It looks like football weather has arrived. The Italy Gladiators are traveling to Chilton, Texas for a game time of 7:30 this Friday night. The Lady Gladiators also travel to Chilton for some volleyball action beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday. The Waxahachie Indians play West Mesquite at home beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 5.

Also, for some great fun this weekend, check out Waxahachie Trade Days. This is an indoor event that includes arts and crafts from local vendors. This September, Market weekend has been themed as “Tribute to Ellis County Armed Services Member.” Resident are encouraged to send pictures of family service members for appropriate display on a Wall of Honor. Questions about this event can be emailed to [email protected] or phone 972-816-3644. “Calamity the Clown” will be on site with face painting and balloons.

Located at the Ellis County Expo at 2300 W. US Hwy 287 in Waxahachie, vendors can call Dean at 903-286-0183 or email [email protected]. You can visit the website for more information at www.waxahachietradedays.com.

Waco

The Brazos River Antique Show 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. September 5-7. Sunday hours are noon to 4 p.m. at the Hoffman Banana Company at Fourth and Webster. Admission is $5. There will be knowledgeable dealers with antique linens, jewelry, crystal, silver, rugs and more. Rose Trellis tea room will serve lunch. Proceeds will benefit the four house museums maintained in Waco by Historic Waco Foundation.

For more information, call 254-753-5166 or email [email protected]

Texas Monthly always has more interesting things to see…

Austin

Long Center for the Performing Arts

Austin’s newest cultural gem — made up of the 2,400-seat Dell Hall and the 80 to 240 seat Rollins Studio Theater — presents its inaugural season. Sept. 3-6: A Bronx Tale — fresh from a stint on Broadway, this classic coming-of-age story about a young boy’s rough childhood in the Bronx stars Chazz Palminteri. Wed.-Fri. at 8 p.m., Sat. at 8 p.m. and 2 p.m. $14.50-$80.

For more performances, go to thelongcenter.org. 701 W. Riverside Dr (512-482-0800).

Dallas

Decorazon Gallery

Sept. 4-Oct. 5: Shine + Burn — inspired by each other’s work, Jennifer Chenoweth and Todd Campbell (who are a couple) have pooled their talents to present this exhibition of their collaborative works. Her paintings, which reveal hard-to-pin down concepts of the spiritual and sensual, complement his contemporary metalwork and sculptural pieces. (Opening reception September 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.) Open Thur.-Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Sun. noon-4 p.m. Free.

decorazongallery.com 417 N. Bishop Ave (214-946-1003).

El Paso

El Paso Chopin Music Festival

Talent from around the world converges on El Paso every year to pay tribute to the universal appeal of Frederic Chopin, and this year is no exception, with special guest pianists Howard Na, who hails from Taiwan; Misha Dacic, who was born in the former Yugoslavia; and El Paso’s own Lucy Scarbrough, who is a powerful soloist as well as the director of the festival. Because these free concerts are almost always standing room only, you’re advised to come early to snag a seat. Sept. 6 and 20 and Oct. 4. At 8 p.m. Free.

elpaso-chopin.com Various locations (915-584-1595 or 915-533-0348).

Fort Worth

Zestfest

Remember the rule for cooling off a tongue blazing from capsaicin-heavy peppers: Water doesn’t work! So bring a quart of milk and prepare yourself to sample the spiciest, zestiest food around. There will be celebrity chefs on hand to demonstrate red-hot recipes, plus live music, interactive contests and games, and the annual Fiery Foods Challenge, with entrants vying for the coveted Golden Chile award in more than 80 categories. Sept. 5-7. Friday 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call for prices.

zestfest2008.com Will Rogers Memorial Center, 3401 W. Lancaster (817-392-7469).

Galveston

Galveston Arts Center

Thru Oct 5: Helen Altman: Flora/Fauna and Other Natural Concerns — a survey of 10 years of sculpture, works on paper, and quilts by this Fort Worth artist is on view. Open Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. Free.

galvestonartscenter.org 2127 Strand (409-763-2403).

Houston

Houston Ballet

Sep 4-14: Onegin — called one of the finest narrative ballets of the late twentieth century, John Cranko’s Onegin, set to a lush Tchaikovsky score, has been updated with sumptuous new costumes and scenery by English designer Elisabeth Dalton. Call for times. $17-$150.

houstonballet.org Wortham Theater Center, Brown Theater, 501 Texas (713-227-2787).

San Antonio

Tony Bennett — The octogenarian crooner pours out his soulful, swinging pop. Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. $51-$101.

artssanantonio.com Municipal Auditorium, 100 Auditorium Circle (210-226-2891).

Corpus Christi

Harbor Playhouse

The Pajama Game — a feisty union leader (who was immortalized in the 1957 film version by Doris Day) goes head-to-head with her handsome new boss but unexpectedly finds herself mixing business with pleasure. Sept. 5-28. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. (Sept. 21 and 28 at 2 p.m.). General admission $16, senior citizens & military $13, children $6.

harborplayhouse.com 1 Bayfront Park (361-888-7469).