Amarillo entertainment in brief for Feb. 19, 2023
Taiwanese-American star musician will open WT’s 2023 Hamilton Piano Festival
CANYON — A prizewinning musician will open the 2023 Grace Hamilton Piano Festival at West Texas A&M University. Hsiang Tu, a prizewinner at the New Orleans International Piano Competition, the Iowa International Piano Competition, and the American Paderewski Piano Competition, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 in Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall on WT’s Canyon campus.
Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for non-WT students and free for festival participants and WT students, faculty and staff with a Buff Gold Card. Tu’s concert will feature his carefully curated program “The Ivory Menagerie,” featuring works inspired by the animal kingdom.
And the concert is only part of the festival, which is at least 60 years old. In 2016, it was named for Hamilton, an influential area piano instructor who cofounded the Amarillo Symphony and was its first pianist. More than 80 students from around the Panhandle and Eastern New Mexico perform throughout the day Feb. 25, concluding with an honors recital at 2 p.m. in the recital hall inside the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex
The festival will also include a piano teachers’ workshop that features a masterclass by Tu and clinics on effective communication and piano technique. Tu, a Juilliard-trained Taiwanese-American classical pianist, has been praised by The New York Times for his “eloquent sensitivity,” The Boston Intelligencer for his “impeccable technique,” and Fanfare for his “chameleon-like ability to move between composers.”
To purchase tickets, visit wtamu.edu/music or call 806-651-2840.
Panhandle PBS captures Missa Solemnis 'From the Heart'
In 2022, Panhandle PBS partnered with the Missa Solemnis Alliance to produce and broadcast “Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis in the Texas Panhandle". The station also produced “From the Heart: The Making of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis in the Texas Panhandle,” the documentary that explores the journey form 2018, though the interruption of the pandemic, to the 2022 performance.
Now, DVD and Blu-ray copies of the performance and the documentary produced by Panhandle PBS are available through donations of $35 to the station.
Beethoven referred to the “Missa Solemnis” as “the greatest music I have ever written.” It was first performed in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 1824. A total of 173 musicians are needed to perform the work, which is why it is typically only performed in large metroplexes today. The Missa Solemnis Alliance, made up of musicians from organizations from across the Texas Panhandle including Chamber Music Amarillo, the Amarillo Symphony, Amarillo Master Chorale, West Texas A&M University, Wayland Baptist University, Amarillo College and First Baptist Church, was formed to bring this complex work to Amarillo.
The Missa Solemnis Alliance attracted the largest number of performers assembled on the stage of the Globe-News Center. “From the Heart: The Making of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis in the Texas Panhandle” details conversations with influencers and musicians recalling the lead up to the performance. The program goes behind the scenes as an alliance of arts organizations join voices for this monumental undertaking – five years in the making.
For more information about “Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis in the Texas Panhandle,” “From the Heart: The Making of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis in the Texas Panhandle,” or to obtain your own copy, call (806) 371-5479.
'Achievement in Art: The Smith Collection' on exhibit at AMoA
The Amarillo Museum of Art is proud to present the 29th annual "Achievement in Art Exhibition" featuringa collection of genre and impressionist paintings by important French artists such as Alfred Sisley, Jean Baptiste Camille Corot, and Eugène Louis Boudin, among others.
The exhibit opened Jan. 14 and is on display through April 9.
In addition to luminous land and seascapes, the exhibition also includes a number of exquisitely rendered French pastoral scenes by Daniel Ridgeway Knight and Julien Dupré, as well as Parisian scenes by Edouard Léon Cortès. Viewing this exceptional collection will transport viewers into an enchanting and idyllic late-19th to early 20th century French countryside.
The Amarillo Museum of Art is located at 2200 S. Van Buren on the Washington Street campus of Amarillo College. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 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).
Dale Conner Retrospective 'The Madness of Man' on display at Arts in the Sunset
“The Madness of Man” is the first major retrospective of Amarillo artist and educator Dale Conner, including over one hundred works that represent a career spanning nearly six decades. On view at the Ann Crouch Gallery at Arts in the Sunset from Jan. 28 through Feb. 18, Conner’s retrospective will be the first show mounted in the newly renovated space at 3701 Plains Blvd.
