By Chip Chandler — Producer
The first official weekend of spring offers theater, art shows, comedy, spoken-word artists, outdoor events and more. Here's your guide to fun through March 29!
Thursday
Sensory Zoo: Infants and toddlers can explore a variety of stations to stimulate sight, sound and touch. (11 a.m. Thursday, Amarillo Public Library Northwest Branch, 6100 W. Ninth Ave. Free. 806-359-2035)
Salt and Pepper Luncheon: The 19th annual luncheon for Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle's Hunger Project will feature guest speaker State Rep. Four Price (R-Amarillo). (11:30 a.m. to 1 pm. Thursday, St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral, 1200 S. Washington St. Tickets $25; tables available. 806-376-4571)
Downtown Lunchtime Book Club: Join the discussion of Catherine Ryan Hyde's Say Goodbye for Now. (12:15 p.m. Thursday, Amarillo Public Library Downtown Branch, 413 S.E. Fourth Ave. Free. 806-378-3054)
Synesthesia opening: Student artists will display works related to sensory crossovers, like hearing and seeing music. After the opening reception, the show will hang through Wednesday. (5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Amarillo College Common Lobby Gallery, located between Amarillo Museum of Art and the AC music building and Concert Hall Theatre. Free.)
The Hard Road artist talk: Photographer Jim Livingston will discuss his life story and artwork in this presentation. (7 p.m. Thursday, Amarillo Unitarian Universality Fellowship, 4901 Cornell St. Free. 806-355-9351)
Mark Fouxman piano recital: The Russian pianist will give a guest recital. (7:30 p.m. Thursday, West Texas A&M University Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall. Free. 806-651-2840)
Friday
The Hard Road art show: Photographer Jim Livingston will display works in this new exhibition. (6 p.m. Friday opening reception, The Chalice Abbey, 2717 Stanley St. 806-576-2480)
22Hundred: miniMALISM: Learn about the modernist collection of Mike and Dalia Engler and enjoy mini sets from Amarillo guitar prodigy Hayden Pedigo, mini bites of food and drinks. (7 p.m. Friday, Amarillo Museum of Art, 2200 S. Van Buren St. Admission $10 nonmembers, free for members. 806-371-5050)
Amarilo Symphony: The orchestra's "La Mer" concerts will feature violinist Alexi Kenney and selections including Benjamin Britten's Four Sea Interludes from his opera Peter Grimes, Jean Sibelius' Violin Concerto and Claude Debussy's La Mer. Here's my preview. (7:30 p.m. Friday; continues Saturday. Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St. Tickets $15 to $54, plus fees. 806-376-8782)
Annie: It's a hard-knock life for Amarillo Little Theatre Academy, but the sun will come out tomorrow. Here's my preview. (7:30 p.m. Friday; continues through March 31. ALT Mainstage, 2019 Civic Circle. Tickets $18 ages 12 and older, $15 ages 11 and younger. 806-355-9991)
Drag Queen Bingo: Amarillo queens Simara Davenport Stone and Ivy Tran Kinney Monroe will host this saucy game night. (10:30 p.m. Friday, 212 Club, 212 S.W. Sixth Ave. 806-372-7997)
Saturday
Panhandle Golden Spread Quarter Horse Show: Enjoy a look at some of the region's top horses. (8 a.m. Saturday; continues Sunday. Bill Cody Arena on the Tri-State Fairgrounds, 3301 S.E. 10th Ave. Free. 806-376-7767 or 806-683-5933)
Canyon Walk & Talk: Take a guided nature hike along the Upper Canyon Trail. (10 a.m. Saturday, Caprock Canyons State Park, 850 Caprock Canyons State Park Road near Quitaque. Admission $4. 806-455-1492)
Prairie Safari: Learn about the prairie ecosystem, including bison, black-tailed prairie dogs and more. Space is limited; reservations required. (2 p.m. Saturday, Caprock Canyons State Park, 850 Caprock Canyons State Park Road near Quitaque. Park admission $4. 806-455-1492)
Annie: It's a hard-knock life for Amarillo Little Theatre Academy, but the sun will come out tomorrow. Here's my preview (2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; continues through March 31. ALT Mainstage, 2019 Civic Circle. Tickets $18 ages 12 and older, $15 ages 11 and younger. 806-355-9991)
Spring Celebration: Kick off the season with stories, crafts and photo ops with the Easter Bunny. (3 p.m. Saturday, Amarillo Public Library Southwest Branch, 6801 S.W. 45th Ave. Free. 806-359-2094)
