Entertainment
ALT’s ‘Waitress,’ Friends of Fogelberg concert among this week’s entertainment
ALT presents ‘Waitress,’ a musical baked to perfection
The Amarillo Little Theatre (ALT) presents its first Mainstage production of the 2024/25 season, “Waitress.” The uplifting and inspiring musical opens Thursday, Sept. 5 on ALT’s Allen Shankles Mainstage, at 2019 Civic Circle.
“I am so excited that ALT is one of the first theatres to produce this show!” says ALT Managing/Artistic Director Jason Crespin. “With these exclusive rights, we are once again bringing new theatre to our community. This show is a perfect slice of musical theatre and we are ready to serve everyone who comes to see it!”
Brought to life on Broadway by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, “Waitress” features the infectious melodies and poignant lyrics of Grammy winner Sara Bareilles and a book by screenwriter Jessie Nelson and was nominated for four Tony Awards including Best Musical. In “Waitress,” the familiar chime of a diner door signals the start of the dessert symphony of Jenna Hunterson, a culinary artist pouring her deepest hopes, fears, and desires into every handcrafted pie that emerges from her rolling pin. Trapped in a loveless marriage yet unexpectedly expecting, she finds solace in the kitchen. Jenna fears she may have to abandon the dream of opening her own pie shop … until a baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s handsome new doctor offer her a tempting recipe for happiness.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 5, 12 and 19; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Sept. 6-7, 13-14, and 20-21; and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 15 and 22. Tickets are on sale now and can be reserved by phone at (806) 355-9991 or online at www.tickets.amarillolittletheatre.org. The production is rated 13+ due to some violence including domestic abuse, adult language, use of alcohol, and sexual situations.
Look for more about this local production in a story in an upcoming Globe-News edition.
Author to sign copies of new book ‘The Porcelain Promise’ Sept. 8
Texas Panhandle native Jordan Reed will be signing copies of his newly released second book, “The Porcelain Promise,” Sunday, Sept. 8, from 1 to 4 p.m. in Golden Rose Tea Room, 3314 Oleson, Suite B.
“The Porcelain Promise,” released Aug. 24, is the second book in Jordan’s Zane Vrexon Mystery series. The first book, “The Wizard’s Brew,” was released in 2022 and was a finalist for the 2023 Killer Nashville Falchion Award. In “Promise,” Detective Zane Vrexon and former professor of magic Alyssa Benedictus returns to the ashy, smoggy streets of Alviun to investigate a doctor whose prosthetic limbs seem to move like magic. Possibly illegal magic. Zane and Alyssa must uncover the doctor’s secret but doing so will require help from Zane’s ever-present Shadow, a troubled entity who knows more about what’s powering the limbs than he lets on. Doc’s endgame is darker than Zane and Alyssa could have ever imagined.
Reed graduated from West Texas A&M University with a degree in engineering technology and still resides in the Texas Panhandle. For more information about Blue Handle Publishing and its authors, visit https://bluehandlepublishing.com/home.
2024 Friends of Fogelberg concert to be held Sept. 6
The 2024 Friends of Fogelberg benefit concert, Friends of Fogelberg XIV: Dan & Rockin’ The 70s, will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6 in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets for the concert can be purchased at panhandletickets.com, any participating United Supermarkets location and the Civic Center Box Office.
Friends of Fogelberg is a tribute concert in Amarillo, Texas to honor the late musician, Dan Fogelberg, who lost his life to prostate cancer in 2007. This year’s concert will be co-hosted by Doppler Dave Oliver, Stephen Cost, and Dr. David Wilhelm of Amarillo Urology. Doppler Daveʼs and Steve Costʼs prostate cancer was detected by the free screenings provided by proceeds from Friends of Fogelberg. Without the free screening, they may not be here today to share their stories. Amarillo natives Jim Wilson and Billy Stull will be featured as special guests. Wilson counted Fogelberg as his close friend and mentor, while Stull had Norman Petty (Buddy Holly’s producer/engineer) as a mentor and producer.
Proceeds from the annual event benefit the Harrington Cancer and Health Foundation. A free prostate cancer screening for men ages 45 and older will be offered 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 7 at Amarillo Urology Associates, 1900 Medi Park Dr.
Celebrate America at Hodgetown with fireworks, food, and fun Sept. 7
Celebrate America and salute veterans at Hodgetown from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, with fireworks, food, music and fun.
The Amarillo Symphony will be performing a selection of patriotic classics, film scores, previews of the Symphony’s 2024-25 season, beloved American favorites and a grand finale with the 1812 Overture and a fireworks display that will light up the night sky.
VIP Tables are available on a limited basis; call the Amarillo Symphony office at 806-376-8782. Hospitality options include Dugout Suites, Concourse Suites, Luxury Suites, and the Pepsi Party Deck. For more information, call 806-803-7762 or email groups@sodpoodles.com.
Magic of Motown to take the stage in Civic Center Sept. 7
Moxie Presents The Magic of Motown will begin its Amarillo show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex Auditorium.
