What To Do in Tulsa This Weekend

It's the weekend, good buddies, and you know what that means – it's time to cut loose and read the lengthy list of events Tulsa has to offer before 8am on Monday. While headbanging. Because cutting loose and reading a long list seem somewhat at odds. And because the eve of Friday the 13th is upon us and what could possibly go wrong?

The weather won't be the beauty pageant we've enjoyed in recent weeks, but there will be plenty to do from underneath a roof. Tons of music and theatre are flooding the dance halls and playhouses this weekend, and then there's everything from early holiday shopping with Tulsa's naughtiest crafty chicks to Tulsa's largest Lebanese food festival to enjoy. You're sure to be well-cultured, entertained and, most importantly, in my opinion, well-fed.

As heard every Friday morning on the KRMG Morning News with Joe Kelley, here's what to do in Tulsa this weekend.

Tasha's Picks for the Weekend of November 13

Friday

Little House on the Prairie
When: Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm and 8pm, and Sunday, 2pm and 7pm
Where: Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Chapman Music Hall,
Who doesn't remember the morality tales as presented in the Little House on the Prairie books or television shows as integral parts of his or her childhood? Now Melissa Gilbert, the one and the same as the star of the TV series, helps to bring the story to the stage in her role as Ma. Tickets are $25-60.


Saturday

McNellie's Pub Run
When: Saturday, 3pm
Where: McNellie's Public House, 401 E. First Street
Two words, beer aficionados: Guinness challenge. That's what the folks at McNellie's mean when they talk about exercise, and the Pub Run is how they let the community join the fun. Choose the four-mile or the one-mile fun run, both starting and ending at McNellie's and winding through the historic Brady and Blue Dome Districts. Anyone who can glug three 12-ounce Guinness pints during the four-mile run and still beat out all others wins a coveted $300 house account at McNellie's. Following the race will be entertainment and, you guessed it, more tasty beverages. Visit Fleet Feet to register, or register on race day. Cost is $20 before race day, $25 the day of.

Sunday

Hafli
When: Friday and Saturday, 11am-9pm; Sunday, noon-3pm
Where: St. Antony Orthodox Church, 2646 E. Sixth Street
Ah, Lebanese food – one of my very favorite world cuisines. You can bet the folks at St. Antony will be fighting me, along with 2,000 other hungry people, back all weekend long, thanks to Hafli, Tulsa's largest Lebanese food festival, dinner and bake sale. There's more going on at Hafli, Arabic for “party” or “celebration,” than food - tours of the beautiful church, for one - but that's still what it's all about. Look for grilled chicken breast served over St. Antony's famous Hashwa (a blend of rice, beef and almonds), cabbage rolls, hummus, pita bread, Greba butter cookies and, of course, lots and lots of baklawa (yes, baklawa, something of a Lebanese version of baklava). Adults pay $12.50 for the meal, and kids 12 and under pay $5. Leaving with a bag full of food and baked goods is highly encouraged.


Music

Ghostland Observatory
When: Friday, doors at 7pm
Where: Cain's Ballroom, 423 N. Main Street
Compared to everyone from Freddie Mercury to Daft Punk to David Bowie and self-described on its Web site as BALLSY (yes, in all caps), this south Austin band is sure to please their Tulsa neighbors. Tulsa's own DJ Moody will open. Tickets are $27 in advance, $29 at the door.

Darius Rucker
When: Friday, 7pm
Where: Osage Event Center, 951 W. 36th Street North
We can all hear Cuba Gooding Jr. saying it: “No, I am not Hootie.” Darius, however, is, and he's coming to Tulsa fresh from winning New Artist of the Year for his album, “Learn to Live” at the CMA's earlier this week. Tickets start at $35.

Rave On: A Buddy Holly Tribute
When: Friday, 7:30pm
Where: Robson Performing Arts Center, 101 E. Stuart Roosa in Claremore
The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Rollings Stones, Bob Dylan – they all owe a little something to Buddy Holly. Catch this tribute concert for $25-45.

Symphony Safari
When: Saturday, 2pm and 3:15pm
Where: Tulsa Zoo, 6421 E. 36th Street North
The sounds of the Tulsa Zoo are unmistakable: The roar of the lion, the hoot of the chimpanzee, the toot of a trumpet. Wait, what? You read correctly. This weekend a symphony of sounds of the animal kind and otherwise will spill forth from the new Chapman Event Lodge at America's Favorite Zoo, thanks to two performances by Tulsa Symphony Orchestra. After, meet the musicians and learn about the instruments they play. Plus, thanks to a partnership with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Oklahoma, any child or “Little” is admitted free with paid adult admission.

