Concerts, exhibits, movie-themed specials among this week's entertainment

WT Electronic Music Ensemble to offer debut performance May 8

CANYON — A state-of-the-art music group will make its concert debut May 8 at West Texas A&M University. WT’s new Electronic Ensemble will perform at 6:30 p.m. May 8 in the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex Recital Hall and Grand Lobby. Admission is free.

The ensemble uses nontraditional electronic instruments and production tools to create musical performance pieces, said Dr. Ryan Ingebritsen, assistant professor of music. “This allows the broad range of musical and cultural backgrounds present in the ensemble to enjoy a shared space of musical creation using electronic processes and improvisational techniques,” Ingebritsen said. “The musical creations are unique to interests of the students who live in this area.”

The concert is progressive, with an opening piece that begins in the lobby and travels into the recital hall, Ingebritsen said.

Ensemble members include Erick Langford, a senior music technology major from Amarillo; Graham McFarland, a sophomore music technology major from Claude; Charles Neal, a junior music technology major from Amarillo; Sierra Ochoa, a junior music technology major from Amarillo; Luke Rodriguez, a junior music technology major from Amarillo; Tristan Tillman, a senior music technology major from Alamogordo, New Mexico; and Kortni VanDamme, a junior music technology major from Amarillo.

Cinergy to host specials, promos during month of May

Each month, Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas including the Amarillo location hosts a variety of special events and promos. In May, upcoming movies to be shown include "The Fall Guy," "Tarot," "Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace" 25th anniversary, "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes," "The Strangers: Chapter 1," "IF," "Back to Black," "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga," the "Garfield" movie and "Young Woman and the Sea". May 25 will feature a breakfast event for "Garfield" and a sensory friendly surprise.

On May 24, Cinergy will have Garfield kids packs and a Garfield featured menu, including lasagna bites and Garfield pizza, as well as a Garfield in “Cut to Win” game.

For Elite Members, from May 1-May 31 (Mother’s Day), treat mom to free movies by signing her up for Elite Plus. On May 5 (Cinco de Mayo), there will be free Rico’s nachos for Elite Plus members. On May 27, an Elite Plus Memorial Day offer will feature a $10 gift card for basic members, or $20 gift card for Elite Plus members. Other features include the Cinergy Heroes Teacher Appreciation week (May 1-8), Mother's Day and graduation fun card special online for a $50 Fun Card with $10 Bonus Cash (May 1-31) and a Mother’s Day gift basket giveaway on social media (May 9-14).

For more information including showtimes, visit www.cinergy.com/amarillo.

Starlight Ranch hosting full concert season, Muttfest, more

The Starlight Ranch Event Center, located at 1415 Sunrise Dr., has a full lineup of concerts in the works as the summer months grow closer.

Among performers and events listed on their website are Ian Munsick (May 10), Charles Wesley Godwin (May 13), Muttfest (May 19), Kameron Marlowe (May 17), Tracy Byrd (May 31), The Marshall Tucker Band (June 8), Braxton Keith (June 14), Aaron Watson (June 15), Corey Kent (June 20), Chris Young (June 28), La Mafia (July 12), and the toadies (Aug. 31).

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.

Spring Art Exhibition to highlight works of graduating WT seniors

CANYON — Five West Texas A&M University student artists who’ll soon begin making their mark on the world will offer one last look at their work in an upcoming exhibition.

“The World Is Our Oyster,” on view through May 18 in the Dord Fitz Formal Gallery in Mary Moody Northen Hall on WT’s Canyon campus, will feature the work of five May graduates, all studio art majors: Kayla Monds of Pampa, Chit Pu of Amarillo, Cristal Chavez Saavedra of Amarillo, Anna Vongkaysone of Amarillo and Andrea Hernandez of Amarillo.

Monds makes paintings that bring Greek Mythology into modern times. Pu takes digital sketches and blows them up into large-scale abstractions. Saavedra’s paintings explore nontraditional renderings of sugar skulls. Vongkaysone makes nostalgic paintings that fuse hyperrealistic imagery with abstracted symbols. And Hernandez makes ceramic sculptures that focus on everyday objects and food.

