Ends Sunday, March 24

Because of artists at the turn of the 20th century like Edgar Payne, the American West became a land enchanted of tenacious villains, steely lawmen, mystical native peoples and fearsome predators roaming the rugged beauty of mountains, rivers and deserts. The Missouri-born Impressionist painter made anyone observing his work an explorer. Visitors to Gilcrease Museum, 1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Road, can see his works in the exhibit Edgar Payne: The Scenic Journey, which closes after Sunday, March 24. This retrospective look at the plein air artist’s career features nearly 100 paintings and drawings, which all will be packed and shipped to the collection's next exhibition after this weekend. Museum admission is $5-$8, and hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Read more at gilcrease.utulsa.edu.

Saturday, March 23, at 6 p.m.

Somewhere over the rainbow, every pet is healthy and has a loving home. The Oklahoma Alliance for Animals works hard daily to make that mission happen, but the nonprofit organization could use all the help it can get. That’s why OAA holds its annual Fur Ball, which offers patrons a fun evening complete with great food and drinks, music and silent and live auctions of great items for bid – items donated to support OAA. Dress black-tie or in your favorite costume for the Yellow Brick Road – the night’s theme is “The Wizard of Paws.” It’s sure to make you feel like a “great and powerful” philanthropist. 2013 Fur Ball will be at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at the Hyatt Regency Tulsa, 100 E. Second St. Tickets are $100. Go to www.animalallianceok.org for sponsorship information.

Saturday, March 23, at 7 p.m.

Broadway calls on Bristow’s Freeland Center for the Performing Arts this weekend. Emily Drennan & Friends features the native Oklahoman demonstrating her range of vocal talent, which impressively spans Broadway and off-Broadway to television, radio, film and songwriting. Drennen takes the stage at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 23, for this show, which is even more special because it is part of the Candelight Concerts for Epilepsy Awareness Series playing all across the country benefiting the Epilepsy Foundation. Other artists in the series include the band Grizzley Bear, Garbage, Tegan & Sara, Eric Clapton (last week's OKC show), Colbie Caillat, Paul Thorn and many others performing in other cities. Tickets are $10 (advance purchase)-$15 (at the door). Information and online purchase are available at www.freelandcenter.org.

Ends Saturday, March 23

As Tulsa’s longest-running theater group, Theatre Tulsa hasn’t dabbled much in musical theater until recently. That makes its production of Oliver! a real treat. The musical based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel about a workhouse orphan plays into its second weekend at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center’s Liddy Doenges Theatre, 110 E. Second St. Shows are at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 21-Saturday, March 23; and tickets are $14-$18 at www.myticketoffice.com. Yes, sir. You may “hav sue moor," but act fast. Last weekend's run sold out each night, and this weekend's should go quickly, too.

Want to read more about Theatre Tulsa? Check out the exhibit Theatre Tulsa: 90 Years in the Spotlight on display at the Tulsa Historical Society, 2445 S. Peoria Ave., through Aug. 31. More at www.tulsahistory.org.

Saturday, March 23-Sunday, March 24

Why is it that the slight, whispery utterance of “hot pockets” still brings to mind Jim Gaffigan with a microphone? The comedian, actor and writer who turned his home life, career and mental wanderings into running commentary making audiences guffaw is back in town. Look for him on the “White Bread Tour” at the Brady Theater, 105 W. Brady St., on Saturday, March 23. Tickets are $37.25-$47.25 and doors open at 7 p.m. Buy them at www.bradytheater.com. Gaffigan calls on Oklahoma City the following night when he plays two shows at the Rose State Performing Arts Center, 6410 S.E. 15^th St., in Midwest City. Show times are 7 and 9:30 p.m. Sunday, March 24. Tickets are $39.75-$49.75, available at www.myticketoffice.com.

Friday, March 22-Sunday, March 24

The days when you can leave your potted plants outside 24 hours a day (instead of lugging them back and forth indoors) are almost here. But wouldn’t that philodendron look great in a bright, new container this year? The OKC Home & Outdoor Living Show opens Friday, March 22, with all that you could possibly need for your home living spaces both indoors and outside on your patio. Whether you’re remodeling, renovating or restoring, this show has it all, including a chance to meet Top Chef: Texas’s Chris Crary from Bravo. See what you’ll find at Oklahoma State Fair Park, 3001 General Pershing Blvd., OKC. The show runs through Sunday, March 24, and admission is $9 for adults. Learn more at www.homeshowokc.com.

Saturday, March 23, at 7:30 p.m.

You can make your own rhythm, too, after you’ve seen what the dancers of Step Afrika! can do. The high-energy percussive dance style that uses kicks, stomps, claps and chants has a tradition going back to African culture as well as a hold in contemporary America, particularly with historically black fraternities and sororities on college campuses. Watch these dancers bring it at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center’s John H. Williams Theatre, 110 E. Second St. Show is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23. Tickets are $28, available at www.tulsapactrust.org.

Saturday, March 23, at 7 p.m.

The finale of the 2013 International Crescendo Music Awards happens at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 23, and you could be there to see it. Which gifted student musicians will be honored at this 15^th annual event hosted by the Rotary Club of Tulsa? Whoever they are, these classical artists will win cash prizes, opportunities for scholarships for summer study and the competition gold medal in the categories of voice, strings, piano and brass and woodwinds. There’s a lot on the line for these hopefuls. Watch and keep your fingers crossed for them all at the VanTrease Performing Arts Center for Education on the Tulsa Community College Southeast Campus. Tickets are $25 each. Visit www.crescendomusicawards.com for details.

Friday, March 22, at 8 p.m.

Considering the title of its latest album, Maroon 5 is hardly about to run for seclusion. Overexposed, released last summer, was hailed as the Los Angeles band’s best yet, and it continues the same vein of dance pop as the band's mega hit Moves Like Jagger, which brought Maroon 5 back to the forefront of radio play. The “Overexposed Tour” moves on to the BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave., this weekend. Show is at 8 p.m. Friday, March 22, and tickets are $29.50-$75.50. Guest acts Neon Trees and Owl City open at 7 p.m. For all the details, check out www.bokcenter.com.

Thursday, March 14-Sunday, March 17

Walk into the 2013 Tulsa International Auto Show and you may end up driving out. The big show of new cars and trucks just out of the factory also includes dozens of pre-production models and prototypes as well as custom and concept cars that are the stuff of dreams to any motorhead. Tickets are $8 for adults. Children 12 years and under are free with a paid adult. Look for it at the Expo Center at Expo Square, 4145 E. 21^st St., and online at www.exposquare.com.