Nestled inconspicuously in the brand-new Santa Fe Square building in downtown Tulsa, Maestro is a cocktail bar with four basic principles: land, labor, love and lime. Aaron Post – the pro behind one of Tulsa’s most beloved upscale bars, Valkyrie – also helms Maestro, which means one thing: this place is serious about the quality and complexity of its drinks.
For newcomers, try the classic margarita, with tequila, mezcal, key lime, orange liqueur and lavender, or the Palomita, with tequila, mezcal, grapefruit, lime, Ancho Reyes, Aperol and Topo Chico. For those looking to kick it up a notch, the Martinez de Oaxaca is a great choice, complete with Mezcal Espadín, vermouth, maraschino, sage and bitters, or the Nitro Libre, with rum, Mexican Coca-Cola, vanilla, lime and lactose. For the true connoisseur, Maestro offers a bevy of liquors to customize your bebida, from gin and vodka to mezcal and agave spirits, tequila, whiskey and more.
With all that boozin’, you’ll need to fill up with some food. Highlights include the wagyu beef tartare, topped with salsa macha, aioli, chives and a side of sourdough; the Frita Cubana, stuffed with chorizo-spiced beef, egg, cheese, onion and a side of shoestring fries; or the avocado and quinoa salad, with herbs, hearts of palm, onion and radish.
Located along 23rd Street in OKC, Ruth’s Creole Kitchen is your new go-to for delicious, Louisiana-inspired comfort cuisine. Helmed by private-chef-turned-restauranteur Reuben Carey – born and raised in New Orleans – Ruth’s will leave you smiling from ear-to-ear with a happy heart and a full stomach.
Start with appetizers ranging from crab cakes to wings or seafood dip. Then, venture to light fare like crab bisque or a Caesar salad. Enticing entrées include the shrimp and crawfish étouffée, the lobster macaroni and cheese, the red beans and rice with baked chicken, and the jambalaya with seasoned rice, smoked sausage, chicken, tomatoes, peppers and onions. Stick around for a bevy of po’boys and the Rajun Cajun sandwich with spicy sausage, American cheese and all the fixings.
Ruth’s is also open for breakfast and brunch, with highlights including the banana foster pancakes, peaches and cream waffle, Mardi Gras omelet (shrimp, crawfish, vegetables and mixed cheese), as well as the Nola breakfast sampler – Cajun eggs, creole patate, and your choice of bacon or sausage.
Tahnee Francis, after moving back to OKC from Texas, saw that Nigerian food was missing its place in the city. A few pop-up events morphed into a successful, James Beard-nominated restaurant: Naija Wife Kitchen. Photos courtesy Naija Wife Kitchen
Tahnee Francis, the heart behind Naija Wife Kitchen in Oklahoma City, never set out to be a culinary trailblazer. Raised in Garland, Texas, and later returning to her hometown of OKC, Francis didn’t step into the world of Nigerian cuisine until her late 20s, inspired by her husband’s heritage.
“It really happened by accident,” she recalls.
After relocating to OKC, she began sharing her cooking online, sparking curiosity among locals who were unfamiliar with Nigerian flavors. What started as pop-up culinary events exploded into overwhelming popularity, and within a year, Francis opened Naija Wife Kitchen, a fast-casual gem serving Nigerian-American fusion, or what she calls Afro-Fusion.
Located in downtown OKC, Naija Wife blends traditional Nigerian dishes with an American Southern flair, creating approachable yet authentic meals. One of the menu’s stars is the egusi soup with fufu, a traditional staple of ground melon seed stew paired with a starchy side, beloved for its rich, earthy flavors.
Photos courtesy Naija Wife Kitchen
Another crowd favorite is the peppered gizzard, or “gizdodo,” a dish Francis crafted for her husband, reimagining a classic with her signature twist. From jollof rice to suya skewers, her food reflects a deep respect for culinary traditions while inviting newcomers with familiar Southern notes.
For Francis, introducing West African cuisine to Oklahoma is a personal mission.
