How a lonesome-yet-vibrant little pueblo in New Mexico became an international art center is the story of the Taos Society of Artist. Tulsa’s Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S. Rockford Road, opens the book on this relatively short-lived collective and its legacy on American art with the exhibit In a Glorious Light: Masterworks of the Taos Society of Artists, Sept. 6-March 16, 2014. Some accounts of the famous art colony’s beginnings state that in the 1890s, two painters en route to Mexico from Denver stopped their journey outside of Taos when a wagon wheel broke on their carriage. Others claim artists had discovered the fertile valley earlier. What is indisputable is that painters from all over were drawn to the land’s beauty, people and cultures, and they remained to paint the enchanting visions they saw. The society disbanded in 1927, but their work still stands as a uniquely American school of painting. Read more at www.philbrook.org.

The Weekend

The Guthrie Green is a year old, believe it or not, and Tulsa’s celebrating with symphonic sounds and fireworks. The Tulsa Symphony will have a free concert on the green, 111 E. Brady St., at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6. The one-hour performance will be followed by fireworks set off against the downtown skyline. How’s that for photo worthy? This weekend also marks the return of the popular Tulsa Roots Rocks the Green concert series. Beginning at 2:30 p.m., three music acts will take turns on the outdoor stage, and because it’s from Tulsa Roots Music, you know the acts (local or international) are going to awesome. Opening weekend has Joe West & the Santa Fe Revue (Americana), the Plateros (Native blues rock) and Grupo Fantasma (Latin funk). It’s all free, and there’s always plenty for the kids to enjoy. Look for TRR shows every Sunday from 2:30-6:30 p.m. For more, see the events schedule at www.guthriegreen.com.

Opens Tuesday, Sept. 10

Despite the look of frozen alertness on their faces, the creature cogs of the machine known as the Blue Man Group know how to put on an outrageous show. Celebrity Attractions brings the theatrics and kinetic spectacle back to T-Town for eight shows at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, 101 E. Third St. Combining techno-contraptions, music, cool effects and comedy, Blue Man Group brings it all together in an intense stage experience that has entertained people of all ages for more than 25 years. Tickets are $25-$65 each, available at www.myticketoffice.com. Blue Man Group opens at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, with more shows scheduled through Sept. 15. Go online for times.

Tuesday, Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m.

The writer, journalist and political satirist P.J. O’Rourke is best known as a contributor of The Atlantic Monthly, The Weekly Standard and as a frequent panelist on NPR’s news quiz show, “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!” Next, he’ll direct his attentions on an audience of willing participants anticipating O’Rourke’s wry wit applied to the most bloated of egos and scenarios. He’s the first guest of the new season for the University of Tulsa’s Presidential Lecture Series, which brings in persons of note in the arts, sciences, humanities and journalism fields and more. O’Rourke visits the Donald W. Reynolds Center, 3208 E. Eighth St., on the TU campus. He takes the podium at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, and, like all talks in this series, it’s free. Arrive early to make sure you get a seat for this fascinating series and guest. For more, visit www.utulsa.edu.

Friday, Sept. 6, 6:30 p.m.

This is one of those cases when you stumble upon a great album produced some 10 (or 25 years earlier) while shopping the record store. You take it home and can’t stop playing it for weeks because you're addicted and, let’s face it, you missed your chance to hear the artist play these amazing tunes live when they were fresh in everybody’s speakers. Fortunately, singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams continues to gain fans of timeless storytelling and the way back home to simple, honest expression, and 1988’s “Lucinda Williams” album gives both in abundance. Even better – Williams has decided to tour for the album’s 25th anniversary. Williams heads to Cain’s Ballroom Friday, Sept. 6, where she’ll perform the album in its entirety for her first set. “Passionate Kisses” (which earned her the Grammy Award for best country song in 1994), “Crescent City,” “Side of the Road” and “Big Red Sun Blues” are but a few of the songs you’ll hear, right after the opening act, the Kenneth Brian Band, takes the stage at 6:30 p.m. Cain’s Ballroom is located at 423 N. Main St. Tickets are $24-$39, available at www.cainsballroom.com.

The Weekend

It’s back to the stand-up stage for the “King”-ly Kevin James, who makes two appearances in Oklahoma this weekend. The star of film (“Grown Ups 2,” “Here Comes the Boom”) and television (“The King of Queens”) will be at the Rose State Performing Arts Theatre, 6000 Trosper Road, in Midwest City at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7. James first began to hone his stand-up career in Long Island, N.Y., but was soon taking his show around the world, including to Montreal’s famed international comedy festival, Just for Laughs. Tickets to the Midwest City show are $49.50-$65, available at www.myticketoffice.com. You have another chance to catch James when he plays the Cox Business Center in Tulsa, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8. The center is located at 100 Civic Center, and tickets are $37-$57, available at www.coxcentertulsa.com.

Thursday, Sept. 5-Saturday, Sept. 7

Claremore gets shaking in down home soul and spice with its annual Bluegrass & Chili Festival, Thursday, Sept. 5-Saturday, Sept. 7 at the town’s Expo Center, 400 S. Veterans Parkway. Headlining bluegrass acts such as Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and Rhonda Vincent & the Rage take the stage with other bands throughout a weekend that includes a festival market, arts and crafts show, car show, dance exhibitions, the “kiddie korral” activity tent and the Mid-American Regional Chili Cook-off. That means you need to be prepared with cash for your taster kits, a big bottle of water and appetite for great home cooking. Pack you lawn chairs, but leave the cooler at home. Admission is free, but parking is $10 per carload each day. Go to www.claremore.org for all the times and details.

All Weekend

“Upscale” is the operative word in any description of Vintage Market Days, the popular outdoor-indoor vendor markets that have sprung up on weekends around the state in recent years. And, the next one happens in Tulsa’s popular Blue Dome District, Friday, Sept. 6-Sunday, Sept. 8. Vintage Market Days invites some of the coolest vendors making and/or selling original artwork and crafts as well as antiques, jewelry and clothing that can only be described as classic.  Whether you’re browsing the indoor hub at Second Street and Frankfort Avenue or visiting the merchant tents stationed around it, you’re sure to come across something completely unique and ideal for that space on your living room wall, a delicious treat to share or a perfect gift for a friend. Vintage home décor, architectural salvage, food and more are straight ahead. Admission is $10 cash only on Friday (noon-8 p.m.) and $5 cash only on Saturday (9 a.m.-6 p.m.) and Sunday (noon-5 p.m.). Children 12 and under are free. Read about it at www.vintagemarketdays.com.

Scene September 2013