What to do in Oklahoma on Jan. 4
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Today’s featured event:
TULSA - See the Harlem Globetrotters perform at 2 p.m. today at the BOK Center, 200 S Denver.
For more information, go to www.bokcenter.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
“Hallelujah” and Happy New Year
For my family, watching the classic Western comedy “The Hallelujah Trail” is a New Year’s tradition. Every year, my mom cooks up a big batch of the best fajitas you’ll ever eat and hosts a big New Year’s Eve bash. We either watch the movie at the party or after it, or on New Year’s Day. This year, my husband and I actually decided we couldn’t wait and watched it a few days ago.
This 1965 flick featuring Burt Lancaster, Lee Remick, Donald Pleasence, Brian Keith, Pamela Tiffin, Jim Hutton and Martin Landau is a wacky way to greet the New Year. Since that’s how we roll in my family, I highly recommend it as a entertaining and relaxing way to start 2009. (The trailer for the movie is embedded here courtesy YouTube.)
-BAM
Opening Night ringing in New Year in downtown
Edgar CruzÂ
The 22nd annual Opening Night New Year’s Eve celebration will be 7 to midnight tonight at 10 downtown Oklahoma City venues. It is a family-friendly, alcohol-free event.Â
Admission wristbands are $10. Children 5 and younger admitted free. Wristbands are available at the event at Stage Center, Kerr Park trailer, Leadership Square, north end of the Cox Convention Center and Kerr Auditorium.
For more information, call 270-4848 or go to www.artscouncilokc.com.
Here is the schedule for the event:
Venue 1 - Cox Convention Center
Lobby
Duo Fisher: Dueling Pianists: 7 p.m., 9 p.m.
Total Equilibrium:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8, 10
Exhibit Hall 1
Ford Chastain: 7
Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea: 8, 10
Junebug Spade: 9, 10:45
Exhibit Hall 2
Lemma: 9, 10, 10:45
Tornado Alley Rollergirls: 7, 8
Exhibit Hall 3 - Children’s Area
Children’s Area hours: 7 to 11
Prof. B Looney: 7
Dance Dimensions: 8, 10
Oklahoma Children’s Acting Guild: 9
Clowns/Magicians/Face Painters: 7 to 11
Venue 2 - Myriad Gardens
Kris Boevers: 7
Albert Gray Eagle: 8
Sunshine Hahn: 9, 10
Venue 3 - Stage Center
Arena Theatre
Everybody & Their Dog: 7:30, 8:30, 9:30
Tolbert Theatre
Edgar Cruz: 7, 8, 9, 10
Venue 4 - Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library
Studio B with Bruce Benson: 7, 9
Vizions: 8, 10
Venue 5 - Leadership Square
Michael Summers Band: 7, 8, 9, 10
Venue 6 - Bank of Oklahoma
Son del Barrio: 7, 8, 9, 10
Venue 7 - Kerr Auditorium
Cori & Chelsey Emmett with No U Turn: 7, 8, 9, 10
Venue 8 - Kerr Park
The Wise Guys: 8, 9, 10, 11
Countdown to the New Year: 11:30
Finale and fireworks: midnight
Venue 9 - First National Center
Ambassador’s Concert Choir: 7
Harrison Academy: 8
Spiritful Voices: 9, 10
Venue 10 - Chase Tower
Book of Rules: 7, 10
Boru’s Ghost: 8, 10:30
Desert Fire: 9
Strolling Street Performers
St. Andrew’s Dung Lac Lion Dance Group
Natanasuta - Lord Shiva’s Dancers
Clear…as Dance Institute & Clarity Performing Dance Group
Dana Helms
Balcum Rancum Puppetry
Ross Plunkett
Brett Horton
Tanner Blair
Katilee Thomason
Derek Paul
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Dec. 31: Special New Year’s Eve edition
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The Oklahoma City Thunder will again play the Golden State Warriors tonight at the Ford Center. (The Oklahoman Archives photo)Â
Here are some of the New Year’s Eve activities going on tonight in Oklahoma City:
- Opening Night 2009: 7Â p.m. to midnight in 10 venues in downtown Oklahoma City. The non-alcoholic, family-friendly event features a children’s area and performances by Lemma, The Wise Guys, Balcum Rancum Puppetry, Ambassador’s Concert Choir, flutist Albert Gray Eagle, guitarist Edgar Cruz, St. Andrew’s Dung Lac Lion Dance Group and Tornado Alley Rollergirls. Information:Â 270-4848 or www.artscouncilokc.com.
