Spooky season begins for WT Great Books Series with discussion of ‘Goblin Market’
CANYON — For West Texas A&M University’s Great Books Series, Dr. Monica Hart, associate professor of English at WT, will lead a discussion of Christina Rossetti’s narrative poem “Goblin Market” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12 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 book, said Dr. Daniel Bloom, Great Books organizer and associate professor of philosophy in a news release.
“At first glance, ‘Goblin Market’ seems like a fairy tale,” Hart said. “Two sisters live in a fictional land with goblins who offer forbidden fruit for sale. One sister gives in to temptation, buys the goblin fruit, suffers terrible consequences, but is saved by her loving sister. Straightforward tale of fall and redemption, right? Not really, no.”
The discussion also will touch on the history of artwork accompanying the poem by Rossetti’s brother, the artist and poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti.
To register for the September discussion, email Bloom at [email protected].
Opportunity School to Host LIPS 2023 featuring James Town Revival
Opportunity School is going live with LIPS featuring an acoustic performance from Jamestown Revival at the newly renovated Sunset Courtyard and AJ Swope Performance Plaza at Arts in the Sunset. The school will be celebrating 30 years of LIPS at the upcoming event on Saturday, Sept. 23.
“LIPS has been a favorite event since its creation in 1993, and we are thrilled change things up with a new approach to celebrate 30 years,” said executive director Jill Goodrich in a news release. “LIPS gives us the opportunity to partner with the community for a night of fun and entertainment to benefit Opportunity School families.”
Jamestown Revival is an Americana/folk/country duo who grew up as childhood friends in Magnolia, Texas. Doors open for the sponsor portion of the event at 6 p.m. (invitation only); general admission is at 7:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $40 in advance and $50 the night of the event.
For information on tiers of sponsorship, general admission and reservations, visit www.opportunityschool.com.
AC’s Art Force Piano Series to feature an array of accomplished musicians
The Amarillo College Music Department is pleased to announce its schedule for the 2023-24 Art Force Piano Series, to be alternately performed by guest artists and AC faculty members. The Piano Series, sponsored by Art Force Amarillo, will feature four hourlong concerts over a seven-month span, and all are free and open to the public.
Each of these concerts will be presented on Tuesday evenings at the Concert Hall Theater on AC’s Washington Street Campus – starting time is 7:30 p.m.
“Our annual Piano Series has become a wonderful tradition that we look forward to renewing each fall,” said Dr. Bruce Lin, artistic director for the Piano Series and director of piano at AC. “We have some outstanding performers scheduled over the next several months, a lineup that I’m sure our music-loving community is going to really enjoy.”
Here are the four concerts that comprise the 2023-24 Art Force Piano Series:
Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. – “Classic Hymns and Pop Rock” – Dr. Bruce Lin, piano, and Dr. Jim Laughlin, alto saxophone and piano, both of the AC faculty, will take their audience on a journey through familiar hymns and pop-rock tunes from the 1960s to present.
Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. – “Songs of the Night” – French-American soprano Jazmin Black Grollemund joins Dr. Nathaniel Fryml, director of choral activities at AC, piano and soprano, to present the world premiere of Fryml’s song cycle NIGHTSFALL. The work is based on poetry by German mystic Novalis and South Carolina native Josh Montgomery. The concert also features some charming French art songs, along with a special guest collaborator.
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. – “Jam with Love 2024” – A recital featuring music of love that nurtures the Valentine spirit presented by AC’s gifted music faculty. This is a chance for anyone who may be feeling cooped up by the mid-winter’s blustery conditions to get out and listen to some spirited strains of optimism, hope and love.
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. – “Journey to the East” – Dr. Alex Lee and Dr. Sophie Hung, a husband-wife duo – both faculty at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) – will use violin and piano, respectively, to take their audience on a mesmerizing journey that evokes Eastern culture.
