Category: Oklahoma

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arts Oklahoma performances theater tulsa Tulsa Spotlight Theatre United States

It’s all about “Little Women” at Tulsa Spotlight Theatre

The Tulsa Spotlight Theatre, 1381 Riverside Drive in Tulsa, OK, presents “Little Women”  April 23-25 and April 29-May 2. Thursday and Friday performances are at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday performances are at 2:00 p.m.
The audience will view this timeless and enduring classic about the March sisters’ journey from childhood to maturity during the American Civil War. Audiences of all generations will enjoy acquainting — or reacquainting — themselves with the sisters: Meg, the eldest; Jo, the high-spirited tomboy; Amy, the self-centered beauty; and gentle Beth, as well as their beloved Marmee and Father. Together the March family learns to endure both good times and bad as they share the joys and pains of growing up. Interlaced with warmth, family loyalty and traditional values, all these important events provide the audience with a better understanding of their lives. 
Admission is $8-$10. For reservations, call the Spotlight Theatre box office at (918) 587-5030.

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arts blues dance jazz Latin music Oklahoma Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame tulsa

The Zuits return on Friday, April 23, 2010, to the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame

Tulsa’s jazz, Latin and Blues ensemble The Zuits will return at 7 p.m. Friday, April 23, 2010, to the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame‘s Depot, 111 E. First Street (Upper Level) in Tulsa, OK. Dance lessons start at 7 p.m., and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. 
For more information, call (918) 281-8600. Participants may also buy tickets at the door, which will open at 6:30 p.m.
The extra large dance floor will be rolled out, so participants need to wear dancing shoes and come enjoy the ensemble!  
 

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arts BareBones International Independent Film and Music Festival festivals movies Muskogee Oklahoma United States world

BareBones International Film and Music Festival continues through April 25, 2010, in Muskogee, OK

The 11th annual BareBones International Independent Film and Music Festival, is setting an historical milestone as it continues through to April 25, 2010, in Muskogee OK. The 11-day festival has welcomed its 1,000 independent film producer to Oklahoma. 
According to a news release, no other Oklahoma film festival comes close to that record.
The grassroots cultural festival, inaugurated in 1999,  has seen steady growth in attendance and quality of films despite its aversion to court major studios and celebrities. 
“We have nothing against Hollywood stars or movies, we have just chosen to focus our attention on the next generation of stars and star makers, and on helping to grow independent film makers in the state as we help to grow the industry here,” said ShIronbutterfly Ray, executive director and founder of the film festival in a news release.
While the festival is well-attended by working actors, directors, cinematographers and screenwriters from both coasts, it typically hosts film makers from all over the world who are making their first foray into moviemaking. “Some of the film makers have been in the industry for years as actors, or screenwriters, or stunt people, or cinematographers who decided they wanted to take their engagement in the industry to the next level and then others are novices or students who had an idea for a movie and decided they would make it, pretty much by any means necessary,” said Oscar Ray, festival marketing director and independent film producer. 
The festival will exhibit more than 170 films from 35 cities and 13 foreign countries, conduct workshops on acting, screenwriting and independent motion picture production while welcoming to Oklahoma and Muskogee more than 200 actors, screenwriters, directors and producers. The event is open to the public, and advanced tickets can be purchased online. For more information, go to www.barebonesfilmfestivals.org.
Even without courting celebrities, many have attended the festival and have shared in impromptu settings their wisdom and knowledge about the industry and moviemaking. Oklahoman Ryan Merriman (“Final Destination II,” “Lonesome Dove, “Comanche Moon”), Tonya York of York International, along with television producers, soap stars and successful screenwriters have given a nod to this one-of-a-kind film showcasing event. The festival has been twice named by Movie Maker magazine as one of the “top 20 film festivals in the U.S. to attend.”