Fitz Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and by appointment Fridays and Saturdays. Email jrevett@wtamu.edu.

AMoA hosting exhibit by Brooklyn-based artist

A Swoon exhibition is on display at the Amarillo Museum of Art now through Aug. 11. Caledonia Curry, whose work appears under the name Swoon, is a Brooklyn-based artist and is widely known as the first woman to gain large-scale recognition in the male-dominated world of street art. Curry took to the streets of New York while attending the Pratt Institute of Art in 1999, pasting her paper portraits to the sides of buildings with the goal of making art and the public space of the city more accessible.

In a moment when contemporary art often holds a conflicted relationship to beauty, Curry's work carries with it an earnestness, treating the beautiful as sublime even as she explores the darker sides of her subjects. Her work has become known for marrying the whimsical to the grounded, often weaving in slivers of fairy-tales, scraps of myth, and a recurring motif of the sacred feminine. Tendrils of her own family history — and a legacy of her parents’ struggles with addiction and substance abuse — recur throughout her work.

The Amarillo Museum of Art is located at 2200 South Van Buren on the Washington Street campus of Amarillo College. Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. For additional information, visit www.amoa.org, email amoa@actx.edu, or call 806-371-5050 or 806-371-5392 (weekends).

Dali's Wonderland exhibition on display at Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum

The Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum (PPHM) exhibit, "Dali's Wonderland," is currently on display.

"Dali’s Wonderland" is in partnership with the West Texas A&M University Information Technology Department. Thanks to this partnership, the exhibition will feature a virtual flipbook of Dali’s works. In the coming months, IT will also be working with to create an artificial intelligence and augmented reality aspects to this exhibition. The museum will offer some special programming this summer around the exhibition and those details will be announced soon.

Located on the campus of West Texas A&M University, PPHM offers visitors a chance to step into Texas Panhandle history with special exhibits, a permanent collection, special events and more. For more information about PPHM, visit www.panhandleplains.org.

Don Louis at the Amarillo Civic Center on June 15

Don Louis will perform for Country Night at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 15 in the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium. Experience an extraordinary evening of country music featuring a lineup of five exceptional artists, headlined by Don Louis.

Renowned for his soulful melodies and captivating performances, Don Louis is a true luminary of contemporary country music. With chart-topping hits and a dynamic stage presence, Louis promises a night to remember. From heartfelt ballads to foot-stomping anthems, each artist brings their unique style and energy to the stage, promising a diverse and electrifying concert experience.

Tickets are on sale at panhandletickets.com .

Diamond and Gold Concert - A Tribute to Neil Diamond to perform in June

Diamond and Gold Concert - A Tribute to Neil Diamond, honoring the music of the great Neil Diamond and featuring Amarillo's own Dean Yates, will perform June 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts in Amarillo.

Ticket sales benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Amarillo and cost $25 each, including fees. Tickets are available online at https://www.panhandletickets.com/, at the Amarillo Civic Center Box Office, by phone (806) 378-3096 and participating area United Supermarkets.

Band members include Yates - Guitar/Vocals, Dr. Dan Hanson - Keyboards, Mary Lyn Halley - Acoustic Guitar/Vocals, Marshall Pjesky - Guitar, Miranda Pjesky - Bass Guitar, Dr. Jim Rennier - Drums and Cathleen Tyson-Day - Vocals.

Yates has been a consummate performer in the Amarillo area for many years. Upon graduation from college, he passed the audition and was selected to perform as a lead guitarist for Dennis Yost of Classics IV fame. Yates traveled across the country performing the million-selling hits Spooky, Stormy, Everyday with You Girl, and Traces of Love at concerts, club dates and even at the White House. He has also performed in plays for theater and improv shows as part of the acting troupe, Merely Players. Currently, Yates can be seen in the Amarillo area as a solo artist, and as a founding member of the band, Insufficient Funds.

