This week's entertainment includes show news, AMA-CON, WT piano concert

Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse Live in Concert kicks off upcoming tours for Amarillo Civic Center

Celebrity Attractions and Amarillo Civic Center Complex are excited to announce four shows coming to Amarillo between September 2023 and April 2024. According to a news release, all four tours are brand-new to Amarillo.

Tickets to each show are available for purchase starting Monday, July 31 at noon and may be purchased online at panhandletickets.com, area United Supermarkets, by phone 806-378-3096 or in person at the box office inside the Amarillo Civic Center Complex. Phone and box office hours are Monday-Saturday, from noon to 6 p.m. Information on all four shows is available at CelebrityAttractions.com/Amarillo.

Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse at 7 p.m. Sept. 6: Go back to where it all began with this concert event, featuring a soundtrack that blends symphonic orchestral music with hip-hop. Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse Live in Concert pairs a screening of the Academy Award-winning animated film with live musicians and turntables featuring a DJ scratcher live on stage. Emmy winner Daniel Pemberton composed a sprawling score of boundary-pushing original music that is complimented with song contributions by Post Malone, Lil Wayne, Jaden Smith, and Nicki Minaj. The hip-hop based score results in a sonic universe that is woven throughout the fabric of the film, supporting its themes of resilience and universal heroism. Joining the tour is The Broadway Sinfonietta, an all-women and majority women-of-color orchestra led by conductor Emily Marshall.

Johnny Cash - The Official Concert Experience at 7 p.m. Oct. 30: Johnny Cash - The Official Concert Experience brings songs and stories from the “Man in Black” to the stage in a way that audiences haven’t seen or heard before. With video of Johnny from episodes of The Johnny Cash TV Show projected on a screen above the stage, a live band and singers will accompany him in perfect sync. This concert experience will showcase iconic performances from the TV show and highlight the spirit of the legend by revisiting some of his memorable words and anecdotes. Cash will perform some of his biggest hits, including “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Ring of Fire,” and “I Walk the Line,” and share stories of people he met along the way whose causes he championed – the working man from all walks of life. Plus, onstage male and female singers will split vocal duties performing their own takes on Cash hits.

"My Fair Lady" at 7 p.m., March 20, 2024: From Lincoln Center Theater that brought you The King & I and South Pacific, comes “a sumptuous new production of the most perfect musical of all time” (Entertainment Weekly), Lerner & Loewe’s "My Fair Lady." Director Bartlett Sher’s glowing production is “thrilling, glorious and better than it ever was” (New York Times).“Every so often a revival comes along that reminds you how indispensable great theater can be” (NY1).Boasting such classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and “On the Street Where You Live,” "My Fair Lady" tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady.” But who is really being transformed?

"Mean Girls - The Musical" at 7 p.m. April 8, 2024: Direct from Broadway, "Mean Girls" is the hilarious hit musical from book writer Tiny Fey (“30 Rock”), composer Jeff Richmond (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde) and original director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon). The story of a naïve newbie who falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies, "Mean Girls" “delivers with immense energy, a wicked sense of humor and joyful inside-jokery.”

Follow them on social media for more at Facebook.com/BwayAmarillo and Instagram.com/BwayAmarillo.

WT’s High Plains Piano Extravaganza to pay tribute to late Bill Evans, raise vital funds

CANYON — More than a dozen area music teachers will join hands for a special concert featuring classical works for piano in honor of a beloved former West Texas A&M University faculty member.

The High Plains Piano Extravaganza will feature several renowned musicians joining forces to perform on one or more pianos, including works from the likes of Ludwig van Beethoven, Antonín Dvořák, Gabriel Faure, Sergei Rachmaninoff, John Phillip Sousa and more. The Extravaganza, now in its second year, will be held in honor of Bill Evans, a WT professor emeritus of music, who died in March.

The free concert will begin at 5 p.m. Aug. 5 in the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex Recital Hall on WT’s Canyon campus.

“Audiences will be in for a treat thanks to a diverse lineup of compositions,” said Dr. Choong-ha Nam, professor in the School of Music in WT’s Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities. “Not only does this concert provide an opportunity for delightful collaborations between musicians, it also allows us to pay tribute to Bill Evans, who taught piano at WT for decades and whose legacy continues on through his students and their students to this day.”

A silent auction will raise funds for the Amarillo Music Teachers Association teacher enrichment fund, which helps pay for Music Teachers National Association membership for new piano teachers. Funds also will support scholarships for junior high and high school students who wish to attend the WT Piano Camp, which will launch in July 2024.

The 14 performers, who’ll play in various configurations, at the Extravaganza will include Nam; Dr. Sarah Rushing, WT assistant professor of music; Mila Abbasova, WT piano instructor; Stephen Simpson, WT administrative associate and piano teacher; Denise Parr-Scanlin, retired WT professor of music; Minkyoung Song, a recent WT graduate from South Korea; and Sandy McQueen, a WT alumnus who lives in Dallas. Performers also will include former WT piano instructor Dr. Sarah Kemmerling; 2023 Amarillo High School graduate Jack Milligan; and area piano teachers Debra Wilcox, Adrianne Sage, Eileen Moss, Andreanna Hawbaker and Debra Simpson.

