The Charlie Christian International Music Festival will feature national artists Joe McBride, Najee, and Kirk Whalum in concert at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on Friday and Saturday nights, June 7 and 8 in Oklahoma City. They will be joined by All Funk Radio Show from Dallas, TX, and Grady Nichols from Tulsa. Also feature in the lineup are Matt Stansberry & The Romance and the Robert Banks & Classic Edge.
Gates will open at 6 p.m. Friday, June 7, and the show starts at 7 p.m. On Saturday, June 8, gates open at 3:30 p.m. and the final concert of the week begins 4:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased online at the festival website, www.charliechristianmusicfestival.com or www.okcredhawks.com. For more information, call Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC) Inc. at (405) 524-3800. According to Mark Temple, festival chairman, tickets may be purchased at the following Oklahoma City outlets: Charlie’s Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Store, Hopkins HairCare and Learning Tree Toys and Books.
The festival runs June 4-8 and has three free events associated with it. The opening event, “Ralph Ellison Understood Through Charlie Christian,” will beat 7 p.m. June 4 at the Oklahoma History Center. Music will be provided by TaylorMadeJazz. This event is free and funded in part by the Oklahoma Humanities (OHS) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Other funding is provided by the Oklahoma Arts Council, Friends of the Oklahoma City/County Historical Society Archives, Friends of the Oklahoma City/County Historical Society and BancFirst.
Wednesday, June 5 is the date for the Jam Session at Woody’s Sport Bar and Grill at 7 p.m. Musicians are admitted free, and general admission is $5. The Battle of the Bands between Shortt Dogg and the 411 Band takes place on Thursday, June 6 in Lower Bricktown, on the Lower Bricktown Plaza and is presented by Chevy Music Showcase. Deep Deuce’s Urban Roots is the place on Saturday, June 7 for a delicious brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with music by “Miss Muffy” & Friends and stories of Deep Deuce told by Anita Arnold, author, “Oklahoma City Music: Deep Deuce and Beyond. This family friendly event will feature non-food and arts and crafts vendors.