Variety of entertainers to perform at Opening Night 2012, downtown Oklahoma City’s New Year’s Eve party
OKC Improv will perform at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art's auditorium at 7, 8, 9 and 10 p.m. Saturday during Opening Night 2012.
From Wednesday’s The Oklahoman.
The Arts Council of Oklahoma City will send in the clowns — along with an Elvis impersonator, a roller derby squad and a Hank Williams tribute band — Saturday night at its annual New Year’s Eve celebration.
As usual, Opening Night 2012 will transform downtown Oklahoma City into a sprawling variety show, bringing together dancers, magicians and musicians of practically every genre. The alcohol-free, family-friendly will assemble 40 performers in eight different venues, with the festivities starting at 7 p.m. Saturday.
“It’s been so much fun. I’ve really enjoyed getting to work with all the performers and artists that we have for the event,” said Christina Foss, the Arts Council of Oklahoma City’s projects director, who is working on her first Opening Night. “I’ve had a wonderful time already. It’s busy and hectic and crazy, but it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Party-goers can enter every venue Saturday with an Opening Night wristband, which are $8 in advance or $10 at the event. Children younger than 5 are admitted for free.
Wristbands are available at 7-Eleven stores, metro-area Homeland stores, MidFirst Bank locations, Science Museum Oklahoma or at the event.
After making their debut at Opening Night 2011, the performers with OKC Improv are moving up to a bigger venue this year.
“After our sellout shows at the downtown library auditorium last year, the Arts Council has moved us to OKC Museum of Art auditorium, which can fit twice as many people,” said Eric Webb, OKC Improv co-founder and co-producer. “So we’re very excited about that.”
The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is a new venue for Opening Night. Along with the improvisers, the museum will close two special exhibitions, celebrate the grand reopening of its Dale Chihuly glass art collection and host two jazz bands Saturday on New Year’s Eve.
“Additionally, this is the first time OKC Improv has performed in our theater. We look forward to the fun,” said Leslie Spears, the museum’s communications coordinator.
For the first time in the event’s 25-year history, the Opening Night finale will be staged in the Myriad Botanical Gardens, which reopened earlier this year after undergoing an extensive overhaul. The finale previously took place in Kerr Park.
Along with live music from Smilin’ Vic and the Soul Monkeys, the finale will feature the ceremonial ascension of the massive mirrored ball, a countdown to midnight and a colorful fireworks display.
About 60,000 people rang in 2011 at last year’s Opening Night.
GOING ON
Opening Night 2012
When: 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday.
Where: Eight venues downtown.
Information: 270-4848 or www.artscouncilokc.com.
-BAM
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