Dethklok/Mastodon
When: Saturday, doors at 6pm
Where: Brady Theater, 105 W. Brady Street
Dethklok and Mastodon are joined by guests Converge and High on Fire to complete the set of bands with the best names ever. Tickets to see these moniker masters are $29.50-39.50.

Yesudas in Concert
When: Saturday, 6:30pm
Where: Tulsa Performing Arts Center, John H. Williams Theatre
Like Marni Nixon did for Deborah Kerr, Natalie Wood and Audrey Hepburn in those classic American movie musicals we all know and love, Yesudas records songs for Indian movie actors to which to lip-sync on camera. Thing is, Yesudas doesn't toil in obscurity. In fact, he has won seven National Film Awards and 34 State Awards. Presented by South Asian Performing Arts Foundation. Tickets are $40.

Travis Tritt
When: Saturday, 7pm
Where: Osage Event Center, 951 W. 36th Street North
No one can sing me to sleep with a soulful rendition of “Anymore,” or pull off a full-fledged mullet, quite like my boyfriend Travis. Go bask in the down-home glory this weekend. Tickets are $30.

Ian Moore & the Lossy Coils
When: Saturday, doors at 7pm
Where: Cain's Ballroom, 423 N. Main Street
With his most recent record described by the St. Louis Post Dispatch as, “a progressive pop-rock tour de force,” this songwriter and guitarist looks to bring on the droves. The Televised will open. Tickets are $13.

The Lettermen
When: Saturday, 8pm
Where: Tulsa Community College VanTrease PACE, 10300 E. 81st Street
50 years. 18 gold albums. 10,000 sold out shows. That's Tony Butala, Donovan Tea and Mark Preston, also known as The Lettermen, and they're in Tulsa this very weekend. Celebrate an evening of music while supporting Signature Symphony's educational and music outreach. Tickets are $25-45.

Bob Wiles Benefit Concert
When: Sunday, doors at 4pm
Where: Cain's Ballroom, 423 N. Main Street
Enjoy music at this charity concert by the Red Dirt Rangers (who will be celebrating 20 years together), Tom Skinner Science Project, The Saltines, Neverly Hillbillies, The Round-Up Boys, Joe Baxter, Split Level Rambler and more. It's all free and open to the public, and donations are accepted. Check out the live and silent auctions, too. Proceeds go to help musicians in need.

Great Music, Great Spaces
When: Sunday, 2pm
Where: The Mayo Hotel, 115 W. Fifth Street
Following a commentary on the architecture of this newly renovated downtown jewel, Tulsa Symphony Orchestra Chamber players will perform music of the period that saw the Mayo Hotel through her glory days. Tickets are $20 and are available by calling (918) 596-7109.

University of Tulsa Jazz Band
When: Sunday, 5pm
Where: Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, 111 E. First Street
With a history as a primordial pool of Tulsa music talent, it'd be wise to be in the audience in this concert. You could say you knew them when. Tickets are $15 for general admission seating, $20 each for reserved table seats.


Art and Theatre

Life x 3
When: Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 2pm
Where: Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Charles E. Norman Theatre
As if dinner parties at your home weren't stressful enough, imagine the chaos if your guests showed up a full day early. Yikes! Revel in the mayhem of three distinct tellings of this nerve-wracking scenario. Presented by ORU Theatre Department. Tickets are $15.

The Crucible
When: Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 2pm
Where: Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Liddy Doenges Theatre,
Abigail returns again to turn life in Salem upside down – or, rather, hangs it in the gallows. Presented by Theatre Tulsa. Tickets are $15.

Elektra by Sophocles
When: Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 2pm
Where: Tulsa Community College VanTrease PACE, 10300 E. 81st Street
Looking for a Greek name for your baby? Choose here: Set in the city of Argos a few years after the Trojan war, this tragic play by Sophocles is based around the character of Elektra and the vengeance that she and her brother Orestes take on their mother Clytemnestra and step-father Aegisthus for the murder of their father, Agamemnon. Agamemnon is my personal fave. Tickets are $10.

The Spontaniacs! Improv
When: Friday, 8pm
Where: Nightingale Theater, 1416 E. Fourth Street
If you thought the scary stuff was over with Halloween, think again. The Spontaniacs! Invite you to the Appleton family reunion. Ew – I just got the shivers at the mention of those last two words. Admission is $5.

Crayons Improv Live
When: Friday, 8pm
Where: Agora Coffeehouse, 4959 S. 79th E. Ave.
Don't miss this last Agora show of the year, complete with the full cast. Including Twin-prov from OKC as special guests. Show up early to participate in Live Event Trivia, starting at 7:30pm. Admission is $5.

