O’Keeffe’s WT Years to be highlighted in ‘Around Texas with Chancellor John Sharp’ on Panhandle PBS
CANYON — Iconic artist Georgia O’Keeffe’s time at West Texas A&M University is in the spotlight in the Season 4 premiere of “Around Texas with Chancellor John Sharp.” The episode rolled out around the state beginning Oct. 5; the series airs at 11 p.m. Sundays beginning Oct. 8 on Panhandle PBS in the Amarillo area.
Dr. Amy Von Lintel, WT’s professor of art history and director of gender studies, discusses O’Keeffe’s fruitful time in Canyon and Amarillo. “She lived or resided in Texas, was on the ground here, for maybe 37 months out of her 98 years — she was incredibly nomadic — but we have a huge and beautiful and very foundational body of work from 1916 to 1918 when she was … here in Canyon and when she was teaching at this very institution,” Von Lintel says in the episode. Von Lintel is a renowned expert in O’Keeffe’s life and career and published “Georgia O’Keeffe’s Wartime Texas Letters” in 2020 and “Georgia O’Keeffe: Watercolors, 1916-1918” in 2016.
Also interviewed for the segment are Dr. Brian Ingrassia, WT associate professor of history; Deana Craighead, curator of art at Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum on the WT campus, and Alex Gregory, curator of art at Amarillo Museum of Art. The O’Keeffe segment takes its name, “On the Edge of the Plains,” from the title of an exhibition, on view at PPHM through January, of works by the artist and others offering their interpretations of Palo Duro Canyon.
An additional segment about WT — this one focusing on the internationally successful meat judging team — is set to air in the fourth episode of the season, scheduled for Oct. 29 on Panhandle PBS. Listings and full episodes are available to stream online at www.sharparoundtexas.com.
WT Great Books Series blossoms in October with discussion of Kate Chopin stories
CANYON — West Texas A&M University’s Great Books Series will offer a bouquet of lesser-known works by a major female author at its October meeting. RayLene Dystert, WT instructor of English, will lead the discussion of Kate Chopin’s short stories “Lilacs” and “The Lilies” at 7 p.m. Oct. 10 via Zoom.
The discussion series — sponsored by the Department of English, Philosophy and Modern Languages 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.
The series began in 2011 and is traditionally held on the second Tuesday of the month. To register for the October discussion, email Bloom at [email protected].
Jazztober returns to Center City on Tuesdays
Center City is proud to announce the 11th Season of Jazztober, which kicks off its 11th season of free jazz concerts this Tuesday.
The concerts will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday in October at 1000 S. Polk St. on the grounds of the historic Bivins Home. Concerts for this season continue with Ruth Ellen Lynch & Jazz Plus for Oct. 10, The Martinis for Oct. 17 and Big G & The Tradewinds for Oct. 24.
The concerts are free. Guests should bring their own chairs or blankets. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic and beverages. For more information about Jazztober, please call Center City at 372-6744 or go to www.centercity.org .
Texas Poets’ Corner to host award-winning slam poet
CANYON — Caleb Rainey, a spoken-word poet, will headline the Texas Poets’ Corner annual fall event at West Texas A&M University. The event will begin at 6 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Poets’ Garden on the east side of Cornette Library on WT’s Canyon campus.
This event is free and open to the public and will include a reception.
Rainey, co-founder of the literary magazine “Black Art: Real Stories,” is an award-winning poet and performer from Columbia, Missouri. His books of poetry include “Look, Black Boy” and “Heart Notes.” Rainey released two spokenword albums: a studio recording of “Look, Black Boy,” and a performance album, “Heart Notes Live!”
His work has been featured on Iowa Public Radio, and, in addition to performing, he has helped produce Mic Check Poetry Fest in Iowa City, Iowa.
ASO presents ‘Celebraciones’
The Amarillo Symphony presents “Celebraciones” at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 13 and 14 at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.
Celebrate our region’s rich Hispanic heritage with this festive, fun, and fiery program, including award-winning Mariachi singer Nayelli Peña, Trio Los Reyes, and the Amarillo Symphony Youth Orchestra. Conductor is George Jackson.
