A fun-filled evening of dancing, food, drink and silent auction, with a Jungle Fever theme — all to benefit Oatland Island Wildlife Center. Featuring live music by The Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love, heavy hors d’ouevres and an open bar. When: 7 pm, Feb. 1 Where: Savannah DeSoto Hilton Cost: $40 for Friends of Oatland Isl. members or $50 for non-members members Info: www.oatlandisland.org or call 898-3980.

This world-famous vocalist, pianist and humanitarian performs during the Grand Festival Day of the 19th Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival. When: 7 pm, Feb. 9 Where: Savannah Civic Center Info: 691-6847.

The Savannah Music Festival announces the return of one of its most popular and least stuffy fundraisers. New York’s premier swinging crooner and band leader, John Pizzarelli will play an hour of tunes from the Great American Songbook with his quartet — while attendees enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a four-course dinner and a professional auction of parties, trips and fine jewelry. Guests are invited to “come as they are,” but “dapper dress is always welcome.” When: 6 pm, March 6 Where: The Armstrong Center (11935 Abercorn St.) Cost: $325 ($200 of which is tax deductible), with tables of eight available Info: jennifer@savannahmusicfestival.org or call 234-3378 ex.107.

Greensboro, N.C.’s Walker Family Band offers a workshop and celebration of their practice of “living in an atmosphere of acceptance and harmony.” They encourage parents to use holistic methods of playing music to promote peace and joy, and to better their own familial relationships. Classes offered in Penny Whistle, Chamber Music and Plucked Instruments, plus silent morning nature walks and yoga sessions aimed at helping participants relax and enhance their creative abilities. Instructors include those trained in the Suzuki method, and an award-winning bluegrass musician. When: Jan. 25 - 26 Where: Oatland Island Wildlife Center (registration and tuition required) Info: www.thewalkerfamilyband.com or call (336) 852-5332.

This internationally-known jam-oriented band (which formed in Savannah) is out supporting their soon-to-be-released live-in-the-studio 2-disc set Echoes From The Cave. This stop on their four-month “Save 41” tour benefits local non-profit charity The Jolly Foundation, as well as the family of deceased good samaritan Nichola Coe. Optimus Prime opens this ALL-AGES event. When: 7 pm, Feb. 1 Where: Trustees Theater Cost: $20 Info: 525-5050.

Legendary gospel and soul singer Mavis Staples (of The Staples Singers) and her band comes to the Lucas Theatre for an evening of music centered around her latest, critically adored album We’ll Never Turn Back, which features new treatments of classic songs from the Civil Rights era. Co-sponsored by the Lucas and the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs, the show is free to the public, but tickets are required. As of press time, all tickets were taken, but the public is encouraged to line up at the door as unclaimed seats will be on a first-come, first-served basis. When: 8 pm, Feb. 2 Where: Lucas Theatre Info: www.lucastheatre.com or call 525-5050.

Unleash your inner geek at the Jepson during this mostly free, five-day exposition of art, technology and interactivity funded in part by the City of Savannah. The week includes workshops, lectures, a Family Day and performances, and features new installations by artist/professor Carla Diana of Ga. Tech and artist/instructor Daniel Shiffman of NYU, as well as appearances by pioneering new media artist Mary Flanagan, locally-based VJs and video artists Matthew Akers, Chito La Pena and Sandro Imperato, and a concert by Nullsleep (Jeremiah Johnson), who uses older videogame systems such as Gameboys to compose and perform electronic music. (He and many other “chiptune” musicians are featured in the documentary 8 Bit, which will be screened in the museum’s auditorium at 6 pm, Thursday, Jan. 17). When: Jan. 23 - 27 Where: Jepson Center for the Arts Info: www.telfair.org or call 790-8800.