- The Third Annual New Year’s Eve Gala: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Skirvin Hotel. The upscale event raises funds for the Arts Council of Oklahoma City. Information and tickets: 270-4848 or www.artscouncilokc.com.
- The Flaming Lips New Year’s Eve Freakout 2008/2009: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Cox Convention Center. Tickets and information: 235-8288 or www.ticketmaster.com.
- Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors: 7 p.m. at the Ford Center. Buy Thunder tickets for $26 and get a free Opening Night wristband with the team’s special New Year’s promotion. Information: 208-4667 or www.nba.com/thunder.
- Downtown in December: Chesapeake Snow Tubing at the Brick from noon to 8 p.m. through Jan. 3 and 2 to 6 p.m. Jan. 4; Devon Ice Rink at the Civic Center from noon to 11 p.m. Wednesday and noon to 10 p.m. through Jan. 4; OG&E Garden Lights illuminated through Thursday. Information: 236-3640 or www.downtownindecember.com.
- Toby Keith’s New Year’s Eve Party: The Brandon Clark Band plays at 9 p.m. at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill. Information: 231-0254 or www.tobykeithsbar.com.
- Wormy Dog’s New Year’s Eve Bash: No Justice plays at 11 p.m. Wednesday at the Wormy Dog Saloon. Information: 601-6276 or www.wormydog.com.
For more New Year’s events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Opening Night to feature music, dance and more
Fireworks mark the start of 2008 at Opening Night 2008. Opening Night 2009 will be from 7 p.m. to midnight Wednesday at 10 venues in downtown Oklahoma City. (The Oklahoman Archives photo)
A version of this story ran in Sunday’s The Oklahoman.
Annual Opening Night to ring in the New Year
Rock bands, lion dancers and strolling puppeteers will be among the dozens of performers ringing in the New Year Wednesday in downtown Oklahoma City.
Opening Night 2009, the Arts Council of Oklahoma’s 22nd annual family-friendly and alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration, also will include children’s activities and a grand finale with a countdown to midnight, fireworks and the ascension of a giant, glittering ball to symbolize hope for the New Year.
Opening Night Director Lindsey Pever said 65,000 to 75,000 people are expected to attend the event, which will be spread over 10 downtown venues.
Opening Night 2009
When: 7 p.m. to midnight Wednesday.
Where: 10 venues in downtown Oklahoma City.
Admission: Wristbands are $8 in advance, $10 the day of the event. Children 5 and younger admitted free. Wristbands are available in advance at 7-11 Stores, metro area Homeland stores, MidFirst Bank locations, Mathis Brothers Furniture, Penn Square Mall, Leadership Square and the Arts Council of Oklahoma City. They are available at the event at Stage Center, Kerr Park trailer, Leadership Square, north end of the Cox Convention Center and Kerr Auditorium.
Information: 270-4848 or www.artscouncilokc.com.
Schedule
Venue 1 - Cox Convention Center
Lobby
Duo Fisher: Dueling Pianists: 7 p.m., 9 p.m.
