Weekend Warmup for Nov. 20-22, 2009

Wanda Jackson (Associated Press photo)
Here is a list of events happening around Oklahoma today-Sunday (Nov. 20-22, 2009). For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
- Hear Wanda Jackson, Brian Dunning and the Rock & Roll Trio Saturday at the 50th anniversary celebration for 66 Bowl, 3810 NW 39 Expressway. The party goes on from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, 59 cent specials on bowling, shoes, hot dogs, soft drinks. Doors reopen at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. concert. Information: 946-3966.
- Take in hands-on art activities, face painting, live performances from the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and more at the Fall Family Festival celebrating the special exhibit “The Dutch Italianates” from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive. Information: 236-3100 or www.okcmoa.com.
- Watch the musical “Little House on the Prairie,” presented by Celebrity Attractions, at 8 tonight, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker. Information: (800) 869-1451 or www.celebrityattractions.com.

Hinder
- MIAMI – Hear Oklahoma City rockers Hinder at 8 p.m. Saturday at Buffalo Run Casino. Information: www.ticketstorm.com.
- THACKERVILLE – Laugh along with Ron White at 9 tonight at WinStar World Casino. Then, hear Lyle Lovett at 8 p.m. Saturday at WinStar. Information: www.winstarworldcasino.com.
NORMAN — Listen the Gin Blossoms at 8 tonight at Riverwind Casino, 1544 W State Highway 9. Information: 322-6464 or www.riverwind.com.
- Hear Austin, Texas-based singer-songwriter Michael Fracasso at 9 tonight at the Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley. Information: 524-0738 or www.bluedoorokc.com.

“Raiders of the Lost Ark”
- NORMAN — Learn more about the state’s winter birds and build a birdfeeder from 6 to 8:30 tonight during Family Night Out at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401 Chautauqua Ave. At 8:30, the museum’s Movie Night will play “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Information: 325-4712 or www.snomnh.ou.edu.
- Share tales of “Sibling Rivalry” at OKC StorySlam’s monthly story slam tonight at Istvan Gallery, 1218 N Western Ave. Registration starts at 7 p.m., and storytelling begins at 7:30. Information: www.istvangallery.com or okcstoryslam@yahoo.com.
- Hear No Justice with Kyle Bennett Band at 10 tonight at the Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan. Or listen to Kevin Fowler with Kevin Pickett and Southern Rain at 10 p.m. Saturday at the Wormy Dog. Information: www.wormydog.com.

Gary Vaynerchuk
- Listen to social media sommelier Gary Vaynerchuk and sample gourmet food and drink at OK Crush It at 8 tonight at Will Rogers Theater, 4322 N Western. Information: www.okcrushit.com.
- Watch the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Washington Wizards at 7 tonight at the Ford Center, 100 W Reno. Information: www.thunder.nba.com.
- Shop for a good cause at Individual Artists of Oklahoma’s Red Dot Art Auction fundraiser from 7 to 11 tonight at IAO, 706 W Sheridan. The auction will feature artwork by more than 50 Oklahoma artists. Information: www.iaogallery.org.
- Watch the American Quarter Horse Show from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and Saturday at State Fair Park. Information: www.aqha.com or www.okstatefairpark.com.
-BAM
Ghostlight Theatre Club to have auditions for “The Real Thing”