AMA-CON to be held at civic center Aug. 5, 6

AMA-CON returns on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 5 and 6, to the Amarillo Civic Center for fans of fandoms of all kinds to gather. The event includes cosplay contests, vendors, an art show, special guests, a Geek Prom and more.

The convention's schedule is 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday in the north end of the facility, entrances #2-5. Passes are $5 for one day or $8 for both days. This year's special guests include Nikachu, Philip Odango, Chris Jai Alex, David Yi, K-Pop Dallas, J.M. Lee and Jason Ybarra & the Turtle Van.

AMA-CON is brought to you by the Friends of the Amarillo Public Library. For more information, visit their website at https://www.libraryamacon.org/ .

Amarillo Museum of Art to host Family Day on Aug. 12

Join the Amarillo Museum of Art (AMoA) for an afternoon of fun for the whole family during Family Day, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12.

Join the Amarillo Museum of Art (AMoA) for an afternoon of fun for the whole family during Family Day, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12.

During the free event, come celebrate community, art, and summer with live music, yard games, face painting, and hands-on art activities.

Inspired by artworks from the Jun Kaneko exhibition, art activities will include painting mini Kaneko sculptures, spin art, linocut prints and more. Free ice cream and art supply kits will be available while supplies last. Lunch will be available for purchase from The Brunch Truck.

In addition to several large-scale ceramic heads and iconic Dangos, the Jun Kaneko exhibition includes paintings, drawings, and wall hanging ceramic spanning more than 40 years of creative production. Also included in the exhibition are several collaborative works with Terry Allen and Annabeth Rosen completed in 1980 while Jun was teaching at the Cranbrook Academy of Art.

The Amarillo Museum of Art is located at 2200 South Van Buren on the Washington Street campus of Amarillo College. Museum hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 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).

Sunday night is family night at Texas Outdoor Musical

Texas Outdoor Musical is offering tickets for $1 to all kids ages 6-12 for every Sunday during the month of July. Kids younger than 5 get in free as a part of this special promotion.

TEXAS Outdoor Musical is a family-friendly show set against an authentic tapestry of history. The show’s fictional characters bring to life the stories, struggles and triumphs of the settlers of the Texas Panhandle in the 1800's. Song and dance abound – and a generous helping of good ol’ Texas humor, too.

To purchase a discounted ticket online, visit texas-show.com and select the kid’s price type, no code needed.

For a complete listing of show times, admission costs, volunteer opportunities and more information, visit www.texas-show.com.

Starlight Theater set for Tuesdays

Amarillo Parks and Rec is hosting Starlight Theater every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Sam Houston Park, 4101 Line Ave.

Enjoy free music in the park with local bands, food trucks and vendors.

Those attending are asked to bring a lawn chair, blankets and family and friends.

Music in the Gardens concert series returns for the summer

Music in the Gardens returned June 8 to the Amarillo Botanical Gardens; its start was delayed due to weather. The summer concert series takes place on Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is $10, or $5 for members.

Performers in the lineup include Texas Junction (Aug. 3), Kayla Richardson and Byron Roberts (Aug. 10), Touching Voodoo (Aug. 17), Tennessee Tuckness (Aug. 24) and Geezers Gone Wild (Aug. 31).

For more information about these and over happenings at the gardens, visit amarillobotanicalgardens.org/events/ or call (806) 352-6513.

JAB to perform at Starlight Ranch

Josh Abbott Band takes the stage with Austin Michael in Amarillo at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 4, on the Starlight main stage.

A staple in the Texas music scene since forming in 2006 at Lubbock’s Texas Tech University, the Josh Abbott Band has become an icon in the lone star state thanks to numerous successful singles and albums over the last decade plus.

The group’s relentless on-stage attitude quickly made it a successful touring act, building out from a Texas band to a regional act to a national crew with a devoted following from coast to coast.

Tickets range from $30 to $65 (plus taxes and fees). This concert is for those 18 and older.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.bigtexan.com/starlight-ranch-event-center/

Stoney LaRue coming to Starlight Ranch

Stoney LaRue takes the stage in Amarillo with special guest Hunter Hicks on Saturday, Aug. 5. This show will be taking place on the Moon Palace stage.

For nearly two decades Stoney LaRue has sustained a seminal music career that was dug straight out of the red dirt in Oklahoma. His rock infused country “tude” coupled with a dominating set of vocal pipes quickly identified him as a rising star.

Twenty years later, LaRue has “been there” and “done that” in almost every facet of the music hemisphere. Sold out shows in a continuous 200 plus dates a year tour schedule, high charting albums on Billboard, iTunes and the Texas Regional Radio Chart, featured videos on CMT, more than 1 million albums and singles sold, guest vocal performances on songs by Lee Ann Womack and Miranda Lambert, shared stages with some of the biggest names in country music and a most coveted debut performance at Nashville’s renowned Grand Ole Opry.

