Spring is busting out all over in March and April, with an abundance of arts productions, fundraisers, parties, concerts and much more. This is only a taste of what’s to come; make sure to subscribe to the Brickly and Flavorillo newsletters for up-to-date offerings.
March
Amarillo Symphony: The orchestra plans to return to the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St., in a big way with choral masterpiece Carmina Burana on March 24 and 25. Other arts highlights for the month will include Amarillo Little Theatre’s ongoing performances of historical drama These Shining Lives from March 2 to 5 on the Allen Shankles Mainstage, 2019 Civic Circle; an exhibition by visiting artist Charles Irvin from March 2 to 31 at West Texas A&M University’s Dord Fitz Formal Gallery; the WT Symphony Orchestra on March 4 and WT Concert Band on March 5 in Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall; Chamber Music Amarillo’s performance of Dvorak’s Piano Quintet on March 11 in the Amarillo Botanical Gardens, 1400 Streit Drive; ALT Academy’s bright and shiny production of Cinderella from March 24 to April 2 on the ALT Mainstage; WT Theatre’s feminist drama Bull in a China Shop from March 29 to April 1 in the Happy State Bank Studio Theatre; and Amarillo Museum of Art’s eagerly anticipated 20×20 art show and sale on March 30 at the museum, 2200 S. Van Buren St.
Cody Jasper: The Amarillo-born rocker is making big moves around the country and across the pond in England, but he’ll return home March 4 for a show at The Golden Light Cantina, 2908 SW Sixth Ave. Other musical highlights on the books include a rap-heavy Amarillo Spring Break Bash on March 4 at Grandeza Events, 10695 N. U.S. Highway 287; Red Dirt star Bart Crow on March 4 at Hoots Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road; Mexican stars Grupo Bronco on March 11 in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex Auditorium, 401 S. Buchanan St.; and young Texas Country star Grant Gilbert on March 18 at The Golden Light.
Let’s Celebrate: A whole slew of favorite characters from Toy Story 4, Frozen, Aladdin, The Lion King and many more lace up their skates for the return of Disney on Ice from March 16 to 19 in the Civic Center Complex Coliseum. Other events to add to your calendar include an open trail day March 4 at the in-the-works Cross Bar recreation area northwest of the city; the annual Make-a-Wish Car Show on March 4 and 5 in the Civic Center Complex; the return of the beloved Harlem Globetrotters on March 8 in the Civic Center Coliseum; the Amarillo Bombers vs. the New Mexico Runners on March 10 in the Civic Center Coliseum; and the Amarillo Wranglers vs. the El Paso Rhinos on March 18 and 19 and the Shreveport Mudbugs on March 24 and 25, both in the Civic Center Coliseum.
John Wick: Chapter 4: Never did a hunt for vengeance over a murdered dog become such a lucrative endeavor. Keanu Reeves is back again March 24 as the titular hitman, this time facing off against top killers from around the world. Other films to put on your radar include boxing sequel Creed III on March 3; action-adventure film 65, sports comedy Champions, family comedy Mordecai and horror sequel Scream VI on March 10; comic-book sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods on March 17; comedy-drama The Lost King on March 24; drama A Good Person and fantasy Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves on March 31.
April
Rigoletto: Amarillo Opera’s not fooling: They really are staging Verdi’s beloved classic on April 1 in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts. Other must-see arts events include Broadway Spotlight Series’ touring production of the musical Anastasia on April 3 and 4 in the Civic Center Complex Auditorium; playwright and actress Anna Deveare Smith for the WT Distinguished Lecture Series at 7 p.m. April 4 in Legacy Hall in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center; beloved Borger-native pianist John Bayless’ return performance at 7:30 p.m. April 11 in the Amarillo College Concert Hall Theatre; Amarillo Little Theatre’s The Father from April 13 to 23 in the ALT Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle; Lore podcast host Aaron Mahnke, also for WT’s Distinguished Lecture Series, at 6 p.m. April 13 in the Derrick Room at Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, 2503 Fourth Ave. in Canyon; Lone Star Ballet’s new production of Alice in Wonderland on April 14 and 15 in the Globe-News Center; Amarillo Symphony’s take on Rachmaninoff’s Second and more on April 21 and 22 in the Globe-News Center; the Amarillo Youth Symphony Orchestra on April 23 in the Globe-News Center; the WT Choir spring concert on April 25 and WT Jazz concert on April 27, both in Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall; WT Opera’s production of La Navarraise from April 27 to 29 in the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex Recital Hall; and WT Dance’s Portraits of Dance from April 28 to 30 in the Branding Iron Theatre.
Yellow City Comic Con: A host of genre actors and voice actors are on the bill for this annual celebration of all things pop-culture, set for April 21 to 23 in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex. Start working on your best cosplay look and make room for new collectibles on your shelves. Other major events in April will include motivational speaker Elizabeth Smart at the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health’s Power of the Purse luncheon on April 13 in the Civic Center Complex Heritage Ballroom; and Martha’s Home’s Second Chance Prom on April 15, also in the Civic Center Heritage Ballroom. The Amarillo Sod Poodles return to action with a series against the Corpus Christi Hooks from April 11 to 16 and the Frisco RoughRiders from April 25 to 30 in Hodgetown, 715 S. Buchanan St. Plus, the Amarillo Wranglers take on the Odessa Jackalopes on April 8 and 9 and the Wichita Falls Warriors on April 15 and 16 in the Civic Center Coliseum.
Blue October: The alt-rockers spin back to town for an April 5 show in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts. Other area concerts are still being added to the schedule, but look for those hirsute rockers ZZ Top in an April 23 return to the Civic Center Complex Auditorium and the 51st annual Bob Wills Day celebrations April 28 to 30 in Turkey.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret: Beloved author Judy Blume’s classic novel finally comes to the big screen in an adaptation starring Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates and newcover Abby Ryder Fortson on April 28. Other big releases are scheduled to include drama On a Wing and a Prayer on April 5; thriller The Pope’s Exorcist, animated The Super Mario Bros. Movie and comedy Paint on April 7; sports drama Sweetwater and comedic horror film Renfield on April 14; and horror film Evil Dead Rise, actioner Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant and horror drama Beau Is Afraid on April 21.
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.