Entertainment
This week’s entertainment includes ALT’s ‘Waitress,’ Rock of Ages at Civic Center
Cinergy offering special events, deals, more in September
Cinergy Entertainment Group has shared its September lineup of special events, promotions, and deals for its audiences this month. Movie premieres include (Sept. 6) “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” (Sept. 13) “Speak No Evil” and “Transformers One,” (Sept. 20) “The Wild Robot” and “Wolfs” and (Sept. 27) “Never Let Go.”
A food theme for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” includes a featured cocktail, Rotten Eggs (jalapeno poppers), Lady Fingers (pigs in a blanket), and Fried Popcorn Shrimp, at select locations. Events include a Slasher Series – Speak No Evil – Trivia and Etch A Sketch on Sept. 14, sensory friendly screening for “Transformers One” on Sept. 21, and a breakfast event for “The Wild Robot” on Sept. 28.
Cinergy is located at 9201 Cinergy Square in Amarillo. Movies, dates, and titles vary by location, so be sure to check your local theater schedule at https://www.cinergy.com/specials.
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 is ongoing 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.
Remaining show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 12 and 19; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Sept. 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.
WT’s Great Books to return with iconic ‘The Waste Land’
CANYON — West Texas A&M University’s Great Books Series will return in September with an examination of one of the 20th century’s most recognizable poems. Dr. Robert Fulton, assistant professor of humanities and English at Amarillo College, will lead the discussion of T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land,” which famously opens with “April is the cruelest month.”
The Great Books discussion will take place at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at Burrowing Owl Books, 7406 Southwest 34th Ave., Suite 2B, in Amarillo.
Sponsored by the Department of English, Philosophy and Modern Languages in the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities, the discussion series is open to those who either have or haven’t read the story, said organizer Dr. Daniel Bloom. Eliot’s poem has confounded and challenged readers for more than a century, Fulton said.
WT professors and guest lecturers lead the monthly Great Books discussions. For information, email Bloom at dbloom@wtamu.edu.
‘Shades of Compassion’ on display at AMoA
A new photography exhibition, “Shades of Compassion,” is on display at the Amarillo Museum of Art (AMoA) now through Dec. 29.
The exhibition aims to promote compassion worldwide through inspirational, thought-provoking photographs. Drawn from a diverse roster of 41 international fine art photographers, the exhibit’s 50 photographs encompass a diverse spectrum of perspective, subject and artistic expression.
The museum is located at 2200 South Van Buren on the Washington Street campus of Amarillo College. AMoA hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit www.amoa.org, email amoa@actx.edu, or call (806) 371-5050 or (806) 371-5392 (weekends).
Broadway’s Rock of Ages Band to rock out Sept. 13 at Civic Center
Broadway’s Rock of Ages Band will be hitting the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13 at the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium, 401 S. Buchanan.
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, according to a show announcement. The group brings a renewed life to the music and hits from 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.
The Amarillo show is sponsored by 100.9 The Eagle. Patrons can purchase tickets online at panhandletickets.com, in person at the Amarillo Civic Center Complex box office, and/or by phone (806) 378-3096.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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/ .
Good Times Celebration Barbecue Cook-Off set for Oct. 3
The Amarillo Chamber of Commerce’s Good Times Celebration Barbecue Cook-Off is set for 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 at the Tri-State Fairgrounds.
Attendees can sample brisket, ribs and more as they enjoy food from various participating culinary teams, which will be vying for the top prizes and bragging rights at the annual event.
Tickets are on sale now through the Civic Center Box Office (open noon-6 p.m. daily) or by phone at (806) 378-3096 or online at Panhandle Tickets for $30 in advance. Tickets at the gate will be $40 per person.
Amarillo Opera opens season with ‘Carmen’ Oct. 5
The Amarillo Opera presents “Carmen” on Oct. 5 in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts. The production is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
One of the most popular operas ever written, “Carmen” centers around a woman who craves love, but instead she creates obsession and jealousy. The cast and crew for the Amarillo production include Conductor Jorge Parodi and Director Fenlon Lamb, as well as Hilary Ginther as Carmen, Trey Smagur as Don Jose, Cecilia Lopez as Micaela, Colin Ramsey at Escamillo, Travis Sherwood as Morales, Elizabeth Magnor as Frasquita, Candace Carpenter as Mercedes, Corey Trahan as El Remendado, Alexander Winn as El Dancairo and Sean Milligan as Zuniga.
Tickets are now available to purchase for the one-night production online at www.amarilloopera.org or by calling the office at 806.372.7464. Season tickets are also available for the opera’s 2024-25 season, which includes “Carmen,” Redneck Tenors, Moipei and “Cruzar La Cara De La Luna.”
For more information, visit their website or follow them on Instagram or Facebook.
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.