By Chip Chandler — Producer
Here's a quick take on your 10 best entertainment bets in the next 10 days.
1. Drenched
Drag and burlesque continue to burst into mainstream Amarillo, as shown by this late-night summer kick-off show by Broken Belts Collective at 10 p.m. May 17 at Off the Hook, 626 S. Polk St. A special menu will be available at 11 p.m. Performers for the 18-and-older show include Pearla Foxx from Albuquerque and Miss Conduct and Adam Bomb from Santa Fe, as well as Amarillo performers Lascivious Lark, Myss Myka, Poppy Patois, Valentine VanBuren and Samantha Vice.
2. Dear Marsha
The Amarillo-born rock band will bring their Summer of the Marshan tour back home with a pair of upcoming show: 10 p.m. May 18 at Hoots Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road, and 7 p.m. May 21 at Fire Slice, 7306 S.W. 34th Ave. Other live music options of note: Amarillo rock band Boss 420 at 8 p.m. May 17 at Smokey Joe's; Lubbock Americana band Gunner Fore & The Interstate at 10 p.m. May 18 at Golden Light Cantina, 2908 S.W. Sixth Ave.; rockers Buckcherry at 8 p.m. May 19 at Hoots Pub; heavy metal mariachi band Metalachi at 6 p.m. May 24 at Starlight Ranch Event Center, 1415 Sunset Drive; Lubbock jazz combo The Alma Quartet at 9 p.m. May 24 at Esquire Jazz Club, 626 S. Polk St.; and singer-songwriter favorite Susan Gibson for an HPPR Living Room Concert at 7 p.m. May 25 at Fibonacci Space, 3306 S.W. Sixth Ave.
3. MuttFest
This year's "All-Star Dogs" party, which raises funds for Amarillo SPCA, will feature canine contests, barbecue sandwiches, dog vaccinations, adult beverages, the Skyhoundz Canine Frisbee Disc championship, a silent auction, vendors and more. The fun runs from noon to 5 p.m. May 19 at Memorial Park, 2501 S. Washington St.
4. Daniel Tiger
Panhandle PBS will bring the favorite kids' character back to town for several public visits: 3 to 5 p.m. May 19 at Wonderland Park; Story Time at 4 p.m. May 22 at the downtown Amarillo Public Library; 5 to 7 p.m. May 23 at McDonald's in Borger; and 6 p.m. May 25 at the Amarillo Sod Poodles' game versus Midland RockHounds.
5. FM90 Blues Festival
California band The Lucky Losers will headline the first FM90 Blues Festival at 4 p.m. May 19 at Starlight Ranch Event Center, 1415 Sunset Drive. Also featured are Rockin' Robert Tomberlin, the Texas Blue Rangers, Stew Moss and Jake Vernon. Kids 12 and younger are free, and pets are allowed.
6. Flying Legends of Victory
Get an up-close look at history when a World War II-era B-25 bomber is on view between May 20 and 27 at Texas Air & Space Museum, 10001 American Drive. Limited ride opportunities are available as well.
7. Amarillo Sod Poodles
The Soddies are back in action with a week-long run of games: from May 21 to 22 against Corpus Christi Hooks and from May 23 to 26 against the Midland RockHounds.
8. Jennifer McNeely
The touring comedian will headline a comedy night at 9 p.m. May 24 at T's Bar, 700 S.W. 10th Ave. Also on the bill are J.J. Howell, Matt Vellegas and host Johnny Vannier. Need more laughs? Check out the Yellow City Comedy show at 9 p.m. May 19 at RR Bar, 701 S. Georgia St.
9. Aladdin
Will Smith has some big curly shoes to fill in the latest live-action Disney remake, opening May 24. New movies for the weekend of May 17 include inspirational pet movie A Dog's Journey, action sequel John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum and teen romantic drama The Sun Is Also a Star. Also arriving May 24 are high school comedy Booksmart and horror/superhero hybrid Brightburn. Special engagements include TCM Big Screen Classics screenings of Steel Magnolias on May 19 and 21; the Studio Ghibli Fest screening of anime classic Nausicaä of the Valley on May 20 and 21; and new documentary The Cold Blue on May 23, compiled from footage shot by classic Hollywood director William Wyler and crew on World War II air combat missions.
10. Bad Magik Musik Fest
Amarillo's alternative music scene will go wild again at this day-long free music festival from noon to 9 p.m. May 25 at Sam Houston Park, 4101 Line Ave. Bands will include Like Red Giants, Rival Magnetics, UglyChulo, Theleo, Magic Focus, Vamping, Fellow American, Lake Dads and Læom. The festival also will feature food trucks, vendors and more.
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.
