In a much more rainy start to a shorter week, the Amarillo area is still getting ready for a handful of big events over the weekend of May 28-31, as well as upcoming outdoor concert series and wildfire fundraisers.
Here’s some of the highlights for this weekend, and also early next week.
Tasty tryout in the park
May 30: Battle of the Bites at John Stiff Park — At 5 p.m. Saturday, guests will start lining up around Kwahadi Trail in the park to purchase their favorites from 40 local food trucks, who will be ready on site to serve their specialities and earn votes. Participating are dozens of local popular destinations, including Yolos, Martha’s Minis and Taqueria MTZ. Winners get a free exemption to attend the city’s July 4th celebration and Pirates in the Park. This year’s event will have Water Wars, with water balloons, a limited supply of water guns and capture-the-flag style games in between getting a bite to eat. Admission to Battle of the Bites is free, but you’ll need to bring money for food. Bring a friend, a picnic blanket, and an empty stomach. See the City of Amarillo Parks and Recreation Department’s page on Facebook for more details.
Josh Abbott Band in concert
May 29: Josh Abbott Band at The Lumberyard — The Canyon entertainment venue has a headlining performer lined up for practically every weekend now through the fall, and next up is the Josh Abbott Band. According to the band’s website, JAB first formed at Texas Tech University in 2006 when the acclaimed singer/songwriter/guitarist started playing with fraternity brother Austin Davis (banjo), with many others joining him down the road. Over the years, JAB has steadily raised their profile while elevating their artistry with multiple albums. Tickets are on sale now, and the show is set to start at 8 p.m. Friday. Per Ticketmaster, this event is in the Backyard, and all ages require a ticket. For more, see https://thelumberyardcanyon.com/ .
Iconic ‘Bars Cars’ on exhibit
May 30: “Ed Ruscha + Ron Cooper: Stations Words | Bars Cars” at AMoA — On Friday, the Amarillo Museum of Art celebrates another new exhibit this month, with an opening reception starting with cocktails with Hors d’oeuvres by OHMS at 6:30 p.m. and a gallery talk with artist Ron Cooper at 7 p.m. Admission is free for museum members, or $15 for non-members. Tickets available for purchase at the door and online at https://www.amoa.org/event-tickets/ruscha-cooper . The exhibition will be on display through Aug. 30, and the museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays. “Stations Words | Bars Cars” brings together the works of artists Ruscha and Cooper, who met and became friends during an intensely creative time in California — both artists attended Chouinard Art Institute. A selection of Ruscha’s prints of signs and words, alongside four of Cooper’s immaculately constructed automobiles, provide an opportunity for reflection on a uniquely American experience. The timing of this exhibition is also a celebration of sorts for the centennial of Route 66. Few locations have held such an iconic status in American art as Ruscha’s paintings, prints, and photographs of a singular Standard Station in Amarillo.
Dad breakfast at Cinergy
May 30: Breakfast with Dad: “The Breadwinner” — See the movie at Cinergy Entertainment in Amarillo during this special event, where before the movie, kids can take the mic and read dad jokes to the entire theater. Some jokes will land. Most won’t. Dad will still laugh anyway. The event also includes breakfast before the show of French toast sticks, powdered donuts, bacon, scrambled eggs, coffee, juice, plus a $10 game card to keep the fun going afterward. Cinergy is also offering a Kids Summer Series for discounted flicks. For more, see https://www.cinergy.com/amarillo .
Outdoor entertainment fit for picnics
Early next week is the kick-off to several summer outdoor live music traditions. Tuesday, June 2 brings the start of the Jim Laughlin June Jazz Series on the AC campus and Starlight Theater’s 70th year in Sam Houston Park, followed by Center City’s High Noon on the Square concerts and lunch on Wednesdays (starting June 3) at the Potter County Courthouse Lawn; and Music in the Gardens on Thursdays (starting June 4) at Amarillo Botanical Gardens. In Canyon, Neblett Park hosts the June Jams on Thursdays, presented by Canyon Main Street. Look for more on these series’ lineups in separate stories.
Other events on the calendar:
Advance bonus item:
For more events, go to visitamarillo.com .
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Things to do May 28-31 in Amarillo area, and beyond
Reporting by Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
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