Amarillo Sod Poodles: The Soddies continue their home season by trying to run down the Frisco RoughRiders. (Tuesday through Sunday; Hodgetown, 715 S. Buchanan St.; ticket prices vary; 806-803-9547)
“Spirited Away” Live on Stage: The new stage adaptation of the classic anime hits the big screen as part of the Studio Ghibli Fest. (various times Tuesday, Thursday and May 2; Cinemark Hollywood 16, 9100 Canyon Drive)
Choral Dances from Gloriana: West Texas A&M University’s choirs perform Benjamin Britten’s masterwork along with a new work from choir director Sean Pullen. (7:30 p.m. Tuesday; Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall on the Canyon campus; free; 806-651-2840)
“Flashdance”: What a feeling when this favorite dance film gets 40th-anniversary screenings. (7 p.m. Wednesday and 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday; Cinemark Hollywood 16, 9100 Canyon Drive)
“Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret”: Judy Blume’s beloved YA classic hits the big screen. Also opening: biopic “Big George Foreman” and action comedy “Polite Society.” (Opens Thursday; Cinemark Hollywood 16, 9100 Canyon Drive; and Cinergy, 9201 Cinergy Square)
Park Row 5 Pale Ale Release Party: The clean, crisp ale returns to Pondaseta Brewing Co., and proceeds from this event will be donated to 24 Hours in the Canyon. (5 to 10 p.m. Thursday; 7500 S.W. 45th Ave.; 806-418-6282)
Party on the Patio: Sa*vór kicks off its outdoor music season with Amarillo rockers Velvet Funk. (7 p.m. Thursday; 7669 Hillside Road, Suite 600; 806-310-2600)
The Queen Bees: Starlight Canyon Bed & Breakfast’s Troubadour series hosts this all-female Americana quartet. (7 p.m. Thursday; 100 Brentwood Road; $15 at gate; 806-336-1459)
“La Navarraise”: WT Opera tackles this melodramatic French opera in their season-ending performance. (7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday; tickets $10 or free for WT students, faculty and staff; Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex Recital Hall in Canyon; 806-651-2840)
WT Jazz: West Texas A&M University’s jazz ensembles team with international percussion star Dion Parson for this free show as part of the Greater Southwest Music Festival. (7:30 p.m. Thursday; Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Van Buren St.; free; 806-651-2840)
The March Divide: The one-man Austin band returns to The 806 Coffee + Lounge. (9 p.m. Thursday; 2812 S.W. Sixth Ave.; donations accepted; 806-322-1806)
Bob Wills Day: Take me back to Turkey for the 51st annual celebration of the Western swing icon, featuring tons of live music, a parade, barbecue cook off, fiddlers contest and much more, including tunes from Jody Nix and Brennen Leigh. (Friday through Sunday; various locations in Turkey; admission prices vary; 806-423-1253)
Dale Smith: The Amarillo singer hits the roof at The Barfield’s outdoor stage. (7 p.m. Friday; 600 S. Polk St.; 806-414-2200)
Disco Public Skate: Get down, get down, get down, get down tonight at the Amarillo Ice Ranch. (7 p.m. Friday; 301 S. Grant St.; admission $10, skate rental $5; 806-242-4231)
Amarillo Wranglers: The local hockey team looks for a playoff victory over the Oklahoma Warriors. (7:15 p.m. Friday; Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan St.; tickets $12 to $23; 806-378-3096)
Harrington String Quartet: The award-winning ensemble explores the world of musical interpretation in this season-ending concert. (7:30 p.m. Friday; Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall on the West Texas A&M University campus; tickets $20 or free for WT students, faculty and staff; 806-651-2840)
“Into the Woods”: TheatreAC puts a bow on its season with this beloved Stephen Sondheim musical about the power of stories. (7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; continues May 4-7; Amarillo College Experimental Theatre; tickets $10 adults, $8 seniors and students; 806-371-5358)
“Portraits of Dance”: WT Dance closes out its season with an array of styles. (7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday; tickets $12 adults, $8 seniors and students or free for WT students, faculty and staff; Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex Recital Hall in Canyon; 806-651-2840)
The Josh Abbott Band: The Lubbock country stars return to Starlight Ranch Event Center. (8 p.m. Friday; 1415 Sunrise Drive; tickets $30 to $65; 806-342-0515)
Lindsey Lane: The Amarillo country singer brings a night of fun to Smokey Joe’s patio. (8 p.m. Friday; 2903 S.W. Sixth Ave.; 806-331-6698)