Second Saturday at Philbrook Museum
When: Saturday, 10:30am-4pm
Where: Philbrook Museum, 2424 S. Rockford Place
Bring the whole family and enjoy hands-on art projects, a scavenger hunt and a family-friendly tour of the museum. Art appreciation class couldn't beat this if it tried.

Born Again Yesterday
When: Sunday, 7pm
Where: The Nightingale Theater, 1416 E. Fourth Street
For anyone who knows the comedian Justin McKean and thinks he's a funny guy, just wait until you see him play 12 different characters, from hardcore Christian fundamentalists to God himself, all in one production. This play is for anyone who can identify with a man recovering from a childhood in a household run by fundamentalists. Tickets are $10.


Sports

Women's Professional Rodeo Association
When: Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 6pm
Where: Expo Square Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex, 4145 E. 21st Street
The group that got its start in 1948 as a group of Texas ranch women who wanted to add a little color and femininity to the rough-and-tumble sport of rodeo is bringing a rodeo to Tulsa of the likes only a modern-day association of more than 2,000 members and $3 million in barrel racing prize money could deliver. Tickets are $15.

Tulsa Gun Show
When: Saturday-Sunday, 8am-6pm
Where: Expo Square QuikTrip Center, 4145 E. 21st Street
When you come to this gun show, you'll see a lot of pointy things and weapons that go boom, not a lot of non-gun related stuff or flea market garbage. Both levels of the QT Center will be filled to the brim with weapons to make your trigger finger hum with anticipation. Admission is $10 for adults, $3 for children under the age of 12.

Oilers v. Rapid City
When: Friday, 7:35pm
Where: BOK Center, 200 N. Denver Ave.
Doors open an hour and a half before the game, so come early and have a bite to eat at one of the many yummy food stops at the BOK Center. Plus, it's ladies night! Ladies get discount tickets, free chair massages and what the Oilers site is calling other special perks. Guys, you have our attention. Tickets are $10-30.

T-Town Showdown
When: Saturday, 8am-10pm
Where: Expo Square Pavilion, 4145 E. 21st Street
If you think football is big in Oklahoma, you've never been to a high school cheerleading competition. This showdown will give the curious a taste of the enthusiasm, with a generous dose of jazz hands. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for children and seniors, and kids under five get in free.

OU v. Texas A&M
When: Saturday, 6pm
Where: Norman

OSU v. Texas Tech
When: Saturday, 7pm
Where: Boone Pickens Stadium

Oilers v. Mississippi
When: Saturday, 7:35pm
Where: BOK Center, 200 N. Denver Ave.
Again, the doors open an hour and a half before the game, so swing in early and grab some sushi, barbeque and even cupcakes. Tickets are $10-30.

TU v. East Carolina
When: Sunday, 7:15pm
Where: Chapman Stadium


Other Stuff

Startup Weekend Tulsa
When: Friday-Sunday
Where: ONEOK Plaza, lower level
Get ready for the greatest attack ever staged by the buzzwords of the business world. Except this time, the attack comes not in the name of the mean guy on The Matrix, but rather for that seed of a business venture idea that's been taking root in the back of your mind. This 54-hour event in the presence of some of the top creative minds in this city could make it sprout. Registration is $75, or enter promo code SWTASHA to get $20 off.

Bead Renaissance Show
When: Friday and Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 10am-5pm
Where: Expo Square Exchange Center, 4149 E. 21st Street
Calling all jewelry makers and bead enthusiasts! This is an Expo Square-sized show of all things that sparkle and shine. Parking is free, and so is admission.

Native American Day at Iron Gate
When: Friday, 8:30am-10:30am
Where: Iron Gate at Trinity, 501 S. Cincinnati Ave.
Chiefs and tribal representatives from Cherokee, Creek and Osage Nations will spend the morning at Iron Gate making that food no one can get enough of: frybread, along with a full Native American menu, all served cafeteria style like the breakfast gods intended. Get around early to attend this most Oklahoman of breakfasts; reports say 600 hungry people showed up last year and that it's likely to be even crazier in 2009.

Cuddle Monster Party
When: Friday, 5pm
Where: Dwelling Spaces, 119 S. Detroit Ave.
Kids all over Tulsa have enjoyed Cuddle Monsters since they made their debut downtown at Dwelling Spaces, and now the family of monsters is growing. What more could you want for a cause for celebration? Snacks and beverages and plenty of good times will be on hand, as will the plushies we Tulsa patriots have grown to know and love.

Literati Indie Book Fair
When: Saturday, 11am-5pm
Where: McBirney Mansion, 1414 S. Galveston Ave.
Calling all readers: Skip the big-box book stores and meet your favorite up-and-coming Oklahoma authors this weekend in one of Tulsa's most treasured historic mansions. Admission is free.

