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

If you’ve ever been curious about buying art, you’re sure to run into a few primed collectors willing to teach you how at Arts Festival Oklahoma, Aug. 31-Sept. 2, at the Oklahoma City Community College campus, 7777 S. May Ave., Oklahoma City. The annual festival has been running strong since 1978 and made quite the name for itself among artists and patrons alike. The juried show showcases original artwork by regional artists attracting thousands of browsers looking for a bargain on a budding de Koonig – and if one exists, you’ll find him or her there. This year marks the festival’s 35th anniversary, and activities include a free concert by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, performing arts, a children’s creative center and work by some 120 artists selected to participate. Admission is free, but parking is $5. For more, go online to www.occc.edu/afo.

It’s been seven months since the Oklahoma Sooners lost to Texas A&M in the 2013 Cotton Bowl, and since that game-ending whistle sounded, Bob Stoops and the Sooners have been training mentally and physically for their season opener. The Sooners look forward to the opportunity of grabbing the title of BCS National Champions, but to achieve that eighth national title, the team must take the season one game at a time. On Saturday, Aug. 31, the Sooners host the University of Louisiana at Monroe Warhawks at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, 180 E. Brooks St., in Norman. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Tickets for the home opener are $59 each at www.soonersports.com. Season tickets are also available. Look for The University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane’s first home game on Sept. 7 against Colorado State University (www.tulsahurricane.com). Oklahoma State University’s Cowboys get its first home-field advantage when the team plays Lamar on Sept. 14 (www.okstate.com).