Panhandle PBS Set to Premiere “Cadillac Ranch” Documentary
Art and rhythm will collide as Panhandle PBS prepares for the inaugural screening of its original documentary, Cadillac Ranch. Titled 10 Cadillacs, 10 Movements, 1 Stunning Performance, the film explores the Amarillo Symphony’s commissioned orchestral work inspired by one of the most iconic landmarks in Texas.
The premiere event, set for Thursday, April 23, invites the community to the Panhandle PBS Studio at 2408 S. Jackson Street on the Amarillo College Washington Street campus.
“When I first experienced the original performance, I knew immediately it was something that deserved a broader audience,” said Kevin Ball, Amarillo College vice president of communications and marketing. “The music, the story, and the visual inspiration behind Cadillac Ranch translate so naturally to film, and this documentary gives more people the opportunity to see and hear something truly unique to our region.”
The evening is designed to be a multi-sensory celebration of creativity. Themed refreshments such as the Rt. 66 Ranch Water and Amarillo Sunset specialty cocktails will be part of the experience. Guests will be treated to a three-course feast crafted to be just as colorful as the spray-painted cars themselves. The culinary journey includes a refreshing starter of cantaloupe, cucumber, and jicama salad accented with graffiti-hued goat cheese; a bold main course of mole-crusted beef shoulder rich with the flavors of coffee, cocoa, and ancho chili; and a sweet finish featuring a cinnamon-vanilla custard tart drizzled in hibiscus and berry sauce.
“Working with such extraordinary talent—from George Jackson to composer Michael Daugherty—has been an absolute pleasure,” said Karen Welch, Cadillac Ranch producer and Panhandle PBS senior content producer. “Bringing this story to the screen reflects Panhandle PBS’s mission to showcase meaningful, locally rooted stories with artistic excellence, and Cadillac Ranch does exactly that.”
Beyond the screen, the event features a raffle showcasing the diverse talent of the region. Supporters can purchase a $20 raffle ticket for a chance to win one of several prizes: a custom Cadillac sculpture by Canyon artist Braxton Bjork; one of two framed photographic prints of the ranch by noted Amarillo native Wyatt McSpadden; a piece of “Cadilite” jewelry—handcrafted by Bob “Croc” Lile using authentic paint chips from the landmark; or a classic Amarillo experience package, featuring dinner for two at The Big Texan Steak Ranch paired with two cans of spray paint from the Slug Bug Ranch.
Tickets are $75 each and include the premiere screening, dinner, and drinks, offering guests a fully immersive evening celebrating local art, music, and culture.