Playwright and screenwriter Tom Stoppard (Associated Press photo)
Ghostlight Theatre Club will conduct auditions in December for its next production, Tom Stoppard’s “The Real Thing,” directed by by Christopher Rodgers.
Auditions will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 at Ghostlight Theatre, 3110 N. Walker Ave. Callbacks are set for 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, according to a news release. Parking is available at Edgemere Elementary School.
The show will run March 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, with rehearsals starting Feb. 1.
Stoppard’s “The Real Thing” is a multiple Tony Award-winning Broadway smash. The play focuses on Henry, who, much like Stoppard, is a successful playwright. Henry is married to an actress, Charlotte, who is playing the lead in his current play; he has fallen in love with another actress, Annie, for whom he soon leaves Charlotte. But is his new love ‘‘the real thing?’’ Underlying the major themes of love and adultery are related concerns: Does art influence life? Can life imitate art (the converse of the proverb ‘‘art imitates life’’)? Must art have a political and social value, as many people continually argue, or can it stand alone, as art for art’s sake? Stoppard argues that intellectuals are taking political expression for literature, and he makes a strong case that art should be valued for its aesthetic merits alone.
Audiences in the 1960s and ’70s delighted in Stoppard’s wit and cleverness, although they occasionally questioned whether the playwright could apply his genius to real-life problems such as love and passion. “The Real Thing” ended such speculation and confirmed Stoppard’s reputation for stylistic experimentalism and innovation.
All roles are available, and ages are not important, according to the release. British accents may be used in this production. Though it is not a requirement, please be prepared to try an accent at auditions. Here are the roles:
- Annie is an actress who is married to Max but is conducting an affair with Henry.
- Billy is a young actor who falls in love with Annie.
- Brodie is an ungrateful and chauvinistic man who loves Annie.
Charlotte is the lead actress in Henry’s new play, “House of Cards.” She is also Henry’s wife.
- Debbie is Henry and Charlotte’s world-wise 17-year old daughter.
- Henry, a successful London playwright, is the play’s protagonist. Henry is married to Charlotte, the lead actress in his current play “House of Cards,” but he’s having an affair with Annie.
- Max is the lead actor in Henry’s new play, “House of Cards,” and is married to Annie.
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Perusal sides will be available for check out after Thanksgiving weekend. Call 286-9412 for more information.
Actors are asked to bring a resume and headshot to the audition. If you do not have a head shot, a digital photo will be taken of you before you sign in. Also, be prepared to list any conflicts you might have during the rehearsal and performance period at the auditions.
For more information, go to www.ghostlightokc.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Nov. 18, 2009

Lana Henson as Operina the Lady Bug, Elizabeth Brooks as Tutu the Ballerina and Christi Knight as Latricia the Spider in the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre production of “Bah Hum Bug,” opening at 11 a.m. today. (Photo by Roger Klock)
Today’s featured event:
Watch Oklahoma Children’s Theatre’s production of “Bah Hum Bug,” a version of Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” told from a rat’s point of view, at 11 a.m. today at Children’s Center for the Arts on the Oklahoma City University campus, 2501 N Blackwelder Ave.
As Ebenezer Scrooge leaves his office on Christmas Eve, the creatures that inhabit it scurry out and play out their own redemption tale. Bob Cratchant ,an overworked worker ant; Tutu the fluttering Moth; Laticia the overly dramatic spider; Operina the singing squirrel; and Marlin the seafaring mouse join together to teach Mr. Scrounge the true meaning of friendship and family.
The play is recommended for elementary and middle school students.
The play opens today with performances through Dec.13. Showtimes are 11 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information, go to www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Nov. 17, 2009

This undated image provided by the Guthrie Theater shows Melissa Gilbert, left, as Caroline “Ma” Ingalls and Kara Lindsay as Laura Ingalls, in a scene in the world premiere of the musical “Little House On The Prairie,” at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Minn. (Associated Press photo)
Today’s featured event:
Watch the musical “Little House on the Prairie,” presented by Celebrity Attractions, at 7:30 tonight at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker.
Melissa Gilbert, who played the role of Laura for 10 years on the beloved TV series, is again portraying part of the Ingalls family, this time appearing as Ma.
“When I played Laura, I was a child myself,” Gilbert recently told The Oklahoman’s Fine Arts Editor Rick Rogers. “Laura was just me in that dress. Coming back to it now is like coming home. It really keys into all of the things that people hold dear: family, love, community and faith. For me, it’s coming full circle.”
Read more of Rick’s feature on the show by clicking here.
Gilbert, 45, missed her Saturday and Sunday performances in Tulsa after being taken to a Tulsa hospital after Friday’s show because of an apparent back problem. According to NewsOn6.com, Gilbert has been released from the hospital, and Celebrity Attractions’ Larry Payton said she plans to go on with the show.
Performances continue at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday at Oklahoma City’s Civic Center.
For more information, call (800) 869-1451 or go to www.celebrityattractions.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Weekend Warmup for Nov. 13-15, 2009

Wade Bowen
Here is a list of activities happening around Oklahoma this weekend (Nov. 13-15, 2009). For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
- Listen to Wade Bowen with Granger Smith at 9:30 tonight at the Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan. Information:601-6276 or www.wormydog.com.
- Hear Edmond-based indie pop group Smarty Pants play a reunion show with Euclid Crash, Student Film and Little League Hero at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Conservatory, 8911 N Western. Information: www.conservatoryokc.com.
- TULSA – Catch country star Darius Rucker in concert at 7 tonight at Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino’s Osage Event Center, 951 W 36 St. N, Tulsa. Information: (918) 699-7667 or www.milliondollarelm.com/event-center.