Conner is an American painter, master printmaker, and educator, and his media include oil on canvas and panel, watercolor, intaglio, relief, and drawing. Speaking both to the aesthetic and the ethical, his work examines the depth of the human condition, exposing man’s inhumanity and injustice to his fellow human beings, to other living creatures, and to the planet, using the theme of war and the people who facilitate conflict as his subjects. Conner’s award-winning work has been exhibited at the Dallas Museum of Art, included in several Texas Fine Arts Association exhibitions, and a survey of his prints is part of the permanent collection of the Prints and Drawings Department of Texas Tech University.
Conner has infused his work with a message that reaches beyond the picturesque and examines the depths of the human condition. As a young boy, Conner fantasized about piloting a fighter aircraft, and after college he worked in a factory that manufactured five-hundred-pound bombs intended to be used on the people of Vietnam. His romantic notions about war were quickly crushed by the reality of the ominous gray steel canisters designed solely for the purpose of destruction. He left that job after one month. Despite the works’ dark and shadowy subject matter, Conner’s palette can be bright and cheery, adding a keen sense of irony. His paintings are revelatory, bursting with an animated yet controlled impasto. His portraits are evocative and expressive and, at times, piercing and mysterious. The work speaks both to the aesthetic and to the ethical. Conner’s work, in a word: transcendent.
The Ann Crouch Gallery at Arts in the Sunset was established by the late Ann Crouch to provide a space for artists to create and exhibit their work. Arts in the Sunset is located in the former Sunset Center Market Town, the first mall to open in Amarillo in 1960.
Southern Light Gallery to feature Christopher Hudson’s Crop Circles
Dr. Chris Hudson has long been drawn to the boundless crop circles that airline passengers cannot help but see blanketing the Great Plains, so much so in fact that he has drawn them – painted them, too. But it was not until Hudson, an assistant professor of English at Amarillo College, began downloading and digitally embellishing images of crop circles that his handiwork proved truly satisfying.
An assortment of Hudson’s variegated airborne imagery, dubbed “Crop Circles,” is on display now through March 22 at AC’s Southern Light Gallery.
Hudson, a native Texan with a trio of degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, returned to his home state and joined the AC faculty in 2018.
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.
Curator of Plainview Contemporary Art Museum exhibits new works at WT
CANYON — A former West Texas A&M University student who founded an art museum in Plainview is featured in a new exhibition at WT. Kelly Allison’s “Get Behind the Mule,” featuring mixed-media paintings and video works, willhang Feb. 2 through April 1 in the Dord Fitz Formal Gallery in Mary Moody Northen Hall.
Allison, a Plainview native who was an artist of note in Houston for more than 30 years, attended WT in 1976. She returned to the Panhandle area in 2017 to care for her parents and founded the Contemporary Art Museum of Plainview, 219 E. Sixth Street.
The museum opened in November 2017 and has produced 12 major exhibitions and nine community projects including four large-scale murals, two involving students in the Juvenile Justice system and one involving WT art students. CAMP’s mission is to connect the Plainview community to a larger cultural dynamic, bringing people and ideas together through contemporary visual art.
Fitz Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and by appointment Fridays and Saturdays. Email jrevett@wtamu.edu.
WTAMU theater presents 'Sweeney Todd'
West Texas A&M University will present "Sweeney Todd" at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16, 17 and 18 at the Branding Iron Theatre, 2501 Fourth Ave., Canyon.
Music and lyrics are by Stephen Sondheim and the production is based on the book by Hugh Wheeler.
Sondheim’s haunting musical thriller has been hailed "the greatest musical of the past half-century” by the Wall Street Journal. Sophisticated and uncompromising, “Sweeney Todd” has a great sense of fun, mixing intense drama with howlingly funny moments of dark humor. You will find yourself laughing hysterically one moment and gasping in surprise the next.
For more information or for tickets, visit www.wtamu.edu/academics/college-fine-arts-humanities/department-art-theatre-dance/theatre/index.html
Symphony presents music of John Williams — location, times moved
The Amarillo Symphony will bring to life film music classics during its performances of "Star Wars and Beyond: An Evening of John Williams," on Friday, Feb. 24 at 6 and 8:30 p.m. in the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium.
These concerts will be the fifth concert for the orchestra's 99th season, featuring newly appointed Amarillo Symphony Music Director George Jackson, who will return to the stage to direct the family concert for all ages. Guests are encouraged to attend the event costume-dressed as their favorite movie characters.
