By Chip Chandler — Producer
Here's a quick take on your 10 best entertainment bets in the next 10 days.
Click here for ALL of your January options.
1. Over the River and Through the Woods
Family's a loving burden in Amarillo Little Theatre's revival of this warm comedy about a quartet of grandparents determined to keep their beloved grandson close to home. (Jan. 17 to 27, Amarillo Little Theatre Mainstage, 2019 Civic Circle. Ticket prices vary. 806-355-9991)
2. Glass
Reviews aren't so hot for the third installment of M. Night Shyamalan's surprise Unbreakable trilogy, but expect big audiences this weekend regardless. It's the only new movie opening here this weekend, but to get ready for Jan. 22's Oscar nominations, you can catch expected nominees Vice, Mary Poppins Returns, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Ralph Breaks the Internet, The Favourite and Bohemian Rhapsody. Or check out one of these special engagements: Dragon Ball Super: Broly through Jan. 24; acclaimed World War I documentary They Shall Not Grow Old on Jan. 21; Comédie-Française's Cyrano de Bergerac on Jan. 23; or a one-night-only screening of horror flick The Final Wish on Jan. 24.
3. Amarillo Symphony
The orchestra will continue its 94th season with concerts featuring Jean Sibelius' Symphony No. 5 and Pyotr Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, featuring pianist Orion Weiss. (7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 and 19, Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St. Tickets $16 to $55, plus fees. 806-376-8782)
4. Alma Quartet
The Lubbock jazz combo, known for its eclectic stylings and precise playing, will return. (8:30 p.m. Jan. 19, Esquire Jazz Club, 626 S. Polk St. Cover $10 from 8 to 11 p.m. 806-584-9571)
5. Hats Off to Willie
Blues star Tommy Dukes and Amarillo musicians including the Texas Blues Rangers and the All-Star Blues Band (which boasts a truly stellar lineup) will pay tribute to harmonica whiz Blues Boy Willie. The Memphis (Texas) native traveled the Chitlin' Circuit for decades before returning to the area and moving back into his family home with his younger sister. Friends hope to raise funds to help him weather recent health woes. (3 p.m. Jan. 20, I Don't Know Sports Bar & Grill, 1301 S.W. Sixth Ave. No cover; donations accepted. 806-331-7985)
6. Winter Night Shows
The Kwahadi Dancers will present their 54th annual performances as the kickoff to the organization's 75th anniversary. Nine performances are scheduled this season: 3 p.m. Jan. 20 and Feb. 10, and 7 p.m. Jan. 25 and 26 and Feb. 1, 2, 9, 16 and 23. (3 p.m. Jan. 20; continues through Feb. 23. Kwahadi Museum of the American Indian, 9151 E. Interstate 40. Tickets $8 adults, $7 seniors, $5 ages 17 and younger; $5 for matinee performances. 806-335-3175)
7. Peter and the Starcatcher
This immersive family theatrical production from WTAMU Theatre — to be staged at Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum — offers a new origin story for Peter Pan, the child who wouldn't grow up. It'll be staged once daily on Jan. 24, 25 and 27 and four times on Jan. 26. (Jan. 24 to Jan. 27. Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum Hazelwood Lecture Room, 2503 Fourth Ave. in Canyon. Tickets $12 adults, $8 students and seniors, free WT faculty, staff and students. 806-651-2804)
8. The Big Cheese
Sample up to 30 varieties of mac & cheese from area chefs at this fundraiser for The Hope and Healing Place. (6 p.m. Jan. 25, Rex Baxter Building on the Tri-State Fairgrounds, 3301 S.E. 10th Ave. Tickets $25 adults, $5 children. 806-371-8998)
9. Remember the Alamo
Actors, singers and dancers will join forces for this production, an expanded excerpt from Lone Star Ballet's Lone Star Legends & Love Stories. (8 p.m. Jan. 25, Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St. Tickets $13.50 and $18.50. 806-378-3096 or 806-372-2463)
10. Battle of the Titans
The Don Harrington Discovery Center's new traveling exhibit pits a Triceratops against a Tyrannosaurus rex, offering battle stats, an in-depth look at their environments and more. Opening-day festivities are planned for Jan. 26. (Jan. 26 to May 19, Don Harrington Discovery Center, 1200 Streit Drive. Admission $11 adults, $8 children and students (to age 22), military and seniors. 806-355-9547)
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.
