Entertainment week of Oct. 16 - Oct. 22, 2009

Tommy Mann, Jr.

There is no shortage of opportunities for family fun this weekend around Southeast Texas, and, since Mother Nature looks to cooperate with favorable weather, take time now to find something right for you and your family.

Lions Carnival

It should be a wonderful weekend of weather, and that means there is no reason not to go to the Orange Lions Carnival tonight or Saturday evening at Orange Lions Den Park.

The 69th carnival concludes Saturday, so take advantage of this last opportunity for family fun. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children.

OCP

The Orange Community Players invite everyone to a return engagement of “Nunsensations!” at 7:37 p.m., today and Saturday, and a 2:37 p.m. matinee on Sunday.

The event is being used as an additional fundraiser for the heavily hurricane-damaged to continue repairs.

The Playhouse sustained extensive water damage to the auditorium flooring and seating, stage and lost more than 90 percent of its costumes.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students and reservations can be made by calling 409-882-9137. If you enjoy comedies or musicals, then here is your chance to experience both in one fabulous showcase.

Orange VFW Hall

The Fall Cajun Food and Dance Festival returns to Orange from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., today, featuring music by Jackie Caillier and The Cajun Cousins, Ed Gary and the Louisiana Aces, and Lesa Cormier and The Sundown Playboys.

Admission is $7 per person and includes your choice of chicken and sausage gumbo with potato salad or hamburger with chips.

Every Thursday night the public is invited to attend the weekly dance featuring live music by variety act Crossfire. Admission is $5 at the door and the good times start at 7 p.m. for ages 21 and older. Call 409-886-9738 for information.

Brewsky’s

Live music returns to Brewsky’s in Bridge City, and what a show is on tap. Get ready to rock the night away with the amazing Scott McGill and Old Dog Mac starting at 8 p.m., today. Ages 21 and older are welcome to attend and admission is free. Call 409-697-3053 for details.

Eagles Lodge

It’s Friday night, and that means the weekly dance and concert is back at the Eagles Nest as The Outlaws perform beginning at 8 p.m., today. Admission is $5 at the door and everyone is welcome.

If you enjoy karaoke, then Patty Ferguson is the host for you because this woman knows how to make sure everyone has fun with karaoke every Saturday night. The public is invited to attend and admission is free. Call 409-886-7381 for more information.

Fall Family Day

The Stark Museum of Art invites all ages to attend Fall Family Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday for what will surely be an entertaining and educational day.

The current exhibit, “Pistols: Dazzling Firearms,” will end its run on Oct. 24, so here is a great opportunity to see these exquisite weapons. Docents will teach families about engraving, read a story about printmaking, and help children make their own prints to take home. There is also a scavenger hunt with prizes. Call 409-886-2787 for more information.

Past Times Celebration

Another great family oriented event today in downtown Orange is the Past Times Celebration at the Heritage House Museum on West Division Street.

Each year, on the grounds of the Heritage House, people are invited to attend and see what life was like for the people who lived in our area in the late 1800s.

See and learn how these people washed clothes, cooked, made butter, created various crafts and played games, and participate in these same events. Antique cars, face painting and gifts for children are also part of the fun.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, on the grounds of the Heritage House. Call 409-886-5385 for more information.

Cow Bayou Marina

If you are looking for a fun time and good music, then check out this weekend’s lineup at Cow Bayou Marina.

Performing from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, is the Dallas Street Ramblers. Then, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, it’s the return of the always awesome Johnny Vee. Ages 21 and older are welcome. Call 409-738-3133 for details.

Capistrano

Check out live music at the Capistrano tonight as the Donnie Simmons Band entertains patrons age 21 and older all night long. Admission is free, so don’t wait.

Cotton’s Cay

The Wild West Show returns to Cotton’s Cay tonight, so bring your friends and dance the night away with a really entertaining band. Admission is $5 at the door for ages 18 and older.

Also, keep in mind karaoke is featured every Saturday night at Cotton’s Cay free of charge. Call 409-886-9042 for more details.

Vidor VFW

The Outlaws travel to Vidor for a performance at the VFW Hall on South Main Street starting at 8:30 p.m., Saturday. Ages 21 and older are invited to enjoy the dance and concert and admission is $5 per person. Call 409-768-1482 for more information.

