This week's entertainment includes 'Bethlehem' film, theater, art exhibits
Benefits of educational travel on view in upcoming WT student art exhibition
CANYON — A trio of West Texas A&M University students will explore parallel worlds in an upcoming art exhibition.
“Mundos Paralelos” will hang Dec. 7 to 23 in the Dord Fitz Formal Gallery in Mary Moody Northen Hall. An opening reception is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 7. Featured students are John Flatt, a senior studio art major from Canyon; Elvina Hernandez, a senior studio art major from Wellington; and Ana Ramirez, a senior studio art major from Perryton.
“While all three have different styles, the title, which is Spanish for ‘parallel worlds,’ represents the connecting thread of their work,” said Jon Revett, art program director and Doris Alexander Distinguished Professor of Fine Arts. “John makes abstract paintings which based on formal conceptualism, Ana’s work is also abstract but blurs the line between the physical and illusionary realms, and Elvina makes paintings based on dreams that lean towards surrealism.” Each of the three artists’ work was influenced by school trips they took to New Mexico and New York City, Revett said.
Also on view in the Northen Hall atrium will be portfolio posters by seniors in the graphic design course. Participating students, all graphic design majors, include Ana Briones, a senior from Plainview; Kia Broussard, a senior from Dallas; Christi Dawson, a senior from Hereford; Dylan Green, a senior from Dumas; Melody Richards, a junior from Lubbock; Matthew Rosas, a junior from Meridian; and Kristyn Serna, a senior from Wildorado.
The exhibition comes through the Department of Art, Theatre and Dance in WT's Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities. Fitz Gallery hours through Dec. 9 are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and by appointment Fridays and Saturdays. The gallery will be open by appointment only during winter break, Dec. 11 to Jan. 15. Email jrevett@wtamu.edu.
AC Theatre set to present Tennessee Williams classic 'Summer and Smoke'
An early 20th-century love story that stands the test of time takes center stage Dec. 7-10 when the Amarillo College Theatre Arts Program presents "Summer and Smoke," a play by Tennessee Williams, at the Experimental Theatre on AC’s Washington Street Campus.
The story centers around neighbors long smitten but kept at bay by their divergent attitudes about life – one is straight-laced, the other self-indulgent. Despite each coming full circle to the other’s point of view, the chasm persists.
“This is a classic by Tennessee Williams, but it is seldom produced, and that makes it especially fun for us to present,” Monty Downs, instructor of theatre and the show’s director, said. “This play definitely is challenging, but I believe we’re up to it and that it’s going to be a wonderful show.” The challenges, Downs says, are primarily due to the period in which the play is set, 1916, just prior to America’s entry into World War I.
The Dec. 7-9 performances will start at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students (college or high school), senior citizens, and AC employees and can be purchased at the door or online.
ALT brings 'Prancer' to stage
Amarillo Little Theatre, 2019 Civic Circle, presents "Prancer" at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1, 2, 8 and 9; and at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 2, 3, 9 and 10.
"Prancer" is based on the 1989 film and, after capturing the hearts of generations on screen, this story will be brought to life on stage. When Jessica – a 9-year-old girl whose family has fallen upon hard times – finds an injured deer in the woods, she’s convinced it’s one of Santa’s reindeer. The clock is ticking and she must convince the skeptics of her town to help return Prancer to the rest of his sleigh-pulling team and save Christmas.
Tickets are $18 for ages 12 and older and $15 for those younger than 12.
Reservations can be made by calling the ALT box office at (806) 355-9991 or online at www.amarillolittletheatre.org.
WT Orchestra’s annual Christmas concert set for Dec. 3
CANYON, Texas — Joyous carols will ring out at the West Texas A&M University Symphony Orchestra’s annual holiday concert.
“I Heard the Bells! Music of the Christmas Season,” in conjunction with the WT Choirs, will be performed at 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 3 in Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall on WT’s Canyon campus. Admission is free, but tickets are required.
Angela Allen, WT’s director for engaged citizenship, will narrate Mack Wilberg’s “Longfellow’s Christmas.”
The WT Harp Studio — directed by Dr. Jenny Miller, WT instructor of harp — will welcome the audiences with prelude music.
Also performing are the Palo Duro High School Chorale and Chamber Singers, under the direction of Mark Bailey.
The WT Choirs — under the direction of Dr. Sean Pullen, professor of music and director of choral activities for the School of Music — will perform Pullen’s arrangements of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “O, Happy Day!”
