Amarillo area entertainment briefs for the week of Nov. 6, 2022
Cheever’s ‘The Swimmer’ focus of WT’s Great Books Series in November
CANYON — A classic tale with a confounding ending will butterfly back into the spotlight for the November edition of West Texas A&M University’s Great Books series. Dr. Eric Meljac, assistant professor of English, will lead the discussion of John Cheever’s “The Swimmer” at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 via Zoom.
The discussion series — sponsored by the Department of English, Philosophy and Modern Languages — is open to those who either have or haven’t read the book, said Dr. Daniel Bloom, Great Books organizer and associate professor of philosophy. Meljac said “The Swimmer” appealed to him because he appreciates stories that don’t follow traditional narrative trajectories. “The Swimmer” originally was scheduled for the September installment but had to be rescheduled due to technical complications.
The series began in 2011 and is traditionally held on the second Tuesday of the month; a return to in-person meetings at Burrowing Owl Books, 7406 S.W. 34th Ave., Suite 2B, in Amarillo, is expected to occur in January.
To register for the November discussion, email Dr. Patricia Tyrer at ptyrer@wtamu.edu.
Photomontages of Mark Penland featured at AC's Southern Light Gallery
Two-dimensional photomontages of noted Metroplex artist Mark Penland is on display now through Nov. 16 at Amarillo College’s Southern Light Gallery.
Penland is a freelance photographer who serves as instructional associate in photography and photography lab manager at Tarrant County College’s Northeast Campus. His exhibit at AC features work in which he uses photography, collage, and found objects to create small-scale works, then photographs or scans the resulting files and prints them with a large-scale inkjet printer.
The Southern Light Gallery is located on the first floor of the Ware Student Commons on AC’s Washington Street Campus and is free and open to the public.
Jazz Ensemble from SWOSU to present free concert at Amarillo College
The Jazz Ensemble of Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) will perform music by many well-known artists on Nov. 10 at Amarillo College, where one of the Ensemble’s proud alums has taught music for more than 30 years.
The concert, which is free and open to the public, is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 at the Concert Hall Theater on AC’s Washington Street Campus. Opening for the SWOSU Jazz Ensemble will be AC’s own Jazz Band.
Dr. Jim Laughlin, longtime professor of music at AC, received his bachelor’s degree in music performance and education from SWOSU. The SWOSU Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Richard Tirk, professor of music, and graduate assistant Tyler Macon, will be playing arrangements from the likes of Thad Jones, Sammy Nestico, Willie Maiden, Bill Holman, Phil Kelly and Chick Corea.
For more information about SWOSU Jazz and the 53rd Annual SWOSU Jazz Festival, which in February will be headlined by the Tia Fuller Duo, please visit swosujazz.com. For more information about the AC Jazz Band, please visit actx.edu/music/jazzband.
Symphony presents 'Four Last Songs'
The Amarillo Symphony presents Strauss: Four Last Songs at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 and 19, at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan.
The symphony hosts Metropolitan Opera soprano Susanna Phillips for the performances. This evening also features Mozart’s imaginative Overture to the “Magic Flute” and Tchaikovsky’s heartbreaking and poignant last symphony, “Pathetique.”
Tickets for this event range from $21 to $71 (plus taxes and fees) depending on seating. For more information, visit amarillosymphony.org. To purchase tickets, visit panhandletickets.com .
Lindsey Stirling brings Snow Waltz Tour to Amarillo Nov. 19
Lindsey Stirling's Snow Waltz Tour stops by the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium at 8 p.m. Nov. 19 to get the audience into the holiday spirit.
The groundbreaking vision of the electronic violinist, dancer, and artist has gained her millions of adoring fans worldwide, four Billboard chart-topping albums, and two Billboard Music Awards including Top Dance/Electronic Album for her third studio release, "Brave Enough." Her holiday album, "Warmer in Winter," catapulted to the No. 1 spot on Billboard, Amazon and iTunes Holiday Album charts upon release and lead single “Carol of the Bells” made history as the only instrumental song ever to reach the Top 10 at AC Radio. Forbes placed her at No. 4 on its 2015 World’s Top-Earning YouTube Stars list and her fifth-studio album, "Artemis," debuted at No. 1 on the Dance/Electronic Album Chart.
