Thank goodness it’s almost Friday, that means it is the weekend, and time to get out and enjoy some of the many fun things there are to do in Southeast Idaho. Here are a few suggestions:     

    The Society improv comedy troupe will perform on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Frazier Hall at Idaho State University in Pocatello. Advance tickets are $8 for ISU students or $10 at the door, or $10 in advance for the general public and $12 at the door. Buy advance tickets at the Pond Student Union Campus Connection information desk. The event is sponsored by the International Studies Travel Association.

    The Idaho State Civic Symphony will host the annual Valentine’s Day concert on Friday, Feb. 15 at the Stephens Performing Arts Center in Pocatello. For those who made dinner reservations, festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Marshall Rotunda with a no-host beverage bar, then the buffet dinner will be held at 6 p.m. No dinner tickets will be available at the door.

    The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Jensen Grand Concert Hall. The  evening’s programming will begin with selections from Prokofiev’s orchestral suites from his ballet score, “Romeo and Juliet.” Following intermission, guest artist pianist Lori Sims will take the stage for Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3. Tickets are available through the box office at 282-3595 or Paula Corbin at 282-3330. Tickets are also available at Vickers Western Stores at1460 Yellowstone Ave. or by calling 237-5700. Tickets are $32 for adults, $17 for non-ISU students, $12 for balcony seats, limited number and $17 for rush ticket after 7 p.m. on the  concert night only.

    If you like theater, remember that the Idaho State University School of Performing Arts will present “Knight of the Burning Pestle” in the Rogers Black Box Theater of the Stephens Performing Arts Center  Friday and Saturday  at 7:30  p.m. each night. The show is rated PG-13 for suggestive language and innuendo of time period. Tickets are $15 for adults, $14 for faculty, staff and seniors, $10 for children (under age 18), $7 for ISU Students with valid ID. A group rate is available. Tickets are available at the Performing Arts Center Box Office in person or by phone at (208) 282-3595, Vickers Western Wear,  or the PSUB Campus Connection Desk.

    The Blackfoot Community Players will present “Awakening: The Story of Kip Van Winkle” Feb. 15, 16, 18, 22, 23 and 25 and March 1, 2 and 4 at 7:30 p.m., at the Nuart Theater, 195 N. Broadway St., Blackfoot. For tickets or more information, call 208-557-3369.

    The American Falls High School music department will present their seventh annual “Dueling Pianos” and steak and salmon dinner Feb. 16 at the American Falls High School gym, 2966 S. Frontage Road, American Falls. The dinner starts at 5 p.m., and the show will follow. Tickets for dinner and show are $15, available from any AFHS music student or by calling 226-2531. The program features Kirk Garrett and Eric Mangum, who will perform requests on the pianos.

    And players with the Westside Players’ Community Dinner Theatre continue their production of “The 39 Steps” a fast-paced spoof on Hitchcock movies, at The Warehouse, 1009 S. Second Ave. in Pocatello. It will be presented Friday and Saturday and Feb. 22 and 23. Beverage service begins at 6 p.m. dinner is from 7 to 7:30 p.m. and the performance will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 with dinner and $15 without, ISU students pay $5 with valid ID for show only. For reservations, call The Raven's Nest, 208-232-2232.

    The Idaho State University Nepalese students will present Nepalese Night at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Pond Student Union Ballroom. Tickets are available at PSUB and Rendezvous Complex. Prices for tickets bought in advance are $7 for students, $8 for ISU faculty and staff, and $9 for the public. Tickets will cost $1 more at the door.

    And the 35th annual Simplot Games are taking place this weekend in Pocatello. The games will be held at Holt Arena and the public is welcome. Admission is free. For event schedules, go to www.simplotgames.com.

    There are many more events happening this weekend in Southeast Idaho. For a complete list, view the calendar on page A2 or the online calendar at www.idahostatejournal.com