Total Equilibrium:Â Â 8, 10
Exhibit Hall 1
Ford Chastain: 7
Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea: 8, 10
Junebug Spade: 9, 10:45
Exhibit Hall 2
Lemma: 9, 10, 10:45
Tornado Alley Rollergirls: 7, 8
Exhibit Hall 3 - Children’s Area
Children’s Area hours: 7 to 11
Prof. B Looney: 7
Dance Dimensions: 8, 10
Oklahoma Children’s Acting Guild: 9
Clowns/Magicians/Face Painters: 7 to 11
Venue 2 - Myriad Gardens
Kris Boevers: 7
Albert Gray Eagle: 8
Sunshine Hahn: 9, 10
Venue 3 - Stage Center
Arena Theatre
Everybody & Their Dog: 7:30, 8:30, 9:30
Tolbert Theatre
Edgar Cruz: 7, 8, 9, 10
Venue 4 - Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library
Studio B with Bruce Benson: 7, 9
Vizions: 8, 10
Venue 5 - Leadership Square
Michael Summers Band: 7, 8, 9, 10
Venue 6 - Bank of Oklahoma
Son del Barrio: 7, 8, 9, 10
Venue 7 - Kerr Auditorium
Cori & Chelsey Emmett with No U Turn: 7, 8, 9, 10
Venue 8 - Kerr Park
The Wise Guys: 8, 9, 10, 11
Countdown to the New Year: 11:30
Finale and fireworks: midnight
Venue 9 - First National Center
Ambassador’s Concert Choir: 7
Harrison Academy: 8
Spiritful Voices: 9, 10
Venue 10 - Chase Tower
Book of Rules: 7, 10
Boru’s Ghost: 8, 10:30
Desert Fire: 9
Strolling Street Performers
St. Andrew’s Dung Lac Lion Dance Group
Natanasuta - Lord Shiva’s Dancers
Clear…as Dance Institute & Clarity Performing Dance Group
Dana Helms
Balcum Rancum Puppetry
Ross Plunkett
Brett Horton
Tanner Blair
Katilee Thomason
Derek Paul
 -BAM
Opening Night, Flaming Lips, NBA to welcome 2009 in downtown Oklahoma City
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Flaming Lips fans ring in the New Year at the Lips’ 2007/2008 concert at the Cox Convention Center. The Oklahoma City-based Grammy-winning band will again play the downtown convention center on New Year’s Eve 2008/2009. (The Oklahoman Archives photo)
From Saturday’s The Oklahoman. Entertainment Editor Gene Triplett contributed to this story.
2009 will roll in with downtown fun
For the 22nd year, Opening Night will turn downtown Oklahoma City into a sprawling New Year’s Eve party complete with musicians, magicians and of course, revelers.
But snow tubing, professional basketball and a giant hamster ball also will be part of the fun for those who want to start 2009 in downtown.
“New Year’s Eve the place to be is downtown Oklahoma City, and Opening Night is just one of the fabulous layers of entertainment,” said Peter Dolese, executive director of the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, which organizes Opening Night.
For the second year, Oklahoma City-based Grammy-winning band The Flaming Lips will ring in the New Year in the Cox Convention Center with psychedelic rock, bizarrely costumed dancers and frontman Wayne Coyne’s huge plastic sphere. Last year’s show was part of Opening Night, but this year it is separate.
Dolese said the council is focusing on showcasing the community’s new or lesser-known performers rather than putting on a big concert.
“We want to bring lots of people down here to see lots of great performers who also work in Oklahoma City full time,” he said. “The Flaming Lips is an international act. … I loved working with them, but they need to go ahead and do their own thing and they’re doing it. We’re thrilled that they’re doing it.”
Coyne, a lifelong Oklahoma City resident, plans to make the concert an annual spectacle.
“The Flaming Lips welcomes everybody to get on board with this thing,” he said. “But I would say that the Flaming Lips are gonna do it anyway. As long as there’s a building and people that wanna rock, we’ll do it with just whatever.”
The city’s new NBA team, the Thunder, also will play on New Year’s Eve.
“We are thrilled to be part of the excitement and energy that is downtown Oklahoma City,” said Thunder spokesman Dan Mahoney.
Other downtown New Year’s Eve events include the Devon Ice Rink, Chesapeake Snow Tubing at the Brick, a formal gala and live country music.
Along with its family-friendly, alcohol-free slate of activities and performances, Opening Night will light up the sky with a fireworks display at midnight. About 65,000 to 75,000 people are expected to attend the event.
See the jump for a schedule of New Year’s events in downtown.
What to do in Oklahoma on Dec. 27
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Today’s featured event:
SHAWNEE - Catch Tulsa standup comic/comedic musician Rodney Carrington at 7 and 9:30 tonight at Firelake Grand Casino, 1601 S Gordon Cooper Drive.
