Tonight, Tonight

I'll be doing something a little out of the ordinary tonight.

Instead of donning my stretchy pants and lounging at some coffeehouse somewhere or leisurely sipping wine at a cafe or working feverishly on the weekend rundown (which is the real way I usually spend my Thursday nights, but not this time - it's already done! It goes live later tonight, so keep your eyes open), I'll be ticking off the merits of spandex and nylon as I attempt to shimmy into a little black cocktail dress.

Why would I do such a thing? Because tonight I'll be at Cain's Ballroom presenting a Tulsey award to who the people of Tulsa believe to be the top Civic entrepreneur in this here town, right alongside the pretty face known as Ben Sumner.

Ben and I are nominated for Tulsey awards, too, along with a few dozen other T-Towners who spend their days making stuff up and then, sometimes wild-eyed and sometimes on little-to-no sleep, act on their crazy ideas.

This second annual Tulsey Awards ceremony, presided over by Mayor Kathy Taylor, is part of Tulsa's celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week. Taking place two days after Mayor Taylor's Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, the crown jewel of this week of events to both facilitate and show off local businesspeople, the Tulsey Awards are to the People's Choice Awards as the Spirit Award is to months' worth of preparation, presentation, general gnashing of teeth and $30,000 of cold, hard cash in prize/seed money.

True to the spectacle that people's choice awards tend to be, the Tulseys will resemble the format of the Academy Awards, except with less cleavage. I think. Actually, I'm not sure. This is my first time out, and I don't really know what to expect. There could be boobs everywhere a person looks tonight, for all I know.

See for yourselves (and help me by using your mind powers to will me to not fall off my heels) by showing up at Cain's Ballroom tonight, 423 N. Main Street, at 7pm. Everyone gets in free, and I bet there will be plenty of Chex Mix available.

In case awards ceremonies aren't your thing, there are a ton of other things to do tonight. Check it out:

Joe Momma's Birthday Party

When: All day until close tonight

Where: Joe Momma's Downtown, 112 S. Elgin Ave.

We've all heard that old adage that 90-something percent of new restaurants fail within a year. That old one-liner doesn't apply to ultra-hip, super-yummy Tulsa pizza parlors in downtown Tulsa, apparently. Help owner Blake Ewing and the Joe Momma's gang celebrate 365 days in business by stopping by the shop at 112 S. Elgin Ave. for a free piece of birthday cake and the chance to win prizes and enter giveaways. Hang around until 9pm to catch a free edition of that game that Joe Momma's is helping to make a Tulsa institution, live trivia. Then, order a late-nite pie and relax to the tunes of Ben Kilgore at 10pm.

Philbrook Museum: Facebook Fan Free Day and Third Thursday

When: 10:30am-8pm

Where: Philbrook Museum, 2727 S. Rockford Ave.

Not only is admission free for all of Philbrook's nearly 7,500 fans today, but it's also Third Thursday. The program this time? Design Decoded, a look into the world of industrial design through the works of Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi, Yves Behar and others part of the Kravis collection now at Philbrook. First thing this evening, starting at 5:30pm, take the design challenge and use the materials provided by the folks at Philbrook to create your own mini-chair. Then, hear curator David Hanks' insight into the influence of design in our lives. At the end of the evening, prizes will be awarded for the best chair. Not that you need me to tell you, but be sure to pick up a drink at the cash bar. A glass of wine or two will help when you and your beautiful face are asked to pose for the next series of Philbrook ads - a photographer will be on site shooting for the next campaign.

Oklahoma Ink

When: 6-8pm

Where: Harwelden Mansion, 2210 S. Main Street
Guarantee your holiday gift is original and won't someday double as firewood - give signed copies of books by Oklahoma authors. The 5th annual Oklahoma Ink is the book fair that raises funds for the Tulsa Press Club scholarship fund, do you can do your Christmas shopping at the same time you support future journalists. Oklahoma authors attending this year have written books ranging from mysteries and histories to tales of business success and politics. Find a complete list of authors on the Oklahoma Ink Facebook page.

Jenks Lights On

When: 6pm

Where: Downtown Antique District of Jenks, OK

The Jenks shopkeepers have decorated their windows with the theme of “A Christmas Night of Lights.” Grab your friends, family, and neighbors and hit Main Street Jenks as Travis Meyer, Chief Meteorologist with KOTV Channel 6, will lead the countdown to Lights On live at 6pm. Don't forget to hop on a carriage ride, and be sure to catch entertainment provided by Jenks High School’s vocal performance group, The Trojanaires.

Latte Art Throw Down

When: Sign up at 6pm, competition at 7pm

Where: Topeca Coffee,

Think you can pour a mean milk foam heart? Get your shot at some prize money and bragging rights for a mere $5 entry. And, in case you didn't know, latte art is an exciting spectator sport. If you're going to be sitting down with a cup of coffee this evening anyway, why not get in on the ruckus at Topeca?

Make a Wish Party With a Purpose

When: 7-9pm

Where: Clubhouse Bar & Grill, 105th and Memorial in the SpiritBank Event Center

Grab your big, gold hoop earrings from the eighties and all those tulip rings you collected in the nineties and point the car toward Bixby, friends, because it's time to turn that tired jewelry into the stuff of dreams. Tulsa Gold & Silver will be on site to make the gold-to-cash conversion so that you can pass your greenbacks to Make a Wish Foundation of Oklahoma. Especially if you want to support kids who might survive their illnesses to become immensely talented food photographers and bloggers by granting their wishes for such things as a trip to Disney World, it's a great place to give.