Tickets are available at panhandletickets.com .
A Drag Queen Christmas Show to be Nov. 29 at Globe-News Center
"A Drag Queen Christmas" will take the stage at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 29. The meet and greet will be held at 6 p.m., with the show set to begin at 8 p.m.
For the eighth consecutive year, Murray & Peter present “A Drag Queen Christmas”: Get ready for your favorite queens performing live on stage — Winners, Fan Favorites and Miss Congeniality. All ages welcome. There will be a 20-minute intermission.
Check DragFans.com for the cast details; to purchase tickets, go to panhandletickets.com .
Mannheim Steamroller 2022 Christmas Tour comes to Amarillo Civic Center Complex Auditorium on Nov. 25
Celebrity Attractions and Amarillo Civic Center is ringing in the holiday season with the return of Mannheim Steamroller Christmas.
Chip Davis, founder and creator of Mannheim Steamroller, will celebrate more than 35 years of his annual Christmas concert tour. Tickets are on sale and are available online at panhandletickets.com, the Civic Center box office, by phone at 806-378-3096, and area United Supermarkets. Davis said the hallmark tour will begin on Nov. 15 and run through Dec. 30, with two traveling ensembles holding performances in cities across the country: “I want to thank our fans for making us part of their holiday tradition, especially after the hardships of the last few years.”
This year’s show will feature classic Christmas hits from the Mannheim Steamroller holiday albums along with multimedia effects in an intimate setting. For more on Mannheim Steamroller, visit www.mannheimsteamroller.com .
'Facing the Giant' on display at AMoA
Shepard Fairey's "Facing the Giant" is on display at the Amarillo Museum of Art through Dec. 31.
"Facing the Giant" is a curated series of images chosen for their importance aesthetically and conceptually, and for addressing critical topics and themes frequently recurring throughout Fairey’s career. The exhibition is comprised of unique screen-prints on collaged backgrounds with additional stenciling and embellishments completed in 2019. This exhibition was organized by the Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles in association with OBEY GIANT ART.
The museum is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday; and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free.
'Christmas with the Beatles' to take the stage Dec. 9
“Christmas with the Beatles” is set to take the stage at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9 at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, located at 500 S. Buchanan.
Featuring all the top hits of the Beatles along with some holiday tunes, award-winning tribute band Abbey Road’s "Christmas with The Beatles" promises to be a night of fun. Abbey Road recreates an authentic Beatles concert experience, with period-accurate costume changes, fun visuals and mash-ups of Christmas classics and Beatles faves.
Tickets can be purchased at panhandletickets.com or by calling 806-378-3096.
'Mostly Hits & the Mrs' Tour stops by Jan. 28
Grammy-winning country superstar Clint Black and his wife Lisa Hartman Black are hitting the road again for year two of the “Mostly Hits & the Mrs” Tour with special guest Lily Pearl Black. They will be making a stop at the Amarillo Civic Center on Jan. 28, 2023.
Tickets are available online at panhandletickets.com, the Civic Center Box Office, by phone at 806-378-3096, and area United Supermarkets.
Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate, features 14 classic and modern Disney stories in 1 epic production
The celebration of the century comes alive in Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! This ice-skating spectacular returns to Amarillo for seven performances at the Amarillo Civic Center, March 16-19, 2023.
Audiences will be a part of the magic of Disney as Mouse-ter of Ceremonies Mickey Mouse leads a parade of more than 50 beloved characters starring Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and featuring an ensemble of Disney Princesses including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Ariel, Snow White and Tiana. The wintry wonderland of Disney’s "Frozen" also comes to life with Anna, Elsa, and the hilarious Olaf, as they discover that true love is the greatest magic of all. Exciting moments from Disney-Pixar’s "Finding Dory," Disney’s "Aladdin" and "Beauty and the Beast" will leave the whole family with memories to last a lifetime.
Performances will be 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 16-17; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 18; and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, March 19 at the Civic Center, located at 401 S Buchanan St.
Family friendly ticket pricing is available; tickets can be purchased online at Panhandletickets.com or in-person at the venue box office.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo area entertainment briefs for the week of Nov. 6, 2022
