Friday, Nov. 1-Sunday, Nov. 3

What is Shakespeare without the timeless words of the Bard? Tulsa Ballet is about to answer the question when the acclaimed company brings an adaptation of his beloved comedy fantasy to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center’s Chapman Music Hall, 101 E. Third St., this weekend. Set to the music of Felix Mendelssohn, ballet’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is that fanciful interpretation of great literary works into choreography and theatrics that captures the jocular spirit of Shakespeare’s playful verse. Lovers get lost in a mysterious forest and caught up in some magical mischief with a quarreling fairy king and queen, a troupe of actors and ornery spirits like Puck. Even cooler, Tulsa Ballet recruited some local children to play the roles of sprites and fairies. Dost thou not have thy ticket in grasp yet? They are $36-$114 at www.myticketoffice.com. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, Nov 1-Saturday, Nov. 2, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3. Read more at www.tulsaballet.org.

Saturday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

Get running and glowing for the Neon Vibe Tulsa 5k run at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2. Wear a fun costume and get ready for a night of high-energy DJ music, black lights and “glow zone” stations at Expo Square, 4145 E. 21st St. Be prepared to get (gently) pummeled by colorful powders that, when under black light, illuminate. This takes the color run to a new level. Registration is $50 for individuals. Packet pick-up is noon-6 p.m. at the Courtyard Tulsa Central Marriott, 3340 S. 79th East Ave. Read all the rules and more at www.theneonvibe.com.

What do you give to an institution upon its 75th anniversary celebration? If it’s a marriage, you offer diamonds and gold. If it’s a cultural monument of the city, you give your complete attention. "Collective Future: Gifts in Honor of Philbrook’s 75th Anniversary," opens Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S. Rockford Road, Tulsa. While this exhibit honors the legacy of oilman Waite Phillips, who in 1938 gave his Italian Renaissance-style mansion and villa along with its artistic contents to the City of Tulsa as an art museum, it also spotlights the continuing generosity of philanthropists to the community’s benefit. Philbrook recently has received gifts from significant donors, and some of those works by such artists as Willem de Koonig, Edward Ruscha, Milton Avery and Andrew Wyeth will be part of Collective Future. The show runs through Jan. 26. Go to www.philbrook.org for hours, admission and related events.

The weekend

College Basketball is back, and admit it: You’re life hasn’t been the same since the last go round of NCAA action. You can relax, because Oklahoma State University, University of Oklahoma and University of Tulsa teams are back in play (and in town) for exhibition games this week.

The OSU men’s basketball team takes on Kansas’ Emporia State University at Gallagher-Iba Arena, 202 Gallagher Hall, on the OSU Stillwater campus at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1. The OSU women face Northeastern State University from Tahlequah on the home court at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4. For tickets and the schedule, see www.okstate.com.

The Sooners men’s team takes on the team from Washburn University of Kansas at the Lloyd Noble Center, 2900 S. Jenkins Ave., on the OU Norman campus at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, before challenging Oklahoma Christian University from Edmond at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4. The OU women charge into a double feature this weekend, too, against the Cameron University Aggies of Lawton at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, and then against the University of Central Oklahoma team out of Edmond at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. Read more at www.soonersports.com.

Finally, TU’s Golden Hurricane invites the Haskell Indian Nations University men’s team from Kansas to the Donald W. Reynolds Center, 3208 E. Eighth St., in Tulsa for a match at 8:05 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. The TU women’s team plays its second exhibition game of the week against Rogers State University of Claremore at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1. Ticket information and more are at www.tulsahurricane.com.

Friday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m.

Rock duo Sleigh Bells returns to Cain’s Ballroom with a brand new album and even more cool machinations of the musical kind. Album “Bitter Rivals,” which was released earlier this month, takes Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller across the waters to the mainstream with Krauss’ sugary vocal work, shredded-out riffs from Miller’s guitar and trippy tempos. It all spells awesome on stage – Sleigh Bells plays the Cain’s, 423 N. Main St., Friday, Oct. 25. The Doldrums open at 8 p.m. General admission tickets are $20 purchased in advance or $22 purchased the day of the show or $24 if purchased at the door (see the website). Buy early at www.cainsballroom.com.

