The Amarillo Symphony continues its season on a fantastical note in its Friday and Saturday concerts, which will include the world premiere of a piece by one of its own former members.
The orchestra will open its “A Fantastic Symphony” concerts—set for 7:30 p.m. each night in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.—with Chris Lowry’s “Fantasie and Fever Dream on an Idée Fixe of Berlioz.” The concert also will include Camille Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto No. 3 and Hector Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique.”
Music Director and Conductor George Jackson shares some insider info in a recent email exchange. (This interview has been edited and condensed.)
CC: Tell me about the Chris Lowry piece. Was it commissioned for the Amarillo Symphony specifically?
GJ: Chris has always been a composer with a very in-depth knowledge of orchestral music throughout history, from his work as a professional viola player. I wanted to commission a short work that incorporated Berlioz’s famous “idee fixe”—a short melody that represents his love for and obsession with the Irish actress Harriet Smithson, whom the “Symphonie Fantastique” was written about. Chris was the perfect candidate to incorporate this theme into his own music.
CC: Chris is a former Symphony member, right? How special is it to feature the work of one of your own?
GJ: The Amarillo Symphony is like the Hotel California: you can check out, but you can never leave. Chris was our principal viola (from 2020 to 2022) but remains a member of the ASO Family through the commissions we keep throwing at him!
CC: Tell me about Fiona Shea and what audiences should expect with the Saint-Saëns piece.
GJ: Fiona Shea is a very talented young Texan violinist, originally from Lubbock. The Saint-Saëns is a very romantic, lyrical and almost-operatic violin concerto that pairs perfectly with Berlioz.
Another fall activity is in the works. Volunteers from across the city are pitching in to build a new seasonal event at Amarillo Botanical Gardens.
The Gardens’ Trail of 1,000 Jack-O’-Lanterns is open from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at the gardens, 1400 Streit Drive.
“One thousand freshly carved pumpkins is not something you could carve a couple of weeks ago and wait,” says Greg Lusk, executive director. “We’ve had community groups and school classes come out, and they’re still carving right now. We’re just giving them the reins and letting them have fun and be creative.”
In an autumnal variation on the attraction’s annual Christmas in the Gardens, the grounds will be strewn with lights and pumpkins, as well as carnival concessions, games, food trucks and more.
Admission is $10 for ages 6 and older; children 5 and younger are free. Call 806-352-6513.
This week’s other can’t-miss options:
Jazztober featuring Big G & The Tradewinds: 7 p.m. Tuesday; 1000 S. Polk St.; free; 806-372-6744
“Misery”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Amarillo Little Theatre Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle; ticket prices vary; 806-355-9991
Monster Bash: 5:30 and 7 p.m. Friday; Don Harrington Discovery Center, 1200 Streit Drive; tickets $6 members, $9 nonmembers; 806-355-9547)
6th Street Massacre: 7 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday; 3015 SW Sixth Ave.; $30; 806-337-0749
Amarillo Scaregrounds: 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2736 SW 10th Ave. $40 and up; 806-367-9516
The Haunt at Sundown: 7:30 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1201 S. Sundown Lane; $20; adeal777@suddenlink.net
That Arena Rock Show: 9 p.m. Friday; Azteca Music Hall, 500 N. FM 1912; tickets $28 advance, $39 at door; 806-335-9990
Slade Coulter with Gatlin Johnson: 10 p.m. Friday; Golden Light Cantina, 2908 SW Sixth Ave.; cover; 806-374-9237
Pirates of the Park: 5 a.m. gates, 7 a.m. balloon launch, 6 p.m. carnival, 7 p.m. balloon glow Saturday; John Stiff Memorial Park, 45th Avenue and Bell Street; 806-378-3036
Gee’s Family Farms: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 7651 S. Whitaker Road; admission $7; 806-346-5899
Maxwell’s Pumpkin Farm: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday; 12908 S. Bell St.; admission prices vary; 806-373-9600
Phantom in the Nave pipe organ and frightful readings: 7 p.m. Saturday; St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1601 S. Georgia St.; free, donations accepted; 806-376-6316
Pre-Halloween Ghoul Gala: 7 p.m. Saturday; Yellow City Street Food, 2916 Wolflin Ave.; tickets $10 advance, $12 day of show; 806-353-9273
Hayden Baker: 10 p.m. Saturday; The Western Horseman, 2501 E. I-40; 806-379-6555, Ext. 2999
Jazztober featuring Ruth Ellen Lynch & Jazz Plus: 7 p.m. Oct. 28; 1000 S. Polk St.; free; 806-372-6744
Route 66 Comedy Tour: 8 p.m. Oct. 28; Pub 26, 3101 SW 26th Ave.; tickets $10; 806-437-1200
Movie options:
New releases: Anime Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, romantic drama Regretting You, horror flick Shelby Oaks and musical biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere (Cinemark Hollywood 16, 9100 Canyon Drive, and Cinergy, 9201 Cinergy Square)
Special engagements: Animated favorite Corpse Bride (Tuesday); anime classic Spirited Away (Tuesday through Thursday, Cinemark Hollywood 16); faith-based documentary Off School Property (Thursday, Cinemark Hollywood 16); animated kids’ horror film ParaNorman (Saturday through Oct. 28, Cinemark Hollywood 16); and the latest in the Secret Movie Series (Monday, Cinemark Hollywood 16)