Thelma & The Sleaze: The touring rock band hits Route 66 for a show at Golden Light Cantina. (9 p.m. Friday; 2908 S.W. Sixth Ave.; cover; 806-374-9237)
Bombing in the City: Yellow City Comedy hopes for hits, not duds, with this show at Bomb City Distillery. (9 p.m. Friday; 306 S. Cleveland St.; cover $5; 806-220-2662)
Braxton Keith: The young Texas country singer headlines Hoots Pub. (9 p.m. Friday; 2424 Hobbs Road; cover)
Garden Fest: Amarillo Botanical Gardens hosts this annual event, featuring vendors, flower sales, food booths and more. (8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; admission free for members, $5 for nonmembers; 1400 Streit Drive; 806-352-6513)
Kitefest: Let’s go fly a kite, up to the highest height at this family friendly event at Starlight Ranch Event Center. (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; 1415 Sunrise Drive; 806-342-0515)
“Champion”: “The Met: Live in HD” continues its season with Terence Blanchard’s new American opera telling the true story of a Black, gay boxer. (11:55 a.m. Saturday; Cinemark Hollywood 16, 9100 Canyon Drive)
Smokeyfest: It’s a day full of music on Smokey Joe’s patio in this sixth-annual event, featuring Ace Rodriguez, Mike Chism & Hollow Point, Jack Cryver & Bad Decisions and Bomb City Groove. (noon to 11 p.m. Saturday; 2903 S.W. Sixth Ave.; 806-331-6698)
New Generation Band: The young Amarillo rock band brings the party to Charlee’s Chicken. (7 p.m. Saturday; 614 S. Polk St.; 806-376-4700)
Steven Birkenfeld: The country singer offers a night of tunes at Mickey’s Place. (7:30 p.m. Saturday; 1512 Fifth Ave. in Canyon; 806-452-7320)
A Beautiful Gala: Amarillo Little Theatre flashes back to the ’60s and ’70s for this elaborate fundraiser. (8 p.m. Saturday; tickets $75; The Derrick Event Center, 814 S. Taylor St.; 806-355-9991)
Don Stalling & The Divided: The touring country band returns to Golden Light Cantina. (9 p.m. Saturday; 2908 S.W. Sixth Ave.; cover; 806-374-9237)
Kody West: The Texas country star takes the stage at Hoots Pub with regional favorites Ghosts of Gray County. (9 p.m. Saturday; 2424 Hobbs Road; cover)
A Special Case: The Pampa rockers team with Special Alloy for a loud night at Skooterz. (9 p.m. Saturday; 4100 Bushland Blvd.; cover; 806-679-0122)
Drag-Lesque: Some top Amarillo queens and burlesque performers take the state for a special performance at The 806 Coffee + Lounge. (10 p.m. Saturday; 2812 S.W. Sixth Ave.; cover $10; 806-322-1806)
Bar Z Wine Run: Let me put it this way: The possibility of wine waiting for me at the finish line is likely the only way I’d ever take part in a 5K. If you’re more of a runner, lace up your shoes and take part in this scenic race. (8 a.m. Sunday; 19290 Farm-to-Market Road 1541; entry fees vary; 806-488-2214)
Pepe Tovar y Los Chacales: The Mexican band joins with La Rienda, La Nueva Kuenta, Los Bitaches and more in a fundraiser dance for West Texas A&M University Hispanic Student Association. (8 p.m. Sunday; Will Rogers Range Riders Rodeo Arena, 8829 S. Washington St.; tickets $40; 806-584-0733)
Ri Wolf: The Amarillo-based country singer serves up tunes at Big Jim’s Pizza Co. (formerly La Bella on Olsen). (7 p.m. May 2; 3801 Olsen Blvd., Unit 9; 806-352-5050)
Ongoing
Amarillo Museum of Art: The museum highlights top young artists at its annual Texas Panhandle Invitational. (2200 S. Van Buren St.; 806-371-5050)
American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum: Dig into equine history with the museum’s archive collection, on view through July 29. (2601 E. Interstate 40; 806-376-5181)
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum: Enjoy “Objects of Enchantment” through April 30 and Georgia O’Keeffe-inspired “On the Edge of the Plains” through January. (2503 Fourth Ave. in Canyon; 806-651-2244)
The Simulated Universe: Amarillo’s newest attraction is this immersive art experience a la Meow Wolf. (noon to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays; 1215 S.W. 10th Ave.; reservations required; 832-690-7731 or thesimulateduniverse@gmail.com
Author
Chip is the senior communications specialist at West Texas A&M University. A Canadian High School graduate and award-winning journalist, he has covered arts and entertainment in Amarillo since 1998 and is a member of the Amarillo Convention and Visitor Council arts committee. He is a 2020 Golden Nail Award winner and a 2017 National Philanthropy Day award winner. He is a member of the national GALECA critics group, has seen every Best Picture Oscar winner and watches way too much television.