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arts Cushing Cushing Community Theatre Oklahoma performances United States

Cushing Community Theatre continues “The Turn of the Worm” production

Cushing Community Theatre, 105 E. Broadway, Cushing, OK, presents “the Turn of the Worm”  with dinner performances at 6:30 p.m. April 16-17, 2010 and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 18, 2010, matinee (no dinner is included at this performance).
The production is written by George Tubbles and directed by Sandra Williams. Cast members of “The Turn of the Worm” are Lucy Robinson, Ethelee Seeberger, John Alcorn, Zach Amon and Krystal Hutchko.
 “The Turn of the Worm” is the story of elderly Italian sisters share an apartment and speak to each other only on Easter, Christmas and shopping days. This play turns into an experiment in love and understanding. It bristles with humor as lessons are learned by all. It’s tempered with thought-provoking content. It’s poignant, funny and suitable for all ages.
Tickets for the dinner performances are $25 per person (or $192 for a table of 8) and $12 at the door or $10 in advance for the Sunday matinee performance. Sponsors are the Oklahoma Arts Council and Escott’s Foods. For more information, go to www.cushingcommunitytheatre.com or call (918) 225-4141.

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arts BLAC Inc. Black Liberated Arts Center Inc. Geoffrey Canada Oklahoma Oklahoma City United States youth

Child advocate Geoffrey Canada to speak on April 28 in Oklahoma City

Anita G. Arnold, executive director of Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC), Inc., has announced that Geoffrey Canada, nationally known child advocate who founded Harlem Children’s Zone will speak from 1 to 3 p.m. April 28 at the Petroleum Club, 4040 N. Lincoln Blvd. 2nd floor, in Oklahoma City. Tickets are $40.  No tickets will be sold at the door, and seating is limited.  
Canada is known for helping impoverished, at-risk youth beat the odds.  Canada’s programs are on the cutting edge of preventing youth violence and fostering community development.  He transformed a 24-block area in Harlem, NY, and developed a network of services that has helped  more than 10,000 children.  
 The 2010 Brock Prize Laureate was presented a $40,000 award for excellence in education by Oklahoma University President David Boren and Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis at Tulsa University.  Canada is also a recipient of the Heinz Award which carries a $250,000 prize.  Canada has appeared on numerous television shows including “60 Minutes” and “The Colbert Report.”  He is also seen in an American Express television commercial that speaks of his ground-breaking work. 
Arnold said in a news release, “Oklahoma City is fortunate to have Mr. Canada come to share his experiences.  Anyone who is serious about changing the lives of children and profoundly changing communities should be there.  There is no one in America more qualified to address the issues of America’s children.  Mr. Canada knows what he is talking about.  He has lived it, written about it, inspired children and showed them how to succeed using his resources for their good.  We need to listen.”
BLAC, Inc., Enid Public Schools, Mid-Del Schools and Oklahoma City Public Schools will host the event.  For more information, call BLAC, Inc. at (405) 524-3800.   

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arts Oklahoma performances poetry Shades of Brown Coffee and Art tulsa United States

Like poetry? Then go to Shades of Brown Coffee and Art for some verses tonight


Got any plans for (tonight) April 9th? Come to Shades of Brown Coffee and Art, located at the corner of 33rd Street and Peoria Avenue in Tulsa, OK, at 8 p.m. to see Ithica‘s band member Damion Shade and Mercy Gallagher Teague throw down against the forces of spending a Friday night  … not listening to awesome poetry. Side note: It is a music/arts performance.  😀 For more information, call (918) 747-3000.

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arts Oklahoma Sapulpa Sapulpa Community Theatre theatre

“Everybody Loves Opal” begins April 9 at Sapulpa Community Theatre

Sapulpa Community Theatre presents “Everybody Loves Opal” on April 9-11 and 16-18, 2010. Evening performances are at 8 p.m. and matinee performances are at 2 p.m. The theatre opens 30 minutes before show time. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children and students.
“Everyone Loves Opal” is about Opal Kronkie, a middle-age recluse lives in a decaying mansion at the edge of the municipal dump. The general chaos of her home is aggravated by the fact that Opal collects things – anything that can be toted home in her little red wagon. Opal is also an optimist, for no matter how mean her friends, Opal responds with kindness and faith in the goodness of human nature.
Into her rather strange world come three purveyors of bogus perfume on the lam from the cops. Opal’s menage is the perfect hideout, and she might be the remedy for their shattered finances. Attempted murder wouldn’t seem to be funny, but here it is uproarious. The unsavory trio try to drug her and set the house on fire, and a plan for a hit-and-run accident backfires. Through it all, Opal radiates kindness, affection and strangely enough, gratitude. But the real clincher comes at the end when …
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 Black Liberated Arts Center Inc. Charlie Christian charlie christian international jazz festival contemporary jazz festivals jazz Najee Oklahoma Oklahoma City

