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Upcoming film festival, exhibits among this week’s entertainment

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Upcoming film festival, exhibits among this week’s entertainment

Inaugural Amarillo International Film Festival announced for Oct. 10-12

The Amarillo Film Society, with generous support from The Tecovas Foundation and the Greater Amarillo Film Commission, has announced the dates for the inaugural Amarillo International Film Festival, to be held Oct. 10-12 at Arts in the Sunset.

A VIP screening of “For The Record” will follow a VIP reception to kick off the festival that Thursday evening. A total of 36 films – including narrative and documentary features and student, narrative, and documentary shorts – will fill more than 15 hours of screen time during the three-day festival, according to a news release. Filmmakers from Haiti, Mexico, Peru, Spain, and the UK will be included, along with films from California, Colorado, New York, and Utah. Texas filmmakers hail from Amarillo, Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Huntsville, San Antonio, Seabrook, Shallowater, and Weslaco.

Two other seminars over the weekend include “Writing for the Screen” and the “Art of Cut Paper Stop Motion Animation”. For more information, including festival passes, a sponsor list, a detailed schedule, and a list of all selected films, visit www.amarillofilmfestival.com.

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. 13) “Speak No Evil” and “Transformers One,” (Sept. 20) “The Wild Robot” and “Wolfs” and (Sept. 27) “Never Let Go.”

Events include a 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, now through Sept. 22.

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,” Jenna Hunterson, who is trapped in a loveless marriage yet unexpectedly expecting, finds solace in the kitchen. Jenna fears she may have to abandon the dream of opening her own pie shop … until a baking contest and the town’s handsome new doctor offer her a recipe for happiness.

Remaining show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 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.

‘Shades of Compassion,’ ‘Refugee’ exhibits now 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.

In addition, the exhibit “UNPACKED: Refugee Baggage,” on view now through Jan. 5, 2025, seeks to humanize the word “refugee.” Created during the summer of 2017, this multi-media installation is the work of Syrian-born, New Haven, Connecticut-based artist and architect Mohamad Hafez. The stories are collected and curated by Iraqi-born writer and speaker Ahmed Badr. Hafez sculpturally re-creates rooms, homes, buildings and landscapes that have suffered the ravages of war. Each is embedded with the voices and stories of real people — from Afghanistan, Congo, Syria, Iraq and Sudan — who have escaped those same rooms and buildings to build a new life in America. Their stories are collected and curated by Badr, who attends Wesleyan University and is himself an Iraqi refugee. Visitors experience short audio clips through headphones and can continue reading the stories online and on exhibit placards.

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).

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.

National Geographic photo exhibit to open at Arts in the Sunset

Arts in the Sunset visitors will witness some of the most surprising animal behavior in the new National Geographic exhibition, “The Greatest Wildlife Photographs.” The exhibit opens Sept. 23 in the Ann Crouch Gallery and is free and open to the public.

The very best wildlife pictures from the pages of National Geographic magazine have been chosen to be displayed in this exhibition, according to the Amarillo Arts Institute news release. Curated by renowned nature picture editor, Kathy Moran, this exhibition is a celebratory look at wildlife with images taken by National Geographic’s most iconic photographers such as, Michael “Nick” Nichols, Steve Winter, Paul Nicklen, Beverly Joubert, David Doubilet and more. Showcasing the evolution of photography, the images convey how innovations such as camera traps, remote imaging, and underwater technology have granted photographers access to wildlife in their natural habitat.

“The Greatest Wildlife Photographs” will remain open at Arts in the Sunset until Dec. 22. For 115 years, National Geographic has pioneered and championed the art of wildlife photography, and captivated generations of engaged audiences with a steady stream of extraordinary images of animals in nature. To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow them on Instagram, Twitter and 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.

Water 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 .

Amarillo Symphony 100th Celebration Concert set for Oct. 11-12

The Amarillo Symphony’s 100th Celebration Concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 and 12 in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, with George Jackson conducting.

Celebrate the symphony’s 100th birthday concert with Grammy-winning ensemble, Time For Three, as well as a world premiere by Grammy-winning composer Michael Daugherty commemorating Cadillac Ranch’s 50th anniversary, and Aaron Copland’s masterpiece Appalachian Spring.

Tickets are on sale now online at panhandletickets.com ; for more information, visit https://amarillosymphony.org/ .

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/ .

Ralph Barbosa to perform Oct. 19 at Civic Center

Ralph Barbosa will be performing Saturday, Oct. 19 in the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.

Barbosa’s disarming and laid-back style has made him a stand-out on stage, on TV and online. His first Netflix stand-up special, “Ralph Barbosa: Cowabunga,” was shot in August 2023 at The Kessler Theater in his hometown of Dallas. His theater tour comes after a breakout year in 2023 that saw him selling out venues across the U.S., making his debut on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” and his Comedy Central Stand-up Featuring: Ralph Barbosa set topping 3.7 million views on YouTube.

In November 2022, Ralph starred in the HBO Max comedy special, “Entre Nos: The Winners 3,” and earlier that year his “Don’t Tell Comedy” performance was released on YouTube and now has over 4.8 million views. For more info, visit his website, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube pages.

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.

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