Tickets for this concert range from $21 to $71 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit panhandletickets.com
Americana singer-songwriter Chris Knight to perform at Hoot’s Pub Oct. 13
After 25 years as a recording artist, singer-songwriter Chris Knight will hit the sonic highlights of his career in concert Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. at Hoot’s Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road in Amarillo. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20-$75 for those 18 and older. For more, visit www.chrisknight.net .
Knight remains boldly empowered to make music that always delivers the unflinching truth, according to a news release. The man raised in Slaughters, Kentucky uses a simple, direct barometer to regularly check his muse: “If I can’t believe myself, I won’t sing the song.”
His Americana-fueled, backwoods-grown merger of folk, country, and rock has been at the backbone of nine studio albums, beginning with 1998’s acclaimed self-titled debut and traveling through scorchers such as the one-two punch of 2001’s A Pretty Good Guy and 2003’s The Jealous Kind, two demo-styled discs (2007’s The Trailer Tapes and 2009’s Trailer II), and the recent, electric guitar-fortified opus, 2019’s Almost Daylight.
Margarita and Taco Festival set for Oct. 14
Starlight Ranch, 1415 Sunrise Drive, is hosting Amarillo’s annual Margarita and Taco Festival from 3-10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14.
Sample more than 10 different margaritas from around the Panhandle. Ticketholders will be given a voting chip to vote for their favorite margarita. The winning margarita will get a cash prize and naming rights for “Amarillo’s Best Margarita”.
Sampling cards will be available for purchase that get you a limited edition sampling glass, and eight sampling vouchers. Each vendor will have their own sampling recipe so make sure to try them all. Interested in a full size margarita? We’ll have plenty of those available with our craft margarita menus at each of the bars. This year we’ll also be showcasing our favorite taco trucks from around the Panhandle.
There will also be Lucha Libre wrestling and live music by the Red Not Chili Peppers band.
Tickets range from $15 to $150 (plus taxes and fees) depending on featured offerings per tickets. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.bigtexan.com/starlight-ranch-event-center/
Mike and The Moonpies at Starlight
Mike and The Moonpies take the stage at Amarillo’s Starlight Ranch at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20. In accordance with their namesake, this show will be taking place in the Moon Palace.
For more than a decade, Mike and The Moonpies have traveled far beyond their Austin homeland, flying the flag for homegrown Texas music in more than a dozen countries. They’ve become global ambassadors of a blue-collar country sound, striking a balance between timeless influences and cool, contemporary appeal.
“One To Grow On”, the eighth studio album from Mike and the Moonpies, is a musical homecoming that returns the group to its roots as a working man’s country band.
Tickets for this concert range from $16 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/
Sip, sing, and support the Discovery Center’s mission with Dueling Pianos
The perfect evening to support community engagement, education, and fun is around the corner with the Don Harrington Discovery Center’s (DHDC) Dueling Pianos. Bringing in two piano players from the famous Pete’s Piano Bar, the DHDC will be providing food and refreshments at this event exclusively for guests aged 21 and up.
Last year’s event included specialty cocktails, the audience joining in on a conga line, and a group-singing of Billy Joel’s Piano Man. The Discovery Center also shows their well-known explosive science demos and gives guest the chance to explore the Discovery Center after dark with their friends.
Happening Saturday, Oct. 21, from 7 to 11 p.m., Dueling Pianos now has individual and couples tickets as well as full and half tables available for purchase. For more event information, visit DHDC.org.
The event is presented by Atmos Energy and Happy State Bank. For event sponsorship opportunities, contact Kirk Daniels at [email protected].
Symphony Guild hosting Vintage Amarillo fundraiser
The Amarillo Symphony Guild is hosting its biennial fundraiser Vintage Amarillo, on Oct. 21, at the Amarillo Club, 600 S. Tyler St., No. 3000.
The event consists of a multiple-course, wine-paired dinner followed by a wine auction.
For sponsorship information, contact co-chairs Carolina Cantrell (469) 644-3635 or Zivorad Filipovic (806) 477-0168.
