When Bruno Mars stopped in Oklahoma City last August during his Moonshine Jungle World Tour, some Tulsans felt a little left out of the chance to see perhaps the hottest pop music act of the moment on stage. But patience is a virtue, and the BOK Center seats thousands. The next leg of Mars’ tour stops at 200 S. Denver Ave. at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 4. The Grammy Award-winning artist and Billboard magazine’s 2013 Artist of the Year is known for his hit singles “Locked Out of Heaven,” “When I Was Your Man” and “Treasure.” Acclaimed for his songwriting, Mars’ charismatic performances have earned him equal praise and sky-rocketing ticket sales, especially following his half-time show at this year’s Super Bowl. And it’s that kind of magic that every concertgoer expects at a Bruno Mars show. Unfair? Maybe, but he has yet to let anyone down. Tickets are $51.50-$87 at www.bokcenter.com.
Scottish band Chvrches (pronounced like “churches”) recently visited NBC’s The Tonight Show and Jimmy Fallon to play music off the band’s repackaged debut album The Bones of What You Believe. Fans of its catchy synth pop quickly discovered Chvrches’ editing skills were as sharp as its knack for composing. The trio of Lauren Mayberry, Iain Cook and Martin Doherty play from their synth-laden hit album at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main St., in Tulsa, when the show opens with Summer Cannibals at 8:15 p.m. Sunday, June 1. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $23-$38. For details, visit www.cainsballroom.com.
"Tear Drop" by Claudette. Image courtesy J Claudette Gallery.
“Tear Drop” by claudette. Image courtesy J Claudette Gallery.
Thursday, May 29, 6:30 p.m.
Join J Claudette Gallery from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 29, for a special event supporting a special cause. “Eye of the Beholder” is a night of art displays, live music and wine and cocktail tastings at the gallery, 3636 S. Peoria Ave., in Tulsa’s Brookside shopping district. “Eye of the Beholder” benefits Prevent Blindness Oklahoma, a Tulsa-based nonprofit organization of volunteers providing free vision screenings to children throughout the state to prevent blindness and preserve sight. The organization also provides vouchers for free eye exams and glasses for qualifying families. Tickets are limited and are $25. For more, visit www.preventblindnessok.org or all 918.496.3484.
Country singer Chris Cagle plays a free concert this weekend at Osage Casino’s Osage Event Center, 951 W. 36th St. North, Tulsa. The Texas cowboy, who debuted with a small confession titled “My Love Goes On and On” back in the summer of 2000, is touring following the 2012 release of his latest album, Back in the Saddle. If photos from his recent packed concerts are an indicator, fans are helping Cagle and his music climb back up the charts. For more about his Tulsa show, visit www.osagecasinos.com.
Sister and brother dance team Julianne and Derek Hough show off the skills that brought them notice. Move: Live on Tour stops at Tulsa’s Brady Theater, 105 W. Brady St., at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 29. Best known for their turns as professional dancers on ABC’s hit television show “Dancing with the Stars,” the Houghs have also made names for themselves on stage, in film and as choreographers. Move, which has been described as a blend of Broadway and the coolest dance party ever, features the Houghs and the Move Company Dancers in action. It’s enough to get you moving. Tickets are $49.50-$59.50 at www.bradytheater.com.
Percussionist Josh Massad is one of several Tulsa musicians participating in “Vox Novus: Fifteen Minutes of Fame” at Living Arts of Tulsa. Photo courtesy of Emam & Friends.
Thursday, May 29, 7:30 p.m.
Everybody gets it, and this week, a handful of composers from all over the world will have their celebrated quarter-hour at Tulsa’s Living Arts of Tulsa, 307 E. Brady St. Vox Novus: Fifteen Minutes of Fame brings together composers and musicians to showcase new musical work on local stages around the globe. On Thursday, May 29, at 7:30 p.m., Tulsa area musicians will have a turn each to premiere 15 original, one-minute works submitted for Vox Novus. Participating musicians include Kristi Sturgeon, Marc Watson, Dayna Smith, Josh Massad, Austin Pendergrass, Jody Naifeh and Karen Naifeh Harmon, who is also one of the composers whose work was selected for Vox Novus. Admission is $5-$7. For more, visit www.livingarts.org.
A representative of Woods & Waters Winery and Vineyard in Anadarko pours wine samples at last year’s Made in Oklahoma Wine, Beer and Food Festival. Photo courtesy Midwest City Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Saturday, May 31, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
“Agritourism” is a word that catches a lot of attention, particularly when tours of local wineries are involved. But the Made in Oklahoma Wine, Beer and Food Festival celebrates the variety and expanse of products grown and produced in the state.
