June Jazz, High Noon concerts, Route 66 tour among this week's entertainment

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.

Library, PBS hosting film series

Amarillo Public Library, in partnership with Panhandle PBS, is hosting a First Peoples film series, which continues June 8 and 15. This film series shows how humans reached each continent, focusing on various fossil discoveries and placing them into the context of what research has discovered about pre-modern human migration. Each screening will be followed by a brief discussion with experts on history and archeology.

For more information on this and other programs offered by the library, visit https://www.amarillolibrary.org/

Music in the Gardens concert series returns for the summer

Music in the Gardens returns June 1 to the Amarillo Botanical Gardens. The summer concert series takes place on Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is $10, or $5 for members.

The concert lineup continues with Big G and The Trade Winds on June 8.

Other performers in the lineup include Insufficient Funds (June 15), RAK-45 (June 22), Solano Project (June 29), Lindsey Lane (July 6), Sadie's Rangers (July 13), Cameron James Smith (July 20), Buster Bledsoe (July 27), 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.

June Jazz returning to AC campus

The 2023 Jim Laughlin AC June Jazz Series offers free concerts that start at 7:30 p.m. each Tuesday during the month. Concerts this summer will be on the Washington Street Campus Ware Building Patio, due to construction areas on campus.

This year's lineup is The Martinis on June 6, Jim Laughlin's Big Band on June 13, Esquire Jazz on June 20 and Austin Brazille on June 27.

June Jazz can also be found at 89.9MHz on the dial or streamed online by logging on to kacvfm.org.

Ed Montana performs at the opening day of the 2022 High Noon on the Square concert series in downtown Amarillo.
Ed Montana performs at the opening day of the 2022 High Noon on the Square concert series in downtown Amarillo.

Center City of Amarillo presenting High Noon on the Square concerts

Center City of Amarillo will present its 2023 High Noon on the Square series, from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays on the Potter County Courthouse lawn, located at 501 S. Fillmore in Amarillo. Lunch will be available for $10. The full lineup includes:

  • June 7 – Performance by Ed Montana – hamburgers by Coors Cowboy Club Cook Team;

  • June 14 – Performance by Andy Chase – BBQ sandwiches by Mitch’s BBQ;

  • June 21 – Performance by ALT Academy – lunch by Chick-Fil-A;

  • June 28 – Entertainment by TEXAS – sandwiches by Crush;

  • July 5 – Entertainment by Amarillo Opera – sandwiches by Schlotzsky’s;

  • July 12 – Entertainment by Buster Bledsoe – sausage wraps by AQHA Cook Team;

  • July 19 – Entertainment by The Prairie Dogs – hamburgers by Bubba’s 33; and

  • July 26 – Entertainment by Insufficient Funds – fajitas by Joe Taco

For more, visit https://centercity.org/high-noon-on-the-square/.

Explore historic Route 66

Explore historic Route 66 with a Route 66 Bus Tour - East on Wednesday, June 7. Buses will depart from the Bivins House, 1000 S. Polk St., at 8:30 a.m. sharp.

Take a fascinating journey through Route 66's rich history and culture with the Texas Route 66 East tour

This exclusive bus tour will take you from Amarillo to Shamrock, stopping at all the iconic landmarks and hotspots that have shaped the history and culture of this legendary road. Stops include Groom, Jericho and McLean.

Lunch and beverages provided with ticket purchase.

The event is hosted by Visit Amarillo. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.visitamarillo.com

Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition coming to Amarillo

The internationally acclaimed Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition is coming to Amarillo on June 9 and runs through July 23. It will be the inaugural exhibit at the newly renovated Sunset Center in Amarillo, now called Arts in the Sunset.

This globally successful exhibit has been all around the world from Shanghai to Chicago, Phoenix, Berlin, Vienna and more. Tickets are on sale today and can be purchased online at artsinthesunset.org.

Carol Lovejoy, a volunteer board member of the Amarillo Art Institute, speaks during an announcement earlier this year about the "Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition" coming to the Arts in the Sunset Center in Amarillo in June.
Carol Lovejoy, a volunteer board member of the Amarillo Art Institute, speaks during an announcement earlier this year about the "Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition" coming to the Arts in the Sunset Center in Amarillo in June.

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition is a collection of the artist’s renowned ceiling frescoes from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, reproduced in a format allowing viewers to be faceto-face with the masterpieces. Through artfully displayed reproductions, this innovative presentation brings the audience just a few feet away from world-renowned pieces like The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment.

Arts in the Sunset is located at 3701 Plains Blvd. The exhibit will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 7:30 p.m., with the last entry at 6 p.m. On Sundays, the exhibit will be open from 1-5:30 p.m., with the last entry at 4 p.m. The exhibit is wheelchair accessible. Viewing time is estimated between 60 and 90 minutes. Tickets rangefrom $19 to $26.50, based on age and time of day.

Proceeds from the exhibit will benefit the Downtown Women’s Center (DWC), Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle (CCTXP), the Amarillo Art Institute and the Amarillo Cultural District of the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Riley to present live studio concert

Jill Riley is set to present a live studio concert at 7 p.m. Friday, June 9, at Covenant Recording Studios, 5001 Camp Lane, Amarillo.

