OKC Improv celebrates 2nd anniversary with 3-week run of shows
Nerd-pop/folk/rock/hip-hop band The Memepunks will give their first public performance at 10 p.m. Nov. 26 at Ghostlight Theatre Club during OKC Improv's three-week November run. OKC Improv is celebrating its second anniversary. (Photo by Phillip Grimes)
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
OKC Improv celebrates second anniversary
The state’s first ongoing professional improv showcase is starting a new three-week run of shows at Saturday at Ghostlight Theatre Club in the Paseo Arts District.
Over the past two years, OKC Improv has entertained more than 3,500 people at 100-plus shows, taught at least 175 classes and helped foster a cohesive improv scene in Oklahoma City.
Even better, the founders of the state’s first ongoing professional improv showcase have reached a series of milestones that indicate more Oklahomans are appreciating improvisational theater as a true art form.
“While we took a pragmatic approach when discussing our goals as an organization when we first began, our dreams for what OKC Improv could become were ambitious from the start. Whether we’d succeed was anyone’s guess. Would other established improv groups participate in the community we were trying to build and perhaps most importantly, would there be an audience willing to support regular improv shows? The amazing thing is that after two years, we have our answer,” said OKC Improv co-founder and co-producer Eric Webb.
“At the end of our first two years we are proud of what we’ve accomplished, but most of all are grateful to be able to be part of this amazing community of people.”
Naturally, OKC Improv is celebrating its second anniversary by putting on a three-week run of shows starting at 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday at Ghostlight Theatre Club, 3110 N Walker in the Paseo Arts District. Performances will continue at 8 and 10 p.m. Nov. 19, 25 and 26 at Ghostlight.
The upcoming run will feature 22 different acts, three of them making their OKC Improv debuts, plus two world premieres. Hunter Canedy and Gloria Jones of Oklahoma City University Improv will perform as a long-form improv duo Saturday, marking their first time on the showcase.
The November lineup includes the first public performance at 10 p.m. Nov. 26 of nerd-pop/folk/rock/hip-hop band The Memepunks.
“This will be the first time we’ve ever hosted a band on our stage,” Webb said. “Our regular fans will find a lot of common ground with Memepunks.”
The Big O, a new boundary-pushing group of OKC Improv students Kyle Gossett, Ben Davis, Stephen Dillard-Carroll and Jessi Kyle, also will make their debut at 8 p.m. Nov. 26.
Along with putting on shows, OKC Improv remains committed to teaching improvisation, with its current run of Saturday afternoon Level 1-3 improv classes continuing through Nov. 26. In addition, the organization is planning a series of four advanced workshops, one per Sunday starting this weekend. Topics include unadulterated fun, physical comedy, scene editing and musical improv.
“With enough imagination and skill, there are no limits to the places improv can go, the kinds of stories that can be created, and how they are told,” Webb said.
“The number of active performance groups in the metro (over the past two years) has increased from five to 35, with the promise of more groups and projects to be developed during the course of the next year. Most importantly is the community of performers that has come together and bonded over a mutual love of this unique art form.”
OKC Improv recently was accepted to the Oklahoma Arts Council’s Performing Artist Roster, which Webb said means a great deal to the producers and performers.
“From the start we’ve wanted to find ways to partner with existing arts organizations, to share the art of improv, but also because we want to be a part of the arts community in Oklahoma. Improv is about so much more than just making people laugh. This is a legitimate performance art that unleashes creativity in both practitioners and audiences,” he said.
“Being vetted by and vouched for by the Oklahoma Arts Council is a huge affirmation for our improvisers, many of which have worked for years to hone their craft. It also gives us an opportunity to reach a wider audience, taking our showcases to other parts of the state.”
Artistic directors Buck and Clint Vrazel recently were recognized as part OKCBiz’s “Forty Under 40” for their innovative leadership and impact on the local arts community, and OKC Improv has joined the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and Arts Council of Oklahoma City.
After selling out last year, OKC Improv will again be featured at the Arts Council of Oklahoma City’s Opening Night New Year’s Eve celebration.
“We are so excited to welcome OKC Improv to the membership roster of the Arts Council of Oklahoma City,” said Executive Director Peter Dolese. “We urge everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to see this professional improv group take the stage.”
For more information on OKC Improv, go to www.okcimprov.com.
-BAM
Best Bets for Nov. 11-13, 2011: Zac Brown Band, Red Dot and “Memphis”
Zac Brown Band (AP file)
Here are my Best Bets for the top events happening around Oklahoma this weekend. For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
1. Rock along with the Tony Award-winning musical “Memphis” at 8 p.m. Friday, 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.
