What's Up in the 405

Festival of the Arts

Tuesday-Sunday, Apr. 23-28

Arts Council OKC’s blockbuster showcase of creativity brings together work from more than 150 painters, sculptors, photographers and more (chosen from more than 500 applicants) to dazzle the eyes … and that’s only the beginning. “In addition to the visual artists, hundreds more performers provide dance, music, mime, theater and other offerings,” says Executive Director Peter Dolese. “Thousands of children are offered special arts experiences. Besides being the Arts Council’s primary funding source, 30 other non-profit cultural agencies earn funds through participation in the food area.”

And the food is an attraction itself; from the ever-popular Strawberries Newport to international treats, a variety of Oklahoma City’s finest restaurants have booths at the festival.

“Around 750,000 people attend each year,” Dolese says. “It takes 5,000 volunteers with 144 artists, 228 performances and 30 food vendors. Since 1967, the Festival of the Arts has been Oklahoma City’s annual rite of spring.” The time has come once again to share and enjoy.

Bicentennial Park, 500 Couch, OKC, 270.4848, artscouncilokc.com

Bright Star

Through Sunday, Apr. 28

Wit, warmth and charm – and a delightful bluegrass-infused soundtrack – thanks to the creative duo of Steve Martin and Edit Brickell; winning performances from stars Bligh Voth, Michael Isaac and Ken Singleton and Jonathan Beck Reed; Lyric Theatre’s rendition of this story of love lost and found and always present is an emotionally rewarding journey through the South of the ’20s and ’40s, and one that will remain with audiences into the future.

Lyric’s Plaza Theatre, 1727 NW 16th, OKC, 524.9312, lyrictheatreokc.com

Foreigner

Friday, Apr. 19

As one of the best-selling bands of all time with 80 million-plus records sold, you could call them jukebox heroes even if that weren’t one of their songs. Mick Jones and crew – including lead vocalist Kelly Hansen – are bringing their decades of rock-and-roll mastery to what’s almost certain to be a sold-out show.

Riverwind Casino, 1544 Hwy 9, Norman, 322.6000, riverwind.com

Visionaries

Friday-Saturday, Apr. 19-20

The OKC Ballet performance season is coming to an end, but they’re going out in spectacular style, packing three exceptional performances into one show. The triple bill begins with a company premiere of Robert Joffrey’s Pas de Deesses (Dance of the Goddesses), which is basically an extremely elegant dance-off among three star ballerinas from more than a century ago; it continues with the legendary George Balanchine’s interpretation of medieval natural philosophy in The Four Temperaments; then concludes with a dazzling world premiere piece by cutting-edge choreographer Cayetano Soto Ramirez. Taken collectively, they will definitely be a performance to remember.

OKC Civic Center, 201 N Walker, OKC, 848.8637, okcballet.org

Purple Reign

Saturday, Apr. 20

The world seems a slightly poorer place without The Purple One in it, but those of us left on this plane of existence are trying to make our way the best we can – and sometimes that means going crazy with top-tier Prince tribute artists. Jason Tenner stars in this high-energy, exceptionally seamless salute to Prince and his music, winning renown from coast to coast and coming to Shawnee to party like it’s. … well, you know what time it is.

Grand Casino, 777 Grand Casino, Shawnee, 964.7263, grandresortok.com

Energy FC vs. OC

Saturday, Apr. 20

The last couple of matches have been heartbreakers for the men in green, as they’ve been stuck on neutral in the USL standings while other teams climb the ladder. But the season’s young, they’re back in the friendly and noisy atmosphere of the venerable Taft Stadium and their opponent du jour, the Orange County SC, is only a point ahead of them in the standings – time to get fired up and claim all three points for OKC.

Taft Stadium, 2501 N May, OKC, 235.5425, energyfc.com