Curious George
- Watch the antics of an inquisitive monkey when “Curious George Live!” swings into the Cox Convention Center at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. today, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Information: (800) 745-3000 or www.coxconventioncenter.com.
- Hear singer/songwriter/pianist Vienna Teng and Alex Wong with Suzanna Choffel at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley. Or hear Big Smith at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Blue Door. Information: 524-0738 or www.bluedoorokc.com.
- Listen to an evening of “Transformations” with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and renowned pianist Stephen Hough at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker. Information: 842-5387 or www.okcphilharmonic.org.

Artworks by Suzanne Thomas wait to be set up for the new show, featuring the art of Thomas and Billy Reid, at Istvan Gallery at Urban Art, 1218 N. Western. (Photo by Nate Billings/The Oklahoman)
- See new work by Oklahoma City artists Suzanne C. Thomas and Billy Reid from 6 to 10 tonight at an opening reception and second anniversary celebration for Istvan Gallery, 1218 N Western Ave. Information: 831-2874 or www.istvangallery.com.
- NEWCASTLE – Take in American Indian dancing, storytelling, hands-on arts activities and more at the family-friendly American Indian Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Newcastle Public Library, 705 NW 10. Information: www.pioneer.lib.ok.us.
- Watch the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the L.A. Clippers at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Ford Center, 100 W Reno. Information: www.thunder.nba.com.

Julio Iglesias (Associated Press photo)
- THACKERVILLE – Hear crooner Julio Iglesias at 8 p.m. Saturday at WinStar World Casino. Information: www.winstarworldcasino.com.
- Take in art, live music, new attractions and more at the monthly LIVE on the Plaza art walk from 7 to 11 tonight in the Plaza District, on NW 16 between Indiana and Blackwelder. Information: www.plazadistrict.org.
- NORMAN – Show your stuff at the Norman Public Library’s adult gaming night from 5:30-8:30 p.m. today in the Lowry Room of the library, 225 N Webster. Those 18 and older can join in the games including “Rock Band,” “Guitar Hero,” “Dance Dance Revolution,” “Halo 3,” “Left for Dead” and more. Game systems available will include Xbox 360, Playstation 2, and the Nintendo Wii. Information: 701-2620 or www.pioneer.lib.ok.us.

Craig Morgan
- MIAMI – Listen to country singer Craig Morgan at 8 p.m. Saturday at Buffalo Run Casino. Information: www.buffalorun.com.
- TULSA – Hear Dethklok, Mastodon, Converge and High on Fire at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Brady Theater, 105 W Brady Street. Information: www.bradytheater.com.
- NORMAN – Catch Austin, Texas-based noise-rock trio Followed by Static with San Francisco’s Little Teeth at 8 p.m. Sunday at Universe City, 783 Debarr Ave. Information: www.myspace.com/universecitynorman.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Nov. 13, 2009

Stephen Kovash, owner of the Istvan Gallery, surveys a display in the Blue Sage Studio section of Urban Art, 1218 N. Western. Urban Art houses the Istvan Gallery, Art Fusion Studio, and Blue Sage Studio. (Photo by Nate Billings/The Oklahoman)
Today’s featuredStephen Kovash, owner of the Istvan Gallery, surveys a display in the Blue Sage Studio section of Urban Art, 1218 N. Western. Urban Art houses the Istvan Gallery, Art Fusion Studio, and Blue Sage Studio. By Nate Billings event:
See new work by Oklahoma City artists Suzanne C. Thomas and Billy Reid from 6 to 10 tonight at an opening reception and second anniversary celebration for Istvan Gallery, 1218 N Western Ave.
The Oklahoman’s Steve Lackmeyer talked to Istvan Gallery owner Stephen Kovash about the success of his gallery, which shares the Urban Art space with Art Fusion Studio, and Blue Sage Studio. Click here to read the story, and check out NewsOK video host Angi Bruss’ report from her gallery, embedded below.
For more information, call 831-2874 or go to www.istvangallery.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Weekend Warmup for Nov. 6-8, 2009