2. Bid on work by more than 130 Oklahoma artists and sample festive food from several local restaurants at the annual Red Dot art auction from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday at Individual Artists of Oklahoma Gallery, 706 W Sheridan. Information: 232-6060 or www.iaogallery.org.
3. Celebrate the second anniversary of OKC Improv with performances by Kind of a Big Deal, Two’s Company and The MiDolls at 8 p.m. Saturday and Homemade Fireworks, Oklahoma City University Improv and Red Letters at 10 p.m. Saturday at Ghostlight Theatre Club, 3110 N Walker. Information: 343-1570 or www.okcimprov.com.
4. TULSA — Hear Zac Brown Band, with special guests Sonia Leigh and Nic Cowan, at 7 p.m. Friday at BOK Center, 200 S Denver. Information: (866) 726-5287 or www.bokcenter.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Oct. 30, 2011: Experience the Magic Lantern Celebration in the Paseo
Casey Tisdale, a dancer with Theatre Upon a StarDanceSwan, performs at a past Magic Lantern Celebration in the Paseo Arts District. (Photo by Ken Bird)
Today’s featured event:
Experience “a night of light instead of fright” today at the annual Magic Lantern Celebration in the Paseo Arts District. The artistic event is organized by Theatre Upon a StarDanceSwan. From 3 to 6 p.m., children can make their own costumes, and from 6 to 7 p.m., they can participate in the “Spin and Sparkle Parade.” Information: 525-2688 or www.thepaseo.com.
Click here for an expansive listing of Halloween-theme events happening around Oklahoma.
For even more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Halloween is the season for frights and fun across Oklahoma
Carved pumpkins sit on display at the Oklahoma City Zoo for the annual Haunt the Zoo. (By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman)
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For more Halloween-related events, go to www.wimgo.com.
‘Tis the season for frights and fun
From spine-tingling terrors to family-friendly adventures, venues across Oklahoma are offering a variety of entertainment options leading up to Halloween.
The Headless Horseman will gallop back to the Golden Age of Radio, a sampling “Master of Suspense’s” top cinematic offerings will receive a high-definition upgrade, and a legendary silent movie will get an eerie organ accompaniment this weekend as Oklahomans prepare for Halloween, which falls on Monday this year.
From zombie invasions to magic lanterns, an uncanny array of Halloween-theme events is taking place across the state over the next few days. For even more spine-chilling and family-friendly options, go to www.wimgo.com.
Janet Leigh is shown in character as Marion Crane in the famous shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 thriller "Psycho." A high-definition version of the movie will be screened Friday at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. (AP file photo)
Hi-Def Hitch: Watch some of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic films on the big screen for the first time in high definition at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s Noble Theater, 415 Couch Drive. This weekend’s movie lineup: “Psycho” at 5:30 p.m. Friday, “The Birds” at 8 p.m. Friday, “Torn Curtain” at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, “Topaz” at 8 p.m. Saturday and “Frenzy” at 2 p.m. Sunday. Information: 236-3100 or www.okcmoa.com.
Harding Fine Arts Academy’s “Zombie Prom”: See the horror/comedy, loosely based on a 1950s comic book, at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the school, 3333 N Shartel. Information: 702-4322 or www.hardingfinearts.org.
Magic Lantern Celebration: Experience “a night of light instead of fright” Sunday at this annual Paseo Arts District event, organized by Theatre Upon a StarDanceSwan. From 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, children can make their own costumes, and from 6 to 7 p.m., they can participate in the “Spin and Sparkle Parade.” Information: 525-2688 or www.thepaseo.com.
Martin Nature Park’s Haunted Hike: Take a guided 30-minute walk in the woods among spiders, bats and snakes and other creepy creatures starting at 5 p.m. Saturday at the park, 5000 W Memorial. Pre-registration is required. Information: 755-0676 or www.okc.gov/parks/martin_park.
“Nosferatu,” Norman: Hear John Schwandt and the mighty Möller Municipal Theatre Organ add the soundtrack to the silent film classic “Eine Symphonie des Grauens” (“Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror”) at 8 p.m. Friday at the University of Oklahoma’s Sharp Concert Hall, Catlett Music Center, 500 W Boyd. A pre-concert lecture is set for 7 p.m. Information: 325-4101 or www.ou.edu/finearts/events.
Ancient Radio Players’ “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: Ride Across America,” Ada: Watch the Oklahoma-based radio troupe’s voice actors and Foley artists participate in a nationwide campaign performing live radio dramas based on the Washington Irving classic at 7 p.m. Saturday at Faust Hall at East Central University. Information: http://ancientradioplayers.tripod.com.