“When I moved back to OKC, there was only one Nigerian restaurant, and it wasn’t reaching the American community,” she says. Married into Nigerian culture, she saw food as a bridge to connect her family’s traditions with inquisitive diners.
“It’s important to me to share it with people who are unfamiliar – or even afraid of it,” she explains.
Francis says many approach her food hesitantly, saying, “I want to try it, but I’m scared.” Her solution? Make it fun. She takes time to explain dishes, their origins and their significance, turning meals into a cultural experience.
“It’s just family food,” she says, emphasizing warmth and accessibility.
Her efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. In 2025, Tahnee was named a James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Best Chef Southwest, a recognition that left her stunned.
“I thought it was a joke,” she admits. “I’m new, and I’m a to-go restaurant in a food court.”
The accolade validated her mission, especially against skeptics who questioned her authenticity as an American cooking Nigerian food. The nomination skyrocketed her visibility, making Naija Wife busier than ever.
“It makes me feel good about myself,” she says, and proud to represent Nigerian cuisine on a national stage.
Looking ahead, Francis envisions expanding Naija Wife across Oklahoma, bringing her fusion cuisine to new communities. Her website, naijawifekitchenfusion.com, showcases a menu that’s both bold and inviting, with dishes like puff puff (sweet dough balls) and fried plantains easing diners into the experience. Through her food, Tahnee Francis is not just serving meals – she’s sharing a culture, one bite at a time.
Nigerian Style Goat Birria
This recipe is something that I came up with, which embraces my style of cooking which is ultimately what I call “Afro-Fusion.”
I created this recipe in my home kitchen after accidentally buying the wrong cut of goat for my restaurant, and I needed something to do with the meat!
1 Goat shank, marinated with my imported Nigerian spice blend.
Roast on low for four hours, or until tender.
Separate all meat from bone and shred in a separate skillet.
Add Clubhouse Market’s Premium Birria Seasoning along with a cooked mixture of the Nigerian “holy trinity” – red bell peppers, tomatos and onions, creating a Nigerian style “consume.”
Cook on low for 15 minutes to let all of the flavors blend together, and serve over jollof rice.
Kimberly Akimbo; photo by Patrick Gray, Kabik Photo Group, courtesy Celebrity Attractions
September teems with performances, as many organizations are kicking off their seasons this month.
As usual, the PAC is the entertainment hub in Tulsa. First, enjoy the musical Kimberly Akimbo Sept. 2-7 courtesy Celebrity Attractions. (If you miss it, the show runs at OKC’s Civic Center Music Hall courtesy OKC Broadway from Sept. 9-14). After, support local with Theatre Tulsa’s rendition of Hairspray, Sept. 12-21. Stick around the venue for the AYA Piano Trio Sept. 27-28, brought to town by Chamber Music Tulsa. Other can’t-miss Tulsa happenings include Signature Symphony’s Tulsa’s King Cabbage to Chicago, Sept. 13 at theTCC Van Trease PACE; Tulsa Ballet’s Creations in Studio K, Sept. 18-28 at the organization’s Brookside location; and Tulsa Symphony’s Brahms String Quartet No. 2, Sept. 20 at 101 Archer St.
Oklahoma City offers varied options, starting with Cirque du Soleil: OVO from Sept. 11-14 at the Paycom Center. Then, grab a picnic blanket and lawn chair and head to Scissortail Park for Ballet Under the Stars with OKC Ballet on Sept. 12. You can make a quick drive to Edmond to enjoy Mariachi Herencia de Mexico on Sept. 18 at Armstrong Auditorium, or venture to the Civic Center on Sept. 20 for OKC Phil’s Legends – Ortiz, Rachmaninoff, Janacek, Tchaikovsky.
For a powerhouse set of performances in Stillwater, venture to the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts on Sept. 12 for Hugh Jackman, and again Sept. 13 for Sutton Foster and Kelli O’Hara.
We wave goodbye to baseball and hello to football this month – with a smattering of other exciting sporting events, too.
In Tulsa, equine lovers won’t want to miss the AMHR National Show on Sept. 4-13. There, you’ll see a bevy of the nation’s top miniature horses compete. Next, say farewell to the Tulsa Drillers as they round out their season Sept. 9-14 at ONEOK Stadium. On the flip side, the University of Tulsa’s football team kicks off its season on Sept. 13 and 27 at H.A. Chapman Stadium.