Momma's Book Club

When: Saturday, 11:30am

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

If your kids (or, secretly, you) love Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, head downtown for this third meeting of the book club for the cool kids, which will feature the book. Everyone gets to learn to make pizza dough, a favorite activity for the kiddos, and arts and crafts will be on tap along with the book reading. Plus, parents and kids will get their chance at some excellent door prizes from hip retailers Gaga-a-Gogo, Dwelling Spaces and Shoe Gypsy. The best pizza in town, a good book, cute kids and drool-worthy door prizes? Yes, please.

Fresh Roast Gift Expo with Tulsa Craft Mafia
When: Saturday, 2-7pm
Where: Fresh Roast, 81st and Harvard
One look around at the mall and it's plain to see that it's officially the holiday season, but don't you dare buy another gift card. Get out of that rat race and head to Fresh Roast for a gift boutique from the hands of Tulsa's favorite handy girls, the Tulsa Craft Mafia. Saturday kicks off the opening weekend of this event, which runs through to Santa's launch date to provide your loved ones something they'll actually love this year. Look also for live music, a special TCM coffee blend and craft demos. Keep your eye on Tulsa Craft Mafia and this blog for more news about holiday crafting sessions with the girls.

Autumn Harvest Bistro Dinner at Stone Bluff Cellars
When: Saturday, 5:30pm
Where: Stone Bluff Cellars, 24145 E. 191st Street in Haskell
Make your way to the tasting room for hot artichoke dip and a complimentary glass of wine. Dinner, whipped up by the chefs of Silver Spoon Catering, will be served at 6pm. On the menu is a creamy tomato bisque, chicken in wine sauce, French apple pie and, of course, much more. At $42.50 per plate, this is more than drinks and dinner – this is an experience. Call Stone Bluff for reservations.

PlayDate
When: Saturday, 8pm
Where: Flytrap Music Hall, 514 E. Second Street
What is Play Date? It's an alternative to the typical night out, that's what. There will be drinks, food, music, Hungry, Hungry Hippos and Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots. After all, and as the saying goes, you don't stop playing because you get old; you get old because you stop playing. Admission is $10.

Seeking Sitters Family Fun Fest
When: Saturday, 10am-2pm
Where: Whiteside Park Gymnasium, 4009 S. Pittsburg Ave.
If you've ever been curious about Seeking Sitters, what I like to think of as the grown-up, modern-day, Tulsa-centric version of The Babysitters Club, make sure to be in Midtown Saturday for a chance to get to know the babysitting team. Seeking Sitters will host plenty of entertainment for the kids, including a Jupiter Jump, face painting, prizes and giveaways. Plus, I'll be there hanging out with the fabulous ladies and gents of Ttownmoms. Swing by and say hi.

Antique Glass and Pottery Show and Sale
When: Saturday at 10am-5pm; Sunday, 11am-4pm
Where: Tulsa Convention Center Exhibit Hall A, 100 Civic Center
I don't know about you, but I have a thing for Depression Glass. Downtown is going to be full of it this weekend, thanks to this show. Look for that and a lot more, including linens, postcards, costume jewelry and other small collectibles. Admission $3.50, which is good for both days.

If I Were Going, I Would Go To...
When: Saturday, 11:30am
Where: Tulsa City-County Library locations
Did you know Tulsa has eight sister cities in this world? It's true. This weekend, your kids can explore a few of them with Tulsa's libraries. For Celle, Germany, head to Broken Arrow Library; Beihai, China, will be at Zarrow Regional Library; Kaohsiung, Taiwan, at Rudisill Regional Library; and Amiens, France, at Kendall-Whittier Library. These programs will feature music, food, traditional dress, games and more. These events are free and are all-age appropriate.


Movies

2012
When: Opens Friday
We've all seen the wide-eyed documentaries about the Mayan calendar that predicts an end to the world in 2012. This movie adds Hollywood to make the nightmare complete. Starring my boyfriend John Cusack and Jenny McCarthy's best buddy, Amanda Peet. Rated PG-13.

Pirate Radio
When: Opens Friday
By playing rock 'n roll they were standing up against the British government who did everything in their power to shut them down. This group of eight rogue DJs hopped on a boat in the middle of the North Atlantic and played rock records and broke the law, all for the love of music. Groovy, man. Rated R.

The Cove
When: Opens Friday, 7:30pm
Where: Circle Cinema, 12 S. Lewis Ave.
Using state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists, led by renown dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan, to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health. Rated PG-13.

Sunday Matinee Films at Gilcrease
When: Sunday, 1:30pm
Where: Gilcrease Museum, 1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Road
Catch a back-to-back showing of The Southeastern Indians and Legacy of the Mound Builders. The showing is free with paid museum admission and open to the public.