“Evil Dead: The Musical,” Drumright: See the horrifically humorous stage show based on Sam Raimi’s cult classic film franchise at 8:30 p.m. Friday and 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday at Scream Country Haunted Forest, 15853 W 101 St. S. Performances continue Nov. 4-5. Information: (918) 409-0274 or www.evildeadok.com.
Scream Country Haunted Forest, Drumright: Get caught up in the zombie apocalypse with the long-running Halloween attraction’s new theme, “Forest of the Dead,” from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Information: (918) 607-3327 or www.screamcountry.com.
Bright Night of Not-So-Frightening Fun: Explore science in three haunted laboratories from 6 p.m. Friday to 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Science Museum Oklahoma, 2100 NE 52. The event will last all night. Select museum exhibits will be available as sleeping areas for guests who want to spend the night at the museum. Information: 602-6664 or www.sciencemuseumok.org.
Speakeasy’s Halloween Party: Listen to local bands Gum and Defining Times, participate in a costume contest and take advantage of Mustang Brewing Co. beer specials at 9
Theatre Upon a StarDanceSwan performer Patric Wilson appears at a past Magic Lantern Celebration. (Photo by Ken Bird)
p.m. Saturday at 51st Street Speakeasy, 1114 NW 51. Information: 463-0470.
Ghostlight Theatre Club’s “The Man from Earth”: Watch Ghostlight’s production of the last great work from acclaimed science-fiction writer Jerome Bixby, writer of the original “Star Trek” and “The Twilight Zone,” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 3110 N Walker. Information: 286-9412 or www.ghostlightokc.com.
Museum of Osteology’s Halloween Bash: Look at the bones, do a little trick-or-treating and get discounted admission from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at the skeleton museum, 10301 S Sunnylane. Information: 814-0006 or www.museumofosteology.org.
Bricktown Haunted Warehouse: Venture into the “Pitch Black” with this longtime local favorite, which opens at 6 p.m. Friday-Monday in its new locale, the Coca Cola Bricktown Events Center, 425 E California. Information: www.bricktownokc.com or www.stubwire.com.
Ultimate Terrors Haunted House: Experience the terror beginning at 7 p.m. Friday-Monday at 7000 Crossroads Blvd Suite 3000 at Crossroads Mall. Information: www.ultimateterrors.com.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Norman: See the cult classic film shown with a live cast at 10 p.m. Monday at Sooner Theatre, 101 E Main. Information: 818-7238.
“The Ghostbusters Halloween Show,” Tulsa: Who you gonna call? How about Ray Parker Jr., The BusBoys and Otis Day, who will play their hits and Halloween favorites like Parker’s “Ghostbusters” theme, at 7 p.m. Friday at River Spirit Event Center, 8330 Riverside Parkway. Information: www.creeknationcasino.com.
Arcadia Lake’s Storybook Forest, Edmond: Take the family on a hayride, roast marshmallows and collect goodies from storybook characters from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. nightly through Monday at Spring Creek Park. Information: 216-7471 or www.edmondok.com.
Haunt the Zoo for Halloween: Spend a fall evening with exotic animals, intricately carved jack-o’-lanterns and eco-friendly candy from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. nightly through Monday at the Oklahoma City Zoo, 2101 NE 50. Information: 424-3344 or www.okczoo.com.
HallowZOOeen, Tulsa: Tour the Tulsa Zoo, 6421 E 36 St. N, with your treat-or-treaters from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. nightly through Monday. Information: (918) 669-6600 or www.tulsazoo.org.
Oklahoma City University’s “Little Shop of Horrors”: Feed your love of classic 1950s horror spoofs with OCU’s production of one of the longest-running off-Broadway shows of all time at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Burg Theater, 2501 N Blackwelder. Information: 208-5227 or www.okcu.edu.
Max Schreck appears in a scene from the 1922 film "Eine Symphonie des Grauens" ("Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror"). John Schwandt and the mighty Moller Municipal Theatre Organ add the soundtrack to the silent film classic at 8 p.m. Friday at the University of Oklahoma's Sharp Concert Hall. (Photo provided)
Frontier City’s Fright Fest: Brave the Nightmare Haunted House or take your tot through BooVille from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday at Frontier City, 11501 N Interstate 35 Service Road. Information: 478-2140 or www.frontiercity.com.
Trail of Terror, El Reno: Get spooked along the trail or in the Haunted Barn from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 2701 W 10. Information: www.trailofterror.org.
