I have a few irrational fears, including sloths and birds (or anything that flies, for that matter). But another fear I have and consider irrational is my fear of failure.

We’re always told failure is good for us — it teaches us something we wouldn’t have known had we succeeded. While I can appreciate a lesson, my aversion to failure stems from the uncertainty of how people will perceive me if I fail.

As an artist, fear is something we wrestle with often. What will people think of me if I don’t hit the high note or don’t nail the pirouette? What if I forget the refrain or can’t make the colors coordinate and have to start over? Sometimes those questions keep us from creating or performing entirely, and this is simply something I am not OK with any longer.

My motto has become “do it scared,” and I think it should be one that other artists adopt as well. Don’t stop auditioning just because you face rejection. Don’t throw away that sheet music just because it’s difficult. Nothing worth doing is ever easy, so venture outside of your comfort zone!

Whether you’re an artist or a patron of the arts, there are plenty of opportunities to try new things and take risks this weekend. See below for a list of what’s happening in Butler County.

Friday

See the nature art exhibit “Interdependence” until Friday at the Regional Learning Alliance, 850 Cranberry Woods Drive, Cranberry Township. The exhibit is open Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit theRLA.org.

Line dance the night away at American Legion Post 778, 150 Legion Memorial Drive in Butler Township, from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday. Admission is $8 and includes a lesson. The event is for all ages. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.

Purchase tickets for Butler’s Got Talent on Friday by visiting mtgbutler.org. This is your chance to see some local, showstopping acts and vote on who is the best. The show takes place at 7:30 p.m. in the Butler Little Theatre, 1 Howard St. There are VIP and general admission options, but only 150 seats, so hurry!

Saturday

The Audubon Society is sponsoring several events on Saturday, including a Ranger Beads class at 1 p.m. in Succop Nature Park, 185 Airport Road in Penn Township; and an animal-tracking class and herbal teas course, both at 2 p.m., in Buffalo Creek Nature Park, 154 Monroe Road, Buffalo Township. For information and registration for each of these classes, visit the Audubon Society’s website.

Register for the annual Cupid’s Chase 5K, which is Saturday at the Lake Arthur Golf Club, 255 Isle Road in Franklin Township. Check in is at 8:30 a.m. with the race beginning at 10 a.m. Those who register early will pay $45, but day-of registrants will pay $50. For more information and sign ups, visit runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/CupidsChase5KButler2024.

Winterfest is back at Moraine State Park, 118 North Shore Drive, Muddy Creek Township, and will feature a soup contest, guided hikes, live music, vendors, demonstrations and more. The festivities start at 11 a.m. Saturday. For more information and $15 tickets for the soup tasting, visit morainepreservationfund.org/winterfest.

Line dance night is back at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Saxonburg Fireman’s Club, 155 Pittsburgh St. This event is for those 21 and older and requires a $5 admission for all nonmembers. Boot scoot over to the Facebook page for more information.

The Butler County Symphony Orchestra’s next concert, “Shostakovich Five!” will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the auditorium of Butler Intermediate High School, 551 Fairground Hill Road in Butler Township. Presale tickets cost $30 for adults and $10 for students. At the door, tickets cost $35 for adults and $12 for students. To purchase tickets and find more information, visit butlersymphony.org/concerts/shostakovich.

Sunday

Enjoy a community pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday in St. Michael’s Hall, 432 Center Ave. The cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children 10 and under and supports All Saints Parish. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.

If you are interested in your event being featured in Miller Minutes, please email information to news@butlereagle.com.

Molly Miller is an Eagle correspondent.