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. Fun Home
Amarillo Little Theatre has assembled a killer cast for its production of 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)
2. Spring Awakening
WTAMU Theater will rock out with its staging of this acclaimed musical (featuring tunes by Duncan Sheik) about 19th-century German teens trying to survive the hell of growing up and becoming sexual beings in a society built on repression. (Feb. 7 through 17. WT Branding Iron Theater. Tickets $16 adults, $12 seniors, free WT faculty and staff. 806-651-2804)
3. The Cat in the Hat Meets the Amarillo Bulls
Dr. Seuss' beloved character will appear at a public skate between 5 and 6 p.m. Feb. 8, then greet visitors at a Seussville meet & greet from 6 to 7 p.m. in this special Panhandle PBS event. He'll also appear on the concourse between periods of the game with the Lone Star Brahmas, which begins at 7:05 p.m. (Other Cat events include Family Night at McDonald's, 4402 Teckla Blvd., on Feb. 7, and a meet & greet event from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 9 at Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon.) (5 p.m. Feb. 8, Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan St. Tickets $25. 806-242-1122)
4. Rodney Carrington
The foul-mouthed country comedian will return for what's sure to be a typically blunt live show. (7 p.m. Feb. 8, Amarillo Civic Center Complex Auditorium, 401 S. Buchanan St. Tickets $41.75, plus fees. 806-378-3096)
5. Harrington String Quartet
The ensemble will continue its Harmony Accord season, featuring works Benjamin Britten, Alexander Borodin and Franz Schubert. (7:30 p.m. Feb. 8, Amarillo Botanical Gardens, 1400 Streit Drive. Tickets $20. 806-651-2840)
6. Envy Dance Company
The California-based hip-hop dance company will perform on Lone Star Ballet's season. Expect classically trained dancers showcasing their skills to soul classics by Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and more. (8 p.m. Feb. 9, Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St. Tickets $10 to $40, plus fees. 806-372-2463 or 806-378-3096)
7. Green Jellÿ
The punk band, which finds new members at every tour stop and prides itself on being the worst band in America, will bring its Farewell U.S.A. tour to town for a show with Kentucky punk band Lazy A-- Destroyer (NSFW language on link) and Amarillo-area bands A Special Case, Visions Scarred, Honey Badger and Like Red Giants. (8 p.m. Feb. 9; doors open at 7:30 p.m. Zombiez Bar & Grill, 711 S.W. 10th Ave. Cover $10. 806-331-7305)
8. Jonathan Guidi Benefit
Amarillo musicians and fans will come together to support the Touching Voodoo frontman as he faces significant medical expenses. The lineup is expected to include Brother Wolf, Nicolai Johnson & The Six String Circus, Sabin KingLewis, AXYS, Strange Saints, Caliche Dust, 3 Ring Circus, OddFellas and Touching Voodoo. (1 to 9 pm. Feb. 10, Whiskey River, 4001 S.W. 51st Ave. Cover by donation only; cash or Pampers diapers accepted. 806-367-6163)
9. Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt
The songwriting greats (see here and here) will bring their joint tour to town for an intimate show. (8 p.m. Feb. 12, Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St. Tickets $36.75 to $76.75, plus fees. 806-378-3096)
10. Regal Best Picture Film Festival
Seven of the eight contenders for Oscar's top prize (notably, not Roma, a Netflix original) will screen at alternating, various times between Feb. 15 and Oscar Sunday on Feb. 24. (Cinemark's Oscar Movie Week kicks off Feb. 18). Other Oscar nominees still screening here include Bohemian Rhapsody, Green Book and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and A Star Is Born. Other special engagements in the next 10 days will include Met: Live in HD's Carmen on Feb. 9 and Dirty Dancing on Feb. 10 and 13. And new films on Feb. 8 (previewing Feb. 7) include Cold Pursuit, The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, The Prodigy and What Men Want; new movies on Feb. 13 (early for Valentine's Day screenings) include Alita: Battle Angel, Happy Death Day 2U and Isn't It Romantic.
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.