Haunted Castle Halloween Festival, Muskogee: Find thrills for the entire family from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Sunday at the Castle of Muskogee, 3400 Fern Mountain Road. Information: (800) 439-0658 or www.okcastle.com.
The Hex House, Tulsa: Explore an extreme haunted attraction based on a real event in Tulsa’s past from 7:30 to 11 p.m. nightly through Monday at the southeast corner of 71st and Memorial. Information: www.thehexhouse.com.
HallowMarine, Jenks: Celebrate the season with trick-or-treating, mermaid and pirate dive shows and a bouncy pirate ship from 6:30 to 9 p.m. nightly through Monday at the Oklahoma Aquarium, 300 Aquarium Drive. Information: (918) 296-3474 or www.okaquarium.org.
Terror on 10th Street Haunted House: Be terrorized from 7 to 11 p.m. nightly through Monday during a tour telling the ghostly history of the actual house at 2005 NW 10. Information: 232-1816.
Trick-or-Treat Halloween Spectacular: Take in a giant corn maze, pumpkin patch and hayrides, along with trick-or-treating, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Orr Family Farm, 14400 S Western. Information: 799-3276 or www.orrfamilyfarm.com.
The Melting Pot’s Murder Mystery Dinner: Bring your sleuthing skills and a hearty appetite to the fondue restaurant’s Bricktown location, 4 E Sheridan, for a special Halloween-theme supper from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday. Information: 235-1000.
-BAM
Best Bets for Oct. 21-23, 2011: Cinderella, “Coppelia” and “The Man from Earth”
Red Dirt Rangers
Here are my picks for the four Best Bets happening around the state this weekend, as listed in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For more Oklahoma events, go to www.wimgo.com.
1. Watch Oklahoma City Ballet open its 2011-12 season with “Coppelia,” a tale of love and mistaken identity based on stories by E.T.A. Hoffman, at 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker. Information: 848-8637 or www.okcballet.com.
2. Hear renowned Oklahoma band the Red Dirt Rangers at 8 p.m. Friday at the Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley. Information: 524-0738 or www.bluedoorokc.com.
3. See Ghostlight Theatre Club’s production of acclaimed science-fiction writer Jerome Bixby’s “The Man from Earth” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the theater, 3110 N Walker. Information: 286-9412 or www.ghostlightokc.com.
4. CLINTON — Listen to Cinderella and Vince Neil at 8 p.m. Friday at Lucky Star Casino, 7777 N U.S. 81. Information: www.luckystarcasino.org or www.ticketstorm.com.
-BAM
What to do in Okahoma on Oct. 18, 2011: Laugh along as New Movement Theater brings its OCTourber to Ghostlight Theatre Club
The New Movement Theater
Today’s featured event:
Laugh out loud as OKC Improv hosts The New Movement Theater’s 11-city OCTourber with a performance at 8 tonight at Ghostlight Theatre Club, 3110 N Walker in the Paseo Arts District.
The touring company features improvisers from New Movement theaters in Austin and Houston, Texas, as well as New Orleans, La. Nationally acclaimed OKC-based comedy duo Twinprov will open the show.
Tickets are $10 each. Call 343-1570 or e-mail okcimprov@gmail.com for reservations. The show is ponsored by Studio8.net and The New Movement.
In addition, OKC Improv will begin a new session of weekly improv classes for adults starting Saturday and continuing weekly through Nov.26 at Ghostlight Theatre Club. The Level 1 class will take place from noon to 2 p.m., followed by Level 2 from 2 to 4 p.m., and Level 3 from 4 to 6 p.m. Drop-ins are always welcome in the Level 1 class. The first class attended is free; the cost is $10 for each additional class. Returning students get a free class when pre-paying for an entire six-week class session.
OKC Improv also currently offers a FUNdamentals of Improv class for fifth- through eighth-graders at The Studio of The Sooner Theatre, 227 E Main in Norman. Classes run through April with an end-of-year performance for friends and family. Classes take place every Monday from 6:30 to 7:30pm. Tuition is $50 a month. Limited scholarships are available. For more information, go to www.soonertheatre.com.
OKC Improv is Oklahoma’s premiere performance showcase and teaching institution dedicated to the art of improvisational comedy and theater. OKC Improv’s performance showcase at Ghostlight Theatre Club will resume next month with shows on Nov. 12, 19, 25 and 26.
For more information on tonight’s show, classes and more, go to www.okcimprov.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Live music, art demonstrations and more offered at new Sunday on Paseo Creek event
Three galleries in the Paseo Arts District are starting this weekend their first Sunday on Paseo Creek event. The outdoor venue, on beautiful Paseo Creek in the heart of the Paseo Arts District will present three hours of live music, art demonstrations, food and beverages for Oklahomans to enjoy on a quiet Sunday afternoon. Admission will be free.