Rodney Atkins
Here is a list of events happening this weekend (Nov. 6-8) around Oklahoma. For more information, go to www.wimgo.com.
- NORMAN – Catch country star Rodney Atkins at 8 tonight at Riverwind Casino, 1544 W State Highway 9. Information: www.riverwind.com.
- SHAWNEE — Hear “American Idol” David Cook, who has Tulsa ties, at 7 tonight at Firelake Grand Casino, 777 Grand Casino Blvd. Information: 964-7263 or www.firelakegrand.com.
- Take in art, food and music at the sixth annual Girlie Show from 8 to midnight tonight and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at Farmers Public Market, 311 S Klein. Information: www.thegirlieshow.net.

Classical Mystery Tour
- Watch the Oklahoma City Philharmonic perform with Beatles tribute band Classical Mystery Tour at 8 tonight and Saturday at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker. Information: 842-5387 or www.okcphilharmonic.org.
- TULSA and THACKERVILLE — Listen to country star Alan Jackson and up-and-coming band Gloriana at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the BOK Center, 200 S Denver. Information: (866) 726-5287 or www.bokcenter.com. Or catch Jackson in concert at 9 tonight at WinStar World Casino in Thackerville. Information: www.winstarworldcasino.com.
- See new art – from small works exhibits to a container show – during the monthly Paseo Gallery Walk in the Paseo Arts District. Hours are 6 to 10 tonight and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Information: 525-2688 or www.thepaseo.com.
- Hear Chevelle with Halestorm and After Midnight Project at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern Ave. Information: www.diamondballroom.net.

Billie Letts
- SHAWNEE - Hear Tulsa author Billie Letts (”Where the Heart Is”) give the keynote address at the 2009 Red Dirt Book Festival on today and Saturday. Letts will speak at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Raley Chapel at Oklahoma Baptist University. Multiple writing workshops, special programs and panel discussions with authors and editors will be included in the two-day book festival that’s sponsored by Pioneer Library System. The festival opens at 9 a.m. today. Letts and other featured authors will close out the festival with a book signing at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Geiger Center on OBU’s campus. To register for the free festival (which is required) or get more information, go to www.reddirtbookfestival.org.
- Listen to Billy Joe Winghead, Bloody Ol’ Mule, the Starkweather Boys and more from noon Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday at “Drumming for Derek,” a benefit for Oklahoma City drummer Derek Dugger, who has brain cancer. The event will be at 66 Bowl, 3810 NW 39 Expressway. Information: 946-3966.
- MIAMI – Catch the Casey Donahew Band in concert at 7 tonight at Buffalo Run Casino. Information: www.buffalorun.com.

“Frankenstein”
- Watch Oklahoma Children’s Theatre and TheatreOCU’s production of “Frankenstein” at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. today, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in Oklahoma City University’s Burg Theatre, 2501 N Blackwelder. The production is recommended for middle school and high school students. Information: www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org.
- TULSA – Hear Rob Zombie with Nekromantix and Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Brady Theater, 105 W Brady Street. Information: www.bradytheater.com.
- See a Tribute to Woody Guthrie at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley. Also, hear Don Conoscenti at 9 tonight and John Fullbright at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Blue Door. Information: www.bluedoorokc.com.
- Watch Red Dirt Improv perform “Music, Mayhem, and Mamet” starting at 7 tonight at IAO Gallery, 706 W Sheridan. Information: www.reddirtimprov.com.
-BAM
OKC Philharmonic going on a Classical Mystery Tour, giving away Beatles box set

