Cinergy comedy, summer series among this week's entertainment

Cinergy hosting night of comedy May 31

Cinergy Cinemas & Entertainment has announced the return of its Live Comedy Showcase - "Cinergy is Funny" - featuring a new headliner, Julio Gonzalez. The event takes place at Cinergy in Amarillo, located 9201 Cinergy Square on Friday, May 31. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., with the show starting at 8 p.m.

Gonzalez is a veteran comic with more than 15 years of experience. Regularly selling out his shows in Las Vegas, he has built a following with his stage presence, jokes, and funny face. Not only does Gonzalez make people laugh, but he also helps others through his various charity shows.

The live comedy showcase will be hosted by husband-and-wife team, T.K. Matteson and Kara with a K.

Tickets are $25 along with a two-item food or beverage minimum per person, and are now available at www.cinergy.com/film-info/amarillo/live-comedy-showcase. You must be 17 or older to attend.

Celebrate the Texas Route 66 Festival, June 6-15

The Texas Route 66 Festival, set for June 6-15, is offering 10 days of adventure-packed events celebrating "The Mother Road," with classic car shows, exclusive bus tours, a traditional cattle drive and parade, and much more along the Texas stretch of Historic Route 66.

Recently ranked No. 7 in USA Today's Best New Festivals of the Year, the TX 66 Festival provides a perfect blend of nostalgia and excitement for attendees of all ages.

The Official Pre-Party Kick-off to this year's festival is a concert by Tracy Byrd at Starlight Ranch on May 31.

Festival highlights include classic car shows, bus tours exploring historic sites and hidden gems along Texas 66, the Coors Ranch Rodeo, Cattle Drive and Parade, and the grand finale on June 15.

The finale is presented by Amarillo National Bank and runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Amarillo's Route 66 Historic District, featuring its eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and bars. Attendees can enjoy pop-up vendor booths, diverse cuisine in a food truck park, live music, the Miss Texas Route 66 Pinup Pageant, kid-friendly activities, the Sonic TX 66 Corn Dog Eating contest, magic shows and more. Other activities include the KT Black Route 66 5K Walk/Run at 10 a.m., and a Community Paint by Number Mural Wall and Community Paint Car set up at The Garage, 2819 SW. 6th Ave.

For the full schedule of events, visit the Texas Route 66 Festival landing page.

'Texas the Outdoor Musical' opens its 58th season June 6

CANYON — TEXAS the Outdoor Musical is getting ready to present its 58th season, every Tuesday through Sunday, June 6 to Aug. 3 at the Pioneer Amphitheater in Palo Duro Canyon.

Set against an authentic tapestry of history, 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.

A brand new experience for audiences, “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.

Party in the Panhandle: Canadian River Music Festival set for June 8

The Canadian River Music Festival, featuring Casey Donahew, Uncle Lucius, Kolby Cooper and The Solano Project, takes place at 1101 N. 6th St. in Canadian on June 8.

Festival grounds up at 3 p.m., with the first band performing at 4 p.m. and the festival wrapping up by 11:30 p.m. Advance general admission tickets are $40 in May; tickets go up to $50 in June. Tickets also will be available at the gate, and attendees should enter from Hwy. 60/83 north of Canadian. Once on festival grounds, signs will direct festival-goers accordingly.

A variety of vendors will also be set up by the main gate throughout the day, and primitive campground spots are available at The River Bed on the festival grounds.

For more information, see https://www.canadianrivermusicfestival.com/ or visit their Facebook page.

High Noon on the Square concert series returns

Center City of Amarillo's High Noon on the Square returns to downtown Amarillo next month.

Kicking off the free concert series, which takes place from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays on the Potter County Courthouse lawn at 501 S. Fillmore, will be Ed Montana on June 5. Hamburgers will be cooked by Coors Cowboy Club, who is also the day's sponsor. Lunch is available for $10, cash only.

June 12 will feature entertainment by Andy Chase with sausage wraps cooked by the AQHA Cook Team. The Juneteenth holiday falls on June 19, so there will be no show that day. 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 features The 77th Army Band on June 4, Daruma from Denver on June 11, Jim Laughlin and Friends on June 18, and 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 begins in June

Amarillo Botanical Gardens hosts its summer concert series, Music in the Gardens 2024, 7-9 p.m. Thursdays at the gardens, located at 1400 Streit Dr. The lineup kicks off with Big G and the Trade Winds on June 6.

