This week's entertainment includes theater, 'A Christmas Story' anniversary screening
Bobcat performing at Drunken Oyster on Dec. 10
Bobcat, described as a one-man band from Long Island, New York, playing a blend of power pop, garage rock and rockabilly, has announced an 18-month tour promoting a dual album release. He will be performing in Amarillo at the Drunken Oyster on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
According to a news release, Bobcat was a founding member of psychobilly legends The Arkhams and "now performs live as a one man band with drums at foot, percussion at heel, baritone guitar in hands, and a voice you’ll remember. 2022 was a creative season for Bobcat that saw the release of not one but two full-length albums. While more is already on the way, he recognized that new songs were no good unless shared; so, the Cat is embarking on an adventurous 18 month tour scheduled to begin in March 2023 and go into the next year."
The new release is an album with 15 original songs, plus bonus tracks of cover songs from all different genres of music. The songwriting explores "events in everyday life, feelings we may have and can relate to, sing along-able anthems and heartfelt ballads of the trials and tribulations of life in the modern era." Bobcat is a seasoned veteran of the rockabilly, psychobilly and punk rock scenes in New York City for more than two decades.
WT Great Books Series to take a storytelling journey with Homer’s ‘Odyssey’
CANYON — West Texas A&M University’s Great Books Series will explore one of the foundational tales of Western literature at its December meeting. Dr. Bonnie Roos, head of WT’s Department of English, Philosophy and Modern Languages, will lead the discussion of Emily Wilson’s recent translation of Homer’s “The Odyssey” at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 via Zoom.
The discussion series — sponsored by the EPML department in the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities — is open to those who either have or haven’t read the stories, said Dr. Daniel Bloom, Great Books organizer and associate professor of philosophy.
Roos said the book, which “has attracted writers and readers for centuries,” “speaks beautifully to contemporary issues we face today. I’m always going back to it and finding something new.”
“I hope to highlight the story’s intertextuality — its ‘meta’ levels, where it tells a story that’s about storytelling,” Roos said. “I’ll ask our group what they think Homer has to tell us about storytelling.”
WT professors and guest lecturers lead the monthly Great Books discussions. The series began in 2011 and is traditionally held on the second Tuesday of the month. To register for the December discussion, email Bloom at dbloom@wtamu.edu.
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 now through Dec. 23 in the Dord Fitz Formal Gallery in Mary Moody Northen Hall. 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.
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 will be open by appointment only during winter break, Dec. 11 to Jan. 15. Email jrevett@wtamu.edu.
AC Theatre presents Tennessee Williams classic 'Summer and Smoke'
An early 20th-century love story that stands the test of time has taken center stage as 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.
The show continues 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" with a final show for this production's run set for 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 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.
Lone Star Ballet presents 'The Nutcracker'
Lone Star Ballet's "The Nutcracker" continues at 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. 10, 2023
