This Week

It’s been a while since Oklahoma experienced a mild August, and the cooler temperatures leave few excuses to avoid the park. But if the weather isn’t enough to convince you, maybe a fun action flick will. Sonic Summer Movie Nights on the Great Lawn of the Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., Oklahoma City, finds treasure with Pirates of the Caribbean, the 2003 hit featuring Johnny Depp’s toddling scamp, Jack Sparrow. Food trucks will be onsite Wednesday, Aug. 14, but feel free to bring your own picnic along with chairs and blankets. The series (Wednesdays at 9 p.m. throughout August) is free and open to the public.
Tulsa’s Guthrie Green will echo with the crack of a whip when it screens the 1981 classic Raiders of the Lost Ark at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15. The first Indian Jones movie is a classic and still makes archaeology look fun. And who could forget melting Nazis? The screening is free. Bring your park blankets, snacks, chairs and good humor to 111 E. Brady St. arrive early and enjoy the pre-show live music.
For more about Sonic Movie Nights, visit www.myriadgardens.org. For more about movies at the Guthrie Green, check out www.guthriegreen.com.

Continues through Sept. 29

Printmaking is a unique art requiring a whole other set of precision skills and considerations than that of painting. For all that, however, the medium can share the depth of fine art as it fulfills a purpose. Tulsa's Henry Zarrow Center for Art and Education, 124 E. Brady St., continues the run of America in Ink 2 through Sept. 29. The exhibit features work from invited artists assigned to focus on a single year and create a print that reflects it. This installment specifically covers the years 1810-1843, the period of the young American democracy rife with change from expansion and immigration and unrest over slavery and labor. America in Ink 2 is the second installment of The Visual History of the United States series. View it from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday at the Zarrow Center. Admission is free. For more, go online to www.gilcrease.utulsa.edu.

Saturday, Aug. 10, 9 p.m.

Some people run for health. Others run for a cause. You’re sure to meet both and then some at the Midnight Streak 5k Run, Saturday, Aug. 10. Previously known as the City Arts Midnight Streak, the event nine years in the making dropped “City Arts” from its title when the City Arts gallery and institution adopted the new name of Oklahoma Contemporary. The event, however, continues to raise funds for the organization’s endeavors to support creativity and inspiration. Runners will take their marks at Oklahoma State Fair Park, 3001 General Pershing Blvd., in Oklahoma City for the USATF-certified 5k at 11 p.m. Arrive early for festivities and children’s activities beginning at 9 p.m. For more, visit www.cityartscenter.org.

Saturday, Aug. 10, 7 p.m.

Lecrae brings Christian hip hop to Frontier City’s summer concert stage Saturday, Aug. 10. Blending his love for rap, the influence of his faith and a drive to motivate youth, Lecrae has all the earmarks of mainstream popular music but with a meaningful message of hope and community. See the Dallas recording artist at Frontier City, 11501 N. Interstate 35 Service Road, Oklahoma City. The concert is free with theme park admission. Gates open at 6 p.m. Special guest act Gospel Lee opens at 7 p.m. before Lecrae takes the stage at 8 p.m. Regular daily admission starts at $22.99, available online at www.frontiercity.com or at the gate.

Friday, Aug. 9, 8 p.m.

Ron White, aka “They call me Tater Salad,” brings his new stand-up comedy show “A Little Unprofessional” to the Joint at the Hard Rock Tulsa Hotel & Casino, 777 W. Cherokee St., in Catoosa. As part of the famous Blue Collar Comedy Tour, White was pinpointed as the brazen comedian with a glass of fine Scotch in one hand and a cigar in the other. Now flying solo, White has become one of the top-grossing comedians touring the U.S. His televised comedy specials have drawn in huge audiences, and his CD release of “You Can’t Fix Stupid” earned him a Grammy nod. Catch his live show while he is in town on Friday, Aug. 9, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $60-$70 and are available at www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com. Show is for ages 21 and over only.

Thursday, Aug. 8-Saturday Aug. 10

The days of roping and riding are back on Ponca City with the annual 101 Wild West Rodeo. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-sanctioned event will include steer roping, team roping, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, bull riding and barrel racing plus ranch events, a parade, kids’ rodeo and more. Each year's rodeo continues the tradition of the original 101 Ranch Rodeo, established 104 years ago by the Miller Brothers.
Thursday is “Tough Enough to Wear Pink?” night to raise awareness for breast cancer research. For every person who wears pink, the Ponca City Rodeo Foundation will donate $1 to the Breast Cancer Assistance Program Fund in Tulsa The foundation will donate $50 for every event winner in pink.
The rodeo runs Thursday, Aug. 8-Saturday, Aug. 10, beginning at 8 p.m. each day. Look for the community appreciation barbeque dinner, free dances and concerts follows rodeo events, a Saturday morning parade and more. Most events will take place at Ponca City’s rodeo grounds, 420 E. Grand Ave. Daily tickets are $5-$12 with weekend passes available for $20. For more, visit www.101wildwestrodeo.com.

Continues through Aug. 31

The Tulsa Artists’ Coalition Gallery presents an exhibition of iron sculptures by Rob Key and abstract paintings by Melissa Key. The husband and wife team from Oklahoma and Louisiana, respectively, create complementary art out of metal and metallics. Rob started as a welder who fixed turbine engines. When he began to do ornamental iron pieces in Florida, he realized how rewarding it was to create. Melissa studied art at various places, including the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art. Their pieces can be viewed through Aug. 31 at the gallery. Regular hours are Thursday-Saturday from 6-9 p.m. or by appointment. TAC Gallery is at 9 E. Brady in Tulsa. Go to www.tacgallery.org for more.

Ends Saturday, Aug. 10

Huck Finn and Jim live out their adventures on the Mississippi River in this musical based on the Mark Twain story presented by Lyric Theatre at Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave. The show features bluegrass and country music that is sure to have the audience rolling along. The original Broadway production of Big River in 1985 won Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Scenic Design and more. Performances of Lyric Theatre’s big production continue through Saturday, Aug. 10. Tickets start at $35, available for purchase at www.okcciviccenter.com. Go online to see a complete show schedule.

Friday Aug. 9 – Sunday Aug. 11

The Mabee Center becomes the center of powwow culture and Native American dance at the big arts and crafts market and dance competition. The Intertribal Indian Club of Tulsa Powwow of Champions starts Friday, Aug. 9, with activities and arts and crafts vendors. Doors open at 5 p.m and festivities kick-off with the gourd dancing at 6 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, events start at 10 a.m. Come enjoy the crafts, culture and concessions at the Mabee Center, 7777 S. Lewis Ave., Tulsa. Admission is $7 per person or $15 for the weekend. For a schedule of events, visit www.iicot.org.