Madison’s

Louisiana’s own Laurel and the Electric Circus travel to Beaumont for a performance at Madison’s on Dowlen this Saturday night. This young woman has a sizzling voice and set list that will blow your mind. Admission is $5 at the door for ages 21 and older.

And be sure to catch El Floppy Tacos on the patio every Tuesday night. It’s free. Call 409-924-9777 for more info.

The Barking Dog

All ages are invited to tonight’s concert at The Barking Dog in downtown Beaumont. Artists performing include Dewinter, Companion, and William and Tyson. The show starts at 8 p.m., and admission is $5 at the door. Call 409-835-2275 for more information.

Ford Park

El Mina Shrine Circus is in Beaumont this weekend at Ford Arena, and there is plenty of family fun to enjoy.

Tickets are $26 to $10 and performances are scheduled at 7:30 p.m., today; 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Saturday; and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., Sunday.

And if the circus isn’t quite what you had in mind, then Ford Park also has something for those who like to rock.

Dog Jam, arguably the biggest rock concert of the fall, takes place this Sunday afternoon at Ford Park, so make plans now to get out and rock the day away.

Headlining Dog Jam ’09 is The Black Crowes, which makes its first ever appearance in Beaumont. Also appearing are hard rock monsters Sevendust, and extremely popular radio rockers Saving Abel and Halestorm. Opening the show is local rock act Forever Falls.

Tickets are still available at all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Ford Pavilion box office for $42.50 and $32.50 for reserved seating and $22.50 for lawn seating. The gates open at 3 p.m.

Jefferson Theatre

The Beaumont Ballet Theatre will open its 2009 season at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, in the historic Jefferson Theatre with a mixed repertoire of performances.

Tickets are $20 and $10 for adults, and $10 and $5 for children. Call 409-782-0642 or 409-658-9860 for more information.

Honky Tonk Texas

For those in the mood to two-step around the dance floor this weekend, Honky Tonk Texas has what will cure your ails. Performing tonight is Jessie Stewart, while Lonely Road takes the stage on Saturday evening.

Admission is $5 at the door and ages 21 and older are always welcome to attend. Call 409-386-1995 for more details or directions.

Dylan’s

One of the best variety bands in the region is Static, and, fortunately, this group is lined up to perform at Dylan’s in Port Arthur tonight. Whether it’s country, modern rock, or even Cajun music, this band can do it all.

Also performing this weekend is the Joe Mendoza Blues Band on Saturday. Admission is charged at the door each night for guests ages 21 and older.

Check out an acoustic performance by Todd Howard on Tuesday night as well. Admission is free for this event. Call 409-722-1600 for more information.

Cash’s Bar and Grill

The fabulous Mike Zito and his band are performing this Saturday night at Cash’s Bar and Grill, located behind Central Mall in Port Arthur.

The show starts at 9 p.m. and ages 21 and older are welcome. However, the venue is a private club and a small membership fee is required to enter the facility, but this fee will cover entry to nearly every show for a year. Check it out!

Pine Tree Lodge

The music season may soon be winding down at Pine Tree Lodge as fall continues, but make it a point to enjoy what this fantastic venue has to offer, like tonight’s performance by Johnny Vee and Zydasoul at 6 p.m., or a return appearance by Cajun Harmony on the patio on Sunday afternoon. Call 409-796-1600 for more information.

Texas Longhorn

Check out karaoke in the Longhorn Legends bar every Friday night if you are in the mood for a break in the dancing, or, better yet, check out some rodeo action on Saturday night as the team roping competition kicks off at 7 p.m.

Julie Rogers Theater

Gift of Life presents an evening with the sensational Debbie Reynolds at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, inside the beautiful Julie Rogers Theater.

This worthwhile event features Reynolds, whose career as a singer, actress, dancer and all around entertainer has spanned more than six decades with roles in more than 30 films, including one of the greatest American screen musicals of all time, “Singin’ In The Rain.”

Tickets are $50 at all Ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone at 800-745-3000.

The Place

The Alley Cats fill the autumn with great music every Wednesday night at The Place in Port Acres, so drive over to Mid-County and check out this friendly little venue and see what’s going on. Admission is always free and ages 21 and older are always welcome. Call 409-736-2650 for details.

Send all entertainment listings to tmann@orangeleader.com or call 409-883-3571, Ext. 2619