A Night at the Drive-In with Two for the Road: Join Dusty and Nikki Green, hosts of PBS's Two for the Road, at the Sandell Drive-In in Clarendon for the premiere of their first-ever Texas episode, plus catch a screening of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. (6 p.m. Saturday, Sandell Drive-In, 12 S. Center Drive in Clarendon. Free. 806-874-0685)
Amarillo Venom: The indoor football squad faces off against Texas Revolution. (7 p.m. Saturday, Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan St. Tickets $10 to $40. 806-350-7277)
Caffeinated Comedy: Amarillo and Lubbock comedians will face off in three rounds — five-minute sets, improv and roasting. Audience members will vote on the winning city. Comedians will include Austin Ulen, George Hibdon, Nikia Webster, Colin Robinson and David Toler from Amarillo and JJ Howell, Aaron Durbin, Jacob Callender and Chandler Craig from Lubbock. Host is Landry Morren. Show is for ages 18 and older. (7 p.m. Saturday, Urbana Coffee Works, 5215 Coulter St., Suite 100. 806-803-9022)
Amarilo Symphony: The orchestra's "La Mer" concerts will feature violinist Alexi Kenney and selections including Benjamin Britten's Four Sea Interludes from his opera Peter Grimes, Jean Sibelius' Violin Concerto and Claude Debussy's La Mer. Here's my preview. (7:30 p.m. Saturday, Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St. Tickets $15 to $54, plus fees. 806-376-8782)
Pioneer Women of the Texas Panhandle: Discover more about women who blazed their own trails in this special presentation. (8 p.m. Saturday, Caprock Canyons State Park, 850 Caprock Canyons State Park Road near Quitaque. Park admission $4. 806-455-1492)
Adult Charades: Act out your worst impulses in this truth-or-dare-style charades drinking game. (9 p.m. Saturday, Studio 3313, 3313 S.W. Sixth Ave. Cover $5.)
Sunday
Panhandle Golden Spread Quarter Horse Show: Enjoy a look at some of the region's top horses. (8 a.m. Sunday, Bill Cody Arena on the Tri-State Fairgrounds, 3301 S.E. 10th Ave. Free. 806-376-7767 or 806-683-5933)
Annie: It's a hard-knock life for Amarillo Little Theatre Academy, but the sun will come out tomorrow. Here's my preview. (2:30 p.m. Sunday; continues through March 31. ALT Mainstage, 2019 Civic Circle. Tickets $18 ages 12 and older, $15 ages 11 and younger. 806-355-9991)
Monday
Take Note: Journaling in YA Literature: See how journals and letters factor into some of the best young-adult literature. (7 p.m. Monday, Amarillo Public Library North Branch, 1500 N.E. 24th Ave. Free. 806-381-7931)
Tuesday
Fourth Tuesday Book Club: Discuss Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale. (11 a.m. Tuesday, Amarillo Public Library Southwest Branch, 6801 S.W. 45th Ave. Free. 806-359-2094)
Amarillo College Suzuki solo recital: Students in the program will perform. (7 p.m. Tuesday, AC Concert Hall Theatre. Free. 806-371-5346)
Wednesday
Poetry and Chamber Music: This new event from Chamber Music Amarillo will feature Buddy Wakefield, a three-time world-champion spoken word artist, along with several chamber musicians and other spoken-word artists. (7 p.m. Wednesday, Fibonacci Space, 3306 S.W. Sixth Ave. Tickets $10 advance, $15 at door. 806-236-3545)
March 29
Psychology of Superheroes: Psychology professor/author Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology, The Walking Dead Psychology, etc.) will speak at this Distinguished Lecture Series event as part of Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum's Pop Culture exhibition. (6:30 p.m. March 29, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, 2503 Fourth Ave. in Canyon. Free. 806-651-2244)
Hope Fest 2018: Amarillo resident Margaret Willis will speak about her troubled past and volunteer experience at Sharing Hope Ministry at this fundraiser banquet. (7 p.m. March 29, Amarillo Civic Center Complex Heritage Ballroom, 401 S. Buchanan St. Tickets $40, plus fees. 806-358-7803)
Ongoing
- Amarillo Botanical Gardens: The gardens, 1400 Streit Drive, are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is $5 adults, $4 seniors, $2 children through eighth grade. Call 806-352-6513.
