By Chip Chandler — Producer
Here's a quick take on your 10 best entertainment bets in the next 10 days.
Click here for ALL your February options.
1. Moipei Sisters and Fireflies of Terezin
Amarillo Opera's offering a twofer of talented young singers. Up first, the Moipei Sisters, a trio of gospel-singing Kenyan natives, at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Amarillo Little Theatre, 2019 Civic Circle. The second: Fireflies of Terezin, a play with music originally created and staged at the Terezín concentration camp (or Theresienstadt) during World War II, to be staged at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at Amarillo College Ordway Hall on the Washington Street campus.
2. Kicker Monster Truck Nationals
The big boys will roar back into town for two shows. (7:30 p.m. Feb. 1; continues Feb. 2. Amarillo National Center on the Tri-State Fairgrounds, 3301 S.E. 10th Ave. Tickets $17 to $35, plus fees; increases $2 day of show. 806-378-3096)
3. Mind Plays
The Amarillo band will rock out Feb. 1 at Skooterz. They've been on my radar for a while, but after seeing them perform for a recent film screening event we hosted, I'm a big fan. (10 p.m. Feb. 1, Skooterz, 4100 Bushland Blvd. Cover. 806-355-6600)
4. Cat in the Hat
Dr. Seuss' mischievous kitty will head to the area for several events between Feb. 3 and 9 sponsored by Panhandle PBS, McDonalds of Amarillo and the Amarillo Bulls. Check here for a full listing!
5. Love and Theft
The Nashville duo will perform for a 101.9 Bull Bash with opener Joel Crouse. (8 p.m. Feb. 5, Guitars & Cadillacs, 3601 Olsen Blvd.. Tickets $12 ages 21 and older, $15 ages 18 to 20. 806-322-7979)
6. Church Night
Amarillo musician Dave Regal will revive his beloved open jam for one night only with an all-star lineup of Amarillo favorites including: Dude Man (featuring Michael Blackwell), Rival Magnetics, Brandon Todd, Piles of Potential, Regal's own band (with John Lerma, Justin Hedgecoth and Josh Fitch, Loudmouth Tooley, Like Red Giants, Eddie Esler, Jonathan Guidi, J. Trial Band, Brian Wynne & The Radio Band, Cameron Heard and Leo Regal. (10 p.m. Feb. 6, Leftwood's, 2511 S.W. Sixth Ave. No cover. 806-367-9840)
7. First Thursday Art + Music
The monthly party at The 806 Coffee + Lounge will feature the opening of the always enticing 11th annual Group Nude Show, with music by Out of System Transfer at 9 p.m. (7 p.m. Feb. 7, The 806 Coffee + Lounge, 2812 S.W. Sixth Ave. No cover; donations accepted. 806-322-1806)
8. The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part
Opening Feb. 8 is this animated sequel that finds our heroes facing a Duplo invasion (and slightly less enthusiastic reviews than the first installment). Oscar nominees still playing between Feb. 1 and 7 (mostly in limited screenings) include Bohemian Rhapsody, Free Solo (with added 2D-IMAX screenings at Regal UA Amarillo Star 14), Green Book, Mary Poppins Returns, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Vice. New in theaters Feb. 1 is Miss Bala, an action thriller starring Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin), and also screening is The Met: Live in HD's Carmen.
9. Fun Home
Amarillo Little Theatre is swinging big with this Pulitzer Prize finalist and multiple Tony Award nominee based on cartoonist Alison Bechdel's coming-of-age graphic novel about her coming out process and discovery that her dad, too, was gay. (Feb. 7 through 17, Amarillo Little Theatre Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle. Ticket prices vary. 806-355-9991)
10. Spring Awakening
As above, WTAMU Theater is taking a risk with its production of this rock musical (featuring tunes by Duncan Sheik) about 19th-century German teens trying to survive the hell of their burgeoning sexualities. Since premiering in 2006, it has developed a fierce cult following, and it was the musical being staged by the high schoolers in NBC's ill-fated Rise earlier this year. (Feb. 7 through 17. WT Branding Iron Theater. Tickets $16 adults, $12 seniors, free WT faculty and staff. 806-651-2804)
Chip Chandler is a producer for Panhandle PBS and a member of GALECA. He can be contacted at Chip.Chandler@actx.edu, at @chipchandler1 on Twitter and on Facebook.