From 1 to 4 p.m. this Sunday, visitors can enjoy the great music of The Crescent Trio, a traditional jazz trio and art demonstrations by three artists, Regina Murphy and Nancy Park from Contemporary Art Gallery and Bob Kenworthy from Summer Wine Art Gallery. Food and beverages will be available in all three galleries, but visitors are invited to bring picnics. In addition to the grass along the banks of Paseo Creek, there will be tables and chairs set up for visitors to make themselves comfortable, according to a news release.
Three art galleries, Summer Wine, Contemporary Art and Visions in the Paseo, have come together to form the Paseo Creek Art Galleries. Located in the heart of the Paseo Arts District these three galleries open up on Paseo Creek in the 2900 block of Paseo. All three galleries are open every Sunday and are located within feet of each other.
-BAM
Best Bets for Oct. 7-9, 2011: Check out Dolly Parton, Mutemath, “The Broken Statue” and more
Dolly Parton (AP file)
1. Listen to Grammy-nominated rockers Mutemath at 9 p.m. Friday at The Conservatory, 8911 N Western. Doors open at 8 p.m. Information: www.conservatoryokc.com.
2. See the world premiere of the play “The Broken Statue,” by state author Bob Perry, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Jewel Box Theatre, 3700 N Walker. The play is based on various events in the lives of former Oklahoma Gov. E.W. Marland and his wife, Lydie. Information: 521-1786 or www.jewelboxtheatre.org.
3. Hear Edmond red dirt star Stoney LaRue & the Arsenals at 11 p.m. Friday at the Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan. Doors open at 6 p.m. Information: 601-6276 or www.wormydog.com.
4. View new work by Oklahoma artists during the monthly Paseo Gallery Walk from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday in the Paseo Arts District. Information: www.thepaseo.com.
5. TULSA — Hail the “Queen of Country Music” when Dolly Parton plays at 8 p.m. Saturday at the BOK Center, 200 S Denver. Doors open at 7 p.m. Information: (866) 726-5287 or www.bokcenter.com.
-BAM
Paseo Gallery celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month with “Pinktober” exhibit
"Miss Pinktober" by Sue Hale
In Your Eye Gallery, in the Historic Paseo Arts District, is celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month with an exhibit called “Pinktober,” featuring artwork by both gallery and guest artists.
The opening reception is set for 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday during the monthly Paseo Gallery Walk. Show will be on view through Saturday, Oct. 29.
“We know this is a major issue for women’s health, and we want to help by increasing awareness of the importance of receiving regular mammograms. We are thrilled that these guest artists, many of whom are survivors, are joining us in this effort.” said artist Sue Hale, coordinator of the exhibit, in a news release.
The show will include works by 17 artists, including Hale, Annalisa Campbell and Yun Hendricks. Each participating artist is either a survivor herself, like Natalie Friedman and Michelle Junkin, or has a close relationship with a survivor.
“This is an issue close to my heart since my mother was a survivor for 22 years,” Hale added in the release.
The exhibit will include cards and limited edition prints.
A portion of the proceeds from the exhibit will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, an organization dedicated to ending breast cancer forever. In addition, all In Your Eye Gallery artists will donate 10 percent of their sales during the opening reception on Friday and Saturday to the Komen Foundation.
For more on the “Pinktober” exhibit, click here to read the preview feature by The Oklahoman Fine Arts Editor Rick Rogers.
For more information, go to www.inyoureyegallery.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Sept. 24, 2011: Experience the magic of the Fairy Ball in the Paseo
Dressed as an elf, Truman Wallace, of Oklahoma City, plays during Theatre Upon a Star Dance Swan's 2009 Fairy Ball in the Paseo Arts District.The 2011 event is set for 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday outside on the "Fairy Green" at Dewey and NW 28. (Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman Archives)
Today’s featured event:
Experience the magic of the 10th annual Fairy Ball from 7 to 9 p.m. today on the Fairy Green at Dewey and NW 28, just west of Paseo Grill. The yearly event was originally scheduled for Aug. 6 but postponed due to the record summer heat wave.
Children, parents and the young at heart are invited to celebrate the wonder and enchantment of turning flowers into wearable art, dancing with light hearts and free spirits and spending twilight outdoors. To read my preview of the event, click here.
The ball is free, but donations will be accepted to offset expenses. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information, call 525-2688 or go to www.thepaseo.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
