Category: Oklahoma

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arts Oklahoma Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame performances tulsa Valentine's Day vocal performance

Brenda Johnson and Jeff Shadley headline heartwarming concerts this weekend

Tulsa’s Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame presents two shows this weekend that promises to be a heartfelt one for its attendees.

Brenda Johnson and her jazz Rhapsody Trio will headline the performance at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 at the Jazz Hall, 111 East 1st Street (upper level) in Tulsa, OK. Included is special musical guest vocalist Tavis Minner.  There will be complimentary desserts, roses for the ladies, dancing and sumptuous romantic music. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
On Sunday, Feb. 14, vocalist, trumpeter and band leader Jeff Shadley presents “Big Band, Big Hearts” featuring jazz vocalist and Oklahoma Jazz Hall inductee Olivia Duhon at 5 p.m. at the Jazz Hall.  Tickets are $15 and $10 for seniors and $20 for table seating.
For tickets or more information, call the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame at (918) 281-8600 or go to okjazz.org. Gift shop and concessions are available. All major credit cards are accepted. 
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arts BLAC Inc. classical music Oklahoma Oklahoma City performances vocal performance

Donna Cox opens Carol Brice Series on February 20 in Oklahoma City

Soprano vocalist Donna Cox will open Black Liberated Arts Center Inc.’s (BLAC) 2010 Carol Brice Series at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 at the Douglass High School Auditorium, 900 N. Martin L. King in Oklahoma City, OK.  
Cox is an assistant professor of Voice at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK, where she teaches Applied Voice at the undergraduate and graduate levels. As a pedagogue, she has facilitated vocal master classes in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, North Carolina and New York.  
Cox has performed as the soprano soloist for Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Salome Orchestra and conductor Ken Hakoda in Kansas with Academia Phil harmonica and Chorale.  She has performed the soprano solos in Vivaldi’s “Dixit Dominus,” Haydn’s “Lord Nelson Mass,” “Theresan Messes,” Mozart’s “Requiem,” and Mendelssohn’s “Elijah.” 
In February 2007, she performed with Dave Brubeck in his mass “To Hope” with the Canterbury Choral Society under the direction of Russell Gloyd.  As a recitalist, Cox has performed on numerous university campuses in the United States.  She has also toured extensively throughout Germany, featured in recitals focusing on Mozart opera, oratorio and Lied. 
Cox’s Feb. 20 performance will focus on three African Americans – Robert Owens, Margaret Bonds and John Carter.  Poets Owens and Bonds often compared to none other than poet Langston Hughes.  The music is quite sophisticated with its lush harmonies and unexpected contrast which is an Owens’ trait.  It is also spiritual and includes John Carter’s arrangements as well as Cox’s arrangements.   
The program is supported by the Ad Astra Foundation and the Oklahoma Arts Council.  Tickets are $10 and are on sale at Capitol Square Station, Charlie’s Jazz, Rhythm and Blues Store, KM66 and Learning Tree Toy Store in the Oklahoma City metro area.  For more information or to buy tickets, call BLAC Inc. at (405) 524-3800. 


Donna Cox – Voice from OU School of Music on Vimeo.

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arts Oklahoma Sapulpa Sapulpa Community Theatre theater

Sapulpa Community Theatre presents “Our Town” this weekend

Sapulpa Community Theatre presents “Our Town” at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays on Feb. 5-7, Feb. 12-14, 2010, at the Sapulpa Community Theatre, 124 S Water St., Sapulpa, OK. The production is directed by Harley Cartee and sponsored in part by the George Kaiser Family Foundation.
“Our Town,” written by Thornton Wilder, is about changes that come slowly to a small New Hampshire town in the early 20th century. 
Tickets are $10 adults and $5 for students and children. Attendees who bring a food item for Sapulpa’s Community Care Food Bank (canned or dry packaged) will receive another entry in the drawing for free tickets to the next production “Everybody Loves Opal.”
Sapulpa Community Theatre is funded in part by the Oklahoma Arts Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. Sapulpa Community Theatre is a member of Oklahoma Community Theatre Association, the American Association of Community Theatres, and the Tulsa Area Community Theatre Alliance. 
For more information, call (918) 227-2169 or e-mail stheatre@sbcglobal.net.

