Have you thought about doing something fun this weekend? Before you make your plans, look at the following schedule for things to do around the state of Texas.

Italy

The Italy Gladiators are open this week. The next game will be at home on October 10 against Axtell. The game time will be 7:30 p.m. The Lady Gladiators will travel to Kopperl and begin playing at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 4.

The Necroplex is open. Visit www.necroplexhauntedhouse.com for dates, times, ticket information and $2 off coupons. Located on Highway 77.

Regular Admission: $15 at the gate
Regular Admission: $12 if purchased online
Fast Pass Admission: $20
Vip Fast Pass Admission: $30

Midlothian

Movie In The Park October 4, 2008 at Hawkins Spring Park. They will feature Wizard of Oz. Free admission and the movie will begin at sundown.

If you are interested in a job, search Toys “R” Us www.ruscareers.com. “They are looking for enthusiastic team members.” You can also apply in person at 3800 Railport Parkway, Midlothian, TX 76065. This is a drug free workplace.

Waxahachie

Screams Halloween Theme Park — open Friday-Sunday, Oct. 3-Nov. 1. Gates open at 7 p.m. I-35E, exit 399A www.screamspark.com Call 972-938-3247 for more information.

Texas Monthly suggests…

Austin

Black Arts Movement The Pro Arts Collective presents this performing arts festival featuring spoken word, hip-hop, theater, dance, and music. By inviting the new guard of creatives to present their latest offerings, BAM aims to be an incubator of artistic expression. October 3-12. Festival pass $60 ($50 in advance by October 3); single-event tickets $20 ($15 in advance). For schedule and locations call or go to bamaustin.org. Various locations (512-236-0644).

Dallas

State Fair of Texas In between gawking at Big Tex and chowing down on a Fletcher’s corny dog, don’t miss the following: thrill rides at the Midway, butter sculptures and award-winning quilts in the creative arts building, the Texas-OU football game at the Cotton Bowl, the epically huge auto show, and live music from headliners Lady Antebellum, Demi Lovato, Jessica Simpson, Rodney Atkins, Kellie Pickler, A.B. Quintanilla, and much more. September 26-October 19. From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. General admission $14, senior citizens and children 3 to 48-inches-tall $10; 2-and-under free; season pass $29.95; parking $10. For schedule and prices call or go to bigtex.com. Fair Park, Robert B Cullum Blvd between Parry & Fitzhugh (214-565-9931).

Dallas Museum Of Art October 3-May 17: Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs — this lavish showcase of 130-plus antiquities first opened stateside in 2005, but now the boy king’s bling is back for an encore. There are some cool, older-than-Moses pieces to ogle, many plucked from the young ruler’s tomb — like his dazzling diadem and the golden dagger that lay atop his mummified body. You’ll see a trove of personal items too, such as his child-size throne (he was only nine or so when he came to power), an elaborately decorated mirror, and even a fancy dog collar (pharaohs: they’re just like us!). (Monday-Thursday: General admission $27.50, senior citizens and college students $24.50, youths 6-17 $16.50, museum members $22.50, children 5-and-under free. Friday-Sunday and holidays: General admission $32.50, senior citizens and college students $29.50, youths 6-17 $16.50, museum members $22.50, children 5-and-under free.) Open Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission $10, senior citizens $7, students with ID $5, children 11-and-under free (Thursday 5 p.m.-9 p.m. and first Tuesday of every month everybody free). dallasmuseumofart.org 1717 N. Harwood Rd (214-922-1200).

El Paso

Utep Dinner Theatre The Producers – two down-on-their-luck schemers plot to raise more money than they need to produce a musical they know will bomb and spirit away with the difference. Of course, the show turns out to be a hit, despite its unabashed (and hysterical) political incorrectness and odes to Hitler. October 3-November 2. Call for times. $34-$38. academics.utep.edu/udt UTEP campus, Don Haskins Center, 151 Glory Rd (915-747-5234 or 915-747-6060).

Fort Worth

Musicarte de Fort Worth The Southwest’s largest Latino festival is back for two days of fine art, food, fun, and festivities. Kick up your feet and groove to the sounds of Tito Puente Jr., Grupo Fantasma, Latin Express, and others while savoring food from six countries and browsing the work of more than a hundred juried artists. This year’s festival takes a special look at the art of Argentina and Chile as well as the State of Mexico. October 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Free. musicartefw.com Downtown, Sundance Square (817-625-5411).

Houston

Mercury Baroque The Essence of Mercury – experience George Frideric Handel’s Opus 6 played on period instruments, just as it was meant to be heard in the composer’s time. October 3 at 8 p.m. $20-$47. mercurybaroque.org Wortham Center, Cullen Theater, 501 Texas (713-533-0080).

San Antonio

McNay Art Museum The state’s first official home for modern art opened its new 45,000-square-foot Jane and Arthur Stieren Center for Exhibitions in June. The new addition, which nearly doubles the McNay’s size, is a profile-changing improvement that signals a new era for the 54-year-old institution. October 1-January 11: George Rickey Kinetic Sculpture: A Retrospective — it has been nearly thirty years since such a large slice of the artist’s oeuvre has been seen by the public. Nearly 50 of his masterpieces, including his large-scale geometric works, will be on display in both the indoor galleries and the outdoor sculpture garden. Open Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. General admission $8; senior citizens, students with ID and active military $5; children 12-and-under free (Thursday 4 p.m.-9 p.m. and first Sunday of the month everybody free). mcnayart.org 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave (210-824-5368).

Corpus Christi

Harbor Playhouse Real Women Have Curves — body image, self-acceptance, and exploring one’s values are the issues on tap in this play about an immigrant family’s experiences in America. (Speaking of America, the 2002 film version made actress America Ferrera a familiar face.) October 3-26. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. (October 19 and 26 at 2 p.m.). General admission $13, senior citizens and military $11, children and students with ID $6. harborplayhouse.com 1 Bayfront Park (361-888-7469).

Fredericksburg

Oktoberfest In 1810, Prince Ludwig of Bavaria hosted a most raucous party in honor of his marriage to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Why this singular event in all of history has nurtured one of the state’s most charming fall bashes is beside the point. Whether in Munich or the Hill Country, Oktoberfest has always been just an excuse to drink and shop — just try swinging a pair of lederhosen without hitting a biergarten or boutique — two diversions that bring out the Gemuetlichkeit (“friendliness”) in us all. October 3-5. Friday 6 p.m.-midnight, Saturday 10 a.m.-midnight, Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. General admission $6, children 6-12 $1, 5-and-under free. oktoberfestinfbg.com Downtown Market Square, 100 block of W. Main (830-997-4810).