Saturday, Feb. 9, at 8 p.m.

Is it just us, or is it hard to imagine a world without Dwight Yoakam? That peek from under the down-turned brim of his hat, the funky shuffling, second-skin jeans and a rockin’ version of country music that even Nashville didn’t know what to do with – Dwight is a musician’s hero. The effortless Yoakam returns to Tulsa on tour for his newest album, 3 Pears, for a show at the Hard Rock Tulsa Hotel & Casino, 777 W. Cherokee St. Tickets are $45-$65, and doors open at 7 p.m. in the Joint. To purchase, visit the casino’s site at www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com.
 

Saturday, Feb. 16, at 6 p.m.

The Tulsa Rodeo Association presents eight big events in one raucous night, also known as the Tulsa Heritage Rodeo. From 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Feb. 16, guests can watch bronco riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, bull riding, tie down roping, steer “un-decorating” and Pony Express races as competitors ride for cash prizes and glory at the Ford Truck Arena at Expo Square, 4145 E. 21st St. There will also be children’s activities. Tickets are $13 for advance purchase and $16 the day of the event. Children ages 4-14 are $10 each. For more, go online to www.exposquare.com.
 

Friday, Feb. 15, and Saturday, Feb. 16

February is a huge month for Oklahoma’s Samantha Crain, folk rock magician, touring phenomenon, Kid Face. The Shawnee resident’s third full-length album, Kid Face, was released yesterday, and she’s just kicked-off her tour supporting this collection of music that finds the young artist more focused and soulful than ever. Named for a nickname she received by friends for her youthful look, the album has already received massive attention from music industry publications, including Rolling Stone and Spin. Tulsa gives her the spotlight, too. Crain brings her sound (along with guest acts Parker Millsap and Skating Polly) to Fassler Hall, 304 S. Elgin Ave., Friday, Feb. 15. Doors open at 9 p.m. and show is at 10 p.m. Tickets are $7 (ages 21 and up only admitted).  The following night, Crain plays one her favorite venues, Oklahoma City’s Blue Door, 2805 N. McKinley Ave. Show is at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, and tickets are $15-$20 each. For all the details go to samanthacrain.com.

Friday, Feb. 15-Sunday, Feb. 17

Hot cars with cool names like Voodoo Spider, Duezybird, Predicta and, yes, Cristina, ride into Tulsa for the annual Darryl Starbird’s National Rod & Custom Car Show, this weekend at Expo Square, 4145 E. 21st St. The nation’s top cars will be gathered together and competing for the annual “Fine Nine” and a big cash award. Look for all sorts of activities. Hours are noon-11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16; and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17. Tickets are $25 adults, $15 ages 13-16; and $10 ages 11-12. Ages 10 and under admitted free when accompanied by paying adult. Check out the contenders at www.darrylstarbird.com.
 

Saturday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m.

Rick Springfield has been rather unfairly branded a “one-hit-wonder.” The fact is the former soap star (Dr. Noah Drake from General Hospital) and Grammy Award winner (Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1982) has had a few more hit songs besides Jessie’s Girl for which he’s rarely given credit. Remember I’ve Done Everything for You and Love Somebody? Even stronger testament to his longevity on the music scene, Springfield has been touring seemingly nonstop for several years and recording new albums for the fans that have stayed with him through the good and the sad. They’ll be out when Springfield plays River Spirit Casino Event Center, 8330 Riverside Parkway. Show is at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, and general admission tickets are $40. Visit www.riverspirittulsa.com to purchase.
 

Thursday, Feb. 14

Valentine’s Day is for lovers – lovers of art, music, food and fun. Whether you’re planning a night out with your significant other or counting on fun with your best buds, check out these happenings.