Tickets for "Star Wars and Beyond: An Evening of John Williams" start at $25 and can be purchased online at amarillosymphony.org or by calling 806-376-8782. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door the night of the concert. Student tickets can be purchased at the door the night of the performance for $10.
Prior to the concert, Jackson will discuss details of the concert’s featured works and composers at a “Lunch and Listening,” hosted by the Amarillo Symphony Guild, Feb. 24 at noon at the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium. Tickets for this event are $10 and include a boxed lunch. Tickets can be purchased at amarillosymphony.org or by calling 806-376-8782.
'Legally Blonde: The Musical' coming to city
"Legally Blonde: The Musical" is coming to Amarillo at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 and 28 at the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium, 401 S. Buchanan St.
Fabulously fun and international award-winning "Legally Blonde: The Musical" is the ultimate Broadway tribute to Girl Power! The story follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, sexism, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams, and proves that you can be legally blonde and STILL the smartest person in the room. This contemporary, sassy musical moves at a breakneck pace driven by memorable songs and explosive dances. "Legally Blonde: The Musical" warms the heart by proving that self-discovery can be way too much fun and hilarious to boot.
Based on the beloved movie, the musical will take you from the sorority house to the halls of justice with Broadway’s brightest new heroine and, of course, her Chihuahua, Bruiser.
Tickets range from $30 to $75 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit panhandletickets.com
Globetrotters coming to civic center
The Harlem Globetrotters 2023 World Tour presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs is coming with game like never before. Your favorite Globetrotter stars are bringing out their amazing basketball skill, outrageous athleticism and a non-stop good time to the Amarillo Civic Center Complex on March 8.
Join the Globetrotters as they go head-to-head against the Washington Generals who will stop at nothing to try and defeat the world’s winningest team.
The Globetrotters welcome fans in the Amarillo area to join them for an interactive gameday packed with one-of-a-kind premium offerings.
Harlem Globetrotters fans can score the best seats at www.HarlemGlobetrotters.com To order tickets online: www.harlemglobetrotters.com or https://www.panhandletickets.com/
Tickets are available online at panhandletickets.com, Amarillo Civic Center box office, by phone at (806) 378-4246, or area United Supermarkets.
CMA presents Dvorak: Piano Quintet
Chamber Music Amarillo presents Dvorak: Piano Quintet at 7:30 p.m. March 11 at the Amarillo Botanical Gardens, 1400 Streit Drive.
After 25 years of CMA, it’s time for old home week with violinist Annie Chalex Boyle, violist Joanna Mendoza, cellist Jeffrey Lastrapes and CMA Artistic Director and founder David Palmer – some of CMA’s original musicians presenting a fun filled evening including the famous Dvořák Piano Quintet.
The repertoire includes: Ravel, Sonata for violin and piano; PDQ Bach, Sonata for viola four hands; St. Saens, Danse Macabre; John Williams, The Witches of Eastwick; and Dvořák, Piano Quintet in A major.
Tickets for this special concert are $40 each. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit amarillosymphony.org/ticketing-subscriptions/upcoming-events/
Disney on Ice coming to civic center
Disney On Ice presents Let's Celebrate at 7 p.m. March 16 and 17; 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. March 18; and 1 and 5 p.m. March 19, at the Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum, entrances 5, 7 8 and 10.
Disney On Ice presents "Let’s Celebrate" featuring 14 classic and modern Disney stories in one epic production.
Grab your Mickey ears and get ready for non-stop fun when 50 of your favorite Disney friends come to life through world-class ice skating. Characters featured include from "Toy Story 4", "Frozen", "The Lion King" and more.
Tickets for each of the seven performances range from $25 to $65 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit panhandletickets.com
Symphony, choir collaborate on 'Carmina Burana'
The Amarillo Symphony, in conjunction with the Amarillo Master Chorale, will present "Carmina Burana" at 7:30 p.m. March 24 and 25. As of press time, this concert is planned to be held at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.
Featuring the Amarillo Master Chorale, the orchestra’s performance of the beloved "Carmina Burana" will awe and delight. They will also present Mozart’s transcendent "Ave Verum Corpus" and the Overture to Mozart’s famous opera "Marriage of Figaro".