For more information, go to www.firelakegrand.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Opening Night 2009 schedule
 
Jeremy Moore, 12 from Cashion, gets his face painted by Lauren Spencer during Opening Night 2008 in downtown Oklahoma City on Dec. 31, 2007. Opening Night 2009 will be from 7 p.m. to midnight Wednesday at 10 venues in downtown Oklahoma City. (The Oklahoman Archives photo)
Opening Night 2009
When: 7 p.m. to midnight Wednesday.
Where: 10 venues in downtown Oklahoma City.
Admission: Wristbands are $8 in advance, $10 the day of the event. Children 5 and younger admitted free. Wristbands are available in advance at 7-11 Stores, metro area Homeland stores, MidFirst Bank locations, Mathis Brothers Furniture, Penn Square Mall, Leadership Square and the Arts Council of Oklahoma City. They are available at the event at Stage Center, Kerr Park trailer, Leadership Square, north end of the Cox Convention Center and Kerr Auditorium.
Information: 270-4848 or www.artscouncilokc.com.
Schedule
Venue 1 - Cox Convention Center
Lobby
Duo Fisher: Dueling Pianists: 7 p.m., 9 p.m.
Total Equilibrium:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8, 10
Exhibit Hall 1
Ford Chastain: 7
Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea: 8, 10
Junebug Spade: 9, 10:45
Exhibit Hall 2
Lemma: 9, 10, 10:45
Tornado Alley Rollergirls: 7, 8
Exhibit Hall 3 - Children’s Area
Children’s Area hours: 7 to 11
Prof. B Looney: 7
Dance Dimensions: 8, 10
Oklahoma Children’s Acting Guild: 9
Clowns/Magicians/Face Painters: 7 to 11
Venue 2 - Myriad Gardens
Kris Boevers: 7
Albert Gray Eagle: 8
Sunshine Hahn: 9, 10
Venue 3 - Stage Center
Arena Theatre
Everybody & Their Dog: 7:30, 8:30, 9:30
Tolbert Theatre
Edgar Cruz: 7, 8, 9, 10
Venue 4 - Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library
Studio B with Bruce Benson: 7, 9
Vizions: 8, 10
Venue 5 - Leadership Square
Michael Summers Band: 7, 8, 9, 10
Venue 6 - Bank of Oklahoma
Son del Barrio: 7, 8, 9, 10
Venue 7 - Kerr Auditorium
Cori & Chelsey Emmett with No U Turn: 7, 8, 9, 10
Venue 8 - Kerr Park
The Wise Guys: 8, 9, 10, 11
Countdown to the New Year: 11:30
Finale and fireworks: midnight
Venue 9 - First National Center
Ambassador’s Concert Choir: 7
Harrison Academy: 8
Spiritful Voices: 9, 10
Venue 10 - Chase Tower
Book of Rules: 7, 10
Boru’s Ghost: 8, 10:30
Desert Fire: 9
Strolling Street Performers
St. Andrew’s Dung Lac Lion Dance Group
Natanasuta - Lord Shiva’s Dancers
Clear…as Dance Institute & Clarity Performing Dance Group
Dana Helms
Balcum Rancum Puppetry
Ross Plunkett
Brett Horton
Tanner Blair
Katilee Thomason
Derek Paul
Downtown Oklahoma City to ring in New Year with Opening Night
Fireworks erupt as 2007 turns into 2008 at Opening Night 2008. Opening Night 2009 will bring music, performing arts, a countdown the midnight and more fireworks from 7 p.m. to midnight Wednesday at 10 venues in downtown Oklahoma City. (The Oklahoman Archives photo)
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Opening Night offers music, celebrationsÂ
From rock bands and roller girls to clowns and choirs, Opening Night 2009 will offer a variety of entertainment for families.
The Art Council of Oklahoma City’s 22nd Opening Night will ring in the New Year from 7 p.m. to midnight in 10 venues around downtown.
The alcohol-free and family-friendly event will feature returning favorites such as guitarist Edgar Cruz, American Indian flutist Albert Gray Eagle and the Tornado Alley Rollergirls.