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arts auditions Clark Theatre Oklahoma tulsa youth

Clark Youth Theatre to hold auditions for “The Land of the Dragon” on Feb. 6

Clark Youth Theatre will hold auditions for “The Land of the Dragon” by Madge Miller at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010  at Henthorne Park, 4825 S. Quaker, in Tulsa, OK.
Set in a mythical version of ancient China, this is a fantasy of pure princesses, helpful minstrels, evil step-aunts, and of course, dragons. “Land of the Dragon” offers our younger actors their chance to shine onstage. Anyone 14 and younger is welcome to audition. The show is directed by Genie Reiman.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. April 8-10 and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 11. For more information or reservations, call 746-5065 or go to www.clarktheatre.com.
Clark Theatre is a youth theater program and is part of the City of Tulsa Park and Recreation Department. Clark Theatre won the Tulsa Area Theatre Excellence award for Outstanding Youth Production for 2009. 

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arts comedy Heller Theatre Oklahoma tulsa

Laughter abounds at Heller Adult and Teen Laughing Matter Improv on Feb. 5-6

What happens at an Adult and Teen Laughing Matter Improv show? It is interactive theatre with audience participation — in fact, it’s the audience who makes the performance happen. Improvisation is theatre of the moment, and the moment is always something to laugh at. If you like “Whose Line is it Anyway?” or “Second City,”you’ll love Tulsa’s version.
Show time is 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door.
The Clark Teen Laughing Matter Improv is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 at the same location. Tickets are also $5.
Heller Theatre and Clark Theatre are both at Henthorne Park at 4825 S. Quaker, in Tulsa, OK. For more information, call (918) 746-5065 or go to www.hellertheatre.com or www.clarktheatre.com.

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arts Broken Arrow Broken Arrow Community Playhouse Oklahoma romance theater theatre Valentine's Day

Broken Arrow Community Playhouse Presents “Bus Stop”

The Broken Arrow Community Playhouse (BACP) presents William Inge’s romantic comedy “Bus Stop” at 8 p.m. Feb. 5-6, 11-13, and at 2 p.m. Feb. 14 at The Main Place at 1800 S. Main in downtown Broken Arrow.
The production is directed by Bob Papisan. According to a news release, this is Papisan’s directorial debut at the BACP. He previously directed several shows for the Kansas City Community Theatre. The “Bus Stop” cast consists of Sheila Alley, Ken Calkins, Samantha Smith, Sydney Rick, Terry Michael, Richard Perceful and John Hansen.
When William Inge’s play, “Bus Stop,” opened on Broadway March 2, 1955, it was an immediate commercial and critical success. Based on Inge’s earlier one-act play, “People in the Wind,” “Bus Stop“ involves a pair of young lovers and their struggle to find love in the modern world. It’s cold and snowy, the roads are closed and a bus can’t get through. The passengers must spend the night in a Kansas diner entertaining themselves as best they can. Flirtations and romances bloom. All roads are blocked, and four weary travelers have to take refuge until morning. Cherie, a nightclub singer, has the most to worry about. She’s being pursued by a young cowboy with all the romantic finesse of a rodeo bull. The belligerent cowhand is right behind her, ready to sling her over his shoulder and carry her, alive and kicking, all the way to Montana. As a counterpoint to the main romance, the proprietor of the cafe and the bus driver at last find time to develop a friendship of their own; a middle-age scholar comes to terms with himself; and a young girl who works in the cafe also gets her first taste of romance.
Ticket prices are $13 for adults, $10 for seniors, $9 for students, and $6 for children 12 and younger. For more information, go to www.bacptheatre.com. Reservations may be made by calling the BACP box office at (918) 258-0077.
Produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service Inc., the production is made possible in part by grants from the Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Broken Arrow Community Playhouse is a member of the Oklahoma Community Theatre Association and the Tulsa Area Community Theatre Association.

