5 things to do this weekend, including ice sculptures in Salem and a science fest in Cambridge

Love is in the air. Or, wait. Is that air pollution? It’s hard to tell these days. Whether you’re looking for something Valentine’s Day-related or some serious feminine power, we’ve got you covered for your weekend plans. From ice sculptures taking over Salem’s downtown to a Black History Month film series, here are a number of events that will delight, inspire, make you think and fill you up on some sweet treats. Want a few more suggestions? Check out our guide to celebrating Lunar New Year.

Art and chocolate — a good combination for any relationship status. The food and ice sculpture festival starts Friday night, and although the official kick-off event is sold out, anyone can view the frozen figures on display from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Many downtown businesses are expanding hours for the event, so if you’re looking to pair your time outside with a meal or a drink, there are plenty of options. The sculptures on view Friday night along Essex Street will only represent a portion of what’s to come the next day, as even more works of ice will be installed and lit up on Saturday. On the chocolatey side of things, take at least five photos of chocolate heart logos at participating local businesses Saturday and Sunday and upload them to the festival’s survey for a chance to win yet-to-be-announced prizes. More information, maps and event schedules can be found on the event’s website.

If you’re in the mood for some feminine energy, you have a three-for-one offering at the Fitchburg Art Museum. “On Her Terms: Feminine Power Embodied” brings together artists from across New England for a collection about the feminine experience featuring sculptures, archival photographs and more. Add that to the museum’s other two exhibits also inspired by the role of gender in society. “Butch Heroes” features the work of artist Ria Brodell, who creates baseball card-esque portraits of figures from history who challenged gender norms. “Portrayed by Eakins: Ella Crowell as Model and Student” explores the works of celebrated American painter Thomas Eakins through the lens of his niece, one of his most frequent subjects. Stop by Identity Coffee (open until 5 p.m.) for an espresso while you ponder all that you saw during your museum visit. [Check out our winter visual arts guide for more exhibition recommendations.]

If you want ice sculptures but not the chocolate or the trek to downtown Salem, check out the Harvard Museum of Natural History this Saturday for the annual I Heart Science event. Visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to meet scientists with interests in mycology, meteoritics and paleontology — also known as the studies of mushrooms, meteors and fossils. There will be arts and crafts to make using polarized light, and Muddy Water Coffee Roasters will be on-site for hot beverages. Outside the museum, there will be live ice sculpting demonstrations. While you’re there, be sure to check out the world-famous glass flower collection and the rite-of-passage that is the nightmare-inducing, yet fascinating rooms of taxidermied animals. Admission for adults is $15 and $10 for youth ages 3-18.

“How can classical music lead the charge in creating a more diverse and equitable world?” That’s the question driving a classical music performance and community dialogue on Sunday at Dorchester’s Strand Theatre. The event begins at 2:30 p.m. with the musical program, which brings together the Suzuki School of Newton, Project STEP and Haitian American composer/violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain. In addition to his role as an educator, Roumain has worked with artists such as J’Nai Bridges, Lady Gaga and Philip Glass. He composed Sunday’s music on the theme of diversity in classical music, so it should be the perfect preamble for the community conversation that starts at 3:30 p.m. Both the concert and talk are free and open to the public.

The Museum of African American History, Boston and Nantucket has partnered with Showcase Cinemas to offer a selection of films in honor of Black History Month. We’re in the middle of a three-week calendar of screenings, and upcoming films include “Malcolm X” (1992) starring Denzel Washington on Feb. 11, “Loving” (2016) on Feb. 14, “Selma” (2014) on Feb. 18 and “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” (2019). Many of the screenings are accompanied with a discussion led by academics to help give greater context to films. Kerri Greenidge, associate professor of race, colonialism and diaspora at Tufts University, will be present for this Sunday’s 4 p.m. screening of “Malcom X” at Showcase Cinema de Lux Randolph. For showtimes and speaker information, visit Showcase Cinema's website.