Friday, July 17, 2009

What To Do in Tulsa This Weekend


Catch this weekend's rundown bright and early this morning on the Morning News with Joe Kelley on KRMG? Even if you did go ahead and rise today early enough to get the worm, here's a written version of my play-by-play rundown of what's going on in T-Town this weekend. For your planning pleasure:


Festivals
What's summer in Tulsa without a slew of festivals? Try this weekend's selection on for size:

Porter Peach Festival
Where: Mainstreet Porter, Okla.
When: Now through Saturday
Details: You missed the Porter Peach Beauty Pageant if you didn't make it out last night, but not to worry; plenty will be going on for the rest of the weekend. Make sure to catch the antique tractor pull, the beard contest, the pet show and free peaches and ice cream, not to mention all the arts, crafts, live music, food and cooking contests, a parade, a car show and even a mini rodeo. Whew - I'm whipped just typing all of that zaniness. This is an event not to be missed, folks - more than worth the 45-or-so minute drive from T-Town.

An Affair of the Heart
When: Today and tomorrow, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 11-5.
Details: What girl couldn't use another excuse to shop? We're all being encouraged to stimulate the economy, right? I'm sure the folks at An Affair of the Heart would concur with a resounding "Yep!" Bring $6 down to Expo Square and enjoy three full days of arts, crafts, antiques, collectibles, accessories and, of course, lots of gourmet food.

Annual Tulsa Powwow
Where: SpiritBank Event Center in Bixby
When: Today, 3-11 p.m; Saturday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Details: Native American artists and craftsmen will be showing off their stuff, and there will be plenty of Native American cuisine on hand to enjoy (think: roasted corn. Oh, yum). Be sure to be in the crowd for the crowning of the 2010 Tulsa Powwow Princess tonight at 7:30; get there a bit early to check out the grand entry of dancers at 7. Don't forget to get a gander at the gourd dancing, traditional singing and intertribal and specialty dancing, as well as competitive dancing from junior and senior divisions. If you haven't been to a powwow, folks, prepare for an experience unlike any other. Don't forget to bring the kids.


Music
Thanks to a spot of weather that is, in highly technical terms, mighty hot 'n' humid rather than downright boilin', this weekend should make for some prime music listening time, especially if it's going down outdoors. Here's a schedule of some must-see acts:

Opening of Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz
Where: Chapman Music Hall at Tulsa Performing Arts Center
When: Today at 1:30 and 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8; Sunday at 2 and 7:30
Details: Been hearing a lot of about this musical act lately? Yeah, me, too. Know why? Because it's that good - three Tonys and a Grammy's worth of goodness, to be exact. This show is like a "The Making Of" that tells the story of how the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch got to be, well, the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. With all the witches flying around, be advised that this isn't a production for kiddos under 8, and the pint-sized under 4 years won't be admitted to the theater at all. The price of admission ($32-$125, depending on if you want to wear your glasses or not) and a few hours' worth of a babysitter's time will be worth it.

Rhythm on the River
When: Friday night; get there at 6:30, ends at about 8:30
Details: Hear the Latin American Rhythm Ensemble as you soak up the cool(er) air along the Arkansas. It all starts at 6:30, just in time to catch the full splendor of a mid-July sunset. Feel free to bring your lawn chairs, a dinner to go and the kids. If you leave the picnic basket in the driveway, though, no worries - food and drink will be available for purchase at the concert.

Guitars Gone Wild II
Where: Charles E. Norman Theatre at Tulsa Performing Arts Center
When: Sunday, 6 p.m.
Details: No, this isn't another installment of that video franchise you've heard advertised on late-night TV. Instead, it's a showcase of style after style of solo guitar music. Just think: Blues, classical, flamenco, folk, pop, even new age. Tulsa Guitar Society director Rod Saunders and other local guitarists will be performing, and they're willing to stick around for a little Q & A session after the jam session. That's quite an entertainment package for a mere $12.

Wine and Jazz Concert Series
Where: RiverWalk Crossing in Jenks at the Amphitheater
When: Sunday night, 6-8 p.m.
Details: Who couldn't use a little jazz with that wine? Forget that Monday comes tomorrow and get your fill of the good stuff in Jenks this Sunday evening. Wine and food will be available in plenty, and so will live jazz music. The cost? $20 per.