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arts Bartlesville benefit concert contemporary jazz jazz music Oklahoma United States Westside Community Center

Westside Community Center presents “All That Jazz” on Feb. 20 in Bartlesville

Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame inductee and Tulsa saxophonist Grady Nichols will perform at the Westside Community Center’s annual fundraiser “All That Jazz” at 8 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Hillcrest County Club, 1901 Price Road in Bartlesville, OK. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for dinner.
Nichols, best known for several CD releases including “Sophistication” and “Take Me with You,” presents a kaleidoscope of  smooth jazz, pop, adult contemporary and even a dance mix. “My influences are so varied and I try to reflect that in my music,” Nichols said. “As I’ve matured as a songwriter, that growth has allowed me to infuse more of myself into each record. Using this mixture of flavors has helped me to create a sound with widespread audience appeal. As a result, you’ll see people of all ages at my shows.”  
Nichols has collaborated with notable artists such as Grammy nominated producer and keyboardist Jeff Lorber, trumpeter Chris Botti, guitarist Paul Pesco, the late  bass guitarist Wayman Tisdale, producer Zac Maloy and Grammy nominated songwriter Toni Estes.
“All That Jazz” features Cajun-style cuisine and opening entertainment by the Bartlesville High School Jazz Band. A cash-bar is available, and door prizes (1 ticket per admission) will be given away.
Tickets are $100 and must be purchased in advance by calling the Westside Community Center at (918) 336-6760. Proceeds from “All That Jazz” benefit local community programs at the Westside Community Center, a United Way agency since 1951.

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arts concert jazz music Oklahoma Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame tulsa

New Concert Date: Pam Crosby swings the classics at the Jazz Depot on March 28

Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Pam Crosby will be singing well-known standards from the 1920s to the 1990s at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31 at the Jazz Hall, 111 E 1st St. (upper level) in Tulsa, OK.
Crosby, who is considered one of Tulsa’s music treasures, will present special musical arrangements in her own swinging style. She will be accompanied by a trio of top-notch jazz musicians – pianist Scott McQuade, bassist Bill Crosby and drummer Anthony Yohe. 
Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, college students and Jazz Hall members, and $5 for students.  Attendees may also reserve a seat for $20 per person at one of the front tables. For tickets or more information, call Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame at (918) 281-8600 or go online to okjazz.org. Gift shop and concessions are available. All major credit cards are accepted.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to weather conditions, concert has been postponed to March 28.

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concert jazz music Oklahoma Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame tulsa

Annie Ellicott and Nathan Fifield to open jazz concert series in Tulsa

Tulsa jazz singer Annie Ellicott and composer/pianist Nathan Fifield opens the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame’s concert series on Sunday, Jan. 24. The duo will present songs from their new CD release “Something Tells Me,” a compilation of music composed by Joseph and Nathan Fifield, two brothers who grew up in Idaho and later lived together in New York City.  Joseph died tragically in 2006 in the Utah Mountains at age 27. 
The performance is at 5 p.m. at the Jazz Depot, First and Cincinnati (upper level). Doors open at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 adults, $10 seniors, college students and Jazz Hall members; $5 for youth over 12 years old. For tickets, contact the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame at (918) 281-8600 or purchase online at myticketoffice.com. 


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arts Oklahoma theater Theatre Tulsa tulsa

Theatre Tulsa presents British farce “What the Butler Saw”

Theatre Tulsa production “What the Butler Saw” by Joe Orton is a British farce that focuses on the antics of Dr. Prentice, a psychiatrist who believes that the best way to interview a girl for a job is to seduce her. The production is directed by Jim Queen and is recommended for mature audiences only.
Geraldine does her best to comply, but nothing is going to work smoothly in this nut house that includes Mrs. Prentice, a nymphomaniac who is seduced by a bellhop in a hotel (or is it the other way around?). What follows is a wild melee of disappearances, disguises and discoveries as husband and wife try to hide their prizes from one another and from the state inspector.
Performances are at 8 p.m. January 8-9, 14-16 and at 2 and 8 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Liddy Doenges Theatre, Tulsa PAC, located at 110 E. 2nd St. in downtown Tulsa. For tickets, call the PAC box office at (918) 596-7111 or Theatre Tulsa at (918) 587-8402.
Theatre Tulsa is the 2009 TATE award recipient and a proud member of the American Association fo Community Theatre, Oklahoma Community Theatre Alliance, The Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa, and the Tulsa Area Community Theatre Alliance.