The Motowners show is a tribute to the many artists and songs from the Motown years. Attendees can expect to hear hits by the Temptations, The Four Tops, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and many more. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit panhandletickets.com .
Broadway’s Rock of Ages Band to rock out Sept. 13 at Civic Center
Broadway’s Rock of Ages Band is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13 at the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium, 401 S. Buchanan. Tickets are on sale now.
The driving, music force that rocked Broadway and millions of fans in the musical “Rock of Ages,” this band of rock star musicians and lead singers from the original cast electrified performances of the five-time Tony Award nominated show for more than seven years. The group brings a renewed life to the music and hits from many of the best bands of the ‘80s, including songs by Bon Jovi, Foreigner, Journey, Whitesnake, Poison, Joan Jett, Styx, Pat Benatar, Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, Quiet Riot and many more. Some of the musicians have also played with – or currently play with – many of these artists.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.panhandletickets.com/ or contact the Civic Center box office.
Rock The Yard Canyon concert at Lumberyard on Sept. 14
An outdoor show featuring Queensrÿche, Stephen Pearcy of Ratt, Slaughter, Steven Adler Band of Guns N’ Roses is set for Sept. 14 Live at The Lumberyard in Canyon, on the First United Bank Stage.
Tickets are on sale now. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with the show starting at 7 p.m.
The Lumberyard is located at 850 N. 23rd St. in Canyon. For more information, visit https://thelumberyardcanyon.com/ or follow them on Facebook.
Chamber Music Amarillo 2024-2025 season kicks off with concert Sept. 27
Chamber Music Amarillo brings renowned artists and fresh talent to new spaces for its 2024-25 season. Subscriptions start at $250; attendees can bundle with an Amarillo Symphony subscription to save 10%. Call the Amarillo Symphony office at 806.376.8782 for more information.
The 2024/2025 season kicks off with “The Visual Meets the Aural,” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at Arts in the Sunset, with returning violinist Michelle Skinner, Aaron Merritt on cello, Rick Rowley on piano, and visual artists. The repertoire includes works by Debussy, iconic American composer Jessie Montgomery, Shostakovich and Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.” Presenting the original version of this amazing work and following the Amarillo Symphony’s performance of Ravel’s transcription just a few weeks before, CMA will be joined by friends from Sunset in the Arts, both in a juried presentation by local artists reflecting Viktor Hartmann’s original themes.
Other concerts include “In Dreams Awake” Oct. 19 in the AmTech Career Academy, “The Grandeur of Brahms” on Nov. 16 at the Amarillo Area Foundation, “Centuries of Musical Joy” on Jan. 11 at the AmTech Career Academy, “Elicio Winds” partnering with the Symphony on the theme “Mountains and Oceans” Feb. 15 at the Amarillo Museum of Art, “Metamorphosen” on March 8 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, and the season grand finale “A Love Letter of Music” on April 11 at the Amarillo Botanical Gardens.
Third Eye Blind to perform Sept. 20 on Lumberyard stage
Third Eye Blind will perform live at the Lumberyard in Canyon on Sept. 20. The outdoor show on the First United Bank Stage starts at 8 p.m., and tickets are on sale now online.
Since 1997, San Francisco’s Third Eye Blind has recorded five best-selling albums and assembled one career retrospective. Led by Stephan Jenkins, 3EB has earned worldwide success during a tumultuous time of major-label recording industry. Third Eye Blind’s 2021 album “Our Bande Apart” was recorded when lockdown ended, with Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast and Ryan Olson of Poliça. The band has continued to have gained artistic clarification, as well as a fanbase that is larger, younger and more dedicated than ever.
Doors open at 7 p.m. at the venue, located 850 N. 23rd St. in Canyon. For more information, visit https://thelumberyardcanyon.com/ or follow them on Facebook.
Live Dead and Brothers to perform in Amarillo Sept. 20
Live Dead and Brothers is set to take the audience through the golden era of psychedelic blues and the seeds of the ‘jam band’ scene on Friday, Sept. 20 at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts. The show is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.
The ensemble is set to revive the timeless magic of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The lineup features Les Dudek from The Allman Brothers, original Grateful Dead pianist Tom Constanten, Berry Duane Oakley from The Allman Betts Band, Mark Karan from Bob Weir & Rat Dog, Scott Guberman from Phil Lesh & Friends, and Pete Lavezzoli from Oteil & Friends. Together, these accomplished musicians recreate the magic of the Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers Band’s co-billed concerts during the period of 1969 to 1973.
Tickets can be purchased online at panhandletickets.com, in person at the Amarillo Civic Center Complex box office, by phone (806) 378-3096, and participating area United Supermarkets.
Hoodoo Mural Festival to fill downtown with art, live music Sept. 28
The annual Hoodoo Mural Festival is scheduled for Sept. 28 in downtown Amarillo. Festivities for the fifth-year celebration begin at 3 p.m. at 501 S. Polk St., and this year’s headliners are DRAMA and Drew Merritt.