Ticket information is coming soon and will be available at https://amarillosymphony.org/
ALT to present ‘Chemical Imbalance’
Amarillo Little Theatre presents “Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 and 26; 8 p.m. Oct. 20, 21, 27 and 28; and at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 22 and 29 on the theater’s mainstage at 2019 Civic Circle.
“‘Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play’ is a zany spin on Robert Louis Stevenson’s gothic novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In a dim laboratory, a sinister potion of three parts nitroglycerin and two parts petroleum sulphide is being concocted. The result? The answer lies in a classic story about the nature of good and evil retold in a way you never thought possible!” according to information from https://store.bizbooks.net/
“A fast-paced romp about men and women tightrope walking the line between aristocracy and depravity, and between the twin spectres of good and evil, this comedic retelling of the classic, dark tale will send shivers of both fear and laughter rattling down the spines of your audience.”
Tickets for this production are not yet on sale. For more information and to purchase tickets, when available, visit https://amarillolittletheatre.org/
Books to Broadway set for Oct. 24 at Amarillo Civic Center
Books to Broadway, a musical review of songs from Broadway musicals based on or inspired by books, is scheduled to take place Tuesday, Oct. 24 in the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Room.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with a silent auction and complimentary coffee & dessert bar, and the show starts at 7 p.m.
The event is produced each year by Dr. Robert Hansen, of the WTAMU School of Music, and hosted by Friends of the Amarillo Public Library. This year’s theme is “Love Stories on Broadway,” so the audience can expect to hear numbers from shows like “Rent,” “The Fantasticks” and more.
Books to Broadway is first and foremost a gift to the community and a reminder of the importance of reading, a news release notes. Theater-style seating is available at no charge. Sponsorships and premium seating tickets are available for $25 each. Contact Stacy Clopton at 806-378-3051 or email [email protected] for more info or to reserve tickets.
Eli Young Band returns to Starlight
The Eli Young Band makes its way back to Amarillo live at the Starlight Ranch main stage at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27.
Eli Young Band has always been unique in modern Country music – a true band of brothers who play their own instruments, write their own songs and cling fast to their Texas roots.
Confident in their soulful, hearts-on-fire brand of Country, the title track of their forthcoming album is impacting Country radio and playlists now as they head out on a 51-city tour of the same name. EYB has also shared the stage with Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Chris Young, Darius Rucker and Dave Matthews Band.
Tickets for this concert range from $25 to $125 (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/
Cottonwood Faire set for Oct. 28
A Cottonwood Faire is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at Thompson Memorial Park.
Dress up in your historical or Halloween attire, play outdoor games, compete in treasure hunts ; enjoy food and drink; join in interactive stories and more.
There will also be carnival games, a Royal Court and Feast and live action combat.
The event is open to all ages.
Tickets are $65 for the VIP Royal Court; $25 for adults; $10 for children; $100 for vendors; and $50 for food trucks.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://tixr.com/e/69937 or find the event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CottonwoodFaire
Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience coming to Amarillo
Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience is bringing songs and stories from the “Man in Black” to the Amarillo Civic Center Complex Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 30, 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.
For more information, visit www.JohnnyCashConcertExperience.com and follow @johnnycash on Facebook,Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and @johnnycashofficial on YouTube. For more information on the Amarillo performance and to purchase tickets, visit panhandletickets.com
CMA to presents Veterans Day concert
Chamber Music Amarillo will host a special event honoring the area’s veterans at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 11.
A celebration with patriotic music will be presented by a brass quintet in St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 S. Washington St.
Artists include William Takacs, trumpet; David Lough, trumpet; Guglielmo Manfredi, horn; John Shanks, trombone; and Jeremy Lewis, tuba.
The program includes: Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue”; Michael Kamen’s “Quintet”; Kerry Turner’s “Ricochet”; Eric Ewazen’s “Bright and Fast from Frost Fire”; Kevin McKee’s “The Blue Goose from Iron Horse”; Aaron Copland’s “Grovers Corners” from the film “Our Town”; George M. Cohan’s “Cohan Medley” and more.
Tickets for this special concert are $40 and available online through the Amarillo Symphony website at https://amarillosymphony.org/