Tickets for this show range from $20 to $150 (plus taxes and fees), and additional VIP features.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.bigtexan.com/starlight-ranch-event-center/

Southall takes stage at Starlight Ranch

Join Starlight Ranch as they welcome Southall, previously known as Read Southall Band, to the stage with special guest, Wight Lighters, in Amarillo on Friday, Aug. 25, in the Moon Palace.

In 2015, the local songwriting scene of Stillwater, Oklahoma, brought together four like-minded individuals from completely different background who wanted nothing more than to play music.

More recently, their third studio album, "For the Birds", is ambitious and captures vigorous, rock ‘n’ roll energy with elements of country and southern rock. "There is a ton of excitement building around Read Southall Band at the moment."

Tickets for this show range from $20 to $150 (plus taxes and fees), depending on VIP features.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.bigtexan.com/starlight-ranch-event-center/

Randy Rogers Band set to perform

The Randy Rogers Band makes its way back to Amarillo at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, on the Starlight main stage.

Fronted by singer-songwriter Randy Rogers and featuring Geoffrey Hill (guitar), Jon Richardson (bass guitar), Brady Black (fiddle), Les Lawless (drums), and Todd Stewart (guitar, fiddle, mandolin, keyboards), the Randy Rogers Band was founded in San Marcos, Texas, and has spent the last 20 years bringing the Texas Country tradition to dedicated fans around the nation and beyond.

With eight studio albums behind them, global streaming numbers in the hundreds of millions and a reputation for must-see Country-Rock performances, they said it best: "When we play our shows, people expect to have a great night and to go home satisfied. As long as we keep doing that, no change in the industry, no record deal or anything like that can make or break this band.”

Tickets for this show are $35 (plus taxes and fees). For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.bigtexan.com/starlight-ranch-event-center/

Symphony kicks of 100th season with special event

The Amarillo Symphony will kick off its Centennial Season at Hodgetown with a one-of-a-kind concert featuring country star Randall King. Gates open at 6 p.m. on Aug. 26.

Join ASO as it performs a mix of patriotic and Western favorites with local stars Eric Barry and the Opera Cowgirls, finishing the night with King’s biggest hits, and a fireworks finale.

Hereford native and up-and-coming country artist King released his major label debut album, "Shot Glass", in March. King was named a 2022 Country Artist to Watch by Pandora and Country Now and has more than 120 million global streams.

Tickets for this event range from $16 to $27 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://amarillosymphony.org/

Yoakum coming to Civic Center

Country music star Dwight Yoakum will be on stage at 8 p.m. Sept. 1 in the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium.

Yoakam has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, and he is a 21-time nominated, multiple GRAMMY Award winner. He has 12 gold albums and nine platinum or multi-platinum albums, with five of those albums topping Billboard’s Country Albums chart and another 14 landing in the Top 10.

Nearly 40 of Yoakam’s singles have charted on Billboard, with 14 peaking in the Top 10. Yoakam is a recipient of the Artist of the Year award from the Americana Music Association, the most prestigious award offered by the organization, he will be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in the Songwriter/Artist category at the 49th anniversary Gala on Oct. 14, 2019 in Nashville.

In addition to his musical career, Yoakam is a formidable film and television actor who has appeared in over 40 feature films, including "Sling Blade" and "Panic Room".

Reserved seat tickets range from $41 to $130 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit panhandletickets.com

Uncle Lucius takes Starlight stage

Uncle Lucius takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1, at Starlight Ranch's Moon Palace.

Five years ago it seemed like Uncle Lucius had run its course. They had torn a swath out of the Texas roots music scene over a 13-year run, worn out five vans and recorded four albums, and grown a reputation at home and abroad as a thrilling, dynamic live act. Long-time fans were certain they'd be a massive global hit. The tide went out, and Uncle Lucius folded up their sails.

The audience had other ideas. Interest in the band continued to grow during their absence from the touring circuit. Pro athletes used their songs for walk on music, and top-rated television shows featured their music during pivotal scenes.

They never intended to reunite. Some things are not up to us. Some people are made to play together and meant to create together.

Tickets for this show range from $18 to $150 (plus taxes and fees), depending on VIP features.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.bigtexan.com/starlight-ranch-event-center/

ASO presents Passionate Music

Amarillo Symphony Orchestra will kick off its official season with Passionate Music at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at Sharpened Iron Studios, 1314 S. Polk St.

The season opener will feature the Amarillo Symphony’s concertmaster Espen Lilleslåtten alongside cellist Sally Guenther, pianist Elena Lacheva and Harrington String Quartet’s violist Vesselin Todorov.

The repertoire includes: Anna Clyne, "A Thousand Mornings" (violin, cello and piano); Richard Strauss, "Violin Sonata"; Gabriel Faure, "Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor"

Tickets will be on sale soon. For more information, visit amarillosymphony.org/

ASO presents 'Rhapsody in Blue'

Amarillo Symphony Orchestra presents "Rhapsody in Blue" at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 15 and 16 at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.

Showcasing pianist Michelle Cann on George Gershwin’s classic work, the concert will also include Aaron Copland’s rousing audience favorite, "Rodeo".

Conductor is George Jackson.

Reserved seat tickets range from $21 to $71 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit panhandletickets.com or amarillosymphony.org/

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo entertainment in brief for July 30, 2023