Guest performers are soprano Sarah Vautour, tenor Andrew Morstein, bass-baritone Johnathan McCullough and conductor George Jackson.
Tickets for this performance range from $21 to $71 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating.
For more information, visit amarillosymphony.org/; to purchase tickets, visit panhandletickets.com
Christian musician Tomlin returns to Amarillo
American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, and worship leader Christopher Tomlin returns to Amarillo for an evening of music and worship at 7:30 p.m. April 1 at The Church at Quail Creek, 801 Tascosa Road.
A native of Grand Saline, Tomlin has sold more than 7 million records. Some of his most well-known songs are "How Great Is Our God", "Our God", "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)" and his cover of "Good Good Father".
General admission tickets for this event are $34 or $24, depending on seating. Group discounts are available for groups of six or more.
There are also Gold Circle seating ($89) and Artist Circle seating ($59) available.
To purchase tickets, visit www.itickets.com/register/new/470791
John Bayless to perform for AC Art Force series in April
For the Art Force Piano Series, John Bayless will offer a variety of genres from opera to the Beatles. The free event is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 11 at Amarillo College, Washington Street Campus, Concert Hall Theater.
Bayless, who began playing piano at age 4, today is known for his keen ability to imaginatively improvise popular music through his own blend of classical training and piano technique. He is a Texas Panhandle native, originally from Borger. Bayless won a scholarship to the Aspen School of Music at age 15. He went from there to study at the Juilliard School of Music, and at New York University with Leonard Bernstein, among others.
Bayless tours widely in the U.S., Europe and Asia and frequently appears at Pops concerts.
Lone Star Ballet presents 'Alice in Wonderland'
Lone Star Ballet and the Lone Star Dance Academy present "Alice in Wonderland" Friday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 15 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.
Based on the 1865 English novel by Lewis Carroll, "Alice in Wonderland" details the story of a young girl named Alice who falls through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world of anthropomorphic creatures.
Tickets to this production range from $14 to $44 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit panhandletickets.com
ZZ Top to rock Civic Center
ZZ Top returns to Amarillo at 8 p.m. April 23 at the Amarillo Civic Center, 401 S. Buchanan St.
“That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” has been at it for well over a half century, delivering rock, blues and boogie on the road and in the studio to millions of devoted fans. With iconography as distinctive as their sound, ZZ TOP is virtually synonymous with beards, hotrod cars, spinning guitars and that magic keychain, all of which transcend geography and language.
Tickets for this concert range from $69 to $289 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating and with three VIP package selections.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit panhandletickets.com
Musical festival set for April 27-29
The Greater Southwest Musical Festival, presented by the Amarillo Symphony, is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, April 27-29, at the Amarillo Civic Center, 401 S. Buchanan St.
A fixture of the Amarillo community for 50 years, the Greater Southwest Music Festival encourages musical excellence in K-12 students in a tri-state area through competition and performance, drawing between 10,000-12,000 participants annually.
Students compete at the Civic Center and Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Amarillo, as well as at Amarillo College. Emerging from the pandemic, the Amarillo Symphony is honored to continue the tradition of the Festival, immersing directors and students in performance and networking opportunities and receiving feedback from seasoned, prominent educators and adjudicators.
For more information, visit https://amarillosymphony.org/
Gatto bringing comedy show to Amarillo
Joe Gatto, a well-known comedian, actor, and producer, is best known for the hit TV shows “Impractical Jokers” and “The Misery Index" brings his comedy show to the Amarillo Civic Center on June 11, 2023.
Gatto is one of the founding members of The Tenderloins Comedy Troupe who has toured with a live comedy show to sold-out crowds across the world, including legendary arenas, such as Madison Square Garden in New York and the O2 Arena in London.
Gatto is a co-host of the “Two Cool Moms” Podcast and has also appeared on hit podcasts including This Past Weekend with Theo Von, What A Joke with Papa and Fortune and Life is Short with Justin Long.
Joe loves spending time with his two children and his ever-growing pack of rescue dogs affectionately known as the “Gatto Pups.”
Tickets are now available online at panhandletickets.com, by calling the Amarillo Civic Center box office at (806) 378-3096 or at area United Supermarkets.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo entertainment in brief for Feb. 19, 2023