At OKC’s Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, you can watch the last games of the OKC Comets on Sept. 9-14. Venture over to Riversport OKC for sunrise and sunset paddles to start or end your day peacefully, running Sept. 6, 13, 20 and 27. And if you just can’t wait for Halloween, head to Draper Park on Sept. 18 for the Spooky Sprint – a Halloween-themed 5K, 10K, half marathon or 1-mile fun run, perfect for the whole family.
It’s a mixed bag around the state. Head to 181 Ranch in Bixby on Sept. 6 for the Conquer the Gauntlet event – a challenging four-mile obstacle course and adventure race. Then, make your way to Pryor’s Creek Recreation Center for the Dam J.A.M. Bicycle Tour on Sept. 6. And, of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention OU and OSU football. OU plays at home – Norman’s Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium – on Sept. 6 and 20, and the Cowboys take the field at Stillwater’s Boone Pickens Stadium on Sept. 19 and 27.
You’ll never run out of community events to visit in September.
Autumn in the Botanic Garden is a can’t-miss happening, running Sept. 18-Oct. 30 at Tulsa Botanic Garden, complete with hay mazes, a market and a pumpkin patch. Circle back to Expo Square for the Tulsa State Fair, happening Sept. 25-Oct. 5.
In OKC, kick your feet up and relax during the Cocktail Cruise events, running Sept. 5-24 at the Regatta Landing. You’ll also want to visit the Oklahoma State Fair – one of the top state fairs in the nation – from Sept. 11-21 at the fairgrounds. There, you’ll enjoy great programming, delicious food, heart-pounding rides and entertainment options galore. You can also kick off Halloween early with Fright Fest at Frontier City, Sept. 19-Nov. 1, or head to the Plaza District Festival on Sept. 27 for great art, food, music and more.
Around the state, options are ample. Try the Bluegrass and Chili Festival, Sept. 5-6 in Downtown Tahlequah; the Born and Raised Music Festival, Sept. 10-13 at 1421 W. 450 Rd. in Pryor; Chester’s Pumpkin Patch, Sept. 25-Oct. 31 at Chester’s Party Barn and Farm in Piedmont; the Chickasaw Nation Annual Meeting and Festival, Sept. 26-Oct. 4 at various locations in Tishomingo; or the World’s Largest Calf Fry Festival and Cook-Off, Sept. 27 at Craig County Fairgrounds in Vinita.
The Long Walk; photo courtesy Lionsgate, Media Capital Technologies, Vertigo Entertainment, all rights reserved.
September arrives with a huge variety of films to catch as the Oscar season approaches. Hopefully something in this list makes you want to head to the theater the moment it releases.
First up is a dystopian horror called The Long Walk. Based on the 1979 novel of the same name by Stephen King, the film finds the United States under the rule of a totalitarian government. A contest is held where a group of men must walk at four miles per hour non-stop or be killed — until only one of them is left. Starring Cooper Hoffman (Licorice Pizza) and Mark Hamill (Star Wars), the movie’s trailer seems to be sticking true to the premise: Dudes walk and get killed when they stop walking. It releases on Sept. 12.
A mockumentary sequel I never thought we’d see, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues follows up on the 1984 film This is Spinal Tap. The plot concerns the eponymous band reuniting for one final show after a fifteen year hiatus. Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer all return to their respective roles of Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins and Derek Smalls, with Rob Reiner also back as both real and fictional director Marty Di Bergi. It will undoubtedly contain more quips and one-liners from the band, as well as new music and a long list of cameos, some of which include Paul McCartney and Elton John. It also releases on Sept. 12.
If you want an absolute wild one, check out Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie. Based on the TV show and webseries Nirvanna the Band the Show, the film follows characters Matt and Jay as they attempt to book a show for their band at the Rivoli, a Canadian venue, despite not really having any material to play … or a general understanding of the music industry as a whole. Also there’s time travel. The show is one of the funniest and most underrated TV outings I’ve ever seen, and the film will almost certainly keep that trend going. Early reviews are extremely positive, and I cannot wait to see what these two loveable idiots get into when it releases on – you guessed it – Sept. 12th.