• Valentine’s Dinner and Dance: The buffet is steamy and the atmosphere romantic at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, which hosts dinner and dancing at its fabulous Persimmon Hill restaurant, 1700 NE 63rd St., from 6-10 p.m. Tickets are $44.95 each, and reservations are required. You’ll find the menu and other information at www.nationalcowboymuseum.org.
• David Phelps in concert: Christian vocalist David Phelps has been known to tug a few heart strings with his versatile voice. The singer formerly with the Gaither Vocal Band performs at the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center, 701 S. Main St., Broken Arrow, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20-$40, available at www.thepacba.com.
• Tranfigured Love: Chamber music group Tulsa Camerata (shown) tells three different stories (and ideas) of love at its next concert. Leoš Janá?ek’s String Quartet No. 2 Intimate Letters, Carter Pann’s Nicky’s Trio, and Arnold Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht set the mood while La Villa Restaurant set the tables for dinner at Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S. Rockford Road. White wine reception is at 5:45 p.m., and music starts at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $20. Go to philbrook.org for more.
• Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Dance: Jeff Shadley and his band sizzle at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame and Jazz Depot, 111 E. First St., Tulsa. The vocalist, trumpeter and band leader gets his big band swinging so you can, too, at 7 p.m. with complimentary champagne and dessert! Admission is $15-$20 (reserved tables). Call 918.281.8609 or visit www.okjazz.org for more.
• Group Sex with the Crispy Family Carnival: For the adventuresome, Club 209 presents an art show with humor and naughty appeal. Performance art that is adults-only blends with carnival show attractions and erotic visual art in this night that also benefits Tulsa CARES (www.tulsacares.org). Group Sex: A Cheeky Exploration of the Steamier Side of Love begins at 10 p.m. at 209 N. Boulder Ave., Tulsa. For more, visit www.club209tulsa.com.
   

Continues through April 21

Is it a photograph? No, it’s photorealism, a genre of art that employs photography to paint an image so life-like it looks like a photo. In the mid-20th century the photorealism movement took hold and artists such as Robert Bechtle, Audrey Flack, Richard Estes, Don Eddy, Ralph Goings, Randy Dudley and Charles Bell became the new avant-garde. The Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, exhibits their work along with those of others through April 21. The review of the genre explores the methods they used and their place in the art world. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday (open until 9 p.m. Thursday) and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Visit www.okcmoa.com for a schedule of events related to this exhibit throughout its run.
 

Concludes Sunday, Feb. 17

If you had to name your favorite Broadway musical numbers from the past 100 years, would your list include one by Neil Berg? The American composer and lyricist brings his revue of theater’s greatest musical hits in the touring show 100 Years of Broadway to the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall. In the show, which opened Tuesday, Berg shares anecdotes from his career and introduces the stars of such hit shows as Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar and the stage’s latest hits. The show runs trough Sunday, Feb. 17, at the music hall, 201 N. Walker Ave. Tickets to performances are $15-$55. For a schedule of shows and to purchase tickets, visit www.myticketoffice.com.

Now through June 30

Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s was a different world from what it is today – movie stars were afforded a divine status. The image said it all, and no one defined glamour better than portrait artist George Hurrell. As a publicity photographer for the mega dream factory MGM movie studio, Hurrell turned mere actors and actresses into immortals on film. The still portrait photo was never the same. Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S. Rockford Road, recently opened the exhibition The Hollywood Portraits of George Hurrell, which includes those of legends like Gary Cooper, Greta Garbo, Bette Davis, Clark Gable, Katharine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich (shown) among many others. His use of light and shadows made Hurrell a powerful artist both then and now. Philbrook is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday (open until 8 p.m. Thursday). Admission is $7-$9. For more, visit philbrook.org.
 

The word “diversion” used to mean a pleasant instance or amusement to distract from the ordinary, usual or routine. Actually, it still does, but many are likely to think first of a split-second action to purposely attract attention away from something covert. August Bournonville’s Napoli Divertissements begs for a look in the truest sense of a “diversion” as a part of Paris Rouge, a delight of dance and music from Oklahoma City Ballet just in time for Valentine’s Day. Paris Rouge brings back a triple bill of Paris-inspired vignettes including the Oklahoma premiere of Divertissements, and it also includes Robert Mills’ Pushing Pennies and Paris Rouge, all set against a backdrop of color comedy and infatuation. Performances are at 8 p.m. Feb. 9 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 10 at Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave. Tickets are $33-$60. For more, visit. www.okcballet.com.