Ellington

This weekend is one to spend with the family, attending events that everybody can enjoy. To start the weekend off, check out the second annual Fais Do-Do tonight, Oct. 15, at The Commons at Eudora Welty's Birthplace (719 N. Congress St.) brought to you by the Jackson Arts Collective. The event features live music, dancing and more, starting at 8 p.m.; $5 but be sure to bring at least $3 more for a bowl of jambalaya. E-mail [e-mail missing] for more details. For something more laid back, pack everybody into the car and go out to eat for some family time over dinner with no worries about cooking or cleanup. The variety of restaurants in and around Jackson is spectacular; choose any type of food you desire whether it be American, Italian, Asian or even Lebanese. Head to the JFP Restaurant Listings for a list of amazing restaurants that the entire family will enjoy. Step outside your comfort zone and enjoy food that you have never considered before--you may find your new favorite on the JFP Menu Guide.

Saturday is never dull in the Jackson area if you look in the right places. You just have to figure out when you want to start your day. You might try The Township at Colony Park (1111A Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland) at 10 a.m. for the Township Fall Festival. This is a free event with plenty of activities for the kids, music for the parents and a chili cook-off for everyone to enjoy, call 800-468-6078 for more info. If you don't want chili, head to Trustmark Park (1 Braves Way, Pearl) for their Red Beans and Rice Celebration at 11 a.m. This is an annual event that benefits the Stewpot Community Services in the Jackson area. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Go out and support the community while enjoying good food and music. Call 601-353-2759.

For those who start their day later, visit the Belhaven University Center for the Arts Concert Hall (835 Riverside Drive) to witness the Community Dance Concert at 7:30 p.m. Prices vary, $5 for seniors/students/children, $2 for faculty and staff, and $10 for everyone else. Support the Belhaven University Dance Department and other local dancers. Call 601-965-1400 for more information. To see the other options for Saturday night, visit the JFP Events Calendar, Jackson's most complete source for things to do around town.

Sunday is a very special day for the Jackson Free Press family because of one event: the Herman Snell Memorial Benefit. It begin at 3 p.m. at Hal & Mal's (200 Commerce St), and honors the former JFP music listings editor who passed unexpectedly. The benefit features live music and art for sale. Tickets are $10, with all proceeds going to his family. Go to facebook.com/hwsnell for more information about the event and the man being honored, or read Regarding Herman by JPF publisher Todd Stauffer.

At 7 p.m. Sunday, Fenian's Pub (901 E. Fortification St.) will presenting The Mairtin de Cogain Project with a show entitled "From Cork with Love." The show is a unique perspective of romance from the south of Ireland. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door; members of the Celtic Heritage Society or Jackson Irish Dancers get a special discount. Call 601-376-9866 for more information. Begin your search for what's going on this weekend on the Best Bets page. If you still have a free space that needs filling, consider a movie. find one on the JFP Movie Finder.

Is something missing? To make sure your event is listed on the JFP calendars, send the information to [e-mail missing] or [e-mail missing], or add your event yourself. It's easy!