From what I've seen while making my rounds throughout the Jamestown area, we're all pretty busy this holiday season. Most of us have more places to be and tasks to finish than we would normally want to handle.
I was busy enough last weekend between my Friday-night shift at the paper and a Saturday-night celebration of my big brother's engagement at Shawbucks, where we listened to 1980s tribute band New Wave Nation.
This weekend, my life will be like that of Vince Vaughn's character in the movie ''Four Christmases.'' My parents and those of my girlfriend have long since divorced, doubling the Christmas fun and travel for us.
I'll get out of work late Friday night, sleep and wake up for a drive to Buffalo to start the holiday celebrations with the one I love. We'll finish up with her families early Christmas morning. By the time we return from Buffalo and spend the day with my families in Kennedy and Falconer, I'm not going to feel like making it uptown for the Christmas night festivities. I'll need some sleep before I return to the newsroom on Monday morning.
With that said, I'm thankful to have places to go during the holidays and a job to return to after they're over.
I spent a couple of hours with some area residents who won't have those opportunities this year. On Tuesday morning, I made a visit to the Chautauqua County Jail.
Don't go getting your hopes up now. Your Christmas wish didn't come true; I won't be spending the holidays behind bars.
I was just there doing my job, reporting on those employees and inmates who will spend Christmas within the jail. The full story will appear in an upcoming edition of The Post-Journal.
I hope you're able to do the things you want this weekend, especially if they meet our established laws and guidelines.
Regardless of which holiday you celebrate - if any at all - I hope you have a good weekend and find what you're looking for in the Jamestown area. Check out the entertainment options below.
Whatever you decide to do, don't get arrested. Spending the holidays locked up didn't look like much fun to me.
ICE ARENA TO HOST CD RELEASE PARTY
Small City Syndicate's release party for the album ''Impatient'' will take place Friday night. Doors will open at 7.
DJ Felony will host the event. In addition to Small City Syndicate, other performers will include Michael Strong, Relly Rell, Wyte Knoize, mpk and Absolute.
Tickets are $10 presale, and they will be $12 at the door. Visit www.jamestownarena.com or call 484-2624 for more information.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR UPCOMING SENECA CASINO SHOWS
Tickets for country star Travis Tritt's March 25 solo-acoustic show at the Seneca Allegany Events Center will go on sale Monday at noon. Tritt will tell the stories behind hit songs such as ''Can I Trust You With My Heart'' and ''Foolish Pride.'' The tickets start at $25.
Tickets for two-time Grammy Award winner Rita Coolidge's Feb. 11 events center show went on sale this week. They start at $20. Coolidge is known for rock, pop and R&B covers ''(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher,'' ''We're All Alone'' and ''One Fine Day.''
Also this week, tickets went on sale for Grand Funk Railroad's March 10 show at the casino. They start at $20. The band made its name with hits such as ''We're An American Band'' and ''Some Kind of Wonderful.''
Tickets still remain for The Chippendales Jan. 14 show, which is billed as ''the ultimate girls' night out.'' Tickets for the adults-only show start at $20.
Three Dog Night will play rock tunes such as ''Joy to the World,'' ''Mama Told Me (Not to Come)' and ''Black and White'' on Jan. 29. Tickets start at $20.
Visit www.senecaalleganycasino.com for more information.
BIG TIME PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR 'GODSPELL'
Auditions for ''Godspell'' will be held on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Anyone who would like to be involved in the production, including singers, actors, musicians and crew should attend.
The production will be held at 8 p.m. on April 20, 21, 27 and 28 at The Spire, and all proceeds will benefit Catholic Academy of the Holy Family.
''Godspell'' will be a community theater play under the direction of Angelo and Ylsa Giuffre and Anne Eklund. Call 450-7357 or email info@spiretheater.org for details.
The Spire is located at 317 E. Third St. in Jamestown.
MORE ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS
As always, venues are listed chronologically by first event.
CHAUTAUQUA MALL - The Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Inc. Student Showcase will be held tonight from 5-7 p.m. On Friday, Dance Elite Performance Co. will perform from 6-8 p.m.
CELORON LEGION - Tonight, the legion will host the weekly Blue Grass Jam, and all area bluegrass musicians are welcome to sit in and play from 7-10. On Saturday, the post will close at 5 p.m. Herman Kent American Legion Post 777 is located at 26 Jackson Ave. in Celoron.
SENECA ALLEGANY CASINO - Three Loose will play a variety of music from 6-10 p.m. on Friday, and country band Coyote will follow, playing from 10:30-2:30. For more information about the Casino Bar, visit www.senecaalleganycasino.com.
STEENER'S PUB - Barefoot Sarah will play at an ugly sweater party on Friday night, beginning at 7. Steener's Pub is at 322 Route 430 in Greenhurst. For more, call 720-5087.
THE WILDWOOD - Rockers Pressure Sensitive will play on Friday night from 9-1. The Wildwood Grill and Saloon is located at 53 Wildwood Ave. in Salamanca. Call 244-6886 for more.
WARREN MOOSE -1980s tribute band Two For Flinching will play on Friday night from 9-1. Warren Moose Lodge 109 is at 422 Pennsylvania Ave. W. in Warren. For more, call 814-723-4320.
SHAWBUCKS - Porcelain Busdrivers will play on Friday night, beginning at 10. Shawbucks is at 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown. For more, call 487-2201.
MURDOCK'S - Country, oldies and rock musician Derek Davis will play an acoustic show on Saturday. Murdock's is located at 104 E. Main St. in Sherman. For more, call 761-2049.
THE SPIRE - ''Road to Bali,'' starring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, will be shown on Tuesday night at 7 as a part of the Forgotten Classics movie series. The admission price will be $2. Call 450-7357 for more.
LABYRINTH PRESS COMPANY - Rock band Lion Avalanche will headline the Wednesday night performers at The Labyrinth. Admission to the show will be free, and it will run from 7-10. The Labyrinth is located at 12 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown. For more, call 708-2471.
The Weekend Entertainment Events Preview highlights concerts, festivals and other happenings in the region in each Thursday's paper. Suggestions for submission can be sent to Scott Shelters by emailing sshelters@post-journal.com or by calling 487-1111, ext. 253.