Sesame Street Live! Say Hello coming to Amarillo June 26
Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and their Sesame Street friends will be featured in an all-new live show, “Sesame Street Live! Say Hello,” coming to Amarillo on June 26.
The live show will bring the beloved characters from the iconic Sesame Street to life in a brand-new interactive production that will tour the U.S. and Canada beginning in April 2024. Fans can visit SesameStreetLive.com now for tour dates and ticket information, and follow Sesame Street Live social media for exclusive tour content. For more, visit www.SesameStreet.org .
Tickets are available online via panhandletickets.com .
Amarillo native Kristin Key brings national comedy tour home
Musical comedian Kristin Key will give her first performance in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts with “Kristin Key: An Amarillo Homecoming,” set for 7 p.m. June 27.
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Tickets start at $20, plus service fees, and may be purchased online at panhandletickets.com, in person at the Amarillo Civic Center Complex box office, by phone 806-378-3096 or participating area United Supermarkets.
Key is a nationally headlining, queer, musical comedian with sold-out shows nationwide. Her viral videos — including the iconic “Lesbian National Anthem” — have garnered over 92.2 million views from more than 590,000 dedicated followers across social media. Using comedy as a way to uplift her community and create safe spaces for comedy fans from all walks of life, Key also donates to local nonprofits with every date on her 2024 Lesbian Army Tour. In Amarillo, she’ll donate to Smile Big Texas, an Amarillo nonprofit that supports local LGBTQIA+ youth. Key, who broke into the national comedy scene on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” also has competed in NBC’s “Bring the Funny” and made appearances on VH1, SiriusXM and more. She has released six full-length comedy albums and one DryBar comedy special.
Key grew up a minister’s daughter in the conservative West Texas town of Amarillo. Unsurprisingly, when Kristin came out of the closet at 16, it did not go well. So, she said, “Just kidding!” and went back in the closet. At 19, while in college to become a paramedic, Kristin signed up for a local open mic at the Amarillo Comedy Club that would change her life forever. Now 20 years after that first open mic, Kristin is a nationally headlining comedian with material about everything from queer culture and relationship dynamics to cats and crocheting. She currently hosts “Kristin Knows Blank,” a popular comedy podcast available on all major streaming platforms. Kristin’s additional credits include “Comics Unleashed,” VH1’s “100 Greatest” series, “The Bob and Tom Show” and more. Learn more at kristinkey.com, or follow her on social media.
Celtic Throne takes to Amarillo stage July 3
Celtic Throne arrives to the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, July 3, with the show starting at 7:30 p.m.
Celtic Throne explores the ancient origins of Irish step dance and celebrates the millennia-long journey of a music and-dance-loving people as they migrate from the ancient Near East to Ireland, Scotland, England and the United States. Embarking on their fifth U.S. tour in the spring of 2024, Armstrong Dance presents their original Irish dance production, Celtic Throne, with Golden Globe-nominated composer Brian Byrne’s majestic musical score.
For more information, visit https://CelticThrone.com or their social media channels. For tickets, visit panhandletickets.com .
‘Photography is Art’ exhibit opens at AMoA
The exhibition “Photography is Art” will be on display through Aug. 11 at the Amarillo Museum of Art, located at 2200 South Van Buren on the Washington Street campus of Amarillo College.
Art museums have not always embraced photography. One of the earliest museum efforts to define the medium’s contribution to the arts came in the mid-1930s, when New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) asked its librarian, Beaumont Newhall, to create an exhibition survey of photographic history. That 1937 show led to a 25-year debate inside MoMA over whether to treat photographs as works of personal expression on par with painting, or as vibrant, easily reproduceable tools for communication and persuasion.
This exhibition was originally organized by the Amon Carter Museum of American Art with objects from its expansive photography collection. The current presentation was reconceived as a team project with AMoA, the Art Museum of South Texas, and Ellen Noël Art Museum. The artworks tell a story of American photographers’ efforts, from the late nineteenth century on, to explore and proclaim photography’s artfulness.
Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 11 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).