- Amarillo Escape and Mystery: Attempt to escape a variety of themed locked rooms in 60 minutes at this attraction, 12208 Canyon Drive. It's open daily by reservation; games must be booked two hours in advance. Cost is $20, plus tax. Call 806-414-2382.
- Amarillo Museum of Art: The museum, 2200 S. Van Buren St., is featuring AMoA Achievement in Art: The Collection of Mike and Dalia Engler through March 31 and Tibetan Tsakli and Saddle Blankets through April 14. It's open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free. Call 806-371-5050.
- Amarillo Public Library: Look for daily events for children (and book clubs for adults) throughout the winter at all branches. Call 806-378-3051.
- Amarillo Railroad Museum: The museum, 3160 I Ave., is open 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. Call 806-335-3333.
- Amarillo Suite Escape: Visitors can attempt to escape from three rooms with rotating themes at this attraction, 715 S. Lamar St. Hours are noon to 11 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Cost is $20, plus tax. Call 806-640-3831.
- Amarillo Zoo: The zoo, 700 Comanchero Trail, is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Admission is $4 adults, $3 seniors and $2 children ages 3-12, and free on Monday. Call 806-381-7911.
- American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum: The facility, 2601 E. Interstate 40, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays (closed holidays). It's featuring Hard Work and Horse Power through July 29. Admission is $7 adults, $5 seniors, $4 veterans, $3 children ages 6 to 18 and free for active-duty military and children 5 and younger. Call 806-376-4811.
- Bill’s Backyard Classics: The classic car and truck museum, 5309 S. Washington St., is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Admission is $10 for ages 13 and older. Call 806-373-8194.
- Cerulean Gallery: The gallery, 814 S. Taylor St., features Quintessential Amarillo through April 11. It's open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and by appointment Saturdays. Call 806-576-0063.
- The Colony Frame & Gallery: The shop, 2606 Wolflin Ave., features its Spring Art Show & Sale through May 26. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Call 806-352-2782.
- Don Harrington Discovery Center: The center, 1200 Streit Drive, features Wild Music through May 20. It's open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 4:30 p.m. Sundays in the summer. Admission is $11 adults, $8 children and students (to age 22), military and seniors. Call 806-355-9547.
- Extreme Laser Tag: Take aim at this indoor attraction, 2503 S.W. 45th Ave. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays, 2 to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 2 to 7 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $13. Call 806-367-8954.
- The Galleries at Sunset Center: The galleries, 3701 Plains Blvd., are generally open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Admission is free. Call 806-353-5700.
- Harrington House: The historic home, 1600 S. Polk St., features free holiday tours through Dec. 19 conducted on the half hour from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 806-374-5490.
- Lake Meredith National Recreation Area: The park, located 50 miles northeast of Amarillo near Fritch, is open 24 hours a day. The area also includes Area includes Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument. Admission is free. Call 806-857-3151.
- Palo Duro Adventure Park and Zip Line: This attraction, located near the entrance of Palo Duro Canyon State Park, is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays through Sundays after Labor Day, weather permitting. Call 806-488-2260.
- Palo Duro Canyon State Park: The canyon, 12 miles east of Canyon on Texas Highway 217, is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission $5. Call 806-488-2227.
- Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum: The museum, 2503 Fourth Ave. in Canyon, features Pop Culture through Dec. 31. It's open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and 1 to 6 p.m. Sundays through August. Admission is $10 adults, $9 seniors, $5 children and free for members and children younger than 4. Call 806-651-2244.
- River Breaks Ranch: This attraction, 7802 Durrett Drive, offers sporting clays, team roping, horse racing and more. Call 806-374-0357.
- Southern Light Gallery: The art gallery, located on the first floor of Ware Student Commons on Amarillo College's Washington Street campus, is open 7:30 a.m. to 8:50 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. Fridays and 2 to 5:50 p.m. Sundays. Call 806-345-5654.
- Texas Air & Space Museum: The museum, 10001 American Drive, is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Admission is free; donations accepted. Call 806-335-9159.
- Wildcat Bluff Nature Center: The center, 2301 N. Soncy Road, is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Admission $4 adults, $3 seniors and children. Call 806-352-6007.
- Xcape Room Warehouse: The newest escape room attraction, 714 S.E. 10th Ave., is open from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, 6 to 11:30 p.m. Fridays, 12:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 to 7:30 p.m. Sundays. Admission $25. Call 806-353-6353.
Chip Chandler is a producer for Panhandle PBS. He can be contacted at Chip.Chandler@actx.edu, at @chipchandler1 on Twitter and on Facebook.