25th annual Charlie Christian International Music Festival to convene June 1-6 in Oklahoma City

Black Liberated Arts Center Inc. announced this week that the 25th annual Charlie Christian International Music Festival will be held June 1-6, 2010, in Oklahoma City. This popular event will be held at several downtown venues.
 The Charlie Christian International Music Festival is the center piece of Oklahoma’s rich music history that produced international personalities Charlie Christian, father of Bebop; jazz and blues singer Jimmy Rushing; the Blue Devils, famous Territorial Band and Ralph Ellison, the voice of jazz music.
Urban contemporary jazz artist Najee and other well-known music acts (yet to be announced) will be the headliners for this year’s festival. There are more than 12 jazz, blues, gospel, rhythm & blues bands from Europe and the United States features in this year’s festival.
The Charlie Christian International Music Festival has featured music greats such as Regina Carter, the late Isaac Hayes, Branford Marsalis, the late Claude “Fiddler” Williams, Jay McShann and Little Milton; George Benson, Kirk Whalum and many others. Over the past 24 years, more than 500,000 people have danced to the music, snapped their fingers, and had a ball at the indoor and outdoor activities of the festival.
 For more information, call (405) 524-3800 or e-mail blac37inc@yahoo.com.

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contemporary jazz Gianna Welling jazz Oklahoma Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame tulsa

Check out Gianna Welling with Charlie Redd and Full Flava Kings today at Jazz Depot

Rising smooth jazz recording artist Gianna Welling, along with Charlie Redd and Full Flava Kings will perform in concert at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, 2010, at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame‘s Jazz Depot, 111 E. First Street, in Tulsa, OK. Tickets at the door are $15.
Welling’s vocal style is a mix of smooth jazz,  R&B and soul.  Her first album is a critical success, and she is already at work on her second one. Look for her on United Kingdom-based Expansion Records label. Welling is a Tulsa native and graduate of Booker T. Washington High School. 
The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame is located on 1st Street between Cincinnati and South Boston Avenue in downtown Tulsa. For more information, call (918) 281-8600.

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arts Beauty and the Beast Muskogee Little Theatre Oklahoma performances youth

Muskogee Little Theatre presents Disney’s “Beauty and The Beast” in April

“Disney’s “Beauty and The Beast” is presented by Muskogee Little Theatre at 8 p.m. April 8-9, 1 and 8 p.m. April 10, 2 p.m. April 11 and April 18.
This stage version includes all of the songs written by Alan Menkin and the late Howard Ashman along with new songs by Menkin and Tim Rice. The audience is transported to the heart of provincial life in a lovely French town.
When Maurice becomes lost in the woods on the way to the fair, he seeks shelter in an old castle, but the master of the castle is a horrible beast that takes him captive. Maurice’s daughter, Belle, must then give up her freedom to save his life. Belle’s taming of the unfortunate Beast and his ultimate transformation back into a handsome prince has enthralled Braodway audiences for over 13 years. 
“Disney’s Beauty and The Beast” is sponsored by Bank of Oklahoma and with the assistance of the Oklahoma Arts Council. Advance tickets are on sale at Soundworld, 123 E. Okmulgee, Muskogee. Soundworld’s phone number is (918) 683-4901. Tickets may be available at the theatre box-office 1 hour prior to curtain ONLY if the shows are not sold-out. Adult tickets are $14 and student tickets are $10.
For more information, go to www.muskogeelittletheatre.com.