May
Shrek: Amarillo Little Theatre closes out its season with everyone’s favorite ogre in a sensationally fun stage musical. The show will run May 5 to 22 on the Allen Shankles Mainstage, 2019 Civic Circle. Other arts highlights include Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum’s “One Enchanted Evening” gala on May 7 at the museum, 2504 Fourth Ave. in Canyon; Amarillo Symphony’s operatic Rachmaninoff, Rossini and Strauss concerts, featuring conductor candidate Conner Covington, on May 27 and 28 in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.; and Broadway Spotlight Series’ touring production of Waitress on May 27 and 28 in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex Auditorium, 401 S. Buchanan St.
Bad Majik Music Festival: Nine top local bands will play this all-day festival in Sam Houston Park, Line Avenue and Western Street. After two years off because of the pandemic, I’m looking forward to catching up with some of the city’s most exciting up-and-comers. Other parties will include Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Cinco de Mayo Fajita Festival on May 6 at Starlight Ranch Event Center, 1415 Sunrise Drive; and Muttfest on May 15, also at
Starlight Ranch.
Amarillo Sod Poodles: The Soddies are fully back in action and chasing after that title again with a series against the Midland Rockhounds from May 3 to 8; the Tulsa Drillers from May 17 to 22 and May 31 to June 5; the Frisco RoughRiders from June 7 to 12; and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals from June 28 to July 3. Other family activities will include Blippi the Musical, based on the popular children’s show, on May 7 in the Civic Center Auditorium; and the Lone Star Reptile Expo on May 14 and 15, also in the Civic Center Complex.
Eli Young Band: The Texas natives and Nashville stars return to town for a blowout show at Starlight Ranch Event Center. Other hot concerts on tap include Tuesday Night Jazz performances at Starlight Canyon Bed & Breakfast, 100 Brentwood Drive; Charlie Shafter and Rodney Parker on May 12 at The Golden Light Cantina, 2906 SW Sixth Ave.; Roger Creager on May 7 and the Read Southall Band on May 14, both at Starlight Ranch; country superstar Travis Tritt on May 14 in the Globe-News Center; comedian Bert Kreischer on May 14 in the Civic Center Auditorium; and Christian band For King & Country on May 20 in the Civic Center Coliseum.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: The Marvel Cinematic Universe is about to blow wide open with this mind-warping extravaganza, opening May 3. Other new films hitting theaters include Downton Abbey: A New Era on May 20 and, after many delays, Top Gun: Maverick on May 27. And watch for encore screenings of Star Trek: The Motion Picture from May 22 to 25 and Smokey and the Bandit from May 29 to June 2.
June
Outdoor concerts: Amarillo Parks and Recreation’s Starlight Theatre offers a variety of acts Tuesday nights from May 31 to Aug. 2 in Sam Houston Park, Line Avenue and Western Street. June Jazz also returns for Tuesday-night jams at the heart of Amarillo College’s Washington Street campus. Center City of Amarillo’s High Noon on the Square offers a slew of favorites (plus lunch) Wednesdays through June and July at 501 S. Fillmore St. Amarillo Botanical Gardens’ Music in the Gardens offers tunes and food trucks Thursdays, from June through August at the gardens, 1400 Streit Drive. Finally, Starlight Canyon Bed & Breakfast will offer a ticketed songwriters series on Wednesday nights from June through August.
An Evening with Kelli O’Hara: Amarillo Little Theatre brings back the Tony Award-winning Broadway star (and Elk City, Oklahoma, native) for a fundraising concert. Other arts highlights will include outdoor musical Texas, opening June 2 for performances Tuesdays through Sundays through the summer in Pioneer Amphitheatre in Palo Duro Canyon State Park; Amarillo Museum of Art’s ’70s-themed Art After Dark on June 10 at the museum, 2200 S. Van Buren St.; and the Amarillo Symphony’s performance of Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony on June 24 and 25 with conductor candidate Stilian Kirov in the Globe-News Center.
Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo: The cowboys are back in town, with top hands from working ranches around the region competing for bragging rights on June 3 and 4 in the Amarillo National Center on the Tri-State Fairgrounds, 3301 SE 10th Ave. Other activities will include 24 Hours in the Canyon bike racing fundraiser June 3 and 4 in Palo Duro Canyon; the Center City Mural Run on June 4 in downtown Amarillo; and the return of the Amarillo Community Market on Saturdays beginning June 11, also in downtown Amarillo.
Asleep at the Wheel: The Texas swing icons roll back into town for a June 11 show at Starlight Ranch Event Center. Other top concert picks will include Kody West on June 4 at Hoot’s Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road; the Canadian River Music Festival with Clay Walker, Jack Ingram, Dirty River Boys and more on June 11 in Canadian; John Baumann on June 10 at Golden Light Cantina; and Koe Wetzel and William Clark Green on June 17 at Starlight Ranch.
Juneteenth: Amarillo’s Black community celebrates with activities set for June 11 to 24, mostly in Bones Hooks Park or elsewhere on the North side. Other festivals will include the Summer Melt Car Show on June 10 at Contagion Athletics, 8210 W. Amarillo Blvd.; and the Amarillo Crawfish Festival on June 18 and Panhandle Pride on June 25, both at Starlight Ranch.
Jurassic World: Dominion: The thunder lizards return for the long-delayed conclusion to the reboot trilogy, set to open June 10. Also new in theaters: Lightyear, the much-demanded (?) origin story for Buzz Lightyear, on June 10; and Baz Luhrman’s biopic Elvis on June 24. Plus, don’t miss the 60th anniversary screening of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? on June 12 and 15.