The outdoor festival celebrates the completion of an urban beautification project each fall created in partnership between local business owners and mural artists from across the U.S., while hosting music performances by talented acts from Amarillo and beyond. The extensive lineup includes, on the music side, Sir Woman, The Texas Gentlemen, Pedal Steel Noah, West Texas Exiles, Sober, DJ Cassandra, Ri Wolf, Chill Son, DJ Roro, Tia Marie and Bomb City Sounds. The mural art side has featured artists Hiero, Lauren Ys, Medianeras, Osiris Rain, Koco Collab, Uloang, Sam Lao, Matt Tumlinson, Malcolm Byers and Eric Karberling and many more.
Those 10 and younger get in free; VIP and general admission tickets are on sale now. The event is presented by the Hoodoo Art Foundation. For more information, visit https://www.hoodoomural.com/ .
Starlight Ranch concert season continues
The Starlight Ranch Event Center, located at 1415 Sunrise Dr., has a full lineup of concerts and festivals in the works as summer transitions into the fall months, with many shows and festivals announced for October.
Among performers and events coming to the venue are Neal McCoy (Oct. 4), Octoberfest (Oct. 5), Shane Smith and the Saints (Oct. 11), the rescheduled Calf Fry Festival (Oct. 12), Paul Wall with special guest Chalie Boy (Oct. 25), Wade Bowen (Oct. 26), and more. Steaks & Two Steppin’ returns with special guest Lane Smith on Oct. 19, with proceeds supporting Special Olympics Texas – Panhandle Area.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit their website, https://www.bigtexan.com/starlight-ranch-event-center/ , follow them on Facebook or call 806-372-6000.
Watern Lantern Festival to float wishes on Amarillo lake Oct. 5
The Water Lantern Festival, voted the No. 1 Best Cultural Festival by USA TODAY, is coming to Amarillo on Oct. 5 at the Thompson Lake House Building, West Chaparral Street, which is located near the Ross Rogers Golf Course Lake in Thompson Park.
Tickets are on sale online. The ticket price includes a wristband for entry into the festival area with access to food trucks, a floating lantern kit, an LED candle, a commemorative drawstring bag, conversation cards, playing cards and a marker. It also covers the cost of collecting and removing the lanterns from the water and any cleanup afterward.
For more information, to purchase tickets, or become a vendor or sponsor, go to https://www.waterlanternfestival.com/amarillo.php or email support@WaterLanternFestival.com .
Cottonwood Faire set for Oct. 12-13 in Thompson Park
Friends and family can enjoy merriment of the medieval kind in Amarillo in October. The Cottonwood Faire Renaissance festival returns to Thompson Park on Oct. 12 and 13, presented by Fandom Events.
Festivities include food and drink, vendors, games, costumes and cosplay, a Strongman Competition, a royal court, theater, dancing and musical performances, live action roleplay and much more. Look for the full schedule to be posted online in early October. Cottonwood Faire is located on the west side of the lake behind Wonderland, directly south of the dog park, according to its website, and the only entrance/exit will be the Castle Gate. Other entrances will be blocked off during the event. Parking will be available at Wonderland Park and the pool, with a courtesy shuttle available for those who need assistance.
For more information and/or to purchase tickets, as well as booths, food truck spots and a link to volunteer forms, visit https://www.cottonwoodfaire.com/ .
Amarillo Symphony presents ‘Symphony Spooktacular’ concert for all ages Oct. 25
Get ready for a bewitching evening of music as the Amarillo Symphony joins forces with the WTAMU Orchestra and choirs from WTAMU and Canyon High School for “Symphony Spooktacular,” a family-friendly Halloween concert on Friday, Oct. 25. Two performances will be held at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, at 6 and 8 p.m.
Thrill to hauntingly beautiful melodies from iconic soundtracks like “Harry Potter,” “Skyrim,” and “Halo,” as well as other Halloween classics. The concert will also feature WTAMU student soloist Justin Williamson, recipient of the Eric Barry Vocal Competition. Come dressed in your most creative and spooky costumes and enjoy an immersive experience for the whole family. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (806) 376-8782.
Candlelight Concerts to offer performances in Amarillo Oct. 30
Illuminated by thousands of candles on stage, Candlelight Concerts invites a broader audience that might have never considered a classical music concert before to connect with the most iconic pieces in a different way. On Oct. 30, Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics will be offered at 6 p.m. at Amarillo Little Theatre, followed by Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay on Strings, at 8:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://feverup.com/en/amarillo.
Sunset Marketown being held Saturdays at Arts in the Sunset
Arts in the Sunset is debuting a new summer market this year. Sunset Marketown hosts more than 50 local artisans and artists booths, selling a variety of handmade items including soap, baked goods, skincare products, paintings, pottery, and more.
Sunset Marketown will be open every from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays in the AJ Swope Performance Plaza. The market will continue every Saturday until Sept. 28. This market will run alongside the Golden Spread Farmers Market, which also takes place at Arts in the Sunset.