Other Stuff
What would life in Tulsa be like without the "Other Stuff" category? Here it comes:

Films on the Lawn
Where: North Lawn at Philbrook Museum
When: Friday night, gates open at 7:30 with showtime at dusk
Details: Love Paul Newman? Think Robert Redford, like a fine wine, only gets better with time? Then don't miss the showing of the 1973 film The Sting on the North Lawn at Philbrook Museum Friday night. Bring a date and dinner, a blanket or a few lawn chairs and make an evening of it. Admission is $7, or just $5 if you're a Philbrook member (if you're not, you should be).

Slumber Party at Circle Cinema
Where: Circle Cinema, 12 S. Lewis Ave.
When: Saturday night at 10 p.m. until Sunday morning at 8 a.m.
Details: Find yourself at Circle Cinema Saturday night for the first-ever Slumber Party in Tulsa's favorite movie house. On tap will be five cult films, supplemented by two surprise films (who doesn't love surprises?) with a bit of free Joe Momma's Pizza and Old School Bagels thrown in, just for kicks. Come with $20 (you get $10 back if you're man or woman enough to stay for the whole sleepover and to not flee into the streets of Whittier Square at 3 a.m.) and dressed in your best PJs, because I have a feeling this little shindig is going to be a party and a half.

Where: BOK Center, Third Street and Denver Avenue
When: Tonight at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m., with doors opening one hour before showtime on each day
Details: Who doesn't love a good old-fashioned rodeo? You can't deny it and still live in Okie-homa. Get back to your roots and head to the BOK Center to watch the top bull riders in the world compete for some real purdy trophies and prizes and whatnot. Pay anywhere from $10 75 in advance, or add $2 to each ticket price if you wait to buy tickets until you get to the door.


Tickets and Movies
Get your BOK Center tickets while they're hot off the presses. As for movies, you know the old adage: The hotter it is outside, the hotter the action on the screen in the moviehouse.

In Theaters: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (The sixth installment of the Harry Potter movie franchise; opened earlier this week), Bruno, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Public Enemies, The Proposal, The Hangover and more.

Where: BOK Center
When: Tickets on sale Monday at 10 a.m.; Concert is Aug. 17 @ 7:30 p.m.
Details: Beatles man Paul McCartney is coming to help us celebrate one year of BOK Center events in Tulsa. This will be McCartney's only arena show on his current 2009 North American stadium tour, and it'll be his first time back in Oklahoma in nearly seven years (did he break a mirror when he was in Oklahoma City or something?). He'll be playing songs from his years with The Beatles as well as hits from Wings and his solo career stuff - none of it is to be missed. That is, if you've got the cash. Tickets range $59.50-$253.

That's all from me, folks. Have a good weekend!

Porter photos courtesy of the amazing talents of Amanda at Have Spork, Will Travel.

7 comments:

Crayons Improv said...

Disappointed Crayons Improv Show wasn't listed after being a close call at the ABoT awards this week. We perform Friday, July 17 at 8pm Agora Coffeehouse in the Fontana Shopping Center. Its only $5 and you can bring the kids! www.crayonsimprov.com

Anonymous said...

I'm already planning peach desserts after a trip to Porter. And thanks for the heads up on the Jenks wine/jazz event right in my backyard! -Leah Harper

Carlos Moreno said...

couple more:
(WOW! ...anyone who says there's nothing to do in tulsa is crazy)

saturday
The Big Lebowski
*Cosmo Cafe*
6746A S. Memorial
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133
(918) 459-0497
don your bathrobe, boxers, bowling shirt, or what-have-you and roll on down the alley to Cosmo for $3.50 White Russians and Red Stripe Oat Soda.


annual “Rise Up Singing” folksong revival at the Congregation B’nai Emunah on Sunday, July 19th. 5:45 p.m. (Dinner) and 7:00 p.m. (Concert) It is for the AUDIENCE to sing the songs (words on the large screen) with singers (professional) leading the song. We’ll do approximately 33 songs it’s always fun and a great way to have a sing-a-long!

Tasha said...

Thanks to Crayons Improv and Carlos for the heads up about other events going on this weekend. As always, reader additions to my weekly list are welcome! Like, really, really, really welcome. This is your blog as much as it is mine, folks - the content from these weekly lists comes from you!

Unknown said...

You used to be able to save a trip to Porter and get the same peaches from Conrad Farms in Bixby. Conrad used to supply Porter with peaches because Porter didn't always have that many for the festival. Not saying it's still that way now , so go have fun and be positive you are really getting a Porter Peach!

Renee said...

I love reading this post each week and seeing what's up in T-Town

erin wilson said...

Tasha,
I'm in town performing in Wicked (thanks for the mention) and I'm having a hard time finding a great hair salon. If you have a second I would love a local's help! Thanks!
Erin

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