Sunday, Oct. 27, 2 p.m.

Oklahoma City Philharmonic’s plucky mascot Phil visits the outer reaches of the galaxy, but it’s time to come home, Phil. The philharmonic’s Discovery Series concerts for the whole family returns with a new show of music from your favorite science fiction flicks and TV shows played by the orchestra at Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave. “Phil … Phone Home!” starts at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27. In addition to music from “Star Wars” and “E.T.,” the show also includes “Blast Off!” – a piece with accompanying narration. A performance by dance company Perpetual Motion rounds out the afternoon date. Tickets are $9. For more, visit www.okcphilharmonic.org.

Saturday, Oct. 26

Many who participate in the Tulsa Run take their first steps to meet a personal goal, to achieve a milestone in health and confidence. For some 15k runners, they’ll add to the distinction the title of “master.” This year’s Tulsa Run takes place Saturday, Oct. 26, beginning with race packet pick-up for participants from 6:30-8 a.m. The 5k wheelchair race is the first competition at 8:25 a.m. followed by the 5k run at 8:30 a.m. The 15k Tulsa Run will start at 9 a.m. with the 15k race walkers following at 9:10 a.m. and finally the 2k fun runners at 9:15 a.m.

This year’s event is the first of three in which the Tulsa Run will host the Masters 15k championship race. The Masters division is for runners 40 and over, and it is presented by USA Track and Field. Last year’s Tulsa Run brought in more than 8,000 participants from near and far. With the new championship race added, expect even more top running athletes in our fair city. For race registration, a schedule of finish line festivities and more, visit www.tulsasports.org.

Saturday, Oct. 26, 7:35 p.m.

New owners Rodney, Brandon and Johnny Steven – the Wichita brothers and owners of the Wichita Thunder who purchased the Tulsa Oilers from long-time owner Jeff Lund this summer – have made good on their promise to give Tulsa fans a new team. With but a handful of players returning to the roster, the Oilers has a brand new roster of faces tagged with hopes for a championship team. The new players will be introduced to T-Town when the team plays its first home game of the 2013-14 season. The Oilers’ opening night showdown with the Allen Americans will be at 7:35 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. Tickets to the game are $13-$43, available at www.bokcenter.com. To learn more about the team, see the game schedule and follow the season’s progress so far, go online to www.tulsaoilers.com.

Thursday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m.

When musicians of the caliber of Bruce Hornsby and Ricky Skaggs get together, it’s worth a concert ticket. Imagine Hornsby at a grand piano singing his 1986 hit “Mandolin Rain” in concert with a mandolin hero and multi-instrumentalist like Skaggs  nearby, plucking said golden instrument. The pair bring a sound unique to concert halls these days to the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center, 701 S. Main St., in Broken Arrow. Tickets are $20-$60. Bluegrass and country legend Skaggs and Hornsby – a singer and songwriter known for venturing across music’s genre-defining boundaries – harmonize voices and skill against the backdrop of Skagg’s string band, Kentucky Thunder, to surprisingly elegant effect. Learn more at www.thepacba.com.

Saturday, Oct. 26, 9 a.m.

Dodgeball frightens you, but you’d never miss a good food fight. Tomato Dodge could be for you. The run inspired by Spain’s La Tomatina festival is about to splatter Oklahoma City with a rain of over-rippened, past-shelf-life tomatoes. What happens? Participants register to run or walk the 5k course for $25. When the gauntlet begins, runners find themselves dodging smooshy tomatoes chucked from behind ambush zones. Hope you can carry a lot in your arms – runners also throw tomatoes back. Oklahoma City’s Wake Zone Park, 3501 N.E. 10th St., is the destination. Register through Friday, Oct. 25 at www.tomatododge.com. The run starts at 9 a.m., but you’ll want to arrive early for check-in.