For a sports horror, look no further than Him. Following an up-and-coming football star (Tyriq Withers, I Know What You Did Last Summer), the trailer depicts him entering a training facility owned by a legendary quarterback (Marlon Wayans, Scary Movie), but the training is anything but normal. Touching on themes including the downsides of fame, desire and power, the film looks to have some truly chilling moments. It hits theaters on Sept. 19.
Lastly, don’t skip the action thriller One Battle After Another. Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood), the story focuses on criminal Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and the search for his daughter after one of his past enemies resurfaces. The trailer looks intense, with DiCaprio giving a stalwart performance as usual. Sean Penn (Milk), Benicio del Toro (Sicario) and Regina Hall (Think Like A Man) also appear in what will surely be an early Oscar contender. It releases Sept. 26.
Executive Director of the Tulsa Artist Fellowship, Carolyn Sickles supports a multidisciplinary community of creatives and champions the transformative power of art to diverse audiences. A creator herself, Sickles has featured her work in exhibitions around the country – including New York, Boston and Miami. She has also spent time hosting workshops and guest lecturing nationwide. We caught up with Sickles and got her thoughts on…
…her early interest in the arts.
I was fortunate to grow up in a family of creative practitioners who deeply believed in the power of the arts to expand our understanding of the world and one another. My parents intentionally surrounded me with diverse artistic experiences — museums, arts learning opportunities, and a public education that valued creativity. Those early moments shaped my fundamental belief that artistic experiences and art-making are for everyone. That belief set me on my path as both an artist and a community-rooted arts worker, dedicated to making space for every artistic voice — and now, my own multigenerational family lives, works and contributes here in Oklahoma, which makes this commitment even more meaningful to me.
…the experiences that have influenced her approach to supporting artists.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked at the intersection of art, community and place — leading contemporary art spaces, developing artist-centered programs and building civic partnerships that broaden access to the arts. These experiences taught me that supporting artists is about more than funding projects — it’s about fostering environments where artists and communities can grow together. That perspective continues to guide my work today: investing in artists as cultural citizens whose voices help shape vibrant, inclusive communities like the one my own family now calls home.
…the Tulsa Artist Fellowship and how it has evolved.
I was drawn to Tulsa Artist Fellowship because its mission so clearly aligns with my own values — and with the broader vision of the George Kaiser Family Foundation, which works to ensure that every person and family in Tulsa has the opportunity to flourish, regardless of their background. The Fellowship embodies this vision by addressing the unique challenges contemporary artists face, and by championing the arts as essential to healthy, resilient communities.
Under my leadership, we’ve strengthened Tulsa Artist Fellowship’s role as an art platform dedicated to supporting artistic voices statewide and from across the nation and fostering through project-based awards, presenting new work and public programs. We’re committed to working alongside Oklahoma’s welcoming and diverse communities — neighbors who represent a broad and vital audience for this work. And as someone whose own family is deeply invested in the progression, culture and health of this community, I take that responsibility to heart every day.
…TAF’s most significant contribution to the art world.
Showing what’s possible when a city invests deeply in artists as neighbors, cultural stewards and visionaries. We create conditions that allow artists to live and work sustainably here while building connections that reach far beyond Tulsa. Together with innovative partners, we’re helping position Tulsa as a home for contemporary arts practices. For me, this work is personal — my family and I are part of this community, and I’m proud to help shape a place where the arts strengthen the social fabric for everyone.
… what excites her about contemporary art.
I’m inspired by how contemporary artists are expanding what community engagement can look like — creating work that not only reflects our world but reshapes it. I see artists forging connections across disciplines, cultures and geographies, building networks of care and collaboration that transcend boundaries. That energy and urgency give me hope. It’s a reminder that artistic voices — when given space and support — are powerful drivers of social imagination and collective change.
…her creative outlets and how they inspire her.
