Mmm, Ribs (and Rock)

Rather than head to Applebee's at lunchtime today, why not scurry downtown to help kick off the first-annual Rock N Rib Festival?

This isn't just some random ribs buffet, folks. This is the coming together of some of the most legendary cooking teams in the world, more than ready to melt your face off with prime, hot ribaliciousness. It's also a showcase of some of the best bands in this here town. Do the names My Solstice, Sam & the Stylees and Red Dirt Rangers ring any bells?

I thought so. Each of the bands I just mentioned plays at 9pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday, respectively. The rest of the festival will rock out to tunes by bands of the likes of The Fabulous Mid Life Crisis Band, Admiral Twin, Travis Kidd, South 40, Turnpike Troubadors and Earl Clark.

Woo-wee, that's a lotta rockin'.

If you get there by 1pm today, Friday and/or Saturday, you get in free. Otherwise, adults pay a measly $3. Kids get in free every day, all the time.

If you're reading this from out of town, first thing's first: Wipe the drool from your keyboard. Second, book a room at Crowne Plaza hotel, mere blocks from the aromatic action at BOK Center, for just $89. If you're reading this from south of 71st Street, you might want to book a room, too. It'll a long drive home from downtown with a belly full of awesomeness and a head full of rockin' tunes trying their damnedest to lull you to sleep.

Think of the children, people. Think of the children.

Follow your nose to BOK Center at Third and Frisco until midnight tonight. The Rock N Rib festival will continue Friday 11am-12am, on Saturday 11am-12am and Sunday 11am-3pm.

If you go Saturday, don't forget to venture into the BOK Center itself for its second annual open house event from 10am-2pm. There will be guided tours, live music by The Usual Suspects, a commemorative gift and, most interesting to me, high school marching bands.

I love high school marching bands.

Ha! That'll teach you not to take me seriously.

For more info, check out Holly Wall's story on the Rock N Rib Festival in this week's edition of Tulsa Business Journal. She's got the full scoop, y'all, as usual.