By Chip Chandler — Producer
In this latest collection of arts news, learn about free or discounted admission at some favorite attractions, an expanded celebration of Latino culture and several new exhibitions.
Museum Day
Eight Amarillo and Canyon museums will offer special admission deals Saturday during Museum Day, an international celebration of museums.
Participating museums include:
- Amarillo Museum of Art, 2200 S. Van Buren St.: Visitors will get a free Georgia O'Keeffe poster (admission is always free)
- American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum, 2601 E. Interstate 40: Visitors get buy-one, get-one-free admission
- Bill's Backyard Classics, 5309 S. Washington St.: Half-price admission
- Don Harrington Discovery Center, 1200 Streit Drive: Half-price admission
- Kwahadi Museum of the American Indian, 9151 E. Interstate 40: Visitors get buy-one, get-one-free admission
- Palo Duro Canyon State Park, 12 miles east of Canyon on Texas Highway 217: Twenty percent off any piece of Mata Ortiz pottery
- Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, 2503 Fourth Ave. in Canyon: $2 off adult admissions
- Texas Air & Space Museum, 10001 American Drive: To be determined
Amarillo and Canyon celebrations are taking part during National Tourism Week, which also will feature Texas Panhandle Rally Day at the Texas Travel Information Center at Interstate 40 and Airport Boulevard on May 11, and Mother's Day shopping specials along Historic Route 66 on May 12 and 13.
Upcoming exhibitions
Several Amarillo-area artists will display works in a series of upcoming shows. Take a look:
- First Thursday Art + Music: The monthly party at The 806 Coffee + Lounge will feature new works by Holly Rhea and music by Fine & Dandy. (7 p.m. opening reception Thursday; on view through May 31. The 806 Coffee + Lounge, 2812 S.W. Sixth Ave. No cover; donations accepted. 806-322-1806)
- Texas Panhandle Student Art Show: Students from kindergarten through 12th grade, in both public and private schools, will be featured in this annual exhibition. (Friday through May 18, Amarillo Museum of Art, 2200 S. Van Buren St. Free. 806-371-5050)
- First Friday Art Walk: The monthly stroll through The Galleries at Sunset Center will feature new works by several of the gallery owners. (5 to 9 p.m. Friday, The Galleries at Sunset Center, 3701 Plains Blvd. Free. 806-352-2706)
- Rick Rueda Art Show: The Amarillo artist will show new work, followed by a performance by Mount Ivy at 9 p.m. (5 p.m. Friday, The R Gallery, 2400 S.W. Seventh Ave. Free. 806-640-4308)
- Resolute Traveler: Printmaker Scott Frish will display new works in this exhibition. (5 to 8 p.m. May 12 opening reception; exhibition on view through June 23. The Chalice Abbey, 2717 Stanley St. 806-576-2480)
- Relative Creativity: The Gregory family — Amarillo Museum of Art curator Alex Gregory, wife Mandy and daughters — will exhibit works in an event also featuring music, hot dogs and drinks. (6:30 p.m. May 12, Bechtol Fine Arts Barn, 16851 Hope Road near Canyon. 806-681-8321)
Musica Variada
Amarillo Opera will expand its annual Musica Variada concert to celebrate Hispanic and Latino food as well as music.
Catering by Roy will serve street tacos, elote, poppers and desserts during a pre-concert party at 6:30 p.m. May 12 in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.
Following that, the all-female Mariachi Las Altenas will perform at 7:30 pm. inside the concert hall. The in-demand ensemble has performed at the Hollywood Bowl and throughout the United States.
Tickets are $30, plus fees.
Call 806-372-7464.
Chip Chandler is a producer for Panhandle PBS. He can be contacted at Chip.Chandler@actx.edu, at @chipchandler1 on Twitter and on Facebook.
