Page Thirty-Six
Six Things You Should Do in Texarkana During the Month of January!
All I have to say is… good riddance, 2020! There’s nothing quite like turning to the brand spankin’ new first page of the next chapter. I’m usually more the type to roll my eyes when I hear people talking about “fresh starts” at the beginning of each new year, and don’t even get me started on the “new year, new me” people. But not this year. I too am holding onto the hope that things in 2021 will shape up to be better. If not, I’ll certainly be stretching to reach some type of clarity on why this has all happened. What is the lesson for all of us here? Hopefully that will continue to be revealed.
A lot of places are still closed in the big cities we Texarkanians run to when we want to feel carefree and go on shopping sprees we can’t afford. I especially like the Grapevine Mills Mall outside of Dallas, where I will sacrifice dinner for an entire week to buy a jacket I convince myself I just cannot leave without. So for now, I will be looking into everything I can do in Texarkana during the month of January and I hope you’ll join me!
The Music of John Williams, Texarkana Symphony Orchestra—Saturday, January 23 @ Perot Theatre
For all my film lovers out there, do you love Jurassic Park? Jaws? Harry Potter? If you do (or even if you don’t), the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra is bringing music from these classic hit movies, composed by the legendary John Williams, performed for one night only at the Perot Theatre at 7:30 pm.
John Williams is famous for providing the music in numerous iconic films. Some other well-known films he’s scored include Star Wars, Saving Private Ryan and Amistad. Movie buffs, this is one night you won’t want to miss. Non-movie buffs, this is one night you won’t want to miss!
Due to COVID seating restrictions, online tickets sales are not available. Please call the Perot Theatre Box office to purchase tickets at 903.792.4992.
Proving Ground Live Amateur Cage Fighting—Two Night Event, January 29-30 @ The Texarkana Arkansas Convention Center
I’m suddenly having PTSD thinking back to the times I’d hear my younger brother, Parker, screaming in the living room at the TV with a WWE belt on. He’d pretend he was the real John Cena. It was a terrifyingly shrill sound that still haunts me to this day, and I would trust no one who claims their son’s or daughter’s wrestling phase was “cute.”
Nevertheless, for some, it is more than a phase and for those people, you’re in luck! Your commitment to watching people punch each other for entertainment is paying off in spades at the end of the month with this two-night MMA (mixed martial arts) event!
According to the official website for this exciting event “2020 is over, with very little MMA action to talk about, so that leaves 2021 as a proving ground for fighters to prove that they are the best. Live MMA action is coming back to the Ark-La-Tex with back-to-back fight nights at the Texarkana Arkansas Convention Center. Join us and witness all of the mayhem and carnage we are calling “Proving Grounds” as the Peak Fighters leave it all in the cage.”
MMA fans, this is your time to shine! This one is for YOU! Visit peakfighting.com for more information or to purchase tickets!
Paint & Sip—Thursday, January 21 @ 67 Landing
Who in their right mind wouldn’t want to attend this event? Enjoying a nice Thursday evening, painting a beer bottle or wine glass while drinking from one at the same time, sounds like my kind of night!
You don’t have to be Picasso to enjoy this ColorHype TXK sponsored event! Just come ready to have a good time! Your first drink is included in the ticket price! Even if you’re 16-20 (meaning you can’t drink), you can still attend and paint!
Seats on the patio for this event will fill up very quickly, so get your tickets fast! You can find more information on ticket prices at Active.com.
2nd Saturday Trade Days—Saturday, January 9 @ The Historic 1894
This event is for those market enthusiasts who love shopping local and can’t get enough of the “crafts, artistry, antiques and repurpose ready junk,” promised on 1894citymarket.com. I know y’all are out there!
Every 2nd Saturday of the month, 1894 City Market hosts a variety of vendors who come out to sell their items. The best part about this, though, is the fact that the market building is located in the heart of historic downtown Texarkana—the 123-year-old 1894 Market Building (Ritchie Grocery)! Strolling through this open-air market is completely free, but bring your wallet and come ready to shop! I can’t wait! There’s nothing like starting the new year spending money I don’t have on things I don’t need!
Trivia—Every Week
@ Twisted Fork—Saturdays—7:00 pm
@ LaFagota Bar & Grill—Sundays—6:00 pm
@ FatJacks—Sundays—5:30 pm
@ Redbone—Wednesdays—7:00 pm
@ Pop’s Place—Wednesdays—7:30 pm
@ Arrow Bar—Thursdays—8:30 pm
Imagine our surprise when my friends and I went out for dinner one rainy evening, thinking we were only going to suck down some delicious food, when in fact, we were asked if we wanted to play trivia. We gave it a try—only to BEAT EVERYONE in a packed house of people. I know it’s only trivia, but let us be proud of ourselves. We never win anything!
So, grab some friends, pick your team name and put on your thinking cap because you’re going to need it! The questions aren’t easy, but we managed (just barely) to pull through. Now, our goal is to beat our score every week. Come on out and try to beat us!
Watson Team Roping—January 15-17 @ Four States Fairgrounds
I have cousins who rope, and they tried to teach me how once. Never again! Apparently, I’m not good with a rope, but I
wouldn’t be any less entertained watching someone who is good with one!
This qualifying competition will stretch throughout the entire weekend, so come and go as you please. It’s absolutely free! It’s a full weekend of horses, riders and roping and the intensity of the competition for you to sit back and enjoy. It will be IMPRESSIVE! There will be vendors and concessions for all your food and shopping needs!
See y’all at the Fairgrounds! 
For more events visit
