What would you like to do this weekend? Round and round we go. Ellis County and the surrounding cities in Texas have many things to choose from for the family outing. Just take a look at what we have to do.

ITALY
Italy High School Gladiators are in the middle of their district play. The next ballgames are Wednesday, Jan 28 in Itasca with the Varsity, both ladies and gentlemen, playing beginning at 5:00. Throwback Night 80’s Night honoring the Regional Qualifying Teams from 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985 & 1986. The Lady Gladiators will begin playing at 6:00 pm. The Gladiators will follow at 7:30 pm after the alumni teams have been honored.

The Italy Junior High teams will have a bye this week.

WAXAHACHIE
Jan. 28 4:00-5:00 pm. Sims Library is having arts and craft night for teens (ages 13-18). Learn the art of Quilling and make your own Valentine’s card. For more information, call 972-937-2671.

Sims Family Movie Night
Feb. 3 and the time is 6:00 pm-7:30 pm at the Sims Library. This animated adventure is rated PG and is voiced by Mike Epps, Joel McHale and Jane Krakowski. Elliot the deer and pals Boog, McSquizzy and the rest of the woodland creatures launch a full-scale rescue mission when Mr. Weenie, the dachsund, is kidnapped.

You can also check out the Sims Library website for more information.

Jazz Cafe
Jan 31, 6:30-10:30 pm at the Waxahachie Civic Center. An elegant dinner followed by dancing to big band sounds or just sit back and enjoy the sultry tones of jazz and blues. The WHS Band presents their fourth annual Jazz Cafe, featuring guest musicians and singers, along with a silent auction. The cost is $25 per person and tickets are available at the WHS Band Office as well as the Chamber of Commerce.

Traditional Country Music Show
Jan 31 beginning at 7:00 pm at the Women’s Building, 407 Jefferson Street. This is a free traditional country music show and is open to the public. Guest singers include Stephenville’s Kimberly Muray and Rani Rae of Forney Texas. Fiddling sensation Leslee Bowen of Azle will be joining the Trail Blazer’s Band. This is a family show, no smoking or drinking is allowed. For more information, please see their website.

Prom Fashion Show
Fancy dresses galore will be at Chautauqua Auditorium at Getzendaner Park on Jan. 31 beginning at 10:00 am. This is a fashion show of prom dresses. There will be a minimum of 300 dresses displayed along with special offers. Door prizes will be awarded too. Tickets are $10 for a student and accompanying adult to attend. Tickets can be purchased online or at Fit for a Princess, 301 S. Rogers, Suite A in Waxahachie. Call 972-937-9998 for more information.

First Annual Ellis County Health and Fitness Expo
On Jan. 31 from 9:00 am -6:00 pm at 3295 N. Highway 77 in the Skills Net Building, please come to a free full day of specialty vendors, health screenings and food and fitness demonstrations, guest speakers and entertainment. This event will kick off the first ever county wide 12 week health and fitness contest, The Resolution Revolution, making all those healthy resolutions come true! Bought to you by A.F.I.T.A., the American Fitness Instructors and Trainers Association. If you are interested in more information, see their website or call Holly Cox at 214-399-0683.

Play Forty-Two
Do you play the game 42? Members of the community are invited to First United Methodist Church at 7:00 pm every Monday to play Forty-Two. The church is located at 505 W. Marvin Street. Call 972-937-4400.

LUCKENBACH
There is a Blues Festival on Jan 31. Check out their website or call 830-997-3324.

IRVING
On Jan 30-31 at the Irving Arts Center, located at 3333 N MacArthur Blvd, Sherlock’s First Case. ICT MainStage presents this play by Charles Marowitz. This diabolically funny play is sure to confound and please all audiences. It takes an amusing fresh look at the heroes, Holmes and Watson, adds the familiar figures of inspector Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson and the children of Professor Moriarty and mixes them all with wit, humor and plot twists galore to make a first-rate whodunit. Call 972-252-2787 for more information.

Texas Monthly always has some suggestions for you…

AUSTIN
CARNAVAL BRASILERIO Flamboyance is the guiding spirit of this annual Brazilian blowout, so prepare yourself for decadent costumes, samba by Beleza Brazil, and cares thrown to the wind. Jan 31 from 8 to 1:30. $35. See their website for more information. Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd (512-452-6832).

DALLAS
TRAMMELL AND MARGARET CROW COLLECTION OF ASIAN ART Thru Jul 12: Tending the Afterlife: Chinese Tomb Art From the Neolithic Period to the Ming Dynasty‚ timed to coincide with the blockbuster King Tut exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art, this comprehensive installation reveals the mysteries of China’s buried treasures. Many of the goods on view‚ intricate bronze mirrors, earthenware figures, and precious works of art in jade, bronze, gold, silver, and clay‚ have never been seen by the public. Open Tue & Wed 10‚ 5, Thur 10‚ 9, Fri‚ Sun 10‚ 5. Free. For more information, please see their website. 2010 Flora (214-979-6430).

EL PASO
KIDS-N-CO Little Red Riding Hood: The Musical‚ the reigning damsel in distress and the Big Bad Wolf are back with songs and dancing shoes in tow. Thru Feb 15. Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. Gen adm $7, students & military $4. Check their website. 1301 Texas Ave (915-351-1455).

FORT WORTH
JUBILEE THEATRE The Bluest Eye‚ this stage adaptation of Toni Morrison’s novel The Bluest Eye brings to life the heartrending story of a young black girl in 1940’s Ohio who suffers ridicule and abuse and who prays for blue eyes. Jan 30‚ Feb 22. Thur & Fri at 8, Sat at 3 & 8, Sun at 3. Call for prices or view their website. Located at 506 Main (817-338-4411).

GALVESTON
LARRY GATLIN AND THE GATLIN BROTHERS Larry, Steve, and Rudy have been making brotherly love sound good for forty years. The Abilene siblings entertain with their signature hits as well as new selections from their upcoming CD. Jan 31 at 8. $39-$98. Their website will give you more details. The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice (800-821-1894).

HOUSTON
MENIL COLLECTION Thru Feb 15: Max Ernst: In the Garden of Nymph Ancolie‚ the surrealist work of the exhibit‚ title, which features a bird-like figure emerging from colossal curling red flower petals, is the only mural by the German-born artist Max Ernst (1891-1976) that has survived in its entirety, and the Menil is the first venue to present it fully restored. In honor of this presentation, the mural will be shown among 75 other rarely exhibited paintings, drawings, and sculptures by Ernst that date from the early thirties to the late forties. Open Wed-Sun 11-7. Free. If you would like to see more details, view their website. The presentation is located at 1515 Sul Ross (713-525-9400).

SAN ANTONIO
ASIAN FESTIVAL Already blown your New Year resolutions? Start anew and ring in the Year of the Ox as you nibble on delectable ethnic foods, take in martial arts and dance demonstrations, attend Ikebana floral arrangement seminars, play Asian games like mah-jongg, and spend your money on Asian crafts, jewelry, clothing, and more. Jan 31 from 10 to 5. Gen adm $8; senior citizens, military with ID & children 3-12 $4; 2 & under and UTSA students free. For more details, see their website. Located at UTSA campus, Institute of Texan Cultures, 801 S. Bowie at Durango (210-458-2330).

ARLINGTON
THEATRE ARLINGTON Almost, Maine, the residents of this mythical town find themselves falling in and out of love one bleak winter day in this comedy about the joys and pitfalls of romance. Thru Feb 8. Thur at 7:30, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Gen adm $17, senior citizens & children $15. Check out their website. You can see the play at 305 W. Main (817-261-9628).