museum will host a ribbon cutting to celebrate the public opening of the exhibit. They will also host their annual Living History Day on the green, featuring Civil War re-enactors.

The day will also be full of lectures and a whole lot of opportunity to learn about the war and life in the region during that tumultuous time.

Also during the day, Page After Page Book Store will host author Jacqueline Thomas Rome as she signs her book, “Do I have to Clean My Room.” The signing is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For an evening of entertainment, you can head over to Arts of the Albemarle of the Elizabeth City Historic Neighborhood Association’s annual auction. This year is a 1920s theme and will featuring a rousing line up of local talent performing numbers from the hit Broadway production, “Anything Goes.”

The event is billed as a gala evening. It includes hor dourves and a cash bar.

Tickets are on sale at Puddleducks, Pager After Page and Arts of the Albemarle. Call 252-338-6455 for more information.

For a big evening of bluegrass you can head over to College of the Albemarle for Mountain Heart at 7 p.m. Folks who follow bluegrass know these guys and locals who get out and about have likely seen them perform at various events, including a Fourth of July happening at Waterfront Park several years ago.

These guys are some of the hottest pickers on the scene today. Their stage presence drives you to get up and dance, tap and their sound fills the air with plenty of hardcore bluegrass energy.

You can get tickets by calling 252-335-9050 or by going online at www.albemarle.edu.

For a more low-key musical option, you can also head over to Logan Rayes where Dr. Tom of Pairadocs will perform at 9:30 p.m.

For more to do around the Albemarle, check out The Daily Advance’s calendars: our daily Going Out Guide; our Thursday weekend planning guide; our Saturday calendar featuring every event we can get our hands on to help you plan for the week ahead.