Other artists performing include the Solano Project (June 13), Insufficient Funds (June 20), and 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.

'Impressionists Immersive Exhibition' opens at Arts in the Sunset

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.

Starlight Theater starts in Sam Houston Park in June

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 Touching Voodoo on June 4, Ruth Ellen Lynch & Jazz Plus on June 11, Kirk House Band on June 18, 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 Tracy Byrd (May 31), The Marshall Tucker Band (June 8), Braxton Keith (June 14), Aaron Watson (June 15), Corey Kent (June 20), Chris Young (June 28), La Mafia (July 12), and the toadies (Aug. 31).

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.

AMoA hosting exhibit by Brooklyn-based artist

A Swoon exhibition is on display at the Amarillo Museum of Art now through Aug. 11. Caledonia Curry, whose work appears under the name Swoon, is a Brooklyn-based artist who took to the streets of New York while attending the Pratt Institute of Art in 1999, pasting her paper portraits to the sides of buildings with the goal of making art and the public space of the city more accessible.

The Amarillo Museum of Art is located at 2200 South Van Buren on the Washington Street campus of Amarillo College. 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).

Don Louis at the Amarillo Civic Center on June 15

Don Louis will perform for Country Night at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 15 in the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium. Experience an extraordinary evening of country music featuring a lineup of five exceptional artists, headlined by Don Louis.

Renowned for his soulful melodies and captivating performances, Don Louis is a true luminary of contemporary country music. With chart-topping hits and a dynamic stage presence, Louis promises a night to remember. From heartfelt ballads to foot-stomping anthems, each artist brings their unique style and energy to the stage, promising a diverse and electrifying concert experience.

Tickets are on sale at panhandletickets.com .

Diamond and Gold Concert - A Tribute to Neil Diamond to perform in June

Diamond and Gold Concert - A Tribute to Neil Diamond, honoring the music of the great Neil Diamond and featuring Amarillo's own Dean Yates, will perform June 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts in Amarillo.

Band members include Yates - Guitar/Vocals, Dr. Dan Hanson - Keyboards, Mary Lyn Halley - Acoustic Guitar/Vocals, Marshall Pjesky - Guitar, Miranda Pjesky - Bass Guitar, Dr. Jim Rennier - Drums and Cathleen Tyson-Day - Vocals. Throughout the years, Yates has developed a passion for the songs of Neil Diamond. He is looking forward to showcasing that passion in the band’s musical tribute to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Amarillo. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/diamondandgoldconcert .

Tickets cost $25, and proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Amarillo. Tickets are available online at https://www.panhandletickets.com/, at the Amarillo Civic Center Box Office, by phone (806) 378-3096 and participating area United Supermarkets.

Amarillo’s first ever drone show at Hodgetown set for June 7-8

The Amarillo Sod Poodles will host back-to-back drone light show performances at Hodgetown on June 7-8. The Sod Poodles have partnered with Sky Elements to bring 200 drones to light up the Amarillo sky and pay homage to Sod Poodles baseball and other iconic Amarillo history and imagery.

The shows will take place on Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8 when the Sod Poodles host the Tulsa Drillers (Double-A, Los Angeles Dodgers). Games are set to begin at 7:05 p.m., with gates opening at 6 p.m.

For more information on promotions and other news, follow the team on social media @sodpoodles on Facebook, X, and Instagram. For questions and more information, call 806-803-7762 or email info@SodPoodles.com .

Sesame Street Live! Say Hello coming to Amarillo in June 2024

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 now online via panhandletickets.com .

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 .

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.

With a refreshed lineup and newfound energy, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band remains one of the most accomplished bands in American roots music. Following an extended 50th anniversary tour, the ensemble grew to a six-piece in 2018 for the first time since their early jug band days.

The group now includes Jeff Hanna (acoustic guitar, electric guitar), Jimmie Fadden (drums, harmonica), Bob Carpenter (keyboards), Jim Photoglo (bass, acoustic guitar), Ross Holmes (fiddle, mandolin), and Jaime Hanna (electric and acoustic guitar). All six members also sing, and when their voices merge, the harmonies add a powerful new component for the legendary band.

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. For the past three decades, he’s toured as a pop artist, while also performing with some of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras."

Tickets are on sale at panhandletickets.com .

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo entertainment in brief for May 26, 2024