Bringing the culture of the West to life comes naturally to Riley, a fourth-generation member of the Cluck’s, a prominent Texas ranch family.

Decades of that history reverberate throughout her live show and her new fall release, "Common Ground", a 12-song album filled with stories about colorful characters and heartfelt observations on life, generations, and the ties that bind.

Riley’s show takes the audience on a wild ride through the heart and soul of Americana roots music, with all its rough edges and unvarnished truth. Influenced by Rickie Lee Jones, Emmylou Harris, and Tanya Tucker, Riley developed her own unique style.

Tickets for this concert are free, but seating is limited so reservations are requested by visiting www.commongroundalbum.com

AMoA hosting Art After Hours on June 9

Amarillo Museum of Modern Art, 2200 S. Van Buren St., is hosting an Art After Hours event from 7-10 p.m. on Friday, June 9.

This after-hours celebratory event is designed to attract an audience interested in broadening their understanding and appreciation of art.

Now in its eighth year, artafterdark is a unique event that incorporates art + music + food + drinks as a fresh way to explore all facets of the exhibitions on view. Hands on art activities and gallery hunts further enhance the evening experience.

Exhibitions include: Jun Kaneko; Terry Allen; ArtSpace: Pop Imagery; and selections from the Dr. and Mrs. William T. Price Collection of Asian Art

Food will be provided by Reagan's Brick Oven Pizza and there will be a full bar with a Signature Cocktail and giveaways by Still Austin Whiskey Co. Dessert will be provided by SheSheCakes with music by Charlie Shafter & Matt Martindale.

There will also be games, art activities, and a Clue Gallery Hunt with prizes.

Cost is $30 per person with AMoA members admitted for free. Memberships and tickets will be available at the door.

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.

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.

Texas Country's Bowen to perform at Starlight

Wade Bowen takes the stage in Amarillo on Friday, June 16, at 8 p.m. at Starlight Ranch, 1415 Sunrise Drive.

Twenty years and some 4,000 shows into his career, the name Wade Bowen has become synonymous with Texas country music – and for good reason. An artistic descendant of American icons like Guy Clark, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Robert Earl Keen and more, Bowen is another link in a Texan chain of roots-rock poets stretching back more than 50 years – but his ambition never ended at the state line.

Bowen’s approach stays rooted in tradition, but also stands on the creative cutting edge. His focus remains on writing unique songs with a literary quality, and shifting his sonic territory to match his life.

Tickets for this show range from $25 to $40 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating.

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

Red Dirt Country coming to Starlight Ranch

Jason Boland & The Stragglers take the stage with Jeremy McComb solo acoustic on Saturday, June 17, at 8 p.m. at Starlight Ranch, 1415 Sunrise Drive.

For the past 20 years, Jason Boland & the Stragglers have dazzled audiences all over as one of the leading ambassadors of the Oklahoma and Texas music movement.

Millions of fans cheering him on, more than 500,000 records sold independently and 10 albums later, Boland is a career musician whose legacy continues to grow. While his music remains true to the roots of Boland and the Stragglers’ Red Dirt background, it’s as tight as anything he’s ever done.

On what’s now his 10th studio album, he did it in his own organic and authentic way. He’s making the music he wants while continuing to please the people who want to hear where his artistic journey takes him next.

Tickets for this show range from $17 to $150 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating and VIP features.

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

Texas' own Ryan to perform at Starlight

Mike Ryan takes the stage at Starlight Ranch's Moon Palace at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 23.

A country singer and songwriter from the Lone Star State, Ryan mixes contemporary country melodies with big rock and roll guitars and sweeping pedal steel licks, reinforced by his soulful and passionate vocals.

Ryan's brand of musical storytelling, steeped in songs about true love, broken hearts, and the details of ordinary lives in the Southwest, showcases itself in an even more personal manner on his third LP, Longcut (2022). With fans across the US and throughout the world, his thoughtful writing style evokes emotion and plants the audience inside his songs.

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

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

Bike fest, show set for June 24

The Illustrated Lady Tattoo and Piercing Studio and School's 10th annual Bike Fest, Bike Show and Bike Run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 24. The bike run starts and ends at Illustrated Lady Tattoo, 500 SW Sixth Ave.

All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

There will be prizes for the bike show and bike games held during the ride. Entry fee for the bike show is $10.

Voting for the bike show will be when the bikes get back from the run and all bikes are in place.

First- and second-place trophies will be awarded with an $100 going to the People's Choice winner.

The ride is a 31-mile ride around town as a group combined with a bead run. The run is a ride for all of those who lost their life to cancer and also for all of those that are battling cancer and for all of those that have beat cancer. This does include pets. Bike Run/Bead Run is $10 for a single rider and $20 for a rider with a passenger.

For more details, contact Robin Grant at (806) 373-8707 or (806) 881-2304.

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/

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo entertainment in brief for the week of June 4, 2023