The festival, which takes place at Midwest City’s Reed Conference Center and Sheraton Midwest City Hotel, brings together representatives of Oklahoma wineries and breweries along with local artists, merchants, cooks and items with a distinctive Oklahoma identity. In its third year, the festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 31.
“The entire purpose of the festival is to increase awareness of Oklahoma’s agritourism. One of the things that we’ve done is try to focus on wineries that grow grapes here,” says Melanie Voice, special events and marketing manager for the Midwest City Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Agritourism invites consumers to appreciate locally produced and grown products by taking them to where it all starts. The festival promotes that appreciation for local vineyards and wine producers, but that initial focus has since expanded to highlight locally made beers, locally grown produce and other items – handmade or manufactured on a slightly larger scale – you can’t get anywhere else.
Guests at the festival will find an assortment of goods for the pantry as well as the rest of the home, including salsas, popcorn, fudge, jellies and jams, jewelry, fine art, wood-carved gift items and more, Voice says.
The festival again will feature the Great Grilled Cheese Challenge: Masterminds of Melt contest in which at least six contestants are chosen to create inventive grilled cheese sandwiches. Other events include the Wine & Palette art class, in which participants are given a canvas, paint and a glass of wine to enjoy; cooking demonstrations; the Go Green Oklahoma Sustainability Fair; Cruisin’ with Cops Open Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show; and live music and entertainment all day long, thanks to a partnership with the Oklahoma Film and Music Office.
There are advantages to buying Oklahoma-made goods.
“When you have things that are mass produced – this is my opinion – it often loses flavor or craftsmanship,” Voice says, but locally made items are often created with attention to detail and with great care.
Plus, it helps the state economy.
“Everything is turned right back into our state,” Voice says. “Who doesn’t want to help their own state – where they live, thrive and work?”
Summer evenings are for spending time outdoors with friends, good music and food every Thursday night at Utica Square. The 23rd annual Summer’s Fifth Night concert series kicks off Thursday, May 29, just ahead of the impending heatwave with the Mid-Life Crisis Band playing classic rock. The scheduled continues: Pop Machine, June 5; Light Opera Oklahoma, June 12; Bop Cats, June 19; Admiral Twin, June 26; Mary Cogan, July 3; Starr Fisher Ensemble, July 10; Luxtones, July 17; Usual Suspects, July 24; Red Dirt Rangers, July 31; Traveler, Aug. 7; Jeff Shadley’s Mad Men of Swing, Aug. 14; Jessica Hunt Band, Aug. 21; Grady Nichols, Aug. 28. Concerts are from 7-9 p.m. every Thursday and are free to the public. For more, visit www.uticasquare.com.
Photo courtesy Oklahoma City all Sports Association.
Tuesday, May 29-Sunday, June 4
There’s the pitch, the swing and another year of softball action headed your way when the NCAA Women’s College World Series returns to the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, 2801 N.E. 50th St., Oklahoma City. Series champions the University of Oklahoma beat out Tennessee during last year’s finals. Who will take the series this year? Will the Sooner women make another successful run up the bracket to face another worthy adversary? The NCAA Women’s College World Series takes place Tuesday, May 29-Sunday, June 4. Go to www.ncaa.com to view team rankings, play schedules, stadium information and ticket purchase options, including all-session tickets, qualifier packages, promotion nights and more. Outfield flex tickets are also available for $15 per session. The series is sponsored by Oklahoma City All Sports.
OKC All Sport also hosts the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championships on May 21-25 at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle Drive, Oklahoma City. For more on that event, visit www.big12sports.com.
The race is on at lunchtime during the week in Oklahoma City. Businessmen and women head to Nic’s Grill to claim one of a dozen or so seats in the small café. Those who aren’t so lucky to grab a place will still wait patiently in a line that sometimes wraps around the building outside to order one of Nic’s super juicy, fried onion burgers. The legendary half-pounders are cooked on a griddle behind the counter by owner Justin Nicholas. Each burger is served with a heaping helping of curly fries cooked to order. Daily specials offered include meatloaf, pork chops and fried chicken, liberally seasoned, pan-fried and served with mashed potatoes and gravy. 1201 N. Penn, Oklahoma City. 405.524.0999
Thursday, May 29, 8 p.m.