Throughout the years, Yates has developed a passion for the songs of Neil Diamond. He is looking forward to showcasing that passion in the band’s musical tribute to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Amarillo.For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/diamondandgoldconcert .

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Amarillo programs help alleviate some financial burdens for families with sick children. Their belief is when families are together, they cope better. No family should have to deal with their child’s medical crisis alone. You can find out more at https://www.rmhcofamarillo.org .

Amarillo Venom hosts home games, as well as concerts in May, June

Reyna Entertainment presents The Ice Man Paul Wall himself, coming to the Amarillo Venom game on May 18 at the Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan.

Paul Wall will perform a live concert immediately after the game vs. the Mississippi Raiders, and Tommy Ontheradio will be on deck spinning heat. Tickets went on sale at noon Monday for this CBS, Hulu televised game on panhandletickets.com. A VIP meet and greet will be held before the concert, including backstage access, premium seat, exclusive VIP party during the game backstage, VIP bar, autographed ball and Venom gear.

Reyna Entertainment is also presenting Don Louis live at the Amarillo Civic Center on June 15. The concert is set to begin at 7 p.m., and tickets are on sale now. Brace yourselves for an electrifying night featuring a stellar lineup of five bands, setting the stage on fire before Don Louis takes over, a concert announcement says. Secure your spot now at panhandletickets.com and join them for an unforgettable evening of music, energy, and pure excitement.

YK Osiris will be performing at the May 11 Amarillo Venom game and will be holding a concert at the end of the game at the Amarillo Civic Center. Tickets are on sale now.

For more information about Amarillo Venom and Reyna Entertainment, visit their Facebook pages. For tickets, visit panhandletickets.com .

Amarillo’s first ever drone show at Hodgetown set for June 7-8

The Amarillo Sod Poodles are excited to announce the addition of back-to-back drone light show performances at Hodgetown on June 7-8. The Sod Poodles have partnered with Sky Elements to bring 200 drones to light up the Amarillo sky and pay homage to Sod Poodles baseball and other iconic Amarillo history and imagery.

Sky Elements, based in Fort Worth, is the leading drone light show provider in the United States. Their experienced team has brought the art of drone light shows all across the country for community events, sports teams, businesses, artists, and major brands alike. The company set the Guinness World Record for the largest aerial sentence formed by multirotor/drones during their Fourth of July weekend performance last year in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The shows will take place on Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8 when the Sod Poodles host the Tulsa Drillers (Double-A, Los Angeles Dodgers). Games are set to begin at 7:05 p.m., with gates opening at 6 p.m.

For more information on promotions and other news, follow the team on social media @sodpoodles on Facebook, X, and Instagram. For questions and more information, call 806-803-7762 or email info@SodPoodles.com .

Sesame Street Live! Say Hello coming to Amarillo in June 2024

Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and their Sesame Street friends will be featured in an all-new live show, "Sesame Street Live! Say Hello," coming to Amarillo on June 26, 2024.

Tickets are available now online via panhandletickets.com . Round Room Live and Sesame Workshop are proud to announce the new live show, which will bring the beloved characters from the iconic Sesame Street to life in a brand-new interactive production that will tour the U.S. and Canada beginning in April 2024.

“For over 50 years, Sesame Workshop has worked at the intersection of education, media, and research, creating joyful experiences that enrich minds and expand hearts,” said Whit Higgins, Sesame Workshop Executive Vice President, Head of Global Enterprises, in a news release. “Round Room Live has a history of working with new and iconic properties to create engaging and thrilling live events. We can’t wait for families and friends to enjoy this brand-new Sesame Street show filled with song, dance, and a few fun and furry surprises.”

Fans can visit SesameStreetLive.com now for tour dates and ticket information, and follow Sesame Street Live social media for exclusive tour content. For more, visit www.SesameStreet.org .