Classical Mystery Tour
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic will reunite this weekend with the Beatles tribute band Classical Mystery Tour.
The orchestra and the band will perform together at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker.
In 1996, Classical Mystery Tour joined the ranks of the many Fab Four tribute bands out there, but what sets this group apart is that its appearances are backed by a full symphony orchestra.
The group played a successful engagement with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic in January 2007, so Classical Mystery Tour will help the orchestra open its 2009-10 pops season this weekend.
Band members Jim Owen (John Lennon), Tony Kishman (Paul McCartney), Tom Teeley (George Harrison) and Chris Camilleri (Ringo Starr) will return for two performances conducted by Martin Herman.
For more information, click here to read Fine Arts Editor Rick Rogers’ story about the show. For tickets and information, call 842-5387 or go to www.okcphilharmonic.org.
In conjunction with the shows, the OKC Philharmonic is giving away one of the new Beatles’ stereo box sets and a set of four box seats to one of the performances. Participants must be 18 or older to enter, and the deadline is for entries to be submitted online is 2 p.m. Thursday. The winner will be chosen by a random drawing of all eligible entries.
To learn more or enter the contest, go to www.okcphilharmonic.org/contest-rules.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Nov. 2, 2009

“Tropical Heat: Broadbilled Motmot” by Deborah Kaspari
Today’s featured event:
NORMAN — View Oklahoma artist Deborah Kaspari’s paintings and sketches in the exhibit “Drawing the Motmot: An Artist’s View of Tropical Nature” at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401 Chautauqua Ave.
The exhibit is on view through Jan. 18.
Most people will never have the opportunity to visit the rainforests of South and Central America. Kaspari’s exhibit aims to give visitors a window into these vast, fragile natural resources through the eyes of an artist.
“Drawing the Motmot: An Artist’s View of Tropical Nature” features the works of Oklahoma nature artist Deborah Kaspari. The exhibition has been several years in the making and will bring together artwork from Kaspari’s rainforest expeditions across Central and South America. The exhibit recreates an artist’s expedition and immerses the visitor in the magical world of the nature artist at work.
The artwork includes sketchbook pages with notes, field drawings, pen-and-ink studies and studio paintings, accompanied by Kaspari’s lively and thoughtful field notes and commentary that give the feeling of a personal conversation with the artist. Adding to the adventure are the sounds of toucans, monkeys and other tropical wildlife recorded in the Amazon and Panama rainforest, plus videos of works in progress in the field.
Kaspari first began drawing and painting the rainforest in Trinidad in the late 1980s. She fell in love with the lush exotic landscape and made many subsequent trips to the tropics, including sites in Panama and Costa Rica. Last winter, a grant from the Don and Virgian Eckelberry Endowment allowed her to make a trip up the Amazon River to work at a research station deep in the rainforest of Peru. There she was able to draw the flora and fauna of the rainforest canopy thanks to an elevated walkway linking 14 trees through a system of platforms and rope bridges.
For the past four years, Kaspari has been working with the museum to develop an exhibit that would give visitors the same sense of peace, beauty and wonder she herself experienced in the field.
“I wanted this to be more than just an art exhibit,” Kaspari says in a news release. “I wanted to share the environment as I see and feel it. I wanted to bring a visitor into the rainforest and give them the chance to connect with it the way I do, through artwork and media.”
With that in mind, and armed with a tiny portable art studio, Kaspari began compiling the various elements that make up “Drawing the Motmot.” A high-tech audio recorder the size of a cell phone allowed her to capture the complex symphony of rainforest sounds, from monkeys to motmots (a colorful tropical bird). A video tripod filming over her shoulder captured the artist’s-eye-view of works in progress in the field. These audio and video elements help to bring Kaspari’s artwork – and her experiences – to life for visitors.
“When visitors walk through ‘Drawing the Motmot,’ they’ll not only hear birds and animals as I heard them, but through the sketches and paintings they’ll see the same things, too,” Kaspari says in the release. “I see much more of the world when I draw it. There’s a wonderfully personal connection that opens up when drawing from nature, and I always come away with a better understanding than if I were simply looking. I hope people will enjoy seeing the rainforest this way, and be inspired to try it for themselves.”
Kaspari’s experiences in the rainforests, and her work on “Drawing the Motmot,” are documented on her blog at http://drawingthemotmot.wordpress.com. Many of the works in the exhibition are available for purchase direct from the artist.
For more information, call 325-4712 or go to www.snomnh.ou.edu.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Nov. 1, 2009

Today’s featured event:
Watch Lyric Theatre’s staging of the Stephen Sondheim favorite “Sweeney Todd” at 3 p.m. today at Lyric at the Plaza, 1725 NW 16.
For more information, call 524-9312 or go to www.lyrictheatreokc.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
