Two evenings of concerts plus the opening of a new exhibit highlight the happenings this weekend at The Art Center, 344 S. Main St.

Tonight, an art exhibit preview and jazz performance will feature the Slippery Rock University Faculty Jazz Combo and the SRU student Jazz Sextet.

The art show previewed tonight is “Cold Winter, Hot Jazz II,” which opens to the public Saturday.

Admission is $15 for the general public and $10 for AABC members and students. Guests may take their own refreshments and are encouraged to come dressed as flappers or mobsters for the 1920s era speakeasy theme.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the music plays from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

On Friday, a concert hosted by Charles Ernst to benefit the American Cancer Society will be held in The Underground Gallery at The Art Center and feature six local alternative bands. The doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the show starting at 6 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door.

Musical performances, in order from first to last, will include acoustic rock by Madilyn and hardcore rock by Ninjas Eat Their Notes, We The Gathered, KamiKabe, Once Mighty Giants, and Ursus.

Saturday night will see the opening of the exhibit “Cold Winter, Hot Jazz II.” A reception begins at 7 p.m. The exhibit continues through Feb. 18.

This opening event is free and light refreshments will be served.

Concurrent with the “Cold Winter, Hot Jazz” opening will be the start of the exhibit “Desert Song,” an installation of artwork and photography of the Sonoran Desert by Claire “Vimala” Anderson in the Members Gallery Alcove.

A second solo exhibit of the work of nationally recognized artist Judith Carducci will also be on display, as well as the work of local artist Eileen Stroup, who specializes in murals and pet portraits.