Among the new performers, Studio B with Bruce Benson will play R&B, and Michael Summers Band will bring the big band, and Cori & Chelsey Emmett with No U Turn will get event going country. Dueling pianists Duo Fisher will face off in the lobby of the Cox Convention Center, said Opening Night Director Lindsey Pever.
Inside the Cox Center’s Exhibit Hall 3, the children’s area will offer an inflatable obstacle course, hands-on craft activities and family-appropriate performances.
The countdown to midnight will begin at 11:30 at Kerr Park, with the ascension of the glittering ball and explosions of fireworks heralding the New Year.
Adults seeking an upscale celebration can attend the Arts Council of Oklahoma City’s third annual New Year’s Eve Gala at the Skirvin Hotel. It will feature music by The Groove Merchants, gourmet food and a champagne toast at midnight.
Although not associated with Opening Night, the Oklahoma City-based Grammy-winning band The Flaming Lips will perform their New Year’s Eve Freakout at 9 p.m. in the Cox Convention Center arena.
“We’re very happy that there are other activities, including the Flaming Lips,” said Arts Council of Oklahoma City Executive Director Peter Dolese. “It’s going to be great for downtown.”
Opening Night 2009
When: 7 p.m. to midnight Wednesday.
Where: 10 venues in downtown Oklahoma City.
Admission: Wristbands are $8 in advance, $10 the day of the event. Children 5 and younger admitted free. Wristbands are available in advance at 7-11 Stores, metro area Homeland stores, MidFirst Bank locations, Mathis Brothers Furniture, Penn Square Mall, Leadership Square and the Arts Council of Oklahoma City. They are available at the event at Stage Center, Kerr Park trailer, Leadership Square, north end of the Cox Convention Center and Kerr Auditorium.
Information: 270-4848 or www.artscouncilokc.com.
-BAM
Weekend Warmup
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The Radio City Rockettes and Santa Claus
Family
- “Radio City Christmas Spectacular”: See the Rockettes kick it out at 7:30 tonight, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday at the Ford Center, 100 W Reno. Information: 235-8288 or www.okfordcenter.com.
- The Oklahoman Holidays on the Canal: Take a free boat ride to celebrate The Oklahoman Holidays on the Canal from 6 to 9:30 p.m. today-Sunday D26-28 on the Bricktown Canal. Information: 236-3640 or www.downtownindecember.com.
- Children’s Hour: Take your family to the children’s hour from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum, 1400 Classen Drive. The movie “Snow Buddies” will show at 3:15. Admission is free Sunday. Information: 235-4458 or www.oklahomaheritage.com.
- American Fidelity Free Museum Sundays: This weekend offers your last chance to take advantage of American Fidelity Free Museum Sundays at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum and Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. You and your family can get free admission to either institution from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. It’s part of Downtown in December. Information: 236-3640 or www.downtownindecember.com.
Rodney Carrington
Live entertainment
- Rodney Carrington: Catch Tulsa comedian Rodney Carrington at 7 tonight and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturdayat Firelake Grand Casino, 777 Grand Casino Blvd, Shawnee. Information: 964-7263 or www.firelakegrand.com.Â
- Donny Vomit with Rainbows are Free: See sideshow performer Donny Vomit and Norman rockers Rainbows are Free at 9 p.m. Saturday at Opolis, 113 N Crawford, Norman. Information: www.starlightmints.com/opolis.html.
Stoney LaRue
Music
- Stoney LaRue: Hear Stoney LaRue at 8 tonight at Riverwind Casino, 1544 W State Highway 9, Norman. Information: 322-6464 or www.riverwind.com.
- Hosty Solo: See local one-man-band Mike Hosty play his regular 10 p.m. Sunday show at The Deli, 309 White Street. Information: www.thedeli.us.
Festival of Light in Chickasha. (Photo by John Clanton/The Oklahoman Archives from 2006)
Statewide
- Christmas lights displays, STATEWIDE: From Chickasha to Checotah, most communities are keeping their big Christmas lights displays up through the weekend, and some even into next week. For a list of some of the displays, go to www.travelok.com.
- Tulsa Oilers hockey: See the Oilers play Wichita at 7:35 tonight and Mississippi at 7:35 p.m. Saturday. Information: www.tulsaoilers.com.
-BAM
