Events are everywhere this week. Would you like to visit the theater? How about an orchestra? Check out the following activities to see something wonderful.

ITALY
Basketball kicks off for the young men. Italy Gladiators JV and Varsity host Meridian at the dome beginning at 5:00 pm.

WAXAHACHIE
Cats and Gingerbread Championship Cat Show
Nov 22 thru 23. 9:00 am-4:30 pm at the Ellis County Youth Expo Center, located at 2300 W. Hwy 287 by-pass. More than 200 cats and kittens compete in 12 rings of judging for prizes and titles at the first annual cat show. The International Cat Association will have its first annual championship and household pet cat show this weekend. Some of the breeds presented are Turkish Van, Maine Coon, Bengal, Persian, Sphinx, Norwegian Forest Cat, American Curl, Havana Brown, Munchkin, Abyssinian, American Shorthair, Birman, British Shorthair, Siamese, Oriental Shorthair and more. For additional information contact Sharon Walcott 817-456-8007 or email [email protected]. Admistion is $5 for adults and $3 for seniors 55+ and children under 17.

Speak Up For Kids CASA 5K fun Run/Walk
Nov 22 at 9:00 am. Getzendaner Park will be the location of this event. Call 972-937-1455 for more information.

WACO
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum’s 40th Anniversary exhibit will be from Nov. 1, 2008 to Oct. 31, 2009. The exhibit will highlight objects acquired each year the museum has been open. Monday thru Sunday. Opens 9am and last guest is admitted at 4:30 pm. Closes at 5pm. For more information call 254-750-8631.

BANDERA
Harvest Fest, Nov 22. At the Margaret Alkek Pavillion, Bandera Boys & Girls Club. Go to www.banderacowboycapital.com or call 830-796-4447.

MARBLE FALLS
Walkway of Lights, Nov 21-Jan 3. More than 1 million lights tranform Lakeside Park into a holiday wonderland. Hours: 6-10 pm (weather permitting), with weekend appearances by Santa. Go to www.marblefalls.org or call 830-693-2815.

BRENHAM
Poinsettia Celebration, Nov 22-23, located Ellison’s Greenhouses, 2107 E. Stone St. Go to www.ellisonsgreenhouses.com or call 979-836-6011.

GRAND PRAIRIE
Celtic Thunder, Nov. 21 at Nokia Theater. Go to www.nokiatheatreDFW.com or call 214-373-8000 or 972-647-5700

GRAPEVINE
Lone Star Christmas, Nov 14-Jan 3. Gaylord Texas Resort. Go to www.gaylordtexan.com or call 817-778-1000.

NAVASOTA
Holiday in the Garden, Nov. 21 at Martha’s Bloomers. Go to www.marthasbloomers.com or call 936-825-7400.

“Texas Monthly” suggests the following activities…

AUSTIN
EAST AUSTIN STUDIO TOUR Imagine a stream of strangers tramping through your office, pointing and whispering among themselves as they critique your work. It sounds invasive, but the artists participating in the East Austin Studio Tour (E.A.S.T. for short) welcome curious visitors into their private work spaces to see (and buy) their latest creations. E.A.S.T. began in 2003 as a one-day stroll through about thirty studios and galleries but has expanded to include more than ninety stops. From paintings and sculptures to furniture and photographs, you’ll be surprised by the quality of the discoveries you’ll find in this treasure hunt. Nov 22 & 23 from 10 to 5. Free. Call or go to eastaustinstudiotour.com for schedule & locations. Various locations (512-385-1670).

DALLAS
DALLAS CHILDREN’S THEATER Madeline’s Christmas—celebrate the season in Paris with the famous little firecracker. Based on the book, this musical adventure is sure to bring cheer to your holiday. Nov 21—Dec 21. Fri at 7:30, Sat at 1:30, Sun at 1:30 & 4:30. $14—$24. dct.org Rosewood Center for Family Arts, 5938 Skillman (214-740-0051).

Smokey Robinson, Nov 21-22. Legendary soul R&B vocalist performs as part of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Pops Series. Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. Go to www.dallassymphony.com or call 214-692-0203.

EL PASO
EL PASO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Nov 21 & 22: Birthday Celebrations. Haydn: La Fedelta Premiata Overture (Fidelity’s Reward). Walton: Viola Concerto. Mendelssohn: Symphony No 4 in A Major. Roberto Diaz, viola. Sarah Ioannides, conductor. At 7:30. $11—$37. epso.org Plaza Theatre, 125 Pioneer Plaza (915-532-3776).

FORT WORTH
CIRCLE THEATRE A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant—a cast of eight cheery children tells the story of L. Ron Hubbard’s journey from sci-fi writer to religious leader as set against the backdrop of a traditional nativity pageant. Rounding out the cast of characters are Tom Cruise, John Travolta, and the evil alien Xenu. Nov 20—Dec 20. Thur at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 3 & 8. $20—$30. circletheatre.com 230 W. 4th (817-877-3040).

HOUSTON
PROJECT ROW HOUSES Thru Mar 1: Round 29: Thunderbolt Special: The Great Electric Show and Dance, Commemorating Sam Lightnin’ Hopkins—curated by Terry Adkins, an artist and musician who lives in Brooklyn and Philadelphia, the latest PRH exhibit includes original installations in one or more of the project houses by James Andrew Brown, Sherman Fleming, Charles Gaines, and George Smith; also, Survival of the Fittest—emerging artist El Franco Lee II’s solo exhibit features graphic paintings and drawings that depict social and urban issues. Open Wed—Sun noon—5. Free. projectrowhouses.org 2521 Holman (713-526-7662).

SAN ANTONIO
MAJESTIC THEATRE Nov 20: B. B. King—the legendary King of the Blues swings through Texas. At 8. $45.25—$75.25. Nov 22: Blind Boys of Alabama and Preservation Hall Jazz Band—New Orleans’s legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band joins gospel veterans the Blind Boys of Alabama for an unforgettable jazz and gospel experience. At 8. $30.25—$60.35. majesticempire.com 224 E. Houston (210-226-5700 or 210-224-9600).

BEAUMONT
ART MUSEUM OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS Thru Jan 4: Eating Your Friction—the first solo museum exhibition of rising talent Howard Sherman is a bold introduction. The Houston native’s works are marked by his abstract handling of paint and the incorporation of referential materials such as bumble bees, gnashing teeth, and other graffiti-style objects. The contrasting elements “are so wrong together that they start to seem right, combining to create a hostile and humorous expression,” says Sherman. Open Mon—Fri 9—5, Sat 10—5, Sun noon—5. Free; $2 donation suggested. amset.org 500 Main (409-832-3432).

TYLER
TYLER MUSEUM OF ART Thru Feb 8: The Elegant House: Paintings and Decorative Art From the Graham Williford Collection—in celebration of the pioneering American art connoisseur from Fairfield, this exhibition spotlights rare treasures of nineteenth-century decorative arts as well as captivating paintings. Open Tue—Sat 10—5, Sun 1—5. Gen adm $3.50, senior citizens & children 12 & under $1.50, museum members free. tylermuseum.org 1300 S. Mahon, adjacent to Tyler Junior College campus (903-595-1001).