‘Impressionists Immersive Exhibition’ at Arts in the Sunset on display through July 17
The Amarillo Art Institute’s (AAI) Arts in the Sunset is presenting the highly acclaimed “Impressionists Immersive Exhibition,” now through July 17.
“Impressionists” brings to life paintings by the revolutionary movement’s famed artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Morisot, Manet, Degas, Pissarro, Gauguin, Cezanne, and Toulouse-Lautrec. An immersive room creates a multi-sensory experience, with more than 1,000 moving masterpieces projected on screens and 3D interactive panels. The up-close setting will feature such well-known pieces as “Starry Night,” “Water Lilies,” “Waiting,” “In the Conservatory” and many more.
The exhibit is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., with the last entry of admission at 6 p.m. On Sundays, the exhibit will be open from 1 until 5 p.m., with the last entry at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15-$25. For more, see artsinthesunset.org.
Cinergy hosting Kids Summer Movie Series, now through Aug. 15
Cinergy Entertainment Group is holding its “Kids Summer Movie Series” program, inviting families to celebrate summer vacation with a lineup of fun-filled, kid-friendly movies at a price of $2 per ticket at all Cinergy locations, including Amarillo. Cinergy also welcomes summer camps, church groups, and all other kid-focused associations down to check out the fun. Groups of 20 or more can also book concession packages and reserved seating, upon request.
Running Tuesday and Thursday from June 4 until Aug. 15th, the first matinee of the day will be dedicated to Cinergy’s Kids Summer Movie Series, featuring a lineup of fan-favorite and classic films. Showtime is at 10 a.m.
Films include “Trolls 2023” (June 25). Other featured titles include “Migration,” “Bad Guys,” “Puss In Boots,” “Shrek” and “Spiderman 2023” in July, and “Smurfs 2” in August. Movies, dates, and titles vary by location, so be sure to check your local theater schedule at https://www.cinergy.com/specials.
Sunset Marketown being held Saturdays at Arts in the Sunset
Arts in the Sunset is debuting a new summer market this year. Sunset Marketown hosts more than 50 local artisans and artists booths, selling a variety of handmade items including soap, baked goods, skincare products, paintings, pottery, and more.
Sunset Marketown will be open every from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays in the AJ Swope Performance Plaza. The market will continue every Saturday until Sept. 28. This market will run alongside the Golden Spread Farmers Market, which also takes place at Arts in the Sunset.
‘Texas the Outdoor Musical’ opens its 58th season
CANYON — TEXAS the Outdoor Musical is presenting its 58th season, every Tuesday through Sunday, June 6 to Aug. 3 at the Pioneer Amphitheater in Palo Duro Canyon.
The show brings to life the stories, struggles and triumphs of the settlers of the Texas Panhandle in the 1800s through its fictional characters. The amphitheatre, box office and parking opens at 6 p.m. each night, with a BBQ dinner (must be pre-purchased) at 6:15 p.m., pre-show entertainment at 6:45 p.m. and the show beginning at 8 p.m. Amphitheatre seating opens at 7:40 p.m. “Shakespeare in the Canyon,” will be featured at 8 p.m. Tuesdays on July 9, 16, 23 and 30. The Shakespeare in the Canyon series centers on the bard’s most famous and magical comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Special themed foods will be available in the concession stand.
Discounts are available for seniors, military and West Texas A&M University staff/faculty/students to come see both of the shows. Tickets and more information are available at texas-show.com or by calling the Box Office at 806-651-2181.
High Noon on the Square concert series returns
Center City of Amarillo’s High Noon on the Square free concert series takes place from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays on the Potter County Courthouse lawn at 501 S. Fillmore throughout June and July. Lunch is available for $10, cash only.
On June 26, The Huckleberries perform, with sandwiches by Crush. July 3 features live music by Big G & The Tradewinds with BBQ sandwiches by Mitch’s BBQ. July 10, Ruth Ellen Lynch takes the stage, with hamburgers offered by Bubba’s 33. On July 17, Buster Bledsoe performs, with a sack lunch by Chick-Fil-A. July 24 will have entertainment by the Amarillo Performing Arts Center, with chicken fingers by Raising Cane’s. And July 31 caps off the series with music by Insufficient Funds and hamburgers by Bubba’s 33.