My own arts practice remains an important touchstone for me. Making work reminds me of the vulnerability, experimentation and commitment that artists bring to every project. It keeps me rooted in the understanding that supporting artists means more than providing resources — it means creating an environment of trust, respect and possibility. That lived experience shapes how I advocate for artists and guide our work at Tulsa Artist Fellowship, and it mirrors how I hope to contribute to the broader creative life of the community I am pround to call home.
…what’s next for TAF.
We’re excited to continue strengthening Tulsa’s reputation as a dynamic place for contemporary art by nourishing and sustaining our city’s vibrant arts ecosystem. Together with innovative partners and our welcoming community of neighbors, we’re expanding opportunities that honor artistic freedom, support experimentation and push the boundaries of what’s possible. It’s an inspiring moment for Tulsa to shine as a city where artists are cared for and empowered — and where communities and artists thrive together through shared creativity and bold collaboration.
Sailor and The Dock, near OKC's Film Row, achieved certification as an incubator program in March 2024. This milestone marks it as the first certified creative and retail business incubator in Oklahoma. Photos courtesy the Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Nurturing. Care. Protection. Just as an egg needs all these things to hatch, so does a new business in order to launch, grow and succeed in a world that can quickly chew up and spit out entrepreneurs and their ideas.
“As a young founder, it can be cutthroat, even predatory,” says William Colton, inventor, patent owner and CEO of Paldara Pharmaceuticals. “When you’re dealing with all the emotions and the financial risk, having someone on your side, on your team, that’s there for you and your business – it means so much.”
Oklahoma Small Business Incubators are there to do just that by helping startups accelerate their development, offering targeted resources, services, professional advice, mentorships and even a roof over their heads, all in a shared facility that fosters growth.
“It’s an entrepreneurial center, or a hub, where startups and small businesses can be surrounded by peers and have access to programming,” says Cara Evans, director of AXIS, the incubator at Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Edmond. “And oftentimes, there’s some kind of a reduction of overhead or incentive tied to it.”
In 1988, the Oklahoma Legislature passed the Oklahoma Small Business Incubators Incentives Act. The act exempts the tenants of a certified incubator facility from state tax liability on income earned as a result of occupancy for up to five years. In 2001, the legislature amended the act to extend the tenant’s tax exemption from five to 10 years.
Since then, the state has benefited from increased revenues and increases in the number of startups and expanding small businesses. Right now, 376 full-time, 112 part-time and 43 interns are employed by incubator tenants.
Currently, there are 26 certified incubators operating across the state and more than 1,000 small businesses have located in them since the program’s inception in 1988. From Oklahoma City, Stillwater and Tulsa to Enid, Guthrie, Pawhuska and beyond, 152 small businesses are currently leasing space in the state’s incubators.
Colton, who started his advanced preclinical biotech company in 2019 while attending Oklahoma State University, is developing a platform hydrogel technology that can treat and prevent up to 99% of drug resistant infections, he says. He’s currently operating out of the Meridian Technology Center, an incubator in Stillwater.
Jaren’s Jerky – an Oklahoma incubator success story – has achieved a notable milestone by becoming a USDA certified beef jerky processing plant in the Strate Center incubator.
“That’s where I started my first lab,” Colton says. “I bought a lot of my equipment from another biotech company going out of business. So I was able to be very thrifty with some very expensive scientific equipment. We opened up our lab right before COVID and I finished our first minimum viable product by the end of that year.”
Colton is currently working with the Mayo Clinic, as well as OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, as the company navigates the FDA regulatory pathway.
Lindsey Miller, founder and owner of My Marketing Assistant, didn’t need the office space that incubators can offer, but she was looking for connection.
“I was fully remote,” Miller says. “But I wanted the business support, the social support. I wanted to make connections.”
Her company, based in Oklahoma City, launched in 2023 with the support of the AXIS incubator. My Marketing Assistant now has eight employees and helps clients all over the U.S. with their marketing and promotional strategies.
“I’ve gotten clients, speaking engagements, interview opportunities and countless other things because of that inclusion,” she says.
Evans says incubators are looking to work with entrepreneurs like Miller who are seeking opportunities to stretch themselves and their business.