Also on the concert bill are compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, Matt Riley, Ēriks Ešenvalds and more, including “Silent Night,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Russian Christmas Music” and more.
Those who can’t attend in person can still see “Music of the Christmas Season” when it airs 8 p.m. Dec. 22 and 10 p.m. Dec. 24 on Panhandle PBS.
Cinemark screening Lucado's 'Bethlehem'
Cinemark Hollywood 16-Amarillo, 9100 Canyon Drive, will host a special screening of Max Lucado's "Because of Bethlehem" at 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 6, and 7.
Inspired by his bestselling book, Because of Bethlehem, author Max Lucado invites you and your family to experience the Christmas story from a different perspective in beautiful Nashville, Tennessee. This special event will remind audiences that the spirit of Christmas is much more than a pretty tree with presents piled up underneath, but a time to reflect on the true Gift of the season.
Tickets to this special screening are $12.45 and available online at fathomevents.com
Trevino brings comedy to Amarillo
Comedian Steve Treviño, known as America’s Favorite Husband, brings his show to the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m. Dec. 8.
His relatable approach affirms his status as one of the country’s fastest-rising comics, viewed over 223 million times, selling out shows coast-to-coast, amassing over 2 million total social media followers, and headlining specials for Amazon, NETFLIX, Showtime, and more.
Tickets for this show range from $36 to $56 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating. They are available online at panhandletickets.com
Lone Star Ballet presents 'The Nutcracker'
Lone Star Ballet presents "The Nutcracker" at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8; 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9; and 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, in the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium.
The ballet tells the fantasy story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King", about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve and wages a battle against the evil Mouse King.
Tickets for this production range from $16 to $51 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating. They are available in advance online at panhandletickets.com
Cinemark screening 40th anniversary of 'Christmas Story'
Cinemark Hollywood 16-Amarillo, 911 Canyon Drive, is hosting a special 40th anniversary screening of "A Christmas Story" at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13.
It’s the final days before Christmas in early 1940s Cleveland, and 9-year-old Ralphie wants one thing from Santa more than anything else: a Red Ryder Carbine Action Air Rifle.
As he trudges through the snow to school, faces the neighborhood bully and visits a malevolent department store Santa Claus, Ralphie connives, conspires and campaigns for the most fabulous Christmas present ever in this heartwarming, hysterical and sweetly nostalgic holiday film. Based on stories by Jean Sheppard.
Tickets for this special screening are $12.45 and available online in advance at fathomevents.com
ASO presents Happy Holiday Pops
The Amarillo Symphony presents Happy Holiday Pops at 7:3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15; and 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturay, Dec. 16, in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts.
This will be a sparkling celebration with carols, classics, and a sing-along.
Guest conductor is Christopher Confessore and guest ensemble will be the Amarillo Master Chorale.
Tickets to this event range from $21.50 to $71.50 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating. Tickets may be purchased online at panhandletickets.com
K-LOVE Christmas coming to civic center
Step into a world of joy as K-LOVE's Celebrate Christmas Tour comes to the Amarillo Civic Center at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16.
Join us for a celebration featuring Natalie Grant and Danny Gokey with special guest Mac Powell. Immerse yourself in the timeless classics that bring people together during this special season.
Tickets to this concert range from $21.50 to $43 (plus taxes and fees) and are available online at panhandleticketse.com
Exhibit honoring 100 Years of Texas State Parks comes to PPHM
CANYON — In honor of the Centennial Celebration of Texas State Parks, the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon will display a new traveling art exhibit through Feb. 18, 2024.
The Art of Texas State Parks is a visual arts survey of state parks featuring more than 30 of the parks by some of Texas' finest artists. Along with the traveling exhibit, the exhibit also includes a commemorative book published by Texas A&M Press. Proceeds from book sales and the sale of the artwork through Foltz Fine Art in Houston will be donated to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation to benefit Texas State Parks at the conclusion of the exhibition run.
In anticipation of the 2023 Centennial Celebration of Texas State Parks, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation collaborated with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, and the Bullock Texas State History Museum to present The Art of Texas State Parks. Thirty notable Texas artists were commissioned to create works celebrating parks across Texas. PPHM was selected as an important stop for this traveling exhibition since it is partners and located near Palo Duro Canyon, the most visited state park.
A commemorative book is available online through several sources, including Texas A&M Press and Amazon.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo entertainment in brief for Dec. 3, 2023