2023-24 WT arts season announced
CANYON — Students and faculty members alike in West Texas A&M University’s Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts are planning a full slate of art exhibitions, concerts and recitals, dance pieces, and theatrical and operatic performances for the 2023-24 academic year.
Upcoming events this semester include the Marcus Melton faculty art exhibition (now through Sept. 30) in the Dord Fitz Formal Gallery; “Once Upon a Mattress” musical theatre performance Sept. 28 to Oct. 8 in the Branding Iron Theatre; Opera Cowgirls on Sept. 28 (open to members of The Arts at WT: A Subscription Series); the Katie Tuttle Master of Fine Arts exhibition Oct. 5-28; a WT Symphony Orchestra concert Oct. 6; a WT fall choir concert Oct. 19; Buster Keaton’s “The General” Oct. 26 (open to arts members); “She Kills Monsters” theatre performance Oct. 26 to Nov. 5; several concerts by different groups in November including the Harrington String Quartet; “Falling into Dance” performance Nov. 16-19; “Amahl and the Night Visitors” opera performance Nov. 30 and Dec. 1; “Music of the Christmas Season” concert Dec. 3; and much more.
For information or tickets for School of Music performances, call 806-651-2780 or visit wtamu.edu/music. For information or tickets for opera performances, call 806-651-2780 or visit wtamu.edu/opera. For information or tickets for Harrington String Quartet performances, call 806-651-2780 or visit wtamu.edu/music; season tickets are $50.
For information for art exhibitions, email [email protected].
For information or tickets for theater performances, call 806-651-2810, email [email protected] or visit wtamu.edu/theatre. For information or tickets for dance performances, call 806-651-2810, email [email protected] or visit wtamu.edu/dance.
ASO presents ‘Rhapsody in Blue’
Amarillo Symphony Orchestra presents “Rhapsody in Blue” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 15 and 16 at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.
Showcasing pianist Michelle Cann on George Gershwin’s classic work, the concert will also include Aaron Copland’s rousing audience favorite, “Rodeo”. Conductor is George Jackson.
Reserved seat tickets range from $21 to $71 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit panhandletickets.com or amarillosymphony.org/
FABBA Show plays tribute to original ‘Dancing Queen’ hitmakers at Globe-News Center Sept. 24
The FABBA Show comes to the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, located at 500 S. Buchanan, on Sunday, Sept. 24. The show is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. The Tascosa (Amarillo) High String Quartet will join the professional musicians on stage to lend some local talent to this high energy homage to one of the world’s most beloved pop groups of the ’70s.
Direct from the U.K., The FABBA Show is the sensational, authentic and truly magical tribute to Abba. Tickets are $30-$65, plus ticket fees, and may be purchased online at www.panhandletickets.com, by phone at (806) 378-3096 or at the Amarillo Civic Center Complex Box Office. The box office is open Monday through Saturday, 12-6 p.m. Tickets are also available at all United Supermarkets in Amarillo, Borger, Canyon, Dalhart, Dumas, Hereford and Pampa. The show is appropriate for all ages.
The tribute show’s description says “Their homage to ABBA is completely unique. They are thoroughly entertaining from the very first power chord of Waterloo all the way through to the irresistible encore of Dancing Queen. The extraordinary and lovable cast takes you on a high energy, glittery journey full of fun and laughter and showmanship. With hit after hit song including Waterloo, Take a Chance, Mama Mia, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, Fernando, SOS, Honey Honey, Lay all Your Love, Gimme Gimme and Winner Takes it All. They have spectacular costumes, exciting choreography, World class musicianship and an infectious sense of fun. Everyone is dancing in the aisles and singing at the top of their voices. You can dance, you can jive, and have the time of your life at The FABBA Show!”
Grammy-winning David Phelps brings After The Downbeat Tour to Starlight Ranch on Sept. 24
The unmistakable sound of multi-Dove and Grammy Award-winning recording artist, David Phelps, will be featured in Amarillo on Sunday, Sept. 24 at the Starlight Ranch Events Center, located at 1415 Sunrise Drive in Amarillo. The concert begins at 7 p.m.