“The ideal client is someone who is coachable and who realizes that this is an economic development motive and that we’re on their team,” Evans says. “If we are making suggestions or trying to introduce them to new resources, it’s because we want them to be wildly successful. Sometimes people are so in love with their idea or their technology that they don’t have the capacity to grow it. We want to make sure that as we bring someone in that they’re willing to adapt and go with the flow, because hopefully it’s what serves their business to be the most successful.”
Small business incubators come in all shapes and sizes.
“Each incubator is going to have its own flavor,” says Evans, “because there are some that have access to commercial kitchens. My incubator is on a STEM campus, so a lot of the companies that wind up at AXIS are related to software as a service or they have something that’s going to be venture backable.”
At their core, the small business incubators are in it for Oklahoma.
“A big part of the philosophy is to grow our own,” Evans says. “We already know that they love Oklahoma. So if we’re able to fill the gaps in our local economies with these companies – because when they see a need, they fill it – we want to provide those supports on the front end, so they hopefully have longevity, stay in Oklahoma and create more jobs. It’s really kind of a long play, just like any other investment into startups and small businesses. You’re planting seeds and then hoping some hit.”
Featured photo credit: Sailor and The Dock, near OKC’s Film Row, achieved certification as an incubator program in March 2024. This milestone marks it as the first certified creative and retail business incubator in Oklahoma. Photos courtesy the Oklahoma Department of Commerce
A rendering depicts the proposed Sunset Amphitheater, set to open in late 2026 in Broken Arrow’s Events Park. Rendering courtesy BCA Studios
The vibrancy of the music scene in the Tulsa metro makes Broken Arrow the perfect location for a luxurious new outdoor amphitheater, according to one enthusiastic project developer.
Bob Mudd is senior vice president of construction and market expansion for VENU, a Gainesville, Ga., based hospitality and entertainment firm. The $107 million amphitheater he’s speaking of is now under construction in Events Park; it’s a public-private partnership with the city of Broken Arrow and its economic development authority. Scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2026, the Sunset Amphitheater will seat 12,500 people and offer more than 200 fireplace suites to make it a year-round facility, Mudd says.
“I can’t speak highly enough about how good it has been to work with the city of Broken Arrow,” Mudd says. “The city had a great deal of vision for what Events Park would be, and they had a long-term plan for putting an amphitheater there. It obviously stood out as a fantastic location.”
The state-of-the-art facility, located on 13 acres, will be handy for fans and entertainers alike with its location 15 minutes from the airport and the center of Tulsa, Mudd says.
“A lot of the touring acts are looking specifically for outdoor venues,” Mudd says. “Artists love that outdoor environment. We will be bringing the world’s best entertainers through Tulsa.”
Acts that have appeared at – and often sold out – VENU’s other locations in Gainesville and Colorado Springs, Colo., include Foreigner, Dirks Bentley, Allison Kraus, Robert Plant, Styx, Steve Miller, the Beach Boys, Ronnie Milsap, Josh Turner and Diamond Rio, Mudd says.
“We’re looking at 70-plus concerts a year,” he continues.
All the upper and lower bowl seating will be covered and protected from the weather above, and most parking will be right next to the amphitheater.
The Luxe FireSuites will feature natural gas-powered fire pits and a private environment for taking in a concert. All suites will include food and beverage service before and during the shows. A high-end restaurant and hospitality space will also be open during events.
Other possible uses for the amphitheater include high school and college graduations and virtually any type of performing arts showcase, Mudd says.
Once open, the Sunset Amphitheater will offer well-paying, full-time jobs all year-round, Mudd says. The economic impact is projected at $1.7 to $2 billion in the first decade of operation.
The concerts are projected to generate nearly $4 million in city sales tax and $934,000 in ad valorem tax revenues annually, according to the city of Broken Arrow’s website, with an estimated annual economic impact of $211 million.
VENU recently broke ground on a 20,000-seat amphitheater in McKinney, Texas, Mudd says. Another amphitheater is planned near El Paso, and talks are underway with the city of Yukon in the Oklahoma City metro.