Celtic Throne takes to Amarillo stage July 3

Celtic Throne arrives to the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, July 3, with the show starting at 7:30 p.m.

Celtic Throne explores the ancient origins of Irish step dance and celebrates the millennia-long journey of a music and-dance-loving people as they migrate from the ancient Near East to Ireland, Scotland, England and the United States. Embarking on their fifth U.S. tour in the spring of 2024, Armstrong Dance presents their original Irish dance production, Celtic Throne, with Golden Globe-nominated composer Brian Byrne's majestic musical score.

For more information, visit https://CelticThrone.com or their social media channels. For tickets, visit panhandletickets.com .

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's Farewell Tour stops by Amarillo July 28

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's All - The Good Times: The Farewell Tour will visit Amarillo on Sunday July 28. The show starts at 8 p.m. in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts. Various meet and greet packages are on sale, as well as general concert tickets.

With a refreshed lineup and newfound energy, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band remains one of the most accomplished bands in American roots music. Following an extended 50th anniversary tour, the ensemble grew to a six-piece in 2018 for the first time since their early jug band days. The group now includes Jeff Hanna (acoustic guitar, electric guitar), Jimmie Fadden (drums, harmonica), Bob Carpenter (keyboards), Jim Photoglo (bass, acoustic guitar), Ross Holmes (fiddle, mandolin), and Jaime Hanna (electric and acoustic guitar). All six members also sing, and when their voices merge, the harmonies add a powerful new component for the legendary band. And with the father-son pairing of Jeff and Jaime Hanna, the band carries on a country music tradition of blood harmony. Jeff Hanna says, “It’s like when you throw a couple of puppies into a pen with a bunch of old dogs. All of a sudden, the old dogs start playing, you know? That’s kind of what’s happened with us. The basic vibe is so up and positive, and the music– we’re hearing surprises from Jaime and Ross all night. And they’re encouraging us in the same way to take more chances. It’s opened a lot of doors for us, musically, and the morale is really great. That’s important for a band that’s been out there for over 53 years.”

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band played their first gig in 1966 in Southern California as a jug band and by 1969 had become a cornerstone of the burgeoning country-rock community. Their career breakthrough came in 1970 with the release of the record Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy and the single “Mr. Bojangles,” a folksy Top 10 pop hit that remains a staple of their live show. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band earned a pop resurgence in 1980 with “An American Dream” and “Make a Little Magic.” Those singles also found traction on the country chart, setting the stage for a major run at country radio. The band secured 16 Top 10 country hits between 1983 and 1990, including three No. 1 singles: “Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper’s Dream),” “Modern Day Romance,” and “Fishin’ in the Dark.”

With so much material to work with, the band is making it a point to shuffle the set lists more often, meaning that this isn’t the same Dirt Band show from years past. “We’re fortunate that we’ve got a deep songbook. That’s been on our list, to resurrect some of the tunes we haven’t done in a while, in addition to some new stuff,” Hanna says.

Tickets are on sale at panhandletickets.com .

Ben Folds on tour, visits Amarillo Aug. 8

Ben Folds brings his Paper Airplane Request Tour to Amarillo on Thursday, Aug. 8. The show is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts.

"Folds is widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of our generation," a concert announcement notes. "The Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter-composer has created an enormous body of genre-bending music that includes pop albums with Ben Folds Five, multiple solo albums, and numerous collaborative records. For the past three decades, he’s toured as a pop artist, while also performing with some of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras. A New York Times Best Selling author and podcast host, Ben also composes for film, tv and theatre, guest stars in films and TV, and is in his seventh year serving as the Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, DC.A longtime advocate for arts and music education funding, Ben launched a music education charitable initiative in his native state of North Carolina entitled “Keys For Kids,” which provides funds and keyboards to existing nonprofits that provide free or affordable music lessons to interested school-age children. On the national level, he’s active as a member of Americans For The Arts and the Arts Action Fund."

Tickets are on sale at panhandletickets.com .

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo entertainment in brief for May 5, 2024