Once a childhood musical prodigy from Tomball, Texas, Phelps earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Baylor University. Since then, he has become a nationally celebrated vocalist. Perhaps best known as the powerful tenor for the multiple Grammy and Dove Award-winning Gaither Vocal Band, Phelps continues to constantly build on a career that has already been groundbreaking. Emerging as a leading voice in Christian music, Phelps has been winning the hearts of audiences all over the world for more than two decades.
This 2023 After The Downbeat Tour stop, featuring Phelps, as well as his musical entourage, will feature songs from more than a dozen multi-award winning recordings in a special evening of worship and celebration. For more information, visit www.davidphelps.com or www.bigtexan.com.
‘Book of Mormon’ coming to civic center
The National Tour of “The Book of Mormon”, winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, will play a strictly limited one-night engagement at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, at the Amarillo Civic Center Complex Auditorium.
“The Book of Mormon” features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. The Broadway production is directed by Parker and two-time Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw and choreographed by Nicholaw. The tour is directed and choreographed by Jennifer Werner based on the original Broadway direction and choreography.
Since opening on March 24, 2011, “The Book of Mormon” has become one of the most successful shows in Broadway history, breaking the Eugene O’Neill Theatre house record more than 50 times. In addition to nine Tony Awards including Best Musical and the Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album, “The Book of Mormon” won five Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the Drama League Award for Best Musical and four Outer Critics Circle Awards including Best Musical.
The West End production opened in February 2013, winning four Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, and breaking the record for the highest single day of sales in West End history. The first-ever UK and European tour launched in Manchester in June 2019, winning ‘Best Theatre Show’ at the Manchester Evening News City Life Awards before touring throughout the UK and Europe.
Reserved seat tickets range from $35 to $80 (plus taxes and fees) and are available for purchase online at panhandletickets.com
Hoodoo Mural Festival infuses downtown Amarillo with live music, live art Sept. 30
The annual Hoodoo Mural Festival is scheduled to take place this year on Sept. 30 in downtown Amarillo. Each year, the outdoor festival brings together local and national artists for a family-friendly celebration of music and art. The festival will feature approximately 20 total murals throughout downtown.
DJ, producer, and pianist LP Giobbi headlines the music side, which includes 20 music artists. Others on the music lineup include Kaelin Ellis, Giacomo Turra, Cody Jasper, DJ Cassandra, Bomb City Sound and more, as well as a new local music stage.
This year’s muralists include Trav & Emjay, Alli Koch, Jeremy Biggers, Jeks, Ariel Parrow, Malcolm Byers, Blank Spaces and more.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Hoodoo festival’s website, https://www.hoodoomural.com/ .
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 .
K-LOVE’S Celebrate Christmas Tour to be at Amarillo Civic Center on Dec. 16
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Awakening Foundation, powered by Awakening Events, has announced K-LOVE’S Celebrate Christmas Tour featuring Natalie Grant and Danny Gokey with special guest Mac Powell. The 12-city tour will kick off on Nov. 29 and runs through Dec. 17, celebrating the most wonderful time of the year.
Immerse yourself in the timeless classics that bring people together during this special season, according to a news release. Gather your loved ones, invite your friends, and make this a Christmas tradition to remember. KLOVE’s Celebrate Christmas Tour featuring Natalie Grant and Danny Gokey with special guest Mac Powell is an invitation to experience the reason for the season.
The tour is scheduled to make a stop in Amarillo on Dec. 16 at the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium. Tickets are available for purchase at the Amarillo Civic Center box office, by phone (806) 378-3096, online at www.panhandletickets.com, and participating United Supermarkets stores in Amarillo, Canyon, Borger, Dumas, Dalhart, Hereford, and Pampa.