June Jazz again stages free outdoor concerts on Tuesday nights at AC
The Jim Laughlin June Jazz Series returns with free concerts at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays on the Oeschger Family Mall on the AC the Washington Street Campus. The community is invited to plop down a blanket and enjoy the show. This year’s lineup is capped by Polk Street Jazz on June 25.
Those looking for refreshments can visit the nearby Badger Central Bookstore & Café, located in the College Union Building adjacent to the concert venue. The concerts are also aired on 89.9 FM or kacvfm.org on the Web.
Music in the Gardens concert series being held throughout June
Amarillo Botanical Gardens summer concert series, Music in the Gardens 2024, takes place 7-9 p.m. Thursdays at the gardens, located at 1400 Streit Dr.
Artists performing this month include Buster Bledsoe Band (June 27). In July, performers include Tennessee Tuckness & Friends, Andy Chase and the Rhythm Cats, and Sadie’s Rangers. August features Cameron James Smith, RAK-45, Jack Cryver Band, Touching Voodoo and Geezer’s Gone Wild.
Admission is $10 for the general public, and $5 for members. For more information, visit their website or Facebook page.
Starlight Theater offers free live music performances in Sam Houston Park
The Starlight Theater free summer concert series returns Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at Sam Houston Park in Amarillo, with live music, food trucks and family fun.
The live music lineup includes PRVDNC on June 25, Mike Fuller & The Repeat Offenders on July 9, The Prairie Dogs on July 16, Party of 6 on July 23, Big G & The Tradewinds on July 30 and Insufficient Funds on Aug. 6.
For more information, follow the Amarillo Parks and Recreation Department on Facebook or see their page on the city’s website.
Starlight Ranch hosting full concert season
The Starlight Ranch Event Center, located at 1415 Sunrise Dr., has a full lineup of concerts in the works as the summer months grow closer. Among performers and events listed on their website are Chris Young (June 28), La Mafia (July 12), the toadies (Aug. 31), the Amarillo Margarita Festival (Aug. 3), Neal McCoy (Oct. 4), Wade Bowen (Oct. 26) and more.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit their website, https://www.bigtexan.com/starlight-ranch-event-center/ , follow them on Facebook or call 806-372-6000.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Farewell Tour stops by Amarillo July 28
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s All – The Good Times: The Farewell Tour will visit Amarillo on Sunday July 28. The show starts at 8 p.m. in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts. Various meet and greet packages are on sale, as well as general concert tickets.
Tickets are on sale at panhandletickets.com .
George Lopez to perform during tour stop in Amarillo Aug. 2
Grammy-nominated comedian, actor and TV host George Lopez has announced six new shows across Texas this summer 2024, including Corpus Christi, Amarillo, Midland, and Lubbock. The George Lopez: ‘Alllriiiighhttt, Texas!’ Comedy Tour will be at the Amarillo Civic Center on Aug. 2.
Lopez’s illustrious and multi-faceted career encompasses television, film, stand-up comedy, and late-night television. He has broken ground for Latino comics by embracing his ethnicity, confronting racial stereotypes, and fighting for his community on and off the stage. Lopez stars in his multi-camera comedy series for NBC, “Lopez vs Lopez,” featuring his real-life daughter, Mayan Lopez. The family sitcom, which has been renewed for its second season, follows George and Mayan in a fictionalized version of their real-life father-daughter relationship.
Tickets are on sale at panhandletickets.com .
Ben Folds on tour, visits Amarillo Aug. 8
Ben Folds brings his Paper Airplane Request Tour to Amarillo on Thursday, Aug. 8. The show is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts.
“Folds is widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of our generation,” a concert announcement notes. “The Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter-composer has created an enormous body of genre-bending music that includes pop albums with Ben Folds Five, multiple solo albums, and numerous collaborative records.”
Tickets are on sale at panhandletickets.com .