Friday, April 24 – 

“We knew we had to make another album, but it took us a while,” Modest Mouse drummer Jeremiah Green told USA Today in a March interview. In the absence of a new record, the band members kept busy writing music, touring, practicing and focusing on other music related efforts, Eric Judy, the founding bassist, would even find his exit somewhere in there. On March 13, fans anxiously awaiting the release of new music got what they were waiting for with Modest Mouse’s sixth studio album, Strangers to Ourselves. On Friday, April 24, Modest Mouse’s current roster that includes Isaac Brock, lead vocals, guitar, banjo and keyboards; Lisa Molinaro, strings, vocals and keyboards; Tom Peloso, upright bass, trumpet, keyboard, fiddle; Jim Fairchild, guitar and vocals; Jeremiah Green, drums and percussion; and Russell Higbee, bass upright bass and guitar, will perform at Oklahoma’s Diamond Ballroom. Joined by Morning Teleportation, the show will begin at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.diamondballroom.net.

Friday, April 24 – 

Shakey Graves, out of Austin, Texas, is touring the country with his Americana sound. Artistically melding country, blues, folk and rock in his creations, Graves, born Alejandro Rose-Garcia, continues an upward climb in the industry, attracting genre and non-genre fans at each show with a commanding focus like that of a magnet. Turning 28 years old in June, the world’s first taste of Graves came in 2011 with his self-release debut album Roll The Bones. Since, Donor Blues, And The War Came and Nobody’s Fool have allowed fans into the inner workings of his musical mind. His talents arrive in Tulsa on Friday, April 24, at Cain’s Ballroom, where he will be joined by David Ramirez, another talented folk artist. The show will begin at 8 p.m., and tickets range from $16 to $31. For more information, visit www.cainsballroom.com.

Saturday, April 25 – 

Gabriel Iglesias, also known as Fluffy – a self-coined nickname – is a comedian with a big personality who is usually sporting a Hawaiian shirt. Top-notch comedy that uses storytelling, sound effects, parodies and characterization has made him one of the most successful comedians in the industry. In his early career, Iglesias starred in All That. In 2006 he was a top-eight contestant on Last Comic Standing. His voice has created characters in Padre de Familia, Family Guy, The Emperor’s New School, Planes, The Nut Job and El Americano: The Movie, and he’s released two comedy specials: I’m Not Fat…I’m Fluffy and Hot & Fluffy. On Saturday, April 25, he’ll share his most recent tour, Unity Through Laughter, with a large audience at the BOK Center. Tickets start at $30 and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.bokcenter.com

Saturday, April 25 – 

All the colors of the rainbow will shine on the Cox Business Center on Saturday, April 25 for this year’s Equality Gala. Benefiting the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, The Equality Gala helps raise funds that support the center’s mission that seeks equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs and alliances. Starting at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour, co-chairs Dr. Angela Sivadon and Mary Robinson, along with everyone else involved in this year’s efforts, welcome sponsors and guests to enjoy an exquisite night of fun and philanthropy. Patrons can purchase sponsorship opportunities that range from $300 to $20,000 or buy individual tickets for $150. To purchase tickets or find out more information about the gala, visit www.okeq.org.

Sunday, April 26 – 

Hozier is an indie rock and blues singer-songwriter from Ireland whose voice, storytelling and musical talents found a world-wide audience when a video for his 2013 hit single “Take Me To Church” became a viral sensation on YouTube. In 2014, his first studio album, the self-titled Hozier, was released and includes the 2013 hit single along with “Word Song,” “From Eden,” “Sedated” and “Someone New.” It spent eight weeks at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and 17 weeks at No. 2 on The Hot 100 chart. Hozier was also nominated for Song of the Year at the 2015 57th Annual Grammy Awards. Touring the United States, he has just recently announced another string of shows across the U.S in September and October. But no need to wait until the fall to see his talents: On Saturday, April 26, Hozier will be joined by LOW ROAR at Tulsa’s Brady Theater. For more information, visit www.bradytheater.com.

Sunday, April 26 – 

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the bombing at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The tragic event that shook the nation and hit Oklahoma City hard was a moment that Oklahomans, especially those directly affected by the tragedy, will never forget. “Today, Oklahoma City stands as a symbol for hope and resilience,” the marathon’s website says. “Recovering after the bombing was a marathon in its own right, and our runners and donors are the driving force in making sure this story is told forever.” Voted one of the 12 “must-run” marathons in the world by Runner’s World, the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is a Boston Marathon-qualifying, USATF-sanctioned race that also raises money for the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. For runners who may have not reached the marathon level, a half-marathon, relay, 5k and kids run are available. On Saturday, April 26, the 2015 races will begin, and the 168 lives lost, and the many, many more lives that were touched, will be remembered. To register, or find out more information on being involved, visit www.okcmarathon.com.

Thru Sunday, April 26 –

The Festival of Arts welcomes and celebrates the arrival of spring each year alongside its support of local artists and organizations. This year, the Arts Council of Oklahoma City welcomes its community to Festival Plaza and the Myriad Botanical Gardens to enjoy children’s activities, arts and crafts, shopping and more. 144 visual artists, chosen from a list of more that 500, will have their works on display, 31 food vendors will be on-site serving up great tastes – and the money you spend helps support a local arts organization of the vendor’s choosing – and there will be entertainers of all ages and genres performing on four festival stages, donating their talents to support the arts. Enjoy all the Festival of Arts has to offer from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed. For more information, visit www.artscouncilokc.com.

Monday, April 27 through Wednesday, April 29 – 

This year’s Big 12 Men’s Golf Championship will bring all 10 teams to the beautiful Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa for the third time in the tournament’s history. Hosted by Oklahoma State, the tournament will determine both team and individual champions. The 2015 Championship will include 72 holes played over three days. On Monday, April 27, 36 holes will be played, followed by 18 holes on Tuesday, April 28, and Wednesday, April 29. The low four scores out of five over each 18 holes will determine the team championship. The top 10 individuals will be named to the Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team. Last year, Texas took the title. Who will it be this year? For more information, visit www.big12sports.com.

Thursday, April 16 – 

Each year, April 16 serves as Holocaust Remembrance Day in the United States, where we remember the horrifying atrocities and lives lost in Europe during the Holocaust during World War II. This year, Congregation B’nai Emunah, 1719 S. Owasso, in Tulsa, will host the 18^th Annual Yom HaShoah: An Interfaith Holocaust Commemoration, presented by the Tulsa Council for Holocaust Education and the Tulsa City-County Library. Eva Unterman, a Holocaust survivor who now resides in Tulsa, will be the featured speaker. At 6 years old, Unterman was taken from her home in Poland by Nazis and sent to the Lodz ghetto, what she calls a prison. After four years in the ghetto, Unterman found herself, along with her family, crammed into a cattle car on a train to Auschwitz. In her upcoming speech for Yom HaShoah, The Last Transport: My Childhood During The Holocaust, Unterman will tell her story. After the event, she will sign copies of her memoir, Through Eva’s Eyes, which was written and illustrated by her granddaughter, Phoebe Eloise Unterman. Guests can also enjoy an exhibit of projects created by Tulsa-area students, music and a candlelight vigil. The Tulsa City-County Library will provide a mobile library for those who’d like to check out books or other resources. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.jewishtulsa.org.