You've seen them at the gym. You've seen them buying healthy foods at the grocery store. You've seen them out on the town.
It's the beginning of the year, and everywhere, people are looking to fulfill their New Year's resolutions.
The end of 2011 provided the perfect time to reflect on 12 months of experiences - some good and some bad. Those who had particularly down years - or feel they could benefit from some changes in life - decided to do things differently in 2012, or at least until their motivation runs out in a couple weeks.
I made a bunch of last-minute resolutions, just as I always do, in hopes that some will stick. It's like throwing darts at a dartboard. Sometimes, but not frequently, I'll nail the bull's-eye, staying true to a resolution throughout the calendar year. Other times, the dart tip will crash against a concrete wall, sliding down into nothingness and I won't even remember what my resolutions were a year down the road.
Universally, the most common New Year's resolutions seem to involve fitness- or diet-related issues. Occasionally, however, people will branch out, opting to be nicer or to see their families more often, for examples.
Some, who feel the need to make it out more frequently, will make it their New Year's resolution to spend a little more time out of the house, enjoying what the area has to offer and hanging out with friends.
In the early part of the year, with the holidays in the rearview, it's pretty easy to spend the weekends tidying up around the house or covered up in a blanket, watching "Friends" reruns and eating cheese puffs.
That's fine for some, but maybe you're like me and decided - resolution or not - to avoid any chance of coming down with cabin fever this month.
Those who want to get out this weekend to enjoy local entertainment can check out some options below. Let's hope for a solid year on the entertainment front, both locally and nationally.
GATEWAY CENTER TO HOST FRIDAY NIGHT METAL SHOW
Create.Evolve Productions will present a multi-band metal show Friday at The Gateway Center.
Cleveland, Ohio, metal band Affiance will headline the show, returning to Jamestown and embarking on its first headlining tour.
According to Mike Ball, who organized Friday's show, the band chose to kick off its tour in Jamestown.
"They wanted it to be Jamestown because it is their second hometown," he said. "When they played here before, everyone said, 'Wow, they're phenomenal.'"
Affiance will be joined by Serianna, from Janesville, Wis.; Rochester band Sirens and Sailors; Philadelphia's Us From Outside; and post-hardcore band Walking With Titans, from Horseheads.
Walking With Titans will perform in Jamestown for the first time.
"Everything I've heard about them has been phenomenal," Ball said.
Local bands Discidium and Red Light Departure will also perform, playing for the first time after lineup changes.
Ball's band, Red Light Departure, recently added a new member and will play as a four-piece band for the first time, while Discidium will play its first show in a couple of months with a revamped roster, said Ball, who expects a large turnout.
Doors will open at 5 p.m., and the admission price will be $10.
The Gateway Center is located at 31 Water St. in Jamestown. For more, call 487-1484.
RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE FOR 'CHEF'S SURPRISE'
Food doesn't often make an appearance in this column, but when hors d'oeurves and refreshments meet an interactive mystery, that's what I call "entertainment."
The Jamestown Community College Alumni Association will present "Chef's Surprise: A Culinary Mystery" on Jan. 27 and 28 at 7 p.m. The event is the organization's 24th original, interactive mystery.
Admission, which includes hors d'oeurves and refreshments served throughout the evening, is $20 per person for the general public and $18 for members of the alumni association or JCC's Faculty Student Association. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the alumni office at 338-1056.
Proceeds from the event support the JCC Alumni Fund, which includes four different scholarship programs, as well as special gifts for the college.
MORE ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS
As always, venues are listed chronologically by first event.
CELORON LEGION - Tonight, the Blue Grass Jam will resume, taking place from 7-10. All area bluegrass musicians are welcome to sit in and play. On Saturday night, Smokehouse will play rock music from 8 to midnight. Herman Kent American Legion Post 777 is located at 26 Jackson Ave. in Celoron.
THE SPIRE - "Africa Screams,'' starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, will be shown tonight at 7 as part of the Forgotten Classics movie series. On Tuesday, the series will feature The Three Stooges. The admission price for either night will be $2. Call 450-7357 for more.
LABYRINTH PRESS COMPANY - There will be an open mic comedy night tonight, beginning at 9. The Labyrinth is located at 12 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown. For more, call 708-2471.
SENECA ALLEGANY CASINO - Country pop band JB & Company will play on Friday night from 6-10, and classic rockers Only Humen will do the same from 10:30-2:30. Ghost Riders will play some honky tonk from 1:30-5:30 p.m. on Saturday, while The Filter Kings will rock the Casino Bar from 6-10 that night. Country band Coyote will finish off the Saturday night bill, playing from 10:30-2:30. For more information on the Casino Bar, visit www.senecaalleganycasino.com.
STRUTHERS LIBRARY THEATRE - "J. Edgar," starring Leonardo DiCaprio, will be shown on Friday and Wednesday nights at 7:30. General admission tickets will be $7.50 for adults and $6 for children 10 and under. Tickets will only be sold at the door. The Struthers Library Theatre is at 302 W. Third Ave. in Warren and can be called at 814-723-7231 for more.
PEEK'N PEAK - Ken Hardley will play a solo show on Friday night, beginning at 9. He'll return with his band, Ken Hardley and The Henways, for a Saturday night show, beginning at 9:30. Peek'n Peak is located at 1405 Olde Road in Findley Lake. For more, call 355-4141.
THE LAKEVIEW - Side Effect will perform from 10-2 on Friday night. The Lakeview is at 13 Water St. in Mayville. For more, call 753-2813.
CIBO - On Saturday, Cibo will host Jamestown Thunder's Community Drum Circle from noon until 2:30 p.m. Extra drums are available and beginners are welcome. Cibo, located at Third and Pine streets in Jamestown, is at the site of the former Cooper's Cafe. For more, call Rich Schuler at 484-8121.
FREDONIA OPERA HOUSE - I don't think I've ever included anything in this column on the Fredonia Opera House, but I guess this is the week. It will air "The Way," starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Opera House Cinema Series. Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, drug use and smoking, "The Way" runs 115 minutes. Tickets to the Opera House Cinema Series are available at the door for $7 for adults, $6.50 for seniors and opera house members, and $5 for students and children the night of each screening. For more information, call the Opera House Box Office at 679-1891.
REG LENNA CIVIC CENTER - The Chautauqua Concert Band will perform under the direction of John Cross on Saturday night, beginning at 7. Tickets will be $7 for adults and $3 for students. Call 664-2465 for more information.
STEENER'S PUB - On Saturday night, Brian Hanna and Scott Horton of BandHanna will play an acoustic show from 9 to midnight. There will not be a cover charge. Steener's Pub is at 322 Route 430 in Greenhurst. For more, call 720-5087.
41 WEST - On Saturday night, Coal Train will play from 9-1. As its name implies, 41 West Bar and Grille is located at 41 W. Main St. in Fredonia. For more information, call 679-4101.
FOUNTAIN BOWL - Pressure Sensitive will play on Saturday night, beginning at 9. Fountain Bowl is at 3316 Fluvanna Ave. Ext. in Jamestown. For more, call 664-7404.
SHAWBUCKS - The Sunset Villains will rock Shawbucks on Saturday night from 10-2. Shawbucks is at 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown. For more, call 487-2201.
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.