By Chip Chandler — Producer
Here's a quick take on your 10 best entertainment bets in the next 10 days.
1. Amarillo Sod Poodles
The Soddies round out May with a home stand against the Midland RockHounds from May 23 to 26, 701 S. Buchanan St. If you've got tickets to the sold-out May 25 game, make sure to say hi to Daniel Tiger, who'll wrap up his Panhandle visit with a stop at the game.
2. Metalachi
The world's first heavy metal mariachi band returns for a big show at 8 p.m. May 24 at Starlight Ranch Event Center, 1415 Sunset Drive. Other live music acts to watch for between May 23 and 27: the Esquire Jazz Huge Band at 7 p.m. May 23 and Lubbock jazz combo The Alma Quartet at 9 p.m. May 24 at Esquire Jazz Club, 626 S. Polk St.; Amarillo blues-rock band Jonathan Guidi & Touching Voodoo in back-to-back shows at 8 p.m. May 24 at Smokey Joe's, 2903 S.W. Sixth Ave., and at 10 p.m. May 24 at Leftwoods, 2511 S.W. Sixth Ave.; Amarillo indie rockers J. Trial Band and BombCity at 10 p.m. May 24 at Golden Light Cantina, 2908 S.W. Sixth Ave.; Amarillo metal band Mr. Scary at 10 p.m. May 24 at Whiskey River, 5001 S.W. 51st Ave.; 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.; Texas country star Wade Bowen with Shea Abshier and Austin Meade at 8 p.m. May 25 at Starlight Ranch Event Center; Texas country star Roger Creager at 10 p.m. May 25 at Hoots Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road; and blues-rockers Matt O'Ree Band at 10 p.m. May 27 at Leftwoods.
3. Circus Saurus
Carson & Barnes roars back to town with five performances on May 25 and 26 in the Rex Baxter Building on the Amarillo Tri-State Fairgrounds, 3301 S.E. 10th Ave.
4. Bad Magik Musik Fest
Immerse yourself in Amarillo's alternative music scene 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. Then, keep the festivities rolling with afterparties featuring Amarillo hip-hop artist Jordy Ryan at The 806 Coffee + Lounge, 2812 S.W. Sixth Ave.; Amarillo rockers Loudmouth Lisa, Article 15 and Dimebox Sweethearts at Golden Light Cantina; and Amarillo acts Dude Man, Uncle Puppy & The Rejects and Dem Tone Junkies at Leftwoods.
5. Starlight Theatre
Amarillo's summer outdoor concert season kicks off with country band Blue Denim II & Friends at 7 p.m. May 28 at Sam Houston Park, Line Avenue and Western Street. The Starlight Theatre series will offer weekly concerts on Tuesdays through Aug. 20.
6. Sunset and Songwriters
Touring guitarist Claude Bourbon will perform at 6:30 pm. May 30 in this monthly concert series at Wildcat Bluff Nature Center, 2301 N. Soncy Road.
7. Ordinary Elephant
The touring Americana husband-and-wife duo will perform at 7:30 p.m. May 30 at Starlight Canyon Bed & Breakfast, 100 Brentwood Road, as part of the Living Room Concert series for High Plains Public Radio. Other music options from May 30 to June 1 include international guitar star and Amarillo native Rodney Branigan at 9 p.m. May 31 at Esquire Jazz Club; the Gruesome Twosome of tribute acts to Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson at 8 p.m. May 31 and red-hot country act Eli Young Band at 8 p.m. June 1 at Starlight Ranch Event Center; and Amarillo rock band Mind Plays at 9:30 p.m. June 1 at Rounders Club, 2801 Virginia Circle.
8. Rocketman
In this musical fantasy opening May 31, Taron Egerton stars as Elton John in a retelling of the iconic pop star's early years. Movies arriving May 24 include live-action Disney remake Aladdin, high school comedy Booksmart and horror/superhero hybrid Brightburn. Other movies arriving May 31 include horror film Ma and creature feature Godzilla: King of the Monsters. The only special engagement of note through June 1 is 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.
9. Funny Car Chaos
Watch for flame-throwing dragsters, a nostalgia shootout and more at this two-day racing event on May 31 and June 1 at Amarillo Dragway, 12955 Burlington Road.
10. Amarillo Community Market
The urban marketplace returns for a fourth season at 10th Avenue and Polk Street in downtown Amarillo. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 1, then every Saturday through Sept. 28.
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.
