It’s a big, busy metro out there – if you can’t make it to everything, here’s where to start.
Juicy Fruit
August 9 – September 14, MAINSITE Contemporary Art Gallery
Skip Hill has lived in Texas, Mexico, Thailand, the Netherlands; gradually absorbing a span of multicultural influences into his art. Recent time in Brazil proves ripe for symbolic inspiration via avian motifs in his new collage exhibit, “Under the Mango Tree.” And thanks to his current status as de facto artist in residence, visitors can watch as he creates fresh interactive journeys.
How Dry I Am
August 1-4, Sooner Theater
You think Oklahoma is parched? The desperate denizens of this sad little burg are mired in a 20-year drought, and in such dire straits (which are now just ditches) that private toilets are outlawed and they have to give a fee to take a … micturition. Relief may take the form of one man dedicated to flushing out corruption in “Urine-town the Musical.”
Homeward Bound
August 3-18, Fallbrook
It’s not your house yet … but it could be. Constructed with care by TimberCraft and with an estimated value of $425,000, the St. Jude Dream Home in Edmond will become someone’s new address after an August 22 drawing. Before then, buy a ticket for $100, take a weekend tour to explore its amenities and register free for a furniture shopping spree.
You’ve Got Another Think Comin’
August 8, Oklahoma History Center
What poet wrote “Ozymandias”? When was the Battle of Puebla? Who shot Mr. Burns? Join hundreds of knowledge buffs in having a great time for a good cause at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s 7th annual Smarty Pants Trivia Night – the good-natured showdown offers hors d’oeuvres, adult beverages, prizes and the opportunity to prove whose brains have the most brawn.
Starman
August 10, OKC Civic Center
Bruno Mars is a singer: He won a Best Male Pop Vocal Performance Grammy for “Just the Way You Are.” He’s a songwriter: He wrote “The Lazy Song” and co-penned Justin Beiber’s “Love Me” and that Cee-Lo track we can’t name here. He also plays drums, guitar, piano, bass, harmonica … catch this stop on the Moonshine Jungle World Tour, and be entertained.
In the Evening
August 23-24, Lions Park
All are welcome (except Helios) at one of Norman’s most fantastic annual arts events, the nocturnal conclave of talent called the Midsummer Nights’ Fair. Two stages of musicians entertain while guests roam through the gloaming, browsing a “town square” of more than two dozen local potters, painters, jewelers, woodworkers and more selected by the Firehouse Art Center.
Fantastic Voyage
August 24, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
It’s a sweet trip for the taste buds as 15 outstanding restaurants pair their wares with wines and sugary treats at the Tour de Palate; this sixth edition of the annual event honors Johnathan Russell and raises funds to fight leukemia and blood cancers in an evening of food, dancing, auctions and moving music by Stephen Salewon.
How Great Thou Art
August 24 – November 17, OKC Museum of Art
Many of the most exquisite artistic creations wrought by mankind came from the cultural centers of Italy, and many of those masterpieces will soon be found in Oklahoma City. The traveling exhibition “Of Heaven and Earth” mines the treasure troves of Glasgow Museums to showcase 500 years of Italian painting, featuring Bellini, Botticelli, Titian and more. Gloria in Excelsis!
Night Moves
August 30, 815 N Hudson Ave
One evening the corner of N.W. 8th Street and Hudson Avenue is just another intersection, the next it’s an enthusiastically energetic street festival. After sundown, the H&8th Night Market hums with life thanks to Elemental Coffee, live music, beer from COOP Ale Works and a mini-fleet of food trucks, plus the hordes pedestrians happily enjoying the Midtown neighborhood party.
Fire Your Guns
August 31, Owen Field
Let the RUF/NEKS sound their cannons and the schooner hurtle through its orbit – it’s football time in Oklahoma! The Sooners are a young team without a proven leader at quarterback, in a conference that seems to get tougher every year. But this is OU, so expectations are sky-high as they kick off the season against Louisiana-Monroe.
