What's Up in the 405

La Sylphide

Friday-Sunday, Feb. 22-24

It doesn’t get more classic than this: one of the world’s oldest surviving ballets is coming to the Civic Center stage, as the OKC Ballet stages the otherworldly love story “La Sylphide,” with the OKC Philharmonic assisting on the Loveskiold score. It’s also the end of an era, as this will be the final stage performance of longtime star and Principal Dancer Miki Kawamura.

OKC Civic Center, 201 N Walker, OKC, okcballet.com

Oklahoma Is Black

Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 21-May 19

February is Black History Month, but contemplating the past doesn’t mean we should take our eyes off the present and future. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center is ending its tenure at its current facility with a bang, thanks to the large-scale portraits, quotes and video interviews with marginalized residents of OKC’s northeast side that fill this new project by internationally recognized artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh. It’s not for the complacent.

Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing, OKC, 951.0000, oklahomacontemporary.org

Cendrillon

Friday-Sunday, Feb. 22-24

See if this sounds familiar: A young girl patiently, even cheerfully, spends her days doing household drudgery while being treated like dirt by her stepfamily, until her fairy godmother gives her a magic trip to the ball, where she wins the heart of the prince and eventually – shoe shenanigans aside – lives happily ever after. But turn this classic tale into an opera courtesy of Jules Massenet’s music, and the results are fresh, new and captivating.

OCU Kirkpatrick Center, 2501 N Blackwelder, OKC, 208.5227, okcu.edu

Mardi Gras Ball

Saturday, Feb. 23

The fifth annual fundraising bash for Paseo project SixTwelve is a killer way to let some good times roll – with a ton of delicious food and Cajun spice from Picasso Cafe and sweet dance-inducing music provided by the fabulous Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, the party should be a delight. Especially considering that proceeds go toward funding the continued community building efforts of the sustainable local living enclave and school. SixTwelve is about sharing tools to build a better OKC; this is a great way to share resources with them.

Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, OKC, sixtwelve.org

Oscar Party

Sunday, Feb. 24

A simple celebration among friends that started growing and hasn’t stopped yet, this soiree founded by the trio of Charlie Monnot, Kym Koch and Kevin Winsell remains a fun way to celebrate the greatest achievements in the cinematic arts. This year, the trio has partnered with CityRep Theatre for an evening of glitz, glamour and Oscar goodness at Rococo Northpark, and you’re invited. Dress for the red carpet, and do your research – guests can join trivia contests, guess Oscar winners for prizes and bid on silent auction items. The spotlight awaits!

Rococo Northpark, 12252 N May, OKC, cityrep.com

KISS

Tuesday, Feb. 26

Once all they wanted was to rock and roll all night and party every day – well, and some other stuff; they did have a song called “Love Gun,” after all – but hard as it is to believe, after 47 years, KISS is actually calling it quits on The End of the Road World Tour. Gene Simmons as the demon, spitting blood and fire; Paul Stanley as the lover and front man, known for his outrageous stage banter; Ace Frehley as a guitar player from another galaxy; drummer Peter Criss as the catman … the songs that put them in the pantheon of powerhouse rock and the presence that made their live shows the stuff of legend, back in OKC for one final time. Don’t miss out.

Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W Reno, OKC, 602.8700, chesapeakearena.com